Principles of Service

The Lord has been teaching me some precious lessons since I came to serve Him. And I have been sharing some precious principles in service whenever I meet with the Lord's serving ones. Some of these principles are:

1. The Presence of God: The first and formost matter I take care of is "the presence of God." In fact, priest, by definition is, serving ones of the Lord by being in the presence of God. There can be no service to God without being in the presence of God. In the Old Testament, the priest could serve only by being in the temple premise. There was no other place where they could serve. In the New Testament too, without being in the presence of God, we cannot serve God.
2. Prayer and Prayer Life: By being in the presence of God, one is in fellowship with God in prayer. Such a living should be a normal lifestyle of the serving ones. A genuine service always issues from God as the source, with the power of the Holy Spirit as the means, and the glory of God as the goal. For such, prayer and prayer life of the serving ones is a must.
3. The Word of God and the Pursuit of the Truths: In serving, the only thing to serve with is the Lord's speaking, the word of God. Without the word of God, there is nothing one can serve God with. Lest, it will be a mere social work. Therefore, the inevitability of the pursuit and constitution of the word of God.
4. Coordination in the Body: In the Bible, serving as priest is always in the priesthood, the corporate body of priests. No genuine and complete service of God can be accomplished by individuals. There have to be coordination among all. Mutuality and interdependence are needed for serving the Lord. Many servants of God have failed this test, and their service has become divided ministries leading to confusion and division in the Body of Christ. The present state of Christianity is the culprit, and the victim, and the issue of individualistic service.
5. Building up the Body of Christ as the Goal of Every Service: Every service of the Lord has a goal, the building up of the Body of Christ. Any service that does not build up the Body of Christ is not a service of the Lord at all. At best it could be individualistic ministry, and at worst, a social work. The goal of every Christian work must be the building up of the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:10-12
He who descended, He is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens that He might fill all things. And He Himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as shepherds and teachers, For the perfecting of the saints unto the work of the ministry, unto the building up of the Body of Christ.

These are no mere teachings of my own, but I have learned them from the word of God through the ministry literature, and tested them in subjective experiences. Therefore, in all of my services, I look to the Lord for His precious leading in prayer, by being in and exercising to be in His presence, cross-checking and confirming with the word of God, with and in fellowship with the Body of Christ, also with fellow coordinating members, and with a view of the building up of the Body of Christ. The ongoing and all the ministry literature journey that I have undertaken so far were and are in line with the principles of service as learned and documented above.

Lord, grace me serve as You so desires.

Hindi for God's Economy

As an Indian and living in North India, Hindi, the language most spoken among the locals, is a must learn. Though I understand the common market Hindi and also have picked up enough Hindi for gospel preaching and can even lead people to salvation, still there is a great lack in my vocabulary to be able to shepherd the new believers. In many home meetings, I am simply ashamed to depend on translator, for I am yet to pick up the skill to be language independent.

Many brothers have emphasized the need for learning Hindi well to be able to minister to the locals, yet this precious fellowship has been sidelined for long, to my own disadvantage. I did try many unsuccessful attempts though. But this time, seriously and systematically.

The Lord knows my need, which is His need too. This time in the ministry literature journey, while in Aizawl I came across a Hindi New Testament Bible in Roman script in one of the Christian bookstores. Immediately I purchased it and felt it was the Lord's appointment for my learning Hindi, especially biblical vocabulary. Praise the Lord! Since then, I have been reading two chapters of the Bible in Hindi, out loud, everyday. 

My burden to learn is not merely for linguistic purpose. It is purely for God's economy. As a serving ones and called ones of the Lord, and being an Indian in India, Hindi is needed not merely for communication in general, but much more for the ministering of the word of God. Ministering the word in English and Hindi may convey the same burden and meaning, but the reception by the Hindi speakers, the locals, would be quite different. Heart to heart connection between the minister and the ministered will definitely be sweeter and stronger in the same "mother tongue." Therefore, it's my burden to learn Hindi for God's economy.

