Ministry of the Word in Nagercoil and Kanyakumari

As continuation of what was carried out in my last ministry literature journey to the South, I came again to complete what we left behind. After the fellowship in Chennai, I came again to Nagercoil and Kanyakumari for three days of ministry journey. 

This time, a brother, an ex-classmate of mine, picked me from the station. This was the first time I visited his house in Nagercoil. For the morning refreshment, I was at his house until another couple joined us for the day's schedule. The day was spent mostly visiting the saints' family and fellowshipping with them. In the visitation, one brother was also baptized after a good while of meeting with him. The saints' love had filled my stomach to the brim as they prepared lovefeasts.

For three days, we met the key Christian leaders identified by the local brother. As we introduced the Recovery Version Bible in English and Tamil, the Pastors were very impressed with the depth of the content of the footnotes as we quoted and also led them to read some selected portions. Whoever we met expressed their gratitude that we met them with the healthy word of God. Though a few of them had their doubts initially, after listening to our introduction and presentation, their doubts were clarified and they eventually purchased at least a copy for their own reading and studies. 

Since the ones we met stayed far apart, and the place of hospitality too, in the outskirt, we travelled a lot every day. Perhaps, on the average, three to four hours were just spent on traveling. So, I made use of these hours for fellowship with the serving saints, and also for my personal prayer time.

Along the way, as we travelled, we also visited some sightseeing places and got some photo shots. In a human way, the saints took care of me very well. It was a wonderful journey in coordination with the local serving ones. Thus, the burden this time was also released. We pray that the Lord will open the minds of the brothers and sisters who received the ministry literature and shine upon them to see the vision of God's eternal purpose concerning Christ and the church. Our burden is to supply the healthy teaching of the ministry of the word to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Lord, bless Your move and Your testimony in Nagercoil and Kanyakumari.

A Visit to My Alma Mater

After twenty five years since I first landed in Madras Christian College for my Master of Computer Application studies in Tambaram, Chennai, I visited my alma mater on 7th June, after the Lord’s Table Meeting at the Chennai Blending Centre venue with one of the districts of the church in Chennai. I was accompanied by two brothers, one of  whom got saved and baptized right after I graduated from the same college. It was indeed a moment of travelling back in time and reminiscing all that the Lord had done dueing my college days in the same campus. 

We visited my old hostel, Selaiyur Hostel, and gazed at the rooms I had stayed for three years. It was amazing that even after so many years, the structure of the hostels still looks new. They have maintained it quite well. Kudos to the administration team. I narrated to the brothes soem key events that transpired dueing my stay. Testifying to the students and staffs of the hostel and college on an advanced Christmas event, how the Lord Jesus saved me and changed my life, and the other notable experiences as a hosteller. 

Then, we toured my old Dept. of Computer Science building, the different grounds and fields for games and sports, and narrated to the brothers how I would come almost daily to one of those grounds for my personal Bible reading and prayers from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, my set time with the Lord for the word and prayer. I also testified of what God had done through the campus prayer cell, retreats, and many social activities we carried out as a team while being a student. And how I came in touch with the ministry, firstly with the New Testament Recovery Version in 2000-2001. Since then, what followed is a history of the Lord’s move in me.

Looking back, I simply praise and worship the Lord for His mercy upon me. Looking forward, I simply plead for His grace upon me and my family, to be preserved in Him, for Him, all the days of our lives. Herein, I quote one of the pslams of King David, making it mine.

Psalms 71:17-18 RecVer

O God, You have taught me from my youth; And until now I have declared Your wondrous deeds.

So even into my old age and grayheadedness, O God, do not forsake me, Until I have declared Your strength Unto the next generation, Your might unto everyone who is to come.

After the down-the-memory-lane tour, we had a time of fellowship with a brother who gave us the tour, at his house concerning his personal spiritual situation and prayed for him. My personal fellowship in love to him was to humble himself before the living God, seek for God’s mercy and grace to recover his spiritual daily enjoyment of the Lord, and be in the practical church life in the fellowship of the saints. For this, I introduced a brother for his spiritual companion. And rest assured, the Lord will take care of the rest, if indeed, he takes the fellowship and abide by it. Much grace.

Thus, was my visit to my alma mater. I did share the photos I took to my batchmates' WhatsApp group. Adieu for now, until the next beckon...

