Category Archives: Uncategorized

THE GATES OF HELL CANNOT PREVAIL

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

“Then the governor believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord” (Ac 13:12)
 
The governor of Cyprus called Paul because he wanted to hear the Word of God (Ac 13:1-12). This desire is good but it is not enough to save a man. Paul and Barnabas came to preach the Gospel to the him. But there was a hindrance, an agent of the devil blocking the way of the servants of God. There was man there, a false prophet called Bar-Jesus or Elymas. He was the Governor’s friend and religious adviser. He was also a wizard! Yes! A worker skilled in using the powers of darkness was on the government’s payroll!
 
Lesson: God uses people to bless us and the devil uses his agents to block our blessings! To be blessed is not easy! You must fight for that ‘title’! The devil has his agents around the ‘big men’, politicians, famous entertainers and wealthy business men. The devil’s agents are their ‘body-guards’. In case you did not know, foolish fame must be ‘protected’. The devil has his own plans for each unbeliever, how to stop that one to hear the Word of God and so to be saved. You must know the truth before you can be set free!
 
Elymas, the sorcerer, opposed the servants of God. Paul confronted him saying that ‘he perverted the right ways of the Lord’. This is the truth: God’s ways are straight and full of light. Christianity is simple. The way of the Cross is simple: become one with Jesus! Follow Jesus! But men with occult power confuse the unbelievers by making simple ways become crooked. In this way Christianity becomes confusing! Religion is always complicated! To pray sounds difficult. When coming to God, their minds wander into different directions and true worship becomes impossible. You must fight for your soul! You must do warfare before you witness to the unbelievers! You must ‘clear the ground’ with the cutlass before planting the seeds!
 
Apostle Paul ‘looked intently’ at this agent of the devil!. Child of God, you must do the same! When you worship God, you may close your eyes. But when you do warfare, open your eyes ‘well-well’! pray that your eyes become spiritual ‘X-ray eyes’. I pray that you see the true enemy, hiding behind the cover of fake smiles, cheap greetings, fashionable clothes and glittering gold. Never admire rich unbelievers! I pray that you have to courage to stand for Jesus in the presence of ‘big men’. I pray that you are bold! Move forward and defeat that liar who is deceiving the ‘big man’ you minister to.
 
Paul fought and defeated his own ‘Goliath’. The wicked Elymas became blind and impotent for a season. This is God’s judgement and warning to a spiritual criminal. God is also merciful. Elymas could have died but God gave him another chance to repent of his wicked ways. It is a dangerous thing to resist a true servant of God sent on an errand for the work of the Kingdom. It is extremely dangerous to fight God! You can never win that fight!
 
Please note that this is the first miracle that Apostle Paul does as a man of God. It is not a miracle of making money! It is a miracle of victory in spiritual warfare!! Lesson: first of all, to experience breakthrough and freedom, you must confront the devil who tries to block your way! Don’t beg the devil! Don’t be sorry for the devil! Taking the whole armor of God, resist him until he runs away from you! The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church, or against a servant of God! The devil ‘holding the padlock’ must run away before the gate opens for you! You are praying for healing, for a life partner, for a baby or for finances! That is good! But these things do not always come easy. You need to engage the spiritual enemy in battle! Enter and occupy new territories for the kingdom. That work is highly rewarded by the Captain of our salvation. In case you have forgotten, all soldiers of Christ are healthy, wealthy, happy, wise and strong. Their benefits are great beyond words! Give glory our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of the only Living God! Shout Hallelujah! Glory to God!
SLL 25

MEMORY LANE..(November 2014)

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

Building our sanctuary, Father’s Hose Bible Church, Effurun…
Four years ago, me and some brethren took pictures at the site… we were painting the church, laying tiles on the floors and working very hard.. (not me really… I was there to encourage them… the wonderful brethren, men and women ‘of valor’ as we called them…)… This is a little reminder that it is so sweet to serve God! “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Ps 133:1)

FH 7-5

FH 7-6

FH 7-7

Fh 7-8

WISDOM WILL GUIDE AND HOLD YOU

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“When you run you will not stumble…but the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble” (PV 4:12,19)
Great lessons from the battle between David and Goliath:
• If you look at the giant, you will stumble!
• If you look at Jesus, the giant will stumble!

May the giant of fear, of confusion, of religion, of sickness, of bareness, of division, of divorce, of waste… may he stumble and fall and die, in the name of Jesus!

