Category Archives: Uncategorized

PRAYER REQUEST: HEALING FROM CANCER

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
A good Christian woman I know is asking for prayer. Let’s call her ‘Naomi’. She is in her fifties. She is a single mother to her two children. She is working very hard to give her children a better life than she had. She has been recently diagnosed with cancer. She prays for supernatural healing. She believes that there is nothing impossible for God to do. Dear intercessors, please pray for her. She will read all your words of encouragement and prayers. Thank you! God bless you all!
 
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” (Lk 1:45)

BIBLICAL MARRIAGE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

SERMON PREACHED BY PASTOR RICHMOND LEIGH, MY HUSBAND!

Pastor Richmond Leigh continued preaching about marriage as it is seen in the Bible. His text was taken from the Book of Ephesians. “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Eph 5:21, 22; KJ). Pastor Richmond Leigh said that when talking about the great subject of salvation, there are matters and doctrines that are absolutely necessary to know and obey. Other matters are important but not absolutely necessary. These are called ‘matters of indifference’. In the same way, when talking about Biblical marriage, there are some matters that are absolutely necessary. Some others are important but not absolutely necessary. For example, the type of fashion the wife chooses, the way she sets the table, the type of food she should cook to make the husband happy… these are ‘matters of indifference’. We shall not address these things. In these series of sermons we shall only talk about spiritual matters, Biblical revelations that are absolutely necessary to make marriages successful. Remember that the Bible is not a traditional book. It is not even a Jewish traditional book. The Bible is the infallible Word of God. ‘Dear wives, I’m sorry to say this, you can cook the best food for your husband. Your cooking alone will not hold your marriage. Your husband will eat the food and still abuse you. You can dress with the most expensive night dress; that alone cannot improve your marriage…You need to obey the injunction of God as you are powered by the Holy Spirit…’

The great Apostle Paul commands wives to submit to their own husbands ‘as unto the Lord’. But before that verse, he commands all Christians to learn how to ‘submit one to another in the fear of God’. This submission is not done because of social customs or cultural traditions. This submission is not done just to impress the pastors. This submission is spiritual, holy and real. It’s genuine. It’s from the heart! It’s the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The truth is that no unbeliever is truly humble. Because the devil cannot submit, the natural man cannot submit to another. He may pretend to do it but his heart is proud and not submissive. When a religious unbeliever submits to another, that is manipulation! It is only the children of God that are able to obey this command to submit to one another. It is one of their identifying marks! That is why we are commanded ‘to be filled with the Holy Spirit!’ in Eph. 5:18

Our Lord said that the Great men, the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over others. The so called ‘big men’ in the world are always proud and high handed. They insist that others respect them, worship them. But Jesus said that in the Kingdom of God it is the opposite! Humility is expected and it is greatly rewarded. The leaders in the Kingdom of God should have the attitude of a servant ‘even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many’ (Mat 20:20-28). If a born again Christian is proud on earth, his reward in heaven will be very small. But if a Christian is humble on earth, submits to God and to others, just like His Master, his reward in heaven will be very great.
We submit to one another for a particular reason: ‘the fear of God’. Simply said, because Jesus submitted to God His Father and also to men, His reward was exceedingly great in heaven. We should have the same attitude, the same mind set (Phil 2:5-11). Before the Cross, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. He was their Master but He behaved as their servant. He said that He gave them an example of how to treat one another (Jn 13:12-16). We submit to God and to one another because we want to show gratitude to God. Jesus said: “If you love Me, you will obey My commandments” (Jn 14:15). In other words, if you say you love God and man, you must submit to one another.

Another reason we submit to God and to one another is because of fear of losing reward. A born again Christian, even if he becomes proud and backslides, he will never lose his salvation because ‘Salvation is of the Lord’ (Ps 3:8). But a backslider loses opportunities for ministry on earth and rewards in heaven. This is a spiritual law: for every act of sacrificial love, for every act of sanctification trying to become like Jesus, you will be rewarded in heaven. We are commanded to ‘work out’ our salvation with fear and trembling. We are not commanded to ‘work for’ our salvation, but to work it out. Let the invisible work of the Holy Spirit be manifested thru humble deeds done to the glory of God (Phil 2:13). Every good work done on earth shall be tried with the fire of God. The foundation is the same: Christ and Him crucified. But ‘the building materials’ are different. Some believers pay the price and build with gold and silver. Their humble faithful work is done for the glory for God and it will stand the test of fire. They shall be highly rewarded by God. But others use worldly means to build up their ministries. Their labor is to promote self. They build with ‘wood, hay and straw’. The fire will consume all their works and there shall be no reward in heaven. It is a frightening thing to have your works burnt by the Holy God who is a consuming fire!

These basic Biblical principles apply to all Christian behavior in general and to the marriage relationships in particular. Agape Love is the grandest, the greatest and most noble motive in the whole world to be good and to do good to others! For example, a man who is shy, weak willed like a sheep, becomes like a lion when it comes to doing exploits for the woman he loves. Love finds it easy to submit to the Beloved. We submit to one another to honor Jesus and to give glory to God. In His High Priestly prayer Jesus said: Father God, “all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them” (Jn 17:10). We should never forget! For the sake of love, the Second Person of the Trinity came to earth and became a man. Our Lord Jesus Christ limited Himself, caged Himself and became a servant to men. He was obedient to God even unto death. For the sake of our souls, He died that we might live. This is the power of submission and humility! This is the power of Love! This love can never fail to achieve its purpose! (1Cor 13:8). Glory to God! In Ephesians 5:21, the injunction is not only for wives to submit, but all, including husbands. Husbands are also called to submit in a sense to their own wives.

Lastly, this is a practical advice. You child of God, especially daughters of Sarah, if you humble yourself and learn how to submit to others when you are single, it will easy to submit to your own husband once you get married. Submission is not a loss! Submission is highly rewarded by God with a great testimony money cannot buy! Dear brethren, let’s do everything to the glory of God! “Submit one to another in the fear of the Lord” Worship the Lord!

