Ministering in the Combined Meeting

Today, three local churches, the churches in Marthandam, Nagercoil, and Kanyakumari, had a combined Lord’s Table Meeting together in Marthandam. This was my first time to attend the meeting with the saints in these localities. For this meeting, a few weeks ago a brother messaged me that the brothers had alloted me to minister the word in two sessions. I took the matter to prayers and considered before the Lord. The Lord then gave me a message for the first session, but for the second, I was not sure. While I was attending the national serving ones training, the Lord made it clear to me to respeak the Lord’s speaking to the saints.

Yesterday night and today morning I went before the Lord in prayer and also went through the outlines of the recent training on "The Ministry of the Word and God's Dispensing for God’s Economy". The Lord then made the message clear to me with a very clear burden on what to minister.

As the meeting began, I released the burden the Lord gave me. Beginning with Acts 6:4 on the need to continue steadfastly in prayer and the ministry of the word, the burden was fully released as I exhorted the saints to spend time with the Lord in prayers and also in the word of God daily and using the ministry to open up the word. Following this is the ministry of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, then issuing in the ministry of life in 1 John 5:16. The burden rotates around these three points, and when it was sufficiently released, I stopped my speaking and let the saints flow out. Many saints overflowed their enjoyment of the ministry of the word, and the first session ended.

We then partook of the table and had lunch lovefeast, afterwhich, the second session started. I continued to release the burden on the ministrering life for the Body and dwelt on the need to stay within the measure of God's rule in 2 Corinthians 10:12-15 and fighting the spiritual warfare in the Body. Finally, to fulfill God’s economy,  there is a need for our cooperation with the Lord to carry out His economy by being His faithful stewards who minister the word with a burden from the Lord and who coordinate with one another in one accord. When the burden was thoroughly released within the one hour time allotted to me,  I concluded my ministering. The saints then continued to flow out their enjoyment of the word. 

In both the sessions, the saints testified that the Lord’s speaking was very timely and apt and it was the need of the churches at the present time. Thank the Lord for the ministry of the word. 

May the Lord grace all the saints in tbe churches to be man of prayer, man of the word of God, minister of the word, having been reconciled, ministering life for the Body, functioning within the measure of God's rule, fighting the spiritual warfare in the Body in the victory of Christ, and cooperating with God in fulfilling His economy.

Ministry of the Word in Marthandam, Kanyakumari

Following the recently concluded national serving ones training in Angamaly, Kochi, I coordinated with the brother serving in the literature service in Keralam for a week of ministry literature introduction and distribution in Marthamdam and the surrounding localities.

In the Maruti Eeco which was also an offering from a brother for the ministry literature distribution, we travelled over nine hours from Angamaly to the Marthandam where the literature is stocked in the serving ones' house. From last Monday till Friday, we went to visit Christian leaders of different denominations in and around Marthamdam. Everyone we visited paid a careful heed to what we ministered through the literature, especially the introduction of the Holy Bible Recovery Version. To me, it was all the ministry of the word, the ministry of life, through the minsitry books. 

As the Lord answered our prayers, He opened the hearts of all the ones He led us to meet, and everyone one of them ended up purchasing the Recovery Version Bible  we introduced, except one who was very busy for for any reading, but still gave us the opportunity to display these ministry books in the meetings he is leading. We enjoyed a sweet coordination in one accord as we visited various Christian leaders, praying together along the way, and serving in oneness. I did not feel any pressure whatsoever. Neither did I feel like doing a work. Rather, I enjoyed the Lord’s presence in a very human way, full of peace and rest. To such a blessing from the Lord, I can only praise and worship the Lord for His marvelous way. Praise the Lord! Glory be to God!

In addition to the official burden of distribution, I also enjoyed a time of bending with our serving ones in Keralam in the distribution. I enjoyed their hospitality where they fed me with sea food everyday, of differnt variety cooked in different ways, along with my favorite "Kerala dry fried beef in coconut oil". The Lord shepherded me so richly inwardly and outwardly too. What a grace and blessing to serve Him!

An update I message to the brothers summerise this ministry journey enjoyment. 

