In God I Trust

I trust in You. Psalms 56:3b 

In God, whose word I praise, 

In God do I trust,

and I will not be afraid. Psalms 56:4a 

Today morning we had our company's board meeting wherein I had briefed about the preparedness in buying the 35,000 New Testament Recovery Version from LSM and how to practically pay back the price of the Bible. The amount will be over 200,000 USD and it may not be an easy task to clear this bill. However, as a director, I need to give a word to other directors as to how this can be paid back. In fact, I have been praying over this matter for the past few months now. Though I did not have a clear-cut answer to this very question, I do have confidence in the Lord and faith in Him that it will be paid back within a year's time. Therefore I replied to the query that once the Bibles were printed and delivered to us, we shall clear the bill within a year.

The burden the Lord gave me is that all preparatory works should be done in the best possible way. Therefore, I have worked on preparing the brochure for the 4 languages, PPT, and also one-minute audio introducing the crucial verses and footnotes of the Recovery Version translation. The Lord has been gracing us and we have been making good progress. 

The next step is to fellowship with all the leading brothers and open the door for every saint in the church life speaking these four languages to pick up the burden and do the introduction and distribution. Officially, we may take the lead to first speak to the leading brothers of the local churches and to the key Christian leaders of version Christian groups, Bible colleges, and Christian bookstores.  I believe the Lord will give us the wisdom needed, His grace, and His blessing to distribute these Bibles. In fact, the plan is that all these Bibles can go directly to the saints, seekers, and the customer without having a need for intermediary stocking.  I believe the Lord will open the door and open the hearts of His children to long for this Bible and that they will receive it once it is available.

Based upon this plan that dawned on me in my prayer and consideration before the Lord months, by faith I spoke the word in confidence that we will be able to pay back within a year. Having said this, I do not have any confidence in myself. My full confidence is in the Lord who has been so faithful. The who God led us to study Greek and translate the New Testament will also lead us to print and distribute them to all His children. My confidence is based on God being the source, means, and ends for the distribution of this Bible.

Later, in my personal Bible reading time, the Lord gave a word of encouragement from the life of David. In fact, it seems to me these words are confirmation of what I just said in the board meeting. David knew Jehovah well and he had been trained. With those experiences he had as a shepherd in the wilderness, he was confident enough to challenge and face Goliath. As the fact goes, he defeated Goliath with a single slingshot! 

Drawing from the life of David, I could testify the same. Therefore, the God who called, trained, and led David to kill Goliath will also lead me in this project of the Bible distribution.

And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:32

But Saul said to David, You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth and he has been a man of war since his youth. And David said to Saul, Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep; and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I would go out after it and strike it and deliver the lamb from its mouth. And when it rose up against me, I would seize it by its beard and strike it and kill it. Both the lion and the bear did your servant strike; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the ranks of the living God. And David said, Jehovah, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go, and may Jehovah be with you. 1 Samuel 17:33-37

Above all, David trusted in God and God was with him, giving him wisdom and he acted prudently. Likewise, I should learn from David and seek the Lord's wisdom that I may act prudently in every undertaking.

1 Samuel 18
5 And David went forth; on every mission that Saul sent him he acted prudently. Therefore Saul set him over the men of battle, and it was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
12 And Saul was afraid of David, for Jehovah was with him and had departed from Saul.
14And David acted prudently in all his campaigns, and Jehovah was with him.
15And when Saul saw that he acted very prudently, he stood in awe of him.
:28And Saul saw and knew that Jehovah was with David. And Michal the daughter of Saul loved him.

As David's experiences were, so shall my experiences be. Trusting in God, the Lord will lead me through in planning, preparation, practical distribution, and payback. 

In God I Trust

Jehovah-nissi: Jehovah is My Banner

Go now and strike the Amalekites; and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, oxen and sheep, camel and donkey.

And Jehovah sent you on a journey and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed. 1 Samuel 15:3, 18

God hates the Amalekites as they represent the enemy of God and His people. The Amalekite is a type of the flesh, warlike, always against God and His people. Therefore, the command against the Amalekites is to utterly destroy them until they are fully consumed. God hates the Amalekites to the extent that not utterly destroying them as per His command would mean disobedience and even a rebellion.

Saul fought against the Amalekites and won the battle but he was not completely obedient to what God commanded. He reserved the "good spoils" that God commanded to utterly destroy. Therefore, he failed God.

And Samuel said, Does Jehovah delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed, than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination,  And insubordination is like idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the word of Jehovah, He has also rejected you from being king. 1 Samuel 15:22, 23

This morning the Lord convicted me deeply of my failure in not dealing with my flesh utterly and absolutely. I was reminded of the case of Saul how God commanded him to fight against the Amalekites and utterly destroy them. I failed to fight against the flesh and utterly destroy the flesh, and therefore, I was convicted deeply. Fighting against the flesh is a matter of the Spirit in my spirit, and I cannot do in myself. 

The picture in Exodus 17 is the way to deal with the flesh. I need the interceeding Christ. As Joshua obeyed Moses and fought against the Amalekites, I must also obey the speaking Christ to fight against the flesh. As in the case of Samuel, he was completely consecrated to Jehovah and took the Nazarite vow. I was commanded to completely consecrate myself to Lord and make a vow before the Lord, a Nzaraire vow, to separately and sanctify myself from the defilement of the "wine and strong drink", the earthly pleasure and worldly entertainment and anything that is the "product of the vine", anything that is of the world, which has no source in God. This was the Lord's definite speaking to me today. 

