Category Archives: Uncategorized

I FOUND WHERE I BELONG

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“You are holy, holy,
Lord there is none like You…
You are holy, holy
Glory to You alone!
 
I’ll sing Your praises forever
Deeper in love with You
Here in Your courts where I’am close to Your throne
I found where I belong…”
(Hillsong)
SLL23

YOU ARE THE GOD OF MIRACLES

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

“You alone work miracles and You have let nations see Your mighty power” (Ps 77:14)

The Saturday evening prophetic prayer meeting was very good. At the beginning of the meeting I could see that some of the brethren look sad, tired, discouraged and distracted. Others seem ready to enter the Holy of holies. This created a division in the Spirit realm. As much as I wanted to go ahead with those who were ready, I could not ignore the weak ones who were trailing behind. We were singing songs of worship trying to cover up the weaknesses. Led by the Holy Spirit, I stopped the meeting.   I thanked everybody who came to church this evening. I told them that they have already paid the price to have an encounter with the Living God. It is not easy to live your house and come to church on Saturday evening, to join a prayer meeting when tomorrow there is ‘church’ again. I told them that they have done well. We clapped for ourselves. I also said that all things should be done well, to give glory to God. We must please God this evening! It is not enough to arrive before the veil, and then fall asleep there, when we can push a little more in faith and enter in. I told them that the hindrance to true worship is spiritual. There are evil spirits attacking their minds so that, just before the finishing line of anointing, they draw back.

 

I told them to choose between worrying about the cares of this word and worshipping God; between religious duty and pleasing the Holy Spirit. Everybody chose to worship God. The unity of the Spirit is always very important to create the way for the glory to come. We did warfare against the evil spirits that hindered us (doubt, fear, religion, worrying about the future…).

 

We started praying one for another. Suddenly, the electric power (NEPA) went off.  We continued to pray in darkness and heat for about 5-6 minutes. To my surprise, nobody stopped praying. In fact, the prayers intensified, rising up as the incense of the evening sacrifice. In could not encourage them for my microphone was not working. Everybody sensed that this darkness is not ‘normal’. We prayed in the Spirit on and on. Then the power was restored. The light came back. Together with the light, the Holy Spirit came on us as a refreshing. We sang again and again: “Jesus, You are the God of miracles… You are God, from beginning to the end, there’s no place for argument, You are God all by Yourself… You are the God of miracles…Thank You Father, Thank You Son, Thank You Holy Ghost!”

 

You can learn more about the Holy Spirit when you stay one minute in this anointing than a whole year in Bible school (I have nothing against Bible schools). The Holy Spirit owes no man. He does not need your money. But He needs your faith to work with. The Holy Spirit came on us with fire and joy. There is no way to describe these wonderful things. I pray that you draw closer to God so that He draws closer to you. In this romantic holy dance between your soul and the Holy Spirit, you must be the seeker, you must initiate the move, you must ‘provoke’ God to touch you. ‘Touch me one more time Oh, Lord, Touch me one more time Oh, Lord, I need a touch from the Master, I need a touch from You Lord, Touch me one more time, Oh, Lord!’ This is not a meeting of some millionaires or politicians. This is not a gathering of the rich and famous. There was no video camera. There is no breaking news on the TV. This is family meeting between the humble and faithful believers and their God.  Jesus is Lord indeed! This glorious meeting happened, not in Hollywood, not in America or Canada, but in Effurun, Nigeria. For any place where God’s children come together to worship their Father, He comes and stays with them. May the overflow of such goodness touch you today! To God alone be all the glory!

FH 10

WE FORGIVE AS CHRIST FORGAVE US

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3:12-17)
 
This is a wonderful text to be applied in all relationships between brethren but especially in a godly marriage. The Word of God tells us that marriage is a picture of the Love Christ has for His Bride, the Church. To obey the Word of God, both husband and wife must be saved and Spirit filled. Both must desire to glorify Christ in their lives and in their marriage. Marital love is not just a feeling but it is a life time commitment in the presence of God! Marriage is hard work. Marriage is not easy. But marriage has a glory harvest on earth!
 
The devil hates the Christians especially when they marry. There is great power released to the glory of God when husband and wife pray in the unity of the Spirit. The devil will try its best to divide them, physically or spiritually. Our weapons are not carnal, but spiritual. Both husband and wife live happily knowing that they are ‘elect of God, holy and beloved’. Each one’s identity is rooted in the everlasting love of God. Each one is spiritually, emotionally and mentally stable and can help the other in case of weakness or sin. Each one must be merciful, humble, patient, tolerating and forgiving the other. Love covers all sins and binds all good virtues in one unit of grace. The peace of God reigns in that home. There is thanksgiving flowing in their marriage. They are filled with the Word of God and they apply it daily. They teach and admonish one another from the Word of God. Their marriage is singing praises to God. The Holy Spirit is happy to dwell in their home. That is an ideal Christian home!
 
