Shepherding: Teaching with a Burden

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, RecVer)

Whom we announce, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man full-grown in Christ; For which also I labor, struggling according to His operation which operates in me in power. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those in Laodicea, even all who have not seen my face in the flesh, (Colossians 1:28-2:1, RecVer)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16, RecVer)

The word of Christ is good for teaching and admonishing in order to make the man of God complete and equip for every good work. For this very reason, the Lord gave me a strong burden to spend time with my own children first and also with a group of young people and college students. 

No one is born perfect. So, all need to be taught. In every walk of life, there is a need for teaching. Be it secular, academic, societal, or even in spiritual matters, all need to be taught. Teaching of various kinds are being carried out at homes, schools, churches, and in almost every field. So much more for the saints in the churches and my own children.

The Lord Jesus taught His deciples many times in many places. Paul too carried out his apostolic ministry mostly by teaching even to the extend that he had to stay for a period of time in certain places for teaching with the Lord confirming him to speak and not be silent. He was faithful in teaching publicly and also from house to house. All these were and are for the perfecting of the saints in carrying out Chirst's heavenly ministry today.

And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; (Acts 18:9, RecVer)

And he remained there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:11, RecVer)

How I did not withhold any of those things that are profitable by not declaring them to you and by not teaching you publicly and from house to house, (Acts 20:20, RecVer)

In like manner, the Lord gave me the burden to spend time with my own children as I came back from a two weeks long ministry journey. As I noticed certain things not in place, especially concerning my son and the situation at home in my absence, I taught my own family members first; admonishing them with love, and prayed with them and for them. This, I did last night as I just arrived home.

Today afternoon, the Lord gave me the burden for young brothers. So I gathered them after the afternoon PSRP session for a time of brotherly fellowship. As I sat face to face with them, my heart was full of burden. The Lord gave many precious materials to labor upon. I must be faithful to the Lord’s commission of shepherding the saints. One way of shepherding is by teaching; teaching the word of God and also teaching the ways of God. The word of God experienced in my life and the ways how God led me, which are also according to the Scriptures, I taught the brothers. It was a precious time of face to face, and heart to heart teaching. 

The burden thr Lord gave me was to establish them in the basic matters of their Christian life. Their daily morning revival, their daily prayer life, and their daily reading od the word of God. With my own testimonies, I taught the brothers from my heart with full of burden to perfect them. Though I told them initially that I will not take much time, but as we started fellowshipping, I simply followed the Lord’s anointing within me and taught them in detail and at length. And they all received it with open heart.

Besides, there were two other young brothers who could not join the afternoon fellowship, but I told both of them that I would spend time, if possible, at least once in a week, with them too. I also opened myself to them and gave them free access to me should they desire to open up their situation with the assurance that I will confide the matters of fellowship to myself only. Because I know that all have been going through situations of various nature. Each individual has to be dealt with according to his need. 

I believe this burden is from the Lord. I pray that the Lord will continue to grace me to faithfully carry out this burden as long as He permits. 

Lord, preserve all these young brothers; precious souls to become precious materials for Your building.

Flow in the One Flow

One God has one goal with one work. In the one work of God there is only one flow. This one flow has its source in God. In this one flow, everything is living and full of life. It is a blessed thing know this one flow. Even more blessed to be in this one flow. Even much more blessed to be in the one flow with the one flow in me. It is one thing to flow with the flow, and yet another thing for the one flow to flow in me while being in the one flow. 

I touched the one flow of life when I first read the ministry books some twenty five years ago as a student. Then, I saw the one flow a few months after. Then, I jumped into the flow two years later. Since then, I have no regrets despite the many oppositions I faced when I decided to be one with the one flow. More than two decades have transpired since then, and my heart is full of thanksgiving and praises to God!

A few days ago, I testified of how the Lord graced me to see the one flow, touch the one flow, and jumped into the one flow. The Lord, in His mercy, has been gracing me to be in this flow, especially in my service to Him. In fact, it was only last week that the flow took us to different parts of Karnataka, the cities surrounding Bengaluru. Though our plan was to visit just four localities. When we followed the flow, it took was to ten localities in three days. I was simply amazed at what the Lord just did. I wonder how it happened when it happened. Now, I look back and simply worship the Lord in awe. 

O what wonder! O what one flow! 

God in man is flowing through. 

From the heavens all to the earth, 

Flowing into and through man! 

Flowing, mingling, blending, building, 

God and man in His one flow!

The enjoyment of being in the one flow is, while in the one flow, everything is easy, sweet, restful, peaceful, and full of blessings. Works become food that one enjoys with no sense of toil or labor. All outward activities are just healthy spiritual exercises for restful soul. The peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is the heart beat of the workers. And the presence of God swallows up all the outward situations and nullifies them as non existent when in reality there are many toils and troubles. This is the enjoyment of being in the one flow.

Lord, preserve me in this one flow all the days of my life. And recover many of Your children into this one flow. That we all flow in Your one flow to accomplish Your eternal purpose unto eternity.

Life Lesson: Prayer, Spirit, and the Word

But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4, RecVer)

These all continued steadfastly with one accord in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14, RecVer)

In order to continue the Lord’s move that was initiated in the book of Acts, today there is a need for me to exercise myself to be a man of prayer. In prayer, two important lessons I have learned afresh  theses days. They are, to be open to the Lord and receive burden from the Lord. It is in this way of being opened to the Lord that He can reveal His burden to me which I can faithfully pick up to pray back to Him in prayer. Then, the burdens will drive me to pray and pray until they are lifted up rwsulting in God answering them. This kind of prayer life will open up the heavens, breakthrough all barriers and bondages, and command the blessings of God. Such prayers will enable one to do what others cannot do, understand what others cannot understand, and speak what others cannot speak. 

