Guiding Star

Last Thursday I had to minister to the believers in Bhopal over Zoom call as I could not do so for the past three weeks. I was traveling and busy fellowshipping with saints in different localities. Deep within me I felt I should somehow serve the new believers with the living Word of God. Therefore, I compensated all my absences for the past three weeks by volunteering to minister on last Thursday night. 

The Lord gave me the timely word to minister to them, "following the guiding stars absolutely and faithfully". This message came from my reading of the word in Matthew 2. 

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star at its rising and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2, RecVer)

The magi knew the word of God and followed God's leading through the living star. That's how they ended up in Jerusalem when many of the Jews in Jerusalem who also knew the Scriptures did not bother about the Lord’s birth at all.

“And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written through the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you the least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler, One who will shepherd My people Israel.”” (Matthew 2:5-6, RecVer)

They should have been faithfully following the living star until it led them to Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem. But they were not absolute in obeying the word of God nor were they absolute in following the living star. They have come all the way upto Jerusalem and should have gone further till Bethlehem, but in between they applied their human wisdom and diverted in Jerusalem. If Jesus was the king of the Jews, they logically concluded that He must be born in Jerusalem, the city of the Jews. Therefore, keeping aside the word of prophesy and the living star, they went and enquired about the birth of Jesus from Herod instead. This stired up the hornets nest and provoked the king of the Jews to kill the King of the Jews. The magi's foolish mind cost the city of Bethlehem dearly; it led to the killing of all male children, two years and below.

“Then Herod, seeing that he had been mocked by the magi, became greatly enraged, and sending out men, he did away with all the boys who were in Bethlehem and in all its borders from two years old and under, according to the time that he had accurately determined from the magi.” (Matthew 2:16, RecVer)

But as the magi realized their mistake, they turned away from Herod and also from Jerusalem, and the star appeared again. This time they learnt their lesson, they followed the start again and never came back to Herod.

Spiritually speaking, our Christian life is also like that of the magi. Many knew the Scriptures well but were hardly obedient to what the word of God says. To many, they began well by following the Scriptures, but at a later time they deviated from following it through unto the end. Somewhere somehow, they applied their human wisdom and override the word of God. But the Lord is merciful, it did not allow them a total damage to His children's unfaithfulness. In measure, He corrected them and led them to the straight path again. Nevertheless, certain damages have been done already. This must serve as a stern warning to all the children of God.

This was the living message the Lord burdened me to share with the new believers in Bhopal. In ministering the word of God I myself was ministered to, the same message I ministered in the church in Gurugram on 31st December night meeting; encouraging the saints to read the word and be absolutely obedient to the word of God.

Lord, grace me and the saints to read and know the word, and also be obedient to absolutely follow the Lord.

Gospel Preaching

It was the 25th of December which was a general holiday. The day being such a significant one in the world,  many people have celebrated it as the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though this celebration nor the date has no validity scripturally, it has become a ritualistic day for some and a celebration for others. Since the day has a link with the Lord Jesus Christ, it is a wonderful opportunity to preach the gospel and lead people to know who the Lord Jesus Christ is, especially in North India.

Two days before I just came back from two and half days' ministry journey and had many pending works to be done. Therefore, I decided not to go anywhere, do my pending official works, and later join the gospel meeting at the meeting hall. As I was beginning to do my works, two young brothers came for the gospel preaching. I told them that they should go preach the gospel by themselves as I had works to do. But I struggled for a while inwardly. I did not want to just stay back and let the young brothers go to preach the gospel. My conscience did not allow me to do that. For a few minutes I was in dilemma, whether to go or not to go. In such a state, I inwardly prayed and looked to the Lord; turning to my spirit. Then I did not have the peace not to go. Therefore, I sacrificed my pending works and decided to go out for the gospel preaching. As a result, another brother also joined along and we four formed two teams of two brothers each and went to preach the gospel.

The Lord led us to preach the gospel on the street for over two hours. To many we passed out gospel tracts and preached the gospel on the street. The Lord had prepared people waiting for us to contact and preach the gospel to them. At least three instances were worth mentioning. 

I saw a tough looking guy smoking and talking on the phone. The Lord led me to approach and preach the gospel to him. Initially I hesitated, looking at his visage, an unlikely gospel candidate. And since he was on the phone, I excused myself to bypass him. But as I was to leave him, he just finished talking. Therefore, I approached him. The moment I talked to him about God and the Lord Jesus Christ, he exclaimed that his wife would be very interested to meet with us. Later, she came to where I was talking to him, and preached the gospel to the couple and their friend. It turned out that they were seeking for God and also for regular Christian fellowship. May the Lord save and recover this couple for the church life in Gurugram.

Another unlikely candidate was a man exercising beside his car. As I gave tract and preached the gospel, he interacted with me in a friendly way. It turned out that he was a "good man" sacrificing to help others and count it joy helping people. To this man, I preached that the gospel was for the "good people" as well. In fact, even the "good people" are no less sinner than the "bad people." For all men are sinners by birth. It was through such an approached that I made Christ as the good man who is the reality of all goodness man ever has aspired for. In fact, only God is good. And this good God has created man in His image and likeness so that He can come into him one day and exhibit His goodness through him. With such gospel, we made friendship and on his request. I gave my official name card and exchanged phone number for further contact.

Finally, as we were heading back home, I saw a man standing outside a building as if he was waiting for me. I approached him and preached the gospel in Hindi. It turns out that he was waiting for his client and I met him instead; becoming his gospel client.

Thank the Lord for His sovereign way of leading me to cooperate with him even when I was not prepared to preach the gospel. Thank the Lord for the young brother who encouraged me to go along with them to preach the gospel. In fact, these brothers were the ones I have been praying with until they were revive and led to join he training. God does work in an unexpected way, at an unexpected time.

Lord, save the many unsaved in Gurugram!

Family Fellowship

An afternoon and a morning time of my short stay at home was well utilized for family fellowship. I enjoyed a good time of fellowship with my dad concerning many matters he wanted to let me know. My burden was to simply listen to whatever he had to say and comment whenever needed. In all his fellowship, I could see the Lord’s hand, especially, in his boldness in standing for the Christian faith and testimony when challenged by the village authority to compromised on traditional and ritualistic celebrations. I also gave suggestion for practical matters concerning the welfare of our family.