The best way to learn a language is by reading the Bible in that language out loud. That's how I learned English too, some two decades ago. So is my Hindi lesson.

Lord, grace me to learn Hindi thoroughly well for Your divine economy.

Change

I have been informed and educated of many health tips, but it has been remaining merely as a "doctrine." Though I tried to take care of my health in every possible way, I really was never successful. Even my wife tried to help me but not very effective. The main concern is on food habit, especially rice, which has been my staple food since childhood. 

This time on my trip to the North East, things changed drastically for good. Though I did not try it hard to diet, my appetite was under control and I could overcome the matter of eating. In spite of all the good and tasty food offered to me by various families, the Lord graced me to eat only what was needed. Overeating has been dealt with. To me this is a big break through. Such a change can happen only by the Lord's mercy. What I have been trying for years has now become a reality. I hardly try to control my diet this time too, but it was simply under control.

This reminds me of various addiction people have been under bondage. Addiction is addiction, be it of good things or bad things. Food addiction is as bad as drug addiction. All are addictions. And the way to overcome is by the Lord's grace only. Change in anything is possible with the Lord's grace. This time I could experience it myself. Praise the Lord!

It does take the grace of God to undergo change for the better in any walk of life. At the right time, as one is longing and praying for, changes happens. The same applies to any habit. Even sleeping time and getting up time, my habit and timing has been changed. Praise the Lord for His wonder-working change.

Change is needed not just in spiritual matters, but much more in down to earth physical matters too. Even in things, which people deemed good.

Change for the better. Change by God's grace.

Two Principals

Last week, it was amazing to meet two principals of reputed colleges in Dimapur. Though not planned, it had happened as the Lord willed it. 

The first one was a well known Christian college. The fellowship with him began with the introduction of the ministry books which impressed him so much though he came to know us for the first time. Sensing the need for him to know the ministry I gifted him two books and a New Testament Bible, Recovery Version. I have the faith that he will read it and the Lord will touch him and bless him with the Lord's speaking. Our fellowship with him was so good that he even offered hospitality if I were to visit again. He even invited me for a Christian books exhibition in the campus and also introduced two people he recommended to meet. The relationship we established was very pleasant. Praise the Lord this blessing!

Another Principal was a smart and intelligent lady who heads up her own college. We had fellowship with her for a couple of hours with sharing of testimonies and the word of God. Besides introducing the ministry literature, I also shared my testimony of salvation and how the Lord called me to serve. Having been so impressed she even called a student leader to be in the fellowship. I also emphasized the need for the best and the highest education in serving the Lord, as a testimony of Jesus wherever the Lord placed us, in whichever profession. It was encouraging to fellowship with a college Principal who was burdened for the Lord's testimony; who even gave up a high post government job to start a private college to impart value education with biblical truths. 

What I appreciated the most was the Principals' love and zeal for the Lord even in their busy schedule of the secular life. As Principals they tried to reach out to their students with the word of God, trying to impart biblical values through various channels; prayer cells, Bible studies and counselling. What was even more touching was, since they were not from theological background and yet were burdened to serve the Lord, they collected as many Christian literature as possible and find time to study them. In fact, to me they were more living and constituted with the word than the normal and mundane "pastors."

These meetings with the Principals impacted me more than all the theological and religious leaders I have met so far. They seem to love the Lord more and pursue the truth more and bear more living testimonies.

From the two Principals, I derive two principles of service: pursuing Christ by pursuing the truths and serving in ones own profession. 

Nagaland for Christ and the Church (4)

Mokokchung. This beautiful town of Nagaland, teeming with greens everywhere and refreshing with a breath of fresh air, is my next stop. Besides meeting with the main Christian leaders and Bible colleges we had a time of fellowship with a youth leader and a church pastor. Both were quite open to the truth. Especially the pastor was so open that we could release boldly the truth concerning Christ and the church. The anointing and flow of life was so strong that I had to control myself not to speak too much. But he liked and appreciated it. For we spoke the truth of the Bible and the subjectivity of the teachings therein. The Lord only knows what is in His heart.