For this reason, I have been so burdened to help the saints to have a prayer life daily, even stretch their spirits with a set time and fixed duration for prayers daily. Because, I myself have been enjoying such a prayer life daily and reaping the blessings of such prayers, I truly desire that all the saints enjoy the same prayer life. I also firmly believe that by such prayer life, as the church, we can have a breakthrough in our church life, especially in the matter of growth in life and multiplication in numbers in the church life. This is also the Lord Jesus' pattern as a man of prayer while He was on the earth. The result of such prayer life will be the filling in the Spirit inwardly and the outpouring of the Spirit outwardly as experienced on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

In fact, I just fellowshipped with three brothers in the past few days encouraging them to pray, even learn to pray daily. There may be many things that one cannot do, but inspite of all the difficulties, at least one thing can be done, that is, prayer. So, pray faithfully, the only thing that one can do. Then, the Lord will do His works.

Even the Spirit of reality, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him; but you know Him, because He abides with you and shall be in you. (John 14:17, RecVer)

But when the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of reality, who proceeds from the Father, He will testify concerning Me; (John 15:26, RecVer)

But when He, the Spirit of reality, comes, He will guide you into all the reality; for He will not speak from Himself, but what He hears He will speak; and He will declare to you the things that are coming. (John 16:13, RecVer)

With the Spirit of reality, everything of God and His words will be made real to me and to the saints. Such reality will build up the saints in the church in my locality to the extend that God will be manifested in and through the church. This Spirit of reality is interwoven with the word of God. In fact, the word of God is a living Person, Who can be seen, heard, and even handled. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1, RecVer)

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4, RecVer)

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life (And the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and report to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us); That which we have seen and heard we report also to you that you also may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3, RecVer)

Now, this word of God when constituted in the believers, become in them the Spirit of reality and life. Peter was so constituted with the word that the Person of the word became his person. So, he could simply speak the word and the Person of the word, the Lord Jesus Christ, would carry out the work!

But Peter said, Silver and gold I do not possess, but what I have, this I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6, RecVer)

This word is living and active; it can grow in the believers and cause the believers to be multiplied in numbers. God Himself did everything through the word. When such words operate in the believers, the believers will grow in life and be build up with one another.

For the word of God is living and operative and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, RecVer)

And the word of God grew, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly; and a large number of the priests obeyed the faith. (Acts 6:7, RecVer)

Praise the Lord for prayer, Spirit, and the word! These are the substances of power in the believers' life for God to go on and move through them.

Lord, lead me and the church in my locality to be men of prayer, that we may be filled with the Spirit and the word for the building up of Your church and for Your prevailing move in North India amidst the outward situation whatsoever. 

Life Lesson: Proper Humanity

Proper humanity is needed to serve the Lord to bear fruit unto Him. Otherwise, our life and living would not be a testimony to others, much less, to the Lord. The proper humanity we need is the humanity of Jesus. 

Humanity of Jesus 

Let no one despise your youth, but be a pattern to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12, RecVer)

But you, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, meekness. Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold on the eternal life, to which you were called and have confessed the good confession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11-12, RecVer)

But you have closely followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings, such as befell me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra. Such persecutions I bore, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Timothy 3:10-11, RecVer)

Right Toward God

Always rejoice, Unceasingly pray, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit; Do not despise prophecies, But prove all things. Hold fast to what is good; Abstain from every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, RecVer)

Because of this I also exercise myself to always have a conscience without offense toward God and men. (Acts 24:16, RecVer)

Having Peace with Man

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with all men. (Romans 12:18, RecVer)

I desire therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and reasoning; (1 Timothy 2:8, RecVer)

With this proper humanity, we can be in the one flow of the one work of God. However, the reality of possessing thr humanity of Jesus, being right toward God and man, and having peace with God and man is Christ's life becoming our living as Paul testified in Philippians 1:21, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

All the problems faced in the church life, Christian life, and even in the service are all related to humanity. Or put it simply, the character of a person determines what kind of service he will provide. For this very reason I have had three important fellowships with some serving brothers this month alone.

The first case being, the complaints against a serving one that did not match the expectation of the complainant. Well, the burden he had was good and I appreciated it. However, not every one has the same burden nor the same capacity nor the same family situation. The exceptionally good ones have the tendency to expose the ones below their standards. This is a natural phenomenon. Well, I in no way justify the short comings of the ones below standard neither do I glorify the ones up to the standard. While I would help the ones below standard to improve, I will also tamper the ones up to standard to not expose the others. In fact, both need shepherding and be perfected to function in coordination.

The second case was an issue related to his family having an issue with other family. The matter was concerning the Lord’s testimony in their local church related to their family matters. Since the church has been handling the matter and it was just brought to our notice, nothing need to be done further. What needs to be done has been done. Matters like this can only be prayed for and left to the church. We are in the Body and what the Body decided was what we decided too.