A Vow to War Against the Flesh

Therefore, today, in my morning prayer time the Lord convicted me of my failure and need for making a vow to be fully consecrated to God, and in the afternoon prayer time, I took the vow, trusting in the Lord's grace to keep the vow.  I know myself too well and how vulnerable I am to the attack of the enemy and how wishy-washy I have been in my stand against the flesh. Therefore, my burden was mostly on the Lord's grace to lead me through this battle all the days of my life. I have no confidence in myself nor in the vow I make, but I put my confidence in the Lord to whom I make the vow and upon whom I depend and put my full trust. 

And Moses said to Joshua, Choose men for us, and go out; fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And when Moses lifted his hand up, Israel prevailed; and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And Jehovah said to Moses, Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi; Exodus 17:9-15

Today, as I ministered the word to the group of believers in Madhya Pradesh, I ministered my very experience of the Lord in fighting against the flesh.  The Lord comforted me so much when the Bible mentioned that Joshua did as Moses had said and fought against the Amalek, and Joshua defeated Amalek! And Moses built an altar and call the name of it Jehovah-nissi, Jehovah is my banner!.

God spoke, He commanded, He shows the way to obey His commandment, and also comforted me with the confirmation of victory so that He can be my Jehovah-nissi! Hallelujah!

Now, all my worries fled away for it is He who fights and wins the battle for me and He is my banner. Henceforth, I can boldly declare that Christ is Victor! Yes, Christ is my Victor!

An Impromptu Guest

Yesterday, I had a plan to go out for a prayer walk and also finished my pending daily schedules when a brother called me and informed me about a brother for the UAE visiting Delhi for just a day and that we could possibly host him for a time of fellowship. Initially, I was a little reluctant as I had my schedule running in my mind to accomplish it. Yet at the same time, I would not say no to the brother's fellowship nor to a brother visiting from another country. Just within a few minutes of consideration and also fellowship with my wife, I decided to postpone my personal schedule and host a brother, an impromptu guest.

Since he agreed to visit us, I decided to give him a love feast, and then fellowship over dinner. But the time for preparation was too short, I had to purchase some dishes from outside and involved my wife and daughter to make the meal ready. As I was a little concerned if he came before we were ready, but it so happened that due to unavailability of transportation he came a little late giving us enough time to finish all the work and also finished my pending personal assignment for the day, which basically is Bible reading. Besides, I could also fellowship and pray over the phone with another brother. When all these works were done, he reached our home and the meeting hall.

We had a good time of fellowship, ate dinner together, and prayed for the churches in India and the UAE. I also shared with him about the Lord's move in other parts of India among the Hindi-speaking people. The fellowship was worth all the preparation. I have learned to host a guest within short notice, and my family has also learned to coordinate with me and adjust according to need. 

After the fellowship and prayer, I went to drop him at his hotel near the New Delhi airport. And still, I could accomplish one more pending personal assignment, a time of prayer before I went to bed at past midnight.

With a proper heart and will, things can actually be done. Praise the Lord for this wonderful opportunity to host a brother and also an important lesson in preparing to host an impromptu guest! 

Lord, enlarge our capacity.

One Soul at a Time

Today morning as I was spending time with the Lord in prayer, I was burdened concerning bearing spiritual fruit. I have been so barren, not bearing any spiritual fruit for long. Though I preached the gospel at least weekly, I am not satisfied. Though I preached the gospel to people who came to meet me or on the street,  I am not satisfied. Though I lead people to call upon the Lord's name, I am not satisfied. I am looking for a solid spiritual remaining food. Therefore, with such a deep burden I prayed to the Lord that at least I can bear spiritual fruit s regularly and normally. Perhaps, a soul at a time.

Since by the Lord's mercy and grace, as the church, we have been preaching the gospel weekly for at least two hours on Saturdays' afternoon after the church prayer meeting. Well, every time we went out, the Lord was faithful in bringing us to the sons of peace who would listen to the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  If we could at least gain one solid one in a week, the fruits that we can bear in a year would be at least 50 for one person. If at least 10 people go regularly to preach the gospel we should have 500 gospel friends in a year. And if these ones can be shepherded in the proper Christian life and church life, the increase of the church would be manifold.

This burden has become so strong within me that, after the brothers' fellowship I spent time to pray on this burden and wrote a hymn using the tune of a famous Christian song, "One day at  a time." 

Preaching the Gospel: One Soul at a Time

Composed on 26 March 2022

Being desperate in bearing fruit as I prayed before the Lord, a burden to bear fruit one soul at a time was borne. Thus, the hymn.

 Tune similar to “One Dy at a Time” 

One Soul at a Time
1.  Go and disciple, all of the nation!
     Help me obey, Your command today,
     The great commission;      
     Baptizing sinners into Your name-
     Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
     One soul at a time.
 
              One soul at a time, sweet Jesus!
              That’s all I’m asking of You.
              Just give me the grace,
              To bear normally what I have to bear.
              Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus!
              And tomorrow may never be mine.
              Lord, grace me today, to preach the Way,
              One soul at a time.
 
2.  You are the true Vine, in You, I am a branch,
     Abiding in You, I share Your divine life,
     I am one with You!
     Living and preaching, the gospel of grace.
     So, for Your sake, teach me to bring
     One soul at a time.
 
3. Preaching the gospel, in spirit, at all time,
     In season and out of season, no matter what,
     Tis now my burden.
     Bearing spiritual fruit is all I need.
     So, for my sake, grace me to bring
     One soul at a time.

Today, as we went to preach the gospel, the Lord blessed us with a good number of the sons of peace to whom we could preach the gospel, and to some, we led them to pray. Within a span of two hours, the Lord blessed us with four solid contacts, much more than I expected. I prayed for a soul a day, the Lord gave me four souls today. 

