Fifth Visit to Prison

Today morning, I received a call from a brother handling the case of our brothers in confinement, informing me to pick up the brothers who are due to release today afternoon. Together with another brother, we decided to go. Since the video training for the churches in North India started today, we took leave from the training and went to Mathura. On the way, we received another information that the release was due only for the evening. Nevertheless, we decided to wait until the evening. So, we had lunch out with the brothers handling the case. Then, spent time visiting a museum and a walk of fellowship at a park.

In fact, last Saturday evening, we also had a fellowship to give thanks to the Lord for finally granting bail to our brothers after four months in the confinement. There,  we shared our experiences of Christ through all these processes. Though the experiences were tough, the Lord’s grace was bountifully supplied to all the family members and the saints. I thanked the Lord for His sovereignty in working us through the environment and perfecting us for His testimony, especially in North India. What a grace! What a mercy! Thank You, Lord Jesus! Praise You, Lord Jesus!

I also shared my portion of experiencing Christ through this incident. Many things have changed since then, in my personal Christian life, corporate church life and family life, official life, and my view and understanding of the world situation especially in my country India. Everything has been a new chapter since then. In these four months, many things transpired inexplicably and that too, in a short span of time. Pressure, heat, and time with the flow of living water truly transform us to be living stones!

Today, finally, our brothers were released! Two in the morning and the remaining three in the evening! What a blessing that I could participate in receiving my brothers from the prison to bring them home!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers; (Romans 8:28-29, RecVer)

Looking at all that the Lord has done, all things indeed work together for good for us to be conformed to the image of His Son. To all these, I can only worship the Lord for His ways as well as for His deeds. Hallelujah!

One with the Father

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak from Myself, but the Father who abides in Me does His works. (John 14:10, RecVer)

The greatest prayer the Lord prayed was for the oneness of the believers. This oneness is of the Triune God. As the Father and the Son are one, so must the believers be one with the Father and the Son. In this oneness, when the Son spoke, the Father did the works. In like manner, when we are one with the Triune God, the Father would do His works as we speak in oneness with Him. This should be our Christian living and testimony. 

In the second week of this month in Bengaluru, a brother fellowshiped on this point of being one with the Triune. Our Christian life and service should be in such a oneness that we speak what the Father would speak and the Father would do His work as.we speak what He intended to do. What a mingled life this! This is mysterious yet true.

By the Lord's mercy and grace, I enjoyed a little fortaste of this oneness with the Triune God. Following that fellowship, with prayer and fellowship of the Body, we, brothers serving in coordination for the distribution of the ministry literature, set out to twelve localities in Karnataka for the introduction and distribution of the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version. In this journey, we enjoyed the Lord’s presence so much. Wherever we went, the Lord gave us the word and He did His works. This is mysterious yet real. Praise the Lord for grace!

In all the localities the Lord led us to, His word was richly supplied to us. As we spoke His words, His hand followed His words. Since it was His speaking, there was nothing that we need to worry about. Therefore, since I personally entrusted with the ministry of the word, I exercised my spirit to always turn to Him and be one with Him. Even when I knew nothing about the the people I was to minister to, I knew the Lord would speak His words. I simply followed the inner anointing of the Spirit and spoke the words in all the meetings the Lord had arranged through the brothers. In so doing, I enjoyed the inner life supply that supplied me and also supplied the people ministered to. This is a fortaste of "the Father who abides in me and does His works."

May the Lord grace me all the days of my life that I abide in God the Father and be one with the Father in every matter of my life that He may do His works as He speaks through me.

Ministry of the Word to Shivamogga, Udupi, and Hubbali

Shivamogga welcomed us to a Pastors gathering of about 80-100 of them. This meeting was accessed through a brother who received the free Rhema booklets and was very much impressed by the ministry. 

In this meeting, we were given the first fifteen minutes after the introductory praise and worship. There again, I turned to my spirit and prayed for His speaking in my speaking. The Lord gave me the utterance and within fifteen minutes with translation into Kannada, I introduced the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version to all the Pastors present focusing on the accuracy of translation from the original Greek texts and the footnotes as a study tool with the principle of the Bible interpreting the Bible.

As we had to meet a few more people in the city, we took leave from the meeting and handed over the responsibility of distribution to the key brother through whom we came to this meeting in Shivamogga. Altogether, three full boxes of Bible were in this brother's responsibility for distribution in the city. In fact, most of them would be readily sold as the introduction was done.

Later, we met with a Christian bookstore manager, a seeking school teacher, and the Pastor of the mainline church. To all of them, we introduced the Recovery Version and the ministry literature. The Lord opened up the door in this city too. Then, we left of Udupi. Praise the Lord!