The third case was a fellowship with three serving brothers related to their official service. I only fellowshipped them in a way of shepherding, not at all in a way of instruction or command. I considered them as my own coordinating brothers and that we serve together in the Body for the one goal. While exhorting them to be faithful in their service, I gave a testimony of my own; how I exercised myself to be faithful in my service in all possible ways citing the works the Lord accomplished through the recent distribution trip. I even gave them weekly goals to accomplish.

With these cases, it was clear that all the shortages in our services or our living boils down to our humanity. No wonder, Paul charged his spiritual son, Timothy, to be a pattern and not allow any one to despise his youth, to be a man of God, following the ministry, to be right with God and man, and to have peace with God and man.

The realistic way is to deny our self, take up the cross to deal with every negative thing in our lives, amd follow the Lord Jesus by living and walking according to the Spirit Who is in our spirit. For this, a regular scheduled prayer life, a life filled with the Spirit and the word is needed. 

May the Lord grace me and all my fellow serving ones to live such a God-man life, with a proper humanity of Jesus, to carry out His eternal purpose in the earth.

Shepherding Visitations

Last Lord’s Day afternoon, the 24th of August, I got free time after the Lord’s rich speaking and shining. Initially, it was planned for a visit to a brother's family. However, the Lord’s had a better plan. 

I got to visit a brother who was once my teacher in my college and who was instrumental in shepherding me into the church life in the Lord’s recovery. For about two solid hours we had a time of conversation and fellowship. It was a very normal brotherly fellowship. The content of our fellowship was on what the Lord has done and has been doing in my life. I testified of what the Lord has been doing in India especially through the literature service since I am directly involved in this service and could give a first hand experiences and enjoyment of the Lord. As the fellowship came to a conclusion, he asked me to pray and therefore, I prayed for the whole family especially for the Lord’s shepherding for the restoration of their souls and also for the Lord’s blessing upon his family.

Then, I spent a time of fellowship with a brother seving in the literature service concerning the way to take to improve our efficiency and standard of service.

Following this, we both went to visit a couple, Uncle and Aunty, who were my guardian when I was a student twenty five years ago. As usual, they fed us with a rich lovefeast and then a time of fellowship on the word of God.

This time, I fellowshipped on the Lord’s shepherding in Psalms 23 as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I emphasised on the restoration of our souls through the Lord’s shepherding which resulted in dwelling in the house of Jehovah for the length of my days; in this age, the coming kingdom age, and in the New Jerusalem. And concluded the meeting with prayer for Uncle and Aunty,  which was followed by Uncle praying for me and blessing me.

Thus, the Lord as my Shepherd shepherded me even through this shepherding visitations to my ex-teacher and ex-guardian. 

May the Lord bless them with good health and long life with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Jehovah is my Shepherd; I will lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; 

He leads me beside waters of rest. He restores my soul;He guides me on the paths of righteousness 

For His name’s sake. Even though I walk 

Through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I do not fear evil, 

For You are with me; 

Your rod and Your staff, 

They comfort me. You spread a table before me 

In the presence of my adversaries; 

You anoint my head with oil; 

My cup runs over. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me 

All the days of my life, 

And I will dwell in the house of Jehovah 

For the length of my days. 

(Psalms 23, RecVer)

The Burden and Blessing of Building and Blending in the Body

Since last Friday, 22 August till today, 27 August, we have been under God’s speaking and shining through an elderly and mature brother. To me, I reckon this experience of being under the Lord’s shining light as my spiritual healh checkup undergoing an MRI scan in God’s operation theater. The burden released on the first three days was on the building up of the Body of Christ and the last three days was on the blending in the Body of Christ. When I shared at the last session, I summarized the six days fellowship in one sentence, "The Burden and Blessing of Building and Blending in the Body."

The burden began with a question on whether it was easy to build up the Body of Christ. Having gone through the process of building in the local churches, none including me dared say, it was easy. We all resonated with one answer on the difficulty of building, if not impossible. However, through the two and a half days of fellowship, the Lord's speaking sent forth light from Psalms 23. We could now see the Lord’s shepherding as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, particularly with the life of Jacob being transformed to become Israel, though with much dealings. In like manner, the building work is dependent on our person being dealt with. Since the dealing takes time, and oftentimes, undergoes a lot of sufferings and trials, we find it naturally difficult to build the church, if not, impossible. But, God could transformed Jacob to Israel, so He can deal with us to build up the church. So, with God, it is possible and easy to build the church.

Personally, I could relate myself with the change of names from Jacob to Israel. 

And He said to him, What is your name? And he said, Jacob. And He said, Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed. (Genesis 32:27-28, RecVer)

Jacob's name was changed in Genesis 32 at Peniel. However, Jacob was still called Jacob despite the change of name. But after Jacob had undergone more dealings by experiencing the hand of God in a deeper way after losing whom he loved so much, Rachel, and the helper of whom he loved, Deborah, and the one who loved him even blindly, his father Isaac, his name was in reality changed to Israel.

And God said to him,Your name is Jacob; / Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, / But Israel shall be your name.Thus He called his name Israel. (Genesis 35:10, RecVer)

In the same principle, the revelation of building has been shown first and then the reality of building follows. Jacob first saw the vision of God’s building in Genesis 28:12, however the actual fulfilment of this dream physically was much later on when Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem,  and today it is the building up of the church, the Body of Christ.

And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. (Genesis 28:12, RecVer)

In my experience too, the revelation of truth generally comes first and later, the experience followed. This is the case with the building of the Body too. Since Joshua and Caleb could enter the good land, it is possible for us to build up the Body too. Of course, there are many fine points on the building that touches my being. I must then allow the Lord to work in me deeply day by day until I am fully built up and build up the local church in my locality. 