Today, my husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh, and I celebrate 44 years of marriage. We got married as unbelievers. About fifteen years later we became saved. Or marriage is blessed with three children and six grandchildren (and still growing). We are now in full time ministry. We have many spiritual sons and daughters. To the glory of God!
I was thinking what to share from our long, challenging but very happy successful marriage… The truth is that I have forgotten our sinful past of long ago. More and more I see Christ in my husband and I hope he sees the same in me. One of the most important decisions we have made is to be pro-active in our love, especially concerning the area of forgiveness. The Bible commands us to do two things: to forbear and forgive. The first word means to bear long, to endure patiently and quietly, praying in the Spirit for the grace to move on from offence to peace and joy. “When persecuted, we endure” (1Cor 4:12). The second word ‘forgive’ means to freely release your prisoner, to not expect payment from the one who offended you. You either forgive or you ask for revenge. Both cannot do both in same time! To forgive it means to bless instead of cursing, to pay back good instead of evil. Forbearing and forgiving are vitally necessary in marriage. Both are very difficult actions. It is easier to quarrel, insult or keep grudges. It is easier to divorce than forgive!!! Only the Holy Spirit is able to perform this holy work in you!
 
There is no doubt that in this world of sin ‘offences will come’. My husband and I come from different countries, races and backgrounds. At the beginning, our marriage was difficult. We had difficulty in understanding one another, especially the motives of our actions. For example, what I considered right, he thought it was wrong. I just did not understand him…. We never planned to quarrel but we could not always avoid disagreements. To make matters worse, the devil was always ready to ‘add pepper to the soup’. As Christians we knew that we need to love and forgive. But love is not easy, for love is a sacrifice. Love is sustained and protected by spiritual warfare. You must be jealous over your marriage testimony! “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1 Cor 13:7–8).
 
Over the years we observed that if there is an argument and pain follows, it takes us a long time to gather strength and manifest love again. We eventually forgive one another but it takes time. The hurt lasted too long. The damage to our emotions was too great. By the time we forgave each other, the wound will leave a deep scar. To avoid this we both decided to become pro-active in love. We studied each other in the light of the Word. We prayed for revival in our marriage; for wisdom, love, patience and holy passion. We decided to build up a ‘savings account’ of love, grace and forgiveness. We decided to love and forgive before the offence comes. In that way, if there is any misunderstanding, it lands on the soft bed of forgiving love and it is quickly deactivated. By doing this, we killed the fear of division and quarrels. ‘Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more’ (Rom 5:20).
 
This is our mature testimony as a married couple: To the glory of God we now forgive ‘as Christ forgives’. Jesus died for us ‘while we were yet sinners’. (Rom 5:8). He did not wait for our quarrels with Him before He thought of a way to forgive us. He forgave us on the Cross because we ‘did not know what we were doing’ (Lk 23:34). At last, after many years of trial and error, by the grace of God, my husband and I have discovered that Love is not a reaction, but a sacrificial, purposeful, holy action rooted in Christ and His love for His Bride. We do not just forgive! We live in the realm of forgiveness. We forgive each other before (and not only after) the disagreement comes. We cannot predict when trouble comes, but we can prepare against it by surrounding our hearts in the oil of forgiveness and grace.
 
Let me be even more personal. I say: ‘By the grace of God, and for the sake of Christ my Lord, no matter what my husband says of does to me, I will forgive him always and for everything, for as long as I live!”. If these words sound foolish to you, it means that you have not yet arrived at ‘the hill of incense’ where all is soaked in glory! You have not been intoxicated with the fragrance of Christ! You have not yet touched the scars on His hands! You have not kissed His dusty feet! Your alabaster box is still intact! You have not heard His Words spoken to me! I testify that there is no fear in love! Oh, my Lord!!!!!
 
“Then turning toward the woman Jesus said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Lk 7:44-50)
 
May these words find you ready to go to a higher level of faith! May your marriage be blessed! To the glory of God!
 
(In the picture, my husband and I, on vacation, at our Hotel in Cappadokia, Turkey. The hotel was built in the rock)
Tali and I 13

I TAKE POSSESSION OF THE LAND AND I SETTLE IN IT

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
PRAISE REPORT
“Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess” (Nu 33:53)
“He gave His people the lands of pagan nations, and they harvested crops that others had planted” (Ps 105:44)
 
I received a note from a Christian brother in the church. He is about 40 years old. He was a Muslim but he gave his life to Christ. He is happily married with children. He is an engineer and his wife is a teacher. Both of them serve God humbly and faithfully in the church. They are very hard working people. They are the extra-mile Christians. I also know that they tithe faithfully.
 
Over the years, there is something strange I observed about them. They had faith for many things but they were spiritually weak in the area of a financial breakthrough. They were satisfied to be poor. Over the years I told them that they will not die as tenants. That they should go and buy a piece of land and build their own house. Each time I said that, they will smile shyly and look down to the floor. Sometimes I will tell them: ‘Say: Amen!” Then they will say ‘Amen!’ to please me… This spiritual ‘dance’ is about five years old. My prayer and wish for them was that one day they will rise in the Spirit and possess their possessions. I felt it in my spirit that even with their little faith, God has approved their request to have their own home. God did His part long ago! They were slow to receive what was theirs already. Until today… I saw the brother today in the church. He said that God has done it. Money came from ‘nowhere’ (of course from God) and he bought the land. He was jumping up and down like a teenager. I told him that God who started this good thing in him will perfect it to the end! This time he did not waste time and shouted ‘Amen!’
 
May this testimony touch you! You are not too poor, too un-educated, too much a nobody that God cannot help you. Even if your faith is small like a mustard seed, God can use it to answer your prayers! In fact, God helps the weak to fight the mighty! Little is much when God is in it! Nothing is too hard for God! This land is big enough. God will help you buy a piece of property and you shall enter into your own house. Just vow to give God alone all the glory! Say ‘Amen’!!!
 