RSL 37

SIGNS OF BEWITCHING

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Gal 3:1-5)
 
Can a believer in Christ become bewitched? Surprisingly, the answer is yes! The Galatians were believers. Apostle Paul rebukes them for their foolishness and backsliding. To bewitch it means to cast a spell upon another, to use occult power to influence the thinking of another, to use witchcraft manipulation to control, captivate the emotions and overcome another person. What are the sighs? When under an occult spell, the person is not able to concentrate on the Word of God and prayer. He started with the Spirit and now he walks led by his flesh (which is the totality of man’s attributes unaided by the Holy Spirit). Jesus is not the center of his being anymore. He has fallen in love with something else. There is a secret idol in his heart. That idol provokes God to jealousy. Under the spell, he feels an irresistible attraction towards a person, a doctrine, an idea or an object. He is ready to lose all things, including his soul for the benefit of his idol. This is an internal backsliding. Christ is gone. All that is left is hopeless and tragic empty religion. Life becomes miserable; no hope and no vision!
 
The Galatians were true believers. They had a good foundation. They started the Christian race well, with salvation by grace, thru faith in Jesus Christ. But along the way they became careless with their soul; they lost their focus and went astray. They were backsliding internally and were ignorant of it. They continued to come to church and learned the wicked skill of hypocrisy. Paul says that they were ‘bewitched’. The word means to betray your best friend; to fall in love with a stranger; to become infatuated with a mysterious, far away imaginary ‘bright and beautiful star’. This is the work of the evil seducing spirit of religion. It offers a counterfeit happiness that lacks commitment and royal poise.
 
Be warned! On the surface, without spiritual discernment, lies are always more attractive than the truth. You have to seek and learn to appreciate the truth, before you can love it. But lies are cords able to tie your soul into bondage and ever increasing sorrow. This deception makes a believer blind to the lovely face of Jesus, deaf to the Truth that He brought to earth, foolishly rebellious against the grace of God. Once you are under a spell, the Cross of Christ makes no sense anymore and the Blood of Jesus seems to be ‘just blood’… Blind and naked, you start to backslide, slowly losing your anointing and covering. Miracles cease and life becomes a boring depressing routine. There is a prodigal waste of resources, unnecessary pain and useless tears. Many years come and go, you may still go to church, at least on Sunday, but you are unable to have peace, to be wise and to be happy. So sad…
 
If you suspect that you are under a spell of witchcraft, what are the signs that you should look for?
*FOOLISHNESS, UN-NECESSARY MISTAKES, BORING, DISAPPOINTING, UN-INSPIRING, UN-EVENTFUL LIFE
*NO MANIFESTATION OF ANSWERS TO PRAYERS- LITTLE FAITH, ORDINARY LIFE, NO MIRACLES
*REBELLION, STUBBORNNESS, PRIDE, UN-TEACHABLE, UNABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND OBEY THE TRUTH
*WORLDLY, SELFISH AMBITION, EASILY PROVOKED, STRIFE, QUARRELS, ADDICTED TO GOSSIP
*LOSS OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE POWER OF THE CROSS, OF THE TRUE GOSPEL, OF THE BLOOD
*SPIRITUALLY DEAF, ITCHY EARS- FORGETS THE WORD OF GOD, WEAK OR SLEEPY DURING THE PREACHING OF THE SERMON
*SICKNESS THAT NO MEDICAL TEST CAN DETECT AND NO DRUGS CAN CURE- CHRONIC DEPRESSION, NEGATIVITY, ANXIETY
*MYSTERIOUS PANIC ATTACKS- COWARDICE
*TRUSTING IN SELF TO MAKE PROGRESS IN LIFE- IDENTITY COMES FROM SECULAR SUCCESS, ADDICTED TO WORK, BECOMING BUSYBODY
*UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION; CHRONIC DOUBTS- UN-SUCCESSFUL DELIVERANCE
*UNABLE TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
 
It takes a fresh work of the Holy Spirit to convict a backslider of sin. It is a miracle to become born again. It is an extraordinary privilege, a double miracle indeed to be arrested again by the Spirit of the only Living and Jealous God. Every backslider comes back with stories of pain, failure and loss. Brokenhearted he finally comes to the foot of the Cross and from now on, he will forever call that spot ‘HOME’. Who can tell of the wonder of true salvation? Who can describe the chemistry of a soul set free? Who can speak of open eyes beholding the scepter of mercy? Who can write the story of men made perfect thru the death of their King? Even if I had a thousand tongues to sing the praises of my King, even that shall not be enough to describe the power, the beauty and glory of His Majesty on High! ”O come let us adore Him…Christ the Lord!’
 
In Christ I declare:
I am born again! I am eternally saved by grace, thru faith in the Blood of Jesus! I trust and obey the Gospel of grace, which is God’s power unto salvation! I destroy any occult spells, evil manipulation or witchcraft influence over my soul! Jesus died to save my soul; to set me free from the guilt and punishment of sin! I am free indeed! To the glory of God!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!

AARON’S TESTIMONY: HEALED!!! (13th of June, 2019)

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
The prayer request bellow was sent to you about 3 months ago. This afternoon, Aaron and his dad came to see Pastor and I. He has finished the chemotherapy sessions and he has been declared cancer free. Aaron was feeling shy because, as a result of the chemotherapy, his hair fell off. He came dressed with a jacket and a hood, to cover his ‘bololo’ head. He said that the children laugh at him because he has no hair. He is fair but because of the chemotherapy he became very dark in color. He was self conscious because of that. He was telling me that the cancer made him “black”. I encouraged him that soon he will be his normal color with hair on his head. He smiled… Otherwise, he was happy and strong. I encouraged him to remove it so that the two of us take a picture together in my office. He did! You see both of us smiling in the picture bellow.
 
