My husband and I, we both love plants and flowers. God makes me happy in our garden! Simple things make me happy these days… To God be all the glory!

This is a question: what you have learned from the Bible? Is it only in your mind or it is also in your spirit? Are you able to apply the Word of God to your daily living? The Bible is the most practical Book. It teaches you how to live. The best way to discover the value of what you have learned from the Bible is to see how you react in times of trouble. Many people, who call themselves Christians, read the Bible but in times of trouble they panic; they depend on other men, pastors or the prayers of others. They claim to trust God but, they do not. King David says: God, “I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory (Psalm 63:2)”. David was used to find God in the sanctuary. But now, he was far from the sanctuary. He was in the wilderness. This is a practical question: Do we depend upon the church and its services only when they are in the sanctuary to find God for ourselves? Can we find God outside the sanctuary? For example, what will you do if you are sick and you find yourself on admission in the hospital? Can you find God, can you pray and worship God outside the sanctuary? Sooner or later we all meet with trials and temptations. It can be sickness, sorrow, or bereavement. This is called the wilderness of life. Every one of us must pass thru these trials. This is a passing world. It is also a testing world. What do you do when life is hard, when no man can help you and the sanctuary is locked? A child of God is able to pray and worship God anywhere, and at any time! Is that true of you?

(From my husband’s notes, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh)

This morning, in our garden, I took a picture of this cute lizard who stood up to see what is God doing this morning! I am sure that he was praising God, the Creator of heaven and hearth! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! This place is too quiet-oh!!!!

I took this picture this evening, from my balcony (Warri/ Efffurun, Nigeria). It is preparing to rain. In the past, from time to time, my dear husband would give me little gifts or flowers, just to make me happy. Now, in his absence, the Holy Spirit has taken over my happiness. He ‘greets’ me with colors in the sky. Look at the pictures. It is the same angle. It is the same sky, but still, never the same. I am happy’. I am never bored. The colors change all the time. God’s glory is displayed for all to see and rejoice. May your eyes see beyond the natural! May your happiness come from God Himself! He never disappoints! His mercies are new every morning! Great is His faithfulness!

MY GARDEN… GOD’S GIFT TO ME… EVENING TIME
(@Effurun, Warri, Nigeria)

MY GARDEN… GOD’S GIFT TO ME… EVENING TIME
(@Effurun, Warri, Nigeria)

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching on the theme “The Power of the Gospel”. Her main text was taken from the Book of Romans. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1:16, 17; 3:24; 5:18-21; NKJ).

What is God’s method in dealing with men? It is His Grace! Grace is unmerited favor to those who are unworthy of such gift. We merit death! We merit going to hell! But for Grace… Grace is God’s gift, full and free! There is a general grace and call (for all men) and there is a specific ‘irresistible grace’ and effectual call (for God’s children). When men hear the Gospel, they react differently: some hear and remain passive to the call (in other words, they reject it). Others (God’s children) hear the voice or Grace and are attracted. Their heart is softened. They believe and repent! They produce fruits of repentance and conversion. They love God’s Word, God’s people, and the Holy Spirit! Once born again, the child of God becomes fearless and bold thru the faith in the Gospel and the assurance of his salvation! Apostle Paul said: “I testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Ac 20:24).

King Sin is king (in Adam)

Sin is disobedience, rebellion, breaking God’s law, and God’s heart! In Greek, sin is ‘missing the mark’ (failing to achieve the intended purpose). Men are born to have fellowship with God, to be like Jesus and to give God all glory. But sin has destroyed that. Sin is ‘falling short’ of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). The effect of sin is increased sin (until it becomes bitterness of life) and death. Men are born sinners and they all die. This is a universal law. In Adam, all men sinned. Sin is more than deeds. It is positional. All men are born sinners and enemies to God. Man cannot save himself. He needs a Savior. Jesus Christ is the only Savior! This is the Gospel of Grace that we preach and believe!

