Walking with God

Shepherding Lesson

Only the Lord Jesus truly is the good Shepherd. Without His shepherding life in me, I can never shepherd anyone. I have been learning this lesson time and again. My heart has been for shepherding the new ones and I have been doing so with a good number of younger ones and older ones too. Whether by meeting them physically or virtually over the phone, I have been enjoying the Lord’s grace to be able to shepherd. This definitely requires the Lord Jesus' shepherding life.

John 10:11-14, RecVer

11. I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

12. He who is a hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

13. He flees because he is a hireling and it does not matter to him concerning the sheep.

14. I am the good Shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me,

At times, when the shepherded ones were not available, or were not picking the calls, I learn not to give up on them nor be discouraged. But I kept praying for them all the more. Sometimes, I intentionally called them even when I knew for sure that some of them would not pick my calls nor reply to my texts, I still regard them as "sheep the Lord entrusted me to shepherd" and I faithfully do what I am required to do. This is an important lesson I have been learning these days. Deep within me, I still trust that the Lord remembers my heart for these ones and He will, in His time, recover all of them. As some of them have strayed away from the church life, some veered away to the world, and some have completely lost interest even in spiritual things. Nonetheless, I don't give up on them as the Lord would not give up on anyone else. One day, the Lord will recover all of them for our labor in the Lord will never be in vain.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58, RecVer

Two young brothers have not been picking my calls nor bothered to answer my texts any longer. This is a good test for me as a learning shepherd, how I deal with such ones. It's so easy to simply give them up, but I will not, unless the Lord indicated to me to give up. Herein lies my attitude towards them as a shepherd. May the Lord grace me all the more and reproduce His shepherding life in me.

Household Arrangements

After sixty one days of external renovation and painting works carried out at he premises of our dwelling place, the entire aura and vista of the house changed drastically. The standard of the living seemed to have been upgraded, at least at its outlook. Following suit of such changes, I deemed it proper to make necessary changes within the house too. Therefore, night after night, I spent hours to clean, rearrange, and uplift the living condition of the house we live in. In so doing, I enjoyed the joy of doing things according to my heart's pleasure. Though I could have hired someone to do it, I prefer doing it myself exactly according to my taste. So, in the process, I had to discard so many things.

First, I began by sorting out clothes that we don't use them anymore but in good condition. After a week of sorting, I finally sent to a brother in Delhi as a gift; four luggages of clothes and a bag of shoes with socks. Second, I cleaned up the storeroom and discarded many things and rearranged it for smart and spacious storing. Third, I got the help of my wife to sort out many unused utensils and gave it away to local daily wage earners. Fourth, I got the help of my wife and daughters to sort out many unused books and clean up the bookshelves. Fifth, I got the help of my son to clean up the chairs in the living room and dining hall. Now, I have a plan for painting and renovation of the entire interior of the house.

These exercises reminded me of God's household arrangement for His heart's desire and good pleasure. If I could find pleasure in my tiny household arrangements, how much more the great God would find pleasure in accomplishing His household arrangements that comprises billions of His children universally. A physical sight of my own gave me a spiritual sight on God’s view concerning His house, the church, the Body of Christ. Now, I truly realise the importance of God's economy, His household arrangement and administration. 

Besides, I deemed it proper for a father of my family to take the initiative and do the needful with the help of all my family members. Day by day, things have improved. Most importantly, I enjoy the joy of carrying out my heart's desire, my good pleasure. 

Recently too, my dad had called up for some financial help he needed urgently. It was a joy again, indeed, through the Lord’s blessing, I was able to provide all that he asked. After all, he is my father. And I also had the liberty to let my siblings know about the land the Lord provided in Ngarian, Manipur twenty years ago and letting my younger brother oversee the matter with my intention made known to all.

All these are my household arrangements which ultimately is also for God’s household arrangements. 

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8, RecVer

Shepherding Visit to Chandigarh

On the 21st May, while we were in a fellowship from 6:25 AM, I received a message concerning the demise of the sister of the leading brother in the church in Chandigarh and that I should consider to attend the funeral. Initially, I thought it was not practical for me as I was in the midst of fellowship, besides, there were brithers from Delhi who could go on my behalf. However, as I called and fellowshipped with the brothers, we all felt that we should visit the church and attend the funeral. It was indeed proper to take care of the feelings of the churches in Chandigarh, Delhi, and Gurugram and grasp the opportunity for fellowship and shepherding. Then, a decision was made to visit immediately. 

