India: Appreciation of the New Testament Recovery Version

Last month, a brother from the publisher of the books we have been translating and distributing wrote to us, the serving ones in the minsitry of the word in India, to write a report on the distribution and the appreciation of the New Testament Recovery Version in India that were recently released, printed, and distributed in Malayalam, Mizo, Tamil, and Telugu. Initially, I thought to request to postpone this article as the distribution just began and the Mizo speaking saints had not yet receive the printed copies yet then though they already receive the Gospel of Matthew a few years ago, in fellowship with my coordinationg brother, we felt good to not change anything. So, as I considered before the Lord the points to write. The Lord gave me the burden to call up the leading brothers who oversee the churches speaking these languages. Therefore, I called up one by one, and got their feedback. Besides, I also requested them to collect testimonies of some saints who were so blessed by these Bibles. When I received the feedback and comments, I compsoed an article and compiled all the comments together. After checking with my coordinating brother again, some changes were made, and finally I submitted the article before the due date. On 16th Sept 2022 the article was published online.

A Report from India on the Distribution and the Appreciation of the New Testament Recovery Version in Malayalam, Mizo, Tamil, and Telugu (lsm.org) 

The article that was submitted is below:

In answer to the Body’s prayer and the supply from the Lord through the Body, the printed copies of the New Testament Recovery Version in Malayalam, Mizo, Tamil, and Telugu are now available! We praise and thank the Lord for His sovereignty and blessing over the entire project.

The distribution of these Bibles is now being carried out. Initially, to the saints in the Lord’s recovery speaking these languages and then, to the saints in various Christian groups. As soon as the printed copies were available, the saints started purchasing them for themselves, and some, for others for distribution within their relatives and friends’ circle. With the burden to help the readers to get the maximum benefit, we have started a weekly presentation for each language group highlighting the changes, with a view to preparing the readers to receive the New Testament Recovery Version with an open heart.  

Preparation of the Readers

The translation teams in fellowship and coordination with the leading brothers in the churches speaking these languages are preparing a PowerPoint presentation every week on the crucial changes from the existing translations. For example, new words and phrases used are being explained in relation to the original Greek text, and the proper interpretation based on the English Recovery Version. This presentation is being carried out weekly online and is open to all the saints speaking that language.

Reading Schedule

The saints are now pursuing the New Testament Recovery Version with the footnotes daily following the reading schedule prepared for two years.

Participation in Distribution

All the saints in these four languages are also encouraged to participate in introducing and distributing the Recovery Version to their relatives and friends. As much as it was through the supply from the Body that these New Testaments were made available, so much more the introduction and distribution be through the function of the Body.

Plan for Distribution

Besides email, phone calls, and social media promotion of the Recovery Version to all our Christian contacts, personal visits to the Christian leaders, bookstores, and Bible colleges have begun. One-on-one introduction has been very effective while pointing out some key verses and footnotes as a foretaste to the riches contained in this New Testament.

For Mizo in Mizoram, where almost the entire population embraces the Christian faith, we felt it best to conduct a formal meeting inviting all the prominent Christian leaders of various Christian groups and seekers for a day of the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version Introduction on 8^th September 2022 at Aizawl, Mizoram. Following this, a day or two of visiting the ones who could not make it to the meeting is also planned so as to ensure our best efforts to reach out to all the Christian groups making known the availability and benefits of the Recovery Version.

Testimonies from Readers

And when Philip ran up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, Do you really know the things that you are reading? And he said, How could I unless someone guides me? Acts 8:30-31a

And they read in the book, in the law of God, interpreting and giving the sense, so that they understood the reading. Nehemiah 8:8

Many Christians have been reading the Bible, yet to understand the reading, interpreting and giving the sense, there surely is a need for someone to guide them. The Recovery Version serves as a wonderful study aid in interpreting and giving sense to the word of God. Many readers have testified the blessings they have received from the studying of this New Testament, particularly as a study aid to understanding the scriptures better with the interpretation of crucial verses, phrases, and words based on spiritual revelation. Below are some testimonies from the readers.

“I am reading the Telugu New Testament Recovery Version for more than a month now. This version is undoubtedly an indescribable gift to the Telugu speaking seekers of the Lord in and through His living Word. This translation is the Lord's marvelous work for the building up of His Body in this century. The language used for the translation of the text as well as the footnotes is quite simple for the readers to understand the new words used and the structure of the verses.  One unique feature of the Telugu Recovery Version is the footnotes that unlock the unsearchable riches of the Lord. May our dear and precious Lord use this Telugu Recovery Version to recover the lost, misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misaimed truths in the Word of God.”  IB

“I have been reading Telugu New Testament Recovery Version with great joy, because it gives light, life supply, and understanding of the Word of God. I am able to see the riches in the Word, which I never saw in my entire Christian life. Although there are many changes with new words, the language used is very simple and footnotes are so helpful to understand the new words, which are different from the old version.  Weekly Telugu Recovery Version presentation meetings also are a great help to me, where brothers are explaining the new words or change of sequence in the verses according to the Greek text. Through such an explanation I am able to understand fully the reason for every change and we realize what light or revelation we missed in the previous version. So, I really treasure this Bible. Praise and thank the Lord for this wonderful gift, the properly translated, interpreted, and explained word of God in my language.” RK

“The footnotes in Matthew 1:3, 5 concerning the five women and the explanation in Mathew 6:6 concerning the private room are really wonderful! I have never seen these before. In Matthew 1:12, just as for the first coming of Lord Jesus, there was a need for some to come onto the right ground, there is now a need for some to come onto the right ground (the ground of the church) for His second coming. In Matthew 5, the explanation of the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heavens is marvelous!”  DA

Comments on the Tamil New Testament Recovery Version

From a Bible translator (PR), conversant with Greek and Hebrew, who took the lead in the latest revision of the most popular existing version of the Tamil Bible. 

1.       Improvement in accuracy is noticed in several places compared to the already available versions of the Bible. 

2.      It is good to see that the already existing Tamil translation for common theological terms such as Faith, Grace, Heaven, Prophets, Father, Son, Salvation, Baptism, Fasting, Altar are retained in this version. 

3.      The verse restructuring or re-ordering done wherever required, has enhanced the accuracy. 

4.      Good to see that slangs and obsolete words used in other versions have been replaced with more commonly used words. 

5.      So far in all the places I have read, grammar mistakes have been corrected well. 

6.      It is good to see that the rendering of some proper names which are not consistent with Old Testament in the existing translation have been made consistent in the Recovery Version.