In Udupi, a brother who is also one of the ministry books translators in Kannada gave us hospitality. With him and another brother, we visited some key Christian leaders. All of them were very impressed with the ministry literature and purchased the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version. 

One Christian leader was note worthy. The moment I introduced myself and the ministry of Watchman Nee, his eyes flared up. He exclaimed that his life was changed by reading the books by Watchman Nee, The Normal Christian Life and Twelve Baskets Full. Then, as I introduced the ministry books and the Recovery Version Bible, he was so joyful and excited. He placed order for all the ministry books in Telugu, English Holy Bible Recovery Version  and ten Kannada New Testament Recovery Version! We spent over two hours fellowshipping with him. In fact, the Lord just burdened him for a systematic Bible study for his congregation and then, the Lord led us to introduce the Recovery Version to him. May the Lord shepherd him and the congregation with the riches of Christ through the ministry of the word!

In Udupi, our host took care of us so well. He also took us around for sightseeing of the city and sunset over the horizon on the Arabian Sea. This was also a kind of cherishing to us.

Then, we left for Hubbali the next day night and reached early morning the following day. In Hubbali, the brothers planned for a Pastor's gathering in the chapel of a mainline church. The key senior Pastors attended the meeting where I took over an hour, to, point by point, introduce the Recovery Version emphasizing on the manuscripts used, translation history, divine revelation God gave to His children in the church history, the need for accuracy of translation from the original Greek texts which the Recovery Version stands for, the need for interpreting the Bible with the Bible, the subjects and outlines of every book for systematic and in-depth study of the Bible, and so forth. 

After this introduction, the Pastors were so impressed that they wanted a much bigger platform to let all the Christian leaders aware of such a spiritually important material for the believers among Kannada speaking people. The local brothers were so happy that some Pastors who had a negative view about the ministry started appreciating the ministry through this one introduction. 

Later, over lunch, we has a time of fellowship with the local saints where I encouraged them to study the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version daily, be constituted with the truth, and speak the truth in a way of ministering Christ as life. We all prayed together, and then left the city for Belagavi.

Lord, bless Your move and Your testimony in Hubbali!

Ministry of the Word to Nayakanahatty, Chitradurga, and Challakere

Nayakanahatty is a locality in Chitradurga district where the Lord has His lampstand for many years. Though I heard about the testimony here, this was my first time to vist the local church. 

I attended the Lord Table Meeting with the saints. As the brothers requested, I ministered the word of God on "the word of God" using 2 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 3:16, and Ephesians 3:17, encouraging all the saints to be constituted with the word of God.

Then, the brothers took me to minister the word in a Christian congregation where the Lord led me to minister on the Christian life and the need and way to grow in our Christian lives. The believers there were so seeking that they drew the word of God out of my being. I just enjoyed ministering the word and the Lord’s anointing was very rich upon me. I also witnessed many believers taking notes of the Bible verses and the words I ministered. Once I released the burden the Lord gave me, I briefly introduced the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version. And the Pastor echoed the message and did the detailed introduction of the Recovery Version. Later, he purchased seven copies of the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version and we fellowshipped with him again on the two aspects of the church, universal and local. May the Lord gain him for this testimony one day.

In the afternoon, to a group of Pastors gathered together, I introduced the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version with special emphasis on the translation accuracy, footnotes, subject, outlines, charts and maps. I took time to carefully introduce this version with the burden to help the local saints to learn how to introduce to others by themselves. It was the first time for brothers to hear me speak and introduce the Recovery Version in a detailed way.

Later, we had an impromptu fellowship with all the key brothers on the need for oneness in practicality as we stand for the Lord’s testimony in a local church. This also requires the denying of the soul life, taking up the cross, losing the soul life, and following the Lord. Then, we all prayed together for ourselves and for the Lord’s move in Karnataka. 

Following this,  we had a series of home meetings and finally concluded the day with dinner at a brother's house and left for Chitradurga where I was given hospitality. 

In Chitradurga the following day, the local brother was not able to make any appointment with the Pastors. But I requested him that if he knew any one of the Christian leader's house, we could just visit by faith. So, we went to the house of the most senior Pastor in the city. It so happened that all the key leaders of the district had a meeting that morning when we visited. They somehow allowed us to introduce ourselves and the Recovery Version. As I did so, they asked me to read John 1 verse by verse from the Recovery Version and they checked with the King James Version. When I read verses 12, 13, and 14, there were some differences in the translations which I explained in detail using the Greek words and preposition used in the original Greek text. For example, believe into Jesus rather than believe in Jesus, from (with) God rather than of God, and tabernacle rather than dwell. These words explained with it's spiritual significances opened up a treasure of divine truth. Then, the Pastors immediately purchased the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version and those who knew English purchased the Holy Bible in English. 

