Time with Family

Time with my family is one thing I treasure very much. I do this whenever I am at home by gathering all my family members for family prayer. I even made family prayer top priority in my family life. I would sacrifice other things just for this. Even if I were traveling, I still called home over the phone for family prayer. It is only the Lord that can build my family and I cooperate with Him by paying the price to gather all family members for family prayer time everyday. In addition, I also repeatedly remind all my family members for daily personal prayer time at least for half an hour. If I were at home I would take my children, especially my son, to the park for prayer and for walking.

Yesterday, the 27th of February, was my eldest daughter's 15th birthday. I took my family to the restaurant chosen by my daughter, her favourite KFC and Pizza Hut combination. I just made all of them happy over Pizzas, Burgers, French Fries and carbonated drinks. That was how I cherished them.

In the night after family prayer before we slept, I spent personal time with all my three children, one by one, just to talk to them and let them talk to me. Of course, I also shared my burden concerning their living, church life, studies, character, discipline, etc. In a fatherly care with a loving heart, I fellowshipped with them. And they all understood my heart towards them and positively responded to my fellowship. I praise and worship the Lord for His great grace and marvelous mercy upon our family.

One night, after the family prayer time, I spent a time of fellowship with all my cousin brothers, niece, my wife and my children, and made them realise that we are in Gurugram for the Lord’s purpose only; for the Lord’s testimony, for the church life, for the literature service, and for the Lord’s move. This is and must always be our top priority. All things else, including education and health are secondary. I even warned them that we all ought to be faithful to the Lord’s calling and live a normal Christian life for the church life. Having fellowshipped all these, I fully look to the Lord for His grace that all these practical fellowship would be our daily living.

One who manages well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity (But if one does not know how to manage his own house, how will he care for the church of God?);

(1 Timothy 3:4-5, RecVer)

May the Lord grace my family to be a family of His heart's desire for His testimony. May the Lord grace me to manage my own house well.

Continuous Dispensing

On the 21st of February, I just came back from a long ministry literature journey. And there awaited me, three days of training and three days of conference, after which another journey I have to undertake. I knew this would happen while I was back from the last journey. Therefore, in the train itself, I did whatever need to be done so that I could fully be available to receive the Lord's divine dispensing again.

For three days I had the opportunity to exercise to join a training in New Delhi where the first session began at 6:00 AM in the morning till 7:00 PM in the evening.  During these three days, I opened myself to Lord for His divine work within me again to receive the Lord's continual dispensing. 

The brothers' ministering of the word was on the living and working out of the New Jerusalem where our Christian life and church life today should be according to the standard of the New Jerusalem.  The Lord's speaking was so deep and it touched my inward being and the attitude I have towards the Lord and my daily living for the church life. One key point that struck me was, "What is the nature of my work? Am I a part of the shining golden lampstand in reality?" Any work acceptable to the Lord must be according to God's divine nature. Therefore, the nature of the work that I do must be according to God's divine nature and the life that I live must be Christ Himself!

Through which He has granted to us precious and exceedingly great promises that through these you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world by lust. 2Peter 1:4

As children of God, our Father would often discipline us.

For they disciplined for a few days as it seemed good to them; but He, for what is profitable that we might partake of His holiness. Hebrews 12:10

The goal of our life and goal should be the New Jerusalem. All our living and doing should be measured according to the standard of the New Jerusalem. Otherwise, our living and work would not be pleasing to God our father.

For another foundation no one is able to lay besides that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone builds upon the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, stubble, the work of each will become manifest; for the day will declare it, because it is revealed by fire, and the fire itself will prove each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward; If anyone’s work is consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.1 Corinthians 3:11-15

We are God's fellow workers, and we must do the work of God according to God, building upon the foundation with gold, silver, and precious stones which is the experience of the Divine Trinity!

O how short I am as I measure myself with the standard that God desires. Nonetheless, I am not the one working the work of the Lord but the Lord Himself working out His work in me and through me as His fellow worker. I am God's coworker, altogether with many fellows coworkers in the Lord's vineyard.

As I was so impressed by the message, I began to compose a hymn based on the messages released by the speaking brothers, a hymn on the New Jerusalem, not merely the truth as revealed in the Bible but how the New Jerusalem can be experienced and enjoyed by me along with others in the church life today.

Right after the training, there was a conference on the burden of making ourselves ready for the Lord's coming back. The speaking brothers gave five practical ways of preparation. 

By loving the Lord and His appearance in contrast to loving the present age and turning away from the apostles' teaching and work.

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, with which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day, and not only me but also all those who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

For Demas has abandoned me, having loved the present age, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia. 2 Timothy 4:10

By growing in life unto maturity, awaiting the Lord's coming with longsuffering with endurance.

Therefore be long-suffering, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer eagerly awaits the precious fruit of the earth, exercising long-suffering over it until it receives the early and late rain. James 5:7

For this, I must pursue the growth in life until I am fully mature.

By giving heed to the prophetic word.

And we have the prophetic word made more firm, to which you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19

It is one thing to know the prophecies like the Pharisees and the scribes in Jerusalem who knew that the Lord Jesus Christ would be born in Betheleme but none of them sought for the Lord in reality. But the magi from the far east came all the way, paying the price and giving heed to the prophetic word which enabled them to see the Lord in reality. 