7.      It is good to see words like Sanhedrin, Synagogue, Sabbath and several others have been transliterated, giving the unique meaning. The footnotes adequately explain their meaning.

 

Compared to all previous Tamil versions, this Recovery Version is truer (nearer) to the Greek Text. When read with the footnotes, it gives new insight into the Scripture, and believers can enjoy the Word more.  In summary, this is sincere hard work done with zeal for the Word of God. Their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58)

“Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ!

I got this Tamil New Testament Recovery Version on 07.07.2022. I have no words to express my joy. This Bible is the greatest work in this century, and a precious gift from above.

Whenever I read this Bible, I feel that I am brought into the presence of the Lord. After receiving this Bible, I am always reading and keeping this in my hand and never feel like keeping it aside.

The first verse Mathew 1:1 starts with the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. After reading the footnote of this verse, I was excited to read that the New Testament is all about Jesus Christ. For 25 years I had a longing to study the Bible. God, through this Bible with its footnotes and cross references, fulfilled my longing.

My past experience is that when I read the verses from my earlier version of the Bible, I couldn't understand much. But the Recovery Version Bible helps me understand the truth in each verse and gives me additional facts and information. Also, while reading this Bible, I am able to touch God and know God in a deeper way.

The footnotes help me to clearly understand God's economy. Also, the Footnotes are clarifying all my questions and are an effective tool in studying the Bible. The outline of Matthew helped me to have a bird’s eye view of the entire Gospel of Matthew.

I thank the Lord for this wonderful Bible. I thank the Lord for this ministry, for the translation work and all the faithful serving ones who labored for the release of this Bible.”  GS

“The footnote in Matthew 24:14 on the gospel of the kingdom is a new revelation to me. I was saved by grace, so I only knew and care for the gospel of grace. But when I read this footnote, it speaks about the meaning of the gospel of grace and the gospel of the kingdom in a clear way, which is so wonderful.” LBM

“Mizo Recovery Version Matthew 16:18 footnote explains the Lord’s building of His church on the day of Pentecost and how it can only be fulfilled through the Lord’s recovery, in which the building of the genuine church is being accomplished. This really opened my eyes.” CST

“The Mizo New Testament Recovery Version helps me to understand God’s word clearly, especially concerning the nature of the kingdom people in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 with its footnotes, which portion I never understood from the reading of the existing versions. Other versions translate Matthew 5:3 as "poor in heart, for theirs is the heaven", but in the Recovery Version, "poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens" and its footnote clearly explains what the kingdom of the heavens is and not merely heaven as in other versions.” LSZ

“In Matthew 13:31-32, most existing versions in Mizo say, ‘and becomes wood,’ which does not give any meaning at all, but the Recovery Version says, "and becomes a tree" and explains what that means in the footnote.” FK

“Coming from a Pentecostal background, I was taught that the baptism by fire mentioned in Mattew 3:11 is the same as the baptism by the Spirit. Though I had my doubts about this interpretation I wasn't clear until I read the footnote of this verse in the Malayalam New Testament Recovery Version. Now I really understand the difference between the two.” AR

“In Matthew 1:11, the deportation to Babylon, the existing version renders a meaning of voluntarily going to Babylon, but the new Recovery Version translates the word accurately. Today when I read this version, I have total assurance and peace that this translation is accurate or closest to the original text. It gives tremendous confidence to one who loves to study the Bible in his native language!” GM

Overall, the saints’ reception of the New Testament Recovery Version has been very encouraging. We trust the Lord that the availability of the interpreted word will uplift the level of truth in this country and pave the way for the Lord to move further and faster in a fuller way.  

Please pray for the Lord to bless the ongoing distribution of the New Testament Recovery Version in India, and for the readers of these Bibles to be brought into the full knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4).

Fellowship with Saints in Northeast

Whenever the Lord leads me to visit the North East, there has always been His special anointing and blessing to flow out the divine life in a way of ministering the word and fellowshipping with the saints. I never prepared any message as such, but everything was instantaneous and the flow of life just went on and on. I have nothing personally in all that I fellowship or ministered to the saints, it was all that the Lord burdened me to minister.

Imphal
A brother picked me up at the Airport and took me to his house. There, we had a wonderful time of fellowship together. I was glad especially that he has been recovered from over a two years gap in enjoying the fellowship with the saints. Whatever he went through was also the Lord's dealing on him to gain him so that he can be made a pillar to bear the Lord's testimony. In fact, for his marriage, he invited me to minter the word. Based on that invitation, all the other visits were initiated one by one, and all fall into place. In addition to ministering the word in his wedding meeting, I could also fellowship with his in-laws' family on many practical aspects of the Christian life and the church life.  In all these, no preplanned or prepared messages, but I simply followed the Lord's anointing within me and spoke what the Lord led me to speak. In all the fellowship, we had prayers and the saints' responses too, all were richly supplied by the Lord.

In my Aunty's family, I had a time of fellowship and updated them about the Lord's move in India, and the plan for the upcoming ministry journey to Nagaland.  There, I encourage a young brother to join the full-time training, FTTND. May the Lord lead him so.

In the Lord's table meeting at Imphal, the brothers requested me and another brother to minister on the significance of the church and the practice of the God-ordained way. I fellowship at length on the seven aspects of the church as revealed in the book of Ephesians. A good number of stains have responded to the points they touched concerning the church and nullified many wrong concepts they had previously about the church. I also had a wonderful time of fellowship with the responsible brothers in Imphal on the need for constitution with the truth, shepherding the saints, and loving one another. They had been through some situation concerning a young brother who came back from the training without completing his course. This became a lesson for them to learn on the matter of shepherding; not to condemn the young and weak saints but to shepherd them. In another fellowship with the brothers, I was so encouraged by the testimony of the brothers facing persecution because they wanted to take the stand for the church life. 

Ngarian
As we stay for a night in Ngarian, a brother invited us to minister to the saints whatever the Lord led us to. I ministered on the Nazaraiter vow and linked with Samuel's life as a Nazarite, priest, prophet, judge, and man of prayer. The saints were so supplied with His timely speaking as many echoed the same after the meeting.

Lamka
In Lamka, when the saints gathered together I repeated the burden on the significance of the church in the book of Ephesians. My fellow brother fellowshipped on the need to run the Christian race. In the night, the leading brother had a time of fellowship with us concerning one of the full-time serving ones. It was manifested that the Lord wanted to move further in Manipur and that brother could be useful for propagation in different localities and not stick just to one. This matter was brought for fellowship with other North East brothers and the matter was thoroughly fellowshipped. In all these, we could see the Lord's leading for His move.