His father was telling me that between March and June, during this period of trial, God proved Himself strong on behalf of his little son. He was at a point of death three times but he recovered and became stronger than before. When they needed money, God used many people to supply. Each time Aaron needed blood transfusions, even strangers donated for him. He said that once, during the chemotherapy session, his blood count suddenly dropped to dangerously low. It was 12 midnight. The doctor said that he should look for donors. He phoned some brethren from Warri that this is an emergency. Four Christian brethren drove from Warri to Benin and were in the hospital before 3 am to donate blood. The doctors were surprised and told him that God is with him. Aaron is in primary three. The principal of the school the son attends in Warri came to visit him in the hospital and gave him permission to write the exams later. During the last chemotherapy session, his wife phoned that she is in labor. He left Aaron alone in UBTH in the care of the other patients and nurses and ran to Warri to be with his wife as she delivered their third son. The testimonies go on and on…
 
He gives all the glory to God for the healing, provision and strength He provided during this period of trial. He also said I should thank all the people who prayed for his son. God bless you all! To God be all the glory!
 
PRAYER REQUEST FOR AARON (April 2nd, 2019)
This is the sad story of a boy called ‘Aaron’ (not his real name). He is 9 years of age. Right now he is lying down sick at UBTH. He has been diagnosed with cancer in one kidney. The surgeons have removed his kidney. He is now undergoing chemotherapy. He is reacting to the drugs. The doctors are battling with the disease. For weeks, his father sleeps on the floor by his son. The parents are faithful humble Believers. We know them personally. They are tired hoping for light in the darkness. They have spent all their money. But they still have faith in God that their son will rise from that sick bed and go home and be healthy again! The father phones us often!
 
Dear intercessors, please pray that God will intervene and miraculously heal this boy. For nothing is impossible for God! There is power when we agree in prayer! Let’s pray! The greater the challenge we meet, the greater the faith will be supplied! We vow to give God alone all the glory for the healing of Aaron! In Jesus’ name! Amen!
 
‘Do not be afraid! Only believe!’ (Mark 5:36)
Aaron (Daniel) and I

PASTORAL NOTES

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
For some time I have been praying to be able to enter the feelings of my Lord Jesus Christ. Tonight I had prepared a wonderful message. But coming to the service I discovered that the brethren were not able to ‘bear’ the Word. If it was an ‘ordinary’ religious church service, I could have gone ahead, if they are prepared to listen or not. But in a prophetic prayer meeting, I need to be led by the Holy Spirit in all things. The Spirit will tell me when to move and when to stop; when to speak and when to keep quiet.
 
I know the frustration of Jesus, how it feels to come loaded with gifts, desiring to give them to people, wishing to empty myself of grace…but… go home still full. For the recipients were not able to receive the goods prepared for them. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” (Jn 16:12, 13)
 
With so many doubts opposing the flow of the Holy Spirit and with all these religious spirits blocking my path, what do I do then? I had to leave my gifts and go and help the brethren, as they are. Most of them came to church heavy laden from the burdens of life. There was a terrible spirit of anxiety connected with the world events. It made them depressed, tired and sluggish. That is not the way to worship God… I encouraged them to press on for there is no other hope than the one found in Christ. Thank God the Holy Spirit took over and gave the few willing ones, the humble ones, joy unspeakable and full of glory. Others stayed behind, afraid of the waves in the ocean of grace… they could not enter the anointing. They missed it. But for those who by faith, jumped in the river of life, who said “Father God, I come to You… if I perish, I perish…” burdens melted and blind eyes opened to see the King of kings in His beauty. This evening, what the devil planned for evil God turned it into good. God always turns bad things for good! He has no limitations! What a mighty God we serve! Heaven and earth adore Him! Angels bow before Him! Hallelujah!
Joseph 2

WAIT A LITTLE LONGER 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who patiently wait for the Lord shall inherit the land” (Ps 37:7-9)

Someone asked the Duke of Wellington why are the British soldiers better than others? Why do they win all the battles? His answer was not what you expect. He revealed the secret of success. He said that his soldiers can hold on five minutes longer than that the enemy’s army. To many, that was a strange answer. He did not say that the British eat better food, that their weapons are better, that their uniforms are more beautiful or that they have discovered a new strategy. No! He said that they do everything the enemy is doing, but a little longer than him.

What do we learn from this? Men look for success in big things. They think that some great revelation will make them leaders of men or champions in conflict. They ignore the simple routine of life. They ignore the power of patience and faith, in doing all things as unto the Lord. Why is it that a cat will always conquer the rat? If the rat hides in a hole, the cat will seat and wait patiently outside. Sometimes later, the rat grows tired of the prison hole, becomes impatient and comes out. He forgets that the cat is still outside. The patient cat will catch the less patient rat. This is a great lesson: the patient man becomes the champion! If you trust God, if you pray, if you wait and if you love a little longer than your enemy, you shall win the battle!

The Bible says that patient people win the battle and become landowners. Now you know the secret of true success! Praise the Lord!

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I am patient!
My enemy shall be cut off!
I shall inherit the land!
In Jesus name
Amen!

THE SNARE IS BROKEN AND I AM FREE!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe” (PV 29:25)
 
In Hebrew the word ‘fear’ means to be so full of anxiety until you become restless and impatient. It means to become frustrated, confused and embarrassed because of fear of defeat in battle. Fear of man produces a coward and a loser. Its victims are full of inferiority complexes. This fear is a snare. Strangely, there is something deceptively attractive about fear. It devices and traps its victims. Like watching horror movies, the believer becomes infatuated with intimidation. He goes too close to the devil and he is captured by him as a prisoner of war. This is how the snare works!
 
Fearing what men say about you or what they can do to you is something you must confront. You cannot ignore this fear. You must defeat it! Many believers are in bondage to this evil spirit of oppressive bullying. They dream about deliverance but for a long time, they are not ready to fight for freedom. They play safe by overinvesting in relationships ‘for peace sake’ – they say. But this compromise, this false peace, is a snare. For no man or woman can save, protect or promote you! Only God can do that!
 
For as long as you love men more than you love Jesus, the snare cannot be broken! To fear men more than you fear God it means that something is wrong somewhere. As a coward you do not completely trust God and His promises. You may be deceived to say ‘I trust God’ but in reality your faith is damaged and you are ignorant of it. You need help from God. Selah!
 