Then, after lunch, we met a Pastor in Challakere for the introduction of the Recovery Version in Kannada. There too, local brothers came along, just to listen to all that I had to share. I shared on the apparent discrepancy recorded in Exodus and Hebrews 9 concerning the items in the Tabernacle, especially the place of the golden incense altar in the most holy place (Hebrews 9) and in the holy place in Exodus along with it's spiritual significances using the footnotes. It was such a light to all the brothers that their love for the word and eagerness to study the truth was strengthened. 

Then, we had a home meeting with a family on being an open vessel to the Lord using Romans 9:21, 23 and 2 Corinthians 4:7 and the need to be filled with the treasure, Christ, by calling upon His name day by day.

In the night, at the meeting hall where I was accommodated, two Pastors came to learn about the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version. As I introduced to them, the key Pastor thanked the Lord in prayer that finally the proper translation of the word of God has come in Kannada language! He was so joyful and purchased a copy for himself with the promise to read and further introduce it to others.

Praise the Lord for His move in Chitradurga!

The next day, along with a brother I left for the next destination, Shivamogga. 

Ministry of the Word Journey to Palamaner, Kadapa, Pulivendula, and Puttaparthi

This visit to the Rayalaseema region was a detour from the original distribution plan in Karnataka. It was initiated through the proposal of a Pastor from Ananthapuram in our previous ministry distribution journey for a Pastors' gathering. However, they postponed it to another time. But this turned out to be good for another round of visits to this area. We ended up visiting five localities.

In Palamaner, a Pastors' meeting was arranged where I was requested to ministry the word first. I had no idea what to minister. But I prayed along with the brothers and attended the meeting. As I was praying while the singing was going on, the Lord gave me a word to ministry, that is, "the word of God." Therefore, I ministered on "the word of God." Starting with 2 Timothy 3:16 and connecting with other verses, John 1:1, 6:63, Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3, Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 3:17, etc. I just enjoyed the flow of life bountifully and so did the many brothers and sisters. Then, a brother introduced the Telugu New Testament Recovery Version. After the meeting, many Pastors came to greet me and thanked the Lord for the timely word. 

In the evening, we attended another Christian meeting ina nearby village where the Lord gave me the word to minister on God’s plan in creating man with three parts; body, soul, and spirit with the purpose of containing Him, expressing and representing Him based on Genesis 1:26; 2:7; Proverbs 20:27; and 1 Thessalonians 5:23. The believers there received the word with much hunger and thirst together with the Pastors. Then, a brother introduced the Telugu Recovery Version along with the ministry books. 

In the night, as a request from the host where I was hosted, I fellowshipped with the family on the importance of personal and family prayer time, thr need for seeking and doing the will of God in everything along with the need for reading the word of God daily.

The next day, two meetings were arranged in Kadapa where the Lord gave me the word to minister on the need to be watchful in life and faithful in service in the morning session. And in the afternoon session, the Lord led me to minister on loving the Lord with my personal testimony. Here, the attendees were mostly senior brothers and many seeking believers. This group of believers was more mature in life than all the other previous meetings. I could sense it from the way the Lord’s anointing was upon me. The word ministered was much more deep than in other places. I am just a vessel the Lord graced to fill and overflow to His chosen ones. In this very meeting hall I had come earlier and ministered on the qualifications of the Lord’s called ones. May the Lord shepherd these saints into the fellowship of the Body of Christ.

Then, the brothers led me to Pulivendula where we had a time of fellowship with the saints in coordination. Here, the Lord led me to minister on the need to live and walk in the spirit for the fulfillment of His divine purpose. In fact, the same burden was released later in the meeting with the saints in the church in Belagavi. There, the speaking was more solid and strong, a further development on the burden initiated here and blogged:

My Goodland: Ministry of the Word in Belagavi

In the night, one of the leading brothers came for personal fellowship with me. Since he could not communicate in English, another brother joined him. And it turned out that the points of fellowship were exactly meant for the two of them, it was related to "serving God full time." Serving God is related to our inward being absolutely for the Lord rather than the outward act of serving "full time." In fact, our salvation is for serving the Lord. So, all saved believers are servants of God, some job-holding and some job-dropping. All saints are servants of God and must serve God. The two brothers were so supplied by the fellowship and they even testified that their doubt about serving God was cleared completely.