Aizawl
On the Lord's day, as arranged by the saints, we ministered on "Loving the Lord" and the need to keep our love towards the Lord fresh and continue to love the Lord with the best love. I also touched upon the time when the Lord's table was established for the first time in 2007 and now for 15 years what the Lord has been doing in Mizoram. Many saints could see the history of the church itself as a testimony to what the Lord has been doing progressively in Aizawl locality and Mizoram as a whole.  In all these fellowships, we truly enjoyed the Lord's supply of grace and His wisdom in many matters.

Praise the Lord for His move in North East! Praise the Lord for His timely speaking to the saints in all these localities where He led us to visit and fellowship.

Family Fellowship

Last month on the 29th of August, I flew back home and enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship my beloved mom and dad. The Lord had arranged a situation in which I could visit home. I treasured the time with mom and dad especially. Though I intend to spend time with my brothers and sisters as well, time did not permit it. Of course, we did have family gatherig and general time spent together. But a sweet and intimate fellowship I enjoyed with my beloved mom and dad. Deep within me, I felt that this could be my rare opportunity to spend time with them. Therefore, I allowed them to open up fully, speak up, and fellowship whatever they wanted to fellowship. I also shared whatever I felt good to share with them. Since I could rarely vist them, I had the burden to gift them a moneraty gift of Rs.10,000 for their pocket money. I did this in fellowship with my wife. It was such a joy to see them happy when they see me and spend time with me. I felt this is the best way I could honor them as my parent; praying for them, praying with them, fellowshipping with them, and making them happy and joyful with my presence.

With Mom and Dad, 30th Aug 2022

With Mom, Dad & Brother, 30th Aug 2022

With Dad, I could also visit my stepmom in Chandel. We had a good time of family fellowship there too. My burden was to visit her and make her feel comfortable that I cared for her too including my stepbrother. In fact, I also visited my stepbrother in Imphal and gave him a piece of advice concerning his academic career and spiritual nourishment. 

This time too, I could visit my elder sister's family members in Leikun and Chandel. After 20 years, I met them again. Though they may have their own weaknesses, as I have been praying for them, I introduced them to the saints in the church in Chandel and even encouraged them to meet together regularly for prayer, fellowship, and for the Lord's table meeting. I believe this is the answers to the prayers we have been praying for them for many years. I do believe the Lord will recover them from all their physical weaknesses, shepherd and blend them into the Body life. I have also updated my visit to my own sister and dad and other family members too. This was needed as in the past, due to my sister's marriage to their family, many problems had occurred, even to the extent of causing enmity between their family and our family for dcecades. Now is the time for peace, forgiveness, and full revocery into church life.

At Imphal, we also had a time of lovefeast at my younger sister's home. I had a time of fellowship with my brother-in-law concerning the Lord's move in North East and how we need to participate in the Lord's move and cooperate with the saints in the Body for the Lord's testimony.

In fact, the Lord also gave me time to visit the land that He led us to purchase in 2007. Now, a brother has done Banana cultivation in most part of the land. After 15 years, the land value has shot up multiple times. Now that road connection and water supply  have been done, a couple of people have enquired if we could sell to them. Since it was brought with fellowship and prayer, the usage or sales or whatever will be done so with fellowship and prayer.

I know not when such a family time we will get again, but I do know that when the Lord gave me the opportunity I must utilize it to the maximum. No matter what, my prayer has always been for the family's testimony. Serving the Lord as the entire household as Joshua proclaimed.

And if it seems wrong in your sight to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, either the gods from across the River, whom your fathers served, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.  Joshua 24:15

Ministry of the Word to Kiphire, Meluri, Phek and Pfutsero

In Kiphire we were hosted at one of our brothers' homes where we were given warm hospitality. In this town, the entire Christian population is fully dominated by Baptists. Therefore, the Baptist Association was quite cautious about any new "ministry" visiting the town. I was informed of the strictness the Baptist leaders had on the town and was verbally told that new groups are literally not welcomed, though not directly, but indicated indirectly.

Nevertheless, we went to meet the President o the association though he did not give us a prior appointment. As we met him, he first informed us frankly of their stand of not receiving any other minsitry so as to keep their Baptist flock intact. But when he finished whatever he had to say, I introduced the ministry and the spiritual benefit it can bring to the Christian in general and the Pastors and leaders in particular, he changed his mind. He became more and more open to us as we kept ministering the word through the ministry books. Finally, he accepted the literature that we distributed for free and he also promised to bring these books to the committee members for their consideration. Still, we could sow the seed of the ministry to this town with the hope that one day someone will be blessed by the ministry and the Lord will gain His testimony in Kiphire.

Meluri

On our onward journey, we stopped by Meluri for dinner. But the day being the Lord's day, all the hotels were shut. But we saw one shop that sold some eatables. As we enquired about food, the owner showed us undue favor, invited us into her home, and served us tea and snacks. Later, we also met her husband and daughter and had a good time of fellowship with the entire family. Even in a place where we had zero contact initially, the Lord led us to a family which we believed was not merely to meet our need for food but to meet His need for gaining pillars for His testimony in the town. Having had a sweet fellowship and prayer together, we left for the next destination.

Phek

In this town, we were given hospitality at the best location, the guest house of the town Baptist church. There, we met the Youth Director and the Assistant Pastor to whom we introduced the minsitry literature. They both got the books and will introduce them further to their congregation. We also met a seeking brother who is a manager of an Indian Oil station. We ministered the word to him and in return, he offered to pay up half the amount of our petrol fee which we filled at his station. We also met the Chaplain of Nagaland Armed Police who warmly received us and paid heed to the ministry. In fact, he also voluntarily took the responsibility to distribute the free literature to all the battalions all over Nagaland.

Pfutsero

Our final destination in this ministry journey was Pfutsero where we went to meet the Principal of the Bible college there and introduced the ministry literature. She invited us to visit the college again for the ministry book distribution in the near future. Besides, we also met the Assistant Pastor of the town baptist church who initially was suspicious but after hearing us out became open to us and even purchased some books.

With all these towns, the ministry literature journey came to a conclusion. This time in a short span of just one week, the Lord enabled us to cover ten major towns and two cities. After we came back, I wrote the following notes to the saints we prayed for this ministry journey.

Dear Saints,

Thank you for your prayers!