Lord, grace me to bear fruit normally, a soul at a time.

Shepherding: Pay the Price

“But the king said to Araunah, No; but I will surely buy it from you for a price, and I will not offer to Jehovah my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And there David built an altar to Jehovah, and he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And Jehovah responded to the entreaty for the land, and the plague was stayed in Israel.” (2 Samuel 24:24-25, RecVer)

“But King David said to Ornan, No; but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for Jehovah and offer up burnt offerings that cost me nothing.So David gave to Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the site. And there David built an altar to Jehovah, and he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And he called on Jehovah, and He answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering.” (1 Chronicles 21:24-26, RecVer)

The above two verses show the attitude of David in paying the price for offering to Jehovah. He emphatically said, "I will surely buy it from you for a price, and I will not offer to Jehovah my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." This is a good pattern for all believers to follow. Not to take the things of God for granted and always pay the price for anything that is worthwhile.

In this matter, the Lord has been teaching me to do the same. Whenever I want to do something for the Lord, I must not do it in a light way. Even in my shepherding, I must pay the price to take care of the new ones. The price involves time, money, energy, and sacrifices here and there. In a very practical way, whenever I shepherd new ones I also gifted relevant ministry books for them to read. As a serving one in the literature service, I have easy access to all the ministry books, including the printed ministry materials.  But I always pay the price to buy books and gift them to the new ones. I would not take it freely that costs me nothing and give it to others freely that costs them nothing. I would rather pay the price and give it to the new ones so that they will also pay the price in reading and being shepherded by the ministry books. Free things often have no value at all.

The past few weeks I have gifted five different people some selected ministry books. A New Testament, Recovery Version for a new one who visited me on his birthday. What better gift can I give other than the Bible? As he came along with his friend, I also gifted his friend a copy of the Shepherding Materials and to him a copy as well. In addition to the gospel I preached to them with a brother, I gifted the ministry books as a follow-up and also as seeds sown into them.

Similarly, when a Christian brother visited me for the first time, I made sure that he also receive the ministry books. So I gifted to him a set of Life lessons and Shepherding Materials. Though I ministered something, I trusted in the written word too as backup support to whatever I have ministered to him. The same thing I did to a new brother who was baptized. 

To a family who has been serving the Lord for many years in Gurugram and with whom I have been in fellowship for about a year now, I felt the burden from the Lord to start a home meeting where we can pursue the ministry books on the truth concerning oneness. Therefore, I gifted to the brother and his wife, a copy of The Genuine Ground of Oneness in Hindi and English. The burden the Lord gave me for them was on ministering the truth concerning oneness among the children of God and recovering them into the practical reality of being one and meeting as one Body in the city of Gurugram. This book helped me a lot in 2003 and shepherded me into the practical meeting with the saints standing on the local ground of oneness in Chennai. Therefore, I deemed it best to use the same book to help others who may need the help as I needed some twenty years ago.

All these gifts, I believe, the Lord will bless them and make them as seeds that will sprout in their inner being and grow to gain them for the Lord's interest one day. Definitely, when a seed is sown there is the hope of harvest one day. With such divine hope, I keep sowing where and whenever there is an open door.

I believe in the same principle recorded in the Bible, to pay the price for what is precious. Lest I turn the precious into worthless and ended up throwing pearls to hogs. Therefore, in shepherding, always pay the price and do not offer anything that costs nothing.

Amalek: The Flesh

Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, Choose men for us, and go out; fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And when Moses lifted his hand up, Israel prevailed; and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 

Exodus 17:8-13

In typology, the Amalekites signify the flesh—the fallen man. It literally means warlike. Exodus 17:8-13 shows us how to fight against Amalek. In the description of the battle against the Amalekites, there are four persons, Moses, Aaron, Hur, and Joshua. The spiritual significance of these four persons is marvelous. 

Moses lifting up his hand on the mountaintop typifies the ascended Christ interceding in the heavens—Exo. 17:9, 11.

Joshua fighting against Amalek typifies the indwelling Spirit fighting against the flesh 

vv. 9, 13.

Aaron, the highpriest signifies the priesthood, related to the priestly service in the Holy of Holies, which in experience is our spirit.

Hur, a tribe of Judah, signifies the kingship, to which we must submit ourselves to and be in proper order under the headship of Christ.

The relationship and spiritual significance of the four persons involved in the battles against the Amalekites portrays a wonderful and complete picture of how to fight against the flesh. Our fight against the flesh is not by ourselves. The victory of the battle depends on all the four persons coordinating together, meaning our victory depends on how we are rightfully related to God's ordained authority, how we live before God and man as priests, and how we cooperating with the interceding Christ in the heavens in His ascension with the fighting spirit indwelling in our spirit. Basically, the key to victory lies in our praying life in oneness with the interceding Christ by being in the spirit and living under the kingship of Christ. The practical application of this picture is the key to victory in our fight against the flesh. Excerpts from The Crystallization-study of 1 and 2 Samuel, msg 5:

We fight against Amalek by the interceding Christ and the fighting Spirit—Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; Gal. 5:17.  

We need to be in union with the interceding Christ in order to cooperate with the fighting Spirit—Col. 3:1-3, 5; Rom. 8:34, 13; Gal. 5:24, 17. 

In the battle against Amalek, we need to cooperate with the Lord by praying and by putting the flesh to death—Luke 18:1; 1 Thes. 5:17; Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:24. 

When we pray, we are one with the interceding  Christ—Rom. 8:34. 

When we put the flesh to death, we are one with the fighting Spirit—Gal. 5:17. 