The next day, we had a prayer meeting at the new land purchase by the church. Then, we went to a new place called Puttaparthi, where the Lord gave me the word to minister on "calling upon the Lord’s name,"  Jesus Christ, the salvation of Jehovah, expounding Matthew 1:21, 23; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:12, 13, Genesis 4:26. As usual then, a brother introduced the Telugu Recovery Version and the ministry books.

Thus, the three-day detour to Rayalaseema was concluded. I was dropped by two brothers at the border town of Pennukonda. From there, I took a bus to Pavagada, and then to Chitradurga. 

O what a ministry journey! I thoroughly enjoyed the unsearchable riches of Christ! The water of life flowed and flowed as rivers of living water to His children including me as a channel. All that matters is the Lord’s presence in our service to Him. After all, it is the Lord’s ministry that He has pleased and graced to use me. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Ministry of the Word in Vellore

Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, Tamilnadu 

The Christian Medical College Vellore is one of the top-ranked educational, healthcare, and research institutes in India. It was established in the year 1900 and started as a single-bedded clinic, under the leadership of Dr. Ida Sophia Scudder, the only daughter of second-generation American missionaries. Now, it is a 3675-bedded multi-specialty medical institution of international repute. CMC Vellore is ranked as the second-best medical institute in India, attracting many brilliant doctors and students from across the country. It also serves as a significant destination for medical tourism.

As the Lord opens up this college for the spread of the ministry of the word over the past few months, I visited this college for the first time in my life to fellowship with the local brothers concerning the opening of a ministry books store in coordination with the local saints to cater to the needs of the many seekers among medical doctors, nurses, medical students, and patients from different parts of India. I was overwhelmed to hear of the wonderful deeds the Lord has been doing among the faculty members here. Despite the many years of struggling in the propagation of the truth in this city, the local church was yet to see the increase in numbers until recently when the Lord opened the door to this college through the introduction and distribution of the ministry books especially the Holy Bible Recovery Version. The brothers then discovered this new way! There were testimonies of many doctors and nurses being shephered by the truth through the regular weekly pursuing meeting. Therefore, the burden to make the ministry literature available to all the doctors, nurses, students, and staffs was conceived.

During my one day stay, the brother who himself and his wife are doctors serving in the hospital in different campuses gave me a tour of the two campuses while testifying how the Lord opened up the campuses for the gospel move. People from all parts of India were either working, studying, or under medical treatment. This makes the campus a gospel hub where many people can receive the real divine inward healing as they were being treated for the physical outward healing. 

In the afternoon, I had a time of fellowship with some saints and new ones on the need to be watchful in life and faithful in service. One new Pastor joined the fellowship and was so touched by the Lord’s timely speaking. He even testified that though he had been to many Christian denominations and even became one of the preachers, he found the purity of the Christian life, proper practice of the church life, and the real church in the Lord’s recovery of the local churches through the help of the ministry of Brothers Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. Theses are his words I paraphrased. He was so joyful when I ministered the word. Therefore, he offered praises and thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus Christ thereafter!

In the evening, a time of fellowship with MBBS students was held at the campus' chapel. The meeting began by singing "Shine Jesus Shine!" which set the tone for my ministering. So, I began ministering by emphasizing the need for the word of God to shine using 2 Timothy 3:16 and shared my experiences of the Lord shining in me through the word. 

I testified of how the Lord saved me. Then I ministered the word on being born anew, followed by the need and way to grow in the Christian life along with introducing the Holy Bible Recovery Version. The students received the ministry quite well with much seeking heart and concluded with prayer.

Later, I attended a group meeting where I shared the need for household salvation even as our host opened up to share his testimony of salvation and how he was shepherded into the church life. There, we had lovefeast and on our way back home, we visited a family whose mother missed my afternoon fellowship due to her mother's health condition. We encouraged them and prayed for them. 

The next day morning, the brother drove me to Palamaner. On the way, I was requested to share on how "Bible interprets Bible" using the Recovery Version footnotes as examples. The two leading brothers were so encouraged and strengthened by this one day visit with all the fellowship sessions we enjoyed together. Praise the Lord!

May the Lord continue to bless the church in Vellore and His move in the medical college campuses to gain many for Himself and His interest all over India.

Ministry of the Word Journey to Chikkamangaluru, Kadur, and Belur

Chikkamangaluru, a land of Coffee, teeming with lush green coffee gardens welcomed us to the Christian bookstore first, where we introduced the Recovery Version to the owner who was also a Pastor. This brother led us to a Pastor's meeting where we were given 15 minutes with translation in Kannada to introduce the Recovery Version. Within that time period, I introduced the Recovery Version. While doing so, I noticed the leader of the association video recording my introduction. I was little concerned but exercised my spirit to speak what the Spirit led me to speak faithfully. Once it was done, we left to meet some other Christian leaders in town. 