Besides, we also spent time fellowshipping with a sister who is a professor of the leading college in town. Out of curiosity she asked us a couple of questions which turned out to be topics for fellowship concerning our faith, our practice of a Christian life and the church life. At the end, we requested her to pray when she prayed thanking the Lord for revealing to her many new truths in the Bible. She appreciated the truths so much that she even wished, she were we. We also met with a brother to whom we ministered some fundamental truths of the Bible, the issue of which is a fellowship to be started with his friends from the coming Lord's day, tomorrow. And we also met with a family of a brother to whom we ministered basic Christian truths and prayed together.

To all that we met, there was a mentioning of some "satanic group" prevalent these days in the town. My sincere response was, if such a group could come in and have a hold among the Christians, there must be something terribly wrong with the Christians themselves. I was very strong to emphasize the need for believer to have a sweet fellowship with the Lord, in prayer and in the word. Without these, the believers cannot grow and thereby are exposed to satanic attacks. Without the living of Christ in the Christian's life, there can be no testimony of Jesus. No wonder, the town is exposed to satanic attacks. The only panacea and inoculation against the forces of darkness is the Lord Jesus Christ as the Spirit in our spirit and the word of God.

I believe for this reason of spiritual depravity, the Lord has brought us here in Nagaland.

Nagaland for Christ and the Church.

Nagaland for Christ and the Church (3)

After our visit to Dimapur and Kohima we came to Wokha. The Lord arranged our hospitality in the bungalow of a Principal of Government college. Then we were invited to minister to a group of about 90 students and to the teachers as well. The burden released was on a Christian life; specifically on regeneration and growth in life with personal testimony. This burden has been continually weighing in me for Nagaland. A healthy Christian life and normal growth in life is what the Lord has been speaking to different group of Christians in this state. Even our visit to various Christian leaders and introduction of the ministry literature always was clubbed with the mentioning of the growth in life.

I am nobody to judge anybody, but as I observe the situation here, among my own fellow Nagas, I sensed a deep and urgent need for a proper feeding on spiritual food and a normal growth in life. A Christian state must be christian in outlook and in reality as well. The fate of the state's infrastructure and economy is not what is deemed of a Christian. The local people I conversed to, directly or indirectly, complained of corruption. This definitely does not behooves a Christian state. So my burden for "Nagaland for Christ and the Church" is all the more deeper. 

As we gathered for fellowship this afternoon, with the local residents, some teachers and students, the Lord burdened me on "the Priesthood." I released my burden with definite emphasis on the "whats" and "who" of a priest with supporting Bible verses. The points I strongly emphasized were:

• a priest is a person who lives in the presence of God
• a priest is a person who represents men to God
• a priest is a person who represents God to man
• a priest is a person who serves God

Exodus 19:6   And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the children of Israel.Isaiah 61:6   But you will be called the priests of Jehovah; / People will speak of you as the ministers of our God. / You will eat the wealth of nations, / And you will boast in their glory.1 Peter 2:5   You yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.1 Peter 2:9   But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired for a possession, so that you may tell out the virtues of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

I also strongly emphasized with biblical references that all Christian are priest by virtue of our spiritual birth and should live and function as priests.

This kind of serving as a priest is surely versus religion. I released this burden with the faith that these seekers and lovers of the Lord would one day be a transforming agents and channels of blessings to Nagaland. And that through such a recovery of the priesthood among the believers, as most of the locals are Christians, the Lord will have a way to fulfill the burden, "Nagaland for Christ and the Church."  

Nagaland for Christ and the Church (2)

After the visit to Dimapur, we visited Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. This is the city that has the signboard "Nagaland for Christ." Whenever I heard this, the Lord reminded me of the church as well, and I modified it as "Nagaland for Christ and the Church."