By contrast, faith in God keeps you truly ‘safe’. In Hebrew, the word ‘faith’ means to be confident in God’s promises and to be sure of His Word. Faith is His covering. Faith makes you bold as a lion. All your hope is in God. To be ‘safe’ it means to be strong, totally inaccessible from the attacks of the strongest men, exalted on high and promoted above all your enemies. In Christ, God is your unfailing defense. Now, you need to choose: who do you fear? Is it God or men? Only God is able to protect you from all your enemies, spiritual of natural. May your eyes open to see your need for deliverance and victory!
 
This is my testimony: I was born a coward. I was an addict to fear. I was described as an intelligent but very shy girl. I cannot stand when men bully me. I shake, weep and I run. In the past, the only way I knew how to defeat these bullying boys, was to be the best in class. Academically, I decided to be the best I could be. I read all my books. I prepared for all my exams. I was an A student. Wining the competitions, gaining the medals, having my picture in the honor list became my dream and my desire. This was my way of telling the world that I am not afraid of losers. Of course, this method had only superficial and temporary results. After I became born again, I finally understood that this is a spiritual battle. Thru the study of the Word of God, prayer and faithfully serving God, I became a mature Christian. I became a woman of God. I am now a true champion. I am a sign and a wonder to myself. I learned to dance like David danced! Thru this worship war-like dance, I trampled all the Goliaths around me. I am now free and free indeed! To God alone be all the glory! I mean that: to God alone be all the glory!
Fear not

SIGNS, WONDERS AND OUR FAITH

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

(This sermon was preached this Sunday, by Pastor Richmond Leigh, my husband)

During this Sunday service, Pastor Richmond Leigh preached from the Book of John. “So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household” (Jn 4:46-53).

 

Pastor Richmond Leigh said that the signs, wonders and miracles are manifestations of supernatural powers. In particular, the miracles in the New Testament proved the divinity of Christ. Even with the advance of science, the miracles that Jesus performed have not been replicated by men. For example, nobody could change water into wine, walk on the water or make a man who was born blind to see.  These miracles had two effects upon those who witnessed them. Some were attracted to Jesus and believed that He was sent by God, because no one could perform such miracles except by the power of God. Others, sadly, rejected the Lord, in spite of witnessing the miracles.

 

As Christians, our faith is not based on miracles. We believe that Jesus is Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did some of the miracles because He had compassion upon the needy men and women. But the primary reason why He did them was to reveal His glory to men on earth. “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him” (Jn 2:11). Our Lord was the greatest Teacher. The miracles were like ‘visual aids’. He was teaching the people to believe in Him, that He is the Messiah. He wanted the people to trust Him as their Savior; that He came to die for their sins.  Salvation is God’s supernatural work. The people must believe the Word of God and become born again. But many of the people who listened to Jesus wanted only His miracles and not His Person or His teachings. They wanted the miracles but not the Word of God. The purpose of the miracles was to lead them to the Word of God so that they can believe. Our Lord Jesus Christ wanted them to believe in Him even without miracles.  Men of little faith want to see miracles before they believe in Jesus.

 

In the story found in John Chapter 4, the son of a noble man was very sick, to the point of death. The father came to Jesus looking for a miracle.  The father trekked 20 miles from Capernaum to Cana, to meet with the Lord. Jesus had compassion on him. Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. What Jesus did was ‘to connect’ the miracle to the Word of God. Jesus did not go with him to Capernaum. But He gave him the Word. The father believed! With the word in his heart, he trekked back another 20 miles.  He had enough time to meditate upon that Word of God that produces faith. He discovered that the son was healed at the very hour Jesus spoke the Word! It was like Jesus healed the son by ‘a spiritual remote control’. The father believed the Word and the son was healed!

 

This is a good lesson for all of us. The primary purpose why the Son of God came to earth was not to perform miracles. It was to die for our sins! It was for our salvation! But He also performed miracles because He was compassionate. The true miracles done in the name of Jesus are intimately connected with faith in the Word of God! Miracles should lead us to the Word of God. Faith in the Word produces miracles! These days, many false prophets try to deceive the people who fake miracles (Mt 24:24). They do it to attract crowds so that they can collect money or become famous. But the true children of God cannot be totally deceived because their faith is not based on signs and wonders, but on the Word of God, which stands forever! Amen!

 

These are some honest questions: Pastor, do you get angry if the Lord does not do miracles in a crusade? Do you get angry with God if He does not do miracles to prove that you are a child of God? You people in the choir, what is the purpose of your singing? Is it for a show? You people who play instruments, why are you doing it? Is for fame or money? Or is it for the glory of God? Christian women, what is the purpose of your dressing up each Sunday with expensive clothes? Is it to seduce men or it is for the glory of God? Christian men, what is your attitude to money? Do you pay your tithes and offerings? Do you desire to contribute to the expansion of the Kingdom of God, or not?

 

Let’s never forget! God exists! Jesus Christ is the Lord! Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God! He died that we might live! We are not justified by miracles. We are justified by faith the Lord Jesus Christ! The Cross is the greatest miracle this universe has ever seen! Salvation is the greatest miracle offered to man! Nothing compares with this! This is the will of God, that men will be saved! Miracles are good but their effect is temporary. Salvation is eternal!  Become born again! Worship the Lord!

RSL 35

MY TESTIMONY IN A SONG

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Like the woman at the well, I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy.
And then I heard my Savior speaking—
“Draw from My well that never shall run dry.”

Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.”

(R. Blanchard)

 

I’m alive and healthy. I have roof over my head, clothes and food to eat. My soul is saved! I AM A SUCCESS STORY!  Glory to God!

SLL 102

WHAT THE WIFE DESIRES FROM HER HUSBAND?

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Eph 5:25-28)
 
The Christian marriages are under serious attacks. The answer to the above question is found in the Word of God. I confirm it from my experience as a wife of more than 45 years and also from my experience as a Pastor. One thing is clear: the devil hates successful godly and happy marriages! To have a successful marriage it takes a lot of effort. That is why the spiritually lazy are all unhappily married. Any woman, but especially if she is born again, has her own expectations concerning marriage. This is because she reads the Bible and she sees God’s standard concerning the men. She is not happy if her dreams do not come true.
 