The burden on the blending was touched on the last two and half days of the fellowship. This blending is directly related with the building, the two goes hand in hand. The dealings and learnings of the two are similar in nature. Both entails the restorating of our souls, the gaining of our souls, the growth in life, and the transformation by the Triune God's shepherding as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Besides, our human cooperation of being open to the Lord and one another, being under the supply of the word of God, and being under the Lord’s perfecting training and speaking with His light shining dispelling all the darkness in our inward being are needed for the genuine blending in the Body. In this way, there will be the necessary purifying, sanctifying, and killing of the self, ambition, and pride. Which will result in our hearts being enlarged and our hearts being turned to the Lord, leading us to the Spirit. In this way, there will be the blending among the saints. Yes, much blending in the Body. 

The past six days have really been a merciful spiritual health checkup session. What a blessing! What a grace! 

Lord, thank you for the burden and blessing of building and blending in the Body! 

May the Lord grace me to be perfected to be blendable, to be able to blend others, and also to be blended with the brothers. And may the Lord also grace me to be builded up in the Body and build up His Body.

Ministry of the Word to Maddur, Mandya, Ramnagar, and Bengaluru

On the third day and the last day in this ministry literature journey, we started early at about 8 AM and came back past midnight after visiting four localities. The Lord led us city by city and we could meet the Christian leaders and seekers in their respective places.

In Maddur, we were led to present the ministry literature to a group of Pastors who also bought the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. Though it was an impromptu visit, the Lord opened the hearts of the believers to receive us and the ministry.

One significant meeting was in Mandya where we met a brother who is also a professor of Computer Science in a private university. Since our time was tight as we intended to cover more cities and yet this professor was busy at his university, so we decided to enjoy our lunch first, a very sumptuous meal of mutton, chicken, and fish. This was the Lord’s shepherding too. Then, when we met the professor for a few minutes on the roadside, he immediately was attracted by the ministry books. He immediately purchased the Holy Bible Recovery Version in English and all the printed English title books of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee we have in stock along with the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version! The Lord just touched him through the ministry and he bought all the minustry books we introduced to him. That too, on the roadside, just for a few minutes. Besides, he being a professor ministering among 200 Engineering students in different universities, 200 copies of A&C Faith journals were also sent to him. 

Additionally, we also met a Christian brother who has been persecuted yet having full of burden for the gospel. He was also so impressed by the truth that he purchased it immediately. Though he was not financially sound, he still paid the price to buy with whatever he had then. It was of the Lord that we could meet such brother whom the Lord has prepared for His move in Karnataka. 

Lord, bless Your move in Karnataka, even through this ministry journey, and the availability of the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada!

Ministry of the Word to Doddaballapur, Nelamangala, and Channapatna

The Lord led us to meet the key Christian leader in the city. Initially, for clarification, he asked a lot of questions. Upon answering his queries, he welcomed us to meet with him face to face. Once we arrived at his house, we introduced the Recovery Version Bible. Right away, he was convinced that this is the Bible he need despite the many versions of Bible he already has, because, the Lord led us to show to him some crucial verses along with their profound corresponding footnotes. One key points that attracted him was how the Bible interpretes the Bible and how we need to learn from the revelations God revealed to His children throughout the past twenty centuries, and those key revelations have been incorporated in the footnotes as study-aid for all lovers and seekers of the Lord Jesus in His word. Having been so impressed by the presentation of the truth, he proposed if we could visit the city again for a meeting with the Christian leaders for the introduction of the ministry literature. To this, our reply was, as the Lord leads and according to the need, we can could consider. We opened ourselves and told that we were open, as the Lord leads.

We also met with a brother who has been serving as a missionary among the local people in the remote area. He invited us to attend the Pastors' fellowship for the introduction of the minsitry books.

Lord, bless Your move in Karnataka, even through this ministry journey, and the availability of the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada!

Ministry of the Word to Chikkaballapur, Gauribidanur, and Tumkur

With the burden to introduce and distribute the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada, I set out with the brothers in Bengaluru to nearby localities. As usual, we met the key Christian leaders in each city. 

Our first stop was in Chikkaballapur where we met a couple of young brothers who serves the Lord in the villages. All that we did was simply introduce the ministry by introducing the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version. Some selected verses and footnotes were sufficient to minister to them the word and then, we all prayed together.

A young couple who have been married for a couple of years and were barren requested desperately for prayer which we did by faith. May the Lord blessed them with children.

A young brother who is also a father of two children and serving full-time had the burden to accompany us to visit the nearby cities. I took that opportunity in the car while on the road to minister to him the truth concerning Christ and the church. He also shared his testimony of salvation as we drove through the highway where he met with an accident and that changed his life and saved him physically and spiritually. In this way, the Lord led us to propagate the ministry in the remote places of Karnataka. 

In Gauribidanur, we met the President of the Pastors' association and introduced the ministry books. He was so attracted by the truth and immediately purchased the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version. He also picked up the burden to introduce to other Christian leaders we could not meet then. In this way, we sowed the seeds of the ministry in this part of Karnataka, trusting the Lord that it will bear forth fruits one day.

As we were fellowshipping. I was deeply burdened by the Lord to visit Tumkur. Though this city was not in the list porposed for distribution, I insisted that somehow we should visit this city. However, no phone call of the contactswe had replied until one call confirmed that we could visit. Therefore, we visited Tumkur and met with a middle aged brother who welcomed us and we ended fellowshipping with him for over three hours. 