Update: Ministry Literature Journey in Kanyakumari

In the past one week, the Lord led us to the key Christian leaders in Marthandam and the surrounding localities. All the Pastors we met either purchased the Recovery Version Bibles or gave us opportunity to display the ministry books in their upcoming big meetings. The Lord answered our prayers and granted us open doors to the big Christian groups; A_, B__ I___, C__, etc., introducing the ministry to the key leaders at their head offices.

Besides, we also enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship and blending with the saints in these areas, in the evenings.

Two new contacts, one, who purchased books online, and the other a local contact, came to meet us. The gospel was preached and both were baptised in coordination with the local brothers, and now have started meeting with the local saints.

Tomorrow, the saints have arranged a combined Lord’s Table Meeting of three local churches for blending, and on Monday, we will meet some more Christian leaders till afternoon and then I will be back to Gurugram. 

Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray for the Lord to open up the Scriptures through the reading of the Recovery Version to all these dear brothers who have purchased the Bibles and the ministry books.

Lord bless Your move in Kanyakumari!

Baptism: Jesus is Lord!

Yesterday morning I was enjoying the word of God in Revelation 12:11 on the truth concerning the word of our testimony.

And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they loved not their soul-life even unto death. Revelation of John 12:11, RecVer

The word of our testimony is the declaration of the facts Jesus Christ had accomplished at the cross. At the cross, the Lord defeated Satan, our one unique enemy and the source of all the problems in the universe. Declaring this fact outloud to Satan is the secret to the overcoming life. Satan, as the tempter he is, tempts in every possible way at every possible time. Our one weapon is the application of the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ at the cross. We must declare again and again that Christ is Victor and Jesus is Lord! This is the word of our testimony.

As I was enjoying this fundamental truth during my morning watch, I proclaimed the victory of the Lord upon me, and the saints, and even upon the new one who was coming to meet me. I had no idea about who this new one was, but I already declared the victory of Jesus Christ over him. That he would come, for whatever reason, I would preach the gospel and lead him to salvation, and lead him to the word of God, even unto baptism, to enjoy God's complete salvation. 

After I had sufficiently enjoyed my time with the Lord in prayer and in the word, he came. I paid careful heed to whatever he had to say. He poured out his sadness, sorrow, anxiety, stress, and depression issuing from his marital issue. I told him truthfully that his problems were merely symptoms of the real problem of sin. The solution is in dealing with sin, the source of the problem, only which God in Christ Jesus can deal with.

Then, I ministered the word of God concerning God's eternal plan, Christ redemption, and the way to believe into the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour. As I ministered the word of life, I did so by using the Scriptures and leading him to read various Scriptures portions in Genesis 1:26; 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:45; John 3:16; Romans 8:9-13; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; Matt. 3:15-17; John 3:5.

The word of God is more than sufficient to lead people to salvation. Though I preached the gospel, I did so, using the word of God directly, verse by verse. The word of God is spirit and life. Therefore, the new one believed into the Lord Jesus Christ and also was baptised.

The local brothers in sweet coordination came together for the baptism of the new one! 

Then, we enjoyed our meal together. Afterwhich, as the church gave a gift of the New Testament Recovery Version in English to the new born brother, I helped him read Matthew chapter 1 along some footnotes, showing him how to read the Bible daily. Then, for his continual shepherding, I introduced the Shepherding Materials, online version, and read together with him the first chapter. So that he could continue reading by himself the following chapters, and I also gave him the freedom to call me whenever he wills for fellowship or doubt clarifications.

The baptism on Wednesday and Friday here in Marthandam were the first two fruits for this year in gospel preaching in the way of ministering life. In the North, the outward situation is no longer favourable to such, though we still preach and lead people to receive the Lord, we wait for baptism. Thank the Lord for this wonderful experience of ministering life.

Jesus is Lord! Christ is Victor!

Brotherly Fellowship and Baptism

As were meeting various Christian leaders introducing and distributing the ministry literature, especially, the Holy Bible Recovery Version, we also took time to visit some saints' family as a shepherding visit. One brother, who I have known since the time I was in college has been physically sick for decades now. I had a particular burden to visit him and his family. Though they have been struggling in many areas, the brother and his wife have been faithfully serving the Lord according to their capacity. Visiting and fellowshipping with them encouraged me inwardly. Despite their outward condition, they have been graced by the Lord to stand firm for the Lord’s testimony and also serve like full-timers. When meeting with such saints, I was convicted that with my situation I could have done much more. Even in outward poverty, they are rich in Christ. 