The Lord's Move

Last weekend I was in Chennai for a two days fellowship of the brothers serving the Lord in our country. This was an important fellowship concerning the Lord’s move and how we go on in the present evil age. The enemy has been relentlessly attacking from all possible angles, sometimes subtly, at times, openly. We dread him not, for we have Christ in us who is greater than he who is in the world.

You are of God, little children; and you have overcome them because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:4, RecVer

For two days, we enjoyed blending in a way of prayers, pray-reading the word, and practical fellowships on various pressing present items. Through each member, the Lord’s light shown on each one and we knew how we should go on in His move in our country. We are the Lord’s, as the Lord also is for us, and He has been faithfully leading us onward, step by step. Through this fellowship, I had to change my schedule a little bit; I needed to attend the brothers fellowship in Kerala following the few days of distribution in Nagercoil and Kanyakumari. 

Meanwhile, the Lord’s intensified move has also been going on simultaneously in nine different select cities, towns, and villages in different parts of India. Praise the Lord for all the wonderful testimonies of what He has done! New lampstands were raised up, hundreds of new ones were contacted, and most importantly, many saints have been raised up to shepherd the new ones. This is how the Lord replied the enemy's attack upon His children and His lampstands.

No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, And every tongue that rises up to judge you, you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, And their righteousness which is of Me, declares Jehovah.

Isaiah 54:17, RecVer

Overall, though the political situation is grim and the hatred towards the children of God has heightened, the Lord is still on the throne. He knows and He cares for His children, His very own. What a comfort to trust in Him! His work is His work and He will take care of it. Hallelujah!

Psalms 121 RecVer

1. I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From where will my help come?

2. My help comes from Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.

3. He will not let your foot slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.

4. Behold, Israel’s Keeper will neither slumber nor sleep.

5. Jehovah is your Keeper; Jehovah is your shade at your right hand.

6. The sun will not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

7. Jehovah will keep you from all evil; He will keep your soul.

8. Jehovah will keep your going out and your coming in from now and to eternity.

An Experience in Nagercoil

Today morning, I arrived Nagercoil and a brother with his son picked me up from the railway station. Though this was not the initial plan, due to the fellowship of the local brothers, I simply followed that fellowship. While in the way to the brother's home, I met with a sister who spoke her opinion about me which was completely contrary to the fact. I did not reply anything back but smiled at her. Deep within, I realised how the enemy hates the work the Lord has been doing in the life of a brother. I could only pray for the couple for the Lord to heal the relationship, preserve them, and bless them for His testimony. 

The brother took me to another brother's family where I encouraged his granddaughter of my daughter's age to have a scheduled daily prayer and Bible reading time, and seek the will of the Lord in everything from her young age. Then, we had a time of prayer for the family. 

Then, the brothers took me to visit another family who has been going through relationship turmoil and many marital and personal issues. The father of the family has been a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ but not yet baptised for many logical and human reasons. Initially, he spoke a lot in Tamil to which I asked another brother to fellowship with him in Tamil, without me needing to speak. Though Bible verses were used to help him understand the truth, but he still kept reasoning and expressing his opinions. As I listened, I felt things were not on the rigth direction. It was like partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, arguing with the truth and debating. Though I intended not to get involved in the conversation and let the local Tamil brothers handle the questioning brother, I felt I had to step in.

I prayed silently, looking at him to his face even as I listened to the translation of what he was speaking, I bound the enemy Satan in the name of Jesus. I exercised the God given authority to subdue his mind, and preached the gospel of salvation using three Bible verses.

John 1:12-13, RecVer

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name,

Who were begotten not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Mark 16:16, RecVer

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned.

I, then, ministered the word concerning the divine birth and also the need for baptism as the entrance into the kingdom of God.

John 3:1-6, RecVer

1. But there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2. This one came to Him by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.

3. Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?

5. Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Though he initially argued and reasoned with the word, I emphasised that whoever genuinely believes into the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be baptised. And this is also a matter of obedience to the word of God, not according to how one feels but an obedience. At this point, he stopped all his arguments. Then, a sudden change transpired before me, he was completely subdued and declared, "I want to be baptised!"

Immediately, I checked with the local brothers about the practicality. Then, they all agreed and even finalised the pool for baptism. So, I purposefully delayed the lunch which was already prepared and led the saints to do first thing first. Baptism first, then, lunch. We all drove to the pond nearby, and two local brothers baptised him! Hallelujah!