Our main content of the fellowship was on the truth, by first introducing the Recovery Version Bible and then some other ministry books by Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. The fellowship was so anointed that we could literally enjoy the flow of life among us. The Lord’s presence was richly with us. Over a cup of coffee and snacks, we had a brotherly fellowship on the truth concerning the church, the Spirit in John 7, and Tabernacle with its contents contrasting Exodus 26:33-35 and Hebrews 9:4. The Lord blessed the fellowship so much so that we became brotherly one with one another in the truth, and the brother purchased a good number of ministry books on the church that I suggested in addition to what he chose. Having been so impressed by the presentation of the truth, he even proposed if we could visit the city again for a meeting with the Christian leaders for the introduction of the ministry literature and also for the edification of the Christians,  especially the leading ones. To this, our reply was, as the Lord leads and according to the need, we can could consider. We opened ourselves and told that we are open, as the Lord leads.

In fact, our fellowship went until 9:30 PM, in the night, and when we got back to our lodging place, it was almost 2 AM the next day.

Lord, bless Your move in Karnataka, even through this ministry journey, and the availability of the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada!

Burden of Blending

But our comely members have no need. But God has blended the body together, giving more abundant honor to the member that lacked, (1 Corinthians 12:24, RecVer)

The burden and vision of blending has been revealed time and again to the saints in the local churches in the Lord’s recovery. This burden has gradually been carried out in a way of learning by doing, step by step. I have been blessed to be one such brother to see this vision, receive this burden, and are now by the Lord’s mercy and grace, being brought to the blending life in the church life. I believe, this burden of blending is directly related to the burden of building as well. For the extend of building in the Body of Christ is determined by the extend of blending in the Body of Christ. Building and blending go together. In fact, in my experience, they are two sides of the same coin. These days, I have been blessed to be under the speaking of the Lord and receive much help concerning building and blending in the Body. All the fine details of blending that entails the dealing with the flesh, self, world, sins and sin are also being revealed and experienced day by day. I pray for the grace to experience the dealing for the blending in the Body. 

Oftentimes, like Gideon, I need proof of the Lord’s speaking and confirmation. The dream that confirmed Gideon's call was related to the round loaf of barley bread. This surely is a type of the blending required for the defeat of the enemy. Once we are blended in the Body, we are also victorious in the Body. Therefore, the enemy attacks anything related to the blending in the Body.

And when Gideon came, at that moment a man was recounting a dream to his companion; and he said, I have just had a dream. There was this round loaf of barley bread tumbling through the camp of Midian. And it came to the tent and struck it, so that it fell and turned upside down. And the tent collapsed. (Judges 7:13, RecVer)

However, once we are blended in the Body, we will know our God and thereby, take action.

And with his smooth words he will cause those who act wickedly toward the covenant to be profane. But the people who know their God will show strength and take action. (Daniel 11:32, RecVer)

The apostles in Acts 16 knew their God and proactively took action in their ministry journey. The Bible did not mention about the Holy Spirit speaking to them to take action or not. They simply took action as they knew their God! And, in the midst of their ministry journey, the Holy Spirit forbade them when it was not of the Lord. Otherwise, they proactively went ahead in their apostolic ministry journey. What a testimony! 

And they passed through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, yet the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. (Acts 16:6-7, RecVer)

For the blending, the word of God plays a pivotal role in the being of the believers. The word of God as grain to supply life, the word of God as fire to burn everything not of Christ, purifying and sanctifying, and the word of God as hammer to break the hardened heart and the outer man, is needed for the blending. All these are the experiences of the breaking of the cross which are possible only through the operation of the Holy Spirit are the need of the time. Blending is through the cross by the Spirit, dispensing the divine life to the one being blended.

The prophet who has a dream, let him tell the dream; and he with whom is My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the straw to the grain? declares Jehovah. Is not My word thus — like fire, declares Jehovah, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:28-29, RecVer)

Blending also eventually involves the turning of our hearts to the Lord. Yes, turning away from everything else to God and be brought into the Spirit. This is real blending. 

But whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:16-17, RecVer)

These experiences of blending may also be considered as the discipline of the Holy Spirit which may be painful now but it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

Now no discipline at the present time seems to be a matter of joy, but of grief; but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised by it. (Hebrews 12:11, RecVer)

Therefore, day by day, we must practice blending in the Body wherever and with whomsoever the Lord has sovereignly placed us with. And the end result will be, the building up of the Body by being built up with the saints in one accord.

Practice these things; be in them, that your progress may be manifest to all. (1 Timothy 4:15, RecVer)

Lord, through Your cross by Your Spirit, through Your mercy and grace, blend me and build me up in Your Body. 

Shepherding: Restoring of the Soul

He restores my soul;He guides me on the paths of righteousness / For His name’s sake. (Psalms 23:3, RecVer)

In the first coming of the Lord Jesus, He accomplished redemption through His crucifixion and regenerated the many believers to be the organic members of the Body of Christ in His resurrection as prophesied in Psalms 22. In the second coming of Christ, Jesus will come as a King reigning in the Kingdom of God as prophesied in Psalms 24. In between the first and second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord is shepherding His many brothers in the church, especially in restoring their souls, and gradually transforming them to be spiritual men having the "mind of Christ" to express Him and represent Him on this earth today.