“Malia… I am overwhelmed Malia, I have set my hands on the plow not looking back that I will worship the Lord with all my heart. I received it, I trust the Lord with all my heart that He has already given me my heart’s desires… I love you Jesus… I told Tali (pastor) yesterday about the good news that I bought a land in… God is really doing wonders in my life and the life’s of my family. Jesus………………… I love you. I am so happy Malia, that God has help me to defeat the fear of buying a land and building a house. My father is a poor man. I thought I will be the same until I die… But Jesus said No! I have blessed you! That evil spirit of fear, of poverty mentality, of slavery… has left me and my home! “Lord Jesus I thank You for this victory, I will forever worship You no matter the circumstances, my eyes are on You Lord”. Thank you Ma for your prayers and encouragement! I am very happy…”
Promised Land

A WOMAN GIVING BIRTH TO A CHILD

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
PRAISE REPORT
“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world” (Jn 16:21)
 
A couple in our church have been waiting for six years to have a baby. Doctors have examined them and declared that medically, there is no way they can have a baby. The husband was a Muslim who got converted to be a Christian. Some years ago, armed robbers shot at him but he escaped. Both of them are now born again and Spirit filled. The wife is a member of our choir. They worship God with great passion and faithfulness. I saw their tears in prayers and intercession. I saw their joy in serving God. They had faith that one day they will be parents! They always talk about ‘their children’ even before any baby came.
 
Against all odds, nine months ago, the wife got pregnant. It has been a challenging pregnancy. She could not stand or come to church for months. But pain is soon forgotten when a baby is born. Yes, they are now the happy blessed parents of a handsome baby boy. May this testimony remind you that the Living God we serve is a God of miracles! Nothing is too difficult for God! To God be all the glory! (This is the picture of the baby)
Baby Joshua

THE BLESSINGS OF HOLY TITHING 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord” (Lev 27:30)

The tithe is the first tenth part of your personal income, set apart as an offering to God, or for works of mercy. God invented the tithe. It is not man’s idea. Many pastors may abuse the doctrine of the tithe but that does not negate the fact that it is God’s commandment that His people should pay the tithe. Paying the tithe is a matter of obedience. Some Christians argue that tithing was God’s command given only in the Old Testament. They say that as believers in Christ we do not have to be legalistic and pay the tithe. They say that we should ‘be led by the Holy Spirit and pay more than ten percent of the income’. This sounds nice. But often, the same people who say that they ‘are led by the Spirit’ pay less than one percent.

As an ‘old’ Christian, as a mother in Christ and as a pastor, this is my counsel: It is better to be ‘legalistic’ at the beginning and learn to tithe faithfully. Like a little child, ‘a baby Christian’ needs laws to learn obedience. You need to learn spiritual discipline. You do it until obedience is easy and it becomes your holy habit, until you find joy in obeying the Word of God. After that, as you mature, you can ‘relax’ from the so called ‘legalistic approach’ and do ‘as the Spirit leads’. By then, your faith in God is mature, strong and steady. You have passed thru the fire of the Holy Spirit. Your motives for doing ministry are now purified. You are filled with the Holy Spirit. The foundation of your Christian life is laid on Christ Crucified and Resurrected. All the necessary lessons are now learned. You fear God all the days of your life. You obey God’s commands without grumbling. It takes much discipline pain and many tears until you enter the place of easy and joyful obedience to God’s commands. It is called God’s rest! At last, you find joy in tithing and in generosity towards God. You now experience the joy of your salvation. Your cross has now become your crown! Hallelujah! You are now a mature, tested, faithful and powerful Christian. From this point in time you can indeed do ‘as the Spirit leads…’ But until then, simply pay your tithe from your increase! God bless you! I wait for you to bring back a sure testimony that God has seen your sacrificial love for Him and that He has blessed you more than you imagine!

BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ALL

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“My daughter, there is no need to fear when you see others prospering. There is no need to envy another. God created the sky big enough so that each one of us can jump high and catch his own star…” (My husband encouraging our daughter on the phone…)

JESUS MUST REIGN!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:25, 26)
 
I believe that in this particular season, God has granted a fresh favor on His people. It comes like dew from heaven. You will sense it mostly in the morning as you have your quiet time with your King! This fresh anointing that destroys all yokes has been given especially to the children of God who have faithfully served God with humility, never waiting for the praises of men. Recently, my husband and I have experienced a mighty breakthrough. After a long wait, with fasting and prayers, God opened a door for us to glorify His name. Long ago we bought a piece of property. We lost it. We now regained it. Then we needed to possess our possessions. In the process of doing that, the enemy attacked. The attack came especially thru the evil spirit of fear. It was the fear of untimely death in particular.
 
This is my testimony: As a child of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and by the grace of God, I have been delivered from all my past fears. But this recent attack took me by surprise. This demon was an old enemy that came ‘to visit me’ again. In the past, when fear attacks me, I stand on the Word of God in 2 Timothy 1:7. It is my base line scripture. It has never failed to encourage me. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. But this time, the Holy Spirit used a new scripture to increase my faith against the fear of death. It is 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26. By the power of the Holy Spirit my eyes were opened and I saw (again!) the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of kings!!! “He must reign!’ “Jesus, You must reign!” I said it again and again until the Word ‘soaked’ into my spirit. It is true that Jesus is the King of kings! I knew that! He is already seated on the highest throne in heaven. But I needed this holy powerful reminder by the Holy Spirit. Somehow, my vision became dimmed from ‘dusty religion’. I needed a fresh revelation of His Majesty on high! I saw the Lord Jesus, not only as my Savior or Helper, but as the King of heaven and earth. None can withstand His power!!! His crown was so bigggggg….glittering with diamonds and rubies… His scepter was made of gold and held in His hands that still carried the scars of love… I saw people from all the nations bowed before Him… The kings on earth placed their crowns at His feet…
 
As I beheld this scene in heaven, all my fears were gone!!! Fear of death cannot talk in this atmosphere of glory! Yes! Jesus Christ reigns forever! Of the increase of His Kingdom and peace there shall be no end! But Jesus ‘must reign’ in my heart, in my spirit! Nothing should dim this royal revelation of grace. I am free to worship the King of kings in the beauty of His holiness! I am free to sing forever to the Lamb seated upon His throne! Hallelujah! Glory to God!
 
