Ministry of the Word to Dandeli and Khanapur

Having enjoyed a wonderful time of distribution trip with three brothers who accompanied me from Bidar till Ballari, the Lord brought me further to Belgavi at a serving brother and sister's home where I had a time of fellowship with them on literature service. The next day, as planned, a brother and I went for distribution trip to Dandeli.

As we began our trip in the morning, just the two of us, we drove for over three hours. Half of the time, we were praying for one another, for the serving ones, for the Lord’s move in Karnataka in particular and India in general. And the other half of the time, we were fellowshipping. Since my brother requested me to share about how I got saved, I shared the grace bestowed upon me by my Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ. 

The moment we arrived at this tourist destination, we were immediately welcomed to introduce the ministry to a group of Christian Pastors and leaders. I wasted no time, and introduced the Recovery Version in a way of ministering the word by using Bible verses mostly from Matthew 1. 

As the anointing led me, I used the Lord Jesus Christ being the subject of the entire Bible and that we need the spirit of wisdom and revelation to see Jesus in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. Then, I used Matthew 1:1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 17 to show to all the Christian leaders how helpful the footnotes in the Recovery Version are, especially in opening up the Scriptures. Since the reaction of the Pastors as I ministered the word from the pulpit was so positive, with many of them amening with "Hallelujah,s" I felt the need to emphasize on some crucial revelations. After I had sufficiently ministered the word, I stopped the speaking and the Director of the Pastor's association concluded the meeting in prayer with thanksgiving. Once the meeting ended, many of them came forward to purchase the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada and the entire set of Kannada title books. Most of the Pastors came to shake my hands and confessed that they never heard the word of God being ministered in such a deep way with full of revelation. 

Later, the key Pastor who made arrangements for the meeting requested for one extra box of New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada for those who could not attend the meeting. 

Khanapur

Later on our way back, we stopped by a town called Khanapur and introduced the ministry to a Pastor and his family. This time, I let my brother function, instead of translating for me I let him introduce the ministry directly in Kannada. 

Thank the Lord that the Lord has the ministry of the word being introduced to two new localities. I do believe, the Lord will, in time, recover His remnants to bear His testimony in Dandeli and Khanapur.

Life Lessons: Learning, Sharing, Growing

The Lord has blessed us in the past one week of the ministry literature journey from North Karnataka, Bidar, to the central part, Kudligi. During this trip, for the first time I sent two messages as photo captions, something general to ex-classmates and family members. 

Simple Living, Healthy Living 

The caption of a photo with 5 generations in a family in Karnataka; Grand Mother(95), Mother(60), Daughter(35), Grand Daughter(20), and Great Grandson(5 months) 

And another photo with two elderly sisters with the caption: 

Blessed to Be Blessed by Beloved Elders

Let us thank God for our parents and elders, and always honor them with love and respect. 

In education, they may not be as educated,

In experience, we may not be as experienced, 

'Tis the check and balance of generational gap. 

Blessed are those who are simple, open, and willing to learn. 

Let us learn from one another. 

The posting was done on our way to the next city, Ballari.

One other important leading of the Lord was related to how the Lord adjusted my feeling and thinking. As for all distribution trips, in this trip too, I simply followed the local brother's arrangement. I reckoned their leading as the Lord’s leading. Only when I had a specific leading, I fellowshipped with the brother and followed their fellowship. This time too, as the journey was long, at one point, I felt to send back two brothers midway and that I and other brother proceed further. But the Lord forbade me to do so and chided me in having such a thought. The Lord confirmed to me that He purposefully arranged the other two brothers to accompany me to learn many spiritual things in real life for one whole week. Though they came into the church life, their understanding of the truth and practical Christian living needed much shepherding. And in their locality, the church is yet to be raised up, and there is a need for more perfecting. So, this was the sovereign arrangement of the Lord. Then, I gave up the idea even of mentioning my premature consideration. 

As we travelled together for one whole week, they both enjoyed the coordination and the ministry of the word. Without letting them know that they were taught in the word, they were actually taught. One of them being a journalist in a famous English national newspapers, now and then expressed the lessons he had learned through this ministry literature journey. 

My overall understanding concerning the Lord’s perfecting work in me is marvelous this time. Since the Lord called me to serve Him full-time in 2003, followed by two years of full-time training, and since 2005, I have been practically serving the Lord full-time. In these twenty years of serving the Lord, I have learned many untold lessons and have been perfected in many areas of my life and service. 

This time, in 2025, especially this ministry literature journey, I experienced something very uplifted and different from the past. I felt I have overcome certain nagging deficiencies especially in discernment and ministry of the word. This time, every meeting, every fellowship, every ministry of the word have become very matured. The result can be discerned immediately; the confirmation of the Spirit within, and the confirmation of the ministry outwardly through the responses of the Christians who received the ministry. This is the sure mercy of God shown to me. May the Lord continue to perfect me more and more, that I may keep learning, sharing, and growing unto full maturity. 

Praise the Lord for the corporate perfecting of all of us! As much as my brothers were perfected, I believe, even much more, I have been perfected. 

Ministry of the Word to Kudligi

Having known that I will be ministering the word on the Lord’s Day meeting in a Christian assembly in Kudligi, I prayed and sought the Lord’s leading for the timely word. Though the Pastor requested for a particular point, he also said, may it be according to the Lord’s leading. As I prayed, the Lord gave me a specific burden to ministry to the congregation on God’s Eternal Plan. 

