MY CHIEF CORNERSTONE

by Silvia Leigh

“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes” (Ps 118:22, 23)

The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a foundation. This is very important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. The strength, stability and success of the building depends on that unique great and marvelous stone.

The stone laid in Zion ( Isa 28:16 ) is precious to the believer. The same is a stone of offense and stumbling ( Isa 8:4 ) to those who refuse to believe. The metaphor seems obvious: the cornerstone is either a source of blessing or judgment, depending on your attitude toward it. The foundation Stone of the Church is Jesus Christ. This was prophesied by the prophets of old and fulfilled through the incarnation and His crucifixion. Those who believe are blessed and those who stumble over that rock chosen by God are condemned.

See the foolishness of these builders… They want to take pride in building a great strong building. They were supposed to know the qualities of the stones they need to work with. But they rejected the most important stone of all. There are many stones that are similar. You can reject one of those and the building still stands. But this corner stone is unique. There is no other like it. No other stone is as strong to sustain the building. In rejecting the Chief Cornerstone, the builders will surely be destroyed by the work of their hands. They rejected the Rock that alone can carry the house. They chose to build on the sand and when the storms of life come, their imaginary castle will fall with a great crash destroying all inside.

It is wonderful to see what God does when men reject His Son, His Word and His ways. Men may reject His will, but His will is still done on earth as it is in heaven. God always has the last say. God cannot be frustrated. God can never lose! Men and devils killed Jesus. But the Father raised Him from the dead! This is the power of the Gospel! What a life giving story …

This is the Word of God: Salvation is found in no other except in The Lord Jesus Christ! Be sure your Christianity is built on the Rock of ages! Examine your foundation! Are you really born again or just religious? If you are born again, your life will be miraculous and wonderful! Signs and wonders shall follow you as day follows night! But if you are bored or frustrated with your life, it may be that you are a false believer and in danger of hell!!! I joke and I laugh often! But these questions are not a laughing matter at all! The difference between receiving and rejecting the Chief Cornerstone, which is Our Lord Jesus Christ, is the difference between life and death!!! Meditate on these words, please… Give your life to Christ!!! Be born again!!! In Jesus name, amen!

As for me and my household, we are saved by the Blood of the Lamb, by the grace of the Father in heaven and thru faith in a his Son! We rejoice! We praise the Rock of our foundation! Hallelujah!!! Glory to God!!!

Tali 4

I AM A BRIDE

by Silvia Leigh

LETTER FROM A CHRISTIAN SISTER
“Dear Lia,
I have just read all your posts on Facebook; your are responding like a new bride of Christ, with a fresh anointing of the Spirit, you are right in saying that what is happening in your spirit is a miracle.

God says that we are the bride of Christ, the church, what we have been praying for has started in your heart; it is only by the will of God that ‘REVIVAL’ STARTS, it is only by his grace, and it starts in us, his bride. as i read your testimonies, i am excited to the point of tears for what God is doing. Lia, this is REVIVAL, only God knows why you have to sow in pain, but He has chosen the church and you are the vessel.but I know that you will reap a great harvest of joy. there is much that i could say, but i believe God has heard our prayers.

My prayer is that the hearts of the church will be revived and a Holy fire will ignite the world.
Love…”

I AM BOASTING

by Silvia Leigh

“And He (Jesus) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2Cor 12:9, 10)

Today is the 13th day since I broke my leg and I have to stay in compulsory bed rest. Most people wish me to be healed and be strong once again. Their prayers is that I go back to the church and do ministry. Me too I want to walk without crotches. Me too I want to go back among people and do ministry. But between now and that day, I have to discover the purpose and the glory in this my infirmity.

One thing I know: I am a child of God and God is with me. He may have not injured me and He could have prevented my fall. But God permitted all this for a purpose. God always works with a purpose in mind. God never makes mistakes. God never experiences accidents. He is always in control in His universe.

Little by little the Holy Spirit brings drops of mercy to me. These come as nuggets of revelation of His goodness and grace. If in the past the grace of God for me was a doctrine, now it is something I feel, I experience. The grace of God announces the healing. This unmerited favor of God is always sufficient to carry me thru every situation. When sin abounds and sorrow multiplies, when pain increases and fears attack in the night, the grace of God sails upon the troubled waters. The grace will bring me home. The amazing grace is the perfect answer to all my questions and all my pains.