A morning time fellowship with my Aunt's family was very sweet too, as we all stood together for the Lord’s testimony in the village. Despite threats to compromise in our Christian faith, we all agreed to stand at all costs for the Lord’s testimony.

A time of fellowship with my nephews too was very timely. Since the village environment is not healthy for children's studies, I encouraged them to pay attention to education now before it's too late. To my nephew who is to marry soon, I encouraged him to have a new start after his marriage as his Christian life has been dwindling for many years now. The divine seed in Him has to be revived through fellowship in the church life. Then, I prayed for him and his marriage which is due in a few days' time as I will be missing it due to my pre-planned schedules. I firmly have faith in the Lord that all my family members and even my whole village would be saved soon!

Lastly, as I was being dropped off to the Airport for my return journey back to Gurugram, I fellowshipped with my beloved younger brother on important family matters. In fact, this was the only time I got to fellowship him. I shared my concerns to him about his children's education, the need for him to stand faithfully in the Christian faith without any compromise come what may, and also encouraged him to take initiative in caring for family needs whenever necessary.

By the way, the Lord reminded me of my words spoken in faith in 2003 to my parent that I would share the Lord's blessing with them, therefore, whatever the Lord blessed me in financial offering, I handed it to my mom to be shared with my dad too. Then, I kissed my mom's cheek to bid her goodbye for the time being. Then, I gathered all my family members at home and prayed for each one of them, blessing and committing them to the Lord. Thus, we bid good bye, shaking hands, and I left to catch my flight. It was a well spent time; short yet sweet. Praise the Lord!

Lord, bless our family!

Fellowship with the Brothers in Imphal

In Imphal, I was on my last destination in this ministry journey since 6 December. The only burden was to spend time with my family, mom and dad, brothers and sisters. Yet, when the brothers in the church in Imphal came to know about my visit, whoever were available came for a time of fellowship. We had a wonderful and timely brothers' fellowship, arranged impromptu at my room in my house.

The importance of seeking the Lord’s presence in all matters was my burden for all the brothers. To this effect, I shared my own testimony as well, how I enjoyed and treasured the Lord’s presence. This will usher the brothers in one accord and bring blessings to the church. I also encouraged them to love the Lord and love one another, to forgive all offenses and forget them altogether, and pursue the Lord together in the church life.

Despite the ups and downs of many brothers and the saints, I encouraged all the brothers to shepherd one another, and meet for brothers fellowship at least once a week. As they presented their burden to buy land for meeting hall, I told them that if all the saints love the Lord, buying land will be spontaneous through the saints' free will offering. Many saints have their own land and, in fact, many have purchased new plots for their own, which proved that money is not the matter to buy land. The matter is the saints' heart and willingness to offer for the Lord's testimony. After I shared, they all amen the burden released. I believe the Lord has been working on each of the brother's heart and they will definitely cooperate with the Lord in His move. Amen.

Lord, bless the church in Imphal.

Fellowship with the Saints in Lamka, CCPur

As a brother in Christ, the saints in the church in Lamka arranged an evening meeting where a brother from Aizawl and I fellowshipped with the saints. The church life is full of fellowship and blending for the building up of the Body of Christ.

After two brothers shared briefly on how the Lord raised up the church in Lamka as well as in Aizawl, I was given the time to fellowship on whatever burden the Lord burdened me with. In fact, in my morning Bible reading on Exodus, the Lord told me to share the practical experiences of the sanctification of the serving priests.

“And this is what you shall do to them to sanctify them to serve Me as priests: take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish,” (Exodus 29:1, RecVer)

Footnotes from the Recovery Version 

To be qualified to serve God as priests, Aaron and his sons had to be sanctified, to be set apart by being marked out. The mark that set apart, sanctified, Aaron and his sons to be the priests was the filling of their hands with the offerings, signifying the filling of the believers with the riches of Christ (Eph. 3:8) through their subjective experience of Him as the reality of the offerings (Heb. 10:5-10). The steps in sanctifying Aaron and his sons included the washing away of their uncleanness (v. 4), the covering of their nakedness by the priestly garments (vv. 5-9), the dealing with their sinful nature through the sin offering (vv. 10-14), and the feeding of God with the burnt offering (vv. 15-18) and God and the priests with the peace offering (vv. 19-28). This was not merely a consecration or ordination of Aaron and his sons.

“Then you shall slaughter the ram and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the lobe of the right ear of his sons and on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the rest of the blood on and around the altar.” (Exodus 29:20, RecVer)

To serve God as priests, our hearing (ears), our working (hands), and our walking (feet) must be cleansed and sanctified by Christ’s redeeming blood. We must learn how to listen to the word of God (cf. 21:2-6; Isa. 50:4-5; Luke 10:38-42), to do what is required by Him, and to walk according to His way in serving Him. In Lev. 14:14 the same procedure was used in the cleansing of a leper, indicating that in the eyes of God we sinners who have been ordained to be His priests are unclean, like lepers.

Based on these truths, I ministered on the practical steps to be sanctified to serve the living God as priests. In the washing by the word of God, I released my burden on helping the saints to love the word and read it daily to be reconstituted with the truths. In fact, I challenged them to take a pledge before the Lord to read through the Bible at least once in a year, to which many saints said amen. Then, I shared on the need to not trust our self and natural man and the need to be covered with Christ as our clothing, then I shared on the need to deal with our flesh by taking Christ as the sin offering, meal offering, and peace offering. Finally, I also gave examples and practical help how our ears need to be cleansed, filtering all worldly noises but listening to the word of God; how our hands need to be cleansed by working righteously, especially in money matters, of not bribing nor borrowing but being clean, faithful, and righteous; and how our daily living should be proper before God and man, in morality and being a living testimony of Jesus.

Having ministered thus, I also showed the way how we can be practically cleansed. The truths may be high but the ways are simple; being revived everyday through prayer, calling upon the Lord’s name, morning revival, and the enjoyment of the word of God; and by being in the church life in fellowship with the saints.