In fact, the burden was not only for the believers in Kudligi, it was also for the three brothers who accompanied me this time in the ministry literature journey. Though they had been receiving the ministry of the word in all the meetings with Pastors in different localities, the Lord also burdened me to speak a specific word to them as I noticed some need while traveling together for one whole week.

Bible verse by Bible verse, I quoted to show God’s plan in creating man with three parts; body, soul, and spirit; how God, the Spirit, dwells in the spirit of man after regeneration; and the need to exercise spiritually day by day, moment by moment to contact the Lord by calling on the Lord’s name breathing Him in, by eating Him in the word through reading the Bible and pray-reading some key verses, and also by spending personal time with the Lord daily to fellowship with Him. For all these points, I gave them the relevant Bible verses. Meanwhile, I helped all the believers to call upon the Lord’s name out loud in Kannada a couple of times and also helped them pray-read and memorize John 6:63. The believers were all helped to exercier their spirit and enjoy the living Lord. When the burden was sufficiently released, I concluded the meeting.

After a time of lovefeast lunch, a group of Pastors came together in the same meeting hall where we had the Lord’s Day meeting. Then, I used the apparent discrepancies in Matthew 1:16 and Luke 3:23, and Hebrew 9:4 and Exodus 30:6, using the footnotes in the Recovery Version to show to the Christian leaders how the Recovery Version is a useful study-aid in studying the Bible in-depth. All the Pastors purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada and there, all our Bible stock was sold out!

In the night, we were invited for a dinner lovefeast in a village at the home of a brother who is by profession a farmer. When I was requested to minister the word for the family, the Lord burdened me to help them on the need for a joyful Christian life as a testimony to the people around them, especially in the village. I used Acts 16:31, the testimony of Paul and Silas in saving the household of the Philippian jailer. Despite being imprisoned, they were praising God joyfully, and despite the earthquake, they remainded calm and did not try to escape. Such a living testimony of the apostles was the gospel to the jailer which led him to the salvation of his whole household. 

This was a timely message to all the believers present there. Then, we enjoyed the lovefeast dinner prepared by the family and drank a cup of pure milk from their own cow. Thus, the burden for Kudligi was released.

May the Lord soon recover His lampshades in Kudligi!

Ministry of the Word to Hadagalli, Harapannahalli, and Kottur

In Kudligi, the Lord had prepared the people and the places He wanted us to minister to and visit. The best possible hospitality in this remote town was arranged. We were lodged in a very comfortable bungalow and fed with the riches of the local delicacies. The local Pastor who hosted us made all the necessary arrangements, and we simply followed him. 

Just in one day, we had four meetings in a row at four different locations with a good distance apart. The Spirit of the Lord anointed every meeting, and every Pastor we met ended up purchasing the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada, and some placed orders for the ministry books.

Hadagalli

In this town, I was given first fifteen minutes to introduce the ministry literature. As I did so, using Matthew 1 with crucial footnotes on "Son of David," "Son of Abraham," forty-two generations, etc., the brothers were so impressed. One of them made an interjection and requested me to take more time. Then, I continued further with Philippians 1:19 on the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Then I stopped as I was conscious of the time given to me. Then, all the brothers requested me to take another thirty minutes more, and I continued, explaining the usefulness of outlines and subjects in the Recovery Version, and also used the title book by Watchman Nee, "The Character of the Lord’s Worker" to show them the need for proper character of the Lord’s serving ones. Since it was already lunch time, I stopped, and the brothers were literally in awe of the riches of the ministry. They even requested if I could visit again for a seminary on the truth, as they wanted more of such an exposition of the word of God. All the brothers present there purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. 

Bible School in Haddagalli

In a Bible School, I was given time to address the students along with the founder, owner, and Principal of the school. To them, I encouraged them to study the Bible every day and with careful memorization of important verses. I demonstrated to them by quoting Bible verses from memory and exhorted them to become "men of the word of God." The students were so encouraged and greeted me with gratitude after the introduction of the ministry books. The Principal requested me to pray for the Bible school students, which I did, and he also purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada and placed an order for the ministry books in Kannada for the Bible school.

Harapannahalli

In this village, some senior Pastors gathered together to hear us out. Once I introduced the Recovery Version using the book of Romans with its outlines, subject, and key verses, the brothers were full of joy. One of them exclaimed, "The Bible has been opened up today!" Then, I used the book, "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" to show them how the God of resurrection, the Triune God, is dispensing Himself into us, stage by stage, in our Christian life to fulfill His divine purpose. They all were so joyful at the revelation of the word of God and proclaimed "Hallelujahs!" in between my sharing. Here too, all the brothers purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. 

Kottur 

As we arrived at this last destination for the day, it was already dark and there was a power cut in the area. Despite the outward darkness, the Pastors were eagerly receiving the life supply from the light that emanates through the minsitry of the word. Along with the introduction of the ministry literature, I also used the book, "The Breaking of the Outerman and the Release of the Spirit" to explain the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our Christian life, at times, through "breaking" as a result of severe dealing through circumstances sovereignly arranged by the Lord. Here too, all the brothers purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. 

Thus, from morning till night, we enjoyed the Lord’s supply richly through the ministry of the word. Physically, it was a hectic day, yet spiritually, it was a blessed day! 