Grace prepares my spirit to receive and to host the power of Christ. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead and defeated the hosts of hell, is what has settled upon my spirit. This is my boast right now: the power of Christ RESTS upon me. The everlasting arms of the Living God embrace me, hold me tight, remold my vessel and seal my heart. I boast and rejoice that Christ did not run away from me when I was wounded. He came closer to me than when I was strong in myself. He poured the power of resurrection into my heart. He strengthens my soul.

I am still surprised at the depth of God’s love revealed to a limping middle age woman like me. To me, this is a miracle! The Almighty God really has time to waste on earth encouraging me on my sick bed. What an experience… I have lost any desire to complain or to ask questions. I am so happy and at peace… It is my boast!

“My Lord Jesus, You are truly surprising me… My weakness does not embarrass You … My foolishness does not frustrate You… My doctors’ advice does not confuse You… My mistakes do not agitate You… I worship You for who You are, my Savior, my Comforter, my Teacher, my Healer, my Praise, my Boast, my Strength, my Reward and my Lord! Please receive all the glory about everything that concerns me! In Jesus name, amen!”

Tali 3

MY SPIRIT SUSTAINS ME

by Silvia Leigh

“A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?” (PV 18:14)

It is eleven days since I fell and broke my ankle. It has been a very interesting journey. The physical pain is almost gone but I still have to rest my foot and I still gave to walk with crotches. The good side of this trial is that there are so many revelations coming to me now. I can write a book! It is very possible that if it was not for this infirmity I could have been too proud to receive these revelations. The truth is that no one desires sickness. I am a medical doctor. I was trained to hate sickness. But as a child of God I see the rainbow at the end of the storm. Yes, there was need for a storm in the night to appreciate the colors of the rainbow early in the morning.

One of the scriptures that pulsate with living faith for me now is the one above. I knew it in my head but now I feel the Word in my spirit. Thru this infirmity I proved the Word to be true. The scripture talks about a man’s spirit; what he can do and what he cannot do. The human spirit is the invisible and the deepest part of man. It is made from the same substance as God. It is the heart or the life if the soul. God speaks only to the spirit. The human spirit is made of three parts:

*The Intuition (it is man’s capacity to know God directly, without passing thru the mind. The mind understand later what the spirit knows now. Children are more intuitive than adults. For example: a child will know if a man is wicked and will cry when coming close to that man. An adult may be deceived by the man’s money or appearance and because of sin his intuition is weak)
*The conscience (it is man’s capacity to know what God wants and what God hates. It works like a traffic light. If the conscience says ‘green’ it means you should move on. If it is ‘yellow’ it means that you should wait. It it says ‘red’ it means that you should stop because that thing in front of you is sin. A healthy conscience is a great blessing. A wounded conscience is trouble already)
*The Communion (it is the human capacity to truly worship God in Spirit and in truth and to experience the glory of God)

The spirit of an unbeliever is dormant, like a man in coma. It does not respond well. It is very weak. It does not hear God speaking. The only man whose spirit sustains him during sickness or trials is the born again child of God.

This is one of the greatest revelations I have received these past few days. This is indeed my testimony, proving once more that I am a true believer in Jesus Christ! During these trying days my intuition tells me that God is with me right now. My conscience feels no guilt and no shame to be found in this situation. I commune with God from this bed. I worship Him freely. My fracture does not exist in the Spirit Land of His free grace. God gave me a strong wiling free spirit to follow Him. I sing, I walk, I dance … This joy becomes strength, hope and healing. It sustains and carries me along. I do not feel tired, frustrated, anxious or sick. God is with me and that is all that matters…

But if man’s spirit is grieved, broken or crushed, then any thing in life, even the good things, become burdens to heavy to carry. If you grieve the Holy Spirit thru rebellion your spirit will be grieved too. There shall be depression and sleepless nights. A guilty conscience is more painful than any fracture. Without the comfort of the Holy Spirit you feel lost in the universe. No man can bear when God turns His back on him. I know how that feels. Any true believer passes thru hell when the Holy Spirit convicts him of sin. That is the process necessary to come to the cross, to plead the Blood of Jesus and His mercy of forgiveness. This is how you feel before you become saved. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. It is hell on earth. The only thing left to do is to acknowledge your sin and surrender your life to Jesus. Only then you shall have peace.