Jehovah as the Shepherd is shepherding all the children of God wherever they are. The effectiveness of the Lord’s shepherding depends on each one’s relationship with the Shepherd. Those who are open, simple, and pure would receive the Lord’s shepherding profitably.  Whereas, those who are rebellious will have a hard time getting through in their being. Nevertheless, the Lord is faithful to shepherd each one according to their conditions. Ultimately, the Lord will gain His built up Body among those who cooperated with Him to be shepherded and be overcomers to bring Him back in His second coming.

The Lord shepherds His sheep as the God of Abraham who supplies all the needs so they lack nothing. The Lord shepherds His sheep as the God of Isaac who lets His sheep lie down, rest, and blesses them with rich inheritance. The Lord shepherds His sheep as the God of Jacob who restores their souls even when they go through the valley of the shadow of death, He guides and protects them, makes them overcomers, and blesses them. As the Triune God, He shepherds the tripartite being of His sheep. In this way, bit by bit, day by day, restoring their souls, renewing their mind to be the mind of Christ and make them "spiritual man".

For who among men knows the things of man, except the spirit of man which is in him? In the same way, the things of God also no one has known except the Spirit of God. But we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is from God, that we may know the things which have been graciously given to us by God; Which things also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things with spiritual words. But a soulish man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he is not able to know them because they are discerned spiritually. But the spiritual man discerns all things, but he himself is discerned by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord and will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:11-16, RecVer)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:5, RecVer)

The word of God plays a pivotal role in shepherding the souls of the saints. The word should become "flesh" in the being of the believers, even becoming them by being supplied with Spirit and life. Therefore, in the course of shepherding, feeding on the milk of the word is of utmost importance. This will issue in the growth in life, the gaining of the soul, the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls.

As newborn babes, long for the guileless milk of the word in order that by it you may grow unto salvation, (1 Peter 2:2, RecVer)

Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:9, RecVer)

But we are not of those who shrink back to ruin but of those who have faith to the gaining of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39, RecVer)

Thus, in Jehovah's shepherding as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the entire tripartite being of the saints will be gained to the extend of them becoming spiritual men having the mind of Christ to dwell in the house of Jehovah as the built up Body of Christ ushering in His coming again to bring in His kingdom on the earth.

Lord, shepherd us day by day, restore our souls.

Important Impromptu Improvising

It was the 15th of August when the country was celebrating its 78th Independence Day that we had an important impromptu improvising for one of the seminannual trainings we regularly conducted in NCR region. Since the venue we usually used was not available to us this time, we had to look for suitable places in Gurugram. Out of the two we found, one was selected for the venue though I personally felt that to have it in the other place owned by a Christian community would be better. But due to location and pricing, we had to settle for a community centre a week or so before we could actually carry out the training. In fact, a brother and I had gone to the other venue and negotiated for the price, but ultimately, we decided on the community center. For this, we also made many last minute arrangements and made the venue ready for the training.

However, on the morning of the august day of the 15th August, an important impromptu improvising was done. The venue was cancelled from our side due to "suspicion of sinister activity from the initiation of Satan". Though I had made a couple of trips to ferry the saints from the meeting hall to the said venue, they all ultimately had to come back due to sudden change of plan. All the saints cooperated and I did not hear one word of murmur or complaint. I believe, the Lord had made this change sovereignly to train us to practice the oneness and one accord among us. 

At the spur of the moment, we realised we had to make all the arrangements immediately. Therefore, all the saints coordinated to make all the necessary arrangements. Besides, 25 saints from Mathura came and accommodation had to be arranged. I thanked and praised the Lord for preserving us and also enabling us to host over a hundred saints for the three days of video training. From giving hospitality to adjusting to accommodate all the saints, the Lord graced us and enlarged our capacity. The training was conducted in three different rooms in the same building for three days! Despite the congestion in the rooms, the Lord headed up the entire training and led us through! 

This experience, to me, is a foretaste of what blessing the Lord would pour out in the church in Gurugram. It enlarged our capacity and also enlarged our hearts to a great extend. As we are being blended in the Body, whatever changes, the Lord was able to accomplish at any time. This experience, I call it a litmus test to our coordination. And the test is an important impromptu improvising. 

Pure Pressure

In the world, people have been influenced by their peers for good or for bad. Peer pressure is one directing force that affects people's behaviour. Evil companions do corrupt good moral. Likewise, good companions do correct evil manner.

In the church life, saints are my companions, especially, my brothers with whom I have been coordinating with for many practical and spiritual matters of the church. I definitely have been under pure pressure, in many cases. Often, I had my views on certain matters but I had been gradually adjusted by the pure pressure that emanates from my companion brothers. What a salvation! Where my shortages were, there, my companions filled the gaps. In this way, for a couple of things and decisions, I have been influenced by pure pressure. Thank God, its all for good! Hallelujah!

What a curse it could have been if there were no godly companions! What a shortage it could have been to act as a lone wolf! In the age of the Body, individual spiritual giant meant nothing to God nor to Satan. What a salvation to be in the companionship of the brothers in the church!

The past few days, we have had a good number of fellowships. A group of brothers were "brainstorming" in fellowship for the practical carrying out of the video training in Delhi or Gurugram. From taking decisions to taking actions, we all have learned to take the way of the Lord often practically directed by pure pressure from the brothers' fellowship. Step by step, the Lord trained us; adjusted us, and made us pliable, and all the while, blended us all together!

