“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Mt 18:21, 22)

Many people ask for the secret of a true happy life long marriage. My husband and I are married for 42 years. We come from very different backgrounds. We have different gifts and strategies of success in life. But we have more things in common than those that separate us. We are both born again and Spirit filled. The Cross keeps us together! That is our secret!

One of the basic attitudes to keep a marriage happy is the ‘science’ and the ‘art’ of forgiveness. You need to be born again. You need to study the Word of God until you understand what forgiveness is. There is a price to pay. Forgiveness is the glue of marriage. Marriage is tough work. For example, the great Mandela did hard labor in prison for 27 years. He forgave his enemies. But even he could not forgive his wife and they divorced six years after his freedom from prison.

The devil attacks marriages but forgiveness neutralizes the strategy of the devil. Forgiveness is expensive but necessary to manifest the love of God. Forgiveness is hard because it is not just a feeling but obedience to the Word of God. Forgiveness is costly. You pay the price for the evil you chose to forgive. But forgiveness is designed by God to give you liberty!

In this world people offend one another. You cannot escape that. Even in the marriage, the risk of hurting one another is very high. You can respond in two ways: forgive or not forgive. Each is a choice. Forgiveness is more than a feeling. It is a choice. Forgiveness leads to freedom, peace and joy. Refusal to forgive leads to anger, bitterness and bondage. The choice is yours. Forgiveness is not something you do on and off. It is a life style. You practice forgiveness daily, when it is needed and when it is not. The Holy Spirit helps you to walk this royal road, so that when you are offended it is easy to forgive.

A healthy marriage lives under the sky of grace. Forgiveness is an advice to troubled marriages. If sin comes, when confession of adultery comes, you may ask if your marriage can ever be the same. Yes, it can be, if you practice forgiveness. By the grace of God, it can even become better! Look at the father and his prodigal son! He thought he will be a slave. He thought that things cannot be like before! But they became better! Thru repentance and forgiveness their relationship became better.

Many people lose hope in a marriage when they need to forgive again and again, especially for the same sins. Practicing forgiveness is an attitude. It has to be done patiently by at least one of you. It is hard. But this is the sure road that leads to success in marriage! Your forgiveness must be rooted in God! Forgive the way God forgave you in Christ Jesus! Be like Jesus! In the end, that will be your reward!

This is what Nehemiah, a slave set free by God, said to his enemies:
“The God of heaven will give us success! We His servants will start rebuilding! But as for you (my enemies) you will have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right in it!” (Neh 2:20)

God wants to bless any of His children who are willing to take the risk and go and to do ministry in His name. The first thing you must do is to accept the burden of the Lord! It comes as a strange sadness. You look around and see the damage sin has done to humanity. God does not despise a broken hearted man, especially when he is willing to be used by Him to repair or rebuild a situation.

“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:36, 37)

Today is the 14th day since I fell and broke my leg. Apart from the initial pain and the difficulty of learning to walk with crutches, I can say that this is one of the best periods of my life. God has touched not only my husband and I separately but our marriage. It looks very much like what people call ‘honey moon’. What is the honey in it? It is this unity of the Spirit in the bond of supernatural peace! This cannot be bought with money and no Bible School can teach it. It is the gift of the Father! Glory to God!!!

Let me explain… Not long ago a friend’s daughter had a car accident. She entered the junction on ‘yellow’ and another car collided with hers. Both drivers were unhurt, thank God. But my friend’s daughter’s car was quite damaged. They needed to spend money to fix it. The girl’s father was happy that she was not hurt but very angry that she was ‘too careless’. This anger lasted for a long time and it affected their relationship.

In my case, I too was ‘careless’ for I should have looked better when I stepped down on the stairs. My fall was my fault, you can say. Except for the devil, I am the only one to be blamed. My husband’s natural reaction could have been like that girl’s father. But to my greatest surprise he was not angry at all. From the moment I fell he picked me up, tied my broken leg, prayed for me and encouraged me. He had been an ‘angel’ in the house. He brings my food from the kitchen and cleans our room daily. He does it with a smile on his face humming worship songs. After he does all the chores (faster than I use to do them… I am almost getting jealous…) he goes to his office and studies the Bible. He comes from time to time to ask if I have any need. If he drives out he phones to say he is coming back soon…How can you explain this love after more than 42 years of marriage? This has to be God so that our testimony will be greater than initially imagined.

Interestingly, this week, at the mid week service, he preached a message called ‘who is my neighbor?’ I could not attend the service but I read the notes from the sermon on Facebook. It was from the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. A Jewish man fell at the hands of robbers. They wounded him badly and left him on the side of the road. Two religious men cam by, saw him, but chose to ignore him. When a Samaritan man came he had pity on the wounded man and helped him at the hour of his need. Samaritans are historical enemies of the Jews so he had enough excuses to ignore the victim. But he showed supernatural compassion and helped the wounded man. Jesus said that whosever showed this Holy Ghost mercy to a man in need, that man is the true neighbor. It is this generous free supernatural love revealed to one in need that makes men neighbors and friends forever. That bond of peace can never be broken.

This is our testimony: My husband proved to me in the our of my need that he is my true pastor, my compassionate neighbor and my friend forever! My husband revealed the heart of Jesus to me, especially now! He really practices what he preaches! 43years ago, when I told my parents that I want to marry my class mate Richmond Leigh, they were afraid. They saw him as a black man from another continent. They said ‘why do you want to marry a man who lives so far away? Why can’t you marry one of our neighbors?’ I could not answer their question. I just said that I love him. Many years have passed… We came to Nigeria in 1980. We had three children. We became born again. We have been living happily since then. But God keeps the best for the last…This is a wonderful latest revelation: I have married my neighbor in the Kingdom of God!!! There is no doubt in my mind that our marriage has been ordained and approved by God! I am very sure that in heaven we shall live on the same side of the golden highway! What a privilege! What a blessing!

The pain has gone. Soon, the cast will be removed and I shall walk (and dance) again! But the lessons and the bonding of agape love manifested during this trying time will endure forever! God bless my neighbor! Like we say in Nigeria… Anywhere you see him, please greet him for me! To God be all the glory!

(My husband and I on a camel in Israel in 2013)

“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion” (PV 28:1)

Boldness is one of the great qualities of a true leader. To be bold it means to be courageous and not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger. A bold person stands out conspicuously and is not hiding from or behind others. To be bold it means to be creative, free and imaginative in thought or expression.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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