In Christ I declare:
I am not afraid of the battle; for God is with me! I look above my trial and my pain… higher than the hills of waiting… I look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith! The obstacle shall fall! The pain shall fail! The slander shall become a blessing and the debt shall become a ministry of helps! I am more than an over-comer! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

ARISE, MY LOVE! 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

By faith, receive God’s promise! The God of the Bible says to us, the people who live in Warri- Effurun and environs:
“I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel (Warri- Effurun), are My people,” says the Lord God.’ (Ez 34:25-30)
Praise the Lord!!!!

SLL 64

GOD BLESS MIMI! 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

Amelia Mimi Atiyota, our first granddaughter is 17 today. She is a very sweet girl. She is shy. She is special! She is gentle. She is humble. She is very hard working. She loves to do her chores in the house without any pressure from her mum. Her siblings love sports but she loves to stay at home. She is always quiet and very respectful. She is a blessing. She is a woman of God! She is beautiful inside and out! Like any teenager, she sometimes battles with inferiority complexes concerning her looks. Please pray for her that she will be more confident of herself! That she will become stronger, spiritually and emotionally! Wish her ‘happy birthday’ please.. I appreciate your kind words and prayers! God bless you all!

Mimi A

ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOUNG (BUT TRUE) BELIEVERS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
A true (but immature) believer said to me: “I am afraid I will lose my salvation and miss rapture, because with all my efforts to follow Jesus, I often feel lukewarm…”
 
This was my answer: “You have believed a religious lie! It came to you sugar coated in scriptures (the devil is fast to quote the Bible, but always out of context. See the temptation of Jesus!). Repent of hosting a lie!
 
This is the true Gospel, this is the truth: Jesus Christ, the Son of God came down to earth to become a Man like us, so that He could die in our place. He took on His body the punishment for our sin and the decree of death. He died publicly on the Cross of Calvary! By His death, He destroyed death and the fear of death that kept us in bondage. He was buried and on the third day He rose from the death. He went back to heaven to God the Father. He promised and fulfilled His promise to send us the Person of God the Holy Spirit who would take all these truths and apply it to our spirit, that we may believe the truth. The Holy Spirit does not teach mathematics or biology, He teaches and glorifies Jesus alone!
 
The salvation offered in Christ is called great and eternal. It cannot be lost by any sin of yours because you did not buy it with money and no man gave it to you. The Blood of Jesus covers all sins, past present and future. If by some miracle of God a pig became a man, he can never become a pig again, even if he decides to sleep with the swine. He will be dirty and smelly, but the genetic code of a man cannot be reversed to be an animal again. That change is permanent. A true believer is not called a sinner anymore. He is a saint. He can fall into sin, but he does not enjoy sin (that is called backsliding). A believer does not remain, abide or happily dwell in sin. He hates sin; he repents and comes out of it, sooner or later.
 
The confusion comes when a religious man is not really born again but comes to church and does ministry. He is always afraid to lose his ‘salvation.’ This is because he did not have it in the first place. The Holy Spirit will not confirm or assure him of his eternal identity in Christ and sure ‘mansion’ in heaven. A religious person like this is very dangerous to himself and others because of this deception and lie that he has believed. He has no peace or rest with God and His Word.
 
Please note: A backslider loses rewards, opportunities for ministry, and the joy of salvation. But no child of God can lose his eternal Salvation and go to hell! This is the true Gospel of Christ! Pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will receive the assurance of salvation, the gift of God! It is well with your soul!”
 
In Christ I declare:
Jesus Christ is my Savior! Jesus died for my sins so that I can have eternal life! Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all my sins: past, present, and the ones I may commit in the future! I am a child of God! I am saved eternally and unto the uttermost! The grace of God is sufficient for me and it is greater than any sin! I am dead to sin and to the law! I no longer live, but Christ lives in me! The power of resurrection is actively working in me! I am a slave of righteousness! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
It is well

GOD’S WORK ON DISPLAY

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Jesus said “…he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him.”
(Jn 9: 3 AMP)
 
God permits trials to come. Trials can be sickness, bareness, loneliness, poverty or misunderstanding… He allows these to come for a season, so that we can pray. The pain is a friend that brings us closer to God. In His presence, we find a new wonderful solution to the challenge, something so new and creative that the human mind cannot imagine it. God’s work is so unique and so wonderful that everybody declares ‘The Lord is God!’ The enemy has his chance to perform fake works only before the fire falls. The work of God is never in secret. God may be silent but He is never ‘shy.’ Pray not that your pain will disappear! That is too simple! Pray that your pain will welcome the work of God and surely, the testimony of healing will follow and God will have His glory!
 