Then, we met one of the senior Pastors who received us warmly. Upon introduction of the Recovery Version, he was so excited and thanked the Lord that such a new translation has been made available in Kannada. 

Later in the evening the Pastor who took a video of my Recovery Version introduction came to vist us at our hotel room. For the first one hour, he was carefully listening to my detailed introduction of the Recovery Version emphasizing on accuracy of translation; the footnotes that explains crucial verses, phrases, and words by using various other Bible verses; subject of every book along with outlines; and maps and charts. Then, he was so impressed by the Bible as we presented the Kannada New translation from Greek to the Kannada speaking Christians, he took the initiative to call up some of his known Pastors and believers and introduced the Kannada New Testament on our behalf. He further requested each one who was interested to pay the amount right away. One entire box of 16 copies were left to him for the distribution. 

Beside, another Pastor took some copies for display in his Christian bookstore. 

Not too far from Chikkamangaluru, we also visited two localities, Kadur and Belur. In both the places we introduced the Recovery Version to the Christian leaders. They appreciated the new translation in Kannada and some of them purchased it right away. Though some wanted to wait and get the Bible later for which we have given the bookstore name and contact person.

In this way, the Lord led us to these places for the introduction and distribution of the Recovery Version for His move in Karnataka.

Material Offering: A Blessing

On the 26th February, as the nation was celebrating it's republic day, as heavenly citizens of the Kingdom of God, we had a combined Lord’s Table Meeting in South Delhi and fellowshipped on the need for experiencing the Lord through material offerings to meet the need of the Lord’s move. As saints, we need to experience a breakthrough in material offering, in experiencing the Body of Christ, in the blending among the saints, and in participating in the Lord’s move.

My enjoyment of the ministry of the word from the brothers' fellowship are below:

Material Offering is one of the indicators for our growth in life. Some crucial significances of material offerings are:

Seizing Opportunity – Matt. 26:6-13 

Once we see the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, His preciousness, and His death and resurrection, like Mary, we should grasped the opportunity to anoint the Lord at the right time. We must apply the vision of the Lord we have seen by participating in His need at the right time. Offering for the need of the Lord’s work is seizing the opportunity. Whether such an offering is a waste or seizing an opportunity depends on what revelation we have concerning the Lord Jesus and His Body. Our consecration of our material offering is our seizing the opportunity.

Matthew 26: 7, A woman came to Him, having an alabaster flask of ointment of great value, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at table. 

Experiencing Grace – 2 Cor. 8:1-9, 9:6-7

2 Corinthians 8:2 That in much proving of affliction the abundance of their joy and the depth of their poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality; 

Offering is experiencing grace; the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one as he has purposed in his heart, not out of sorrow or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

Passing through Test – Gen. 22:1-14 

Genesis 22:1-2 Now after these things God tested Abraham and said to him, Abraham. And he said, Here I am. And He said, Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you. 

God does not need our material possession, but He needs us, especially our heart. For this, He often tests us as He tested Abraham. Abraham passed the test by his obedience to the Lord's word of testing. And we must hear the Lord’s word and by faith, offer to God what belongs to Him, and fear Him; revering Him, not offending Him, not losing His presence and His smile in this age, and not losing the reward in the coming age.

Inheriting Blessing – Gen. 22:15-18 

Genesis 22: 7 I will surely bless you and will greatly multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and like the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. 

The issue of passing the Lord’s test is to inherit the blessing of God.

Makes us Overcomers for Entering into Eternal Tabernacle – Luke 16:9-13 

Luke 16: 9 And I say to you, Make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles. 

Make friends by using money for the sake of God’s economy. Offering money is for the divine purposes, taking care of God’s needs. When money fails, whatever you offered will be a reward to you, making you overcomer, receiving the kingdom reward.

Principle of Offering

Offering spiritually and secretly by not letting our left hand know what our left hand is doing. Our offering must be in secret. Therefore, we must offer willingly, not in any way of compulsion, and offer happily. And we offer universally by allowing the saints to participate in it, even young saints and children who do not have any income too.

In this way, we can participate in the work of the Lord and receive God’s blessings. 

In the meeting, I also discharged my burden for the offering, encouraging all the saints to offer our portion. I used the following verses to release my burden.

Offering for the physical building is our participation in the spiritual building.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33, RecVer)

Offering for the Lord’s work will always be rewarded by the Lord in the same measure and much more.

Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, they will give into your bosom. For with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you in return. (Luke 6:38, RecVer)

Offering will never make us poorer. For God knows our need and He will provide our needs not merely according to our needs but according to His riches.