The Lord anointed the ministry of the word and the saints responded after the speaking by sharing the portions they were convicted of and enlightened by. Many of them offered prayer for grace to be sanctified and, indeed, serve as priest.

May the Lord's hand follow His words, and may He bless the saints in the church in Lamka to be a glorious golden lampstand.

Reunion with My Classmates

While in Lamka, one of my classmates, in fact, my good friend at school took the initiative to invite a few other classmates to get-together on 22 Dec 2021. I just went as invited, not knowing what to share.

Seven of my high classmates who were in town turned up for the reunion. They all wanted me to share on how I became who I am today. Since they all wanted to know what kind of ministry I am involved in, which church I belong to, and how I came to serve the Lord, I looked to the Lord inwardly and shared whatever was needed to help them understand what I felt may help them understand.

My classmates' request opened the door for me to testify of what the Lord has been doing in my life. His wise and sovereign hands in my life was shared as a living message to my friends. In between there were intersections to comment on what I had been through. I am glad they got the message through the testimony itself. Praise the Lord!

We had photo sessions and on their request I prayed for all of them, especially, the family of the one who took the initiative to reunite. 

May the Lord work in all my classmates, as most of them are Christians, that they may love the Lord and that they may also grow in life unto full maturity.

Three Hundred Miles

After my burden was released at Aizawl, I was planning to leave for Lamka-CCPur to visit the saints. A brother from Aizawl insisted that he would come along and drive me from Aizawl to Lamka. I felt good about the proposal and amen his fellowship.

We set off for the journey at 5:20 AM on 21 Dec 2021 from Thuampui, Aizawl. We drove about 15 hours on the state highway to arrive our destination Lamka at about 9 PM on the same day. It was, indeed, a long long drive over the mountains and hills, and ditches and valleys. The beautiful landscapes all along the road entertained me; I could see the beauty of God’s creation and often wondered why many natural resources were left untapped. Here and there, I took photo shots and marveled at the greatness of God, the Creator.

Though the road was dusty as extension work on the highway has been underway, I appreciated the government of India's effort to build a four lane highway. This should have been done decades ago, any way, now the work is in progress. 

The excavation work on the hills and mountains were indeed great, though we had to be blocked a couple of times due to road block from the excavation. Due to such work, we took more time than usual and could not reach our destination in time. 

In fact, the saints were waiting for us to welcome us even as a brother had prepared a Lamb feast for lovefeast dinner. Due to our delay, we could not have meal together with the saints as planned; they left before we arrived. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our Lamb meal with our host's family, my first time to feast on Lamb's meat, followed by a short while fellowship and prayer, and off to sleep.

It was indeed a wonderful three hundred miles journey; enjoying God’s creation and His presence all along. Praise God for the safe journey and the adventurous 15 hours' road drive!

A Time with a Brother

One of the brothers who has completed his full time training and finished his Master's degree from abroad came to fellowship with me about his personal matters. I had to take a time out after a lovefeast dinner at another brother's home to listen to this brother what he had to say. One important principle in helping the saints is to listen to what they have to say and even listen to what they did not say or intend to say. In this way, discerning the actual condition of the saint, one can render necessary help through fellowship.

The Lord is the Lord and I did not dare to direct him in any way. I could only fellowship in general and lead him to look to the Lord until he is clear about what the Lord’s plan is for him. In a way of fellowship I shared how I sought and found the Lord’s will in my life, and thereby, obeyed it through His grace. Some keys points in determining the Lord’s practical leading are:

• Peace and Life Within
• The Word of God 
• Circumstances
• Fellowship in the Body

After our fellowship and prayer, he became clear about not going abroad again for further studies, giving time upto the end of this year for a final confirmation for his friendship matter, and seeking the Lord’s will in his service.

Through fellowship, the Lord cleared up many confusions, and we both enjoyed a brotherly fellowship. 

May the Lord lead my brother and give him a clear sky on all the matters he brought to fellowship. And may He be gained to be a useful and faithful vessel to the Lord.

Introduction of the Holy Bible Recovery Version

Two whole days, 18 and 20 Dec, I spent with the brothers in Aizawl to meet with the key Christian leaders in Mizoram whose head quarters are located in Aizawl. A brother who has been serving as a distributor for the ministry books in Mizoram had made all the necessary appointments.

As Christian brothers, we were welcomed wherever we went and whomever we met. We met with the leaders of the following Christian groups:

• Salvation Army
• Baptist
• Presbyterian 
• Pentecostal
• Holy Church 

The Lord gave me the timely word to speak to all the Christian leaders I met. As I introduced the Recovery Version, the anointing of the Spirit was richly felt; He gave the proper utterance, the right verses to quote, and the striking footnotes to show. All Christian leaders we met were so impressed by the two significant features of the Recovery Version; accuracy in translation from the original Hebrew and Greek and the 15,000 extensive footnotes that serves as study notes. Along with the English Bible, I also introduced the upcoming Mizo New Testament Recovery Version. One manager of a Baptist book room purchased 100 Holy Bible, Recovery Version, 50 leather-bound and 50 hardbound. Other Christian leaders have promised to bring it to their committee meeting for the final order.

The Mizo Bible has resulted in the gospelization of the entire Mizo population. The Mizo Recovery Version will result in the churchization of the Mizos. Only the Lord can do this through His living Word. 

May the Lord bless the Mizo speaking Christians with His timely and living Word.

Home Meeting at My Classmate's Home

One of my high school classmates has become the first woman to clear Mizoram Police Service and now has been posted as the second-in-command of the Mizoram Armed Police. She has been revived by the Lord a few years ago and since then she has been an ardent lover of the Lord Jesus Christ.

While I was in Aizawl, she invited me over to her home for dinner. There I went along with three saints to fellowship with her and some of her Christian partners. Initially, I was only on a listening mode to listen to what she had to say or her friends she invited had to say. After listening to them, I had the leading within to share my portion as well.

I shared on the leading by the Lord’s presence with His pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night; the leading by the Spirit during normal times signified by the day and the leading by the Word of God during hard times and dark nights signified by night. This led me further to testify on my own experiences of Christ in my academic career, God’s calling, marriage, and serving in the ministry.