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God! This trial I am passing through is temporary! God’s love for me is eternal! Nothing in all creation is able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord! God’s love never fails! God’s love overpowers and destroys any sickness or pain; I believe! I now have peace! Today is a good day for me! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

THIS LITTLE ONE IS SAVED!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“In the same way Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost” (Matt 18:14)

If you try to ‘save’ one thousand people in the same time, you may end up frustrated, tired, and depressed. If you remain focused, looking unto Jesus, doing only what you see Him do, then you will be able to save one ‘little’ soul at a time. Ministry is a source of discouragement for the proud but a source of great encouragement for the humble. What a wonderful Savior! Humble King! My Lord Jesus Christ!

In Christ I declare:
I am lead by the Spirit! I will seek and find a needy soul and bring peace to him! I do not discriminate anyone, for Christ does not discriminate! I shall seek God and the interests of His kingdom! I shall not seek success for success sake! I leave my ideas of success at the altar! I shall not despise the day of little beginnings and little encounters! I shall be grateful for everything, every day!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

Oli and Emory

(in the picture: Oliver, very happy meeting his little brother Emory David Oakes… these are our beautiful grandchildren)

DWELLING AND DOING

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted and they came to Him that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” (Mk 3: 13–15)
 
DWELLING:
The highest privilege for any man is to be called by Jesus, up on the mountain of grace. The main purpose is to dwell in His presence, to keep Him company so that He is not bored on earth. The highest honor is ‘just’ to be the friend of Jesus.
 
DOING:
The second privilege is to be sent down in the valley of the shadow of sin and death, to go on errands for Jesus, with parcels of grace wrapped in simple prayers of healing and deliverance.
Dwelling in the presence of God changes the character. Outside His presence, time is wasted. In His presence, time is redeemed. True ministry comes out from the overflow of impartation done at Jesus’ feet. Authority is the manifestation of a burning heart, seen on a glowing face, the seal of the Master’s kiss on your forehead. Now you are ready to go and preach, and pray, and heal, and deliver! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
 
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God! I heard the voice of Jesus calling me up on the mountain. I sit at His feet and listen to His Word daily; that is my permanent address! Occasionally, Jesus sends me with different errands, for His name sake and for the good of His people. It is my privileged to obey. I gladly obey! This describes my whole life! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Monk in Gethsamene
 
(I took this picture in the Garden of Gethsemane during a trip to Israel. This old monk lives there and takes care of the Garden)

GOD’S GOODNESS IS POURING DOWN ON YOU!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days” (Hos 3:5)
 
PROPHETIC WORD (04-11-18)
In these last days, the darkness is getting darker for the children of darkness! They suffering will increase. In the same time, the light shines brighter on the children of God!
 
God’s favor on you shall increase! It shall be evident with signs following! God will pour His ‘heavy duty’ Goodness upon you! You will seek God and you shall find Him! No more frustration! No more regrets! From this day on, you will worship God like David worshiped God! You will understand the authority of the Kingdom of God and you shall walk in it. The world behind you! The Cross before you! God’s joy is your strength! You will make decrees and God will confirm them for these are in line with His promises! You seat in the heavenly places with Christ! From on high, you shall look down and see your big problems becoming smaller and smaller. Until they disappear! The desert shall be replaced with the garden! Watch out for God’s goodness coming to you! There shall be no ‘mistake address’! This is the time for supernatural joy supplied to those who’ve suffered! There is a lifting for the oppressed! No man, no devil can stop it! God will ’embarrass you’ with His acts of Goodness. You will not be able to explain the goodness and the favor of God in your life. Because it will be too much for words. You shall testify to the Greater One who lives in you! The Hope of Glory is sealing your testimony! I am sorry for your enemies. They’ve lost the wicked battle against you! God is on your side and His victory is decreed! The goodness of God is pouring down on you, starting now…You will fear God! You will kneel down, prostrate and worship God! For there is nothing else to do… Excess love! Overflow Goodness! In Jesus;’ name! Thank You Abba Father! Glory to God!

WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG! 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“I know that I can make it!
I know that I can stand!
No matter what may come my way…
My life is in Your hands! Jesus!”