And my God will fill your every need according to His riches, in glory, in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, RecVer)

The truth is, everything that we have were given to us by the Lord. We only offer from what God blessed. And truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

In all things I have shown you by example that toiling in this way we ought to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35, RecVer)

During the consecration I wrote a certain amount as led by the Lord. My son also wrote what he felt was proper. At home, we fellowshiped and decided to offer all the amount the Lord burdened us to offer immediately to not let even the month January pass by. Once we were clear, the Lord also provided the money. Therefore, today the 29th Jan, the Lord graced us to offer the entire amount that He burdened us to offer, in one go. He is the source and we just receive from Him and offer it back to Him.

Praise the Lord!

Ministry of the Word Journey to Bengaluru and Hassan

The printing of the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version has ignited the burden in me to introduce and distribute it to the Kannada speaking Christians all over Karnataka. Taking this burden to the Lord in prayer and to the brothers in fellowship, I embarked on a two weeks long ministry journey to few select cities and towns. 

In Bengaluru itself before the actual journey began, the Lord sovereignly led me to meet a Christian leader during lunch time. As we introduced to each other, I also introduced the Recovery Version. His response was surprising. He invited me to introduce the same to the board members of his Christian organization the next day. Therefore, on the 10th Jan in Bengaluru at Palana Bhavan, I had the first formal introduction of the New Testament Kannada Recovery Version to a group of Christian leaders and they also bought a copy for themselves.

The following day in the fellowship of the brothers in Karnataka, the burden for the distribution was released and prayed for. And the Lord released some local brothers, and the plan for distribution was chalked out. Step by step, the Lord led us.

On the 12th Jan, we started the ministry journey to Hassan first, almost about four hours journey. A young couple received us and we introduced the Recovery Version Bible to them. The husband was very jealous for the Lord and made arrangement for our food and lodging. Through him, we were introduced to the only Christian bookstore owner in the town. When we met his owner on our way back from Chikkamangaluru, we spent time to carefully introduce the Recovery Version with some crucial texts and footnotes. We also used this opportunity to ministry life through the word to the owner and her son. They were so impressed by the truth that they immediately decided to purchase the Holy Bible in English and 25 copies of the Kannada New Testament Recovery Version.

Through this experience, the Lord confirmed His leading us and His presence all the way. This was also the firstime experience for one of the Kannada translators to participate in the distribution. He was a little hesitant when the distribution burden was made known to him first. But, with this experience, he received the burden and the courage to participate more in the distribution. I thanked the Lord that as I coordinated together with the local brothers, they also learn and began to pick up the burden for distribution. 

May the Lord gain His lovers and seekers in Hassan district through the ministry literature for His testimony.

Ministry of the Word in Belagavi

The ministry journey to Karnataka for this time came to a conclusion in the church in Belagavi. Here the brothers made a specially arrangement for all the saints to come together for fellowship. Since my time was limited just to an evening time of few hours, we could not meet any Christian leaders for the ministry books introduction. Rather, the Lord led me to minister to the saints His timely words. And the local brothers picked up the burden to carry on the work of ministry books introduction and distribution. This was also the Lord’s perfect arrangement. 

As we met for fellowship, I testified of how the Lord led us in our ministry literature journey to different parts of Karnataka. The saints were very encouraged by what the Lord has done. Then, we formally began the meeting by singing a hymn, 499 "Oh, what a life! Oh, what a peace! This hymn set the tone and the burden for the ministry of the word to the saints. Thus, the Lord blessed the fellowship with the rich ministry of life with the following verses being ministerd and expounded.

A Christian life is a life of living. 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21, RecVer)

A normal Christian life is possible only by being crucified with Christ issuing in "no longer I but Christ who lives in me."

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)

In our Christian for the church-life, coordination is crucial for the building up. Therefore, the self must be dealt with, without which coordination is impractical. To follow the Lord requires the denying of the self, the carry of the cross, and the losing of the soul life. For this, we must be joined in soul, thinking the same thing, being lowly in mind, and having the mind of Christ.

Make my joy full, that you think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking the one thing, Doing nothing by way of selfish ambition nor by way of vainglory, but in lowliness of mind considering one another more excellent than yourselves; Not regarding each his own virtues, but each the virtues of others also. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:2-5, RecVer)

I exhort Euodias, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same thing in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, genuine yokefellow, assist them, since they contended with me in the gospel, as well as with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:2-3, RecVer)

As Christians, we must daily exercise our spirit to walk by the Spirit in a general way. 

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

As Christians, we must also walk by the Spirit with the specific goal of fulfilling God’s eternal purpose of building up of the church, the Body of Christ.