My attitude toward the Lord should be full of love; my exercise should be to watch, pray, and obey the Lord's word; my living should be sanctified and holy so that I would be fully prepared to meet the Lord in His coming again. I should be joyfully able to say, "Come, Lord Jesus!" 

He who testifies these things says, Yes, I come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20

By being a faithful and prudent slave; in life being a holy virgin to the Lord filled with the Spirit and in service faithful and prudent.

Who then is the faithful and prudent slave, whom the master has set over his household to give them food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Matthew 24:45-46

By having a revived living and labor in shepherding. I must daily be renewed daily through:

The cross (2 Cor. 4:10-12, 16-18), 

Always bearing about in the body the putting to death of Jesus that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who are alive are always being delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death operates in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:10

The Holy Spirit 

Not out of works in righteousness which we did but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

The exercise of my mingled spirit 

And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind. (Eph. 4:23) 

And by the cleansing of the water in the word.

That He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word. (Eph. 5:26)

Today, we can be revived and be overcomers as the Lord can make us overcomers as He overcame.

He who overcomes, to him I will give to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:21

In these ways, we can make ourselves ready and be prepared to meet the Lord. This is the best way to fulfill the prophecy:

Therefore this is what I will do to you, O Israel;  And because I will do this to you,  Prepare to meet your God, O Israel. Amos 4:12

I have been blessed to be under the continuous divine dispensing of the Divine Trinity whether I travel or am at home.  Praise the Lord!

Ministry Journey to Betul, Madhya Pradesh

Early morning at about 2 AM our train arrive at Ghoradongri for two days visit to Betul district, Madhya Pradesh. This trip was planed in the our last trip to the same localities. The Lord has prepared a group of believers through a brother for us to minister the word. We have been conducting online meetings over a year for these group of believers. This time, our burden is to strengthen the key brothers and pave the way for further recovery of the Lord’s move in Madhya Pradesh. 

Sarni

In the home of a brother we were accommodated for two days. We enjoyed a wonderful hospitality from our host. At the same time, we prayed that our visitation may bring a breakthrough in their inward being for the Lord’s testimony. To the key brother and sister, I gifted some crucial ministry books.

Bhados

We had two sessions of ministering the word in a farmhouse used as a meeting hall. The burden released was on six important items. Breathing the Lord daily by calling His name for a spiritual breath, spending time with the Lord and inquiring in His presence as our spiritual drink, reading and praying His word eating it as our spiritual food, praying for the household salvation, and clearing the past after we were saved. All these are for the building up of the Body of Christ, the church. To the key brother, I gifted some crucial ministry books.

Aalampur 

New believers from Gentile background, about twelve of them, have been under the shepherding of our brothers. This time we ministered to them the need for loving the Lord and prayed for them. They were relatively purer than other believers who have been so much influenced by today's religiosity. This group has a hope of being recovered to take the stand for the Lord’s testimony. 

Betul

A serving sister who proclaimed herself to be Prophetess has been running a small Pentecostal Christian group. To this, we ministered the basic elements of the Christian life; God’s creation of man as a vessel, the need to be filled with the Lord by calling upon the name of the Lord, the preciousness of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the need to be an open vessel, emptied and hungry to be filled with the Lord every time we come before the Lord.

One day we had a time of visiting a Dam in Sarni with some sightseeing spots. It was a time of relaxation and blending with the brother who took us around. We also enjoyed a time of lovefeast over lunch and dinner followed by some practical fellowship and prayer.

Our departure from this place was also early morning about 3:30 AM, the same time we arrived at the town two days ago. Despite odd timings, the believers took care of us so well. May the Lord bless them with Himself.

In two places where we ministered the word, we saw a clear manifestation of evil possesion on a man and a women. When there was such a manifestation, I asked the devil to leave the possessed person in the name of Jesus, without raising any voice but deep within my spirit. As the evil spirit left, we asked them to call upon the name of the Lord. This was a good test case for the ministry of the word being of God or not. Thank God, it was proven in our eyes what the Lord has been doing even through us. Glory be to God!

Lord, gain Your remnants and raise up Your testimony in Madhya Pradesh soon!

Marvelous Brotherly Fellowship

Today morning I sent a text message to two brothers with whom I have been coordinating for the ministry journey to Champa and Korba.

Dear Brothers(J--- and B---)

Today afternoon Br. J--- fellowshipped about the possibility of meeting Br. R-- K--. After Br. J--- left, Br.A--- and I had a time of fellowship on this regard and he felt good about setting things right between him and R-- K--. He asked me to fellowship with R-- K-- which I did, and both are willing to meet and fellowship. Therefore, today Monday, 20th Feb, Br. A--- and I will visit Br. R-- K-- at his house in Bilaspur.

Please pray for the fellowship that the peace of Christ may arbitrate in their hearts and gain them and all the churches and the saints under their shepherding care for His economy.

As I spent time in the word of God today morning, praying and considering, the Lord gave me a specific word for today's fellowship with the brothers.