KING GRACE IS KING (IN CHRIST)

Sin came thru Adam. Grace came thru Jesus Christ! As a King, Grace is sovereign in its domain, totally free and independent from anything of man, his works, and contributions, good or bad. Man does not merit grace. Man cannot bribe, buy, work for, or manipulate grace!  Grace is stronger than sin and death! Both Sin and Grace are Kings in their domains. In Adam, sin was king in the kingdom of death. Sin was so powerful that it killed all men. But in Christ, in the Kingdom of God, Grace is now King leading to Eternal Life. Grace is the only alternative to sin. You are either ‘under sin’ or under grace’. Where are you? A child of God may be deceived and fall into sin, but sin cannot be his king anymore. He is under King Grace. King sin used to be above but now, is under his feet. A believer may sin occasionally, but he can never love sin. Grace leads to repentance, to reconciliation with God and the Body of Christ. This is a test: if you steal or fornicate, and you feel good about it, even boast of what you have done, it means that you are not saved. Pray for mercy! The reign and power of King Grace is in Christ alone. King Grace is stronger than all sin and death. The sure eternal victory of King Grace gives power to the Gospel of Christ!

Grace was enthroned as King in the eternal council of the Trinity before the foundation of the world. Grace was revealed in the Old Testament. But grace became manifested full and free thru God’s Son Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Grace is not just offered to us. Grace is active, acts and reigns as a king! It is grace that pursues, locates us, and calls us to the Cross to be saved. Adam hid behind the trees, but God (His grace) pursued him. When Adam sinned, death entered; man fell into unspeakable tragedy, into the darkest night of humanity’ soul. When man was at his lowest, King Grace entered the scene and brought the unmerited favor of promised prophetic hope. The power of the Gospel was announced! The God of all grace, addressing to the devil, said this: “I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel… I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring’s heel” (Genesis 3:15; NKJ; GNT)

King Grace is a sin killer. Even when men did their worst, the Seed of the woman, Jesus Christ, was born! King Herod (the devil’s agent) killed the boys, but he failed to kill the Seed that will crush the serpent’s head! Lesson: Grace covers your destiny! Even when men were weak and foolish, Grace made a way for their salvation. Grace can never lose! Grace is not a weak emotion. Great is royalty! Grace is King that rules and reigns in the Kingdom of God. Sin always kills, steals, and destroys. Grace always gives abundantly! Our Salvation is by Grace! King Grace always ends in glory! This Victorious Powerful Grace gives us the assurance of salvation and the boast we have in Christ!

How do you recognize King Grace? When you are at your lowest, Grace will come and pick you up! Grace strengthens and settles your soul! Grace helps you to experience both the pain of the Cross and the power of Resurrection. When you are weak and almost defeated by trials, when men give up on you, King Grace always manifests with power and victory that you do not merit!  God told Apostle Paul: “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” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10). Apostle Peter said: ”May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1Peter 5:10). Worship the Lord!     

Prophetic scriptures

“Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their labor” (Isaiah 3:10)

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:57, 58)

“To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

This is how Moses changed Joshua’s name: Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, to go into the Promised Land and explore it. From the tribe of Ephraim, Moses send Hoshea the son of Nun. Later, Moses changed his name from Hoshea to Joshua (Numbers 13:8, 16). Now, why did Moses do this? The twelve spies came back from exploring the Promised Land and brought samples of fruit. Everybody was amazed at the size of the grapes. Ten of the men brought a negative report saying that the land is good, but also dangerous; the people are giants, and strong. They told the people that they do not have a chance to conquer the Promised Land. Hearing this, the whole congregation started weeping and suggested that they should go back to Egypt. That is when Joshua and Caleb stood boldly, to confront the cowards and encourage the people, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:7-9). It seems that when Moses heard Joshua speaking these faith-filled, encouraging, prophetic words, he changed his name. His original name was Hoshea, which in Hebrew it means ‘salvation’. His new name is ‘Joshua’ which means ‘Jehovah is the Savior’. The old name was a good name, but Moses changed for a better one, making it more personal. As you see, Joshua did not depend on his strength. He declared that the Promised Land must be conquered thru faith in Jehovah God. That is why Moses weaved the two names together: Jehovah and Hoshea, coming out with Joshua, to the glory of God! It seems that from that time on, Moses trusted Joshua as his attendant or assistant. They were from different tribes, but it was a decision based on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Joshua was faithful to Moses until his death. He then led the people of God into the Promised Land. After the death of Moses, God said to Joshua; “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them” (Joshua 1:5,6). Joshua and Caleb were the only people from the old generation who left Egypt, who were able to enter the Promised Land. Faithfulness to God and to God’s servants pays off! To God be all the glory!