Majesty, worship His majesty, unto Jesus, be all power, honor and praise!
Jesus who died is now glorified! He is King of all kings!
Because You reign, I shall rejoice tomorrow
Because You reign, all fears are gone!
Because I know, You hold my future!
My life is worth a living just because You reign!
SLL 25

SHOW ME YOUR GLORY!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
“Then Moses said, “Now show me Your glory” (Ex 33:18)
 
This evening prayer meeting was very good. The people came hungry for God. Some new people that have never attended a prayer meeting in the church came and sat down. I know that it was not by their power. It was the Holy Spirit that drew them here. We praised and worshipped God from the beginning to the end. I prepared a sermon (again) but the door was not opened for me to preach it (again). Men and women knelt down to pray for their souls. Many came to the altar. They sat down there looking broken, defenseless. It is very beautiful to see a ‘big’ man or a rich man, seating down before God, truly humbled by the Holy Spirit. No proud man likes to look foolish. It is always a miracle to see a broken heart worshipping before God. We had only a keyboardist and a (part time) drummer. Then we had our own voices to shout the name of Jesus and to sing to the King. The room became too hot for comfort. Some people opened the door to let some cool air come in. Nobody minded all these things.
 
The attention was focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. We sang and prayed on and on: “Show me Your face… Show me Your glory…I want to see You, Lord Jesus…” Suddenly, The Lord answered these simple faith prayers. The Holy Spirit opened our eyes to see the King in the beauty of His holiness. The tune changed. The key changed. The atmosphere changed. Now singing: “I see the Lord, I see the Lord, exalted high above the worship, of the people of the earth… I see the Lord, I see the Lord, for my eyes have seen the King, The Lamb open the throne, who lives forever more” This is a reminder that God hears prayers. Jesus collects our prayers and adds them to His incense in heaven. “Oh Lord, set my heart of fire for you…” Suddenly fear ran away. A fresh boldness came in. We sang: “I am not afraid! I am not afraid! – a song from “Jesus culture”. The effect of the Holy Spirit on the sons of God cannot be measured. We prayed and interceded in the Spirit. These notes are written just to stir your appetite for the spiritual realities found in Christ alone! God is real! Draw closer and touch Him! God is good! Taste and see that he is good! God is strong! Mountains shake and fall. Each step closer to God is a step into light, satisfied by peace and filled by joy. There is no better place where we could have been this evening. We belong to Jesus. This is our story! This is our song! Church was good tonight!
“I see the cloud, I step in. I want to see Your glory like Moses did. Flashes of light and rolls of thunder! I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid! Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, my God… I’m awed by Your beauty, lost in Your eyes! I long to walk in Your presence like Jesus did! Your glory surrounds me and I’m overwhelmed! I’m not afraid! I’m not afraid! “Show me Your glory, show me Your glory, my God… I long to look on the face of the One that I love; I Long to stay in Your presence, it’s where I belong. Oh how we love You, oh how we love You! Oh how we love You, Jesus!”
Blessing