In answer to the Body's prayers the Lord has richly blessed the ministry of the word literature journey again this time to Nagaland.

In twelve localities where the Lord’s testimony has not yet be raised up, we met the key Christian leaders and introduced the ministry literature. Principal of Bible colleges, owner/manager of Christian bookstores, Pastors, Christian Association Presidents and Youth leaders were met and the ministry literature introduced. Many have purchased the ministry books and the Holy Bible Recovery Version, and received the free ministry books by Rhema. Besides, the Lord has manifested some potential seekers for further follow-up shepherding.

In the entire trip we enjoyed the Spirit's leading and the Lord’s sovereignty in leading us to the right people and place, and at the right time.

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of our Savior God, Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.” 

(1 Timothy 2:3-4, RecVer)

May *the Lord's hand continue to follow His speaking* through the  hearing and reading of the ministry of the word and lead them unto the full knowledge of the truth.

Please continue to pray that the Lord’s hand may follow all these ones who received the ministry literature, enlighten them as they read the books, and gain them for His testimony in all these localities one day.

May the Lord gain Nagaland for Himself and for His church! Nagaland for Chrsit and the Church!

Ministry of the Word to Tuensang

Our host in this town Tuensang is a brother who is a government employee. He gave us accommodation in the only room he could spare where the four of us stayed together in just one room. This was another experience too. We were graced to glady accept whatever the Lord had sovereignly arranged for us. 

When we met the Pastor of one of the Baptist churches, he invited us to attend their annual meeting which was planned a year ago. We were surprised by the timing the Lord led us there; the time, the day, the place, and the people, all arranged by the Lord perfectly. When the Pastor invited us to introdue to their committee members, I gladly introduced the Holy Bible Recovery version and the ministry literature. Soon after the introdcution, almsot all the commitee members ended up buying the Bibles. The only one box we were left with were all sold out. The Christian there were so thirsty for the properly translated and interpreted word of God.

Later, we met two other key Pastors in town. They all gave us the opportunity to introduce the ministry literature and all promised that they would consult their committee members and place orders in addition to purchasing for themsleves. In most of the towns in Nagaland, the main Christian group is Baptist. Therefore, their members are to the tune of thousands. Even meeting just the three pastors is like covering the entire town. Through these Pastors, the word can be spread further to the members.

Shamatore

On our way from Tuensang to Kiphire, we stopped by at a Bible college in Shamatore. The Principal warmly welcomed us and prepared a delicious  lovefeast. He being so interested in the ministry literature, he invited all the girls student of the college to come and hear us out, as the boys were on their outing that day. Therefore, using the ministry literature, we ministered on the truth concerning seeking God's will and how to know God's will, in addition to introducing the Holy Bible Recovery Version. They all paid heed to all that we ministered. I was encouraged by the many young people giving their lives to study the Bible and seek the Lord. May the Lord use the word we ministered to them and further lead them all to seek God's will in their lives so that one day they all could be a channel of blessing for the Lord's testimony in Nagaland.

These places were all our first-time visits and needed a long journey through the mountains amidst the rugged road. It was all worth it as we met many brothers and sisters who truly love the Lord and are doing their best to serve Him.

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Tuesnang!

Ministry of the Word to Mokokchung

Mokochung is a beautiful town with valleys and mountains and has a well-developed infrastructure compared to other places in Nagaland. We were hosted in a Circuit house on a mountain top with a beautiful scenic view of the entire town. This was my second time in this town. The first time was a few years ago, but at that time we did not have the Holy Bible Recovery Version nor the free books distributed by Rhema distributors. Therefore, this is more or less like the first visit as far as the spread of the ministry literature is concerned.

Our day began in this town with seekers visiting us at our lodge. We did our best to introduce the ministry literature to all whom the Lord led us to meet. Two incidents were noteworthy. The first one, meeting with a Pastor and his team of committee members. He graciously gave us time to introduce the ministry literature along with the Holy Bible Recovery Version. As soon as the introduction was done, all of the committed members purchased their copy of the Bible. They were so seeking and hungry for the word of God. And when we were about to leave, we all prayed together and they prayed for our onward journey. It was indeed such a timely visit.

The second one is a visit to a Bible college. When we met the Dean and teachers, they did not show much interest until one of the teachers purchased a copy after checking the Holy Bible Recovery Version and listening to our introduction. Later, the Dean made arrangements for us to address the entire student at the chapel where we were given the opportunity to introduce the ministry books, especially the Holy Bible Recovery Version. Soon after the introduction, almost the entire students present in the meeting came to check the Bible. One by one, they purchased the Bible. The result of this was, three boxes full of Bibles were all sold out! And some we had to send by post. Bible students were so hungry and thirsty for spiritual healthy food. Once they saw something worth it, they got hold of it. I do believe, one day, these ones would bear the testimony of Jesus in Nagaland. This is the season of sowing the seed of the word of God.

We also visited another famous Bible college where we met the Librarian and introduced the ministry to him. We were already running out of stock, so perhaps, we might have to come to visit this place at another time when the Lord leads us again.

Due to time constraints, we had only one day to spend in Mokokchung. Though we still wanted to meet more people and also visit a place called Impur, where the gospel came to Nagaland among the Ao tribe for the first time 150 years ago, we could not make it this time. In fact, the entire Nagaland baptist churches will celebrate 150 years anniversary in the first week of Nov 2022.

When the Lord leads again we will come. Still, there are families that need to be met and seekers that need to be shepherded for the Lord's testimony in Mokokchung.

Lord, lead us again to Mokokchung!

Ministry of the Word to Zunheboto

Zunheboto shot to fame when it announced the inauguration of Asia's biggest Baptist church. When I first saw the news I had a deep desire to visit Zunheboto and introduce the ministry literature to the brothers and sisters there. Since then this town has been in my heart and also in my prayers. Having a big building is one thing and having the word of God is another thing. Since this town has attracted Christian attention worldwide, I decided to visit this place one day with one purpose: to make the ministry of the word available to Christians in town.

As we drove from Wokha towards Mokokchung, we received a call to visit a brother who lives in a  village called Rotomi or Roto New. We had to detour just because of this one phone call to meet one brother. We had a rough mountain drive where the road is partly a rivulet. Nonetheless, it was an adventurous ride. The Lord had been always with us preserving us from any untoward incident. When we finally reached our destination, we had a time of fellowship on the ministry literature with that young brother, a Youth Pastor, who was so hungry and thirsty for the word of God. He placed an order for the Holy Bible Recovery Version as we had only a sample copy to show to him. Besides, he purchased some of the ministry books. After a light refreshment and prayer, we set off for Zunheboto town again.