“Do not call to mind the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Indeed, I am doing a new thing; It will now spring forth; Do you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19, RecVer)

These verses gave me an inward assurance from the Lord concerning what He desires to do among the brothers in Chhattisgarh. 

After breakfast at Champa, a brother and I drove to Bilaspur, enjoying a wonderful time of fellowship all the way and also enjoyed a radio Life-study message on the need to receive the flowing in of the living water and the flowing out of life to others in the form of gospel preaching and shepherding.

Two leading brothers of the church in Bilaspur were already waiting for us as we arrived at the brother's home for fellowship. Without any waste of time, I released the burden the Lord gave me. I ministered on the oneness of the Body of Christ and the Lord’s desire in gaining the oneness and the building up of the Body of Christ using relevant Bible verses. Then, I quoted the promise the Lord gave me today morning and encouraged them to forget all the past and start a new beginning. As I asked them to open up and speak, they all testified that they had nothing within anymore and the misunderstanding among them had been cleared up. They testifed that they had also been praying for the recovery of oneness among them which the Lord did today after seven years of divisionand separation. The Lord is the Lord and He has His way of recovering His testimony among His remnants! Then we all prayed one by one and thanked the Lord for His move in and among us for His testimony!

After this marvelous and wonderful fellowship, we enjoyed a lovefeast together and I left to board my train just on time at Bilaspur railway station. As I was on the train, for about an hour I was awestruck, marveling at the way the Lord did His work among the brothers. I had no words, but simply thanked and worship Him who is the only true and unique one living God.

Praise the Lord for His move in and among the brothers! May the Lord preserve the oneness among them all unto the building up of the Body of Christ!

Salvation of a Sibling

Yesterday night, I had a time of fellowship with a brother's family, ministering the word of God mainly to his children who were not clear about their salvation. To me, this was a matter of helping them with the relevant portion of the word of God.

As we began, I asked the two children if they were Christians. To my surprise, they replied on the negative. When asking the reason for their answer, I realised that they need help on the proper understanding of the word of God. Therefore, I led them to read Acts 9, how Saul got saved. Besides, I also quoted verses on the proof of salvation based on the written word of God, the witness of the Spirit, and the proof of love foe the brothersfor those who genuinely believe into the Lord Jesus Christ. After all these Bible verses reading and explanation, the Lord opened up their mind to understand the word of God and they realised that they were actually saved because they believed genuinely into the Lord Jesus Christ!

“The opening of Your words gives light, Imparting understanding to the simple.” (Psalms 119:130, RecVer)

Then I sensed the need to help them with the seven significances of baptism with Bible verses. We read them all one by one. After all the reading of the word of God, their visage changed. When I asked the same question again if there were Christians, they replied in the affirmative with assurance and excitement!

After I ministered the word and released my burden, I left the matter of their decision to be baptised to them. Later, after dinner, the son came and confirmed to me his decision to be baptised. 

Today morning, I spent time with the son who was to be baptised helping him call upon the Lord’s name together with me and pray-reading four Bible verses.

“He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16, RecVer)

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name,” (John 1:12, RecVer)

“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” (Romans 10:9, RecVer)

“For “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”” (Romans 10:13, RecVer)

Later the daughter came and confirmed to me her decision to be baptised too. Therefore, I prayed with her and helped her to pray-read the above verses. Then, we headed for baptism in the meeting hall of the church in Champa. 

After ministering the word on baptism using a couple of verses, I requesed the two children to pray, followed by their father and mother too, which they did with much joy and thankfulness to the Lord for this day. Afetr the prayers, the brother and I coordinated to baptise them as the church in Champa into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Later over breakfast, the two newly baptised brother and sister testified of the joy they enjoyed after the fellowship last night on salvation and how the opening of the word gave them light! Out of the joy of salvation the Lord blessed them with, they testified they were not even able to sleep properly last night. Today morning after their water baptism, they were even more joyful! In fact, their father and mother were even more joyful! For their prayers for many years have finally been answered at the right time today!

As a spiritual new beginning present, I have ordered for them a copy each of the New Testament Recovery Version in English which I encouraged them to read daily.

This day, the 29th February 2023, may as well be remembered especially as their spiritual birthday!

May the Lord preserve these young ones to love Him more and more each day, and grow unto full maturity.

Ministry Journey to Chhattisgarh

“Now after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brothers in every city in which we announced the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” (Acts 15:36, RecVer)

In fellowship and coordination, three of us brothers came to visit the church in Champa last week, to meet with the saints and the leading brothers. We had three meetings with the saints and released the burden on God’s economy with the emphasis on the Triune God dispensing Himself into the tripartite man, the way to enjoy the Lord’s dispensing as an open vessel by calling upon the Lord’s name, eating His words day by day, emphasing on the trunk of God’s economy and not being distracted by various "branches and leaves." In all the meetings, we ourselves were in one accord, following the Lord’s inner leading, and ministered the word with the  exercise of our spirit. I personally enjoyed the Lord’s inner flow of life among us and through us.

On Saturday, we visited the saints in Korba and continued our fellowship on the same burden, on the line of God’s economy. The saints were so much helped as they themselves testified that they were made clear of certain doubts on the truth through our face to face fellowship. With much joy, we enjoyed feasting together after the meeting. On our way back to Champa we visited a couple whom the Lord recovered after almost a year of separation. 