GLORY FILLED HOUSE 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Ex 40:34)
This evening, the Women’s Fellowship was very powerful. It was different than any other time we gathered in the past. Something ‘interesting’ happened. This is the background story: Before the Esther’s Banquet last month, some women suggested that we should have games during the party. What they wanted was that the couples should play some games as entertainment. When I heard of this idea I immediately said no. I explained to them that this banquet is ‘a prophetic party’ and not ‘an ordinary party’. We fasted for the month of January the way Esther and her maids fasted. Our desire was that King Jesus, represented by our husbands, who are our kings, will see our heavy burdens and take over them. We decided that we shall dress royally, in traditional Nigerian attires. We shall lovingly cook for everybody. During the banquet, we shall keep silent and let the husbands do the talking, the older ones first… This was a form of submission and respect to our husbands. By faith, it was an open door for the Holy Spirit to touch our husbands to help us with our burdens. The banquet was very successful. My husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh spoke. He challenged the husbands to be more spiritual, more sensitive and more active with their duties as husbands. The Holy Spirit was there to touch and fill everybody with more love, passion and fire. I personally was very pleased with the Banquet. But after the party, I heard that some women said that the evening was ‘too dull’. Some husbands said that the party was ‘too spiritual’. These are the very words that came to my ears…
This evening I prepared a sermon about the role of the prophetic ministry. I wanted to defend myself, why I refused the games. I wanted to explain to the sisters that what we need is more of the Holy Spirit and not more entertainment. I wanted to say that games have a place sometimes, but not during a serious prophetic gathering when we trust God to speak and to move on behalf of our marriages. But this evening, my well prepared sermon could not be delivered. God did not allow me to talk, because He wanted to do the talking. As we started praising God, suddenly the Holy Spirit ‘came down’. The hall became like fire. Wave after wave of anointing passed thru our hearts. We fell in love with Jesus all over again. Everybody was lying down, weeping, laughing, praying or worshipping. The Holy Spirit said to me: ‘Stand back. Let me do the talking…” I was standing still, surprised at how the Spirit of God was moving in our midst. The sisters were screaming ‘Jesus…Jesus…’ The fire was burning and none could quench it. If anybody desired some ‘entertainment’, the Holy Spirit provided more than we could have imagined. There was no need for games. The King was in our midst. Who remembered games? Nobody…
I felt so small in the presence of the Master. Jesus is so big and wonderful. But I felt so good!!! He came to vindicate our stand. We are not hungry for religious games. We are hungry for the Living God! There is no doubt in my mind that miracles of salvation, healing and deliverance happened tonight. Repentance was real. Progress was made. Jesus opened a door for our Women fellowship that no one can shut. At a time, the power (NEPA) went off but nobody observed that. A woman I invited to Esther’s banquet told me that the senior pastor in her church stopped the women fellowship. She said it was because there was too much flesh, gossip and divisions among the women. She was surprised that we are still gathering as a fellowship. She said that it was a miracle. She asked what our secret is. I told her it is Jesus! Only Jesus! We gather around the Cross and worship Jesus. We do not gather just to be friends. That comes later. Each of us must pass thru the fire of glory before we are able to be friends to others. Purity comes before party. Oh… I cannot express the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit surrounding us tonight. To God be all the glory!
Singing: “Oh, Lord, set my heart on fire, for You! For You! I want to know Your heart! I want to know Your ways! Jesus!!! Set my heart on fire for You! For You!”
Favor

FREEDOM CONFIRMED

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be consumed in the presence of the anointing” (Is 10:27)

The road has been long and difficult. Many nights you could not sleep, for the thoughts were heavy on your mind…Is there any hope for me?… Is this pain forever?… More tears and sighs that you can count…No man could understand… But it is true, you knew it, deep down in your spirit, in that place where only God can come, that one day, one moment in time, you shall be free…

The devil took the anointing for granted. Like the Philistines ignored the new hair of Samson, so the devil forgot that you are a candidate for a miracle, for a change, for victory! You foolishly carried heavy loads of strange cares, These were not your own… these were not placed on your tender shoulders by God…the enemy took advantage of your goodness and deceived you to carry burdens not your own…

But slowly, the mercy of God has been revealed…your faith started blooming and now it has fruits…the anointing of the Holy Spirit has destroyed, has consumed that old bondage rooted in the past and now you are free! Touch your heart and see that you are free! Finally free! I confirm that truth has made are free! Yes, to the glory of God, dreams come true! I confirm that the test of freedom in Christ is sweet! “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn 8:32)

PRAYER FOR COURAGE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
 
The enemy of God and of His kingdom attempts to set up strongholds, unholy barriers against God’s people, His church, and anything advancing the knowledge of God in this world. The devil does not want people to know the Lord Jesus! He does not mind if they know something about God in general, but not about the Lord Jesus Christ! These strongholds must be brought down with the spiritual weapons of the Word, Prayer and the Authority of the believer.
 
As a child of God you must do warfare from a position of rest and victory found in Christ alone. You must be sure in your mind that your Commander, the Lord Jesus Christ, has totally defeated the ‘strong man’ satan, on the Cross. Any doubt in the absolute Lordship of Christ weakens your faith and you will not be able to conquer new territories for The Kingdom of God. The battle is first of all internal before you can make progress in the natural realm. You must identify the enemy within, attack and defeat the demons of fear and doubt in particular. For that, you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. You need to repent of any known sin, for the Holy Spirit does not fill ‘dirty’ vessels. Filled with God’s Spirit inside, taking the whole armor of God outside, you are now ready for battle and the victory is sure. I testify to this!
 
Question: how long since you have personally experienced a new triumph, since you have obtained a fresh testimony of successful spiritual warfare and a clear victory in any area of your life? A spiritual passive attitude is a sign of bondage! Now it it the time to stand for Christ! Dear child of God, this morning I pray for courage for you! Trust and obey God! Prove that the Word of God is living and true! Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!

I AM BORN AGAIN!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Jn 3:7, 8)
This is my testimony: I was born in Romania, a Communist country at that time. We were told that God does not exist. We were told that ‘religion is the opium of the masses’. This is the communist ‘gospel’. I believed it! I preached it! I did not see a Bible with my eyes before I came to Nigeria with my husband and two children in 1980. I told everybody that I am an unbeliever. I took pride in being an atheist. I did not deceive my husband saying that I am religious. He knew that I did not believe in God. He used to attend a church in Nigeria before coming to Romania to study medicine. But now, none of us attended any church. In Nigeria, some of his old Christian friends mocked him for marrying ‘a Moabite’. I was learning English, so I did not understand every word they spoke. But one day I asked him: ‘what is a Moabite’? He said that I should not mind his friends; that they do not understand.
 
My husband and I became very successful as medical doctors here in Nigeria. We made money and fame. Some of my patients ‘prophesied’ to me that I look like a born again. Others said that I look like a pastor. I told them that this is an insult and I rebuked them openly. Oh… Thank God for grace!
 