In this city, the Lord led us to four Bible Colleges where we spent considerable time of fellowship with the Principals/Vice Principals, and they all purchased our books. To my surprise, all the Principals we met appreciated the ministry books so much. All of them purchased the books and said they would order more books. What more satisfying was not just the introduction and distribution, but the fellowship on the word of God. Especially on some crucial truths of the Bible, like God's economy, the Church, the Christian life etc.

Besides, we also fellowshipped with five seeking local families who were just open for the Lord's speaking and visitation. Our consideration was that if we could release our burden in one day we would move on to the next station immediately. However, the Lord led us to stay back one more day in a brother's house who was so open to the truth and wanted to serve the Lord. Initially, we ministered on the truth of a Christian life and the church-life. Though he agreed to all that we spoke, he seemed to have his own way of serving the Lord in a denominational way. But as the fellowship went on he showed interest in coming to the training and inquired many details. In fact, we ended up staying overnight in his house for more fellowship. After hours of fellowship, he expressed his desire to come to Delhi or Gurgaon to see the church life, or even possibly, join short term training. He is a degree holder with MD in theology, just because he wanted to serve the Lord. 

This brother, to me, may be the Lord's chosen vessel for this city. Of course, the Bible colleges too took the books, and perhaps, many of them would have an access to the ministry books. I just believe that the Lord would gain the younger generation for His move in this Christian dominated state. And one day, the modified version of the signboard would come true, "Nagaland for Christ and the Church."

Nagaland for Christ and the Church (1)

Christianity has its root here for over a century. Thank God for the pioneer missionaries who have transformed the lives of the Nagas. And the city Kohima welcomes every visitor with a caption, "Nagaland for Christ."

The past few days I had been there in Dimapur for the ministry of the word of God. The Lord took me there with a specific burden; to meet up with as many Christian leaders as possible for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. And the Lord had led us to release our burden. In all our meetings, the Lord impressed us deeply with the need for growth in life and the proper testimony of Jesus. Without which, a Christian life is just in name and a Church is just an empty vessel. Our burden was for a normal Christian life in a normal church life.

Amazingly the Lord led us to some people to whom we could pour our burdens out. And as we kept going on visiting people I was deeply convinced that the Lord will raise up His testimony on the ground of oneness, in the fellowship and oneness of the Body of Christ. More and more remnants for the Lord's testimony have been manifested, especially, the families that were opened for fellowship on the truth of the word of God.

One particular family is a Christian leader with his own ministry. He came to know about the ministry since decade ago. However, no solid pursuing of the truth nor practical fellowship transpired. This time we could meet his family and fellowshipped at length. Two days later, the Lord burdened us to visit him again and we had more fellowship, during which he invited us to minister the word the following Lord's day.

On the Lord's day, as I stood up to minister the word, the Lord burdened me on "God's Heart's Desire" in creating man to be His expression and representation. For this, there is a need for growth in life- by breathing, drinking and eating the Lord in the Spirit as the Word. After I released my burden, the leading brother asked me to continue ministering, to "forget about time" and I continued to minister on "the Tabernacle," as the corporate dwelling place of God and man. 

Even after the meeting, the leading brothers fellowshipped with us; thanking and testifying of the riches and depth of the ministry of the word. Later, in the afternoon, we participated in the open air gospel preaching in a busy area of Dimapur city. That was my first open air gospel preaching in Hindi.

All that have transpired the past few days and till today are indeed the leading of the Lord for the recovery of His testimony in Nagaland. Nagaland for Christ and the Church.

May the Lord recover His testimony in Dimapur!

Absolute Obedience

One is careful of obeying the Lord in big things. Often, the gross error in following the Lord is neglecting the small and minute matters. Actually, in the eyes of God, all are the same. In big things and in small things, in crucial matters and trivial matters, one's adherence to the Lord's word and absolute obedience is a must. It is "in all or none," our obedience to the Lord's word should be.

I learned this lesson recently in a subjective yet severe way. Some saints came for help few weeks ago and I spend my whole afternoon to professionally work things out. I was happy indeed to help the saints in need. Right after the first job was done, another minute matter came up, so I naturally wanted to help them too. But deep within me the feeling from the Lord was either " not now" or "another time." But my "good intention" to help them overcame me and I did the second job too. But the Lord's smile was not with me in that matter. I was deeply convicted. 