I hope that these words will encourage you to seek and find The Lord Jesus! You who are sick, be sure that your spiritual connection line to God is free. Then you can endure anything anytime for God is with you! Again I say: that is all that matters!

“Father, Son and Holy Ghost I worship You for who You are…for who You are to me … for Your presence, for Your strength, for Your joy, for Your life imparted in my spirit… For the grace bestowed and glory revealed… In Jesus name, amen!”

Lia 9

LAYING DOWN MY LIFE

by Silvia Leigh

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1Jn 3:16, 17)

We know that Jesus laid down His life for us His friends. What many of us do not know is that we have to imitate our Master even in the way we live and love. True love means to be willing to lay down your life and privileges for others, the people that God has given under your care. Love is not just words. Love is more than giving roses… True love is very much a spiritual, sacrificial and practical work.

In the scripture above you see that there are only two options once you step in the realm of the Spirit. You either lay down your life or you shut off your heart; you either become humble or you become proud; you either love or you kill the lover.

To lay down your life for Christ’s sake it means to be a true Spirit filled believer in Jesus Christ; it means to be lead by the Holy Spirit; it means that you do not speak your own words but only the Word of God; it means that you take your cross daily and follow Jesus; it means that by the power of the Holy Spirit you kill the selfish desires of your flesh; it means that you pray for others; it means that you rejoice with the gains of others; it means that you mourn with the pains of others; it means that you forgive others who have offended you; it means that you desire peace with all men; it means to be holy as God is holy; it means that you study the Word of God so that people may see you as a Bible they can read; it means that you live free from fears and boldly walk like Jesus walked…

When He was on earth, Jesus was visibly ‘promoted’ only once: on the Mount of Transfiguration. For the rest of His life He lived humbly and sacrificially serving God and others and forgetting about Himself. This is agape love! This is to have the mind of Christ! This is to be a true believer and more than a conquerer!

You say that this life style is hard… Of course, be not deceived, to practice true Christianity is hard… But walking the royal way of the Cross is the only way to glorify God on earth… It is the only way men will know that Jesus is alive…it is hard, but God receives His glory and your reward will be the eternal crown of life! What about that?

I WILL DANCE

by Silvia Leigh

 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Ecc 3:22, 23)

This morning my husband suddenly said: ‘Lia, please go and bring that book from my office…’ I was mentally calculating how to get up from bed, take my crotches and go to bring his book. Suddenly he started laughing, saying…’sorry, I forgot that you broke your leg…’ He then got up and brought the book by himself…

To me this is a wonderful sign of God’s love to us. My husband does not see me as an invalid, as a cripple. My bone fracture has not entered into his mind. He completely forgot about my cast caging my foot. He sees me as I was before, walking strong, doing my work. He sees my as dancing unto the Lord…

The devil has failed again. I declare that this infirmity is only in my body and not in our minds. It is superficial and not deep. It has not affected our marriage in any negative way. God is faithful. He has revealed to us new wonderful mercies this morning. I am much more encouraged that I shall walk again. My husband needs me, my children (natural and spiritual) need me… I will walk… I will dance… To the glory of God! In Jesus name, Amen!

You too be encouraged today! Your problem is not deep. God will help you and restore your losses! In Jesus name! Amen!

Lia 8

STRENGTH IN MY SOUL

by Silvia Leigh

“On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul” (Ps 138:3)

Since the day I fell and broke my ankle something wonderful has happened. According to God’s promise, I have been inundated with waves upon waves of spiritual boldness and strength. This is completely supernatural and God alone takes all the glory. The Holy Spirit fills me and encourages me daily, not only to trust God for recovery but to continue to do ministry to them who are under my care. I am speaking of my children, natural and spiritual, and the other sheep in my flock. I pray and intercede for them like never before. Just in case you have forgotten… It is only my bone that is broken. My spirit and my voice are stronger now. There is no fear, self pity, doubt or confusion left in me. Glory to God!