I became saved thru a crisis conversion in March 1986. It was after this miraculous event that I read the Bible for the first time in my life. Before then, I did not know what is called ‘sin’. I did not believe in a holy God that could be offended by my sins. I thought that even if God exists He is too far and too detached from me. I thought that my sins (even if I had them, but I was not sure of that…) are my own business and not His. I had my own idea of what is good and what is bad and I judged myself and others based on my principles. I was my own ‘god’ and I invented my own righteousness. Looking back I can now see my foolishness!
 
I remember the first time I read the Bible. It was Genesis 1:1. ‘In the beginning, God…’ I could not finish the sentence… My encounter with the Word was terrifying. To me, the Bible was like fire! I did not see any good thing in it! The Bible took it for granted that God exists! God? Who is God? I just came face to face with God, the creator and the judge of mankind. I just discovered that this holy God hates sin. The Holy Spirit started His peculiar work in me. For the first time in my life I saw myself as a sinner in need of salvation. I tried to ignore the Word of God. I fought it! I argued with it! Losing ground, I tried to change myself and become ‘religious, like the Nigerians’, so that maybe God will be pleased. For the first time in my life I agreed to go to church. These fake ‘cosmetic’ changes impressed some Christians but did not bring peace to my soul. I could not impress God! I could not deceive God! That was terrifying! I discovered that my greatest burden, my nightmare, the heaviest weight on my soul is sin! The Holy Spirit convicted me of sin! The fear of God descended on my soul. I was scared to death! I hated to live and I hated to die! I was arrested by this Holy God and I saw no way of escape! I was frustrated and angry. ‘For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of God’ (Rom 8:20). In the past I was what you call an optimistic person. But now, a cloud of darkness, a form of depression descended on my soul. Every day I thought that I will die and go to hell. All my ‘communist’ arguments, all my good deeds and all that I stood for, suddenly became useless to me. I needed something else, a new hope to cling to, but I saw nothing near me… Like a dying man in the ocean of God’s judgment, I saw no help in me or in anyone. I came to the end of myself. I know what Jesus meant when He said on the Cross: ‘It is finished!” I, Lia Leigh was finished!
 
Suddenly, the light of God shone in my heart…I saw Christ Crucified praying for me, forgiving me… I believed that His Blood was shed for me, even for me…Is this story too good to be true? It may be so, but the grace to believe the impossible came on me…The Holy Spirit flooded my dying soul, His resurrection power fell on me… and… and… I became saved!!! I became a child of God! God did not reveal to me the hope in Christ until the Holy Spirit finished His work of conviction. Weeping comes before joy! To arrive at eternal life I had to pass thru this terrifying path called the valley of the shadow of death. I did not know how to pray. But God helped me to believe! Glory!
 
Dear reader, Jesus died to save your soul! Salvation is a miracle. Going to church, reading the Bible, paying your tithes, praying or worshipping God is not enough. You must be born again by the Holy Spirit! A miracle must happen! Money cannot buy it and man cannot give it to you. The devil will fight to keep you blind and foolish. But God is greater than all! Oh, the wisdom and the power of God to lead on, from frustration to hope, from death to life, from grave to glory! Praise the Lord! Jesus Christ is Lord!
 
PS: In the picture, me at about 17, in my parents house. I was an unbeliever then but looking ahead.. Who could have known? Please encourage me and others testifying how you became saved!
SLL 23

A MARRIAGE FREE FROM BITTERNESS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them” (Col 3:18, 19)

 

The Bible has clear marriage guidelines. These commands apply only to the believers. An unbeliever may read them and try to apply Biblical precepts to make his marriage better, but he cannot really obey the Word of God. For us, the children of God, the Bible is our Life Manual. The Word of God is written to us, sinners who are saved by grace. In the marriage set up, there are two basic rules: The wives submit to their own husbands (as Christ submitted to God the Father). Secondly, the husbands must love their wives, not their own way, but ‘as Christ loves the church’ (Eph 5:25). The husband and wife are equal before God. Their salvation experience is the same. But in the area of marriage these simple rules must be obeyed: wives submit and husbands love! Both these actions are first of all spiritual and they must glorify Christ, our Lord! The submission and the love are inspired by Jesus Christ and must give Him alone the glory! The Holy Spirit gives both the husband and wife the power to obey.

 

In the scripture above there is another element. It says that the husbands should love their wives and ‘do not become bitter towards them’. This is a special warning giving to the married men. Please pray for understanding! It means that the husband must recognize the tendency to become bitter against their loving wives. They must fight the strange temptation to become bitter as husbands at home. This is warning. What does this bitterness mean?

 

Bitterness is a terrible thing. It is an emotion very difficult to bear. A root of bitterness ‘defiles many’ and fights against the grace of God in marriage (Heb 12:15). Marital bitterness poisons the home and makes everybody miserable. A bitter person makes others sad or angry. When you see a man or a woman afraid to marry, it is because they have experienced this bitter taste in a previous relationship. To them, marriage is like drinking poison every day, like having with an incurable disease, with no hope of being happy ever again. That is why they prefer staying single. Bitterness causes piercing, sharp emotional pain, like the sting of a wasp.  The wounds of bitter words are long lasting and difficult to forgive or forget. In particular, a bitter husband is harsh, hot tempered, holds grudges, is mean, greedy, hard hearted, stubborn and difficult to teach. In Nigeria people say that ‘love has become sour’. As a pastor I counsel many women who suffer terribly in a marriage with a bitter man who discourages them to be happy. Only God can help!