Furthermore, the second job led me to the third job, and I went ahead to do that too. And finally this third job led me further again to the fourth job which took my time the whole night just before I left for this month long literature journey. My good intention to complete the job in few days now needed to wait for over a month long. 

This may seem trivial but the lesson I learned from the Lord was the importance  of absolute obedience, not to care for my good feeling. I am no teacher to God and does in no way knows better than God. 

I repented for my disobedience to the Lord's whisper and pray to never allow goodness beyond God. Human goodness without God is a subtle devil in angelic expression. 

Lord, save me from such "goodness."

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed, than the fat of rams.                   

1 Samuel 15:22 b

Heaven and Earth Works Together

Gen. 7:11 - In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that very day all the springs of the great deep burst open, and the windows of heaven were opened.Gen. 7:12 - And the rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty night.
Gen. 8:2 - The springs of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from the heavens was restrained.Gen. 8:3 - And the waters receded steadily from upon the earth. So at the end of  one hundred fifty days the waters began to diminish.

God is a God of purpose, what He desires He accomplishes, and none can stop. He uses the heavens and the earth and all things therein to carry out His heart's desire. This is the principle He follows from eternity past unto eternity future. 

When God wanted to judge the fallen mankind during the time of Noah, He used the earth by opening up the springs of the deep and also used heaven by opening up the windows of heaven; gushing up water from the deep and pouring down rains from the heaven, for forty days and forty nights, until it accomplished what was in His heart. Once His will was executed, He stopped the springs of the deep and closed the windows of heaven. He used the heaven and earth in perfect unison for His purpose. The principle applies today.

From the heavens He spoke and burdens man concerning His desire, and causes all things to work together to fulfill His purpose. This has been my experiences these days.

Even today, I am on a ministry literature journey, the third one for this year. The initiation was from the heaven, and on the earth I am carrying out with the Body, in the Body and for the Body.

At times, I am concerned for all the practical arrangements, but since the burden is from the Lord, the Lord perfectly arranges all things for the accomplishment of it. He even reminded me this morning Exo. 33:14 - And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.

Though I am going to places for the first time, not knowing whom to meet, what to speak, I always treasure the Lord's presence, and His inner anointing to lead in every single step. He uses "the springs of the deep" and "windows of heaven" to meet His need even through me.

Amazing! Heaven and earth works together even as God and man works together.

Thank you Lord for the springs of the deep and the windows of heaven.

No Shortcuts

A brother once told me that the shortest way is the longest way. Never go for short cut or cut short things, ultimately you will end up taking the long way with a heavier, if not heavy, price. Often, one tends to take shortcuts in doing things for the sheer satisfaction of doing one's job quickly and easily, trying all means by hook or by crook as soon as the job could get done. This is a big temptation.

Three instances taught me this wonderful lesson, the third one being today, I could not resist blogging the same today itself, lest I end up doing the fourth time. Let this be the last.

First:

I had my dental check up due for months now. One time I had a very uneasy experience with a Dentist who did her best to flatten my wallet. Since then I was very cautious to go to any Dentist before knowing their dental works charges.  

Since a new health care was opened in our vicinity, we have been their regular "patients." Often I told my wife that this hospital is our hospital; we come for all medical needs and it's comparatively economical than the rest. So I have reserved myself to come here only. I indeed came and did all my dental works only to find myself being charged higher than the previous ones, at least 50% more of the others, I guess only in this department? 

Where I wanted to save, there I ended up spending more. The dental works were quite satisfactory, but the feeling of hiked-pay nagged me for quite some days. My logic doesn't work. Where I wanted to save, there I ended up paying more. 