I believe, this is what it means to be blended in the Body. Of course, through the cross, by the Spirit, for the building up of the Body. 

Pure pressure for perfecting and building up in the Body, through the Body, and by the Body. 

Know God: Personal Relationship with God

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; And the peace of God, which surpasses every man’s understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, RecVer)

The Lord’s speaking these days have been to know Him in a subjective way; a way that is personal, private, intimate, and sweet fellowship with Him. In this way of experiencing the Lord, one can know God personally that will issue in the growth in life for the building of the Body corporately. In accordance with the Lord's up-to-date speaking, I have also been graced to experience Him in such a personal and intimate way.

God has sovereignly arranged matter after matter for me to consider before Him in prayer. In the past few weeks, I have had the blessing of bringing my personal matters to the Lord every night during my personal prayer time with Him. What an experience to converse with the Lord in a human level! I was graced and blessed to talk to him as friend with friend, or at times, as a son to his Father. Either way, I experienced much transaction with the Lord. In fact, every night, at least for one matter, I fellowshipped with the Lord. And through such fellowship, the Lord graced me the light to discern His will in those personal matters. Some of these seemed trivial, yet in all those small things I could experience the Lord. Some matters were as simple as when to apply for my daughter's further studies, when to visit Taiwan embassy, and when to apply for test etc. The weight of the matter is not the matter, but the weighty experiences of the Lord in such matters are what matters. I felt very blessed to be graced with so many transactions with the Lord. I believe, the Lord has worked Himself into me much these days. I myself could sense the changes transpiring within me. O what a blessing to know God in such an experiential way!

The Lord knows best for the outward result of all these matters I brought to Him in prayers. No matter what the outcome may be, I actually have already got the results to all the matters I brought to Him in prayers. Or put it simply, the answers to my prayers were the experiences of God in and through those prayers. I had hundreds of conversations with the Lord, one on one. I believe, it will be thousands and ten thousands conversations with the Lord gradually.

This is what it means to know God; the experience of God, the enjoyment of God, and the possession of God, which will ultimately issue in the expression of God! Hallelujah! What a blessed Christian life to know God in such an experiential way!

Having tasted the sweetness of such fellowship with the Lord, I treasure my personal time with the Lord very much these days. In fact, I cannot live without it. Though I have been pursuing the Lord through my daily Bible reading, truth pursuing, corporate pursuing, etc., I cannot pass my day without spending adequate time with the Lord in prayer. This reminds me of a hymn by Fanny Jane Crosby (Hymns 387):

O the pure delight of a single hour

That before Thy throne I spend,

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,

I commune as friend with friend!

Lord, cause me and all the saints to know You more and more each day. Yes, know You personally, intimately, privately, and sweetly too!

A Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare has been waging throughout the ages between God and Satan with man in between. Though God is the guaranteed Winner, Satan seems to win now and then depending on whose side man takes side with. This has been a normal experience of every normal Christian. Therefore, the experience of victory truly depends on taking side with the victorious God in Christ the Victor.

It has always been my prayer and burden that all the young people be consecrated to the Lord Jesus and be gained by Him for Him. In particular, my burden has been that the graduating college students be shepherded to join the two years full-time training. The Lord has faithfully been answering this prayer and the burden of the church since the very beginning of the church life in Gurugram. Even when we had no college students to send to the training, some from other localities would be supported by the church here. In the recent past, the Lord has recovered and shepherded the young ones in the church life to join the training.

The past few weeks, we had experienced an intense battle of fighting for one brother who wanted to join the training. Though he had been shepherded in this direction he had went through a lot of inward struggles. Until the due date, he still was indecisive concerning joining the training. Even when he decided to join the training finally, he faced some huge hurdles, mostly related to himself. I reckoned this as a part of Satan's strategy to stop him from joining the training.

First, he had a serious health issue which was eventually resolved. Then, a relationship issue, which also was resolved after much, thorough, and serious fellowship. Then, his education of not yet graduating fully became another hurdle. Inspite of all theses issues, the Lord’s mercy was bountiful upon him. All these hurdles could either disqualify him or discourage him from joining the training. In fact, the mood was such; join or don't join or postpone.

Meanwhile, the church prayed strongly and I believe, he and his own family also prayed fervently and desperately. The Lord graced him and us to overcome all these hurdles, one at a time. It was an intense spiritual battle indeed. Even while I was in the USA, I had to deal with this matter in fellowship with the brothers concerning his existing relationship with a classmate, and then, his having back papers in his studies, which prompted a switch to short term training. Every obstacle was overcome and finally he was cleared to go after his application form was submitted. After all these, we all thought the matter was done.

However, on the day he went to join the training he was sent back home to our shocking surprise. Then, we had a couple of rounds of urgent, immediate, and impromptu fellowships to deal with the "rejection." Some misunderstandings crept in, the family was very disappointed, some murmurings were heard, and we had to really exercise our spirit to handle the situation. The Lord was gracious. He used this situation to let us know that we were in a spiritual warfare and we should not take the matter lightly, but in prayers and petition with thanksgiving. Finally, the misunderstanding was chalked out, apologies and clarifications were done, and he eventually was bale to join the training.