 

This tendency to bitterness is more common to husbands but it can be found in all careless relationships. What is the cause of this bitterness found in some husbands? The main cause I see is disappointment with their wives. At the beginning they love their wives. No bitter man wants to marry. To marry you need to be happy. Love comes before bitterness. But this is the danger: It is possible for a man to truly love his wife at the beginning of the marriage, but later, he becomes bitter towards (or against) her. It is like a good fruit that becomes rotten with time. Why? What causes this change from good to bad?

 

Thru prayers and the study of the Word I discovered that husbands become bitter towards their wives, when the wives fail to meet up with their husbands ever growing spiritual and physical needs. This problem may be hidden when they are young and they are still busy ‘making money and rising children’. But after some time, the husband may desire to become more spiritual, to draw closer to God. He may desire that they should improve their standard of living. If the wife is ignorant of the source of this ‘midlife crisis’, as she may call it, the husband will become disappointed in her. He will resent her words. He will complain against her choices. This bitterness may manifest itself in one particular, small area. For example, he says: ‘My wife is a good woman. She works hard. She is a good mother to our children. I love her very much. But… she does not respect me… she talks to much… she spends too much money on nonsense…’ These excuses are not big enough to make a husband so bitter but if the wife does not change to make him happy, to better understand him, he will begrudge her silently in his heart. That is the seed of marital bitterness. In a way, both of them are guilty. The bitter husband has tried, but failed, to help the wife grow spiritually, mentally and emotionally. She is left behind, like the statue of a bride, smiling on her wedding day, but the dress is now thorn and faded, the artificial lashes are gummed on her wrinkled cheek. They are still living together but the sweet wine of early romantic love has gone, leaving behind the bitter taste of native medicines and imported bleach in the dry old mouth.

 

MY TESTIMONY

I am a woman. I am a wife. I had to study this subject because I need to fight the demons that will attack my husband. He does his own fight. But I am his helper. I should not be ignorant of this temptation. I must help him fight bitterness and not foolishly add to it. As a wife, I have tried to keep close to my husband, spiritually in particular. It pains me when he quotes a Bible verse or teaches me something new, and I am totally ignorant of that subject. I challenge myself to study the Word of God so that when my husband needs somebody to talk to about the Bible, I am ‘current’ with it. I have learned many things about subjects that I do not like in particular. I know much about politics and current affairs in Nigeria. I am not a politician, but I need to know these things, if they are good or bad. Ignorance has never helped anybody. I need to know my husband’s plans, dreams and God’s purpose for his life. I need to pray for those. I need to grow as he grows. We are not competing one against each other. But we must complement each other. To complement my husband I need to grow too. As the vision for our lives and ministry increases with time, so we must grow with it. To be left behind spiritually, to be a passive wife, it is sin. If I am lazy or careless with our relationship, and I just walk too slowly behind him with nothing new to add to our marriage, that sin is almost like spiritual adultery. My husband will be tempted to be worried, angry, disappointed and bitter against me, his wife, helper and friend. As a wife, I should not be found to be too fast and lead my husband. I should also not be found to be too slow and leave him alone. Marriage is two people learning to be one. Each one of us must grow in grace towards God and towards one another. I should not take his love for granted. I should be watchful for any virus of disappointment towards me that I sense in my husband. I must be filled with the Holy Spirit so that I will help him be the man God wants him to be. We both work hard at making our marriage a success. But the hard work is bringing a greater than expected harvest of peace, joy and ministry to those who call us parents in Christ. I boldly declare that in Christ alone, our marriage is free from the virus of bitterness! Love has won the battle! May these words challenge you! God loves you! God loves your marriages! Glory to God!

RSL and SLL 3

I WAIT FOR GOD

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Thus says the Lord: “At the time I have decided, My words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting–it will surely happen! For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay” (Hab 2:3)
 
“It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns NOT without years of training…There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord knows not what part to take. Then what is it we are to do? Vex (ourselves) by despair. Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption? No! Simply wait.
 
Wait in prayer. Call upon God, and spread the case before Him; tell Him your difficulty and plead His promise of aid. In dilemmas between one duty and another, it is sweet to be humble as a child, and wait with simplicity of soul upon the Lord. Wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in God…Believe that if He keeps you tarrying even till midnight, yet He will come at the right time, the vision shall come and shall not tarry.
 
Pray: “Now, Lord, not my will, but Thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities, but I will wait until Thou shall clear the floods or drive back my foes, I will wait, if Thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon Thee alone! Oh, God, my spirit waits for Thee in the full conviction that Thou will yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower!”
(C. H. Spurgeon)
 
“Dear Heavenly Father, I wait for You! I trust in You! I know that You will not put me to shame! I know that You will glorify Your name in my life! I know that You are jealous over my testimony! I vow to give You alone all the glory! In Jesus name, amen!”
God works