We had a wonderful time together, feasting on Mizo cuisine, and also prayed for the whole family. I also gifted my classmate with The Orthodoxy of the Church, Raising Up the Next Generation for the Church Life, and a couple of Rhema Set 1 in Mizo.

I introduced her to a sister in Aizawl for the follow-up shepherding, and the Christian partnership team she was associated with, to a brother in the church life.

I have the faith that the Lord’s hand would follow his speaking and pray that she and her whole household would be shepherded into the church life in Aizawl.

Lord, bless my classmates' family along with her friends.

Fellowship with the Saints in Aizawl

On the Lord's day, 19 Dec 2021, I attended the Lord's Table Meeting at Aizawl. It was such a blessed time to fellowship with the saints by partaking of the same bread and wine. It reminded me of the first time I broke the bread with the saints in 2007. It was their first meeting after being recovered into the fellowship of the Body of Christ. Since then, they have been in fellowship with the whole Body in the Lord’s recovery. Looking back, it has indeed been the faithfulness of the Lord that has preserved His testimony in Aizawl. The saints have thus been constituted with the truths and have grown so much in life. 

After the bread breaking meeting, the saints gathered together for a time of fellowship on the word of God. Though it was meant for the young people, the saints also attended the fellowship. The main burden the Lord gave me to release was on "the presence of the Lord" using verses from Exodus on Moses' conversation with God.

“Now therefore if I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know now Your ways, that I may know You, so that I may continue to find favor in Your sight. Consider also that this nation is Your people. And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. And he said to Him, If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” (Exodus 33:13-15, RecVer)

The burden released was on the need to be in the presence of the Lord all the time. As Christians, we need to seek the perfect will of the Lord in every matter great or small. For the young people, they must consecrate their life to the Lord; their academic career, future job, and even marriage. I released the burden with my own testimony in my studies, in serving the Lord, in my marriage, and in my recent ministry journey to Madhya Pradesh and North East India. 

I had the peace from the Lord to encourage the saints to pray for the upcoming proofreading work of the New Testament Recovery Version Bible in Mizo, and to read through the Holy Bible at least once in a year and also read through the Mizo New Testament with the footnotes after it is printed.

Later, some saints testified of how the Lord has spoken to them through the fellowship. This was indeed their timely need. 

In a similar manner, the fellowship with two brothers' family at their homes for a dinner also resulted in enjoying the Lord’s timely speaking. 

When we are one with the Lord, He speaks His word in the most timely way. We should always be exercised to be one with the Lord in our living and let the Lord live in and through us.

Mizo Proofreading Preparation

Since the recovery of the church life in Aizawl, the Lord has been blessing the church in a marvelous way. Though the saints have been struggling spiritually and physically, the Lord has been faithful to supply all their needs and grace them on and on. Three sister have been consecrated to serve the lord full-time in the literature service, especially in the translation of the New Testament Recovery Version into Mizo. By the Lord's mercy, the translation has been completed and checking has been going on. The final proofreading work is due on January 2022. It is for this that I came to Aizawl to do the preparatory work.

On the 17th Dec after the prayer and fellowship with the core team for the proofreading work, I inspected all the work that needed to be done. We have done 90% of the work needed and a few things have to be finalized, which the serving one will accomplish them in the following days. By far, I am satisfied with the coordination and preparation.

In the evening we had dinner lovefeast for the volunteers. Then I had a time of fellowship with all those who registered for the proofreading work in Mizo. Three specific points the Lord burdened me to fellowship with them were:

Vision: Everyone need to have a clear vision of the need for the New Testament Recovery Version in Mizo which is for the sake of the Lord's move among the Mizo speaking people. When the Mizo Bible first came, it was for the evangelization or gospel preaching to the Mizos. Now, that most of them have become Christians, there is a need for growth and building of the believers with the proper and healthy teaching of the word of God. For this, there is a need for the accurately translated and properly interpreted word of God, the Recovery Version can meet this need.

Consecration: Having seen the vision, there is a need for the serving ones to consecrate themselves to carry out the vision. The children of Israel consecrated themselves for the building of the temple in Jerusalem because they knew it was for God's purpose and God also gave them a willing heart. Therefore, I called upon the saints to consecrate for the Lord's work and even pay the price to meet the Lord's need. This consecrate requires minimum two weeks of their time and be one with the serving ones to carry out the work.

Coordination: Finally, to practically carry out the Lord's work, there is a need for coordination. Otherwise the vision seen nor the consecration would yield no result. All the detail instructions have to be carried out as instructed just as the children of Israel built the temple as Jehovah instructed them.

After releasing these burdens, I gave time for any clarification, should there be any. Following this, I encouraged a leading brother and the translators to share words of encouragement, and then we concluded it with prayer.

May the Lord bless the proofreading exercise and bring out the New Testament Recovery Version in Mizo.

Brothers Fellowship In Shillong

For over a year, I have been praying with some brothers in the church in Shillong. The Lord has been faithful to begin to answer the prayers for the saints. This time, He arranged a time of fellowship with all the brothers in Shillong. Though the fellowship was planned I really did not know what to speak, how to lead, and what the burden of the fellowship should be. But I simply trusted in the Lord's presence who is the leading.

Once all the brothers came together, the Lord led me to begin the fellowship by prayer and hymns singing. We first sang Hymn 904.  Stanza four described best the very purpose of our visit to the brothers and the fellowship we had with them.

I dwell with the King for His work,

The work, it is His and not mine;

He plans and prepares it for me

And fills me with power divine.

So duty is changed to delight,

And prayer into praise as I sing;

I dwell with my King for His work

And work in the strength of my King.

Then, as we were about to finish the singing, the Lord led me to pray-read Bible verse together with all the brothers. So we pray-read Ephesians 4:

  1 I beseech you therefore, I, the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,

  2 With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing one another in love,

  3 Being diligent to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace.

Then, we fellowshipped on the need to keep the oneness by being filled with God who is the oneness. The practical way to be filled with God is by being filled with the word who is spirit and life. And further ministered on John 17, the oneness in the name of God, through the word of God, and in the glory of God. We also encouraged the brothers to receive help from the ministry which can enable them to enjoy the word and build them up together.