What does a Christian woman desires from her husband?
*Love! The husband must love her in a particular way: ‘even as Christ loves the Church’. This is the greatest love of all. It is not just a seasonal emotion, but a forever sacrificial love.
*Prayer! The husband must pray with and for his wife. Before praying for children, for friends and the extended family, the husband must regularly pray for his wife.
*Cleansing! A godly husband must ‘wash’ his wife with the Word of God. He must study the Bible to have enough ‘water and soap’ to do it.
*Providing! A husband must provide for the wife. He must be an ambassador of Jehovah Jireh in the home.
*Trustworthy! A godly husband must keep his word. He should not lie or give false hopes. He should not promise things he cannot perform. Breaking a promise to the wife means breaking her heart. And that breaking takes a long time to repair. He must be sexually faithful to his wife.
*Communicate! The husband must speak the truth in love! He should be a lover and a leader using good words! They should talk ‘heart to heart’, about everything. Silence is not a good communicator. You may misinterpret the absence of words. My husband and I we talk about everything. We are friends, lovers and co-laborers in ministry.
*Spiritual covering! The husband must take responsibility for the mistakes of his wife. He should not blame her harshly. He must correct the wife in love. This correction is an art. Do not correct in anger, but always in love. Be patient and expect improvement. Rejoice when the good changes come.
*A good father! The husband must be a good father to their children.
*Co-laborer! The husband must help carry the wife’s burdens. He must pray to understand his wife. This is not an easy task but with the help of the Holy Spirit he will succeed.
*Rejoice with her! He must make her laugh for laughter is like medicine. He should discuss their finances with her. They should not be greedy or wasteful. They should pay their tithes and offerings in the church.
*Be an encourager! He must encourage her to be all that God wants her to be. He should not expect perfection for no one is perfect. But they should mature spiritually and rejoice in the journey of life. Each season of life is beautiful in the presence of God!
 
This is our testimony. My husband loves me and I know it because he has proved it to me numerous times. He loves me with words and action. He prays for me. One of the sweetest times for me it is when my husband calls me and says: “My wife, let me pray for you…” To me this is the highest form of love in action. I so appreciate it! Recently, having some health issues, my husband’s prayers carried me on. My husband studies the Bible daily. I love it! We discuss the wonderful things we find in the Word of God. He provides for the financial needs of the home. He is not a lazy man at all! I trust him when he promises me things. He does not lie to me. He encourages me and he corrects me when I need both. He is happy when I improve in my character. We rejoice together. He is a good father to our children and a good grandfather. We share in the burden of the ministry. We laugh together, we work together. My marriage was not perfect from the beginning for we were both sinners when we fell in love. But after we became saved, the spiritual fruit started to appear and now our marriage is a garden of the Lord. Glory to God!
 
This is a prayer I often pray. It has worked for me. If you have faith, it will work for you! “Lord Jesus, please help me to see You in my husband’s eyes…help me to feel Your touch thru my husband’s hands. Bless our marriage. Bless our home with Your presence. Let the water be changed into wine in our marriage, In Jesus name, amen!”
 
(In the picture, my husband and I)
RSL and SLL 14

IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:31-33)
 
These are the words spoken by our Lord just before He went to the Cross. He challenged His disciples to believe that He alone is the Savior of men. His disciples were ‘scattered’ and left Him alone to die. In Greek, the word ‘scattered’ is ‘skorpio’. It means the sting of a scorpion, so painful, that men run away and scatter abroad. Peter, who represents all of us, ran away from Jesus and even denied knowing Him. The devil, the evil ‘scorpion’, has done his worst. But Jesus encourages His disciples by reminding them of who He is. Jesus is Lord! Even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful. Even when we fail, Christ can never fail! He is the victor over sin, sickness and death! Salvation was gained by Jesus Christ alone. We ran away. We cannot share in His glory as the only Savior of men. The glory is His alone, the Lamb upon the throne, slain for the salvation of sinners like you and me. This is what I believe!
 
Jesus is preparing His disciples for what shall come. His words are eternal. In this world we shall have ‘tribulation’. In Greek, the word ‘tribulation’ means to be hard pressed, to be stressed or to be squeezed into the mold of the world. The world is the system of men who live without Christ. The people of this world hate God but love religion. They strive against one another. ‘Dog eats dog’ is their strategy to succeed. They have bitter envy and selfish ambition in their hearts. They lust for sex and material things. The devil is ‘the god of this world’. He will try his best to make you backslide, for you to enter the world system and to live like them. The devil will try to teach you how to seduce, manipulate and intimidate others so that you ‘succeed’ in this world. Resist the devil and he will run away from you!
 
What shall we do then? What is our hope and shield against this flood of evil in our minds? It is the peace of Jesus Christ that ‘passes all understanding’. Jesus left this peace to us on earth! This is not the natural peace you may have when all things go well. The supernatural peace of Jesus becomes stronger when things go wrong, when hearts break and tears fall. Filled with this peace Jesus went to the Cross. He died in peace. He rose from the dead in peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace! Our Lord is the greatest Champion who has ever lived. This is His anthem: ‘I have overcome the world!’ Never forget that! Thru His peace Jesus has overcome the world system of greed, lust, envy and wickedness. His Peace is stronger than them all. In Him alone we find this peace. ‘In Me you may have peace!’ That is why in Christ, we too, are champions. No matter how loud the world shouts about its success, anyone outside Christ is a loser!!! Do not be intimidated by them! But anyone inside Christ is a winner! We move from one triumph to another, from one testimony to another! Victory is our portion! Jesus says: “Be of good cheer!” Thru all things in this life, be strong, faithful, courageous and confident of the God you serve! There is no one like Him! Give God Glory! Child of God, I say to you: Be encouraged today! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! May the peace of God fill your hearts today and forever! In Jesus name, amen!