On the Lord’s day in Champa, we ministered on the significance of the Lord’s Table Meeting emphasising on the oneness of the Body of Christ signified by the one bread and warning against the division that could creep in through "Jeroboams." We also touched that the local churches are just the procedure and the goal is the one unique Body of Christ. Therefore, the need for fellowship among the local churches and blending with one another for the building up of the Body of Christ was also made known to the saints. 

In all the fellowship, we enjoyed the inward peace of the Lord and the sweet flow of life without any hindrances within. We had much freedom within to minister whatever the Lord wanted us to. This is a sure sign of the Lord’s anointing upon us and His confirmation of His desire to recover His remnants into the fellowship of the Body of Christ. Having been through these all, we commit the saints and the local churches to the Lord, the Head of the Body. As the Son of Man standing in the midst of the golden lampstands, He will carry out His work of trimming the burnt wicks and supply the oil for the churches shining.

Lord, may You continue to move in and among all the saints especially among the brothers for the full recovery of Your testimony in Chattisgarh!

Fellowship With the Saints in Bilaspur

Whenever we attended the Christian Festival in Madku Dweep-Bilaspur, we used to spend time with the believers who are gathered together as "the church in Bilaspur." This time, we had no plan to visit them, at least for two reasons. One being, our lodging place was not in Bilaspur but in Batapara, nearer to the venue for the Christian Festival. The other being the lack of clarity on the standing of the brothers in Bilaspur with a report of them not being very open for fellowship. Therefore, we had no plan to visit them nor did we have any other plan either. Our schedule was vague, waiting for the Lord’s timely leading.

Last Saturday, the key brother came to visit our bookstall. He had come the day before too when I was still on my way, and as my train was delayed I could not meet him. When I heard that this brother had come and we could not meet him, I thought we truly would miss the fellowship this time. But he came again the next day and we met.

 For two hours, we fellowshipped in front of our stall amidst the noisy, dusty, and crowdy atmosphere. As we were fellowshipping, I exercised my spirit discerning what the Lord wanted me to hear or say or do. This brother had spoken many things about his past experience with some brothers. I just listened and listened, and simply told him that these were the things of the past. But as I asked him about what transpired at the present time, he had no answer. I also directly asked him if he ever rejected a brother in the past sent to visit them, he denied the charge. He also inquired whether we had the plan to visit them this time. I replied that we had no plan. Then, he invited us to visit them. On a second thought, I also checked with my brother, and therefore, we agreed to visit them, "the church in Bilaspur."

 As I prayed to the Lord on Saturday night for the visiting of the saints in Bilaspur on the Lord’s day, the Lord gave me one burden, to help the saints to use the Holy Word for Morning Revival to be revived every day and brought into the fellowship of the Body through the enjoyment of the ministry of the word. As we visited the saints on the Lord’s day, the brothers gave us time to minister the word. As usual, my brother went first, and he released the very burden the Lord gave me with; to help the saints get constituted with the ministry of the word through the pursuing of the Holy Word for Morning Revival.

The burden was clear, the need for re-education to be constituted with the truth after coimg out of Babylon to express the Lord according to His purpose. We used the book of Ezra and Nehemiah and ministered the timely word to help educate the saints and the practical way to do so by coordination and all the saints functioning. 

“And all the people gathered as one man in the open area that was before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read in it before the open area that was before the Water Gate from first light until midday in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a wooden platform that had been made for that purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah and Shema and Anaiah and Uriah and Hilkiah and Maaseiah at his right hand; and at his left hand, Pedaiah and Mishael and Malchijah and Hashum and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people); and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed Jehovah the great God; and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua and Bani and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites helped the people understand the law; and the people stood in their place. And they read in the book, in the law of God, interpreting and giving the sense, so that they understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who helped the people understand said to all the people, This day is holy unto Jehovah your God; do not mourn or weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, Go your way; eat the fat, and drink the sweet wine, and send portions to him for whom nothing has been prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of Jehovah is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Be quiet, for the day is holy; and do not be grieved. And all the people went their way to eat and to drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” (Nehemiah 8:1-12, RecVer)

After the Lord’s day meeting, we also had a time of fellowship on The Genuine Ground of Oneness using the history of Israel and the Lord’s desire for oneness and emphatically made clear the need for fellowship in the Body of Christ. Local administrative matters may be local indeed, but fellowship must be universal. The brothers readily agreed and even decided to visit the churches in Delhi and Gurugram. Besides, we also helped the brothers with life practices of calling upon the Lord’s name and pray-reading the word of God. 

The next day we had a morning time touring Bilaspur city, breakfast at Indian Coffee House, and a visit to a city park. On the way, we had a wonderful time of fellowship and blending. Then we left for our next destination. 

As a result of this visit and short while fellowship with the key brothers, many unseen distances between us were removed and a cloudy situation among us was cleared off. We had much peace concerning the saints in Bilapsur now. Much peace and freedom have filled us inwardly. I believe, the Lord is recovering His remnants and His testimony in this city.

Lord, recovering Your lampstand in Bilaspur!

