Shillong Beckons

Over the past few weeks, I have been receiving text messages about initiating an online meeting for the saints in Shillong. Besides, I had a good number of fellowship over the phone with some brothers and sisters in Shillong concerning what the Lord is doing among the saints and also concerning the situation of the brothers and sisters there. Since one of the leading brothers went to be with the Lord last year, some of the younger brothers were in dire straight; with no proper leading among the saints, some have assumed and presumed to take the leadership albeit in an improper way. There seems to be a lack of clarity in seeing the vision of God's economy concerning the church among the believers. Therefore, a few burdened and capable brothers have informally started their own fellowships.

Last year when we visited the church, we had a combined Lord's Table meeting and a time of fellowship with the brothers. Now, things have become more clear and the Lord has manifested who is who and who is for what. While I present the matter to the brothers serving the work in India, they felt the need to visit the church and have a real-time fellowship with the saints face to face and clear things up. They have discerned it rightly that there is a need for the saints to see the proper vision of the church and the oneness of the Body of Christ. Therefore, a plan has been made to visit Shillong this month-end.

Meanwhile, the request for an online fellowship was considered and we had our first meeting last Saturday. The same has been proposed twice a month, every second and fourth Saturday of the month. In our online fellowship last week, we presented our present enjoyment and enlightenment gained in the recent training concerning the faith; God's economy in faith. 

In a very precise way, we presented what faith is not and what faith is according to the Bible with illustrations and some personal enjoyment concerning the experience of the Lord's speaking, and how we need to treasure the Lord's speaking in our Christian lives. The saints were so supplied by the ministry of the word that after the meeting they were wonderfully echoing what we ministered.

While I personally considered the situation I am a bit disappointed. I have been in contact with the saints in Shillong since 2012. Now ten years have elapsed, and yet the situation is not the way I expected. Of course, some of the saints have definitely seen the vision of God's economy while some still willingly and inwardly rebelled against the ministry even with some brothers trying to discredit the ministry and unknowingly bringing in the division. It was very painful to me. I even questioned the Lord if this is the result of all the prayers and hope, care, and concern for the church there? Perhaps, I am being emotional. Or because I cared for the Lord's testimony there too much? The Lord knows what is best. 

To me, this upcoming visit will be like a spiritual litmus test; this will determine who will remain faithful. I only pray that all the saints may be fully recovered into the oneness of the Body of Christ. I trust the Lord will do it though I have already been informed that two leading brothers have already formed their own groups in a way of a denomination. But in the midst of such chaos, the Lord also reminded me of the two dry sticks in Ezekiel representing the two nations of Israel and Judah; dead, dry, and divided. Yet Jehovah God prophesied of their recovery by life! Similarly, the only way to recover them back is by the divine life; when life lives, oneness is the result. Still, there is hope. The Lord's recovery is by life and in life. And for this, I believe, Shillong beckons...

Lord, supply Your life to all the saints and recover Your church for Your testimony in oneness! Lord, You prophesied to build Your church, so do build Your church! Amen.