(Taken from my husband’s notes; Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh)

Our youngest grandchild, Emory David Oakes, is 2 today! Praise the Lord!

A young brother from the church sent me this testimony thru the inbox. He is born again for some years. He is humble and hard working. He got delivered yesterday from a demon of pornography thru the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This testimony is given to the glory of God, to the shame of the devil and for the encouragement of others! Praise the Lord! “Good morning Ma, I have a testimony. It happened yesterday during the church service. I have an addiction to pornography. During the prayer hour before the sermon, I was praying for Direction concerning my life and as the prayer continued, MALIA, for the first time in my life, I began to pray in tongues; my body temperature changed, sweat and pain all through… and I heard a voice “you need freedom”. I could not stop praying in tongues… After the prayer, my body seem light. I can boldly say I’M FREE! I’m so happy, I’m grateful to God for this freedom. I still can’t believe that I can pray in tongues. And I heard the voice of God (first time). Praise God!!!” To God be all the glory!

I received another testimony from a sister in the church. She is faithful, humble, and hard working. She is married with two children. Read and receive from the overflow of anointing. May our lives testify for the power, mercy, love, and grace of our God! Jesus is Lord!

“Good evening mum, Malia, how are u doing today? I trust God is with u. Mum, I av a testimony to share with u to the glory of God the father, and to the shame of the devil, also as a source of encouragement that God is working mightily in our midst. During Sunday service, when u called out those who were sick, in debt, and alcoholics, I didn’t come out, but I having been experiencing chest pain for some while now, but I always feel it’s because of the job I do daily. I could not even open my mouth very well to pray. But it did not take long, when u ask us to sing that song in tongues. As I started singing, I felt the presence of God and instantly, the pain left me, I started screaming in tongues, and I knew instantly that God was right there in that service. Since that Sunday till now, I have not had that pain again. It is gone! Glory be to God in the Highest because He’s still the Jehovah Rapha till eternity”

To God be all the glory!

“He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20)

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching on the theme “The Power of the Gospel”. Her main text was taken from the Book of Romans. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1:16, 17; 3:24; 5:18-21; NKJ)

She said that the Book of Romans was written by the great Apostle Paul. It is the most important Book in the Bible and the greatest piece of ‘literature’ human beings have ever written. This is because, for the past two thousand years, the Book of Romans has influenced, converted, and radically changed the greatest number of people all over the world. The greatest revivals in the history of humanity started with people who have been influenced by the Book of Romans. Apostle Paul’s intent is to make the believers mature in the faith, for them to have the joy and the assurance of their salvation. The doctrine of justification by faith alone, by God’s grace, and not by man’s works, is the greatest doctrine revealed to man. It is foundational for saving faith. To be saved you need to put your total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, to believe that He died for you, so that you live. You need to believe that you are a sinner and that Jesus died for your sins. This is the Gospel of Christ Crucified, the ‘good news’ from heaven. It is the only way to be saved and have eternal life. Jesus did not come to earth just to announce the Gospel. He is the Gospel! Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life! Give your life to Christ! Be born again!       

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that one of the reasons why the Gospel has power it is because it tells us of our ‘permanent address’. It is not earth, not even heaven, but Christ!!! Let me say it again: Our permanent address and eternal location as believers, is Christ!!!! Because Christ is the King of heaven, of course, we shall go to heaven. But our eternal position and location, even right now, is Christ! Our salvation, the blessings and benefits we have in Christ, are ours because of our location! This spiritual ‘location’ was the decision God made before the foundation of the world. This is called ‘the simplicity of Christ’. Salvation and all other benefits are in the same place, in Christ. You do not need to go away (to waka-waka) and look for any good thing outside Christ! Every evil spirit of the flesh, of impatience, restlessness, and backsliding, we reject in Jesus name! “All I need is You, Lord!”  