It was a long drive on the narrow, and muddy mountain road. Finally, when arrived at our destination at about 11 PM we had our dinner and get to sleep at past midnight. Our host is a policeman who welcomed us with his traditional Sumi Naga dishes.

Our first meeting for the ministry was with the Assistant Pastor of Asia's biggest Baptist church in Zunheboto. The Lord sovereignly arranged a time with him and the president of the committee, who both were immediately attracted by the Holy Bible Recovery Version. For the library and for their personal collection, they placed orders for the entire set of Life-study of the Bible and the whole set of selected books by Nee and Lee. The latter order they postponed it for the next year as they were short of budget for this year. Then, we met another Pastor of another Baptist church who also placed order for the Bible and the selected set of books by Br. Nee and Lee. We then met another charismatic pastor who also place an order for the Bible. 

The journey to this town was tiresome, hectic, and long, yet it was truly worth paying the price as we could bring the ministry for the first time to all these dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. One day, many seekers will get to read the truth and the Lord will recover His remnants who would bear His testimony in Zunheboto.

Aizuto

On our way to Mokochung from Zunheboto town, we dropped by a theological seminary in Aizuto. We had a time of introducing the ministry to the Principal and the Dean of the college. In fact, this was the only time in the entire Nagaland trip that someone studied about the publisher of the ministry literature and asked questions related to the accusation concerning the teaching on the Trinity and one church-one city. But we had the grace to answer the questions raised by the Dean and had a healthy conversation. Once in a while, we got to defend the truth and stand firmly for the truth. All maimings and misinterpretations of the ministry should be refuted. We were glad that we could address the issues raised and hope that with a seeking spirit they would read the ministry and be blessed by it.

I trust in what the Lord can do. Now that the ministry books are made available to the Christian of this town, in prayer and by faith, we have to wait for the word of God to take root and grow in the hearts of the readers until it finally blossoms and bears fruit for the Lord's bright and shining golden lampstand.

Lord, raise up the church in Zunheboto!

Ministry of the Word to Wokha

On the 13th of September early morning, a brother with whom I have been coordinating for the ministry literature journey and I arrived in Dimapur by train. A local brother came to pick us up, and having had our breakfast, we fellowshipped about our distribution trip to Nagaland. Since it was the first time we all got together to consider the itinerary to Nagaland, two of our local brothers were looking at the Nagaland map, calculating the distance between the towns we planned to visit by Google map, and they came up with a travel map with distance and duration of travel between each stoppage. As we looked at the map starting from Dimapur and traveling anti-clockwise towards North then winding down South to Dimapur again, I felt the direction of the journey be reserved to clockwise instead. Which means, our first destination would be Wokha and last would be Pfutsero-Kohima-Dimapur. Then we all felt at peace, and thus was the plan finalized.

In Wokha, the Lord led us to a brother who had received BXL 1. He was our first contact for this entire trip. As we met him, he introduced us to his father and they took us to their lving room. In fact, their residence is in the same school premises which they are managing. Later, we learned that that school was also the best in town.

As soon as we sat down in their living room, I introduced myself and started introducing the Holy Bible Recovery Version. Just by the footnotes in Matthew 1:1, the brother was fully captured by the truth we presented. Later, I showed him the notes on five women in the genealogy of Jesus, and the name of Jesus, the Greek word for inward and outward filling of the Spirit with their spiritual significances, they were so amazed! When I further showed the difference between "adoption" and Sonship in Ephesians 1:5 comparing the Recovery Version with other English versions, he himself was so excited to the point that he exclaimed that he is a son of God, not an adopted son. For many years he had this uneasy feeling of being an adopted son as mentioned in many of the English Bibles. He was so thankful for such an introduction of the ministry books. After introducing a couple more of the ministry books, he immediately decided to purchase the Bible and other selected books. 

The duo, father and son, also made preparation for our night's stay in the best hotel in town with the food of our choice. In the evening they invited us for their family fellowship where we shared on "Loving the Lord" with the best and first love. In fact, the message we released on God's love became the theme for our entire distribution journey in Nagaland. The message we gave was also the message we enjoyed as we kept telling the Lord, "Lord Jesus, I love you! thoughout our journey.

The next day morning, they gave us time to introduce the ministry books to the school students from class VIII to XII after which,  we introduced the Bible and ministry books to the staff, Principal, and Directors of the school again. 

This family has already left the denomination and is now meeting with a few families according to the truth they received from the Bible. We deeply felt that the Lord led us to this family for the Lord's testimony in Wokha among the Lotha community especially.

We also met other Christian leaders in town, the Baptists of both the town and village pastors, the lone bookstore owner, a Bible college Principal, and a few other seekers. Overall, we thank the Lord for His sovereignty in leading us to this town. The Lord sure has these reserved remnants for His testimony. 

Now, I am personally following up on the father and son for further fellowship. May the Lord shine on them through the words spoken to them and through the mystery literature distributed to them so that they may see the vision of Christ and the church clearly and take the stand for the Lord's testimony in Wokha!

Lord, recover Your remnant for Your testimony in Wokha!

Against Heresy

And when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the assembly and took a spear in his hand.  Numbers 25:7

Phinehas stood for God as he was one with God knowing His thought fully well, he took action against those who did not obey God's word. Here there is no question of being merciful and gracious, not a question even of tolerance and politeness. When action was needed, those who stood with the Lord took the necessary action right away. 

This is another lesson the Lord is teaching me these days. By nature and as a Christian brother, I am a gracious type of brother. I have been very tolerant of people and things. Yes, this character works well for me in shepherding the saints and taking care of things. But I must also learn the lesson on the other side too, not to be tolerant when the matter or person is against the word of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Lion-Lamb; to the enemy, He is a Lion, fierce and victorious, and to the believers, He is the Lamb, meek and quiet. We need to experience both aspects of the Lord.

Yesterday, I had two visitors from a contact whom I came to know through his inquiry for a Hindi bible. When he sent me a message and a YouTube link of their denomination which presents their belief in "God-Mother" and a website link that describes someone from South Korea being the "second coming of Christ" I was provoked in my spirit. So I decided to hear from the person who sent me the link face to face for which also I texted him. He obliged and came to meet me. Two brothers came to meet me.