As soon as we were all ready, I also decided to take the car the Lord has blessed me with. I reckoned that for a long distance journey, about 14 hours to and fro, it would be wise to travel comfortably, given the option. Personally, it was also my first experience to drive the new car for a long drive and that too, along with the brothers. That was indeed a blessing.

Our presence as fellow members of the Body of Christ and and as brothers in the Lord was all that was of utmost importance. The price we paid for such a brotherly visit at such a crucial time was all the more worth it. Though we could not say much, but our visit was all that matters. That was the shepherding. That was the fellowship. That was the brotherly love, care, and concern. Otherwise, all our talks of church life would just be an empty and vain teaching.

This was also a time to meet the family members of the brothers and the saints in Chandigarh together with the saints in different localities of Punjab. One impression I got was the brother's burden for the testimony of Jesus in Chandigarh. Since this was also the first ever funeral in the church life, he was very concerned for how things would turn out. The Lord headed up everything and the entire visitation became a testimony in itself, though we ourselves missed the funeral, at least, we were there on the day when they needed the Body most. As the Lord led, we also made an impromptu offering of considerable amount from the two visiting churches. We had our lunch, a time of fellowship over a cup of tea, and then left jn the late afternoon.

By the time we came back home, it was about 1:30 am the next day early morning. It was indeed a memorable day, and a memorable visit to the church in Chandigarh, and a timely shepherding visit.

Lord, bless the church in Chandigarh. 

Shepherding: Married Couple

For you were like sheep being led astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:25, RecVer

Only the Lord Jesus is the Shepherd of our souls. No human can truly and fully shepherd the complicated souls. It would be foolishness to try to do so without the Lord, even stupidity to even think that one imperfect soul can shepherd another imperfect soul. Any attempt would simply be, a blind leading a blind. This lesson I have learned long ago. The Lord’s light have shown on me and I am well aware of the complication of the untransformed complicated souls.

Today, I received a surprise and a distress call from a sister who has been living separately from her husband. She called to enquire if I could somehow find out how her husband was doing. It seemed that a suicidal post came to light on social media from her husband. I have long ago stayed away from social media and was not aware about people’s posts. Thereore, sensing the urgency, I complied to her request, yet not without first praying and careful consideration of what I was about to get into.

I called the brother as requested to call, and sure enough, he was in a deep distress since his wife lived separately a few years ago. Deep within me, I prayed to the Lord for wisdom to discern the situation rightly and not be carried away by what I heard. One lesson I have been learning is, learning to listen. So, I lent my listening ears as he poured out his soul even with weepings, sorrows, anguish, regrets, loneliness, and desperation. I was fully aware that only the Lord Jesus is the soultion to his marital issues that comprises his personal life too. I dared not lightly voice my opinion nor even try to console in my natural man. For I know, only the Lord Jesus can console and comfort him. I was all prayers as I was listening to whatever he had to say. Finally, after about an hour of his emotional outpouring, I led him to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. Then, I prayed and he followed suit. 

Though he confided in me his deep emotional longings, I led him to turn to the Lord Jesus who is the only Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. I cannot give life but I can dispense the Lord’s life dispensed into me to him through shepherding. Since he also requested me to initiate a conference call with his estranged wife, I gave my honest reply by letting him know that for such, her consent was required. I cannot intrude into other people's personal space without their permission. Then, we hung up the call for further calls.

As I called up the sister, she also poured out her feelings concerning him and the reason for separation and her decision for further actions. Again, with clear understanding in mind that only the Lord Jesus Christ is the Shepherd of her soul, I also let her know what the word of God says about a married couple. She also agreed for a conference call, so we had a conference call: he, she, and me, keeping in mind that we were not and cannot do anything in this regard, and praying that the Lord Jesus would come in, in the call.

As the couple and I were on a conference  call, I gave a general overview of what the Bible says about a husband and a wife. And God's purpose in creating man and Satan's strategy of destroying what God had planned. I only respoke the word of God and let both of them know and reminded them that, as chidren of God possessing God's divine life, they are to fulfill God's purpose and that their marriage life is for God and not merely for themselves. And also warned them that having known God's purpose, one's responsibility is to obey and submit to God and His words; no matter their history; no matter their feelings, opinions, and decisions; and no matter what. Nevertheless, I made it clear to both, the choice was theirs. 

Then, I let both of them speak. Each had spoken their view points that went on for another hour. The Lord’s grace was sufficient to pay heed to what the duo had to say. Though differences of opinion arose concerning their relationship, at least they both spoke their hearts out. Most importantly, they heard one another.