THERE ARE TWO MEN: ADAM AND CHRIST

Salvation is personal and positional. You are either in Adam or in Christ! For example: There are two planes going in different directions! We were all in the plane called Adam. But some of the passengers were transferred from the plane of death to the plane of eternal life. This plane is called Christ. Once I entered this plane, I can never ‘lose my salvation’. I may fall inside the plane, but I cannot fall out of the plane. Jesus is the pilot. Like God shut the only door of Noah’s ark, so God the Father has shut the door of the plane called salvation. I must stay inside until I reach heaven. I am saved forever! Not only that, I am enjoying ‘the ride’. It is the work of Grace. Amazing grace!  

*Adam was innocent, sinless, but on probation. He was created by God. In the natural, all humanity is in Adam.   

*Christ too was a Man, but He is also the eternal uncreated God. Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and begotten by God. He was not created. He is God. He was never on probation. He obeyed the law of God until His death. Therefore, He fulfilled the law. In the natural, all men are in Adam. But some of the children in Adam, were justified by God and placed in Christ. These are the elect and are called by God before the foundation of the world. This placement was done thru the will of God and by His grace. These are adopted by God and are His children. Once justified freely by God’s grace, as a child of God, you too are not on probation. Our salvation is sure and eternal. ‘The saints in heaven are more glorious but not more secure!’

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia leigh said that Adam and Christ are the heads (fathers) and representatives (ambassadors) of their descendants. God is a God of covenant! He deals with the head when He makes covenants with their descendants. With Adam, there was probation and when he sinned, we all fell with him. We then shared in the consequences and punishments of sin: increasing bondage to sin and death. These two are universal, common to all men. There is no explanation for their existence except what the Bible says. We are born sinners and with time, we become worse. At last, we all die! This is the common portion to all Adam’s seed. But now, in Christ, we all share in His Life, victory of obedience and eternal glory! We all are saved eternally and become members of God’s family! Our soul is saved once the Holy Spirit comes in and does His peculiar work of conversion. We have been translated from Adam to Christ. This move is once and for all time. It is irreversible. Salvation is God’s irreversible gift.  “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable… God doesn’t take back the gifts he has given or disown the people he has chosen” (Romans 11:29; NKJ; CEV). Let us praise the King of glory! Worship the Lord!

“This is a good question for all of us: What is the message that we should preach to others? The world is in agony; it is hopeless, a tragedy. It is full of confusion, violence, fears, armed robbery, kidnappings, and poverty. So many people try to kill their pains with drinking, revelry, sexual immorality, and involvement in the occult. We that are believers, what do we have to say to give hope to this world? The answer is that we should preach ‘the word’. We should preach the Gospel, Christ crucified and resurrected. Jesus Christ, the Savior, and the Lord is the only hope for mankind. We must be very sure of this in our minds. Before going to his death, Apostle Paul commanded his spiritual son Timothy to ‘preach the Word!’. This is the last letter written by Apostle Paul. This is what he commanded: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 2:4).

The Christian position does not depend on the wisdom of men, on philosophy or psychology. The power of Christianity, why nothing can destroy it, is because it is founded on Christ, who is the Word of God and Truth! We should take the example of Paul who “preached to them Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18). That is the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected, ‘the power of God unto salvation for anyone who believes’ (Romans 1:16).

Let us look closer at the message they preached. What was the message of the early church? Their message was not undefined, or uncertain; they were not struggling to explain something that was vague in their minds. Their message was not a story based on their imagination. It was not ‘common sense’. Not at all! Their message was definite and very particular. They preached ‘the Word’. It was a fixed, defined, and particular ‘word.’ They knew what they were talking about. Even today, many unbelievers think of Christians as people who do not know the truth and they are still searching for it. But the Christians are not explorers. They are men and women who have found God, thru the Person of Jesus Christ, their Savior and Lord. Even if the Christian is illiterate, he knows the truth and he spreads it to everyone who listens.