Initially, I was impressed by their attire, gesture, and "spirituality" of silent prayer as they sat in the living room. I thought they must be those who love the Lord and that I could fellowship with them. But when I listened to them what they actually intended to say, I was very much provoked within as I learned that they misinterpreted the Scriptures to prove a "God-Mother" they believed in that they professed and propagated. I sternly encountered them and told them to their face that they were deceived and trying to deceive others by their own interpretation of the Bible on "God-Mother". I was not convinced at all by the scriptural verses they quoted. In fact, I was reading from the Holy Bible Recover Version of the verses they quoted and understood the proper interpretation with other scriptural references. When I showed to them the interpretation of the verses they quoted, they did not agree and said it was our interpretation.  Later, I questioned them on the second coming of Christ which they claimed had already transpired, and that the second coming of Christ was a brother from South Korea who started the organization. When I asked for proof that he was the second coming of Christ, they show me a prophecy in the book of Isaiah which was actually referring to Christ. I strongly confronted them saying that the prophecy was of Jesus Christ,  not the brother from Korea. They disagreed and they took their ground that they firmly and 100% believed in that brother as the second coming of Christ. I had no mercy and lost all my politeness. I charged and warned them saying, "Please do not be deceived, and please do not try to deceive others!" I also testified to them that they could not deceive me because the Lord has given me an understanding of His word.

As they realized that they could not convince me, one of them stood up and said he could pray for me so that I would not be deceived, and I told the person I do not need his prayer for this matter, and rather that I would pray for them that they would not be deceived as to think that Christ had already accomplished His second coming through a Korean brother. Then, I asked them if they wanted to pray, pray in the name of Jesus Christ, then they denied to pray and left. Nonetheless, I thanked them for visiting me and they also thanked me for allowing them to visit me. But I still gave my parting word to them, that they should not be deceived.

Later, in my Bible reading time, the Lord spoke to me about Phinehas who stood firmly for God and took action. I initially thought to myself if I were a little too rude and too strong to confront them? I even wanted to apologize to them if my behavior was not proper. I went before the Lord in prayer to check if I should apologize or follow them up via text message, but the Lord reminded me of Phinehas. I cannot tolerate heresy and even cultic teachings. If I were to apologize it would mean I regret what I said, but I do not regret what I said, because that was the truth in confronting the erroneous teaching of "God-Mother" and that Christ had already accomplished His second coming through a brother from the East, South Korea. Therefore, I was at peace not to apologize nor to follow up. The matter should just stop there. I believe they have learned a lesson that a brother did not agree with their heretical teachings.

This is the lesson the Lord taught me, to be like the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the aspect of the Lord in His fight against the enemy, in fighting against heresy.

Lord, equip me with Your truth.

Grace Journey

The Lord has been full of grace to His children. I have been enjoying His grace in a very special way especially when I travel for the ministry of the word. This time, after the meeting in Aizawl, as I was on my way to the next destination, Dimapur, I enjoyed a gracious journey.

When I booked the flight ticket from Aizawl to Dimapur a month ago, I had a last-minute change of flight which was due to the fare. When I was about to board that flight I met a sister in the church life who was also boarding the same flight. Had I not made the change of flight before I booked, this traveling together for fellowship would not have happened. The flight duration was short and we were in different seats. When we landed at Guwahati airport, we decided to take a cab together as my destination was the same way as her college hostel. 

The day being Monday and the time being afternoon, I was able to attend the 4:00 pm fellowship online for the serving ones in the distribution. Once I finished the online fellowship, I had more than an hour to fellowship with the sister on some crucial spiritual aspects of the Christian life.  In fact, the highway the cab plied was under heavy traffic jams and that gave us even more time to fellowship.

This sister being a young sister and being in a college, I testified of how the Lord blessed me in my studies and how the Lord preserved me from many distractions of the world on the college campus. I fellowshipped with her as my younger sister in the Lord how she needed to spend time with the Lord in prayer and in the word every day. And how she needed to trust the Lord for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding while at the same time working as hard as she could in her studies. 

Through the fellowship, she too realized that the Lord loves and cares for her. In fact, she has not attended a good number of church meetings for some reason or the other. But she could not escape the Lord's hand following her to shepherd her.  In fact, while I was at Aizawl she did not attend the Lord's day meeting and she missed the message released on that day.  She also confessed that she hardly joined any church meetings. Now that on her way to her college hostel, for over an hour, the Lord had to speak to her about some basic Christan life practices. The Lord has been gracious to her to meet her and speak to her through the sovereign travel plan that coincided with mine. I do believe, she has truly been shepherded. As her name is, her experience is, Grace.

In fact, after the fellowship, she also acknowledged her need to give time to the Lord on a daily basis at least for prayer time, Bible reading, morning revival, and church meetings. She even gave a word to me as a witness that she would begin a new life with the Lord keeping all the points of fellowship in view. I was glad to hear that she could discern what the Lord is telling her. I trust the Lord that His grace is abundant upon her and she will enjoy the Lord's gracious visitation and enjoy the Lord as her grace. As her name is, so shall her enjoyment of the Lord be; grace.

It was indeed a grace journey for the gracious life of a sister.

Acting God

Acting God? This sounds ridiculous! Understanding this phrase is crucial to be saved from being misunderstood. This "Acting God" is not in the sense of an actor acting a role in a play or a movie. The right connotation here is the living out of God in oneness with God to the extent of exprerssing and representing God. In fact, this is the very purpose God created man for.

In Genesis 1:26, God created man in His image according to Himself so that one day man can receive God and express God as acting God.

Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of heaven and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.

In the Bible, Moses is a good example of an acting God. He represented God in meeting with Pharoah and had twelve conflicts with him (Exo. 5-13). In the first eleven times of speaking what God asked him to speak, there seems to be no result at all Rather an opposite reaction seemed to occur. But he did not give up and he kept representing God as long as God told him to do. If he were to be so subjective and weigh his action based on the result he could perceive every time he acted out God, he could have been in doubt if God really sent him. The natural response would be, if God sent a person there should be a substantiating result as well. In the first eleven encounters with Pharoah, there seems to be no substantial result according to what God spoke. For God spoke through Moses for the release of His people out of Egypt. But all eleven times a request for release ended up only in the opposite response. But as an acting God Moses did not deter, he faithfully spoke what God wanted him to speak. And at the twelfth time, the great result expected came to fruition. In fact, all the eleven times, God purposefully hardened Pharoah's heart so that He could deal with Pharoah and the people of Egypt including its land. Here is a good example, the Lord showed me how and what I need to learn from Moses.