May the Lord bless the word sown as seeds into the hearts of many brothers in this part of Karnataka. One day, the Lord will recover His remnants and raise up His testimony all over Karnataka.

Ministry of the Word to Raichur

In Raichur, we were given hospitality at the meeting hall of a Brethren Assembly. The leading brother was known to our brothers. In fact, two times our brothers had come for the free ministry literature distribution here already. On the same night of our arrival, two key Christian leaders came to meet us to whom we have introduced the Recovery Version in Kannada and the ministry literature. They both immediately purchased a copy for themselves. They requested if I could again next for a meeting eith all the Pastors in the city. I had to politely decline as I had no leading at the moment for the next visit. I have no freedom of choice of my own; I follow the Lord’s leading and am willingly submitted to the Spirit's restriction and leading.

The following day, sicne early morning there was incessant rain. We were not able to go out anywhere nor was there any meeting arranged as there was a 200th year anniversary meeting of the Brethern Assembly. We waited for the rain to cease to go out and also for any positive leading to visit. The two matters did not work out. Meanwhile, I had my morning revival, personal prayer, and Bible reading. The rain did not cease to pour down. Besides, there was no proper contact for meeting. I reckoned this as the Spirit of Jesus forbidding us to stay further in the city. Therefore, we decided to travel to the next city, about five hours journey. 

Just before we depart from the city, a contact I met in January this year at a meeting in Bengaluru who was from Raichur was brought to my knowledge. I called him and he came to meet us at the place we were lodged in. Again, as we were about to leave, I left to thank our host and bid goodbye. As I did so, he immediately requested with folded hands for prayer for him and his family. He is an elder brother, one of the key brothers in the Brethern Assembly. At the request of such an elder brother, I felt he must have gone through difficult times, though he did not mention anything about it, it was just my inner feeling. The Lord knows best. I prayed for him and his family and the believers with him, following the inner leading within me. I prayed for their growth in life through the ministry of the word. Then, we left the city for the next destination. 

It took us six hours drive from Raichur to Kudligi with an hour break for lunch and fuel filling in between. Our hospitality was in a government guest house. We enjoyed a warm hospitality from our host who arranged a local home-cooked traditional Kannada dishes. The Lord took care of us so well. In fact, it was a time of rest for me despite the outward hectic schedule. 

May the Lord continue to work in the lives of His remnants for the recovery of His testimony in Raichur.

Ministry of the Word to Yadgiri

We came to Yadgiri and logged in a hotel for the night. The next day, before we met with the Pastors, I had a time of personal fellowship with a brother who accompanied us this time. He happened to stay in the same room with me. We had a time of prayer and fellowship when he opened up about his personal situation. In line with the present burden these days, I helped him turn to the Lord and bring all his matters to the Lord.

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)

Later, after breakfast, the  Pastors came to our hotel room, as they were being invited by the key Pastor in contact with us. As room 313 got filled, it was time for me to address the guests with the very burden for which we came to this city.

For over an hour, I introduced the Recovery Version using Bible verses. As inwardly led by the Lord, I used Acts 8 to lay the foundation for the need to receive help in understanding the Scripture.

And when Philip ran up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, Do you really know the things that you are reading? And he said, How could I unless someone guides me? And he entreated Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31, RecVer)

I also emphasised that the Bible being the word of God, a spirit of wisdom and revelation is needed to understand as it should be understood, and the eyes of our hearts need to be enlightened.

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

Then, I used various verses in Matthew 1 along with the corresponding footnotes to show how the Recovery Version can be a useful study aid in studying the Bible. I highlighted the significance of the name of Jesus (Matthew 1:21), the son of David and the son of Abraham (v. 1), the female names in the genealogy and their significance (vv. 3, 5, 6, 16), and the forty-two generations of three fourteen-generations (v. 17). Besides, I also introduced the seven new ministry books released in Kannada with an emphasis on "The Breaking of the Outerman and the Release of the Spirit." As I ministered on the need for the believers' growth in life, the spreading of Christ as the Spirit from the spirit into the soul, and all things working together for good for the believers' transformation and conformation to the image of the Firstborn Son of God, using Romans 8:28-29, the Pastors were all deeply supplied with the ministry of the word. Each of them amen the words as I ministered, following the inward anointing. I myself was richly supplied, so were all the brothers. 

Right after I finished my speaking and ministering, every one of them purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada, some of them got three copies, and one of them purchased the entire full box of 16 New Testaments. All the Bibles we brought to Yadgiri were sold out in one meeting. Praise the Lord! 

Then, a brother came to talk to me personally and narrated the ordeal he had gone through the previous night at his house. He was reading Acts 8 and could not understand. Then, someone visited him and accused Christian leaders in general of not being faithful in money matters and in physical relationships. He was deeply broken by such a false accusation and wondered how such a thing could happen to him. Out of deep sorrow, he and his wife prayed and slept very late. Today morning, he was invited to come to meet us. Immediately, the Lord told him from what he read, "And the Spirit said to Philip, Approach and join this chariot." (Acts 8:29, RecVer). So, when he came, all his questions and doubts about Acts 8 and the false accusation he went through were all cleared up. He was so happy that the Lord spoke to him through the fellowship. By the way, I had no idea about him or what he went through. I only spoke what the Holy Spirit led me to. Even the introduction of the ministry is the ministry; ministering the word through the introduction of the ministry. 