We also visited another brother and his wife, who were my training mate for a month or so while I was undergoing the full-time training more than two decades ago. He had arranged a meeting with his brothers' family whose two sons are Pastors. As they requested me to minister the word, I ministered my recent enjoyment of the word of God. The ministry of the word is the ministry of life from the minister being one with the ministry. There was a sweet ministering of life. One of the Pastors and his mother testified of how much they were supplied with the ministry of the word and confessed that it was the first time they heard such a ministry of the word. After prayer, they hosted us with my favorite "Kerala Beef Fried in Coconut Oil". It was an enjoyable time of brotherly fellowship and blending.

Today morning, the Lord brought one new contact who purchased the ministry books first from a Christian bookstore, then, online. As we spoke to him, it became clear that he wasn't baptised yet. He just came to the faith about a year ago, but had no solid foundation in the word. But he, being a book lover, liked to read all kinds of books. His love for books led him to the ministry literature. 

Therefore, I preached the gospel of Jesus Christ beginning from God's plan till Christ's redemption and led him to the Lord in a fresh way again. Further, to give him the complete gospel, I led him to read all the key Bible verses concerning the seven spiritual significances of baptism. After ministering the word, he, out of his own willingness and choice, exercising his free will in obedience to the sovereign word of God, decided to get baptised. 

The local brothers had their fellowship and made everything ready for baptism. So, we all went to a nearby river and baptised this new brother. I did not baptise it myself, but let the local brothers do. 

The local saints were very encouraged at what the Lord was doing in their local church. Though we came mainly for the ministry distribution, the Lord also opened the door for gospel preaching, saving soul, and fellowship with them.

Besides, on the request of the brothers, I also shared briefly in their small group meeting on loving the Lord, in line with the experience of breaking the outer man, the Lord’s discipline in love reciprocating with our love for the Lord.

May the Lord continue to bless His move in Marthandam and the nearby localities.

Burden for Manipur

The burden the Lord revived in me in the beginning of this year concerning the Lord’s testimony in the North East was released after the national serving ones training in Keralam this month in fellowship with a brother. Soon after the burden for North East was fellowshipped, what the Lord had revived and reserved within me was released gradually. 

As I was on a distribution van riding for over ten hours from Angamaly, Keralam to Thengapatnam,  Tamilnadu, I prayed and began to call the brothers in the North East one by one. There were two groups for which the Lord burdened me. First, the key leading brothers, to bring them into the fellowship in the Body on a regular basis, and second, for the younger brothers who have graduated from the full-time training who need to be shepherded and recover their God alloted portion in the Body. With much prayers and fellowship, the Lord opened the door of the brothers' hearts and I could first fellowship with them one on one. With the younger ones, I even enjoyed praying with them. 

The gracious Lord has paved the way for all these brothers to be brought into sweet fellowship in coordination. Besides, for the younger brothers too, we agreed to meet online once a week for prayers and fellowship. For this, I created a WhatsApp group and added the younger brothers. The Bible verses for this group is:

Practice these things; be in them, that your progress may be manifest to all.

Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:15-16, RecVer

In addition to the phone call confirmation, I sent the following message conveying the purpose of the group to the group members of Prayers and Fellowship.

Brothers, as we fellowshipped over the phone, let us use this group for prayers and fellowship, to encourage one another, supply life to one another, that we all may practice the things of the divine economy that our progress may be manifest to all as the testimony of Jesus wherever we are, to be ministers of the word supplying the divine life to the saints for the building up of the Body of Christ. 

In this regard, to start with, let us meet online for prayer and fellowship on Wednesday night at 9:00 PM for now.

In fellowship, we may adjust it accordingly. 

May the grace of the Lord be upon us all.

Since these are younger brothers in Manipur, I felt it good to let the responsible brothers especially of the local churches where these brothers are in fellowship with.

Dear Brothers in N_____ and I______

(List of brothers_____, and others)

With much burden and prayer, I am bringing this fellowship that I will be in prayer and fellowship with the younger brothers from Manipur who have completed their full-time training and are now in different localities in Manipur. 

The main burden is to pray, fellowship, and pursue the truth together with them. I also have formed a WhatsApp group called prayer and fellowship for this purpose. 