Then, there were responses from the brothers about their enjoyment of the fellowship. I was very encouraged to hear the brothers' sharing on how much they have been helped by the fellowship and the ministry. Deep within me, I had the confirmation that the Lord has accomplished the very purpose for which they brought us to Shillong. Finally, we enjoyed singing together Hymn 1081 on John 17 which was followed by lovefeast dinner.

The burden this time has been released and the goal accomplished. Now, the Lord will work in the brothers and gain them all for His testimony!

Lord, bless the church in Shillong!

Meetings in Shillong

On the 12th Dec, a brother and I arrived Shillong early morning after an overnight journey from Dimapur. A brother received us at the bus stand in Polo Ground. This time, a senior and leading brother was no longer there to receive us as he had gone to be with the Lord. But the Lord has raised up younger brothers to bear the responsibilities of the church.  After a few hours' rest, we attended the first combined Lord's Table Meeting of the church in Shillong after the pandemic. 

While on our way to Shillong, a brother and I were considering what to minister on the Lord's day meeting. I had no clue which specific burden we need to release. I told my brother that he should minister the word first and I would follow him and continue his burden. My only preparation was prayer and to follow my brother's burden. 

When my brother released the word on the need on abiding in the vine from John 15, the Lord gave me the burden to continue to minister on abiding in the Lord. On the practical subjective side, I continued to minister the need to treasure the presence of the Lord. The presence of the Lord was richly present with me as I ministered on the presence of the Lord. I also testified of how the Lord's presence led us in all our ministry journey.

In the second session, we ministered on the practical way to enjoy the Lord's presence through the Spirit and the word of God. I released my burden on helping the saints to read the Bible every day and gave an introduction to the Holy Bible, Recovery Version with footnotes. Thus our burden for the saints was released.

In the evening, we visited a brother's family whose father has been an ardent reader of the ministry books. In our fellowship we came to realize that he has been in touch with the present Chief Minister of Meghalaya and that he was being invited for a meeting. Therefore, we feel good to gift the Holy Bible, Recovery Version to the CM. A few days later, he indeed gifted the Bible with a brief introduction on the Recovery Version.

In the same night, we also visited a family whose father went to be with the Lord last year and with whom I had been in contact since the first time I came in touch with the saints in Shillong. In our fellowship, the translation of Rhema books into Khasi was considered and a sister was willing to pick up the burden and bring out the ministry books into Khasi.

In all these meetings, we enjoyed the Lord's rich presence and His timely speaking. May the Lord's hand follow His words and bless His testimony in Shillong.

Ministry of the Word Literature Journey: Nagaland, Kohima

“And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Rise up and go into Damascus, and there it will be told to you concerning all the things which have been appointed to you to do.” (Acts 22:10, RecVer)

Update: Day 4 (9 Dec 2021)

From Dimapur to Kohima, as we prayed and enjoyed the morning revival; this was the verse the Lord spoke to us. Rise up and go into Damascus(Dimapur/Kohima), and there it will be told to you concerning all the things which have been appointed to you to do.” We came to Kohima not knowing what to do actually, we came just following the inner anointing of the Lord.

Meeting Br. K---- and Br. T---------, two local brothers, was such a joy as we have been praying for this city. 

We could visit three Bible colleges where we were warmly welcomed by the Principals and Deans though we had no appointment. They gave us time to hear us out and even arranged meeting to address the Bible teachers and students. After every speaking, the responses we got were overwhelming. Each of them received the ministry literature and purchased the Holy Bible, Recovery Version.

Holy Bible, Recovery Version for the CM

In one Bible college, a student who approached us for the Bible happened to be one of the relatives of the then Chief Minister of Nagaland. Therefore, we deemed it best to gift the Holy Bible, Recovery Version to the CM through that student. In fact, while in Dimapur as we drove by the CM's house, we just wished that if such leader could get hold of the truths it would have been wonderful. The Lord even fulfilled our "little wish" right away and opened the door to fulfill that wish.

May the hand of God follow the word of God, the Bible, to the CM and all the cabinet ministers and the leaders of Nagaland!

May Ngaland indeed be for Christ and the church!

In the evening, we had a lighter moment of enjoying Kohima's festive carnival where we dined on traditional Naga meal with Br.T--------- in our midst.

Praise the Lord for all these sowings!

Pray for the Lord’s presence and His continual leading and speaking.

Update: Day 5 and 6 (10-11 Dec 2021)

The Lord led us to the key Christian groups and leaders in the city. Though we did not know any one before nor made an appointment, the leaders welcomed our walk-in visit. We could introduce the ministry literature to each one of them, the Angamis, Sumis, and other tribes leaders. Everyone of them received the ministry books for the English readers in their congregation and the Holy Bible, Recovery Version. One group ordered the entire set of Life-study for the church library. Our whole day was spent meeting different groups.

In the evening, Br. K---- and Br. K------- invited us for a dinner love feast at their home in Jotsoma where we enjoyed a delicious home cooked organic food. The Christian love and care was so shepherding especially in the land we have been praying for.  We were so shepherded even by Aunty's encouraging words and prayers for us. After sharing testimony and mass prayers we wind up the day's schedule, and the following day, we left the city with much joy and peace, trusting the Lord's hand for the follow-up of the "very little" we could do.

On our way back from Kohima to Dimapur, we dropped by another Bible college on a hill top where we met the Principal and some students. One Garo student was so interested in the ministry books, who also purchased it, and he happened to be from the same place as that of the present Chief Minister of Meghalaya. In a few month's time he will graduate from his MDiv studies and expressed his desire to serve together with us among the Garos in Tura.  May the Lord gain Him for His move among the Garos.

In Dimapur, we could also visit one more Bible college and a Christian group who both received the ministry literature readily. Wherever we went, whomever we met, the Lord just opened the people's heart for His move.

Finally, as our last visit, we visited Br.S--- and Sis. N----- for a short while fellowship; an ice breaking session, encouraging them to go on in the Lord and to fellowship with the saints regularly in Dimapur.