May the Lord continuously open up the Scriptures to all our brothers and supply them richly, the healthy teaching, for their spiritual nourishment and growth in the divine life, even unto the recovery of His testimony in Yadgiri!

Ministry of the Word to Kalaburagi and Shahapur

Having released the burden of the distribution in Bidar, we came down south to the next city, Kalaburagi. The initial plan was that we spend more time in this city as we considered to meet different Pastors at different places. The local broher who led us did not have a good experience in this city in his previous visit. So he allotted more time. However, as we arrived the city and contacted the Pastor in correspondence, he invited us to join the Pastors' fellowship going at his residence and introduce the ministry literature. This was not at all expected. But the Lord made all the plan ready.

I was given just fifteen minutes to introduce the ministry literature to the Pastors with translation to Kannada. Prior to this, a brother who accompanied us in this trip requested if I could speak again on the "wife of Uriah" in Matthew 1:6 with its spiritual significances as he was so much supplied by the revelation he received in my introduction in the precious city, Aurad. I took that as an indication of what I should speak. Therefore, when I introduced the New Testament Recovery Version, I used the note on "wife of Uriah" as a study aid along with other notes in Matthew 1. By the way, the brother who requested me for using this note came and sat in the front row and recorded my introduction of the Recovery Version. The Lord anointed the speaking so much so that it beame a ministering of the word of God to all the audience. The Pastors were very much touched by the ministry of the word and right after I introduced, each one of them wanted the Recovery Version New Testament in Kannada along with the seven Kannada title books. One entire box of New Testament (16) copies was sold out along with all the sets of Kannada books too. I even had to request a brother to get back one set of title books for sample to be shown in the upcoming distribution trip in other cities and towns.. 

The Lord blessed the distribution so much so that, beyond our expectation, one big city was covered in fifteen minutes! Of course, after the introduction, it took some time to settle the sales order

Then, we proceed further south to the next city, Shahapur. We arrived this place about two hours earlier than the scheduled time due to the quick accomplishment in the previous city. This gave me time to read my Bible and get some rest before we began the next meeting.

When the Pastors arrived at the appointment place and time, I was praying what to minister. Following the Lord's leading, I gave a gist of the church history,  how God used different people at different times to give revelation on some crucial truth in the Bible. For example, justification by faith through Martin Luther, sanctification through John Wesley, and narrated the beginning of the Baptist and Pentecostal movement. Then, I used Matthew 1:17 with the footnotes as a demonstration on how the Recovery Version can be an excellent study aid in studying the Bible. 

Thus all the generations from Abraham until David are fourteen generations, and from David until the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ, fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:17, RecVer)

The three fourteen-generations totalling forty-two generation with its spiritual significance was amazing! The Recovery Version has expounded it in detail!

After the introduction, all the Pastors present in the meeting immediately purchased a copy of the New Testament Recovery Version with full payment. They gave a word to pass on the availability of such a wonderful study Bible in Kannada language to their Pastors as well. Thus, our burden for this city was also released. Then, we moved on to the next city. 

With the sowing of the seed of the ministry of the word, the Lord will let these seeds fall into the good soil and one day, we will reap the harvest. 

May the Lord reviver His remnants in thses cities and raise up His lampshades in Kalaburagi and Shahapur!

Ministry of the Word to Bidar and Aurad

Thus says Jehovah, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel, I am Jehovah your God, Who teaches you to do that which is profitable, Who leads you in the way that you should go. (Isaiah 48:17, RecVer)

Come out from Babylon; Flee from the Chaldeans; With a voice of shouting declare; Let them hear this, Send it out unto the end of the earth; Say, Jehovah has redeemed His servant Jacob. (Isaiah 48:20, RecVer)

Having heard about Bidar many years ago, it has been in my heart that one day I could visit this district for the ministry literature distribution. This time, the Lord made it possible. After flying from Delhi to Hyderabad and an early morning train from Secunderabad to Bidar, I finally got to visit this district. The plan this time was to cover the northern parts of Karnataka, and with this trip, to cover the entire state of Karnataka, at least the districts and main cities and towns. I was given warm hospitality in a brother's house.

On our first visit to a group of Methodist's serving ones, the key leader did not welcome us and sternly refused to even hear us out. As a brother was talking to him for a time of fellowship to introduce the ministry literature, I was actually reading my Bible. Interestingly, the verses I read from Isaiah 48:17, 20 just confirmed my brother's whispering to my ears that the leader refused to hear us out. Jehovah was teaching me to do what was profitable and "come out of Babylon." Immediately, I realised we had to leave. There was no point trying to forcibly present the ministry to those who were not willing to receive. So, we left immediately without wasting any time. 

Then, we got an urgent appointment from a Pastor who was about to leave for another city. In fact, the Lord led us out of the first closed door to move on to the next open door, at the right time, lest we miss both. Since the Pastor was getting ready to leave, I immediately introduced the ministry books one by one, starting from the Holy Bible Recovery Version. Within a few minutes of presenting the ministry, the Pastor and his wife decided to purchase all the ministry books in Kannada, the New Testament in Kannada, and also the Holy Bible Recovery Version in English. Later, we also presented the ministry literature to a group of Christians in another location. While other Pastors in town were not available to meet, I had a time of fellowship with the brothers who were accompanying me this time for the distribution. The Lord also arranged the situation in such a way that I got time for rest, as I did not sleep enough the previous night due to my travel.