On the one hand, we must pray with Christ; on the other hand, we must slay the flesh by the fighting Spirit—v. 24. 

Crucifying the old man was God’s responsibility; crucifying the flesh is our responsibility— Rom. 6:6; 8:13; Gal. 5:24.

Lessons from Saul

Go now and strike the Amalekites; and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, oxen and sheep, camel and donkey.

Then Saul struck the Amalekites from Havilah as you go toward Shur, which is opposite Egypt.

And he captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fatlings, and the lambs and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them; but everything that was despised and worthless, this they utterly destroyed. 1 Samuel 15:3, 7-9

Saul was commanded to destroy the Amalekites utterly, but he spared its king, Agag, and the best of the spoils. This signifies that while dealing with the flesh we must deal with it thoroughly. God hates the flesh and the Spirit is against the flesh. Sauls's failure lies mostly in his preserving the good spoils purportedly to offer to God. But God would not want anything good or bad from the flesh as the flesh has its source in Satan. It must be exterminated completely. No mercy in dealing with the flesh. 

Oftentimes, we are aware of the evil flesh and deal with it, but we may preserve the good flesh thinking it might be useful to God to some extent. But the flesh is the flesh, the good flesh is as evil as the evil flesh. Therefore, the flesh must be dealt with thoroughly and absolutely.

In addition to dealing with my evil flesh, I have also been learning to deal with my good flesh, especially the sympathy and kindness I used to show when God would want me to deal with it otherwise. In my natural goodness, I often try to sympathize with people and help them when their situations touched me emotionally. Of late, I am beginning to learn that even in doing "good" I must be in the spirit, otherwise, it is as evil as doing evil by doing good in my good flesh. This is not an easy lesson to learn, I admit. I am still learning and I pray that I learn this lesson thoroughly will until my flesh is completely dealt with to the uttermost.

O, the grace to live by the spirit all the time! O, the grace to pray unceasingly! O, the grace to deal with the flesh utterly!

Ichabod: No Glory

In their degradation, the children of Israel offended God to the uttermost, and God left them; eventually, instead of the Ark saving Israel, the Ark itself was captured, and the glory of God departed from Israel (1 Sam. 2:30, 34; 4:10-18, 22; Psa. 78:61); to be “Arkless” is to be “Christless,” and to be “Christless” means that there is “Ichabod,” meaning No Glory (1 Sam. 4:21-22; Rev. 3:20).

1 Samuel 4:11 And the Ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

1 Samuel 4:18 And when he mentioned the Ark of God, Eli fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate. And he broke his neck and died, for he was an old man and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to deliver; and when she heard the report that the Ark of God had been taken and that her father-in-law and her husband had died, she bowed down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.

1 Samuel 4:20 And around the time that she died, the women who stood around her said, Do not fear, for you have borne a son. But she did not answer or pay attention.

1 Samuel 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, meaning, The glory has departed from Israel, because the Ark of God had been taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband.

1 Samuel 4:22 And she said, The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been taken.

This is a history, but it must not be repeated in our Christian life. Glory is God expressed. If there is no expression of God in our Christian life, it is an Ichabod situation. This would be a sad thing to ever happen in the course of our Christian lives. This must also serve as a warning that we should not do anything that the glory of God may depart from us. We cannot take things for granted. While there is still time and when things can still be amended, we must heed to the warning and do the needful. Lest, we end up with our "Eli, Hophni and Phinehas" death and the Ark of God being taken away. 

Perhaps, there may be successes outwardly with good jobs, fat payscale, high position, comfortable living, and outward prosperity, but the question is, "Is there God expressed in all these?" What difference does it make having all things but God's glory even when many godless people are healthy and wealthy? The striking difference is the expression of God's glory in all that we are and do. 

When I learned of this truth my being trembled before God that I and my family and the church I am in should not end up in an Ichabod situation. God is everything in my life. I cannot imagine living a Godless life. All my taste for worldly wealth has since long gone. Given a choice today between God and prosperity, I would willingly and happily choose God even if it meant poverty. I have tasted God and I cannot live without Him. To me, a life with God is not worth the living. I treasure the presence of God more than anything else. I care not for anything else even if they are necessary. God knows what I need and He knows what is the best, I would rather leave the matter of any physical blessing, if need be, to His discretion. Let Him decide and I just receive whatever He bestowed upon me. I would only care for Him and His presence. I do not want any godless life, no glory life, an Ichabod life. 

Lord, have mercy on me. Do not depart from me, and preserve me in You and in Your presence all the days of my life. I don't want an Ichabod situation ever in my life.

Acacia: Christ's Humanity

Ex 25:10 And they shall make an ark of acacia wood: two and a half cubits shall be its length; and one and a half cubits, its width; and one and a half cubits, its height.
Ex 25:11 And you shall overlay it with pure gold; inside and outside you shall overlay it; and you shall make a rim of gold upon it all around.

The Ark of acacia wood signifies Christ as the embodiment of the Triune God possessing divinity mingled with humanity, strong in character and high in standard. This Ark is the center and content of the tabernacle, spiritually signifying Christ as the content and center of the church today. 

As children of God and believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, our experiences should be in who Christ is in His divinity and in His humanity. Today, Christ is the life-giving Spirit dwelling in our spirit. By living and walking according to the Christ who indwells us, we can live out the life of Christ. This living out of Christ is the meaning of the Christian life. This is the kind of life God desires His children to live. The life of Jesus, when He was on the earth, is the pattern for us to live out and follow as our pattern. Not in an outward way of "what would Jesus do" as some Christians try to imitate, but in the way of experiencing Him as life and life supply. 