“And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who have been sanctified.” (Acts 20:32, RecVer) 

Ministry of the Word Literature Journey: Nagaland, Dimapur

Then in a pillar of cloud You led them by day, And in a pillar of fire by night, To light the way for them, On which they should go. Nehemiah 9:12

After over a year of prayer for the Lord's testimony in Nagaland with brothers and sisters from Nagaland who have been enjoying the ministry and came into the church life in different parts of the world where they were working, we have the leading from the Lord to visit Nagaland. Day to day updates are below:

Update: Day 1 (6 Dec 2021)

A young Pastor from Phek came all the way, a day's journey, just to meet us. We had a wonderful fellowship last night. He also brought along another church Secretary in Dimapur who was even more impressed by the truths and the riches in the ministry. They both took a lot of books for themselves and for introducing among the believers in their congregation. They also made arrangement for us to meet Bible colleges Principals and students.

A Christian leader in Dimapur also came to fellowship with us and invited us for more fellowship. He was so enlightened by the fellowship on the New Testament universal priesthood and the building up of the Body of Christ. He wished to come and meet us every night for fellowship as long as we are in Dimapur. 

We also had a time of prayer and planning for Dimapur and Kohima. 

Pray for the Lord’s presence and His continual leading and speaking.

Update: Day 2 (7 Dec 2021)

The President of a Baptist Bible college welcomed us to his college where we introduced the ministry literature. His immediate response was to purchase for himself and his college library. He also introduced his staffs and we introduced the ministry books to them as well.

In another Bible college, we were invited to minister the word and introduced the ministry books to all students and staffs. They were all so impressed with the content of the ministry we introduced, many students immediately purchased the Holy Bible Recovery Version in addition to the other ministry books they received.

We also spent time to fellowship with the principal and staffs of the college and prayed together.

A Christian leader invited us to fellowship with him. We were running out of time as we got stuck in the heavy Dimapur traffic. Initially we gave half an hour's time, but he was not satisfied, he wanted more time. We took leave from him to visit another Bible college and came back to fellowship with him and ate dinner.

Our whole day was spent fruitful. The Lord has been so faithful in leading us where to go, whom to meet, and what to speak.

Continue to pray for the Lord’s presence and His continual leading and speaking.

Update: Day 3 (8 Dec 2021)

The Lord led us to a Bible college where the Academic Dean showed undue favor to us and made an impromptu arrangement to address and minister to the entire college students. Besides introducing the ministry literature, we ministered the word on the importance of seeking God's will in every aspect of our Christian lives and the need to study the word in depth with careful consideration in prayer. 

After such a time with the students, they thronged our book table to get hold of the ministry books. All the books we loaded our SUV with, were emptied and sold out! We literally went out of stock and had to make another delivery, mostly of the Holy Bible, Recovery Version. 

Though we planned to visit more Bibles colleges, we got stuck up with just three, the big ones, as many students wanted to get the books and buy the Bibles. The staffs and teachers were so impressed with the depth of the truth we presented and showed their gratitude for our timely visit.

We also had a time with Br. M---n's family where we enjoyed a sumptuous Naga meal. 

A young pastor and a theologian came to visit us in the evening. After about an hour of fellowship on treasuring the presence of the Lord in our Christian life and ministry along with the ministry books introduction, he exclaimed that he began to understand and see what Christian life we should live and what testimony we should bear as a church. He, thus, would be regularly meeting with the brothers for truth pursuing and fellowship on a weekly basis. 

Praise the Lord for all these sowings! Awaiting its timely harvest now, for the Lord’s testimony in Dimapur!

Pray for the Lord’s presence and His continual leading and speaking.

Never Say No

Trusting the Lord in everything that is related to serving and functioning within my capacity, whenever there was an opportunity, I simply took it up by faith. My simple banner has been, "Never Say No," in the things of God. 

Whenever I was assigned for my portion in any spiritual activity, I took that as from the Lord. As much as I could, I never said no. If God had not ordained those functions for me, it would never have been brought to me either. Even if it were, it would hot have worked out. But in my experience, all those assignments given to me by the brothers turned out to be a great blessing to me personally besides being blessed in the assignments themselves.

Since the pandemic struck, there have been many online meetings for the churches and also for seekers all over India. Now and then, the brothers have asked me to coordinate in ministering the word of God to different states and language groups.  Whenever I was assigned, I always said amen to the brothers even if it seemed it might not work out. I firmly believe in the God who moved the brothers to make such an arrangement. I dared not say "No" to the brothers, which would mean saying "No" to God. Despite my condition whatsoever, the Lord's presence was with me all the time. This m, made me realize more that it was not I who functioned but it has always been God who has been ministering in my ministering. What a blessing, what a joy, when we amen God!

Even when I traveled for my official service of distributing the ministry literature, I still would not say "No". Somehow, I scheduled my time to still carry out my responsibility and thereby, continued to enjoy God's presence. I trust in the Lord that in the coming days too, the Lord will continue to grace me to never say "No" to His sovereign arrangements. I reckoned all the assignments as God's arrangement with His promised presence and blessing. And firmly believe in His words:

For as many promises of God as there are, in Him is the Yes; therefore also through Him is the Amen to God, for glory through us to God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

God's Presence - God Is

God's Presence

As a Christian, the spiritual fact is, I am in God and God is in me. My responsibility is to abide in God, remain in Him, and dwell in Him as my home. The issue of such a living in the divine Trinity is the presence of the Lord. 

In the Old Testament, Moses had the promise of God's presence going with him; he desired the presence of God to the extent that he would not do anything without the Lord's presence.

Now therefore if I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know now Your ways, that I may know You, so that I may continue to find favor in Your sight. Consider also that this nation is Your people. And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. And he said to Him, If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:13-15

There definitely is a difference between God's going and God's presence. It is one thing to have God's blessing and Him doing many things for us yet without His presence. God's presence is His smile, His delight, His being one with us in everything and not merely He doing things for us or on our behalf. If one has God's presence, he definitely will also have God. Here is the thin line between God and God's presence. Many may be satisfied with the former, God's blessing and helping hands, but not God's presence, His smile, His will, and His delight in everything. To enjoy the joy of God's presence, the one key condition is to abide in Him, remain in Him, and dwell in Him as our home. 