BE A CHAMPION!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up the race” (Heb 12:1-3)
As a child in Romania, I used to skate on ice and I loved it. Up till today, I like watching ice skating competitions. Two days ago, something strange happened during the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France were dancing on ice. They are the present champions in Europe. Each dancing program is about three minutes. They were doing very well, focusing to win a medal. But two minutes into the program, an accident happened. As they were dancing on ice, the clasp holding the neck piece of Gabriella’s dress got broken. The right breast got exposed. If such an accident happens at home, it is bad. But in the view of thousands seated on the stadium and more than six millions people watching on TV, that thing is terrible. Like many people watching, I felt so bad for her. But guess what? They continued to dance to the end like nothing bad happened. At last, they won the silver medal! After the program she wept saying that she was so embarrassed. But she also said that she had a choice to make in a spilt of second. The natural and easiest choice was to stop the dance, weep in embarrassment and run away from the ice ring. That will mean total failure for both of them. All their dreams about being Olympic champions could have died there. The other choice was to ignore the shame and finish the race. Though partially naked and embarrassed they finished their program. The thought of being the champions in the future was stronger than the present shame. What a lesson! These are true champions in sport!
Children of God, there are great lessons here for all of us. Can we fight shame? Can we continue the good thing we have been doing even in the presence of a second of failure? Is your reputation among men a stronghold in you? How much do you desire to finish the Christian race well? How much are you ready to pay for the reward God has promised you in the future? How much are you ready to suffer for Christ’ sake? To become a champion is not a matter of seconds. There is much preparation of body, soul and spirit before you become a hero! There are few leaders but many followers. There are few heroes but many admirers. ‘There are many teachers but few fathers’- said Paul! To be a role model, to be a hero, to be an inspiration to many, a father or a mother in Christ, there is a great price to pay! Are you willing to pay for it? Jesus was rejected by men and He was crucified naked! He endured shame on our behalf! He died for us! Jesus scorned that shame for the joy ahead! We share now in His joy! Jesus is our Lord! Jesus is our Champion! Be like Jesus! Do like Jesus! Let nothing stop you from worshipping the Lord! Let nothing stop you from serving God! Your present pain cannot compare with the future glory God has promised to give to you. Stop being jealous on others! Pay the price for the shine, then rise and shine! Glory to God!
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling… For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2Tim 1:8-12)
(In the picture Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron the moment the dress ‘accident’ happened and later on the podium with their medals)
Gabriella
Medal Ceremony - Winter Olympics Day 11

GOD’S TIME IS PERFECT

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecc 3:11)
 
God’s time is always perfect. Like children, we often pray: “Lord, how long do I have to wait? Give me my request NOW!” We hate applying patience. But waiting on God is never a waste. It is an activity blessed by Him. Timing is very important in sports, in finances, in medicine and other things. The right thing done at the wrong time becomes a failure. The good word spoken too early, fails to move the listener.
 
God’s name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther. In the first five chapters, the wicked Haman is promoted and things go well for him. He, his wife and friends are very happy! But in another world, Mordecai is suffering and he is in danger to die. In chapter 6 there is a change coming. This is a new dawn, a new beginning. Great things can happen in the night, when men sleep but God moves. For God never sleeps! We are told that the king could not sleep that night. He asked for the chronicles of the Kingdom. That is a boring thing to listen to. Maybe he thought that will make him sleepy. But no! He was reminded of how, five years previously, Mordecai, the Jew, saved his life. He quickly asks: What has been done for this man? Nothing- was the answer. There was no reward given. The king was afraid that he is found to be an ungrateful man. Even the pagan gods require reward to be given to the man who saved the king. He quickly planned to greatly reward Mordecai.
That same night Haman slept well with a false sense of security and enjoying his wicked success. In no night was Mordecai in such a danger. Up until this moment Mordecai was persecuted, not appreciated and not rewarded. But this morning, the gallows Haman built were hungry for the neck of Mordecai! But that same early morning the tables were changed. Haman was disappointed to discover that his enemy was promoted. If God was few hours too late, Mordecai could have been dead. The next day, Haman was hung on his own ‘designer’ gallows. What a story! See God’s perfect timing!
Isaiah 60
 
Child of God, Remember this: even if all men forget you, God knows you. Patiently enduring persecution for Christ’ sake is highly appreciated by God! God does not sleep! God does not forget your labor of love! In His time, He will reward and bless you. I have experienced His promise! I testify to it! Give God the glory in advance!

I’VE COME TO DRAW FROM YOU AGAIN

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Come Holy Spirit I need You
Come sweet Spirit I pray…
Come in Your fullness and power
Come in Your own special way…
 
For I’ve come to draw, draw, draw
Draw from You again…Oh…Oh…
SLL 21

THANK GOD FOR PARENTS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12:3)

Are you a parent or are you a baby seater? There is a big difference between these two. When all things are well they all look the same. But crisis, even though painful, reveals the truth! For example, in a case of an emergency, when the child has fallen and is injured, the baby seater calls the parents. Once they arrive she is free to leave. But the parents never leave. They suffer with the child. They stay with the child. They wait with the child until the healing comes.

Jesus is our Father! Jesus is our good Shepherd! Hirelings scatter and squander! Family stays together! God may use hirelings but He is the God of families! If you belong to a good natural family and you also belong to a good living church, you are double blessed! This evening, please thank God for all parents! It is God’s purpose to bless the families!

I CAN SEE THE LIGHT!!!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

Trials are like tunnels. Before the train enters the tunnel, it is light. Suddenly darkness comes. For a time it seems as though the darkness will never end. That pain, that weeping, that loneliness… it seems like it will go on forever. But at the end of the tunnel, sun shines once more. Tunnels are not graveyards. We are just passing through. All these trials and temptations, all these things you battle with, they only come ‘to pass.’ Our life should not depend on the circumstances. Christ is our life. Our faith is rooted in the Cross and in the Promises of God. Heaven is our destination. Joy is our portion. Eternal life is our inheritance. These are the blessed things that have come to stay.

Excerpt from The Doe of the Morning by Silvia Lia Leigh (available on Amazon)

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