Masih Mela 2023

Christian Festival or Masih Mela has been held annually at an islet called Madku Dweep. It was here that many Christian gathered together for a week of "feasting". Meetings were held with various Christian groups singing and various ministers ministering the word of God. Together with these, a good number of Christian publishers and distributors exhibited their publications, mostly for sales and some for free distribution. It was here that we also met a good number of seeking Christians who came to discover us and the ministry literature. It was also here that a few Christian brothers who received and read the ministry books also started practising the church life according to their understanding of the truth. 

This time, I and my brother participated in the distribution. This event also became a key deciding point for us to consider our plan to visit some seeking groups in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh whom we first met them in the same event a couple of years ago. Thank the Lord for this beachhead He has prepared for His move, especially in North India!

This time, three important meetings transpired in this event. First, a brother from Bilaspur whom we met through the same event many years ago came to fellowship with us. The two hour long fellowship became a turning point for us and them in our fellowship with him and "the church in Bilaspur". In fact, he invited us to visit them after the festival which we did, and had a wonderful time of fellowship with all the saints who meets as the local church.

Second, five brothers came form Khariar Road, Odisha for fellowship as they realised that we would not be visiting them this time. In a short while fellowship, Oriya translation matter was considered and the matter was decided to be executed the following week. A few doubts on practical matters were cleared. It was indeed a very fruitful meeting.

Thirdly, we had a time of fellowship with a group of brothers from Madhya Pradesh where we finalised on what to do during our three days visit to their home town Betul and the neighbouring towns and villages.

Above all, we also met a good number of seeking brothers who came to purchase the ministry books. As usual, after reading the ministry books, the Lord would stir up some of them to even take a step further to practice the truth they have learned and will definitely bring us into fellowship.

This Christian Festival was a good sowing ground for the ministry of the word to many brothers and sisters all over North India. As the "seeds" have been shown, we now await the sprouting, growing, and reaping of ministry.

Lord, cause the growth of the seeds sown and casue it to bear a hundred fold fruit.

A Call to Confirm

Yearly, there is a Christian Festival(Masih Mela) conducted in a small island called Madku Dweep. As distributor of the ministry of word, we used to participate in this week-long festival. To participate in this, I just arrived Batapara where our hotel stay was booked. The train I boarded was delayed by one and half hour. I had not eaten dinner the previous day nor lunch for the day. I also urgently wanted to use the loo and wanted to bath after a long train journey. Therefore, I decided to stay back in the hotel as I thought it was too late to attend the festival for the day.

But I received a phone call from my brother inquring if I would attend the festival where we exhibited the ministry books in Hindi. After much consideration, I gave up my plan for eating, bathing, and staying back for the day. I hired an auto rickshaw and went straight to the venue. The moment I arrived the venue I ate lunch and was able to meet with seeking believers who visited our stall.

A couple who has been serving the Lord in Bilaspur visited our stall. As our brothers spoke to them, I felt the need to follow up and continued to speak, introducing the Holy Bible Recovery Version. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, wetting their appetite for the word of God. Then a meeting with another newly married couple, introducing the ministry literature, followed by a few others. In this way, my not staying back was a salvation. Had I stayed back as I planned, I would have missed all these meetings with seekers. 

Thank the Lord for the living in the Body where a brother's call is a leading for me to follow the Lord. When we are not clear, we have to listen to the Body through which the Lord speaks. 

Praise the Lord for the phone call that made me clear of what I should do when I was not clear. 

Pray and listen to the Body, for the Lord speaks through His Body too.

Zoe, Zoe, Zoe (Life, Life, Life)

One of the greatest truth in the Bible is God’s creation of man with a human spirit, God becoming the Spirit, man believing into the Lord Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God regenerating the human spirit and indwelling his spirit that the regenerated man lives and expresses God. This is God’s mysterious yet wonderful deed. What a blessing to be one of such a regenerated man!

The divine life of God is Zoe which He imparted when we first believed into the Lord Jesus Christ, resulting in our spirit becoming life, making our spirit Zoe. Since then, as we live by the spirit, gradually even our mind will become life, making our mind Zoe. And finally, as we grow, we will transform unto maturity even to give life to our mortal bodies. The best way to turn to the spirit and live by the spirit is to pray; to absorb God and express God, which will issue in the building up of the Body of Christ. 

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6, RecVer)

“But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.” (Romans 8:10-11, RecVer)

In this way, our entire tripartite being will become life; life in the spirit, Iife in the soul, and life in the Body. Zoe, Zoe, and Zoe!

However, we need to be continually under the law of the Spirit of life.

“For the law of the Spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2, RecVer)

The secret of living a Christ life is to live according to the spirit. Only in such a living in the spirit, we can live a normal Christian life and fulfill the righteous requirement of the law.

“That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit.” (Romans 8:4, RecVer)

The crucial exercise required of a Christian is to set our mind in the spirit. It is in what we set our mind on, that we live out. Setting our mind on the flesh will result in fleshly living, setting our mind on the spirit will result in a living by the spirit, the mingled spirit.

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6, RecVer)

Therefore, we must take heed to our spirit and exercise our spirit to live a godly life according to the spirit.