KEEP THE FIRE BURNING

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out” (Lev. 6:13)
One of the symbols of God’s Spirit is fire. Jesus Christ is the Baptizer with fire (Mt 3:11, 12). Just like John was baptizing repentant people in the water, so the Lord Jesus Christ will baptize your spirit in a river of holy fire. The purpose for that is to cleanse and purify your faith. Everything you say that you believe must pass thru God’s fire. If your words are true, they will come to pass. If your words are lies, they shall be burnt and you shall be called a liar. It is like gold passing thru the fire. Nothing can produce spiritual purity, anointing and power except this baptism of fire. In the Old Testament the priests were in charge of the fire at the tabernacle of God. This fire was miraculous. God Himself sent the fire on the sacrifice. But the maintenance of that holy fire was the duty of the priests. Even when they traveled the priests had to carry the fire burning with them. The priests received three main instructions about this holy work. There are two additions and one subtraction: +sacrifice + wood – ashes!
(We too can learn from this)
 
*They should always place a sacrifice on the altar so that the fire will burn it. Without a sacrifice on the altar the fire becomes ‘idle’ and it is in danger of quenching. For example: a new born baby must be placed at his mother’s breast to suck. The breasts are ‘stimulated’ to produce milk. If not, the glands will stop working and the breasts will dry up. In the same way, the sacrifice ‘stimulates’ the fire. If the fire is quenched the priest is in serious danger. He has failed his work of God. He may be tempted to produce a ‘man-made’ fire which is called ‘the spirit of religion’. This will surely be rejected by God. Many churches and Christians have become lukewarm because of neglecting God’s true anointing and fire. We must daily present our bodies as a living sacrifice on the altar of God. Let God’s fire burn in your bones! You may feel uncomfortable but this is how God’s work is done! Take care of your body the best way you can (diet, exercise etc). Do this not to become stronger, healthier or more beautiful, but because your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit ‘walking’ on earth. Take care of God’s temple!
*The priests should always place wood every morning so that the fire can burn. You need to daily study the Bible and pray. That is added material (‘wood’) to the fire.
*Every day the priests should always take the ashes outside the camp to a ‘clean place’. The priest who does this special work should be clothed so that the ashes will not stick to his body. These ashes represent the end result of the work of the Holy Spirit. At the end of your ministration (singing worship songs, preaching, giving help to the needy etc) the people are to give glory to God and not to you. But if you receive the praises of people, the holy ashes will stick to your naked body and God will be angry with you. Another reason why the ashes must be removed is because they will quench the fire. The altar must be clean so that the fire can burn brighter daily! Yesterday’s work is gone! Today is a new day to serve God with a clean, submissive heart!
 
Finally, what is the lesson for us? “Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord” (Rom 12:11). May the Holy Spirit help you desire a pure heart, anointing and power for ministry! You cannot buy purity, anointing or power with money! You must pay the price for it! This fire is the holy romance necessary to worship God! May your heart continue to burn for the Lord Jesus Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! May revival come!
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NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You!!!” (Jer 32:17)
 
Are you sick? Fear not! Pray! Your prayer will end in praise! I know that God will answer you! God will heal you! And you shall be glad! With God, there is no big or small sickness. He is able to heal them all. With God there is nothing like ‘incurables’. God created your body! He is able to ‘repair’ it when it is broken. No matter what the doctors say, trust God! I am a medical doctor by profession (retired now). I am a pastor by God’s calling. God’s word is final. Our medical textbooks are not! Praise the Lord!

ARMLOADS OF BLESSINGS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
When God returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
We couldn’t believe our good fortune.
“We were the talk of the nations— they said:
“God was wonderful to them!”
It s true! God was wonderful to us;
We are one happy people…
 
And now, God, do it again—
Bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
Will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
Will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing!”
(Ps 126; TM)
 
This is my testimony: There is a special feeling to carry babies to the presence of God and to dedicate them thru prayer and holy commitment! When God called me to be a pastor in Nigeria, I did not anticipate such a great honor, to be a mother (and a grandmother) in Christ to so many blessed, special people! I did not know that I will be happier as an older woman! This God surprised me-oh!
 
This picture was taken yesterday in our church. See me-oh!!! Proudly carrying in my arms sweet Baby Boy Noah Josiah! Next to me is Pastor Trish Eresanara carrying a sweet baby girl, also there for dedication to God)
 
I use this picture as a point of contact for all couples who pray for the fruit of the womb! Trust God no matter what the doctors are saying! God is greater than them all! God will do it! This is my wish: Let me carry your babies too! My children in Christ, I Love you! My name is Malia!
SLL 101

INSULTED BUT BLESSED

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1Pet 4:14)

As a true believer, there is a peculiar pain that you must experience. From time to time the devil will use people to ‘insult’ you, not because you do bad things, but because you please God and the Holy Spirit ‘rests’ on you. If you do not understand this scripture you may become discouraged during these attacks and think of backsliding. This is the devil’s plan. But you should resist the devil and he will flee from you!

This strange pain comes to the born again Spirit filled believer who has allowed the Holy Spirit to ‘rest’ on him. The word ‘rest’ in Greek means to repose, to remain undisturbed, to stop working, to take it easy, to refresh, to take or to give rest. This is the picture of a mature believer who loves the Holy Spirit. Let me put it this way: Jesus found rest and peace in the house of His friends, Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Others mocked Him or demanded miracles from Him. But in the house of His friends, He could be Himself and He was loved sacrificially. In the same way, the Holy Spirit searches for Believers who allow Him to be Himself without demands, troubles or manipulation. The devil hates this glorious intimate fellowship and will use religious people to attack these humble believers.

In Greek, the word ‘insult’ means to be defamed, reviled, upbraided and taunted. Insult means disrespect and scornful abuse. It means to slander and to bring shame.  One of the names of the devil is ‘the accuser of the brethren’ (Rev 12:10). You need to prepare your mind for these prophesied insults. Do not be surprised when they come! Regard them as a blessing. Thank God for this sign, though painful, that the Holy Spirit of glory rests on you. This pain of persecution cannot be healed by mere human sympathies or some few kind words. Pray to the same Holy Spirit to comfort, encourage and strengthen you in your ‘inner man’. He alone understands your pain. He alone can heal your broken heart. His comfort is deep and total. It comes ‘packaged’ with a Spirit of wisdom and revelation. You will understand both the foolishness of the world and the love of God, like never before. Be grateful that even in the midst of the storm the Holy Spirit rests undisturbed on you. Finally, in all things give thanks!

