An Experience in Nagercoil

Today morning, I arrived Nagercoil and a brother with his son picked me up from the railway station. Though this was not the initial plan, due to the fellowship of the local brothers, I simply followed that fellowship. While in the way to the brother's home, I met with a sister who spoke her opinion about me which was completely contrary to the fact. I did not reply anything back but smiled at her. Deep within, I realised how the enemy hates the work the Lord has been doing in the life of a brother. I could only pray for the couple for the Lord to heal the relationship, preserve them, and bless them for His testimony. 

The brother took me to another brother's family where I encouraged his granddaughter of my daughter's age to have a scheduled daily prayer and Bible reading time, and seek the will of the Lord in everything from her young age. Then, we had a time of prayer for the family. 

Then, the brothers took me to visit another family who has been going through relationship turmoil and many marital and personal issues. The father of the family has been a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ but not yet baptised for many logical and human reasons. Initially, he spoke a lot in Tamil to which I asked another brother to fellowship with him in Tamil, without me needing to speak. Though Bible verses were used to help him understand the truth, but he still kept reasoning and expressing his opinions. As I listened, I felt things were not on the rigth direction. It was like partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, arguing with the truth and debating. Though I intended not to get involved in the conversation and let the local Tamil brothers handle the questioning brother, I felt I had to step in.

I prayed silently, looking at him to his face even as I listened to the translation of what he was speaking, I bound the enemy Satan in the name of Jesus. I exercised the God given authority to subdue his mind, and preached the gospel of salvation using three Bible verses.

John 1:12-13, RecVer

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name,

Who were begotten not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Mark 16:16, RecVer

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned.

I, then, ministered the word concerning the divine birth and also the need for baptism as the entrance into the kingdom of God.

John 3:1-6, RecVer

1. But there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2. This one came to Him by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.

3. Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?

5. Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Though he initially argued and reasoned with the word, I emphasised that whoever genuinely believes into the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be baptised. And this is also a matter of obedience to the word of God, not according to how one feels but an obedience. At this point, he stopped all his arguments. Then, a sudden change transpired before me, he was completely subdued and declared, "I want to be baptised!"

Immediately, I checked with the local brothers about the practicality. Then, they all agreed and even finalised the pool for baptism. So, I purposefully delayed the lunch which was already prepared and led the saints to do first thing first. Baptism first, then, lunch. We all drove to the pond nearby, and two local brothers baptised him! Hallelujah!

This was the Spirit's move and we simply cooperated with His move. May the Lord bless the family and preserve them for His testimony in Nagercoil!