The Christian church is not a social gathering, a business club, or a philosophical group of men who search for the truth. The Church is the Body of Christ, a living spiritual ever growing organism, that has Christ as the Head. The believers are individually saved and connected by the Holy Spirit. The believers know the truth and are not ashamed or afraid to proclaim it, to herald it with the blazing assurance of the Holy Spirit and with much joy. If the members of a church do not love and preach the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected, then that gathering is not ‘a church’. It is something else! Dear child of God run away from it!”

Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh
(These wonderful words are taken from my husband’s notes. The Spirit is One!)

This morning, in my garden, I saw little flowers happily growing in between the rocks of the fence. They did not complain. They did not compare with the bigger (more beautiful) neighbor flowers that we have planted. I was impressed at their boldness and perseverance to make the best of their situation, and live! What is the lesson? I am always reminded that God is in charge. Therefore, even in tight places, I should not fear! God is with me! God knows the big and the small. He created them all. I should not be jealous on them that have more, that have a better life. I should be grateful for my portion in life, even if right now, it looks difficult. I should learn to persevere in prayer. I should make the best with what I have right now. I should not complain. No matter the circumstances, I should praise His holy name! There is light at the end of the tunnel and a rainbow at the end of every storm. The greater the storm, the more beautiful the rainbow shall be! I should daily continue to be faithful to God. Tomorrow is in His hands. God has never failed to take care of me. He can never fail! Like we say in Nigeria, ‘nothing do me’! I shall fulfill destiny! In Jesus’ name, amen!     

This is God’s Word: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7, 8)

In Christ, I declare: I am blessed and highly favored! I trust in the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth! My confidence is in God! I am like a tree planted by the river of life! My roots go deep into His unfailing grace! I fear not when life is hard! I am not worried when things are difficult! I will never fail to bear fruit, spiritually and physically! My children and my descendants are blessed forever! I shall serve Him and worship Him forever!  In Jesus’ name! Amen!

Children in our church praying for revival!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching on the theme “The Power of the Gospel”. Her main text was taken from the Book of Romans. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1:16, 17; 3:24; 5:18-21’ NKJ)

She said that the Book of Romans was written by the great Apostle Paul. It is the most important Book in the Bible and the greatest piece of ‘literature’ human beings have ever written. This is because, for the past two thousand years, the Book of Romans has influenced, converted, and radically changed the greatest number of people all over the world. The greatest revivals in the history of humanity started with people who have been influenced by the Book of Romans. Apostle Paul’s intent is to make the Roman believers mature in the faith, for them to have the joy and the assurance of their salvation. The doctrine of justification by faith alone, by God’s grace, and not by man’s works, is the greatest doctrine revealed to man. It is foundational for saving faith. To be saved you need to put your total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He died for you that you may live. You need to believe that you are a sinner and Jesus died for your sins. This is the Gospel of Christ Crucified, the ‘good news’ from heaven. It is the only way to be saved and have eternal life.      

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that one of the reasons why the Gospel has power it is because it tells us of our ‘permanent address’. It is not earth, not even heaven, but Christ!!! Let me say it again: Our permanent address and eternal location as believers, is Christ!!!! Because Christ is the King of heaven, of course, we shall go to heaven. But our eternal position and location is Christ! Our salvation, the blessings and benefits we have in Christ, are ours because of our location! This ‘location’ was the decision God made before the foundation of the world. Justification and condemnation, both are legal and forensic terms! God is the judge of all and based on the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, He declares some to be justified. The rest are condemned.  These two are opposite. You are either justified by God or you are condemned by God’s law; no middle ground!

This is God’s Word: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil … “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him… “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (John 3:16-19; 36; Romans 8:1).