This is my declaration in Christ: I have received strength in my soul. To understand this statement let me explain… Man is created by God and it is made of three parts: the body, the soul and the spirit. The best picture is an egg. The body is like the shell of the egg. That is the visible part of man that houses the soul. The body is not very strong. It can be sick and weakens with age. One day the body dies and the soul is released. The soul is like white of the egg. It is invisible and dwells inside the house of the body. It is the peculiar part that gives you identity, that makes you to be you. The soul has three components:
1. The mind (the capacity to think, to imagine, to memorize…)
2. The emotions (the capacity to love, to feel, to be poetic…)
3. The will (the capacity to make decisions).

The spirit of man is like the yellow yoke of the egg. That is where the life is. It has three components also: the conscience, the capacity to worship and the spiritual intuition to know God directly. Like an egg without a yoke, before you are born again the spirit is dead. God is Spirit and He only talks to the spirit of man. That is why you need to become born again before you can hear the voice of God.

Now back to the soul… Different people have different levels of strength in each of these components of the soul. Some are more intelligent than others. Some are more emotional and loving than others. Some are stronger willed and when they decide something they do not look back.

This is my testimony: the Holy Spirit has strengthened my mind, my emotions and my will. I have a sound mind. I am more creative, more imaginative now than before the trial. My memory is stronger. I remember the scriptures faster and quickly applied them to my situation. My love for God and for my family (natural and spiritual) had increased. I feel tender, loving, caring, more prayerful and strong. My will is stronger. I have put my hands to the plow and there is no looking back.

As for me and my household we shall continue to serve The Lord until that Day. There is no shaking! If the devil thought that by breaking my leg he had conquered me, he has been seriously disappointed. There is confusion in the camp of my enemies. If the devil did not want me to become a better wife, a stronger mother, a more anointed pastor, he should have left me alone. Like we say in Nigeria… ‘Devil miss road’. With this new living strength in my soul I am getting ready for greater exploits for my King and my Lord! Warri and Effurun Nigeria must experience revival from on high! God will do it! This is my stand! In Jesus name, amen!

Lia 7

MY LITTLE THINGS

by Silvia Leigh

 

“For who has despised the day of little things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel– these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth.” (Zech 4:10)

Today I can see that there is a clear improvement in my health condition. The first thing I can say is this: the pain is almost gone. The second testimony is that I am more stable and less shaky when walking with the crotches. A week ago I could have laughed at such ‘testimonies’. These are called ‘small things’… Who bothers to observe them? They do not make the news… These improvements are easily despised by men who are strong and well. But for us, the needy people, the sick people, each improvement is gratefully acknowledged and rejoiced over. It does me good to think like this!

God is big but He chose to reveal Himself thru ‘small people, small things and small beginnings’. Waiting for the trumpet sound of a great visible breakthrough, it is easy to miss them. But the eternal Kingdom of God is like a little mustard seed. The Almighty God’s Son, Jesus Christ came to earth as a little baby. The Bible is a small book. There is no volume 2 or 3. If you cannot find God between Genesis and Revelation you have missed it!

Pride is the poison of love. God needs to humble us before we are ready to love the way Jesus loves. The beginning of a great work of God always starts with a little seed of faith that falls and is buried in the ground of hope. That seed may look lost. But once the little work begins, the God of Heaven, who sees the end from the beginning, shall bless and perfect that work.

This evening I worship the God who sees the sparrow fall, who teaches me once more how to walk like a baby. Me and my grandson Oliver we shall walk together. What an unexpected privilege… One day I shall dance dance dance… Until then I feel good that my step is stronger than yesterday. This strength came from above and I shall not despise it!

“Thank You Lord Jesus… Not only that You are good but all good things, no matter how little, come down from You! I am so grateful! To You alone be all the glory! Amen!”

All you who are sick or weak, pray to God in the name of Jesus! God does not owe us but He is the loving God! He will hear you and He will answer you! Give Him thanks for every crumb of improvement! Like me, be encouraged today!

Lia 6

HE HEARD ME

by Silvia Leigh

This is my testimony… The devil pushed me and I fell… I broke my left ankle…My Lord Jesus heard my cry… He heard my prayers for help… He wiped my tears… He strengthen me… He came down to lift me up from the pit of trouble… Jesus healed me… Love lifted me! To God alone be all the glory!