I have been shepherding a couple of families in Gurugram. I earnestly waited for the result of my shepherding that the new ones would fully come into the church life. Well, that's the goal of my shepherding to anyone. When this goal is not accomplished I tend to give up and questioned if my time spent and labor on the new ones were really worth it, if it were not for the church life. Well, I may be right in my own logical sense, but the Lord chastised and corrected me. I should simply and faithfully continue to shepherd all the new ones as the Lord would. Though I may look forward to the result I must not be result oriented. God has His timing and He is a righteous God, in due time He will give the needed result. Like Moses, I still must shepherd the new ones for ten years, even twelve years if need be. And leave the result to the Lord. He knows best.

I was much shepherded with this new light from the Lord. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul as an acting God spoke God's word with faith despite the circumstances he was in.

Ac 27:22 And now I advise you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
Ac 27:23 For this very night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood by me,
Ac 27:24 Saying, Do not fear, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.
Ac 27:25 Therefore, cheer up, men, for I believe God that it shall be so, even in the way in which it has been spoken to me.

With such confidence in the face of imminent death due to a thunderous sea storm, he spoke by faith the word of God, not his feeling or opinion. He truly represented God as an acting God in the midst of the stormy sea. With these patterns before us, we can as well be the same, the acting God wherever we are. As being born of God, we have God's divine life and nature, the qualification to be an acting God.

1 Co 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.
Pp 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

This was also my prophecy yesterday in the meeting. The Lord freshly shined on me and showed me what a shepherd I should be as an acting God. Now, my concept has changed, and I would no longer give up on people so easily. As long as the Lord leads me, I will continue to shepherd the new ones, as long as it takes. The result is up to the Lord. 

Just be an acting God. God will do what He needs to do, and I just do what I need to do and be what I should be, an acting God.

Freedom in Christ

Today morning, the Lord spoke to me from Bible verses concerning freedom in Christ by walking according to the Spirit. In fact, last night as one of my school classmates invited us for fellowship over dinner, we had a time of testifying and sharing the word of God. Nine brothers and sisters visited my classmate at her residence in Aizawl. She has been serving as the Second-in-Command of the 1st Bn., Mizoram Armed Police. Out of her burden and love towards the Lord she has been witnessing, counselling, and helping her colleagues to bring them closer to the Lord. She, along with other officers, also are taking care of some of their soldiers tp come out of addiction. They recently concluded a "Camping" for those who needed deliverance from drugs and alcohols and invited us to witness at the follow-up meeting of those who attended the camp.

The Lord gave the burden and the words that I should share in the said meeting today afternoon. As we were introduced, I was requested to share my testimony of salvation which I readily obliged. Therefore, I first shared my testimony of salvation and released the burden the Lord gave me on Freedom in Christ by Walking according to the Spirit. 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not be entangled with a yoke of slavery again.” (Galatians 5:1, RecVer)

“For you were called for freedom, brothers; only do not turn this freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13, RecVer)

“But I say, Walk by the Spirit and you shall by no means fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, RecVer)

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25, RecVer)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32, RecVer)

“If therefore the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36, RecVer)

“14. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am fleshy, sold under sin. 15. For what I work out, I do not acknowledge; for what I will, this I do not practice; but what I hate, this I do. 16. But if what I do not will, this I do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17. Now then it is no longer I that work it out but sin that dwells in me. 18. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but to work out the good is not. 19. For I do not do the good which I will; but the evil which I do not will, this I practice. 20. But if what I do not will, this I do, it is no longer I that work it out but sin that dwells in me. 21. I find then the law with me who wills to do the good, that is, the evil is present with me.” (Romans 7:14-21, RecVer) 

“23. But I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members. 24. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?

25. Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin. 

There is now then no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. 2. For the law of the Spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 7:23-8:2, RecVer)

“7. But the profane and old-womanish myths refuse, and exercise yourself unto godliness. 8. For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the present life and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8, RecVer)

I enjoyed the Lord's instant supply of His word as I ministered the word of God. The Lord graced me to testify to the congregation of the secret of living an overcoming life by living and walking according to the Spirit. The main burden is deliverance from all kinds of bondages by turning to the Lord who is in our spirit, and a warning not to try to overcome the flesh by the flesh. Only Jesus Christ is the Overcomer and by being only in Him can we be overcomers too. A simple way to turn to the Lord is by calling upon the Lord's victorious and mighty Name. I myself enjoyed the rich supply of life as I ministered the word of God. I do believe the seed of the word of God has been sown into the listeners and it will bear forth fruits one day.

After the meeting, we still had some time of fellowship with the Commandant where we introduced the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version and explained the significance of Christian literature as a study aid to help the believers enjoy and understand the word of God. Then, we exchanged our phone numbers  for further communication, had a photo shoot, and bid adieu. 

Only by being in Christ the Victor, we can enjoy the freedom in Christ by living and walking according to the Spirit. 

Lord, make be an overcomer!

Tears of Joy

A brother who loves the Lord saw a TV ads scroll about the release and introduction of the New Testament Recovery Version in Mizo. He enquired about the meeting and He attended the meeting which exactly began at 1:00 pm and ended exactly at 3:30 pm as per the schedule on 8th September. He was so much impressed by the way the saints coordinated for the entire meeting. As he ate his snacks after the meeting, one of our brothers met and fellowshipped with him which led to our visiting yesterday and today.

Yesterday, we met for the first time at his house and introduced the ministry literature. He and his wife testified that they love the Lord and have so much been blessed by the ministry of Br. Watchman Nee since he first read The Normal Christian Life. He had also received the ministry books at his office in 2011 when a brother introduced and sold the ministry books in Mizo. Out of hunger and thirst he purchased about 70 different versions of the Bible. His wife too loves the ministry books by Watchman Nee so much. She had been seeking for two books The Glorious Church and The Orthodoxy of the Church. One day she went to a Baptist Book House and came across a booklet, Treasure in the Earthen Vessel by Watchman Nee which she read over and over again to the extent of memorizing the entire content of the booklet.

To such a family, we felt best to start a Bible reading meeting which we did today. The family had invited two other brothers to join the Bible study session. We read the Gospel of Matthew 1 with selected footnotes. After reading certain sections, we gave further explanation which they appreciated so much. Verse by verse and note by note, we read and dwelt on crucial points. They all enjoyed the riches of the ministry of the word so much. In this way, all Christians can function and study the word of God in a better way by themselves in groups and in mutuality.