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

“But did He not make them one? And the remnant of the Spirit was His. And why the one? He sought the seed of God. Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one be treacherous to the wife of his youth.” (Malachi 2:15, RecVer)

“But the profane and old-womanish myths refuse, and exercise yourself unto godliness. 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)

This is the wonderful life God has planned for man. Living the normal Christian life with our entire tripartite being filled with the life; Zoe in the spirit, Zoe in the soul, and Zoe in the body. Life, life, and life!

Reading the Holy Bible

The Lord has been gracing me since my childhood to read the Holy Bible. My grandfather had taught me to read the Bible everyday as he himself read it everyday, morning and evening, whenever he was not engaged with any important official or domestic works. The spirit of reading the word of God has passed me since then. Bible reading has thus become a part of my daily life. I simply cannot live my life or pass a day without reading the word of God. I reckon this as special gift from God and one of the physical blessings the good God has bestowed upon me. Thank You God for Your spoken and written word!

I do not make Bible reading a law or a thing sof legality, but a lifestyle. If it were a law, I would have to keep it with struggles, perhaps. But since it has been a lifestyle it just comes along and gets with my daily living. I never felt any struggle whatsoever, rather I enjoyed it and received the supply of life through my coming to the word of God. It is like eating my daily meals; breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with the many snacks in between. I enjoy my food, my daily manna, my heavenly, spiritual, and divine food.

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I gain understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:103-105, RecVer)

Last year December 2022, I completed reading the entire Bible 40(forty) times. Initially, I thought to slow down and be satisfied with reading through the Bible just once in a year. But, He gradually enlightened to me see my need for more of His words. Why only once when I can do much more? The more I can read, the better. Therefore, I have the heart to be able to read the Holy Bible at least a 100(hundred) times in my lifetime, if the Lord so wills. I trust the Lord will honor this burden and will grace me again to score a century in reading His word. 

By the way, I find no better book to read in the world than the Holy Bible. I find no better time to invest on anything other than on reading the Holy Bible. Of course, as I read, I turned to my spirit and use the word of God to pray back to God. I find it very enjoyable and easy to touch God through His word. The best prayer I could offer to God is simply pray back His words as I read His words and through His words He speaks to me. The living word of God on earth has become my language and medium to fellowship with my living God in heaven. No wonder, the Pslamists had declared their love for the word of God in their Old Testament tone as they were at that time. Now, in the New Testament time, I do the same in the new way, through the Spirit anointing the written word turning it into the living word. What a blessing!

After forty times of reading the Holy Bible, the Lord has taught me some very effective ways of reading His word. He graces me to directly enter into His thoughts through the spirit of wisdom and revelation and enlightens the eyes of my heart to know Him, His will, and His way. I do use the help of other writings, exposition, lights and revelations. 

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him, The eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:17-18, RecVer)

As long as the Lord give me good eyes to read, sober mind to understand, and good health to be able to read, I would take His grace and read and eat His words all the days of my life. Do grace me Lord.

Lord, thank You for Your Holy Bible! Amen.

Ministry of the Word to North and Middle Andaman

The journey to North Adaman was not in our plan, but the Lord opened the door for us, and it was an impromptu plan in sweet coordination. For this trip, we had to start as early as 3 AM to access the first convoy as the entire reserved island of the Jawara tribal had to be crossed with full security. Then, we had to cross over to other island by boat as bridge was still under construction. Then we stopped over at Betapur and Rangat, and finally arrived Mayabunder at about 10:30 PM just for night stay at a hotel. The entire trip took us about 20 hours. Of course, in two places we had a gathering with the Christian leaders.

Belapur

A group of Tamil speaking brothers were laboring among the local Hindi speaking islanders. Though Hindi was not their mother tongue, they learned and were able to minister fluently in Hindi. To them, the ministry literature was introduced and distributed. All the pastor placed order for Tamil New Testament Recovery Version.

Rangat

A Christian leaders gathering was arranged and we introduced the ministry literature in the meeting hall of a full-time serving brother. To my surprise, almost all of them paid the price to buy the ministry books. One key Methodist pastor was not able to come for the meeting, therefore, we visited him without any appointment. But as we introduced the ministry books, he was so interested and purchased all the English books available along with an order for the Holy Bible Recovery Version.

Mayabunder 

A gathering for just an hour was arranged for the Christian leaders as we had to rush back well in time to catch the 2 PM convoy. So we briefly and quickly introduced the ministry literature. I was very encouraged by the positive response of all the brothers. They all purchased the ministry books and paid them in ready cash. The Lord surely remembered their hunger and thirst for the healthy teaching and supplied them with the riches of the ministry of the word.

To the Middle and North Andaman too, the Lord has his way to send forth His light and His truth that His people may be led to His holy mountain and His holy tabernacles.

To this remote and isolated islands, the ministry of the word has arrived. Since many years ago, the gospel of grace has been preached here, now the truth of the gospel of the kingdom of God has come. May the Lord lead His people further into the full knowledge of the truth!