God's presence is my need in everything. The children of God in the past were led by the presence of God in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, which today is the presence of the Lord in the Spirit and the Word of God. These are the practical ways one can enjoy God's presence. While things are bright and normal, the Spirit typified by the cloud during the day is sufficient. Whereas when the situation is dark and negative, still the leading of the Lord can be felt through God's presence in the Word.  This is to live in the divine Trinity.

God Is

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.  Hebrews 11:6

To believe that God is, is to believe that He is everything to us and that we are nothing—John 8:58; Eccl. 1:2. To believe that God is implies that we are not; He must be the only One, the unique One, in everything, and we must be nothing in everything—Heb. 11:5; Gen. 5:22-24.

As we enjoy God's presence, we must also realize who God is; not merely doctrinally only. God is everything, many confess that either religiously or out of fake humility. But to realize indeed that God is everything is yet another matter. The Lord has been merciful to help me realize that God is indeed everything and that I am nothing and I can do nothing.

In the past, I have used statements like, "God is everything, I am nothing." But deep within me, I still believe that I was still something and that I needed God when I needed His help. Which means, I still could do something of my own. That's why I was very jealous to labor for the Lord. Well, it must be good for me at that time to experience the Lord in such a way. In fact, that only ushered and brought me to the point of realization that, all that I thought I could do resulted only in failures and shame. Yes, I mean it. All that I could do with all my strength, even perhaps with the help of God, were just failures and shame. I had not experienced the death of my "self", my "natural man." There had been much mixture of myself with that of God.  Now, by the Lord's mercy, my eyes have been opened and I am beginning to see who I really am. I am NOTHING, and I mean it. GOD is EVERYTHING and I believe in it.

As I reconsidered my service in the church, one particular thing striking is, all that I thought I could do resulted only in failures. What I thought began well ended up nowhere, especially in taking care of some new ones. I could see clearly where I lagged behind; I need God to be everything in all things and that I am nothing, Therefore, I must believe that God is and I am not. Praise the Lord!

Experience of Christ: Banking

A need to open a new bank account was brought to my attention three weeks ago. Though I initially suggested that one of our existing accounts could handle the purpose, my coordinating brother felt the need to open a new one, to which I agreed. Therefore, I took immediate action to open a new current account in one of the banks where we already have a running current account. Due to an urgent need, I talked to the bank officer to speed up the process for which on the same afternoon all documents along with signatures were submitted at the bank itself. Therefore, we were promised that within a few days' time the account would be ready.

After a few days, I called up the bank officer only to get the response that he would be checking and updating. After repeated requests and delayed responses, I got a message saying that a name correction had to be done from the already existing account. For this, I went to the bank to submit a form for name correction; which error was also committed by the bank when it was first opened. Now, that became the reason for the delay. Then, after a few more days, I got a response from the bank that the name had been corrected, while calling up the bank for the new account as the correction had been done, he request a few more days to open the account. 

After a few more days, I followed up on the progress of the account only to hear a repeated request for a few more days. Therefore, each time I enquired I was promised that it will be done the same day evening or the next day. The repeated response went on and on until a full week was over. Then finally, I got a message stating that the old account had to be changed, creating more problems.

I had no choice but to go to the bank and talk to the manager directly. Even the manager promised that he would get the work done, and requested for a few more hours. I plainly told him to confirm if the bank could open an account without affecting the already existing account. Only with their answer, I could proceed to the next step. Finally, after much talk and waiting, the bank officer responded that they could not open the account at all. I felt like blasting them for their untrustworthy words and false promises and wasting three long weeks. But the Lord within me was very calm and at peace. In fact, I was reminded by the Lord to simply keep calm and accept the fact that it could not be opened. In fact, it need not be opened at all as the Lord has a better way of handling the need. 

When I fellowshipped with my coordinator about the current status of the account, we came to a conclusion that it need not be opened at all as the need could have been better handled in some other way. But for my part  I had done all the I could. The Lord confirmed within me that I had done what I need to do and the result was that the Lord has a better way. I was completely satisfied and at ease that I had discharged my responsibility and the Lord interfered to show us the better way.  

Through all these processes, I experienced the Lord in exercising faithfulness in carrying out my responsibility, trusting the Lord for the result. It would have been unfaithful to not do my part at all. I did my best and the Lord took over the result. No grudges to anyone, no complain, no murmuring, no reasoning, only the experience of the Lord in all these. Even in official banking works, the Lord could be experienced richly! Praise the Lord!

Fruitbearing: The Lord's Blessings

On the 24th of November, a brother called me up and fellowshipped that if he could bring over a new one who wanted to be baptized. Though I did not know who the new one was, trusting in my brother's word I amened his request. Later, the new one actually came with his wife. They were first met by my young brother with whom I have been coordinating in the young people meeting and in the gospel meeting. At the first meeting, the conversation to the new one was, "Jesus loves you!" at a birthday party when he was serving food. Later, this new one believed into the Lord and called up my brother for baptism.

As I met him, I felt the need to preach the gospel once again; to make sure that they truly believed into the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, using The Mystery of Human Life, I asked the new one to read paragraph by paragraph, and after each paragraph, I exercised my spirit to preach the gospel in Hindi along with my fellow brother. Therefore, after ascertaining that they really understood the gospel, and they did believe into the Lord Jesus Christ, I once again helped them to pray the sinners' prayer and led them to definitely receive the Lord Jesus again, calling upon His name several times too. Then, I explained the significance of baptism and asked them to decide for themselves. I wanted to make it very clear that I was only presenting the truth of the Bible, preaching the gospel, and letting them choose if they would receive the gospel and be baptized. The new one was definitely willing as he already believed into the Lord, and his wife also expressed her willingness to be baptized. Then, arrangements were made and we baptized both of them.

When the Holy Spirit convicts people, they simply repent, confess, and believe into the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Man's only responsibility is to discern the move of the Holy Spirit and cooperate with him to carry what the Lord wants to accomplish. That's what we did; simply cooperating with the moving Triune God in saving people. 