This was the Spirit's move and we simply cooperated with His move. May the Lord bless the family and preserve them for His testimony in Nagercoil!

Twenty Years of God's Blessings

Twenty years of God's blessings we have been enjoying all these years. The Lord’s perfect will is always the best. O what a grace that graced me to choose the Lord’s perfect will for my marriage twenty years ago!

Twenty years ago this day, our marriage was blessed in the church in Taipei at Hall 3 by the saints, especially, the coworkers in Taiwan. I remember vividly, the laying on of the hands of the brothers upon us and the blessings from the Head, Christ, through the members of His Body. To us, that meant the most, the brothers blessings in the witnesses of the saints!

Twenty years have elapsed! All these twenty years, we have been under the Lord's sovereign mercy, grace, and much more, His blessings, in everything of our marriage life. Its too immeasurable, far beyond by mental fathom. Time and again, I have been praising and thanking the Lord for His mercy upon us. God's blessed children, three of them, when we expected none, He blessed us triply. Their names reflect our experiences and enjoyment of the Lord. A surprised blessing, a bliss (Bliss); a truth knowing and pursuing at its peak (from the top of Amana - Song of Songs 4:8) for truth constitution; and the reality of both God's blessing and the truth, an experience of Christ (Christy). In the three children is the history of our marriage life.

Twenty years we have been becoming one, knowing and understanding each other in and out. To the extent that we do not need any special occasion to ignite our love, care, concern, and oneness as others, who would have celebrated their anniversary. To us, outward matters do not matter at all. In soul and in spirit, we have been blended. Daily, as much as practicality allows, we have been praying together in oneness. That's much more than an outward occasional remembrance. For, we remember each other everyday. This is possible only in Christ who is the center of our marriage life and who also is our Head. No outward gesture or celebration can compare with the divine love and oneness we have been blessed with, in Christ. 

Twenty years of God's grace has reminded me of what David acknowledged Jehovah God for, when he was enthroned as a king.

2 Samuel 7:18-29, RecVer

18. Then King David went and sat before Jehovah; and he said, Who am I, O Lord Jehovah, and what is my house that You have brought me this far?

19. And this was yet a small thing in Your sight, O Lord Jehovah; but You have spoken also of the house of Your servant for a great while to come; and is this the custom for man, O Lord Jehovah?

20. And what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord Jehovah.

21. For Your word’s sake and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to make Your servant know it.

22. Therefore You are great, O Lord Jehovah; for there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

23. And who is like Your people Israel, a nation unique on the earth, whom God went to redeem to Himself as a people in order to make a name for Himself and to do for You what is great and awesome for Your land and before Your people, whom You have redeemed to Yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

24. And You have established Your people Israel to be a people to You forever, and You, O Jehovah, became their God.

25. And now, O Jehovah God, confirm forever the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, and do as You have spoken.

26. And may Your name be magnified forever when men say, Jehovah of hosts is God over Israel; and the house of Your servant David will be established before You.

27. For You, O Jehovah of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to Your servant, saying, I will build you a house; therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You.

28. And now, O Lord Jehovah, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have spoken this good matter to Your servant;

29. Now therefore may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may be before You forever; for You, O Lord Jehovah, have spoken it. And with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.

My heart echoes the words of King David. Who am I, O Lord Jehovah, and what is my house that You have brought me this far? Your name be magnified forever. And with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.

Coincidentally, I had to leave for Chennai today. As I did so, I had an hour of resting and eating at Delhi Airport lounge. Then, I was upgraded in my AirIndia flight seat where I reclined, prayed, and enjoyed a Ratatouille Lasagne. I guess that's a special treat as I continued to enjoy God's blessing, thanking Him for everything. Praise the Lord!

Twenty years have passed, and now we look forward for many more years of marriage life in the Lord. As it was, and as has been, so shall it continue to be, for many more years as the Lord pleases. We continue to humbly look to the Lord for more grace, more mercy, and more blessings for the many more years ahead.

Lord, preserve and bless our marriage life and family life all the days of our lives. Amen.

