Training: Inward and Outward

The Lord has been training me these days in all possible ways. I have been blessed to be under His divine dealing and training. Last week, we had a three days training on the recent international training for elders and responsible ones on "Being a Vessel unto Honor, a Fully Equipped Man of God, by Being Empowered in the Grace Which Is in Christ Jesus to Fully Accomplish Our Ministry in the Unique Ministry of God’s Economy." The speaking of the Lord has been timely. Though His speaking through the training were outward, His work has been intrinsic. Through His word, here a little there a little, the Lord does His work gradually, especially in me.

For three days, we, brothers in North India, came together at the meeting hall in New Delhi for the training. The Lord has been preparing our vessels to be a vessel unto honor usefull to the Master. But for this, He has been perfecting our vessels to be like that of a soldier who would not entangle himself in the affair of this life, an athlete who contends in the game, a laboring farmer who labors faithfully, a carpenter who cut straight the word of the truth, and a proper workman. All these are to constitute us to be useful to the Lord.

Suffer evil with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please the one who enlisted him. And also if anyone contends in the games, he is not crowned unless he contends lawfully. The laboring farmer must be the first to partake of the fruit. (2 Timothy 2:3-6, RecVer)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman, cutting straight the word of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, RecVer)

But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels but also wooden and earthen; and some are unto honor, and some unto dishonor. If therefore anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, useful to the master, prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21, RecVer)

This was how I experienced the Lord’s perfecting outwardly through His speaking. But following this training ,we also had another two days of seekers' training. This training, though at the very outset, it might be for the seekers, but it was a training for me particularly. My inward being has been dealt with by this training. I bore the responsibility for inviting and taking care of them all. Though only half of the ones who confirmed to join turned up, the training went on. This was a dealing for my inward being that I should not boast of anything relating to the seekers. 

To care for the seekers, I looked to the Lord for those who came and also for those who could not come. Besides, throughout the training, I was with the seekers, learning together with them and taking care of them. Out of my own burden, I also took part in whatever way I could. I spent and I was being spent for the sake of the seekers. It was a burden to bear, but with the Lord’s grace, everything was taken care. The saints in the church in New Delhi and Gurugram coordinated to take care of the hospitality. In this way, we all bore the same burden together. What a learning and what a training! Praise the Lord! These two trainings were a training for me inwardly and outwardly. What the Lord spoke became my experience. His hand followed His words. What a grace!

Lord, make me a vessel useful to You, a vessel unto honor.