NO WEAPON MEANS NO WEAPON!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
For some time, we have been attacked by some strange religious spirits. They come to seduce, manipulate and intimidate the children of God. Their plan is to make the Christians backslide. We also observed that the devil is trying to quench the true prophetic voice in the church. It feels like God has abandoned His work. It seems like Christ has forsaken His Body. It is much harder to pray. Reading the Bible looks like hard unrewarding labor. These days it is more difficult to be child-like, simple and pure in heart. The devil fires arrows to confuse the believers, especially the weaker ones. The Christians try to imitate the world, in dressing, speech and attitudes.
 
Of course, Hagar is grumbling. She is not happy. Vashti was once the queen, but no more! An orphan immigrant replaced her. She is now bitter! She hates all men! The doctrine of grace is attacked. Penninah too is not happy! She used to be the fruitful famous one, but no more. For as long as the weather was good, Orpah followed Naomi. But without human encouragement, she went back to her gods. There are so many sad, lukewarm Christians.
 
What can we do? As always! Trust in the only Living God! Pray to God! Praise His holy name! Go back to the Bible! Continue to boldly declare the prophetic plan and purpose of God! We cannot draw back! It is too late! We must trust God to the end! Confidence in God brings great reward! Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Never forget! God never leaves Himself without a holy remnant to witness for His grace! This remnant stands to the end! This is the Word of God! The truth is marching on! Against all odds, old Sarah conceived and delivered Isaac, the promised ‘Laughter’. We may weep in the night, but supernatural joy always comes at dawn to clear away our tears. Ruth followed Naomi and her God! She never regretted it! She got married to Boaz and their son was in the line of the Messiah! Hannah conceived and delivered the great prophet Samuel, whose words did not fall to the ground! Elizabeth had John, the greatest prophet born of a woman! Mary was overshadowed by the Shekinah glory and conceived Jesus! The cursed Ichabod died! Absalom stole his father’s throne and glory but he died hanging in the air. Jesus was born in Bethlehem! Oh come let us adore, Him, Christ the Lord! The glory of the latter house is greater than the first! Truth may fall, but truth always rises! If you bury truth, it will only multiply and resurrect, stronger than ever!
 
No matter the plans of the devil or the plans of wicked men! The gates of hell cannot prevail against the Church! It is time to do spiritual warfare! We are soldiers in the army that can never lose! God can never fail! Why? because He is God! We must encourage ourselves! We must encourage our pastors and our spiritual leaders. The glory of God shall cover the earth as the waters cover the seas! God is good! God is faithful! Let’s praise His Holy name! The worship must continue! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Hallelujah!
 
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord!” (Is 54:17)

THE POWER AND THE BEAUTY OF THE NAME

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower (fortress); the righteous run to it and they are safe!’ (PV 18:10)
 
The royal castle of the Scottish kings at Stirling is built on a rock. It towers over the fertile valley bellow. This castle has protected many kings and queens over the years. It is a silent witness of the battle and the victory in 1314 when Scotland became free from England. Outside, the castle is majestic in strength. Inside the castle, King James V planted a beautiful and peaceful garden where he can stroll freely with his queen. The castle can be visited even today.
 
In the same way, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is mighty and fearful outside but peaceful and beautiful inside. The enemies of Christ fear His name and cannot fight it. But the brethren of Christ call His name in the day of trouble and they are saved. If you are born again, knowing His name brings faith, peace and joy inside your heart! “Jesus!!!!!!”
 
(In the pictures you see the outside, the inside gardens and the chapel of Stirling Castle in Scotland as it is today)
The royal castle at Stirling, Scotland
The royal castle at Stirling, Scotland (interior gardens)
The royal castle at Stirling, Scotland (the chapel)

JESUS IS PASSING BY NOW

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (Jn 9:1-3)
 
This is the story of man who was born blind and who was healed by Jesus. This man was healed purely by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not ‘merit’ this healing. He was not rewarded with a miracle for any good deeds he did in the past. He did not even pray or call on Jesus. He was not brought to Jesus by friends like in the case of others. This is what happened: Jesus ‘passed by’!!! He saw him and healed him. This is a great revelation. The Lord has the right to heal anyone He wishes and to ignore any other. The Lord does not owe any man anything. Jesus Christ is the sovereign God. That is why He is The Lord of lords. But it is to our advantage to position ourselves in humility and faith waiting for Jesus to just ‘pass by’. If the shadow of Peter can heal the sick, how much more the very mention of the name of Jesus can bring life to any dead circumstances.
The primary purpose for this miracle of healing was that ‘the works of God be revealed in him’. The second purpose was to free a suffering man from a life time of bondage to the powers of darkness. By giving sight to a blind man others will see that our God ‘does not sleep and does not slumber’. They will be reminded that ‘all power belongs to God’, that ‘nothing is impossible for God’. The Living God is actively interested in displaying His glory and mighty works that no man or demon can deny.
 
This is my prayer for you: If you are in need, may God locate you today! If you are sick, may the healing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ touch you today! May God use you as a sample of His unique wondrous works on earth! May you be healed, in your body, soul and spirit! May your spiritual eyes be opened to see King Jesus in His glory, seated on the throne! Whatever is your affliction, be healed, in Jesus name!
 
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I am saved by grace alone thru faith in the Crucified Christ!
I am healed! I am delivered!
I am a living proof of God’s power and love!
In Jesus name
Amen!

THE GOSPEL OF THE POOR

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

During this Sunday service Pastor Richmond Leigh (my husband) preached from the Book of Acts. ‘So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans’ (Ac 8:25). Pastor Richmond Leigh said that Peter and John, two of the leading disciples, after finishing the work in Samaria, they did not rush back to Jerusalem. They preached the Gospel in many villages in Samaria. This is an astonishing statement of a deep revelation. Why ‘waste time’ preaching to the villagers? This action is in contrast with the way the world does its things. So, why did they do this?