“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)

Ministering the Word in Port Blair

On the evening of the ministry books introduction and distribution in Port Blair last Thursday, a brother came to me and enquired more about the books. He has been so burdened to preach the gospel among the local people in the island and shared to me his vision in serving the Lord. He also said something special like this, not verbatim though, "After listening to your speaking, something within me is telling me to talk to you and invite you to minister the word in the small church I am taking care." Immediately, I knew it was from the Lord and I accepted the invitation. Later, I fellowshipped with my brother and we both felt good to visit his small church, the fruit of his labor for over fifteen years.

On the Lord’s day morning, as usual, my brother ministered the word on The Purpose of Man and I followed to minister on Household Salvation, how the purpose of man created by God can be fulfilled with household salvation promised by God. After the meeting, the believers testified of how much blessed they were with the word. The key brother and his wife invited us for dinner fellowship, and the brother volunteered to help us in driving us around to meet the few more Christian leaders as our last sprint for this visit. Then, we went for some shopping and finally ended the day with a lovefeast on a sumptuous meal.

An AG pastor who first had a doubt about the ministry was so supplied when we actually met and introduced the ministry books with the Holy Bible Recovery Version. After the meeting, he exclaimed that all his doubts were fully cleared and even invited us to minister to his congregation on the Lord’s day. The timing of this meeting was right after the one who invited us first. Therefore, we ministered the word to two congregations in Port Blair last Lord’s day. 

To this group, our ministering the word was more elaborate as this is one of the big and famous groups. After my brother spoke the messages on the meaning of human life, calling upon the Lord, and loving the Lord, I followed suit by continuing the burden with the importance of reading and eating the word of God daily for growth in life. Verse by verse, I helped the congregation to see the vision of Christ as the bread of God that believers should eat daily with emphasis on John 6:31-57, 63.

“As the living Father has sent Me and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me.” (John 6:57, RecVer)

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

The responses of the entire congregation was very encouraging, especially the key pastor who declared to the enitre congregation, "Jesus said, eat me!" As I encouraged every one to read the Bible everyday and perhaps a gift for those who complete reading the Bible in a year once, a gift to be given, the pastor echoed the same and made an announcement for a Bible reading reward scheme. 

May the word of God ministered bear a hundred fold fruit one day. As He sent forth His light and His truth, may He also recover His remnants and lead them to His holy mountain and holy tabernacles.

Ministry of the Word to Port Blair, Andaman

In 2016 we had visit Andaman Island for the fist time after a training in Tenkasi where we prayed by faith and claimed our good lands in India for the Lord’s testimony. The good labd I claimed was Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Therefore, in fellowship we visit the islands. The contact I had at that time was of a brother whose book I received while distribution the ministry book in Guwahati. Through that contact, the Lord opened the door for the visit to the uttermost part of the world as later commented by a brother from USA who read the report after the visit.

This  time it was our second visit and we were able to meet most of the Christian leaders in four localities. The Lord granted us favor in the eyes of the Christian leaders who were very open. They warmly welcomed us and helped us in many practical aspects to make the introduction and distribution of the ministry of the word fruitful. 

Inwardly, the Lord led us with a very specific burden to send forth His light and His truth through the ministry of the word. His word became our instant and constant guide throughout the journey. 

Send forth Your light and Your truth;

They will lead me; They will bring me to

Your holy mountain and to Your tabernacles.

Psalm 43:3

This time, the Lord prepared a brother who gave himself fully to assist us in meeting most of the key leaders in Port Blair as he has been serving in the city for more than two decades. The Lord used him as our physical guide in almost all the practical things we did while in the island. As a token of thanks, we gifted him with the Tamil New Testament Recovery Version and some offering as his family was in need. In fact, his son was under treatment in a hospital but he was with us for the ministry journey.

Besides, the Lord also prepared another brother who is a pastor of a Pentecostal group who usually were exclusive, but he was very inclusive towards us, accepting all our requests and even allowing us to use his meeting hall for the meeting with the Christian leaders in Port Blair. There were times we frequented his house and the meeting hall under his care as all the books were stored in his meeting hall under his custody. At odds times we had to visit him, even 3 AM in the morning or 11 PM late at night. He cooperated with smiling face! His humanity was such a cherishing. To such a one, my heart was open to him and gifted him the Malayalam New Testament Recovery Version, making him the first  to possess and read the Recovery Version in Malayalam in the island. Along with this, a good number of ministry books were gifted as well as a token of thanks for all his help.

On th first day itself, we were able to meet five key Christian leaders and introduced the ministry literature. All of them received them without any hesitation. In one of the meetings with a Christian leader, the burden for Middle and North Andaman was conceived and even a detail plan was laid out.

One afternoon, a good number of Christian leaders were gathered together and we introduced and distributed the ministry books to all. To many of them, this was the first time to know the riches of the ministry literature.

To those who could not make it to the gathering of the Christian leaders, we paid the price to visit them at their homes, some with appointment and others without any appointment. All of them welcomed us ad were so impressed by the ministry books especially the Holy Bible Recovery Version and most of them ended up placing order for the Bible. 

With two key Christian leaders we had a time of dinner lovefeast, one at his home and the other in a restaurant. And on the last day, a brother and his family invited us for a time of lovefeast fellowship at their home. This brother was gifted with the few ministry books sample I took for introduction. 

The Lord indeed sent forth His light and His truth. May He one day lead all His chosen remnants to His holy mountain and His tabernacles.

Be Angry, But Do Not Sin

Be angry, yet do not sin; Consider in your heart upon your bed, And be silent. Selah (Psalms 4:4, RecVer)

This verse excatly described my experience recently. I was so much provoked to anger by one of my family members with whom I have had fellowship ample number of times. Still then, I felt the matter was not resolved despite my continual persuasion. I was taught an important lesson in self control. Whenever the matter of concern came up, I was disturbed and wanted to stop the ongoing matter. But I learned an important lesson, to leave the matter to the Lord and trust in Him fully. I was just enlightened to see how much I lacked in trusting the Lord. Definitely, what He did not plan will ever come to pass. I must simply put my whole trust in the Lord.

A few weeks ago, I was very much tempted to burst out in anger. I even schemed and planned for some actions to be taken in case of disobedience. In fact, when I lay down to sleep, the matter bothered me and I planned for some actions. But after much consideration and praying over the matter again and again, I realised that the Lord was in control and I need not take the place of God in taking any decision. Therefore, I did not bring the matter further and decided not to bring it again unless the Lord leads me so.

It was a tough lesson to learn. I thought I was patient and could control my temper but when I was provoked I found myself struggling. Gradually, the Lord has been training me and perfecting me. Thank God, that I did not burst out in anger but subdued my temper by turning to the Spirit indwelling my spirit. And now I have perfect peace and the matter did not bother me again. What a life lesson! Be angry, yet do not sin; Consider in your heart upon your bed, and be silent.

When the need arises to express the genuine feeling within, it may be expressed but with a reminder, "Be angry, but do not sin." This I learned from the Pslamist concerning God expressing His anger towards His rebellious and disobedient children. 

“Therefore Jehovah heard and was angry. And a fire was kindled against Jacob, And also anger went up against Israel; Because they did not believe in God, And they did not trust in His salvation.” (Psalms 78:21-22, RecVer)

“When the anger of God went up against them and slew some of their fattest ones and struck down the choice men of Israel.” (Psalms 78:31, RecVer)

This experience reminds me of the letter to the church in Ephesus. In anger, the devil can be easily given a ground. Which means, it is he who provokes and instigates. He will use whatever and whoever to accomplish his mission. We must turn it into mission impossible by not sinning, rather trusting in the Lord and leaving the matter to Him in prayer. Therefore, first consider carefully and be silent, and shut up the mouth of the devil. 

Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your indignation, Neither give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27, RecVer)

Thank you, Lord for this precious and powerful life lesson!

Cheating and Complaining

When cheated or felt cheated I usually brushed it aside and took no hurt feelings. But recently I realized that by doing so I am giving an unnecessary message to the cheater that their cheating is OK, at least with me. Though I did not mind being cheated as I trust in the God of righteousness, I have a new realization that for the sake of the ones who have cheated me, I should let them know that what they did was not right and that they should not do it any further. In that way, I can render help to them, at least morally.

Recently, I experienced a series of being cheated in a few cases. The first two were related to food pricing in my recent trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the purchasing of souvenirs in Port Blair at double the price of the original price. In both cases, I decided not to complain or get a refund. I should be more careful before I place an order and made a payment. In these cases, since I already placed the order and made the payments, I decided not to complain.

But as I came back to New Delhi, an Uber driver cheated me by showing me a taxi fare of Rs. 1121 from his mobile at almost double the rate of the actual Uber ride price. Since he did not close the ride, I never received the fare, instead, he showed me his own calculation on his mobile, I guess it was not an Uber App. It was almost midnight and I had to pay him anyway. Finally, I had no option but to pay by cash as he said his PhonePe did not work. Right after the payment, I received a mail from Uber that my ride was only Rs. 681. Then, I realized I was cheated. As usual, I thought to just leave it, but I strongly felt that this time I should complain to the Uber via App, which I did. And also gave just a 1-star rating to the driver with a note on him charging a higher fare. Then, I received a message stating that my fare was only Rs. 331 and that part of my payment failed. What a fraud! I decided not to let things go this time. Not for my sake, but for others' sake, so I pursued the matter.

The other case was an order made online for a bag of rice from JioMart which was never delivered. I kept waiting and waiting, instead, I received a message that the order will be delayed and then a message on shipment, but was never delivered without any status update. Finally, I wrote to the Support Team. But the reply I received was very strange; the order was returned and to be refunded yet never refunded. So I had to write an email again requesting for my order to be delivered or else the money refunded, though I did not cancel the order at all. I even visited the JioStore to verify, only to find out that my order was not even in their record. Perhaps, the order was placed with another store. Therefore, I ordered from another store, a bag of rice, and this too was never delivered. After the repeated call, finally, the delivery was made, but with a price higher than I was promised. Later, I discovered that the rice I order and the rice bag did not match. So I texted the seller and got clarification.

In all these cases of cheating and complaining, I learn one important lesson. I can either ignore it as I did many times, but in some cases, I must pursue the matter for the sake of teaching a lesson to the cheater. In this way, I can at least render some help.

That said, I am least bothered as I am under the sovereign hand of the living and righteous God who knows all things and does all things best for me.