Ministry of the Word to Anantapur

We had been visiting different parts of Ananatapur district for the past few days, and we had finally come to the main city of Ananatapur. We arrived very late in the night and were given hospitality in the home of a brother who is also an officer in the agriculture department. 

The next morning after breakfast, we had a time of fellowship with our host's family. As they requested me to share something, I shared on the need for all Christians to be constituted with the word of God. For some reason, the Lord’s leading in all the fellowships and meetings in this trip was on the word of God and prayer. As I shared these two burdens, the family members were very encouraged. They even indicated that they would renew their Christian living with daily Bible reading and prayers. 

We were then led to meet an independent Pastor who was also very impressed by the introduction of the Recovery Version and immediately purchased it for himself and promised to read it and then introduce it to his congregation. 

Then, we met one key Pastor in the city who is also a well-known Bible teacher. At first, I gave the time to the local Telugu-speaking brothers to introduce the Recovery Version in Telugu. Though he appreciated it, he also tried to compare it with all the other Bibles in his possession. He also brought out a Telugu study Bible, which he compiled. Then, I was asked to minister something.

I began by quoting 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 3:16,17 on the need for the Christians to come to the full knowledge of the truth. Then, I ministered on the need to daily pursue the word of God, which can make the Christians grow in life, and how the truth can teach a person, convict him, correct him, and instruct him in righteousness so that the man of God may be complete and perfect in every good work. The Lord then touched this Pastor, who is a Bible teacher, so much so that he requested me to come and introduce the Recovery Version Bible in his upcoming Silver Jubilee celebration of the ministry he has been involved in, where about two hundred Pastors are expected to attend. However, I did not have any leading to confirm to him. He bought the New Testament Recovery Version. 

We then visited the sister of one of our brothers and preached the gospel and led them to pray to receive the Lord. After which, a meeting was arranged in another Christian group where I ministered on loving God with the love of God as God is love.

And now, O Israel, what does Jehovah your God ask of you except that you fear Jehovah your God so that you would walk in all His ways and love Him and serve Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul; (Deuteronomy 10:12, RecVer)

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God, and everyone who loves has been begotten of God and knows God. He who does not love has not known God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8, RecVer)

And we know and have believed the love which God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16, RecVer)

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40, RecVer)

And Jehovah your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed, so that you will love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:6, RecVer)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35, RecVer)

The next day, we had an early morning meeting with the top leader, the Superintendent of a big Christian group. By his own confession, he has been an ardent lover of the ministry of the word and has been listening to and studying the Life-study messages. Despite all that he confessed, there was a lack of reality and depth in whatever he confessed. May the Lord speak to him in a stronger and deeper way so that he may be fully recovered to practice the ministry he professed to appreciate.

Then, we met another Pastor who was so much touched by the Recovery Version Bible we introduced and the words we fellowshipped with him, especially on the matter of righteousness. Then, a meeting with another politician turned Pastor, and finally, a group of students.

By the way, the Lord has been drawing a young brother to fellowship with us. He was one of the Pastors we met in our last distribution journey. He showed interest in the truth and also in fellowship with us. He even shared his personal testimony with me and indirectly hinted at his need for himself, his family, and the congregation he is shepherding. May the Lord gain him fully for His testimony one day.

After all these meetings for two days in Anantapur city, our distribution journey this time had come to an end. Brothers from other localities went back, and some of us proceeded to attend the combined Lord’s Table Meeting in Palameneru.

Praise the Lord for the city of Ananatapur. May the Lord, in His time, establish the golden lampstand in Ananatapur.