As much as Christ's humanity is strong in character and high in standard, our lives should live out the same characteristics; strong in character and high in standard. Today as we live in this evil age, filled with characterlessness and sinful living, the believers can actually live a life, the living again of Jesus on the earth, an anti-testimony to the godless people, in this crooked and perverted generation.  

Satan attacks people's humanity the most.  Therefore, trusting the Lord, the believers need to be exercised in their living to exhibit the life of Jesus as a testimony to others. Action speaks louder than words. In addition to witnessing the love of God and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, we also need to live a life that testifies the very Christ we preach and witness. This is the urgent need today; a living testimony.

According to God's ordination, the rightful place of the Ark is in the tabernacle, and then the temple after the temple was built in Jerusalem by Solomon. The history of the Ark from its rightful position to displaced positions due to the failure of the Israelites and back to the temple must be a reminder and a warning to make sure that our expereinces of Christ must be in and for the church.  The Ark had been in the house of Abinadab at Kiriath-jearim for twenty years (1 Sam. 7:1-2) and then in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months (2 Sam. 6:10-12),  and later David prepared a tent for the Ark in Jerusalem. All these were a record of the abnormal position of the Ark. But when the Ark was brought into the temple in Jerusalem, the glory of God filled the temple, because the Ark has come back to the right position as ordained by God. In a similar manner, our experiences of Christ as the Ark should be on the proper ground of the church. Christ and the church always go together. Therefore, our experience of Christ must be in the church and for the church. 

The experience of Christ as the reality of the acacia wood overlaid with gold must be in the proper church life for the building up of the church as the Lord's corporate expression. This is the need today. 

Experiencing Christ as the acacia wood overlaid with gold must be in the church and for the church. 

Shepherding: Discerning

Last night, a new one texted that he would like to come over today. Of course, my innate reply would always be yes. But this time with a note of caution for myself within my being as I already had a bad experience with this particular one, in his unfaithfulness in money matter. Today morning when he texted me again for the address I hesitated a bit but finally, texted him, and waited for him to come to visit me. 

In my prayer, I have asked God for discernment in my life. In the past, I have helped so many people just because they asked for help or I wanted to help them, sympathize with them of their situations. But now, I am learning to reject my own feeling and look to the Lord even for so-called "good deeds." The past many "good deeds" I have done only made me realize how much I was in myself, not depending on the Lord. I should now learn to have the same feeling as God and not be deceived by what people say or what I feel as a human being. Satan can play with peoples' emotions very smartly. 

When this new one came, as I expected, he came and requested help. I was firmly determined not to give him any financial help as I have already learned my lesson in people's playing with Christian's emotions. Not to my surprise, he frankly asked for over three weeks of accommodation. He gave reasons to get my sympathy but I was not impressed at all; in fact, I felt like he was playing a trick to get favor from me. This, I already expected from before. Therefore, I frankly told him "NO". And further helped him to not seek any material or monetary help at all while seeking God. If he wants to seek God, seek God purely even without mentioning any of his problems to man. I gave my testimony of bringing all my problems to the Lord for a solution and not mentioning to any men, as much as possible, as my help comes from God and not man. 

I felt this was the lesson he needs to learn now. I even told him not to repeat this kind of trick to get people's sympathy and gain favor for help. I also encouraged him to read the Bible and the Shepherding Materials I gifted him if he was serious about seeking God. 

Today being a holiday, there were not many transport services for him to go back to his lodge. I intentionally did not initiate to drop him. But when he requested for a drop, I felt the need to drop him, but again with much caution. Generally, with other new ones, I would initiate to do all the dropping and help, but with this one, my spirit led me to restraint in not expressing things too soon and waited to do the needful only at the right time. This indeed is a precious lesson I am learning. Even when I went to drop him off, I was exercised within not to fall into the trap of the enemy in case something happens. I no longer take things for granted, even with new ones. I learn to seek the Lord in every minute detail. 

This is a lesson I am learning in shepherding, discerning people so that the proper shepherding can be rendered. 

Lord, give me discernment.

Beracah: Blessing Jehovah

Today, in my Bible reading, the Lord revealed to me practical Christian living. I have never seen and learned such precious lessons from the life of Jehoshaphat. What a blessing that He pleased to reveal these things to me and that I would be blessed and in turn bless Jehovah!

The lesson began with seeking God...

Seeking God: God is great in leading the people the way they ought to be led. He used the nations around the people of God due to which, the king had to seek God and proclaimed a fast. 

2 Chronicles 20:3 And Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to pursue Jehovah, and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

2 Chronicles 20:4 And Judah gathered themselves to seek help from Jehovah; indeed out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Jehovah.

Praying in Seeking God: The king then prayed to God from Whom he sought help. 

2 Chronicles 20:5 And Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Jehovah, before the new court;

2 Chronicles 20:6 And he said, O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? And in Your hand is strength and might, and there is no one who can stand against You.

Prayer in Claiming the Acts of God in the Past: The king recounted the acts of God in the past and reminded God that He is still God and would do likewise at the present time as in the past.

2 Chronicles 20:7 Did You not, O our God, dispossess the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the seed of Abraham Your friend?

2 Chronicles 20:8 And they have dwelt in it and built in it for You a sanctuary for Your name, saying,

2 Chronicles 20:9 If evil comes upon us, the sword or judgment or pestilence or famine, we will stand before this house and before You — for Your name is in this house — and cry unto You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.

Prayer in Mentioning the Facts He Faced: The king narrated the facts he had been facing, a threat from the enemies.