Lia 5

JUST ONCE

by Silvia Leigh

 

“Whatever they plot against the LORD He will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time… Why are you scheming against the LORD? He will destroy you with one blow; He won’t need to strike twice!” (Nah 1:9; NIV, NLT)

This morning marks one week since I fell and broke my ankle. I had to lie down for seven days… I could not have done it except by the grace of God. This night I could hear the praises from the sanctuary but I could not come down to join them. I had to learn patience and trust that it is all for a good purpose. My faith that God permitted this ‘accident’ has kept me still. I am surprised but from the second I fell and even up till now I had not experienced any fear or regret. I know that God is with me in this trouble.

God is in control! I trust Him to reveal to me the good things He wants me to learn walking thru this fire. One thing I clear, I have received a new appreciation for the value of prayer and faith. Prayer is so ‘sweet’ when the only ‘thing’ you have left is God!

It has been a prayer of worship and warfare. This time I have no doubt at all that I will defeat the enemy. As a wife, mother, grandmother, pastor, intercessor and leader of revival in our city, I claim the victory won on Calvary Hill. The devil is not just my enemy but the enemy of my husband, of my children (natural and spiritual) and of the sheep and lambs entrusted to our care. We still have much work to do!

The devil miscalculated. For example, if you want to kill a lion you shoot him in the head or in the heart. But if you shoot a lion in his leg, you only make him furious. He will use the remaining three legs to attack and kill the wicked hunter.

This time I am ready for a ‘show down’ with the enemy of our souls. When I could stand on my own two feet I was in danger of running ahead of God. Flesh was still an hindrance. But now, slowed down by grace, the hands of God will carry me to victory.

This is my confession: I can never fall again! This pain cannot repeat itself in my life time or in the lives of my husband and children! The Lord is our Shepherd; we shall not want! Affliction cannot come twice in the same house! As our Lord died once for all, this pain must be once, and on behalf of all! If in the past I was sleeping this time I am wide awake to fight back! We shall celebrate our common victory! Just get ready for the testimony and the praise that will soon come! Jesus You are Lord!!!

THE FIRE OF LOVE

by Silvia Leigh

 

“Hang my locket around your neck,
wear my ring on your finger.
Love is invincible facing danger and death.
Passion laughs at the terrors of hell.
The fire of love stops at nothing—
it sweeps everything before it.
Flood waters can’t drown love,
torrents of rain can’t put it out.
Love can’t be bought, love can’t be sold—
it’s not to be found in the marketplace…” (SS 8:6-8; TM)

This season in my life is different than others. There are new feelings that I have to cope with. I am not busy but a very active person. I do my work in the house, in the kitchen and the ministry too. But now, my body and my mind has to adjust to the limitations of imposed bed rest. The most frustrating thing for me is to be forced to lie in bed and see my husband doing ‘my work’. Many people offered help with cooking and cleaning. But my husband and I decided to ask for very little help. We need to pass thru this fire together. He is a very busy man with the work of ministry. But he rose to the challenge to be a wonderful loving husband to me even in my infirmity. He cooks and brings the food here in the bedroom so that we can still eat together. I feel a little guilty for being so pampered… It is possible that I had underestimated his love for me… He is always surprising me in good and sweet ways…

On our wedding day 42 years ago, we made a vow, a covenant, that we shall love one another and stay faithful to one another in all situations of life. It means that our love must endure thru seasons of riches or poverty, thru sickness or health, youth time and mature age.

This fracture is a test for us as a couple. Love is tested now in the fire. I already see that the bond is become stronger. My broken foot is not only mine. It is his own too. I appreciate God for blessing me with such a wonderful husband who does not run away from trouble and who is even more caring in my hour of need.

This is our testimony as a married couple: The devil could only break my bone. He could not break our marriage or the unity of the Spirit created in the bond of peace. This fire will be a welding fire that will bring us closer to God and to one another, more than ever before! Now you know why we call the devil a loser! Now you understand our joy, our strength, our anointing for ministry and our boast in the Lord! True romantic love in marriage is like the wine. It gets better with age. Nothing can quench its fire! Nobody can steal its reward! The future is better than the past! ‘Lord, I believe…’

My children, be encouraged today!