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

All spiritual experiences and enjoyment are for the one goal of accomplishing God’s heart's desire concerning the church for which coordination is a crucial matter.

Then, the saints testified of the Lord speaking to them concerning their timely need in the church there and the light and revelation they received afresh from the ministry of the word. We concluded the meeting by prayer. What a wonderful conclusion indeed for this ministry journey!

Praise the Lord!

Ambassador in Christ

For which I am an ambassador in a chain, that in it I would speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:20, RecVer)

As a saved sinner and a child of God, my Father God has given me a responsibility to accomplish His eternal plan. For this, He has chosen and called me. He has made me His ambassador! And He enabled me to speak boldy as I ought to speak. It is purely His mercy that I have been called and commissioned. And it is again His grace that enabled me to serve Him according to His plan. Therefore, my simple responsibility is, to be one with Him; open to Him for His leading, speaking, and move. 

In the past few weeks, I have been enjoying the special grace of God mingled with His reserved grace to cooperate with Him in His move in Karnataka. From the 6th to 24th of Jan, I was touring Karnataka. In the first weekend, there were fellowship and training, afterwhich, I journeyed for the ministry literature introduction and distribution.

The Lord granted me a couple of local Kannada speaking brothers to accompany me all the way, different brothers at different localities. We enjoyed our coordination and the Lord richly blessed the ministry journey. Wherever we went, the Lord’s presence came along. Whomever we met, the Lord's timely words were ministered to. Whatever we spoke, the Lord spoke in our speaking as it was evident in the feeling in our spirit and the response from the listeners. The Lord spoke in our speaking, the Lord ministered in our ministering. Every Christian leader or "Pastor" we met were so impressed by the truth revealed through the ministry literature, especially, the New Testament Recovery Version that we introduced. Many even prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the ministry in addition to paying the price to buy the Recovery Version. Praise the Lord! All glory to God!

I believe, this is an experience and enjoyment of being the Lord’s ambassador to the people of this world. As for the "chain" Paul mentioned, I believe the chain for me is being yokefellow with the brothers the Lord gave me for coordination. So, I am the Lord’s ambassador in Christ in coordination.

Now, having accomplished this journey this time, the Lord will follow His speaking and the "seed of the ministry" sown would one day bear fruits, perhaps, a thirty fold, a sixty fold, or even a hundred fold. And He will gain Karnataka for His testimony. Karnataka will indeed be for Christ and the church!

Lord, continue to bless the people of Karnataka!

January, the 20th

Today, the 20th of January 2025, is significant in a couple of matters that concerns me. I believe, those are also what concerns the Lord. Three important things transpired at this very day.

First, five of our brothers who have been imprisoned since last September 2024 have finally been granted bail. We have been praying for this daily despite the prolonged and injustice done to us. After much prayers and waiting upon the Lord, the Lord has ordered the release of our five brothers.

Through this imprisonment, a couple of things have changed significantly. I trust, it's all for good, as I believe in God’s Word that, all things work together for good (Romans 8:28-29) for God to fulfill His plan in us and through us. 

The prayer life of the saints has been strengthened, the move of the Lord has become very intrinsic, and there has been a tremendous shake-up in the way we live our Christian life and practise our church life. And there also has been a change in the directorship of the literature service in India and the way we carry out the publication work. To me, all these are the works of the sovereign God, for our good and for the working out of His divine purpose in us and through us. To all these, I thank and praise the Lord. And in particular, I worship the ways of the Lord. 

He made His ways known to Moses; His acts, to the children of Israel. (Psalms 103:7, RecVer)

Second, my prayers for the world situation with a particular president of a super power nation has been fulfilled in that he has been sworn in. I am neither for the party nor the person, but as I understand the world situation, this was the way of God for Him to prepare for His coming again. What I have been praying for, has actually been answered in a practical way today. I may not be "politically correct" but I think I am, at least, "spiritually." My only concern even in this is, for the Lord’s move. I repeat, not for the party nor the person, but for the Lord’s move.

Third, as I have been praying for the peace of Israel, as of today, the Peace Agreement was signed between Israel and their enemy in the neighborhood and the first hostage deal was carried out. Though this process is a lengthy and risky process, at least, my prayers have been answered.

For there thrones are set for judgment, Thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. Peace be within your bulwarks, And prosperity within your citadels. For my brothers’ and companions’ sake I will now say,  Peace be within you. For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek your good. (Psalms 122:5-9, RecVer)

For at least these three important transactions today, this day, the twentieth of January 2025,  was truly significant.

My faith in the living God has very much been strengthened, not that it was weak before, as He proved Himself God over and over again.

Praise the Lord for this day! The day on which my prayers have been definitely answered.