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that concerning all human beings, there are only two spiritual positions: you are either in Adam or you are in Christ. Salvation is personal but also it is positional. Where are you? In Adam or in Christ? Adam and Christ are the heads (fathers) and representatives (ambassadors) of their descendants. God is a God of covenant! He deals with the heads when He makes covenants with their descendants. With Adam, when he sinned, all his descendants fell with him. We all shared in the consequences and punishments of sin: increasing bondage to sin and death. This is common to all. In the same way, in Christ, we all share in His Eternal Life, Victory and Glory. We all are saved eternally and have become members of God’s family! Once God ‘translates’ you from Adam into Christ, you cannot go back to Adam again. You have become an adopted child of God. Even if you stumble and fall into sin, you can never lose your salvation. The grace of God will help you repent and continue the race. The assurance of salvation is a revelation only the Holy Spirit can give. Pray that the eyes of your understanding become open to see this great salvation in Christ alone, this powerful gospel! There is none like it! Worship the Lord!  

Prophetic scriptures:

“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt 11:27-30)

To be ‘Weary’ it means to be tired from hard, long, disappointing, and boring work; work without reward or payment (like fishing without catching fish), slavery type of work. You have exhausted your store of patience, strength, freshness, and joy. 

To be ‘heavy laden’ it means to be oppressed, burden with worries you carry in your heart, troubles, too much responsibility to men, burdensome religious traditions of men

Jesus offers ‘Rest’. He will refresh and restore your soul! He gives you what none can give, the revelation of your Father in heaven! Halleluiah!

These words are taken from my husband’s diary. His name is Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh. They were written in 2003. At that time, he was fasting and praying for power and anointing to be a preacher of God’s Word. God answered his prayers. He became a mighty warrior for Jesus, a true man of God, a servant of Christ and a worshipper of the Most High God. My beloved husband is in heaven now, with the Lord. I am so proud of him, for even his words left behind on dusty papers are still so powerful and prophetic. Like Abel, “being dead, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4). My husband’s last words on earth were: “Jesus I love You! To God be all the glory!” May these words become a challenge and an encouragement to all who want to do ministry and serve the Lord Jesus Christ! I join him to say: to God be all the glory! ‘I started praying daily, every time and everywhere, in my soul, that God should empower me, and authorize me, in a special way, to preach His Gospel. I felt that I had no authority to show, or to prove, that God has sent me to preach His Gospel. I was desperate for power from on high to preach the Gospel of Christ Crucified. How can a powerless man like me, a sinner saved by grace, stand on behalf of Almighty God, who is such a great God, and talk? Who will listen? That was my question, my anxiety. This is what I was thinking. The Holy Spirit assured me that my prayer was a reasonable request. I decided to do something. I embarked on a program, to pray nonstop and at all times Throughout the months or July, August, and the larger part of September I heard nothing from God. During the last week in September the Spirit of God moved me to include fasting. I did dry fast, daily, from 6 am to 6 pm. I had done this for one week when God answered me with scriptures from the Book of Acts. He showed me how He empowered the Apostles to speak, to preach, to heal, with signs and wonders following. Hidden in the Book of Acts chapters 2, 3 and 4, were the exact words I was asking God to do for me, for us, on behalf of revival in Father’s House. The next day I found a piece of paper pasted on my door. It read this: “This period of consecration is My divine will to prepare you for the work ahead. I will personally teach you to work with Me, to worship Me, and how to give Me all the glory. I will teach you never to touch My glory if only you follow Me closely and do what I say. I will never leave you and never forsake you. Fear not! I only have called you and I only will make you to be My servant”. Then the Holy Spirit gave me the following prophetic scripture. “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them” (Isaiah 42:6-9). I believe every word. I say amen to the promise! To God be all the glory!”

Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh(2nd of October 2003)

My beloved husband (Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh) encouraged me to always speak the truth in love, even when it hurts! This is what he said: “If you have a hard truth to share, share it with your name on it, do not sign as “Anonymous,” rather, be brave and speak the truth in love even if it breaks you”. I try to follow his advice even now! I also teach the children to do the same! To God be all the glory!

(Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh)

During the Sunday service, Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled “The Power of the Gospel”. Her main text was taken from the Book of Romans.  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16, 17). She said that the Gospel of God is basically the story of Jesus, which is Christ crucified and resurrected. She said that the Gospel is ‘the power of God’. The reason why it is the power of God it is because the Gospel comes from heaven, from God Himself. It is not a product of human wisdom. It is God doing something and proclaiming His Work among men. Thru the Gospel, the sinners become right with God. There is no other way for a sinner to be saved except to believe the Gospel. Halleluiah!