“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God Himself will fight for you.” (Deut 3:22)

SLL 61

BREAD WINNER

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Give us today our daily bread…” (Matt 6:11)
Bread is basic. Bread is food. Bread is life. There is natural bread and spiritual bread. We have to humble ourselves to pray for bread on the table. We can never graduate from the level of this request. This prayer is not for the homeless sleeping under the bridge. It is for us all. Jesus commands us to ask daily for the provision of food. Each time I see a slice of bread (white or brown, dry or soft) I should see a point of contact with heaven and a fresh reason to worship God, the Provider of all good things. Jesus did not say pray for cake or for salad. Just for bread! Do not pray for ‘my bread’ but for ‘our bread,’ enough to supply the needs of the family and for all who do not believe in prayer but want food to eat. God always gives more than we ask. He is the most generous Person.

If I eat bread without prayer and without gratefulness I am a thief. If the thief is caught, he is to pay seven times more; sometimes this may mean all his property in his house. The lesson is that without prayer for daily bread, without acknowledging God as your ‘Bread Winner’ you are in serious danger of sudden poverty (PV 6: 30, 31). Let us make a good habit to pray and never take food for granted. Especially the bread!!! The crumbs under the table healed a stranger’s daughter from an incurable disease! (Matt 15: 21-28). Bread of Life, I worship You!

In Christ I declare:
Jesus Christ is my ‘Bread Winner.’ I am grateful for the supply He gives me. I trust that I will be renewed in my spirit. I believe that even the dry bread will taste good in my mouth.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

Bread

(In the picture, Nigerian bread; among the best in the world)

BREAD WINNER

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Give us today our daily bread…” (Matt 6:11)
Bread is basic. Bread is food. Bread is life. There is natural bread and spiritual bread. We have to humble ourselves to pray for bread on the table. We can never graduate from the level of this request. This prayer is not for the homeless sleeping under the bridge. It is for us all. Jesus commands us to ask daily for the provision of food. Each time I see a slice of bread (white or brown, dry or soft) I should see a point of contact with heaven and a fresh reason to worship God, the Provider of all good things. Jesus did not say pray for cake or for salad. Just for bread! Do not pray for ‘my bread’ but for ‘our bread,’ enough to supply the needs of the family and for all who do not believe in prayer but want food to eat. God always gives more than we ask. He is the most generous Person.

If I eat bread without prayer and without gratefulness I am a thief. If the thief is caught, he is to pay seven times more; sometimes this may mean all his property in his house. The lesson is that without prayer for daily bread, without acknowledging God as your ‘Bread Winner’ you are in serious danger of sudden poverty (PV 6: 30, 31). Let us make a good habit to pray and never take food for granted. Especially the bread!!! The crumbs under the table healed a stranger’s daughter from an incurable disease! (Matt 15: 21-28). Bread of Life, I worship You!

In Christ I declare:
Jesus Christ is my ‘Bread Winner.’ I am grateful for the supply He gives me. I trust that I will be renewed in my spirit. I believe that even the dry bread will taste good in my mouth.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

Bread

(In the picture, Nigerian bread; among the best in the world)

MY ENEMY IS CRIPPLED AND BURNT!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

‘Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel as dead men. Then you must cripple their horses and burn their chariots’ (Josh 11:6)
Joshua was attacked by a group of pagan kings under the leadership of Jabin, King of Hazor. These kings and their armies were very well trained and equipped; they had horses and chariots. Their combined army was ‘huge and numerous as the sand on the sea shore.’ But Joshua prayed and God answered, telling him not to be afraid by what he sees. God promises that He will weaken the enemy; that He will hand the thousands of pagan soldiers to Israel ‘as dead men’ and they should kill them all. The horses of the enemy should be ‘hamstrung’ and the chariots burnt with fire. To hamstring a horse means to cripple it by cutting the leg tendons. The result is that the horses will limp and be unable to run. They could use the horses for labor, to pull a plough for example, but never again in war. This command to cripple the horses sounds harsh to us but it is because God wants us to give Him all the glory for every victory in war. Chariots and horses represent the power of the flesh and the boast of pride. That has to die! God is jealous for His glory! God refuses to allow His people to learn the ways of the world and the strategy of religious pride. The kings in Israel were to be known as men of God, reading their Bibles. God forbade them to accumulate great numbers of horses, gold, or wives. They were to symbolize Christ, whose strength was always in His intimate relationship with the Father.