2 Chronicles 20:10 And now at this moment the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned away from them and did not destroy them —

2 Chronicles 20:11 At this moment they are rewarding us by coming to cast us out of Your possession, which You gave us as a possession.

Prayer in Confession and Acknowledging His Helplessness: The king confessed his helplessness before his enemies and acknowledged that he had no strength and did not know what to do but to look away unto Him. He did the prayers with all the houses of Judah and their whole families. 

2 Chronicles 20:12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no strength before this great multitude that is coming against us, and we do not know what to do; but our eyes are upon You.

2 Chronicles 20:13 And all Judah stood before Jehovah with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

Prayers Answered: The king's humble and sincere prayers were immediately answered. 

2 Chronicles 20:14 Then the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly;

Prayer Answered in Encouragement: God answered the prayers by encouraging them not to be afraid and that the battle is God's.

2 Chronicles 20:15 And he said, Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat. Thus says Jehovah to you, Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.

Prayer Answered with Detail of God's Fighting for Them: 

2 Chronicles 20:16 Tomorrow go down against them. They are coming up at the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the river valley before the wilderness of Jeruel.

2 Chronicles 20:17 It is not for you to fight in this battle. Station yourselves; stand and see the salvation of Jehovah among you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid nor dismayed. Tomorrow go out to meet them, for Jehovah is with you.

Worshipping  and Praising Jehovah God Who Answer Prayers:

2 Chronicles 20:18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before Jehovah to worship Jehovah.

2 Chronicles 20:19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, rose up to praise Jehovah the God of Israel with an exceedingly loud voice.

Believing in Jehovah: The result of answered prayers to the genuine seekers of God is believing in Jehovah and being established by Him.

2 Chronicles 20:20 And they rose up early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Jehovah your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.

Taking Counsel and Giving Thanks to Jehovbah:

2 Chronicles 20:21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed them to sing to Jehovah and give thanks in holy array as they went out before the army and say, Give thanks to Jehovah, for His lovingkindness endures forever.

God in Action: In answer to the prayers, God took action and fought the battle for His people as He promised. In His wisdom, the enemy fought against themselves and got defeated. The people of God need not fight at all! 

2 Chronicles 20:22 And when they began to shout in song and to praise, Jehovah set ambushes for the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who were coming out against Judah; and they were struck.

2 Chronicles 20:23 And the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to absolutely destroy and demolish them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every man helped to destroy his neighbor.

Witnessing Victory Without Battle: God's people only became a witness to the victory of God against their enemies in answer to their seeking God in prayers. 

2 Chronicles 20:24 And Judah came to the wilderness watchtower and looked upon the multitude; and there they were, fallen corpses on the ground, and no one escaped.

Reaping in Abundance: God's people reap in abundance the spoils from the victorious battle they never fought. 

2 Chronicles 20:25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil of them as plunder, they found among them in abundance both possessions and corpses and precious vessels, and stripped these for themselves, more than they could carry. And they spent three days taking spoil, for there was much.

Blessing Jehovah: As a result of the victory by the answered prayers, God's people blessed Jehovah. Blessing God is the result of being blessed by God while seeking Him in humility, truthfulness, and prayer.

2 Chronicles 20:26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah (for there they blessed Jehovah; therefore they have called the name of that place the valley of Beracah to this day).

Rejoicing in the Church, the House of Jehovah: The people of God came back to the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem rejoicing, implying the need to be in the proper ground of the church to enjoy God's victory.  

2 Chronicles 20:27And they turned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat at their head, to go back to Jerusalem with rejoicing; for Jehovah had caused them to rejoice over their enemies.

 2 Chronicles 20:28 And they came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of Jehovah.

God's Blessing Issuing in Fearing God, in Peace, and in Rest: The ultimate issue of being blessed by God is that there will be godly fear and peace all around; within and without.

2 Chronicles 20:29 And the fear of God was upon all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Jehovah had fought with the enemies of Israel.

 2 Chronicles 20:30 So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God had given him rest all around.

These are the lessons I learned today from the revelation God has shown me concerning blessing God as being blessed by God while seeking Him in all humility and prayer. Amen.

Life Lessons: Shepherding

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only good Shepherd. As His child, I am also learning to shepherd the new ones who are brought under my care. Out of the burden I have for the new ones, I have a soft and tender heart towards all the ones I care for. But oftentimes my natural affection took over the feeling of God, in the past. My own natural goodness has been a hindrance for me in genuinely caring for the believers. As fallen human beings, even the believers expressed their practical needs, mostly financial, and even expected help as a part of shepherding. 

In the past, I have helped a good number of new ones financially as the Lord also provided the sources. But later I realized that they are not very genuine in their seeking "help." They have often taken me for granted just to console and comfort them during their hard times and provided them some help, financially, when they are in need. I have made the mistake of my emotion taking over my spirit. My soft natural heart was so easily convinced to sympathize with them and help with whatever and whichever way I could. Of course from my side, I do it as to the Lord. But later my eyes were opened to see that that may not be the best way to shepherd these new ones, especially those who only expect financial help from me. 

In fact, when I realize that these ones that I have helped in the name of "shepherding" actually are not genuine seeking ones. They took advantage of my Christian brotherhood and played with my emotion. If they were serious and genuine in their seeking they would have fully given themselves to the Lord and even come into the church life by now. Despite all my effort o usher them into the church life, they simply and indirectly proved to me that they are eyeing only for "monetary shepherding." This is a big lesson for me to learn in shepherding. 