Another reason why the Gospel is the power of God it is because is ‘mysterious’. The word ‘mystery’ means something strange, new, not known in the past. It is something difficult (or impossible) to explain and to understand. Without the Holy Spirit nobody can preach, believe, or understand the Gospel. Like God Himself, the Gospel is sovereign. Nobody can quench it or stop it. No one can successfully fight against it. Different people react differently when they hear the Gospel. Some people believe the Word of God and desire to hear more of it. They become saved and mature spiritually growing ‘from faith to faith’. Others, reject the Gospel and get hardened against it, going away to hell, even from doubt to doubt.

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that the Gospel is mysterious, but even so, it must be preached with boldness and confidence (Ephesians 6:18-20). The Gospel received with faith is able to establish the believer in the Lord (Romans 16:25-27). The Lord Jesus Christ spoke to the unbelieves only thru parables. This was not to make it easier for them to believe. It was the opposite. It was to hide the ‘mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven’ (Matthew 13:10-13). Practical application: If you sense that your faith is growing each time you hear the Word of God, it means that you are a child of God. This proves that your spirit is alive. Praise the Lord!

Why is the Gospel a mystery? The Gospel is not just a political or social human invention. It is God’s announcement from heaven. It is God’s Word! Everything about Jesus was also a mystery, a surprise: As you can see, the mystery of the Gospel is connected with our Lord Jesus, who was also ‘a mysterious’ Person. Nobody could control Jesus, and nobody can manipulate the Gospel! That is power! When Angel Gabriel told Mary that she will be pregnant thru the Holy Spirit, she was surprised. She did not understand the message. It was a mystery to her! Even the brothers of Jesus did not understand Him or believe in Him until their eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit (John 7:2-8). Like all the Jews, John the Baptist was expecting a military, political or kingly Messiah. He was confused why Jesus does miracles and preaches mostly to the poor, ordinary people. The Jews wanted a revolution and not a Gospel. Again, it is this mystery of Jesus and the power of His Gospel! (Matthew 11:2-6).    

The Gospel is a mystery. It is purely unique! If when you heard the Gospel for the first time, it did not surprise you, you did not hear it well. If to you Christianity is just a little teaching that you can easily explain, you did not understand the Word of God. If you did not feel its magnetic power, it amazing controlling influence, its call, mystery and glory, you did not hear it well. Trying to understand the Gospel it means trying to understand the mind of God! Can you do that? We are talking about the “I AM THAT I AM!” He is The Ancient of Days! The high and lifted up One! God is too pure, too high and we are too sinful! His Gospel comes only by grace-mercy-revelation! Praise the Lord! It is amazing how independent the Gospel is from the human understanding and control. The most intelligent man cannot understand it and the illiterate who believes can understand it. Jesus praised God for the mystery of the Gospel. He said: “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight” (Matthew 11:25, 26).

Why is the Gospel a mystery? It is because it is the wisdom of God, by the Holy Spirit revealing the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 1 and 2)! Without the Holy Spirit you cannot believe or understand the Gospel. That is why it is called a revelation. The Gospel tells you how to make peace with God, how to live a successful and fulfilled life; how to die without fear; how to have eternal life! If you reject the Gospel, you are left only with the wisdom of the world that knows nothing about peace of mind, joy in the heart or living a life free of fear. Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15). If you have believed a small powerless religious Gospel, trusting in a ‘Jesus’ you can manipulate, then you are not saved. You need to repent of that religious lie. To repent it means to reconsider, to think again. Say: “God, forgive me for believing a lie! Help me to believe the true Gospel! In Jesus’ name, amen!” Worship the Lord!  

Prophetic scriptures

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning! Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22, 23: NKJ)

“The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the (outer) courts of My sanctuary.” Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations” (Isaiah 62:8-10; NIV)

This is the dramatic story of Elijah’s home going in a chariot of fire. It is also the story of passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha. Mantle means authority, spiritual gifts, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In this story, Elijah knew that he would go away to heaven. Apparently, God has told him so and prepared his mind. His spiritual son and servant, Elisha also knew that. Both were in Gilgal where the journey of all mature Christians begins. After crossing the River Jordan, the people of God camped at Gilgal. They placed the twelve stones taken from the River at Gilgal, as a memorial for the generations to come so “that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever”.