One of them way physically blind. His testimony was amazing. He testified that the day he became physically blind, his inward spiritual eyes were opened. All the Bible verses he memorized in his childhood and youth became clear to him after he was physically blind. He grasped all the points we read from the Bible verses and footnotes. As he testified of his enjoyment of the ministry of the word, he was overwhelmed with joy that he even shed his tears of joy. He could not control his tears as he testified of his thankfulness to the Lord for revealing the deep and hidden truth of the Bible. 

The Bible is interpreted by the Bible. The footnotes in the Recovery Version is a collection of interpretations and revelations of the Bible verses using many other Bible verses. Therefore, this is reckoned as one of the best study aid to understand the word of God better as it unveils the unsearchable riches of Christ.

The understanding and the enjoyment of this truth bring tears of joy to those understood the real significance of the Recover Version. Today, I have witnessed with my own eyes, tears of joy as a result of enjoying the riches of the word of God.

May the Lord open the eyes of all the readers of the Bible to see and understand the word of God as it should be understood. And may the enjoyment of the understood word of God brings tears of joy to the readers of the word.

Co-working with Christ for the Mizos

Fifteen years ago in 2007, the Lord led me to this city Aizawl with a brother on my second visit and met with a group of believers called TMEF (Truth Mission Evangelical Fellowship) at their head office. Today, along with four other brothers I came to visit the same group again at their new office in Aizawl. In the first visit to this group, the leading brother led me us to a brother who has been the key brother who now has been taking the stand for the church in Aizawl. Today, we met with the President and explained to him the many features of the Recovery Version in Mizo. In the first meeting, the local church in Aizawl was recovered, and in today's meeting the door was opened for the spread of the ministry of the word to all the 10,000 plus seekers who loves to study the word of God. The two visits are for the move of God in His economy through the literature service. It was a joy indeed to witness how the Lord has been moving in and through us for the recovery of His testimony and heart's desire among the Mizos.

I remember, in our first meeting we were asked what we thought about smoking, by the senior Pastor with a coat suit sitting on his office table with a Bible in his hand and a cigarette on the other hand. I still remember, how the Lord strongly anointed me and gave me the timely and apt reply to his tricky question. If I were to say smoking was wrong I had no Bible verse to support my answer as smoking itself was never mentioned in the Bible. Yet if I were to answer in the affirmative, my conscience would bother me, for I knew that smoking was not commendable to the believers. At that juncture, the Lord gave me the word in John 14:26

But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and remind you of all the things which I have said to you.

I explained further that, today the Lord Jesus Christ as the Comforter is the Holy Spirit who dwells in our spirit. As Christians, if we live by His life, we will know whether smoking is right or wrong. This answer convicted him to the uttermost that his countenance changed at that very moment. Then, he changed his mind and said he knew whom we were looking for. Therefore, he led us to the key brother who has been standing for the Lord's testimony. I believe, our meeting today fifteen years after, will yet be another milestone for the Lord's further recovery of His testimony in Mizoram among the Mizos.

Fifteen years ago in 2007, the Lord led me to meet the key translator of Mizo for the ministry books by Watchman Nee. Today, we came to meet him again and alas, he has been suffering with cancer in his stomach. Nonetheless, his heart for the ministry books was still fresh. Though he could no longer translate, he blessed us that we can continue to translate the riches of the ministry into Mizo. He was so happy that the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version could be released and made available to all God's children speaking Mizo. This too, as usual, he gifted us all with a Mizo traditional shawl each. In a return gift, I felt it strongly that we gifted him a copy of the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version which we did with our signatures on it. 

I am filled with awesome wonder how the Lord has been moving in and through us as the Treasure in our earthen vessel. May the Lord continue to carry on His move among the Mizos in Mizoram and all over.

What a privilege and what a blessing that I could participate in His move, co-working with Christ in His earthy ministry! 

Lord, continue to bless the Mizos with the healthy teaching that they all come to the full knowledge of the truth, a further progress from being saved merely. Amen!

Mizo New Testament Recovery Version

Today, the 8th of September 2022, the New Testament Recovery Version Bible in Mizo was released and introduced at Aizawl. This truly indeed is prayers answered of the Body, by the Body, and for the Body. The Lord has been faithfully leading us from the very beginning of learning Greek to the day it was released and made available for the children of God speaking Mizo language. The chronology of the Recovery Version translation is as below:

• Greek Learning: 6th February 2014 to 16th November 2016
• Translation Fellowship and Training: 9-12 Jan 2017
• Mizo Recovery Version New Testament Translation: 13 Jan 2017
• Completion of Translation: 23 Oct 2020
• Final Proofreading Completed: 5 Feb 2022 
• Mizo New Testament Recovery Version is Available Now!: 8 September 2022

The Lord has been gracing me to be able to participate in all the steps of making the translated Mizo Recovery Version available. I have also been graced to design all the materials needed for the release and introduction of this version. I have had the privilege of designing the invitation card, letter, banner and schedule. In fellowship in the Body, many of these designs have been refined.

The coordination from the saints in the church in Aizawl was marvelous. I only designed the materials and sent to the brothers in Aizawl. They had thorough fellowship and made the  meeting fruitful by carrying out all the practical services.  I only amened whatever the brothers felt best and did whatever I was requested to do. The result is that we could witness the blessing of the Lord in one accord. I do believe, henceforth, the Lord's move would be intensified among the Mizo speaking brothers and sisters with the availability of the New Testament Recovery Version in Mizo.

In my sharing of the introductory word for the publisher LSM, as a serving one in Amana Literature, I shared the need for the Recovery Version in addition to the already existing Mizo translation. Two Bible verses that I shared are in relation to the burden of the literature service are:

Who then is the faithful and prudent slave, whom the master has set over his household to give them food at the proper time? Mt 24:45

Philip…said, Do you really know the things that you are reading? And he (an Ethiopian eunuch) said, How could I unless someone guides me? Acts 8: 30, 31

As faithful and prudent slaves, we serve to give spiritual food to all the children of God at the proper time. The food we serve also function as a study aid to help believers understand the word of God.

As I was fellowshipping with the local brothers and sisters in Aizawl, I realized how much the Lord loves us and the people of Mizo, and gave His accurately translated and properly interpreted study Bible. I believe this is for the bringing of the people of Mizo into salvation and into the full knowledge of the truth. I also witnessed the Lord's blessing upon all that we did in fellowship. Praise the Lord!

Lord, bless the distribution and the reading of the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version! Amen and amen!