New Beginning 2025

As we met for the church blending today, the Lord led us to pray-read and memorize two verses on being renewed day by day and being in Christ, a new creation.

Therefore we do not lose heart; but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

So then if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, they have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

The burden of being renewed in the mind through the renewing and nourishing word of the Lord was the Lord's speaking as we began our new year. Therefore, the church's burden of practicing the God-ordained way of preaching the gospel and begetting new ones, a life of pursuing the truth for our inward constitution, and strengthening our prayer life for the filling of the Spirit was all for the building up of the Body of Christ for the preparation of the Bride to bring the Lord Jesus back. This ministry of the word was substantiated by hymn #16 Our Father as the evergreen, and prayer for growth in life hymn #1132 Lord, teach us to pray, and hymn #1240 Deeper, deeper, in the cross of Jesus.

Based on Ephesians, we also delved into the matter of the grace of God given to all the saints in line with the talent the Lord gave to each one, at least a talent.

 

To one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability. And he went abroad. Matthew 25:15

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

So, all the saints were exhorted to make use of the grace the Lord bestowed upon each one of them, at least the one talent, for the building up of the Body of Christ. All life practices are for the growth in life individually and corporately for the building up of the Body of Christ. There may be some gifted ones, and there may be the joint of the rich supply, but all these ones' function is to supply out from the Head Christ, through the gifted members, to the many members unto the building up of the Body of Christ. For this purpose, we are Christians practicing the church life on this earth today. Ultimately, to fulfill God's eternal purpose.

Ephesians 4:11-16

And He Himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as shepherds and teachers, For the perfecting of the saints unto the work of the ministry, unto the building up of the Body of Christ, Until we all arrive at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, That we may be no longer little children tossed by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching in the sleight of men, in craftiness with a view to a system of error, But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ, Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love.

Then, we concluded our blending with prayers for the renewal of our minds, for our growth in life, and for the building up of the church. And we all feasted together in love. May the Lord blend and build us up for His Body more and more this year 2025.

What a blessed blending-building beginning!

Blessings in 2024

 He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

Generally, on the last day of the year, the 31st of Dec, we meet to share our testimony of God's blessing received during the whole year. This time, we encourage all the saints to prepare to share their top portion of blessing. As we met, all the saints, not one exception, shared the rich blessings they received from the Lord during the year. I rejoiced at learning about the experiences and enjoyment of the saints as they testified of what the Lord has been doing in their lives. Though outwardly we did not achieve the increase in the number of saints added to the church that we planned for last year, I definitely see a tremendous increase in the enjoyment and experience of Christ in the saints. I praise the Lord for the transformation work the Lord has been accomplishing in the lives of the saints in the church here. Despite the difficult situations we have been going through these days in North India, the Lord's hand and His blessings have been following us. Substantial growth in life and visible progress in the saints' lives have encouraged me a lot. To my own observation, the progress of the church has been satisfactory for the last year.

As for me, one experience that has been very significant is the increase of Christ and the decrease of my self. In many aspects of my life and service, the Lord has been stripping me layer by layer. My self has been touched so deeply that I could even feel the hurt it afflicted in me. The dealing of the self through the cross of Christ was wonderful yet it was also painful. But the grace of the Lord was also sufficient to enable me to bear the dealing of the self. To me, this is the greatest blessing of the year, the dealing of the self, resulting in Christ's increase and I decrease.

Besides, another blessing that I treasure is the beginning of my daughter and son learning to spend personal time in prayer. This year, the Lord graced my children to start going out for personal prayers, and that too regularly. With my son, we started to out together for prayers; first personal and then corporate. This year, this was started and I pray that we can continue to go out together for prayers regularly.

Another blessing noteworthy to me is our family trip to Singapore and Taiwan in the month of June. The Lord visibly manifested His loving care for our family in meeting all the practical needs of our family's foreign visits. He even provided a financial offering that my children could witness with their own eyes, the Lord's bountiful supply. This transpired in Singapore when we received offerings in Singapore Dollars and Taiwan Dollars. Then, in Taiwan, we received even more Taiwan Dollars and US Dollars. My children witnessed the Lord's provision in a visible way that strengthened their faith. I believe the Lord showed them the lesson of learning to live by faith, depending on the Lord for everything all the time, not depending on what we already have. This is a spiritual seed sown into the hearts of the children; letting them see a pattern of faith and living by trusting in the Lord.

Praise the Lord for the year 2024! As the church, we had a consecration prayer and we entered the new year 2025.

May this year be a continuation of the blessings received in the previous year. May the Lord continue to increase in me and that I may decrease until Christ fully saturates and gains me.