Finally, I had to interject and encouraged them to go before the Lord in prayer and let the Lord lead them. I prayed for the couple to be under the Lord’s perfect will, and that God's love, life, and light be their love, life and light, and that they would love one another with the divine love and be one with one another with the oneness of God. Therefore, I committed them both to God. Thus, the online conference ended in a good note.

Sometimes, I wonder why a good number of marital issues among the saints have been brought to me, time and again. I know fully well that I am incapable of settling any issue, and I would not dare even try. But as the matters keep coming I cannot escape from it either. I had to listen to marital issues, which, by and large, in principle, are all the same. All with different actors and settings, but same storyline. I only brought whoever brought their marital matters to me, to God, by the way, leading them to the Shepherd and Overseer of the souls.

Lord, preserve all the married couples in You for the sake of Your testimony. Lord, may all the married couples of the saints love one another with Your divine love and be one with one another in Your divine oneness. Lord, put Your enemy Satan to an open shame and turn all his divisive tactics to the manifestation of Your multifarious wisdom. And, glory be to You. Amen.

Lesson on Prayer: Shameless Persistence

I say to you, Even though he will not rise up and give him anything because he is his friend, surely because of his shameless persistence he will rise and give him what he needs.

And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.

Luke 11:8-10, RecVer

In prayers, we must be shamelessly persistent in asking the Lord what He wants us to pray for. We do not pray selfish and foolish prayers shamelessly. But, once we discern God's will, which He revealed through His word or through the inward anointing, we must exercise to pray by faith and pray it persistently.

This has been my personal experience and enjoyment in my prayer life. Whenever the Lord gave me burdens to pray for His will, I exercised my spirit to pray those burdens faithfully. In fact, the burden motivated me to pray all the more. Because I knew that these were God’s will for me to pray for. So, I pray daily, according to the burdens given by the Lord Himself. 

In many cases, the Lord imparted new burdens and confirmed it through circumstances. Therefore, I was all the more bold to pray those prayers in a way of commanding God to fulfill it. Because these are not burdens generated by me, it was bestowed upon me by God. So, according to His very command, I command Him to fulfill it.

Thus says Jehovah, The Holy One of Israel and the One who formed him, Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And concerning the work of My hands, command Me. Isaiah 45:11, RecVer

In many instances, the Lord gave me this experience of knowing His will and commanding him to do it. From matters as trivial as housing and rentals, children's education, daughter's college, son's exams, new ones' salvation and baptisms, my official service, church responsibility, etc., I experience shameless persistence in prayers.

In one case, when my daughter's result for college acceptance was pending as we had been praying daily for over ten months, one night, I just commanded the Lord that the university we prayed for should accept her, and I also directed my prayer to the university to accept her. The result of acceptance came today! Praise the Lord!

There are many other prayer burdens the Lord blessed me with. I pray for these burdens daily. In fact, I have been shamelessly persistent in my prayers, knowing fully that these are prayer burdens from the Lord. My responsibility is to pray and pray. The answers to my prayers are up to the Lord. I only simply pray persistently and shamelessly. 

The day before yesterday night, as I was out in the park for prayer, a heavy thunderstorm, lightning, and a hailstorm struck. I was determined to pray, and I prayed through and through, amidst the storm. As I released my burden, the storms also abated. When I finished my prayer, the storms and rain also stopped. As I came home, there was a power cut because of the storm, and there was also a water leakage due to rain, that aiped into our electric main control board. No electrician was willing to come at night amidst the rain. So, I decided to solve the electrical problem myself and prayed to the Lord for the solution. Meanwhile, I did not skip the regular Life-study pursuit and family prayer due to these electrical issues.

What an experience to pray this kind of prayer! It helps me in my prayer life and makes my prayer life very enjoyable. I enjoy the joy of praying persistently and shamelessly!

Lord, grace me with Your burden that I pray persistently, shamelessly, and perpetually.

God’s Blessing: Children's Studies

Since last year, when my daughter was studying her 12th standard, we have been praying for her college studies. Upon careful consideration and checking of the universities in Taiwan, we finalised on the best one for English honors program that also teaches in English. Besides, we wanted the one in Taipei so that our elderly parents can also be taken care of and the she can have a new beginning by living in the student center sisters' house for the campus service.

At one time, I even told my wife that, we must apply only for the universities in Taipei and that too, the best one, a well known national university. Since then, it became clear to us we have to pray just for one university, NTNU.

As a family, we started praying for this prayer burden everyday. When the time came, we applied for it. Though, we went through a lot of hurdles in the application processes, we experienced the Lord’s leading step by step.