 

The first reason why the Apostles preached to the poor people in the villages is because of the nature of the message. The Gospel is designed to be preached to all men, but to the poor people in particular. This is God’s plan and purpose. The Gospel is the Good news of the Cross. Jesus died for our sins so that we might live. This Gospel makes people happy. The effect of believing the Gospel is that people begin to sing. Even if their voices are not very melodious, they cannot stop singing. This is a sign of joy, freedom and thanksgiving. When the angels announced the birth of our Lord, they were singing (Lk 2:14). Once you believe the Gospel, you shall experience a new desire to tell everybody about it. It is like you have discovered a treasure. The believer is talkative! The Gospel was so wonderful and amazing, that Peter and John could not contain themselves, they could not refrain themselves from preaching it. They were happy to preach it to the poor men and women in the villages. Halleluiah!

 

This attitude or strategy is the opposite with that of the world. The world tells its preachers to go to the bog cities and preach to the rich, famous, educated and emancipated men. The world loves brilliant ideas but unfortunately for them, the Gospel is not meant for the worldly wise brilliant men. The way God designed the preaching of the Gospel, is that the wise men of this world will regard it as ‘foolishness’ (1Cor 1:17-24). The proud wise men cannot find God thru their proud investigation. But the simple poor men believe what the big men rejected. Their faith leads to salvation. They believe that Christ crucified and resurrected is the wisdom and the power of God! That is how they get saved! That is why they rejoice!

 

Let’s look at our Savior, Jesus Christ! Imagine for a moment that He came into this world as the world wanted it. He could have been born to a rich, educated couple, in a palace. He could have gone to the best schools in Jerusalem. He could have come with pomp and pageantry. But see the way He came! He was born as a baby, in a manger, among animals. His parents were poor simple people. God came in the flesh as a helpless baby. He worked with his hands. He was a carpenter. When He started His ministry, Jesus did not go towards the rich, noble, educated and famous people. He went to all, but especially to the poor people. He was not a Pharisee.

 

Can you imagine that? A whole Jewish Redeemer who did not train in their Bible schools or prophetic classes! He chose disciples among the simple people, mostly the working class and the fishermen in particular. “And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” (Jn 7:15). Jesus did not start a School of Philosophy where the great question of the unity of Christ could be thought, where debates could have been rewarded. Jesus did not come as a military general to set up a military academy. He did not go to Jerusalem to set Himself as the King of the Jews. He could have appeared to all saying that He needs qualified men to be His assistants. Their CVs should show a minimum requirement of PhD in Philosophy, working as a Pharisee for 20 years or being a senator in Rome for at least two terms, with exceptional oratory skills. In that case, none of us could have been saved and none of us could have been able to work for God! What a Savior!

 

When Jesus sent a word to John the Baptist, to encourage him while in prison, He said that the Gospel is confirmed by miracles and it is ‘preached to the poor’ (Mt 11:3-5). The Gospel is preached to the Poor! This is the distinguished quality of the Gospel! That is why it is different from any other religious teaching or worldly philosophy! The Pharisees and the Greeks wanted nothing to do with the low class, uneducated poor men and women.   In the Parable of the Great Supper, the king’s invitation was rejected by the rich men. ‘Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ (Lk 14: 21). This is what King Jesus says: “Bring in here the poor, that they may feast at the royal table!”

 

Jesus was a humble preacher. The world did not understand him. Even His brothers did not understand Him. When He was arrested He did not struggle with the soldiers. He went to die ‘like a sheep going to the slaughter’. He did not ‘phone’ His friends in high places. When He was crucified, Jesus died ‘quickly’. The Roman soldiers were surprised. Crucifixion is a slow and painful form of death. But He died quickly. Why? So that the prince of this world, the devil, will not change his mind and bring Him down from the Cross. He died for us that we may be free from the judgment of sin and death! What a Savior!

 

In everything that He did, from His birth to His death, Jesus was the reverse of all that the world expected.  Look at the mother of Jesus! Mary was a simple girl. She was not a queen. She did not live in Herod’s palace. The first people who received the good news were simple shepherds. The announcement of the birth of the Messiah, was not given to the Governor of Judea, to the High Priest in Jerusalem or the Pharisees. The Word of God bypassed the big men, the politicians and the religious leaders and went to the wilderness, to a simple man called John the Baptist (Lk 3:1, 2). Why God did avoid the wise and powerful men of the world? This is so that ‘no flesh should glory in His presence’ (1Cor 1:26-29)!

 

Let us remind ourselves that it is the Gospel of Christ alone that has ever given hope to the poor. Revivals rarely start in big cities. They usually start in places nobody has heard of, or in places people think that they are too ungodly. They do not start in majestic cathedrals but in simple homes where the humble and faithful children of God gather to pray.   To many people, Warri/Effurun in Nigeria is a village. Many say: ‘What good can come to Warri? There is nothing good in Warri!’ But in this humble town, the Gospel is preached! This is great news! Jesus has come! The Holy Spirit is pouring fresh wine upon us! That is why we rejoice! Not because Warri has skyscrapers or beautiful parks (because it does not yet have them). But we are witnesses that the Holy Spirit loves it! That is enough for us to continue to sing unto the Lord! If Warri is good enough for Jesus, it is good enough for me and you! Jesus is the Simple Savior! He brought the simple Gospel to give salvation to simple people, like me and you! Never forget! Salvation is of God! He saves whom He wills! If you are a rich man, educated and famous then humble yourself! Believe the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved! (Ac 16:31). Worship the Lord!

RSL 33

WISDOM FOR LIFE 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (PV 4:7)
Somebody gave me this advice long time ago. It has been useful to me all these years. It will be wisdom of life to you too! Never forget! This is the order of importance starting with the greatest:
1-Your relationship with God! (Know God!)
2-Your relationship with yourself! (Know yourself) 
3-Your relationship with your spouse! (Know your husband/wife)
4- Your relationship with your children! (Know your children)
5-Your relationship with church people and your co-workers
6- Your relationship with others! 


This list must be in this order! Once you switch the order, you will fall into trouble! For example, if you love your children more than you love your wife, you will fall into trouble! But the most important thing to remember is this: God first! God first! God first!