Once they were baptized there was a sense of joy and peace within us and within them. They both were filled with peace and joy. Then I gifted them The Shepherding Materials in Hindi for them to read daily. My brother had purchased lunch for them as he had the burden. I did not interfere in inserting my own opinion as I could also provide lunch for all of them too. I wanted my brother to bear the burden and execute them with love and receive the blessing and gain the necessary experience in caring for the new ones. The new ones' needs were taken care and my brother also got to function. Praise the Lord! 

We have been praying for the salvation of people. Though we have not gone out to preach the gospel since the pandemic struck, still the Lord brought people at His time to receive Him and be baptized. It was purely the work of the Holy Spirit. With man this is a thing of impossibility; but with God, it is very possible. That's what we have been witnessing in the church in Gurugram. When the Lord gives, He gives. Praise the Lord!

Experience of Christ: Resting in Him

On the 17th of November morning, I was on a distribution trip to Jagdalpur and had the intention of skipping the Wednesday fellowship, which I generally did while on a trip. But since we did not have an appointment early in the morning I decided to join with the initiation from my brother. Therefore, we attended the fellowship and it turned out to be a great blessing to me. The burden of the fellowship was on experiencing Christ and resting in Him in the midst of all trials and tribulations. I took down the key points from the fellowship and considered them carefully. The next day we left for Raipur. While on board the flight from Raipur to New Delhi, the Lord burdened me to write a hymn on the points from Br. RC's fellowship. As I began to write, I enjoyed the Spirit's anointing so much so that I could easily write a hymn, line by line, stanza by stanza within an hour and forty-five minutes. I started when the flight took off and finished when the flight landed. 

Experience of Christ: Resting in Him
Composed on 18th Oct. 2021
Enlightened through Br. RC's fellowship on 17th Nov.
Composed while flying onboard from Raipur to Delhi after the ministry of the word literature journey.

Meter: 6.6.9.6.6.9 with Chorus
Time: 3/4 – F major
Tune similar to Hymns # 582

Psalms 23
1  In the midst of hardship, 
Forget not you're a sheep.
Jesus Lord is your Shepherd alway!
No matter what great pain,
He'll not leave you to faint.
He'll shepherd and lead you all the way!

Rest and enjoy,
Then you'll always rejoice!
Being one with Jesus,
In the Lord whom you trust.

John 14:17; 2 Cor. 2:14
2  Spiritual reality,
You must know and must see
Through God's dispensing in you daily;
Through your failures at times,
Yet know, in you He triumphs
If at the altar you lay fully.

Song of Songs 1-2
3  An intimate story 
Betwixt God and you be
Ever told by His passing through you.
Surely then you'll discern
And all the lessons learn:
God’s will in all is to mature you. 

Isaiah 45:15; Matthew 11:29-30
4  God often hides Himself.
Pressed feeling in yourself?
Never struggle nor murmur you'd be.
Rest in your situation,
Spiritual oppression,
Builds up your spiritual(potential) energy.

Psalms 23:4; John 4:14
5  Even when in valley,
God desires you wholly.
Touch the Lord by faith, not by feeling.
The fountain of water
Unto life eternal 
Will spring up out of your inmost being! 

Matthew 7:14; 2 Timothy 4:8
6  Don't give up, come what may,
Tears and trials on the way
Only helps walk the constricted way.
Carry on your service,
Your church life never miss,
Purified you'll be; and crowned that day!

Ministry of the Word Literature Journey: Jabalpur

The Christian leaders in Bhopal porposed and planned for us, the ministry literature exhibition in Jabalpur. Though we did not plan it ourselves, we were encouraged to carry out the same exhibition we had been in different parts of Madhya Pradesh. Besides, there is a family who has been shepherded by a sister in the church in Mumbai that deems our shepherding visit. These two matters brought forth the burden to travel to Jabalpur.

In the morning of 13th Nov I arrived at Jabalpur train station where a senior pastor of the Full Gospel Church came to receive me. Then we went to Indian Coffee House for a time of fellowship over breakfast. There I was requested to share my testimony which I did with my heart's content and with much release of my spirit. It was my first meeting with the Christian leader and it was fitting that he know me and the ministry I represent before he introduced me further to other Christian leaders and congregations. I thanked the Lord for this sovereign arrangement of the Lord; it was indeed an ice breaking session and an introduction to one another. This testimony confirmed to the brother of the authenticity of the ministry I represents and the genuineness of the faith I believe into. Since then, he was so touched and opened for any following meetings.

Later, when my brother who was coordinating with me arrived, we all together has a fellowship over lunch where the elderly Christian leader also testified of the Lord’s work in his life.

In the night, an impromptu meeting was arranged for a group of believers where we ministered on the need for breathing, eating, and drinking the Lord for a normal Christian life and growth with a strong emphasis on the importance of the word of God that can make a Christian grow. I also shared my testimony of how the word of God as life and spirit have been my constant supply, especially in trying times.

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63, RecVer)

The next day being the Lord’s day, we were invited to minister the word of God first in the Full Gospel Church and then in the Assembly of God Church. In the first meeting, we ministered on the anointing Spirit and the need to be anointed through the word and exercise of the spirit. In the second meeting, we ministered on the need for growth in life by the Spirit of God in our human spirit renewing and transforming the soul with a detail explanation on how the mind, emotion, and will needs to be and can be gained fully by the Lord. And concluded with the result of such a growth that issues in a normal Christian life, a life of living Chirst as in Philippians 1:21.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, RecVer)

The leading pastor later took us for lunch at a five star hotel with his family. Then we went to visit a family who has been shepherded by one of the sisters in the church in Mumbai.

On Monday, we had a seminar with the Christian leaders in Jabalpur where we introduced the ministry literature with the Holy Bible Recovery Version and then exhibited the ministry books. Later, we went to visit the family of a sister who has just begun to enjoy the ministry and fellowshipped with them on various topics they requested a clarification for.

Having thus accomplished the burden for Jabalour visit, for the Christian leaders seminar with ministry books exhibition and meeting the seeking family, we proceeded to the next destination, Jagdalpur via Raipur.

May the Lord bless the sowing of the divine life through the word of God and may He gain His remnants to bear His testimony in Jabalpur.