Despite experiencing the Lord’s leading, we still had to face some hiccups. When the first list was out, she was on a waiting list. When the next one was out, she was not selected. This was a direct application. We did not lose hope. For, deep within, I knew that she should she selected. We have done all that we could, paying the price in fulfilling every requirement of the university, which was a very lengthy process as it was an overseas Chinese students' application through the embassy in New Delhi. I even had to face an accident, though nothing happened to me. I was almost ran over by a truck while on my way to collect the government verified and stamped documents. By the way, four different departments stamps were stamped with quite an amount of agency fee. Therefore, deep within, I realised, God will open the door in the university we applied for. So, we continued to apply for the second round through the embassy. 

Meanwhile, we continue to pray and pray. Two days ago, her class 12th result was declared. As we prayed, God blessed us, and she scored centum in two papers, and got a very good percentage overall. Since her acceptance to the university was still pending, I was considering an alternative in India. I just discovered that with her 12th score, she could quality for the best college in India too. In fact, I was considering to apply in India too, as a backup. But I was not peaceful to do so.

Yesterday night, I went before the Lord to pray and consider what step to take. The Lord impressed me to trust in Him and wait until this Lord’s Day. So, I decided to wait and did not even tell my family about this alternative plan. All this while, as a family, we continued to pray for her acceptance to NTNU.

Today, the Lord answered our prayers and the result was declared that she got acceptsed to NTNU. Immediately, as a family, we hugged each other and prayed to thank the Lord for answering all our prayers. This was a very wonderful experience the Lord gave us as a family to trust in the Lord, pray persistently in faith, and gain the Lord through the process.

Now, we will continue to pray for all the other practical details and experience the Lord again. This journey of prayers was an important spiritual lesson for our family especially, our children. We want to lead them to walk with God day by day and one day be living overcomers. Education is obe of the ways to experience the Lord and gain God day by day unto full maturity. 

Lord, may Your perfect will be done in our children's life. And, through the process, walk with You, experience, enjoy, and express You, and gain You fully to be Your overcomers.

Ministering in the Combined Meeting

Today, three local churches, the churches in Marthandam, Nagercoil, and Kanyakumari, had a combined Lord’s Table Meeting together in Marthandam. This was my first time to attend the meeting with the saints in these localities. For this meeting, a few weeks ago a brother messaged me that the brothers had alloted me to minister the word in two sessions. I took the matter to prayers and considered before the Lord. The Lord then gave me a message for the first session, but for the second, I was not sure. While I was attending the national serving ones training, the Lord made it clear to me to respeak the Lord’s speaking to the saints.

Yesterday night and today morning I went before the Lord in prayer and also went through the outlines of the recent training on "The Ministry of the Word and God's Dispensing for God’s Economy". The Lord then made the message clear to me with a very clear burden on what to minister.

As the meeting began, I released the burden the Lord gave me. Beginning with Acts 6:4 on the need to continue steadfastly in prayer and the ministry of the word, the burden was fully released as I exhorted the saints to spend time with the Lord in prayers and also in the word of God daily and using the ministry to open up the word. Following this is the ministry of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, then issuing in the ministry of life in 1 John 5:16. The burden rotates around these three points, and when it was sufficiently released, I stopped my speaking and let the saints flow out. Many saints overflowed their enjoyment of the ministry of the word, and the first session ended.

We then partook of the table and had lunch lovefeast, afterwhich, the second session started. I continued to release the burden on the ministrering life for the Body and dwelt on the need to stay within the measure of God's rule in 2 Corinthians 10:12-15 and fighting the spiritual warfare in the Body. Finally, to fulfill God’s economy,  there is a need for our cooperation with the Lord to carry out His economy by being His faithful stewards who minister the word with a burden from the Lord and who coordinate with one another in one accord. When the burden was thoroughly released within the one hour time allotted to me,  I concluded my ministering. The saints then continued to flow out their enjoyment of the word. 

In both the sessions, the saints testified that the Lord’s speaking was very timely and apt and it was the need of the churches at the present time. Thank the Lord for the ministry of the word. 

May the Lord grace all the saints in tbe churches to be man of prayer, man of the word of God, minister of the word, having been reconciled, ministering life for the Body, functioning within the measure of God's rule, fighting the spiritual warfare in the Body in the victory of Christ, and cooperating with God in fulfilling His economy.

Ministry of the Word in Marthandam, Kanyakumari

Following the recently concluded national serving ones training in Angamaly, Kochi, I coordinated with the brother serving in the literature service in Keralam for a week of ministry literature introduction and distribution in Marthamdam and the surrounding localities.