Oh how much I need the discerning spirit to discern succinctly from the very first meeting with these new ones! Now I have decided only to shepherd them with the word of God, prayer, fellowship, and in non-monetary matters. If my shepherding with the word and prayer cannot usher them into the church life, my monetary shepherding will never. I am afraid I might spoil them with "easy money." With this lesson learned, I have deleted those new ones' bank account I have saved in my saving bank so that I may not be easily prompted to transfer money. In case the Lord wants me to still help them monetarily, I will do so in cash but after much prayer and consideration as not to repeat the past mistakes I have already commited.

Money is so deceptive. It blinds people's eyes, not the receiver only, but many times even the channel through which the offering was routed.  In the past week, I have heard three different brothers indirectly mentioning their need for financial help. They have not come into the practical church life yet, still, they dared to speak in such a loose way. I guess it was for my learning that the Lord allowed such incidents. Now I am determined not to help them financially at all until the Lord lead me so, and will only pray for them and shepherd them with the word of God.

Only Christ, the church, and the truths should be the goal of shepherding. Even if any new ones are attracted to the church it must be just for the sake of Christ and the truths. My material for shepherding must also be just Christ, the truths, and the church.

Lors, shepherd me so that I can shepherd others in a pure way with the goal of Christ and the church only.

Director's Duties

As a serving one in the literature service which is registered to the Government of India for all legal formalities and conformity to the law of the land, we, a group of brothers, serve together as directors. Even within this group, two directors are mostly in the operation of the company of which my responsibility is to carry out many practical working out of the need of the company. 

Since 2010, I have been brought onboard serving as one of the directors. And since then, I have been learning how to serve as a director. God is my witness, I have never assumed a position of being a director as such in a matter of position to boast or show off before man, but whenever needed I did stand on that ground and do the works that needs to be done, but mostly for official purposes.

These days many of the works of "directing" needs to be done. Since the company has been blessed by the Lord to cater to the need of this country, India, for the spiritual supply of food to all the children of God in at least ten Indian languages and distributing the ministry literature all over India,  many "directorial" decisions have to be taken. In a very practical term, we have had many "brainstorming sessions" to consider and come to a conclusion about some crucial matters. Of course, the difference here is, our brainstorming session has been with much exercises of the spirit with prayer, and fellowshipping matters together with the brothers and then seeking the leading of the Lord in fellowship and oneness to make the final call. Many of my office hours have been consumed on considering people for the service and dealing with almost all practical things of the company.  The Lord has been my wisdom and grace to do all that He wants me to do.

All this, said David, has He made clear by a writing from the hand of Jehovah upon me, all the details of the pattern. And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and take courage and do it; do not be afraid or dismayed, for Jehovah God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until the completion of all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah. And here are the divisions of priests and Levites for all the service of the house of God, and with you in all the work will be every willing man with wisdom for any service; also the leaders and all the people will be wholly at your command. 1 Chronicles 28:19-21

 God gave Solomon wisdom to deal with His people and built the temple in Jerusalem.  There are many spiritual lessons I am learning from the Bible concerning Solomon and the way he exercised wisdom and discernment in overseeing the people of God and the works of God. In many matters, I felt like walking on a tight rope as the cases we have been dealing with are very sensitive in nature and can have an adverse effect if not dealt with properly.  I am glad I have a group of coordinating brothers to consider every matter together; we serve in the coordination in the Body. This has been my protection and previlege to discharge the director's duties assigned to me. I can only pray the prayer of Solomon in asking God for wisdom.

Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours? 2 Chronicles 1:10

Lord, give me wisdom, discernment, knowledge, and skill to serve as Your slave to fulfill all the director's duties You have sovereignly assigned to me. 

Lessons on Prayer

To be a man of prayer to pray according to God's heart's desire, one has to learn spiritual principles set up by God; learn the life lessons from the history of the children of God, and also learn from the negative situations among God's children as holy warnings. 

Samuel as a man of prayer had learned all these lessons as he grew up and therefore could serve effectively as a Nazarite, prophet, priest, judge, and a man of prayer. He represented God among God's people and turned the age from the waning and degrading priesthood to the age of the king. In fact, he anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. Such a man, Samuel, approved of God or asked of God, is the need of the age. Today's Samuel is the need now, who would be an overcomer to turn the age. Who can be such?

To be an overcomer like today's Samuel, the first requirement is to voluntarily consecrate as a Nazarite. In this consecration, one has to deal with the world with all its enjoyment and pleasure. This needs a thorough and strong consecration. We live in an age surrounded by the world with all its glories and glitters, only a "Samuel" can overcome its stupefying effects. Then, there is a need for complete submission to God's authority and His many deputies' authorities. Then there must be the dealings with natural affection and abstaining from spiritually dead people. All these, in principle, were laid down in Numbers 6.

Following the consecration, there must be the learning of life lessons in learning to listen to God.

And Eli said to Samuel, Go and lie down, and if He calls you, you shall say, Speak, O Jehovah; for Your servant is listening. And Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then Jehovah came and stood by and called as at the other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel said, Speak, for Your servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3:9-10

Learn to listen to God. Do not do anything without the word of God. Besides, Samuel also witnessed all the evils that Eli's sons had committed in the house of Jehovah. He observed the situation, though negative, yet did not rebel against Eli's house, nor tried to bring in revolution, but as he heard from God and saw revelations concerning God's heart's desire, he quietly learned and turned all those things he saw as holy warnings which became a preservation for him for his whole life. With all these spiritual learnings, he was a man of prayer. Such a person can indeed be a man of prayer. He even regarded not praying for god's people as a sin.

Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I would sin against Jehovah by ceasing to pray for you, but I will instruct you in the good and right way. 1 Samuel 12:23

In line with this, in the church's perfecting training, we also learned some precious lessons on prayer from A Pattern of the Healthy Words, Lesson Twenty, Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 By means of all prayer and petition, praying at every time in spirit and watching unto this in all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints.

