Recovery : Lost and Found (Persons)

Luke 15: 24 Because this son of mine was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to be merry.

In this journey of life, the God of Palmei, who has called me and led me step by step has also been leading me through ups and downs, passing through different phases of life experience; all the while, learning Christ, loving Christ and living Christ. All these precious experiences have been golden opportunities for me to gain Christ and be gained by Christ. What a blessing! Every situation is God's operation in me; every disappointment is God's appointment with me.

A couple of brothers who had been living with me for a while had left with a very negative note. This experience was very painful at heart and deep within I have been bleeding and weeping for these brothers. Their names have been wrought in my tongue and inscribed in the table of my heart. Almost every prayer I prayed are intercessory prayer for them, till today. Every time, I only kept hearing ill reports concerning these brothers which pained me deeply. Nevertheless, I never gave up on them as I know the Lord would never give up on any one however worst the case may be.  But the Lord is the judge and the perfect time keeper. He does all things good in His time.

Recently, while on my knees, the Lord led me to call one of these brothers. As I spoke to him the joy of the Lord filled me as the Lord confirmed that my prayer for this particular brother has indeed been answered. He narrated to me of all what transpired in his life, and how the Lord is now cooling him down to gaze on green pastures. With much concern, I encouraged him to enjoy the Lord by contacting Him everyday, coming to His word and into His presence by prayer. The fellowship over the phone in the humanity of Jesus was so sweet. Him, I though was lost has actually been found! Praise the Lord who is on the throne!

Another brother who had lived with us for his studies and who has become one among us in brotherly Christian love and also a distant relative, was also on my list of prayer everyday. Since he came to reside with us, the Lord began to work intensely on him; his love for the Lord, the word and  the fellowship and prayer of the brothers in the church life grew very much. The Lord began to bless him as his wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Gradually, the Lord led him to clear a very competitive exam, level by level. All the while in all the stages, we have often prayed together over the phone, claiming the righteousness of Christ and standing on the righteousness of Christ. Every time we conversed, we prayed together taking Christ as our all in all.  And finally, today he called to informed that the Lord led him to clear this tough exam to become a bureaucrat! What can I say except, "Halleluiah Praise the Lord!" 

Additional reasons for praise is, this clearance is very unique, free from the usual dirty practice of bribery at  the final interview stage, in Manipur! From the very beginning I have fellowshipped that no unrighteous means should even be considered. Better a loser in righteousness than a winner in corruption. Once the base is righteous, all that follows can also be righteous in Christ. He took the fellowship and did not succumb to the usual unrighteous approach of gaining favor from man, but trusted in the Lord only and absolutely. So, the Lord blesses...

My own brother too has gone for a while, but my prayer never left him. Personal or family prayer, his name will always flow out of our lips, including my wife and children of 6 and 4 years respectively, in our family prayer time. Occasional attempt to call him never worked, as my call would not be answered for some reason. But I kept messaging now and then whenever the Lord gave me specific verse for him. This time, my wife and I, in one accord wants to help our family in building construction and we agreed upon a large sum out of the Lord's provision and blessing. This matter brought all my family together. In fact, my prayer was that the Lord should bless us in one accord, to stand together in anything we do. Finally, after a long wait, the time has come wherein we can work together for the Lord's purpose through our family. As I fellwoshipped with my brother and prayed together, the joy of the Lord filled me. Deep within, the Lord confirmed too, that my prayer was answered. And to confirm further, the Lord spoke to me tonight from Luke 15: 24 Because this son of mine was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to be merry.