(In the picture, our breakfast)

Lia 4

MY SAVIOR, MY HEALER AND MY PRAISE

by Silvia Leigh

 

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for You are my praise” (Jer 17:14)

Today is the 6th day since I fell and broke my ankle. I am a medical doctor by profession. No doctor wants to changes places with a patient. The doctor is in control of the case ; the patient is at the mercy of the doctor. I am used to be in control. Now I have to humble myself and learn to be a patient. It is not as easy as I thought. I am not a sickly person generally. I do not take drugs except occasionally. Sickness is an enemy to me. But now, I have to lie down in bed ‘by force’…

Can any good come out of this? Yes! I already see the glory of God coming slowly to a place that seems strange to me but where mercy and grace suddenly became available in my time of need. I boldly declare: It is well with me and my children…

I am gaining a new insight in the dark world of sickness and suffering. My spiritual eyes have opened to the great opportunities of walking by faith and not by sight. The truth is I did not plan to walk on this path. I was too confident of myself, too jealous on my physical strength and my personal freedom. I needed my body to obey me, to go and do the work of God. I saw nothing good in lying down with a cast on my foot…

But just the way the Spirit of God directed Jesus to go to the wilderness for a direct battle with the enemy of God, so also God permitted this affliction to come to me. I am not angry with God. I am not angry with myself. I am only angry with the devil who comes to kill steal and destroy. I am more ready than ever to face this enemy for this time I depend only on God’s strength and not on mine. God’s power is not just available to me but it has now become perfected and beautified in this my infirmity. I lost all my fears and my doubts the moment I fell. I fell into peace. It may seem strange but it is the truth…

Right now I am very jealous over the testimony of God in my life. It is true that the doctor fixed a cast on my foot. But my healing comes from God alone. My foot inside the cast is like a worm in the cocoon. Only God sees how the ugly helpless worm inside will become a butterfly. Only God can create , prepare and strengthen the wings for the beautiful butterfly to fly. No human power can heal. No man can save the soul of another man. That is purely the work of God! That is why Jesus died!

This is my wish and my prayer this morning: I want God to glorify Himself in my life even now! I want God alone to heal me! I want God alone to save me from the plans of my enemies who rejoice at my pain! I want God alone to vindicate me as His Servant! I want to have a fresh testimony of God’s grace in my life! I want God alone to be my eternal praise!

Singing: “I shall praise…I shall praise…Your Holy Name!”

According to His promise it shall be so! In Jesus name, Amen!

Lia 3

WONDERFUL THINGS

by Silvia Leigh

“Oh, LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago” (Is 25:1)

As I lie down with a broken ankle I remember that something similar happened to me in May 1973. I just graduated from the secondary school in my home town Orsova, Romania. I was preparing to pass the exam to enter the Medical School of the University in Timisoara, Romania. I went over there two weeks in advance to read and to know the place. I was staying with a lady called Tanti Nelly who was a family friend. Her flat was at the second floor. Each day I will go up and down on these old stairs.

A day before the exam started I missed the step and I fell. I twisted my ankle badly. I was in a lot of pain. I was taken to the hospital had an x-Ray and a cast was fixed on my leg. My parents came and they were very worried. Everybody said that I cannot go to the exam hall the next day with crutches and in pain. They all said that I will not be able to concentrate and answer the questions. That I should forget about the exam and try it again a year later. I don’t know the type of courage that came into me because I told them I will go to the exam hall.

There were three exams. I pass them all. I went back home to recover and in September I went to Timisoara to start the first year in the School of Medicine. On that first day I met my new colleague, a Nigerian young man called Richmond Leigh. In less than 6 months he proposed marriage to me. But that is another story…

Do you see the lesson? If I did not go that year to read medicine I could have missed my destiny encounter with the man God prepared to be my husband. This is another reminder that the devil attacks before great breakthroughs are ready to happen. I was not a believer but God had a plan greater than my unbelief. That is why I now rejoice for this pain can only confirm the defeat of the devil and the beginning of a greater testimony.