In Aurad, the following day, we met at a meeting hall of a Pastor where eight different Pastors of different Christian groups came together to pay heed to us. I simply followed the Spirit's leading inwardly, and began with the importance of the word of God in our Christian life, using 2 Timothy 3:16, and the need to understand the Scriptures with someone's help, as in the case of an Ethiopian eunuch with Philip in Acts 8. And then, I introduced the Recovery Version Bible and the ministry books using Matthew 1:1, 6, and the corresponding footnotes on "the son of David" and “David begot Solomon of her who had been the wife of Uriah" The Lord anointed the speaking and opened up the Scriptures to the Pastors as I also emphasised the need for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17, 18) and the opening of the word (Psalms 119: 130).

The result was, every one of them was richly supplied with the word of God, and each one of them purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada and the seven title books in Kannada. This was the work of the Lord sowing Himself as the seed through the ministry of the word. One day, the Lord will recover His remnants to bear His testimony in Aurad.

By the way, as we were traveling by car, I had a time of fellowship with a brother on the four pillars needed to live a healthy Christian life for the church life: the need for daily morning revival, daily reading of the Bible, daily prayer, and daily practical church life. In this way, the days in Bidar were well spent. 

May the Lord raise up His testimony in Bidar and Aurad soon!

Experience of Christ: The Spirit of Jesus

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)

By virtue of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit has been given to us (Acts 5:32) inwardly on the day of our spiritual birth. Since then, this Spirit of Jesus or the Holy Spirit has been leading us day by day provided one pays heed to His leading. It is now the responsibility of every believer to live and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25).

As such a one learning to live and walk by the Spirit, I have been experiencing the Spirit's leading either in going ahead or in being forbidden. As Christians, we have to proactively take actions according to the light of God’s word. Should the Spirit forbade us, then we should immediately take action to stop going any further. Otherwise, as the peace of God abides within, we must proactively carry out God’s commission.

In a number of cases, I have been restricted in my spirit and forbidden to go ahead with what I initially planned to do. In fear and trembling before God, I would check every matter before moving ahead. This practice helped me spent more time to pray over matters that concerned me. Be it considering my brothers' fellowship on joining a National College Students training, or consulting brothers for official matters, or approving a huge amount of money for construction of distribution books storeroom, or planning for a distribution trip to Karnataka, or even applying credit card for paying my daughter's admission application fee online, or even trivial matters like cutting hair or buying household items, and many other matters too. The Spirit's forbidding and allowing, toggling between a "yes" or a "no", has been my constant experience. I believe, I am being trained to follow the Spirit succinctly. In many cases, I had to change my own initial plan and thought. What my natural man thought initially, when proven to be not of the Spirit, I changed. In this way, the Lord trained me to follow him and experience the Spirit's leading step by step. This reminds me of the Lord’s words to Simon, son of John.

Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go. (John 21:18, RecVer)

I am glad that I have been led by the Lord through the saints surrounding me, my brothers in the church, my family members, and even my circumstances. I am learning to be pliable, to be sorber minded, and not to be rebellious or disobedient in any way. I fear God and even more fearful to grieve the Holy Spirit. The peace of God in everything I decided to do is of utmost importance to me. In this way, I learned to experience the Spirit of Jesus.

A Christian life is a life of experiencing the Spirit of Jesus, in many cases, of forbidding. What a blessing it is to be forbidden when not in the perfect will of the Lord! What a salvation!

God's Gospel Move

And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he who sits on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer. (Revelation of John 6:2, RecVer)

The Lord in His sovereignty has done a complete overhaul in the way we carry out the gospel move in our locality these days. With the changing political and religious atmosphere, the Lord also moves ahead in leading us to take ways conducive to His move despite the outward restrictions and risks. All for the preparation of His coming again and perfecting us to be His mature Bride. One thing is sure, no one can stop the Lord’s gospel move. Bills may be passed, laws may be enacted, leaders may change, but Jesus remains the same; He is the Lord over all!

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped, But emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men; And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11, RecVer)

In God’s gospel move in our church life, we brothers have been praying together as much as we can, and more brothers have been gathered together every Saturday afternoon for prayer, pray-reading, and practical service fellowship. Besides all these initiatives from our side, we also made significant improvement in the way we carry out the shepherding of the saints and the new ones.

Organic systematization of the small group meetings

Since the last full-time training, we have organically systematised the way we carry out the small group meetings. We have now been practising cherishing one another in the exercise of the divine love in caring for every member of the small group, praying for one another's specific and timely needs in a human yet divine way. At the same time, supplying the nourishing needed with the word of God as the divine light to shine on each one. And ushering each member into their organic functions to carry out the divine will, the universal priesthood of every member functioning to build up the Body of Christ. This new practice has revived the small group meetings!

Similarly with the small groups in the new ones' homes, we carrying out the same. So, far, five small groups have been regularly functioning each week with more and more saints participating and functioning. According to the need of the saints, we pursue different ministry materials; Life Lessons, Life-studies, and Shepherding Materials. Thank the Lord for this new way.

Besides, I personally also started a home meeting with a young brother, reading the Bible together with the help of study notes, testimonies, and prayers.

The Lord also opened new doors in our area for the gospel move through our children's classmate's and their families.