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God! I am a soldier for Christ! I willingly enrolled in the army of the Living God! I went to war under the banner of Jehovah Nissi and I won the victory! By faith in God; I was weak, but I became strong; I was confused, but I became focused; I was afraid but I became bold; I was foolish but I became wise and prudent; I was shy but I now boldly proclaim His Word and sing His praises! My enemies persecuted, hated, slandered, attacked and tried to destroy my testimony, but they have lost completely! My enemies are now weak, confused, afraid, lonely, foolish, disgraced, crippled and burnt! My trust is not in things, people, money or positions. My trust is in the Lord Almighty! I do not boast in my wisdom, my wealth or my strength, but I boast that I really know God, His name and His Righteousness!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

RAINING SEASON (BLESSINGS) IN EFFURUN

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

This is a picture I took yesterday from my balcony, in Effurun/ Warri, Nigeria. It is now raining season. Can you see the beauty of God’s creation? Can you see the sky? It is like a painting! Glory!

Nigeria is my adopted country. I live here since 1980. This is my observation… Many Nigerians hate their country and want to go abroad, anywhere… so far is ‘abroad’… to find ‘greener pastures’. They think that God has forgotten Nigeria. They have lost hope for a change. Look at this picture… what do you see? This glimpse of the sky over us here in Effurun is a reminder that God is everywhere. He is the Omnipotent God! This is not ‘a second hand’ sky! This is not ‘a faded’ glory!!! I know that there are problems. But I also know that God is bigger than all the problems!

This picture is a reminder that God is in Nigeria and that God loves this country, I live here and I am a witness to His presence and to His love for the people. Let’s praise the only Living God! Let’s acknowledge His presence in our midst! Make some noise my dear Nigerian brethren!

“O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!” (Ps 8:1)

Effurun rain

THE BEST FOR THE LAST

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
‘You saved the best until now’ (Jn 2: 10)
All marriages, no matter how strong, will eventually ‘finish’ their wine of joy and passion and end up ‘dry’: no hatred, no love, just ‘water- surviving’ arrangement. There is a moment when you discover that all the love has been exhausted on daily errands and routine of life. There is a moment when fear will grip the heart that your secret failure will become public display; ‘They have no more wine…’
 
That place of loneliness and shame is the moment for the true friend to step in and help. The best marriage counselors are not found seated at the table waiting to be served. They are found in the background among the servants who know the secret of brewing the miracle of supernatural love that never dies. Once you taste from the latter wine, once you allow God to love your spouse through your heart, your marriage will receive the stamp of heaven and will survive even death. Never forget the power of the latter rain! That is where the glory dwells!
 
In Christ I declare:
My marriage belongs to God! Jesus is the Lord of my marriage, the Red Cord that can never be broken! I will never lose hope in my marriage for my spouse is a gift from God and God never makes mistakes! My marriage shall last until death will ‘part’ us! Nothing else will be able to destroy it before death! I hate divorce! Like wine, my marriage shall be better as we get older! Holy romance shall always bubble in my marriage! The best is yet to come!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
 
(In the picture, my husband and I, married for 44 years, drinking from the latter rain wine)
R and L 2

HOLY SPEED

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“I am the Lord! In its time, I will do this SWIFTLY!” (Is 60: 22)
There is acceleration in the Spirit Realm. God is moving and things change fast. There is reward for the humble and faithful.

In Christ I declare: 
This is the last night I will sleep in poverty and sorrow. Tomorrow I will move to another LEVEL, to another PLACE. This is the last time that I see the moon’s light from between the bars of iron. I will never have to envy another. My natural gifts are redeemed and changed into that which pleases the Spirit. I will never feel like a visitor on this planet for it belongs to me and my descendants. I believe it! All things are mine in Christ. My Father in Heaven has (re-) planted me; watered me with His Word; touched me with the breeze of His Spirit, so that I may learn to sing, to respond to His calling, to appreciate the stillness and power of His presence… There is a fragrance of revival… There is the sound of increase of that which is holy… God is working… God is planting… None can stop it. All the glory to Jehovah!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

THE MOUNTAIN IN THE SEA

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matt 21: 21, 22)

A mountain in the Bible stands as a symbol for many things. One of them is an evil stronghold, an obstruction along the way. It is positioned to block your vision of the finishing line. The aim of the enemy is to blind you to the reward, to the destiny, and crown promised by God. This mountain is demonic. It speaks discouragement to weaken your faith. For example, when Nehemiah came back from Babylon, to rebuild Jerusalem, the enemy attacked him with doubts, fears and discouragement. The devil represented by Tobias and Sanballat opposed him saying that he was not able to finish building the wall. In the natural, things were very difficult. Even among the people of God, few had faith but many had doubts. This resistance to the work of God, to spiritual progress, is a mountain that has to be ‘thrown into the sea.’ Nehemiah proved to be a true leader, defeated the opposition, and finished building the wall of Jerusalem!