My dear children, you do not have to break your leg too. Mine is enough for the whole family! Identify with my pain and joy shall be your reward. Like I said, this fracture can only slow down my body (temporarily) but cannot slow down my spirit! This is because my spirit is connected with the Spirit of the Living God. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will heal and strengthen me. I believe! This is the best time to praise God who does wonderful things from generation to generation! I expect great testimonies to come from all of you! That will be my medicine, my joy and my boast! That you are well, strong and happy! In Jesus name, Amen!

Lia 2

FAITH FOUNDATION

by Silvia Leigh

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1)

Faith in God is the foundation of Christianity. Many claim to have faith but not all faith is accepted by God. There are many people who go to church but are not born again by the Spirit of the living God. They are only religious. They are not saved.

One of the best definitions of faith is found in the scripture above. Please read and meditate upon the words. A clear understanding of faith largely depends on how we perceive the word “substance” in verse 1. In Greek, it is hypostasis, literally “a standing under.” A more complex definition is “that which underlies what is apparent.” Amplified a bit further, it is that which, though unseen, exists beneath what is visible. It, then, has the sense of a foundation. Even as the foundation of a building is unseen, but the building above ground is apparent, the foundation, the hypostasis, is nonetheless real, supporting the building. Hypostasis is the unseen support of what is standing in clear view. Faith is the foundation of visible Christian character.

Spiritually, then, invisible faith underlies, supports, and thus motivates the visible action. We need to test what motivates our words and actions, what is behind them.

You need faith for daily living but especially for spiritual warfare. Examine your faith! If you have a tendency to ‘draw back’ from fighting for Christ’s sake it means that you do not have true faith! If during suffering, sickness, trials and persecutions you habitually think of methods of backsliding it means that you do not have a strong foundation of faith. If you gradually find ways to walk in flesh it means that your faith is either absent or very weak. If you are a coward you are not a believer!

God permits suffering to come from time to time. These are periods when we have great opportunities to examine our faith. True faith is confident of and totally depends on the existence, power and love of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit no matter the circumstances. True faith fights to the last breath. True faith is always a winner! God reward true faith with many crowns!

This is my confidence and my declaration of faith: My broken foot does not change anything in my relationship with God, in my identity as a child of God and in my assurance that God is totally in control over my life! I shall continue to trust my God not only for healing but for the greater purpose this pain will bring to pass! God wants to glorify Himself in my life and ministry! His will shall come to pass!

My children, stand strong in the faith and endure to the end! Our victory in Christ is sure! Jesus is Lord!

WE DON HAMMER

by Silvia Leigh

‘And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you’ (1Pet 5:10)

For the child of God suffering is never in vain. Suffering is never barren. Suffering announces greater grace and a closer relationship with God. Suffering is temporary but the blessings which follow are eternal.

Have you imagined what it means to be blessed with eternal, permanent blessings? God promised that immediately after the suffering, He will restore your losses, confirm your ministry, strengthen you against your enemies and establish your life, marriage, family and the work of your hands! God will not delegate an angel or a man to bless you. He promised to reward you by Himself. In Nigeria we say ‘you don hammer be dat’!!!

I declare that this my broken foot and the suffering attached to it has announced the greater grace, supernatural favor and rewards for me and my children (natural and spiritual). No enemy can stop our breakthrough! What the devil has planned for evil God has turned it for our good! Praise the Lord my children! We don hammer!

LOVE FLOWERS

by Silvia Leigh

‘I am the Lily of the valley…’ (SS 2:1)
A daughter in Christ sent me this bouquet of white lilies, with a butterfly in it and a note saying ‘Thank You Jesus. We love you…’ I so much appreciate this gift of flowers. In Nigeria it is not common to find them. This daughter has gone the extra mile of love to find them.

‘Thank you dear daughter… God bless you and your family!’

I pictured the flowers on top of my crutches as a sign that love is stronger than sickness or any limitations.

If you are in any difficulty trust God to the end. God is eternal and everything He does is eternal. God is faithful and all powerful! His grace on you does not diminish but in fact it increases when you need Him more. His strength is perfected in your weakness. God is not weak, does not sleep and does not slumbers. Be encouraged today! Jesus is Lord!