Outward situations may go on according to the trend of the world. Perhaps, it may worsen by the day, but God's gospel move cannot be stopped. In fact, God’s move also is intensifying against the tide!

What a blessing to live in this time of the age! God’s move is being intensified at the toughest time, and how blessed are we to be a part of this blessed move. Outward restriction draws out inward revival.

Praise the Lord for God’s gospel move! What a privilege to be a part of God’s gospel move! 

Experiences of Christ: Parental Shepherding

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

As our heavenly Father cares for us, His children, we, as human parents, also care for our chidren. This is the principle of incarnation; being human yet divine, caring for our children's well being as God would, is a fundamental duty of parent. 

Since last year, the Lord gave us a burden for our children's education academically and also spiritually. As a father and a husband, I have fellowshipped my burden to my wife and she has the same mind as mine, to send our children abroad to their place of birth Taiwan, especially, Taipei for their collegee education and spiritual education by being in the  students' centre iverseen by the saints, in the principle of sisters and brothers' houses. Gradually, things became clear as to what we should do; to apply for university study in Taiwan beginning with our eldest daughter as a pioneer in our family. The Lord, since then, has been leading us step by step. It has truly been mysterious yet marvelous in the experiences He has been giving us all this while.

Since the beginning of last month, we started the application process in Nation Taiwan University (NTU). To my utter surprise, it has so much steps even just for an application to complete. Altogether, from the beginning of the process still submission for admission, we have been through twelve crucial steps. Each step of the process has taught us important spiritual lessons. The experiences of Christ and the gaining of Christ in each step have already been very rewarding and its worth the price we paid. No matter what the result would be, we have already gained Christ through the processes!

First, there was the verification process by Taiwan embassy for qualification of our children being overseas Chinese residing in India for a considerable period of time. That it self took over a month to get the final verification and passport stamping.

Second, the learning of Chinese language; reading, listening, understanding, and so forth. My wife and daughter had spent a considerable hours of studies and preparation.

Third, a Chinese language test was conducted by the education department of Taiwan embassy. The Lord led us through and our daughter cleared the exam at level higer than the required qualification. This too, at the right time for it took a couple of months to get the result.

Fourth, there was the need for the school registration to the NTU system for recommendation of qualified students. This required us to approach the Principal of the school and class teacher. It took over a few weeks for approval itself. We went through a period of prayers.

Fifth, the school's recommendation along with the Principal and a particular class teacher's recommendations, which they all coordinated, were issued, scanned, and uploaded. 

Sixth, a email was received from NTU after their approval of the school. The email receiving was delayed for some technical reason and we finally got through this.

Seventh, an enrollment certificate was required to prove that the student is a bona fide student of a school aling with a transcript marks of the students from grade 10, 11, and 12 to prove the academic credentials of the student. 

Eight, these certificate and transcription marks have to be authenticated by the Taiwan embassy. This process was even more complicated. This itself has four levels of authentication. First, from the school with stamp and signature; second, from the state education department with stamp and signature; third, from the ministry of external affairs of the central government. Then and only then, Taiwan embassy did the final authentication.

Only this eighth step took was at least two weeks to complete these processes. Personally, I and my wife went to the school for help when I was directed to approach the department of education directly, which I did so, yet to no avail, as no one was willing to authentic documents from private schools. After much prayers and trying whatever ways possible, we finally decided to approach Taiwan embassy directly in New Delhi. This we did when we met at least three officials and got to know them personally as well. And finally, we were directed to authorised agent who did the job in four days to get four stamps and signatures from four different entities which were finally authenticated by Taiwan embassy. In these processes, we experienced the inner leading of the Lord intimately in fine way.

Ninth, to prove the competency in Englush language, either a certificate of school taught in English or internationally approved English language efficiency test must be produced. For this, my wife and I took a considerable amount of time to decide on which one to produce. I was of the opinion that since our children have been taught in English medium school there was no need for English efficiency test which costs about Rs.18,000. However, I asked my wife to check with an English professor who is also a sister in the church, and upon her advise, I was convinced for this test.

Tenth, after researching for a while, I settled on an IELTS exam centre in Gurugram, which I personally visited and registered our daughter. She, then had to prepare for the test amidst her ongoing school activities and preparation for the midterm exams. The Lord had graced her, and she cleared the exam at 8/9 score, way beyond our expectation. In all the processes, we had much prayers and trusting in the Lord.

Eleventh, a personal statement and study plan had to be prepared which our daughter did after she completed the week's midterm exams. Then, I had to go through it and did the final checking and formatting. Even in this, we experienced the Lord guiding us, how to do in a very fine and detailed way. We even prepared supporting documents PowerPoint to highlight our daughter's academic and extra curriculum achievements.

Twelfth, for the final uploading of all the final documents, my wife and I went through all the documents final checking and editing and made sure that no mistake was made. And for the payment online, I applied for Credit card which I discovered was provided free by ICICI Bank which I never realised. It took a few minutes to get it and got two cards, one as complementary. And finally, we submitted the application online, just three days before the due date.

In all these processes, we experienced the Lord shepherding us step by step. No matter what the result would be, we have gained a considerable experiences of Christ already. It was indeed worth going through the experiences. Thank the Lord for all His sovereign arrangements. Now, we wait upon the Lord for His perfect will to be done on our daughter's life. 