It was at Gilgal that they circumcised all the males. They stayed there until all were healed. “Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore, the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day”. It was also at Gilgal that they kept the first Passover feast in the Promised Land. They ate the produce of the land and the next day the Manna ceased (Joshua 4:24; 5:8-12). Gilgal was loaded with all these holy memories. Elijah and Elisha started their journey from here. Elijah told Elisha “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel”. Elijah was on the move. But Elisha kept close by. He said: “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So, they went down to Bethel” (2 Kings 2:2). In other words, Elisha told his mentor: “As you want to move on, to conquer new territories in the Promised Land, I am with you in this difficult journey: In other words: “I know that the Christian life is difficult but I also know that in Jesus’ name, I will be victorious”.

Elijah and Elisha arrived at Bethel. The word means ‘The House of God’. This is a place of worship, of revelation, of comfort and of hope. Jacob saw the ladder to heaven and heard the voice of God at Bethel. This is the place of vows and dreams come true (Genesis 28:16-22). From Bethel, Elijah and Elisha went on to Jericho. This was the place of miracles, and of victory. Jericho is the place where you shout the name of the Lord and the walls of the enemies fall flat. Finally, Elijah and Elisha went down to Jordan. This was the place of separation, of examination. After Jordan, you put into practice the things you have learned in the past. “And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”

Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over” (2 Kings 2:9-14). Just before Elijah went to heaven, Elisha asked him to give him ‘a double portion of your spirit’. Elijah called this request ‘a hard thing’. What Elisha wanted was that Elijah treats him as his first-born son. This is what the law said: The father should give to his firstborn son ‘a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his’ (Deuteronomy 21:17). In other words, Elisha said: ‘Father Elijah, as your first-born spiritual son, please give me the anointing of the Holy Spirit that is on you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to continue your ministry. I do not care about the material things you possess. Fill me with the Spirit of the Abba Father. I want to be like Jesus!’ Elijah said it is ‘a hard thing’. This is because for the anointing to be transferred from one person to another, The Holy Spirit must approve that transfer. Money cannot buy anointing. Simon the Sorcerer tried to buy the anointing and he was strongly rejected by Peter who said: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin” (Acts 8:20-23).

Elijah called the request for anointing ‘a hard thing’. Then he gave a condition to Elisha: “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so” (2 Kings 2:10). As you can see, the receiving of the Holy Spirit is by sight in the Old Testament and by faith in the New Testament. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Elisha fulfilled the condition. He saw his master going up in the chariot of fire. He cried: “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him” (2 Kings 2:12, 13). Elisha tore his clothes as a sign of mourning. He then took Elijah’s mantle and did miracles with it. His desire for a double anointing from his master was approved by God.

The mantle is a sign of leadership and authority. There are many mantles that mean nothing. There are mantles of religion or mantles of the world. It depends on your desire, on your faith. The sons of the prophets testified about the transfer of leadership from Elijah to Elisha. “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him” (2 Kings 2:15).

Finally, let me ask you some questions: When you have a pastor, a leader, a father in the Lord, what do you covet in him? What do followers covet in their leaders? What do Christians covet from their leaders, from their pastors? When your pastor travels, during his absence, what do you miss the most? Usually, the leaders are older than the members of their congregations. One day they will go away and never come back. What do you miss when they are gone? What do you desire in your mentor? There are two things you may desire from your leader: Material things or A Spiritual Inheritance. Apostle Paul told his followers: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). This is my advice: Appreciate your leaders. Pray for them! “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrews 13:7). People come and people go. But Jesus Christ the Lord never changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Worship the Lord!

(My beloved husband, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh, is now in heaven, with the Lord Jesus Christ! He preached this sermon in 2010. His words are filled with fresh power, anointing, peace, faith, hope and joy. I am so proud of him for His unending love for God and the spiritual inheritance he left behind! To God be all the glory!)

(Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh)