Advanced New Year!

New year is a time when there is a new beginning. Be it a new calendar year, new month, new week, new day, new hour, new minute, and even new second. It is the state of the inner attitude with the reality of newness. But is is not an overstretched or understretched time event. Spiritually, it is the experinece of the newness of God. This is my understanding of newness. 

Though the beginning of calendar new year is definitely a new year, it must also be the experience of the newness of God in our Christian living. This time, even before the calendar new year began, I experienced the new year already! 

Last Monday, the 25th of Dec 2023, the brothers in the church in Gurugram came together for prayer and fellowship. We enjoyed a solid, strong, and sweet hour of prayer together in oneness and one accord. The burdens of the church blessed by God have all been released with a strong spirit. Even as we fellowshipped on practical matters related to the church, the Lord made things very clear as was never before. I could perceive what the Lord wanted to do in the city of Gurugram through His church. Things became very clear as we prayed and fellowshipped in one accord. Especially, the burden of the increase in the church has been made vividly clear.

As we fellowshipped, the Lord also made the way to fulfill the burden with all clarity. No cloud of confusion as was in the past lingered over our head. We were all very clear the way we need to take in order to fulfill the burden the Lord bestowed upon His church. I even echoed this matter to the brothers with much joy. By faith, I even declared that the church's strength in number will triple, if not more. This was not presumptuous, not a mere dream, but a reality achievable in time if we follow the way shown to us. 

As the fellowship was on, I mentally listed all the saints and contacts in three different areas we plan to spread to. I could count at least ten families in each area. Even when I calculated further the strength in each area, I could count at least a score or two. Totalling upto to a century which has also been the goal for the local church in a city in NCR. This is very much achievable. Not humanly boasting, but the Lord has shown us the way. Which if we coordinate with Him, He will definitely do it.

The way entailed the formation of vital groups among brothers in each area. These brothers being blended and builded up must shepherd one another and other younger or newer brothers in the Lord. This is the preparation of the structure for the building of the church. Then, others saints in those areas can be added in gradually. Besides, the maintaining and reading of the church's statistics should be the reading of the saints issuing in shepherding. Therefore, caring for the new ones to the extend of adopting home delivery of spiritual food to the saints in need, regular home meeting and group meeting with the help of the Life-studies. Shepherding Materials, HWMRs, and relevant ministry materials. In this way, the increase can be brought forth in a very define way.

After this fellowship, all my "cloudy burden" for the church which I have been bearing in my heart with much heaviness has been lifted up! To me, it's a new year! It's an advanced new year! Perhaps, new year has arrived earlier. 

Lord, thank You for the new year with new burden and new way!

Not I But Christ

“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20, RecVer)

This is one of my favourite verses in the Bible. I have memorized this verse since the beginning of my Christian life. I have been fellowshipping, preaching, and teaching based on this verse umpteen number of times in many occasions at any places. But just a few days ago, the Lord showed my the real intrinsic meaning of this verse in a very personal and subjective way.

I can preach and I can teach others on this verse even with much clarity and conviction. But only recently, I could truly experience from the depth of my being the reality of this verse. It was the mercy of the Lord that I finally could experience the depth of this verse. 

I have been spending time with the Lord in prayer daily at a specific time. In my personal and intimate fellowship with the Lord, He show me that I indeed am nothing. Whatever has been accomplished apparently through me was actually not of me at all. Even if I ever happen to be a channel, still the actual one who accomplishes is Him only. Though I acknowledge this fact in the past, I still used to think, something of me has a part in it too. Well, that is true for God’s move is in and through man. But it is purely of God who shows mercy on the vessel He pleases to choose. The fact that He happens to choose me when He could have chosen many others is a good enough reason to realize that it was, I am not but Christ.

In the past, if I had a good living and an acceptable work at least to my own satisfaction, I still thought that something "good in me" was used by God. Though I would never acknowledge this fact openly, deep within there indeed was the feeling. So somehow, something good in me had influence on the outcome of the works accomplished. This was the hidden feeling. But now, the Lord has shown me that even in the depth of my failures, still He accomplishes His work. If it was so when I felt my living was good and proper I would somehow infer that because of my goodness the Lord pleased to use me. But now when I had the opposite experience; when I was at my lowest pit and utter sinful and shameful failure, still He uses me as when I was in my height of goodness. This proves to me that, my so called goodness or badness was not the criteria for Him to use me. Whatever my condition may be, He is still the same. In my goodness, He is. In my badness, He is. In whatever state I am in, He still is the same. So, it is not me at all, it is Christ. He is sovereign to choose whomever He wishes. Ultimately, His work is done by Him only, though through man.

Last Lord’s day, we had the last gospel meeting for the year 2023. The brothers arranged the strengthening word as my portion. In fact, this was the first time I ever participated in the gospel meeting this year. Deep within, I wish other brothers could function instead of me. That's why, I had been trying to let other brothers function more and begin to pass the baton of responsibility whatever I used to hold to other brothers. But this arrangement was made in my absence even without my consent, I accepted the Lord’s arrangement.

This time, I ceased to depend on my experience or anything related to me. I only prayed that He would speak His timely word. I am just a channel, nothing more nothing less. Yes, just a channel. I ceased from any kind of human effort to influence the outcome of this meeting. I have completely stopped that. Let the Lord speak. Let Him do His work. Not me. This was my genuine feeling and this was how I prepared for this gospel meeting. I could testify, I had not exerted any human effort this time as I used to do before. When the time came for me to function, I just let the Lord speak and follow His leading. The conclusion of the gospel meeting was, it was strong in spirit. All the saints and new ones were led to come to Jesus! This taught me one very important lesson, "Not I But Christ".

O what a relieve to learn this lesson finally! O what a grace to learn that it is not I but Christ! O what a salvation from self this is! O what a blessing to live Christ and not I!

Life Lesson: Learning to Follow

The accomplishment of work is either by leading to do the work or following the leading or both. One lesson that I have been learning these days is learning to follow the leading. Though for many official tasks I have been taking the initiative to do the work in fellowship and coordination with my co-working brother, there are many other areas where I simply follow the leading through the brothers especially those related to the church and the propagation work. It has been a blessing for me to simply follow the brothers' leading. I could think of no better leading. 

The past three weeks there was an intensified propagation in Gurugram. For the practical detail of where and how to propagate, I had no opinion of my own. I was not even in a position to participate as I desired too. My official and family responsibility occupied me so much. But when I did join on the weekends, I simply followed the brothers, young or old. It was a blessing to just follow who has the leading.

This reminds me of the testimony of a brother who testified that when he was about to leave a country where he served due to lack of clarity on how to lead the saints, a brother fellowshipped with him that if he did not know how to lead or what the Lord’s leading was, he should simply listen to the saints and follow the Lord's leading through the saints. Then he took that fellowship and listened to what the saints had to say. Just by listening to the saints he knew what the leading of the Lord was, at that time in that place.

Many ambitious people would prefer to lead than follow. To follow for them is to be under someone and their pride would not tolerate the humiliation of following. Pride blinds people. If one does not know how to lead, or even if he did know, it is a blessing to follow the Lord's leading through our fellow members of the Body. 

As the brothers in the church came together to fellowship on the Lord’s move in our city and how we could participate in it, I felt very blessed to listen to the brothers' fellowship and simply follow. If I had any leading from the Lord concerning any matter I would present it or the brothers in fellowship. If I did not have one, I simply listen to the brothers and follow His leading through them. This was my experience last weekend. I felt very blessed that I can participate in the Lord’s move in this city in coordination with the brothers. In a similar manner, in all matters related to my official responsibility, the church, or the propagation of the gospel, I simply learn to listen to the fellowship and also learn to follow the leading of the Lord.

If I had any feeling concerning any matter during the fellowship, I present it to the brothers. Yet simply follow their leading whether my fellowship was taken or not. And I had no feeling whether my fellowship was regard or not. We are in the Body and in whichever we were led, I simply follow. In following is the coordination and the blessing. The Lord blesses the Body serving in coordination and in one accord.

May the Lord preserve me, the brothers, and all the saints to blend and build up with one another to the extend that we all in oneness follow the Lord's leading through the fellowship of the Body. 

Accept the Fact

“The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.” (Proverbs 16:1, RecVer)

The Lord has been teaching me an important lesson on His sovereignty these days. As the gospel preaching was planned in the city of Gurugram with the coordination of the trainees and the saints in the church life, I really wanted to participate in it. But when the plan was first proposed and brought to fellowship, I already had my schedule fixed for the ministry literature journey. I could not change my plan. But still I decided to join the gospel preaching after coming back. As a matter of fact, I even signed a consecration sheet to join the gospel preaching on the afternoons and the evening sessions of the last two weeks as I would already miss the first week. That was the plan that belonged to me.

When I came back from the ministry literature journey, I was very tired and fell ill. I took rest for the whole day and my official works were pending. I could not join the gospel preaching as I planned. In addition, I need to finish urgent official works and submitted the yearly budget. For that, I need to look into the financial need of all the serving ones along with the next year plan for translation, printing, and distribution of the ministry literature. And I also need to sit together with my coordinating brother to go through all the minute points which we did and finally submitted the budget. Right after this, other host of pending works made me busy again. Then, the second week was over. Though I could help the saints in driving them to the gospel preaching venue, I myself could not participate with them. The plan that belonged to me did not work again.

In the final third week, I thought I could join, but then I was tied up with my official duty fully on Monday. I thought, at least, by Tuesday I could join, but there was the sudden demise of a brother in the church in New Delhi. Therefore, I need to attend the funeral. So the whole day was gone. The following Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, similar official works crept in and I just could not find the time at all. I cannot leave my official duty and go for gospel preaching. Though I was able to join on Saturdays as I usually do, other weekdays, though I planned it, it just did not work out. I had no way but to simply accept the fact of the situation I was in. Even the third week was gone. I had my plan, just that it didn't work out.

Some brothers might feel something about me not joining the gospel preaching this time, but the fact was that I just could not make it. I did not want to justify myself either. Unavoidable circumstances did not allow me. Besides, I also felt other brothers can take the responsibility in all practical matters related to the gospel preaching. In the past, whenever I was there, somehow, like it or not, some chunk of responsibility I always bore. This time, I believe it is the Lord’s arrangement for other brothers to bear the same burden. As for me, I will just join them on the weekends. I simply have to accept the fact. And that's the Lord’s sovereign arrangement. 

“The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.” (Proverbs 16:1, RecVer)

Son of Abraham

As usual, every Wednesday night the brothers from Madhya Pradesh invited me to minister the word on their online meeting. I initially would not prepare unless I get the confirmation call. The call came just before half an hour from the meeting time. Since it came, I agreed to it. But was not clear what to minister then. Though I tried to follow a sequence of lesson from a book, I did not have the anointing to do for every lesson. The Lord knew the actual situation of the people joining the meeting online. So I denied my own arrangement and followed the Lord’s instant leading. The Lord has been faithfully leading me whenever I needed to minister the word. This time too, as I looked to the Lord for what to minister, I was led to Genesis 22 concerning the test to Abraham to offer up his only begotten and beloved Issaac. As I read the verses ans the footnotes, flood light came gushing upon me. I knew exactly what to minister now. The Lord gave me the message.

With the Lord’s word that was given to me and also according to the season of the times, I ministered on the Lord Jesus Christ using the way He was introduced in the Gospel of Matthew, as the son of Abraham. 

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:” (Matthew 1:1, RecVer)

I expounded this phrase in Matthew 1:1, "son of Abraham" with the notes from Genesis 22, and came forth with a wonderful message on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Note from the Recovery Version on Genesis 22:2

Abraham’s offering of his beloved and only son, Isaac, on the altar is a vivid picture of God the Father’s offering of His beloved and only Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. In this picture Isaac typifies Christ in a detailed way. Isaac, as Abraham’s only son (vv. 2, 12, 16), typifies Christ as God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16). Isaac was Abraham’s beloved son (v. 2), and Christ was the Father’s beloved Son, in whom He delighted (Matt. 3:17). Isaac took his father’s will (v. 6), and Christ also chose the will of His Father (Matt. 26:39). Isaac was obedient unto death (vv. 9-10); likewise, Christ was obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8). Isaac carried the wood for the burnt offering and walked to the top of Mount Moriah (v. 6); in the same way, Christ bore His cross and walked to Golgotha (John 19:17). Isaac was offered to God as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah; Christ also was offered to God on the same mountain (see note 1 1 in Mark 10) to fulfill the type of the burnt offering. Isaac was “killed” on the altar and was returned to Abraham on the third day, that is, in resurrection (vv. 4, 10-13; Heb. 11:19); similarly, Christ was crucified on the cross and was resurrected on the third day (1 Cor. 15:4). Isaac was multiplied in resurrection (v. 17), and Christ also was multiplied in His resurrection (John 12:24; 1 Pet. 1:3). Isaac was the seed of Abraham for the blessing of all the nations (v. 18); likewise, Christ is the unique seed of Abraham in whom the blessing of Abraham has come to the nations (Gal. 3:8, 14, 16).

The above notes, I split it upto ten points and proved that Isaac is a type of Christ in the Old Testament. Today, in the New Testament, we have the fulfillment of the prophecies and the reality of the types in the Old Testament. I myself enjoyed this exposition so much as I ministered on these points, ministering on the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a new light to me. Though I used to introduce the Recovery Version using the note on "son of Abraham" some three or four points l, but not as amany as ten points in detail. Thank the Lord for His timely words! Thank the Lord for the properly translated and Interpretated word of God!  

I do not know what will become of all these ones who have been attending the online meetings, but I do know that the Lord has been working on them through the ministry of the word. Only the Lord know what will become of all these brothers and sisters who have been receiving the ministry of the word. Only time will tell the effect of this ministry. Till then, I simply must be faithful to minister the healthy words.

Lord, bless Your word.

Two Funerals

The day before yesterday I received a message from a brother who is also a translator informing me of the demise of his father. His father had been ill for quite some time, in fact, seriously ill that at one point the family lost all hope. The doctors discharged him with no hope ever, and the family took him home just to wait for his demise. But our brother prayed for his father and at least for a moment he regained his health back. But this did not last too long, and the sad news of the demise came. My innate reaction was, I called up my brother, listened to what he had to say, comforted him, and also prayed with him. In times of sorrow, I should stand with him though from a distance. He has been up and down as far as following the ministry is concerned, but nonetheless he is a dear brother in the Lord and I still maintain my fellowship with him as a brother. Despite his opinion about us an the ministry, he is still a brother in the Lord. Therefore, during this difficult time, I did my best to stand with him and even help him in whatever way I could. Later, in fellowship with my coordinator, we felt good to assist him at least for the funeral expenses of his father. So we offer ten thousand rupees as a token of love and comfort during this time of grief and urgent need to this brother and his family. Words did comfort, but much more, practical help like offering comforts too. Leaving all his views and opinion about the Lord's recovery aside, he is still a dear brother in the Lord. As much as the Lord permits me to be fellowship with him, I will do so faithfully. I do pray that one day he will be fully for Christ and the church. 

One day, all will need to face the tomb unless the Lord returns before our time ends. One thought that crossed my mind was, before that day comes, I better grow in life and be matured to have a complete conclusion.

Ep 1:18The 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.

Note from the Recovery Version: The hope of God’s calling includes (1) Christ Himself and the salvation He will bring to us when He comes back (Col. 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:5, 9); (2) the rapturous transfer from the earthly and physical realm to the heavenly and spiritual sphere, plus glorification (Rom. 8:23-25, 30; Phil. 3:21); (3) the kingly enjoyment with Christ in the millennium (Rev. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:18); and (4) the consummate enjoyment of Christ in the New Jerusalem, with the universal and eternal blessings in the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5).

On the same day, I received another message from another translator that his sister's father-in-law went to be with the Lord. Since it was just a distant relationship, I initially thought it was not important to attend his funeral meeting. But my dear broher and coordinator fellowshipped that we better attend the funeral representing the church. Though I initially questioned the need for it, I later realised that it was during this time of grief, pain, and sorrow that we put our church life to a practical test. Then, I obliged to the fellowship, and we went to attend this funeral in North Delhi. Though we could not do much, we at least showed our support by being physically present at the funeral meeting. We did offer prayer for the family at the tomb. And stood in oneness with the saints in the church in New Delhi to take care of all the practical needs of the family. We also offered some amount on behalf of the church and handed it over to the church in New Delhi to consdier the best use of it concerning this family.

Rm 12:12Rejoice in hope; endure in tribulation; persevere in prayer.

Rm 12:13Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality.

May the God of all comfort comfort the two families. May those of us who still remain look away unto Him, the hope of glory.

Ministry of the Word to Kolkata

Kolkata is one of the metro cities we have been praying for. For decades we have been burdened for this city. A couple of ministry and gospel trips have been undertaken. Yet till date, the testimony of the Lord on the ground of oneness is still just in prayer. This city was planned this time as brothers from Chennai were to come too. But, at the last minute they could not make it due to the cancellation of their train because of the cyclone Michaung that flooded the city and caused havoc. Therefore, we planned to just meet my old classmate's family and some seekers.

In fact, when I sent out prayer requests, my classmate enquired if I could minister in their congregation on the Lord’s day, the day we planned to arrive the city, which happened to be their "Mission Sunday." But the Lord did not give me peace at all. So we decided not to accept the offer except to just come to visit the family.

As we spent time with my friend and brother's family in Kolkata, we had a wonderful time of fellowship on the truth concerning the Christian life and the history of the church, and the proper church life in the Lord’s recovery. My friend and his wife were very interested to learn more. They have opened their home for the ministry and in just a couple of hours we were able to meet whoever we need to meet in the city for this time of visit. At least for the day we were there, I told them that their house has become a "Mission Centre" which was their way of understanding what we call as propagation center. When I left, I sent a note of thanks to both my friend and his wife:

Thank you for your love, care, and hospitality. The Lord enabled us to accomplish our burden through your open home for the ministry as we could meet the key local Bengali contacts by inviting them at your home within  a span of few hours. 

Jehovah bless you and keep you; 

Jehovah make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

Jehovah lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

(Numbers 6:24-26, RecVer)

Thank you! Praise the Lord!

Even in our planning, we planned to visit a seeker but due to Uber cab booking cancellation we had to change our plan and asked the seekers to come to meet us instead. That turned out to be the Lord’s perfect plan as another seeker just came before the appointed time to meet with us. We enjoyed a time of fellowship, enjoyed lunch together, and also learned that the Lord opened a new door for His move in Kolkata among the local seekers. 

In the morning, a brother from Asansol called me to enquire my whereabouts and also to request for free Bengli books. As he learned that I was in Kolkata, he introduced me to his friend who later came to meet with us. And another local brother also joined us. Therefore, we all enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship as the two local Bengali speaking brothers shared their testimonies. Another new door was opened for the Lord’s further move in Kolkata.

After these meetings, I became quite clear what the Lord has been doing in Kolkata all these years. He has been preparing the local believers and gradually bringing the ministry to them and also introducing them to us. What we have been trying to do over the past decades, the Lord has been doing it in His way and at His time. Now, the time has come for us to reap the harvest. Now, with the churches in Tamilnadu picking the burden for Kolkata, the stage has been set for the raising up of the Lord’s testimony in Kolkata. 

On a lighter note, my departing flight from Kolkata was postponed thrice. I booked the last available flight from Kolkata to Delhi to give me sufficient time to meet people and minister during the day. This postponed flight gave me sufficient time to finish recording my experiences and also gave me enough time to enjoy dinner at the airport lounge. Even in little things, the Lord was sovereign over all! Praise Him!

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Kolkata!

Minstry of the Word to Durgapur

When I ventured out for this ministry journey to West Bengal, one of the burdens the Lord gave me was to find a good and proper Bengali translator. I just trusted the Lord that in time He will reveal one. Just as expected, while we were in Asansol the Lord gave us a contact whose father was a Bengali translator. As we came to visit this brother, I marvelled at the specific way the Lord led us to him at the right time. He was one of the best Bengali translators with decades of experience and have already translated over 200 title books. Besides, he is a dear brother in the Lord. With him, we spent a couple of hours fellowshipping. I was so thankful to the Lord for this discovery and worshipped the Lord for the way He led us to him. I do believe the Lord will open up the entire Bengali population to the healthy teaching of the ministry of the word.

After this, we went to Durgapur to attend a yearly meeting of all the Christians in the city. The coordinator of the program gave us time to introduce the ministry literature to all the people present. The meeting was recorded and also live-streamed. In just one evening, the Lord opened the door for the spread of the ministry in Durgapur. A good number of seekers came and purchased the ministry books in addition to receiving the free Bengali books. This was yet another unique experience the Lord blessed us with. 

In traveling to all these places with heavy luggages filled with ministry books, the Lord also graced us to the extend that the joy of bringing the truth to the people overshadowed the little hardship and physical suffering we bore for a while. On that day, we did not have time to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But we did not feel hungry even. Though my body suffered a little bit due to dust and cold, I had been sneezing and coughing, yet, it was not a big deal. The joy of the presence of the Lord in introducing and distributing the ministry of the word filled me inwardly. I could only call upon the Lord again and again and praise Him!

Lord, bless Your move in Durgapur and gain the Bengali populace with the availability of the ministry of the word in Bengali soon.

West Bengal for Christ and the church!

Ministry of the Word to Asansol

The first time I visited Asansol was when visited a brother and his family for spiritual fellowship. It was then that helped them with the truth concerning salvation and also baptised them. That was a great deliverance for the entire family from the darkness of idolatry and the bandages of the devil through superstition amd many deception of the devil. The family since then have been fully brought to enjoy the Christ as their life. After three years, I have come again to visit this family with a brother. 

This time, in addition to fellowshopping with the family, we also visited other Christian leaders and groups in the city for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. Though we could not do much, we could at least visit few Christian leaders whom the Lord sovereignly led us to, people whom He already prepared to receive the ministry. 

In one of the biggest congregations, we were initially told that no "big pastor" would give time as they all have their own teachings and ministries. But we simply went to visit, by faith, one of the biggest groups without any preappointment. Both the groups received us warmly, received our fellowship, and also the books we introduced. In fact, in one group that also owns a theological school, all the Bible teachers gathered together to hear us out and they all purchased the Holy Bible Recovery Version!

We were also invited to minister the word in one of the congregations here on the Lord’s day, which we did. The Lord led us to minister on helping the believers to know that they were vessels created by God to contain God. As such, the meaning of the human life is to contain God and express God. For this, there is the need to confess our sins and apply the precious blood of the Lamb whenever we are defiled. The cleansed vessel may then be filled with God Himself by calling upon the Lord’s name and receiving the word of God by reading and praying. We also encouraged them to read the Bible daily which they all agreed to do so; to read the Bible daily that they all can complete reading the whole Bible at least once in a year.

Besides these, we also enjoyed a time of fellowship with a seeking brother concerning the problem that he has been going through. Our only solution is, first of all, pray. Then, as we were about to leave, a family came for fellowship an urgent fellowship. The son had just met an accident, the wife just left him, and the family has been deeply grieved. As we all prayed, the father of the family broke into tears. We consoled him by sharing the gospel and also ministering the truth concerning baptism as he has been praying for his own baptism. In this way, we all accomplished the burden the Lord gave us for this visit to Asansol this time.

As we spent time with our host during meal time, we also fellowship with the father of the family concerning his need to deny himself, take up the cross, and follow the Lord. We shepherded him to exercise his spirit and turn to the Lord in every situation. Especially, to take the Lord’s grace in forgiving the people who have hurt him a lot. We also helped him to get into the ministry by reading the Bible with the help of the footnotes, listen to the ministry speaking online, and pursue lessons for new believers.

I personally have the faith in the Lord that the Lord has been preparing His vessels for His testimony. Step by step He led us and layer by layer He unveiled His heart's desire for this city.

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Asansol soon!

Life Lesson: Taking Fellowship

In one of our weekly fellowships, the need for providing a healthy and daily spiritual food to the saints speaking Kokborok in Tripura in the form of HWMR was brought up. According to that fellowship, the serving ones in the literature service would bear the responsibility to find some potential translators. Since then, I have been considering the proper time to go visit the saints in their localities and find out the way to get proper serving ones. Last week, that fellowship was carried out. A brother and I spent three and a half days to visit Tripura and introduced and distributed the ministry literature among the local Christian leaders besides fellowshipping with the saints and also seeking for some potential translators. Finally, we concluded with four potential translators in Kokborok, two of them have been translating and checking already, and the other two were MA in Kokborok, one of them still pursuing the degree, to whom we imparted the burden for translation. The Lord led us and honored the burden for which we came to the state this time for. May the Lord continue to preserve these ones to be faithful and useful vessels unto Him.

About a year ago, one of the leading brothers in the North East called and informed be about a brother in Tripura who had coordinated with me in my past visit five years ago. I took the brother's fellowship and did not make any further contact with that one. I had no idea of the actual situation of that brother but I trust the brother's word as he would not mention things to me if it were not serious. So when I came to visit the state this time, I honored the brother's fellowship and did not contact him at all. Later, through the local brothers I came to learn of the facts and confirmed what a brother warned me of. The two main reasons were, first, the matter of purity in the Lord’s recovery and second, the matter of holiness in contacting the saints. As I was informed, it was thus confirmed. And I was glad that I was able to take the brother's fellowship. Though I had no personal problem with him, I should not put my natural love against the fellowship. Since I could not visit him, I, at least, could pray for the Lord to purify his heart, heal, and recover him back to the fellowship of the Body. In fact, I took the initiative to pray for this brother's healing and recovery with the local brothers. I do believe, one day, the Lord will fully recover him into the fellowship of the Body again.

Though the visit to Tripura was not in my plan at all, when a brother called me, I realized it was of the Lord. I took it to prayer and fellowshipped with my brothers and also with my wife for all practical arrangement. At times, I would be led, and other times, I must follow the Lord's leading through a member of His Body. Either way, it was the Lord’s leading. And I was blessed to be able to amen the proposal. Therefore, I also received the blessing and enjoyed the Lord’s working in me again through this ministry of the word literature journey this time.

Ministry of the Word to Malda, West Bengal

Malda, one of the cities in West Bengal, popped up in one of the meetings we had with a brother in Bokaro. We thought that he had a good contact here, therefore, we planned to visit this city for the distribution of the ministry literature in Bengali. But as we planned and was about to come, he could not be contacted and we were left with no contact. A serving brother tried his best to find seeking contacts in Malda but to no avail. Since we already planned our trip to this city, I was told to find some contacts somehow. That being the case, I searched for "Christians in Malda" on Google. As I Google searched, one contact via facebook gained my attention. So I called the number right away. It so happened that it was the same person contacted by another person, but he backed down to meet with us citing his busy schedule. When as I spoke to him, he finally agreed to meet on the same day we arrive Malda after his Bible studies, about 8:30 pm. By the way, we arrived Malda at about 7:30 pm. Besides, on his suggestion I also booked a hotel room online.

The moment we arrived Malda, we went straight to our hotel room. Once we settled down and was ready, I called the contact I got over the net the day before. He turned up and met us. We did our best to introduce the ministry to him. Though he did not show much interest in it, he touched something of the Lord and changed his mind after meeting with us. As we fellowshipped a while and prayed, he gave us an impromptu invitation to join with him the next day to his group of leaders meeting some 25 kms away from the city. We readily agreed to it. At our first meeting, he did not show any interest in the ministry literature as he claimed to be already very occupied  

The next day, we went along with him to his leaders meeting. On his request, we shared the word of God for an hour. I specifically ministered the word on the need to grow in life unto full maturity by feeding on the gutless milk of the word. I began with 1 Timothy 2:4, and connected the need for the coming to the full knowleged of the truth with Romans 8:29, "conformed to the image of His (Firstborn) Son" and Ephesians 4:13 "the full grown man". I emphasized the need for "eating Jesus" using the relevant verses in John 6:32, 33, 35, 41, 48, 50, 51, 57, 58, 63 along with Matthew 4:4, and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Initially, I was not sure what to minister, but when the time came, the Lord just released the word, verse by verse. Then the 300 set of free BXL 1,2,3 in Bengali were all distributed to the 30 leaders who attended the meeting. Though the key brother was not very interest in the printed books, he became a channel through whom these books could be distributed.

Later, on our way back, we went for sight seeing to three historical sites and took an afternoon nap. Though, the key brother said he was too busy to meet us again, at the last minute he agreed to come and meet us again at our hotel room. When he did come, he finally asked to see the ministry books we brought. Though he still insisted that he did not have time to read, as we introduce the ministry books, he got interested and expressed his desire to get some books. In fact, he literally asked for some books, Messages for Building Up New Believers, and Song of Songs. Deep within me, I felt the burden to give him three books, The Normal Christian Church Life, The Genuine Ground of Oneness, and The Orthodoxy of the Church, as he shared his understanding of the local churches meeting at homes and the need for oneness among the believers today. Finally, when he left, he thanked us for the gifts. The one who said he was not interested in books as "he reads only the word of God directly and that he has no time for books" finally ended up receiving seven ministry books that can help him see the Lord’s heart's desire as revealed in the Bible concerning the Christian life and the church life. Praise the Lord that the Lord indeed has His way of distributing His ministry among His chosen remnants.

After one day visit to Malda city not knowing, the Lord has accomplished His purpose again! 

May the Lord open the eyes of His chosen ones to hunger and thirst for the word of God and receive help from the ministry of the word.

Lord, gain Your remnants in Malda unto the raising up of Your testimony one day!

Seeking for Kokborok Translators

Five years ago, I came to Tripura for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature to the Christian leaders in Agartala and nearby localities. A brother coordinated with me at that time. Wherever we went, whomever we met, the Lord blessed the distribution. We had a good sales too. This time, the main burden was to seek out proper translators to bring the ministry literature into Kokborok, the main language read and spoken by the native people. This was our prayers and fellowship with the brothers for this visit to Tripura this time. Though I got the phone numbers of the two best Kokborok translators, they were fully occupied with the projects they are presently engaged in. In fact, they could not be met even. However, the Lord had the best plan for who the translators would be for thr ministry literature.

Through the three and half days visit, the Lord in fellowship manifested four potential translators for Kokborok. Two of them are the ones who coordinated in the past for translating HWMRs and some hymns. Due to certain situations, they were not able to continue regularly. But now, the Lord has been working on them and they also received a fresh burden. They both have agreed to continue the translation service to meet the present need of the saints.

Besides, the Lord also manifested two brothers for the translation. One brother who is currently pursuing Master's degree in Kokborok will involve more in the translation even as he received a fresh burden concerning his education, life, and the present need of the saints. He was very much encouraged when we helped him to see why the Lord led him to study MA in Kokborok and that his life is for the Lord with all the education the Lord has been imparting him with. We also met another brother who has a double degree in MA, one of which is Kokborok. Besides, he has been translating the PM of India's Mann Ki Baat, a monthly radio program. As we fellowshipped with him concerning the Christian life and our usefulness to the Lord, he seriously considered to give his time to bring out the ministry books into Kokborok that will benefit some fourteen lakhs native speakers in Tripura. Though, these two brothers have come forward to do the translation gradually, they also will need the prayers of the Body to uphold them. As this is the Lord’s move, it is also a spiritual battle that must be fought only in the Body with the Body. The leading brothers in the local churches also were revived through all our fellowship to seriously follow up on bringing the ministry materials into their native language, not only for the saints under their shepherding care, but also for all the believers speaking the language. 

After meeting and fellowshiping with these brothers, I deeply thanked the Lord for leading us this time with this specific burden and that has now been accomplished. May the Lord bring to fruition what has been initiated concerning the Kokborok translation service.

Besides, we were also sovereignly led to meet with the top leadership of the main Christian group in the state. On the last day, we had a time of introduction of the ministry literature to the top leadership in the home of a brother who once was the founding president of a prevalent tribal organization. We had a time of love feast fellowship and even stayed at his resident. After all these, with a deep sense of gratitude to the Lord for His leading and guiding, we left the city today morning for another distribution trip to another state, West Bengal.

Lord, bless Your move in Tripura!

Ministry of the Word in Tripura

Today, we attended the Lord’s Table Meeting in Ratchantai, near Agartala in Tripura. As we enjoyed feasting on the Lord through hymns of praises, the brothers invited me to break bread with them. It was a joy indeed to break the bread with the saints in Tripura! After the bread breaking meeting and prophesying meeting, the brothers requested us to minister the word. As usual, my co-working brother ministered first and I followed him with the same burden he released. As I ministered the word following him, the Lord gave me a fresh burden and I released whatever the Lord burdened me with. 

The first burden was the need for shining forth the gospel of the blessed God. This was possible only if we first received the shining of the Lord. As the moon receives it's light from the sun and then reflects it in the dark night, we must also receive the shining light of the Lord and reflect it to this dark world. This reflecting of the Lord’s light is the shining, and this shining is the gospel.

“According to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.” (1 Timothy 1:11, RecVer)

As I ministered, more light dawned upon me and the Lord showed me further light to help the saints in a very practical way. The way to receive the shining is by turning to Him, the Light, and receive His shining. This can be done practically in spending time with the Lord in prayer. I encouraged all the saints to set apart time every day for personal prayer. If possible, at least an hour to fellowship with the Lord, call upon His Name, and pray the burdens the Lord imparts. This must also be done along with the reading of the Bible everyday and picking a verse to pray-read. I further encouraged the saints to not complain about the unavailability of the ministry materials in their native language,  Kokborok. At least, they have the Bible in Kokborok. So thay must be faithful to read the word of God in Kokborok. Instead of complaining about what is not available, they must be faithful to read what they already have.

Besides this personal reading of the Bible and prayer, I also encouraged them to spend family prayer time everyday with their family members. Then, brothers prayer with the brothers, and sisters prayer with the sisters. In this way, all the saints should be living a prayer life, and the church sould be the house of prayer. 

Once, regular and daily personal and corporate prayer life is established, the saints will be shined upon by the glory of God and they will shine forth the glory of the blessed God as the gospel. By this shining, one by one, all the family members will be saved and there will be much increase in the church life here in Tripura. 

Through conversation with the saints here, it was obvious that they have very much been affected by the political and social situation that they have been facing. In fact, the Bengalis from Bangladesh have been migrating into this state and have even overtaken the local populace in many areas of life. This has been a nagging thought in the minds of the native people including the saints. Therefore, I encouraged them to pray for the salvation of all these migrants and have a view of God in viewing them as fish sent by the Lord to their land for their fishing. In fact, the Lord promised us that He will make us fishers of men. It will be difficult if not impossible to go to the land of these migrants for the gospel, but now that they have come, our responsibility should be to share the gospel of the love of God to them.

In addition, they have also been so much occupied with gaining their own land. But my burden was to help them receive God’s burden and pray the Lord’s prayer, praying for the kingdom of God rather than for our own kingdom. Our view should be according to God. Our prayer should also be according to God. There may me many things we cannot do, but God would not expect us to do what we cannot do. He will only expect us to do what we can do. So, we must be faithful to do what we can do and just do it faithfully. 

After the ministry of the word, we prayed and all the saints responded from the burden just released. Then, we all prayed together again and ended the meeting followed by lovefeast.

Later, in the evening we visited a family and preached the gospel to the unsaved family members of a brother. The Lord blessed the gospel preaching and those who have not yet believed into the Lord believed and confessed that Jesus is Lord! The truth concerning baptism was also shared to them. We then prayed for them and let them take their own time for their baptism. 

Thus, the day ended. And this was how we enjoyed the Lord’s move in Tripura.

Praise the Lord! May the Lord richly bless His move in Tripura!