Impromptu Gospel

Last week I was not able to carry out the shepherding one on one that I used to have with two young brothers, as one was on a vacation outstation and the other had his exams. And another two young brothers were also not available for online prayers. Yet today, the Lord unexpectedly sent two new ones, though sisters, to come and inquire about the minsitry conference which they heard from a Pastor I heard about but have never met. Though they came for entirely different purpose, to enquire about conferences in USA, I grasped that opportunity to let them know what trainings and conferences are, what are its contents, and who can join. By the time they heard me, they realised that they were not ready for what they came to enquire for.

I turned the table and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ as a part of answering one of the sisters' query on what the ministry books are for, "Were they religious?"

Beginning from God's plan, how created man eith three parts, bidy, soul, and spirit, and all the way through redemption in Jesus Christ, and the way to salvation, point by point, in a simple, logical, scientific yet spiritual way. They both were enlightened with the gospel as they heard it for the first time in this way, succinctly ministered. One of them,  a Catholic by faith, even confessed that she never heard about Jesus told in this way. And the other, born into a majoritarian religion of the nation, heard the gospel for the first time with a clarification on who God is, Jesus is God!

As the freedom of expression granted to us by the constitution of India, I exercised that right to express what I believe to ones who came to enquire a matter related to my faith. Having done that, I entirely left the choice of belief to their own discretion. As I exercised my right to express my belief, now that have the right to exercise their right to believe what they choose to believe into. The freedom of choice is with them.  But I, on part, have done what I felt I should do. What an impromptu gospel!

May the true and living God save them.

Walking with God

Genesis 5:21-24, RecVer

21. And Enoch lived sixty-five years and begot Methuselah.

22. And Enoch walked with God after he had begotten Methuselah three hundred years, and he begot more sons and daughters.

23. And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.

24. And Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5-6, RecVer

5. By faith Enoch was translated so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For before his translation he obtained the testimony that he had been well pleasing to God.

6. But without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes forward to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Excerpts from HWMR Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (4), week 45.

1. To walk with God is not to override God, not to be presumptuous, not to do things according to our own concept and desire, not to do things according to the current of the  age, and not to do anything without God—cf. Psa. 19:12-13; Josh. 9:14b; Luke 24:15.

2. To walk with God is to take Him as our center and everything, to live and do things according to God and with God, according to His revelation and leading, and to do everything with Him— Rom. 8:4, 13-14; Gal. 2:2a; 2 Cor. 5:14-15.

3. To walk with God means that we do not live by what we are or can do but by the immortal life, which is Christ Himself—vv. 4, 9.

4. To walk with God is to have habitual fellowship with God, to be in constant touch with the Lord, and to be under His constant infusion—1 John 1:3; Phil. 4:6; 2 Cor. 3:16, 18.

5. To walk with God is to continually exercise our spirit to enjoy the Blessed Trinity—Jude 14, 19-21.

6. To walk with God implies the denying of our self and everything that is of our self so that we may be one with Him; it implies that we have given ourselves to Him, that we will give in to Him and let Him take the lead—Matt. 16:24-25; 2 Cor. 2:13-14.

To walk with God is to walk by faith—5:7; Heb. 11:5-6

The Lord’s uptodate speaking become such a blessing to me these days. It changed the way I live my Christian life, much more, my time with the Lord, day by day. I have been graced these days to learn to walk with God. The Lord has led me from mere praying to Him during prayer time, to walking with Him regularly. Though I dare not say that I have been walking with God all the time, but the percentage of walking with Him has improved quite much. This is more like John's statement:

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30, RecVer

Yes, the more we walk with God, the more "I" decrease with the increase of Christ. Enoch did not walk with God for a short while now and then. He walked with God about three hundred years! I believe, day by day, as he walked with God, he was infused with God Himself to the extent that one day he was fully saturated and permeated with the divine life that led him to be translated, taken up! 

As the case with Enoch was, so shall it be with us today. The secret to translation or rapture is, walking with God. Interestingly, the price one need to pay is, a daily walk with God, not merely a daily prayer and reading the Bible, though these are within the wider domain of walking with God. By such walking, one becomes pleasing to God, a testimony that God desires, issuing in Him taking up His walkmate.

My time with the Lord these days have been very enjoyable. I commune with God as friend with friend. Though I still pray the burdens He bestowed upon me, I do so as I walk with God. The walking has been so peaceful, pleasant, delightful, and joyful. 

O for the grace that will daily, hourly, and moment by moment supply me to walk with God all the days of my life! O Lord Jesus!