As parent, we have done our best for our children. We leave the rest to the Lord. Our plans have been committed to the Lord in prayers, and now it is upto the Lord to decide what He deems best.

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

May the Lord’s perfect will be done even in our parental shepherding of our children.

Consecration of Twin Boys

On the 2nd of September, I received a surprise call from one sister who used to meet with the church many years ago, who was introduced to me by a brother from her home state, Arunachal Pradesh. Later, she also brought in a good number of her colleagues who were nurse by profession. Due to her busy schedule, she was not able to meet any longer with no leave on Sundays. However, when her relatives came recently to Gurugram for delivery and on the seventh day of the twin baby boys born they desperately wanted a prayed for the consecration of the baby boys. So, I was called and requested. Though I initially thought to just pray over the phone they insisted that I visited them personally, so I took tgat as the Lord’s arrangement and decided to visit. 

However, the day I was to visit them, the 3rd of September, was a very busy day for me. Moreover, the saints from Malaysia were visiting the church for a time of lovefeast fellowship. Many things needed to be done besides my official works. So, I could not visit at the time I initially told them, the afternoon time. So, I postponed it for a later time, assuming that the meeting would be over by 9 PM. But, as we had the saints coming over and the fellowship began, the meeting went on and on and on beyond the scheduled time. In fact, we exceeded by an hour yet I did not have the peace to abruptly stop the meeting. I simply submitted myself to the situation.

Finally, when everything was over, I with another brother went to visit the sister and her relatives. It was exactly 10:30 PM when we arrived the hotel address. When we met her relatives with twin boys, I realised that they had been desperately waiting for me for prayer and dedication of their boys, just before the seventh day from the birth of the boys ended. 

I felt that I should minister some solid word for the family so I gave them a life-changing impression on the Lord Jesus Christ, not only as a religious person but the living God who lives in the believers and transforms them for His divine purpose. I ministered on the purpose of man using Genesis 1:26 and showed them the three parts of man in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. And how God wanted to gain man by first saving them, dispensing His life into them, and growing from within their being unto full maturity. Since they also named their two boys as Nyegom and Nyeeth, having meanings of intelligence, prosperity, or wisdom, I further made it clear to them that only Christ is wisdom using 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30 and that to gain wisdom, one need to gain Christ. Finally, I prayed for the two boys and consecrated them to the Lord. 

But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24, RecVer)

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God: both righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30, RecVer)

Furthermore, after a short time of fellowship, we all prayed together and we left. When I came home, it was already an hour past midnight. Despite the busy schedule, time was well spent. Praise the Lord!

May the Lord fully gain the twin boys and their parent for His divine purpose.

Special Fellowship with a Brother

As I was listening to the sharing of the visiting saints from Malaysia, one brother stood up and testified of how he would love to serve the Lord. I was surprised at his sudden declaration in India, and that too in his first visit. He happened to be one of the sons of the key brothers who brought these saints to India. Later, his father asked me if I could spend some time in fellowship with him. Then, immediately, I took that as the Lord’s leading.

Therefore, I accompanied the saints in their last shopping trip at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj. As we were all together, I started my conversation with the young brother who consecrated himself to serve the Lord. Meanwhile, I felt the need for a private place so that we could focus on the burden of the fellowship. Then, the other saints left us alone, and I had the inward freedom to openly fellowship the burden in my heart for him. Still, we walked around the mall and settled down in one of the corners where we could sit down and fellowship at length.

Initially, I let him introduce himself about his life, work, goal, Christian life, church life, etc. Then, as the Lord burdened me, I mentioned to him the need for a strong and sweet personal relationship with the Lord. For this, I encouraged him to spend personal prayer time with the Lord at least half an hour or an hour every day. And a time with the Lord in reading and studying the Bible. Besides, I also encouraged him to pray, seek, and resolve to do only the perfect will of the Lord in his life. 

In this time of personal fellowship, I also gave my own testimony of how the Lord called me to serve, how He trained me to seek, know, and do His perfect will, and how He taught me to live by faith, and how His presence has always been a blessing in my life, family life, church life, and even in my service. Then, we prayed together,  especially for the Lord's leading in his life based on all the points fellowshipped with him.

I do believe that was a life-changing moment for my dear young brother from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I do believe the Lord brought him to India for this purpose, along with other lessons he learned. I do believe my going there was for this purpose of fellowshipping with him personally. I also believe that that day, the 4th of September,  will be remembered as a special fellowship day in India in his life.

May the Lord bless my brother and gain him fully for His testimony.

Blending With the Saints from Malaysia

As soon as I arrived from my long distribution trip, the saints from Malaysia came to visit us in Gurugram. Our initial plan was to pick them up from the airport the moment we arrived, but due to the delay in their flight, we changed our plan. Again, the schedule for the next day, the Lord’s Day, was also adjusted immediately. So, all the saints ended up attending the Lord’s Table Meeting in Gurugram and were not distributed to different parts in New Delhi. This was a blessing in disguise for the church in Gurugram. Sovereignly enough, the children's Bible recitation portion was also on hospitality.

Do not forget hospitality, for through this some, without knowing it, have entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2, RecVer)

Therefore, our schedule was also adjusted to meet the new arrangement. 

Three days later, on Wednesday evening, we had a time of lovefeast, blending and fellowship on the Lord’s move in Mathura. As I was assigned, I picked up the report I made a few years ago and presented it with a PowerPoint presentation on how the Lord led the saints in Mathura step by step to touch the ministry, enjoy the ministry, and take a stand for the Lord’s testimony. 