This is another word of faith: “Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.’ What are you, O Great Mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” (Zech 4:6,7). The counsel God gave to Zerubbabel is this: in the fight against all opposition, the human power will fail, but the power of the Holy Spirit will never fail! This is the promise of Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts. God challenges Zerubbabel to finish building the temple by praising and giving Him the glory.

God’s grace, His unmerited favor rooted in the Cross of Calvary is revealed as a mighty overcoming power that nothing can quench! God’s grace means victory in the war against doubt and failure. Against all odds, the roof of the Temple shall be finished at the sound of fearful praise: ‘Grace… Grace!’ Jesus Christ, the Capstone shall overcome!

It is foolishness to start the Christian race by grace and then try to finish it by human strength. Both the foundation and the roof shall be done only by the grace of God! Our salvation and our sanctification are possible only by the grace of God! The grace of God is a mighty weapon! Use it! You cannot ignore a blockage in an artery and hope that things will improve! The patient will end up with a stroke!

Child of God! Do not deny the reality of spiritual attacks! Do not accept defeat! Do not remain spiritually stagnant! Do not be passive! Fast and Pray! Listen to the voice of Jesus and you shall hear encouragement and victory! He said that if you have faith in God you shall destroy the enemy’s stronghold! Faith is 100 percent! Doubt is 0 percent! The size of the opposition does not matter; it can be a mountain, a hill or the sea. Your faith in God and in His grace shall overcome all oppositions! Fear not! Declare war against the wickedness in high places! God will perfect all that concerns you! Move on in your destiny! You can do it! I believe the Word of God!

In Christ I declare:
I am saved! I am free! By faith I destroy all opposition in my path as I follow Christ! I fear not! I keep moving on! I believe! All glory to the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

(From my Book The Doe of the Morning)

SLL 60

(In the picture: Me during a trip to Israel. I was seated on top of an ancient stone olive press. Jesus said: ‘If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea’ (Mt 18:6). This millstone is very heavy!!! I could not move it!!! )

MEMORIES 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

Memories light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories of the way we were
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were…

Memories may be beautiful and yet
So many memories too painful to remember
The way we were!

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
And if we had the chance to do it all again
Just tell me, tell me, would we, would we?
Could we, could we?
(Jewish poem)

Memory defined: the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences.
What is the purpose of memory?
a. To preserve our past
b. To learn
c. To connect
d. To tell the story

“Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. Meditate on it day and night” (Josh 1:8) The Bible should me in your mouth! That’s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization!!” (D. Willard)

Memory

YES, LORD! YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Jesus said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My sheep.” (Jn 21:16)
 
Jesus ‘hired’ Peter as an apostle, knowing that he will deny Him in the future. The Lord did not ‘fire’ Peter forever. He later reinstated him to ministry. This is great lesson for all of us! The reason why we make mistakes in hiring or firing people it is because we do not see things thru the eyes of God. We evaluate people and circumstances as relating to the present moment. God is Spirit and He is eternal. He not only sees the future but He is able to create the future. He also changes the hearts of men, something that we cannot do. That is ‘the advantage’ of God over us. We should accept our limitations and bow before Him! By His Word God creates new things. His Word is settled in heaven and on earth. For example: “God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable (can never be withdrawn; are without repentance)… God does not change His mind about whom He chooses and blesses… God doesn’t take back the gifts He has given or disown the people He has chosen” (Rom 11:29; different translations).
 
To me, The Lord Jesus Christ is not only my Savior, my Friend and Lord! He is my Boss. In the past, working for men or even for myself, I never had the peace, joy and courage I now have. I now work for the Lord! He is the most excellent Boss. By His Spirit He teaches, encourages and chastises me. Most of this work is done in the quietness of the background, under the shadows of His wings. Most of the time, men cannot see my pain or my joy. Wisely, He does not promote me to any level of visibility until I am ready to withstand the pressure coming from others who are jealous of my gifts. I love Peter because like him, I made mistakes and I was called back to loving once more. “Thank You, Lord Jesus!!!”