Col. 4:2 Persevere in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving.

Phil. 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Mark 9:29  And He said to them, This kind cannot come out by any means except prayer.

The highest and most accurate meaning of prayer is that it is the mutual contact between God and man.

A vital person, an overcomer, is a praying person. 

The vitality is not in your doing. The vitality is in your prayer.

To pray means that we realize that we are nothing and that we can do nothing.

Prayer is man breathing in God, obtaining God, and being obtained by God. 

When some saints hear a word about prayer, they immediately ask how to pray. We should forget about how and simply pray. We learn to pray by praying.

We need to persevere in prayer because almost everything in our environment is contrary to prayer. Only prayer can enable us to go against the current. Therefore, we need to persevere in prayer, to pray persistently.

Before we try to persevere in prayer, we should first make a deal with the Lord concerning our prayer life and make a vow to Him concerning our prayer life. We should set aside definite times for prayer.

Our attitude should be that prayer is our most important business and that nothing  should be allowed to interfere with it.

All the above points were the burden I receive in the last week and shared the same to a group of believers in Madhya Pradesh and also in the church meeting last Lord's day. As I released the burden, it was also a timely word for me as well. In fact, in the prayer meeting last week, we led the saints to have a time of consecration for payer alone, and I myself reconsecrated again pray for at least one hour daily. 

May the Lord grace all of us to be a man of prayer, an overcomer, to turn the age to bring in the kingdom of God.

Hannah Ministry

1 Samuel 1:10-18: And she was bitter in soul and prayed to Jehovah and wept much. And she made a vow and said, O Jehovah of hosts, if You will indeed look upon the affliction of Your female servant and remember me and not forget Your female servant, but give to Your female servant a male child, then I will give him to Jehovah for all the days of his life, and no razor will come upon his head. And while she continued praying a long time before Jehovah, Eli watched her mouth. And Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought that she was drunk. And Eli said to her, How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine from you. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord. I am a woman oppressed in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before Jehovah. Do not take your female servant for a worthless woman; for out of the greatness of my anxiety and provocation I have been speaking all this time. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your request that you have requested from Him. And she said, Let your servant find favor in your sight. And the woman went her way; and she ate, and her countenance was sad no more.

God needs an overcomer to accomplish His heart's desire. To gain His heart's desire He needs those who would cooperate with Him. Hannah and her husband were the ones who cooperated with God and lived on the line of life despite the degradation they were in. Hannah, out of her much desperation for being barren, prayed, poured out her soul, and asked for a male child. The Lord answered her prayer and gave her Samuel whom she lent to God all the days of his life. Even before she bore a son, she believed in the prophet's consoling words and trusted in Jehovah. She sure is a pattern for us to follow today, in the matter of her prayer life.

The best way to cooperate with God is by our prayers. In the present state of degradation where even the service to God has become stale and waning, there is a need to turn the age. For this, God is working behind the scene. He uses the circumstances and the people around to force us to pray. In the case of Hannah, the Lord shut up her womb and her co-sister provoked her too. That was what made Hannah desperate to pray to God. In like manner, the Lord would allow certain "things" to happen beyond our human understanding to make us desperate and absolute so that we can do nothing but pray. In fact, when He moves to burden us to pray, we might as well lose our appetite and sleep and taste for anything other than to go before the Lord and pray, even with weeping and fasting. In such a way, the Lord can gain our cooperation so that we can bring forth "Samuels" to turn the age.

This Hannah ministry is not merely to save a lot of souls or beget a lot of children, but to bring forth a king with His kingdom. Peninnah brought forth many children but none of them were produced as king for the kingdom of God. Hannah bore just one son, Samuel, who became an age turn, a priest, a prophet, a judge, a Nazarite, and a man of prayer. This is Hannah ministry; the ministry of the New Testament, of the Spirit, of life, and of producing overcomers. To produce an overcomer, there is a price that need to be paid; the price of testing and suffering, persecution and provoking, fasting and weeping, and trusting and waiting.

Gems from Hannah Ministry

Bitterness in soul can be healed by the crucified and resurrected Christ: Bitter in soul in 1 Samuel  1:10, "she was bitter in soul and prayed to Jehovah and wept much" can be linked to Exodus 15:23, "the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore its name was called Marah." In such a bitter situation Moses cried out to Jehovah and was shown a tree, a type of the New Testament Christ.

Exodus 15:25 And he cried out to Jehovah, and Jehovah showed him a tree; and he cast it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them.

1 Peter 2:24 Who Himself bore up our sins in His body on the tree, in order that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose bruise you were healed.

When we are in such bitter situation, we simply must turn to the resurrected and crucified Christ, who can turn our bitter water into sweet water.

Psalms 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people;  Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge to us. Selah

Male child and the man child: The male child in 1 Samuel 1:11, "give to Your female servant a male child" can be linked with the man-child in Revelation 12:5, "she brought forth a son, a man-child," who brings in the kingdom, "Now has come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ."

The reality of the male child is the man child for God to move to turn the age and bring in God's kingdom. For this, there is an urgent need for Hannah ministry of prayer.

Last Wednesday, the burden the Lord gave me was just this; to minister on Hannah ministry. This was in line with God's economy and also in line with the burden the Lord gave me to release among the seekers in Madhya Pradesh. In minsitering so, I did not minister as a one who indeed have this ministry already, but as a learner, ministering to others as I would to myself.

Lord, grace me to be Your man-child to bring forth Your kingdom in and under Hannah ministry.