Lia 1

 

THERE IS A HOLY LIFTING

by Silvia Leigh

“Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered” (Mt 26:31)

There are already many revelations coming to me as I lie down with a broken foot. The devil attacked and I fell. I see it clearly: this accident cannot be just an ‘accident’. God permitted it to glorify Himself.

I have made some decisions;
•In my pain I will ‘stand still and see the salvation of the Lord’.
•I will have peace in the midst of the storm.
•I will apply the Word of God to my situation.

I know that good will come out of this trial of faith and my healing testimony will be a gift to increase the faith to all my children.

One major reason why the devil attacks the pastors and the spiritual leaders In the church is to scatter the sheep. He hates the unity of the Spirit and the bond of love that is unique to the Body of Christ. The devil is a scattering agent. To ‘scatter’ it means to cause (things or people) to separate and to go in different directions. This is the plan of the devil to separate us so that hopelessly and foolishly we go away from Christ and away from our pastors that God has ordained for us. To defeat the devil your spiritual eyes must be opened to see the truth that sets you free. Knowing this I decided to fight back!

To destroy the works of the devil I lift up this morning the name of Jesus! The Lord has promised that if we lift Him up, He will draw all (scattered) men after Himself. My children, do not look at men or circumstances and become weak. Look unto Jesus who died and rose again, your Savior and your Lord! He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords! He is the Galilean who has never lost any battle. Jesus can never lose! Let your faith increase! Things come and go… But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever! Come back from the devil’s scattering! Come home! It is well with us all!

PRAYER REQUEST – HEALED

by Silvia Leigh

‘By His stripes we are healed’ (Is 53:5)
We came back to Warri from a wonderful trip on Friday morning. In the evening we had a great meeting in the women fellowship. We prayed and prophesied that God will greatly bless the works of our hands. That our ‘canoe’ business will become a ‘merchant ship’ business according to the Word of God in Proverbs 31:14.

The next day the devil attacked! I was busy cleaning the house and I was carrying a big load. I missed my step from the stair case and fell. I broke my ankle. I am now on bed rest with POP cast and waking with crothces.

The devil is a liar! And a loser! There are already many testimonies coming. Please pray for me and my husband. In all thinks we give thanks. It is well! This is not for nothing… Because of my pain my children (natural and spiritual) will prosper and shall rejoice! In Jesus name, Amen!

“I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory…So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored” (Eph 3:13; NIV, NLT)

THANKS-GIVING

by Silvia Leigh

 
Dear daughters,
This is what God has provided for us today. It is your parents’ food on the table. It is rice, beans, dodo, chicken stew and greens. As you remember, everything you see is organic. I, your mother, I am so happy in Nigeria! Here people complain a lot… I understand… It is true that many things do not ‘work’ here but the food is good and it is even getting better. Please thank God for His grace and provision to us! Rejoice with us! When you come to Warri, remind me to cook exactly this dish. It is very sweet…
We Love you, children,
Tali and Malia

Nigerian food

(this is a little note to our children I am sharing with you)

OVERFLOW OF HOUSES

by Silvia Leigh

PRAISE REPORT

This testimony is given to the glory of God, to the shame of the devil and for the encouragement of the people of God!

God gave us this new church building as a sign of His love for us. As you may have known, it was the members of the church that provided all the resources and the labor to build the house of God. We did not take any loan from the banks and we do not owe anybody any money. Glory to God!

Then the miracles started coming. Since we dedicated the facility late last year many people have bought lands and started building their houses. This is a sign that the same anointing is over-flowing to bless many. These are only two examples: last week a couple has finished their house and entered in. They promised to use their home as a ‘lighthouse’ for the Lord. Today we dedicated another house. This couple have made a vow to bring drinking water to the church every week until they shall enter their own house. I am a witness that they have been faithful to their free vow. Today is their day. From today on, they shall not be tenants anymore. The senior Pastor and the brethren went to dedicate their house.

These people are not “millionaires”. They are hard working and faithful children of God. These testimonies are a proof that it is good to serve God! It is also good to humble yourself and submit to the authority God has placed over you. It is also a proof that you do not need money to build a house but you need faith in the living God! May your faith increase! Nothing is too hard for God!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! All glory to God!
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established” (PV 24:3)