Second

A month ago I wanted to port my wife's mobile number into the same service provider I have been using for decade. There were two ways to do this; the first is to visit the service center and the other is just call a number given by the company. In a hurry, I called the number and wanted to do it in few hours' time, which the tele-caller promised too. The agent came and got his service charge and said in a week's time it would be done. Yet to my surprise, till date, even after a month, still the work has not began. I took the shortest and fastest way, but it turned out to be a long way. A reality check on my patience, I guess? The short cut was not short at all.

Third 

I had to do my children's general medical check-up for the new classes they are joining in afresh. We generally do it at a nearby clinic. The job required simple filling up of medical forms which I myself can do, but for the medical doctor's stamp and signature. So for this menial task I had to take my kids to a doctor and pay for the doctor's stamp and signature, for the purpose of visit is not medical in nature, but formal for school record's sake. There is another nearby hospital whose board reads, "Free OPD." Today as I could not meet the former practitioner and I was in a hurry to get my job done, I came to this hospital thinking that it would be cheaper as the Ads board says. But to my surprise, for mere stamp and signature, they charged 50% more of the one I used to used for such. It went against my concept again.

All these are simple life experiences, but they taught me precious life-lesson. O that I may learn my lessons fully well. Do things at its own time, no short cuts, not playing around for savings. What needs to be done, just to it, what needs to be paid just pay for it. Human maneuvering is trouble some and painful too.

Brotherly Love

Luke 6:35  ...do good and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the unthankful and evil.6:36  Be full of compassion, even as your Father also is full of compassion.6:38  Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, they will give into your bosom. For with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you in return

These are the words of the Lord last night in my time with Him as I was praying and considering the giving of financial offering to a brother who is urgently in need. It was last week when he came to fellowship with me regarding his family situation. As he fellowshipped, deep within me the Lord gave me much joy and peace to extend a brotherly love in reality unconditionally and expecting nothing in return, though he promised to pay back on monthly installment. The leading of the Lord is supreme and the decision is already made at the throne; my duty is simply to execute it. After all, all that I have is all from the Lord and I am just a steward of the Lord's treasury. I only pray that I may find grace to be a faithful steward of the varied grace of God.

Two days later, the Lord provided me 10 times of the amount fellowshipped for the urgent need. It was a surprise shocked to me too; too true to believe! Praise the Lord, He is the source of every blessing. The way He provided was through a righteous channel that was formally owed to me since a year ago that has not been transacted yet. Yesterday being 31st March, the company abruptly decided to clear their book of account a day before the financial year ends so as not to carry forward debt.

Today morning as the brother came to collect his "loan" it was a surprise for him that it turned out to be an offering! The only thing I could tell him was, "it is from the Lord, praise the Lord!" He was speechless, and smiled. Praise the Lord!

Sometimes, the Lord's speaking are so direct that it really need more grace to take it in. Phrases like, "do good and lend, expecting nothing in return", "Be full of compassion" and "Give, and it will be given to you". Many may interpret these to mean "spiritually" even when the phrases are so direct and clear; the reason I apprehend is because of their love for money. Yet they cannot deny the plain truth so they try to invent a "different interpretation" to ease off their convicting conscience. Actually, no one can be such a person except the Lord Jesus Himself. But, now the Lord Jesus Christ is in us as the indwelling Spirit in our spirit; when we live and walk in the Spirit, the Lord can easily live Himself out against all odds. Where He leads, there He graces; for what He commands, He also supplies to fulfill it.  

This is no philanthropy, nor generosity, nor good Samaritan, nor anything a natural man may call it; it is just the grace of God being lived out day by day; the living of Christ as in Philippians 1:21 and not I but Christ in Galatians 2:20. This is a very normal Christian life as practiced in the book of Acts by the early believers. In fact, this is the Lord's heart's desire as stated in the church in Philadelphia, brotherly love. Perhaps, today's Christians must learn from our brethren who lived before us and follow their footsteps. Times, ages and fashions may change, but the principle of the Bible never and will never. Take God at His word, and He will take you at His word!

Lord, preserve us to live a normal Christian life full of brotherly love, caring for one another in You.