Then, we had a time for four of the five brothers who were imprisoned to fellowship on their experiences during their imprisonment, the spiritual lessons they had learnt, and their testimony of how the living God led them through and through during and after the imprisonment. Their family members, especially the brothers' wives, also shared their experiences. 

The sharing time was not time-scheduled, and it got prolonged for over an hour. Nevertheless, no saints complained. We all took it as the Lord’s leading and His speaking through the brothers.

The saints, especially the sisters, have coordinated well in preparing the dinner lovefeast. Though the number of attendees swelled at the last minute, and the sisters were a little concerned over the quantity of food pre-planned and the last-minute addition, we all took it as from the Lord. Therefore, I personally decided not to eat the food until all the saints enjoyed their portion. And it so happened that I eventually did not eat at all, as I had no time. For, an impromptu meeting came up after the time of fellowship with the saints.

Then, the next day I also spent my whole day with the visiting saints from Malaysia, attending the fellowship with the saints in New Delhi and joining the visiting saints at the mall for pre-departure shopping. Only when I finally bid them goodbye, I come back to Gurugram. 

By the way, heavy rain jammed the entire road, and it took me over two hours to reach. In all these small small matters, I learned to pay the price of being hospitable to the visiting saints.

The saints from Malaysia also shared their deep experiences from their visit to India this time. Though it was their first visit for most of them, they were able to adjust to the "inconvenient" environment for the sake of the Body. I do believe many of them were touched by the Lord.

Praise the Lord for the blending!

Fellowship: Literature Distribution

As we were enjoying a breakfast fellowship on the 4th of this month at Hotel Lemon Tree Sector 56 in Gurugram with the visiting saints, especially the leading brother from the church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Malaysian brother himself proposed that I should join them during the day's fellowship to fellowship on the ministry literature distribution in India. Initially, I was not clear if I should go. But towards the end of the fellowship, the same brother reiterated the same point, stating that if I could make it, it would be a blessing to the saints and young people who visited India this time. Then, other brothers also nodded their heads in agreement. So, I no longer had any choice. I had to go.

The whole day had to be sacrificed for the saints. Though I had many pending works, as I had just come back from a long distribution and training trip. But I had no choice but to follow the Lord's leading through the Body. Sometimes, I may not be clear about certain things, but if I listen to the Body, I am following the Lord's leading. The Lord speaks through the members of His body.

As per my daily schedule, I first finished what I was supposed to do, my personal time in the word, and other important works at home and office. Then, I attended the fellowship in Delhi an hour later. When I arrived, I joined in and blended with the saints in their fellowship; the fellowship of the saints from the church in New Delhi and the visiting saints from Malaysia.

When the brothers requested me to share the burden of the literature service, I stood up and asked how much time I could speak. A brother replied that I should just follow the Spirit regardless of the time. Then, I fellowshipped on whatever points the Lord burdened me to.

Burden

The first point is having the burden from the Lord. 

Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4, RecVer)

Having known the Lord's heart's desire, I am deeply burdened that God's children be brought to the full knowledge of the truth. For this purpose, the Lord has sovereignly assigned the literature service to some of us in India, including me. I therefore took this burden seriously and, with much prayer, carried it out as the Lord led.

Prayer

Once the Lord gives the burden, I must be faithful to follow up in prayer day by day. For this reason, every day, I spend personal time with the Lord, at least an hour, to release the burdens the Lord bestowed upon me, praying back to Him. Though I also pray with other saints in corporate prayer, some personal burdens I pray them personally every day.

This burden, especially for the literature, I do send to some faithful saints who pray faithfully. For without the Body's prayer, I cannot go on. I need the Body, especially their standing in oneness in carrying out the burden the Lord blessed us with.

Now therefore, if I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know now Your ways, that I may know You, so that I may continue to find favor in Your sight. Consider also that this nation is Your people. And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:13-14, RecVer)

When the burdens have been prayed thoroughly enough, God moves, and His presence is with us, leading us and guiding us. In this regard, my prayer has always been, "Lord, go before us; go in our going, minister in our ministering, speak in our speaking, and distribute in our distribution."

Take Action

Once the burden the Lord gives is clear, and it has been prayed over. The next thing is to take action, to follow up on the burden the Lord blessed us with. 

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 Spirit's Move

Then, the Spirit moves in our move, and we are indeed following the Spirit's move. We absolutely depend on the Spirit's move. The Spirit leads us to whom to meet, what to say, and how to distribute.

Sow the Seed

All the distributions that have been carried out were actually the sowing of the divine seed of the ministry of the word. As the farmer went out to sow seeds, we also went out to sow seeds. Some definitely will fall on the good soil and it will bear fruits, even a thirtyfold, a sixtyfold, or even a hundredfold fruit.

We simply must be faithful to keep sowing the seed and leave the result to the Lord. The Lord is the real Sower, He is the Seed, and He will also produce the fruits too.

Who then is the faithful and prudent slave, whom the master has set over his household to give them food at the proper time? (Matthew 24:45, RecVer)

I did give two testimonies on how the Lord gained some seekers in the states of Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. And thus released my burden. Then, I also shared a few prayer points on the Recovery Version translation. With that, all the saints prayed, and my assigned responsibility was carried out.