Oh what a rough ride we had to send one brother to join the training! Despite the hurdles, I worshipped the ways of God. He used theses "afflictions" to temper each one involved in sending him to the training. First, he himself realised that he desperately needed the Lord’s mercy and grace to be able to join the training. Initially, he took it lightly and took things for granted. The Lord adjusted him. His family also took it for granted, so the Lord showed them that they too need to pay the price of sending their son to the training center. And, we brothers also realised that we must always be on the alert and be warfare-ready for any matter in the church or concerning our spiritual life.

The Lord, the Sovereign One, has led all of  us through, step by step, in matters pertaining to His move on the earth. We have learned, and are learning, and will be learning many spiritual lessons. Yes, learning and learning, all for the fulfillment of His divine economy. 

Jesus is Lord! Christ is the Victor!

Church Life in One Accord

In order to practice the church life in one accord, there are crucial matters that need to be seriously considered and practiced. I was enlightened freshly as I had a time of morning revival with brother on this point of one accord. 

Seeing the One All-inclusive Vision: The Vision of Christ and the Church

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; / But happy is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18, RecVer)

Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, (Acts 26:19, RecVer)

The disciples witnessed the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. This vision of the all-inclusive Christ burdened them to come together and pray in one accord. Because of this vision, they were able to deny their self, give up the world, their background, and could be blended as one, even to pray with fasting for ten days, which ushered in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

Praying in One Accord

These all continued steadfastly with one accord in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14, RecVer)

Day by day, we all must be governed by this one vision of Christ as Paul saw along with the vision of the Body of Christ in Acts 9.  This is the motivating factor for continuing steadfastly in one accord.

Pursuing the Apostles' Teaching

And they continued steadfastly in the teaching and the fellowship of the apostles, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

The issue of the one accord led disciples to the practice of the church life, meeting from house to house. Therefore, the pursuit of the Apostles' teaching must be daily; reading the Bible, being revived through the ministry of the word, and pursuing the ministry in the form of Life-studies and the ministry books. For this, a price needs to be paid.

Practicing the Oneness: Meeting

 

As children of God, all genuine believers are one in the Spirit and also one in the universal Body of Christ. This oneness must also be practiced in each locality by gathering together as the local churches on the ground of oneness. Therefore, it is important to meet as the church in the name of the Lord Jesus. Besides, the practical oneness in our inward being must also be prayed for and realised.

Practicing the Oneness: In Harmony

These all continued steadfastly with one accord in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14, RecVer)

Again, truly I say to you that if two of you are in harmony on earth concerning any matter for which they ask, it will be done for them from My Father who is in the heavens. Matthew 18:19

One accord refers to the harmony in our inner being. The Greek word homothumadon, homo (same) and thumos (mind, will, purpose), denotes a harmony of inward feeling in one's entire being. This is a crucial and deep experience.

Practicing the Oneness: One Spirit With One Soul

Only, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether coming and seeing you or being absent, I may hear of the things concerning you, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving together along with the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27, RecVer)

Make my joy full, that you think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking the one thing. (Philippians 2:2, RecVer)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5, RecVer).

I exhort Euodias, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same thing in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2, RecVer)

We should think with the mind of Christ and speak with the mouth of Christ, the Head. In this way, we will think the same thing and speak the same thing. The only way to do this is by allowing Christ to make His home in our hearts. For this, we need to have a personal relationship with the Lord. Our heart has a lot of things in it. It must be dealt with and allow Christ to make His home. Christ must have access to our hearts. In this way, we will be saturated with Christ in our inward being, especially, our soul. In addition to knowing Christ, we must also have the subjective experience and enjoyment of Christ. Then, we will be attuned in the same mind and in the same opinion as Christ would be our person, our life, and our living.

Now I beseech you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be attuned in the same mind and in the same opinion. 1 Corinthians 1:10

Practicing the Oneness: One Heart and One Way

And I will give them one heart and one way, to fear Me all the days, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. (Jeremiah 32:39, RecVer)

One heart to love God, to seek God, to live God, and to be constituted with God for one expression, and one way, the inner law of life, are required for the one accord.

Practicing the Oneness: One Scale in the Church Life 

You shall not have in your bag differing weights, one heavy and one light. You shall not have in your house differing measures, one large and one small. A full and righteous weight you shall have, and a full and righteous measure you shall have, in order that your days may be extended upon the land which Jehovah your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 25:13-15, RecVer)

There should just be one scale to measure myself and others. What I condemn in myself must also be condemned in others, maintaining the one scale. Better not to have any scale, neither for myself nor for others. Only God can judge righteously. Leave every measurement to God. 

Practicing the Oneness: Small Vital Group Living

In practice, the oneness can be realized in the small group meeting of the saints where all the saints are living and functioning.

Small Group meeting and living functions:

1. Retain the existing saints 
2. Recover the dormant saints
3. Reach out to the new ones by preaching the gospel

The Small Group meeting was invented by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The believers met from house to house.

And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with exultation and simplicity of heart. (Acts 2:46, RecVer)

Five advantages of the small group meetings are:

• It allows the Holy Spirit to move in us.
• It allows the saints to know and care for one another.
• It allows the grace the saints have to be developed.
• It allows everyone to function.
• It allows everyone to lead someone to the Lord and to the church. 

And He appointed twelve, whom He also named apostles, so that they might be with Him and that He might send them to preach And to have the authority to cast out the demons. (Mark 3:14-15, RecVer)

Therefore, this practice of church life in one accord will command the Lord's blessing. For this, we should all voice the same thing, trumpet the same thing, teach the same thing, and be in the same practice.

Lord, gain our one accord and bless Your church!