The brothers in the groups are: 

A, G, P, M, and myself.

Please pray for us that we all may be shepherded and perfected to be functioning members in the Body.

-------------------------------------------

Practice these things; be in them, that your progress may be manifest to all.

Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy 4:15-16, RecVer

This is the new beginning the Lord is initiating for His move in Manipur despite the outward problems in the state politically and socially. 

May the grace of the Lord lead all the brothers on and on for His strong and intensified move in Manipur. 

Training in Keralam

The Lord had gathered us together again on the national level this time at Angamaly, near Kochi in Keralam for three days. Twenty years ago, I came to this very city for the young people’s training. I still remember speaking to the young people on God’s complete salvation and giving testimonies. Two decades after, the Lord’s speaking to us is one the ministry of the word and God's dispensing for His economy.

I arrived to this city after over fifty hours of train journey, then waited for over an hour for bus, and another hour of bus ride to the venue. Despite all the travelling experiences, the Lord’s speaking was very apt. The need of the time is to be ministers of the word, dispensing the divine life to people, for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. The speaking began by the releasing of the burden concerning stedfast prayer and the ministry of the word. 

But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.

Acts 6:4, RecVer

The minister, who is the person, and the ministry must be one. To minister life, the minister must be filled with life first. To receive life, the minister must pray and receive the ministry of the Spirit. This receiving is accomplished through the ministry of the word. Only the word ministered into the minister can be the ministry of the minister. Apart from God embodied in the Son realized as the Spirit ministered through the word there is no ministry of the word. Such genuine ministry of the word can only build up the church that will ultimately consummate in the New Jerusalem. 

For three days, we received the Lord’s continual supply of life. The serving brothers were all blended in coordination and we all received the services of the saints in Keralam. What a blessing to witness such a service in this land! This time, the number of attendees doubled the expectation. So, the serving brothers had to make special arrangements for meeting in three different halls simultaneously connected via Zoom screening. And brothers from abroad served us via the same online tool. Though things have changed outwardly, the Lord’s move continues, and is being intensified by the year. 

This time too, I had a crucial fellowship with some serving brothers concerning their services. As one of our serving ones resigned, it was also a testing time for a young serving brother to pick up the burden what the other had left behind. It looked to me like the Lord is purging and purifying even the serving ones in the ministry. 

Then, after the training, I stayed back for spending time with another seving brother in Keralam and coordinated with him in the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. 

As serving ones, we all must serve in the Body in sweet coordination under the headship of Christ in one accord, serving and functioning within the measure of God's measure, all for the accomplishment of God's goal.

Lord, grace us as Your ministers of the word.

Time in a Train

What do you do when you have so much time? The best thing I can think of doing is, read the Bible. That's what I actually did when I had so much time sitting in the train waiting for my destination. Initially, I thought I made a mistake by taking a train journey to attend the Serving Ones Training in Angamally, Kerala. The train journey is about 50 hours with delays. I thought to myself, if I had taken flight I could have saved two full working days when I could accomplish so much work. I almost regretted taking train. However, I accepted the situation arranged by the Lord. When my train ticket was booked, I thought I could change it to flight later. However, I did not feel good about it as there were other saints with whom my train ticket was booked. So, I decided to take the train journey. 

The first day was mostly rest as I had to complete all my works before I travelled. So, I did not have sufficient time to rest the previous night and we needed to leave by 3:30 AM to catch a morning train. Then, after sufficient rest, I continued to enjoy my  daily schedule of prayer and Bible reading in the train itself.

The following day, I had more time as I already rested sufficiently. Then, I decided to simply read my Bible. So, I read, and read, and read for hours the old testament and completed the books of Genesis from where I left off. Then, I had a time of prayer inside the train, releasing all the burdens the Lord blessed me with, in prayer. Then, again I continued to read the new testament, on and on until I completed the gospel of Matthew from where I left off. Then, a time of prayer with my family over the phone. And it was then time to rest.

So, no time was wasted. All the time I had, I used it for prayer and Bible reading. In between,  fellowshipping with the saints. Therefore, my train journey became meaningful and fruitful.

This train journey, though long, was really a good one. I had enough time to rest, which I would never had otherwise. And I can speed up my reading of the Bible as I have a goal to achieve. Thank the Lord for this over fifty hours of train journey. Time well spent in the train.