In the Maruti Eeco which was also an offering from a brother for the ministry literature distribution, we travelled over nine hours from Angamaly to the Marthandam where the literature is stocked in the serving ones' house. From last Monday till Friday, we went to visit Christian leaders of different denominations in and around Marthamdam. Everyone we visited paid a careful heed to what we ministered through the literature, especially the introduction of the Holy Bible Recovery Version. To me, it was all the ministry of the word, the ministry of life, through the minsitry books. 

As the Lord answered our prayers, He opened the hearts of all the ones He led us to meet, and everyone one of them ended up purchasing the Recovery Version Bible  we introduced, except one who was very busy for for any reading, but still gave us the opportunity to display these ministry books in the meetings he is leading. We enjoyed a sweet coordination in one accord as we visited various Christian leaders, praying together along the way, and serving in oneness. I did not feel any pressure whatsoever. Neither did I feel like doing a work. Rather, I enjoyed the Lord’s presence in a very human way, full of peace and rest. To such a blessing from the Lord, I can only praise and worship the Lord for His marvelous way. Praise the Lord! Glory be to God!

In addition to the official burden of distribution, I also enjoyed a time of bending with our serving ones in Keralam in the distribution. I enjoyed their hospitality where they fed me with sea food everyday, of differnt variety cooked in different ways, along with my favorite "Kerala dry fried beef in coconut oil". The Lord shepherded me so richly inwardly and outwardly too. What a grace and blessing to serve Him!

An update I message to the brothers summerise this ministry journey enjoyment. 

Update: Ministry Literature Journey in Kanyakumari

In the past one week, the Lord led us to the key Christian leaders in Marthandam and the surrounding localities. All the Pastors we met either purchased the Recovery Version Bibles or gave us opportunity to display the ministry books in their upcoming big meetings. The Lord answered our prayers and granted us open doors to the big Christian groups; A_, B__ I___, C__, etc., introducing the ministry to the key leaders at their head offices.

Besides, we also enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship and blending with the saints in these areas, in the evenings.

Two new contacts, one, who purchased books online, and the other a local contact, came to meet us. The gospel was preached and both were baptised in coordination with the local brothers, and now have started meeting with the local saints.

Tomorrow, the saints have arranged a combined Lord’s Table Meeting of three local churches for blending, and on Monday, we will meet some more Christian leaders till afternoon and then I will be back to Gurugram. 

Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray for the Lord to open up the Scriptures through the reading of the Recovery Version to all these dear brothers who have purchased the Bibles and the ministry books.

Lord bless Your move in Kanyakumari!

Baptism: Jesus is Lord!

Yesterday morning I was enjoying the word of God in Revelation 12:11 on the truth concerning the word of our testimony.

And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they loved not their soul-life even unto death. Revelation of John 12:11, RecVer

The word of our testimony is the declaration of the facts Jesus Christ had accomplished at the cross. At the cross, the Lord defeated Satan, our one unique enemy and the source of all the problems in the universe. Declaring this fact outloud to Satan is the secret to the overcoming life. Satan, as the tempter he is, tempts in every possible way at every possible time. Our one weapon is the application of the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ at the cross. We must declare again and again that Christ is Victor and Jesus is Lord! This is the word of our testimony.

As I was enjoying this fundamental truth during my morning watch, I proclaimed the victory of the Lord upon me, and the saints, and even upon the new one who was coming to meet me. I had no idea about who this new one was, but I already declared the victory of Jesus Christ over him. That he would come, for whatever reason, I would preach the gospel and lead him to salvation, and lead him to the word of God, even unto baptism, to enjoy God's complete salvation. 

After I had sufficiently enjoyed my time with the Lord in prayer and in the word, he came. I paid careful heed to whatever he had to say. He poured out his sadness, sorrow, anxiety, stress, and depression issuing from his marital issue. I told him truthfully that his problems were merely symptoms of the real problem of sin. The solution is in dealing with sin, the source of the problem, only which God in Christ Jesus can deal with.

Then, I ministered the word of God concerning God's eternal plan, Christ redemption, and the way to believe into the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour. As I ministered the word of life, I did so by using the Scriptures and leading him to read various Scriptures portions in Genesis 1:26; 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:45; John 3:16; Romans 8:9-13; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; Matt. 3:15-17; John 3:5.

The word of God is more than sufficient to lead people to salvation. Though I preached the gospel, I did so, using the word of God directly, verse by verse. The word of God is spirit and life. Therefore, the new one believed into the Lord Jesus Christ and also was baptised.

The local brothers in sweet coordination came together for the baptism of the new one! 

Then, we enjoyed our meal together. Afterwhich, as the church gave a gift of the New Testament Recovery Version in English to the new born brother, I helped him read Matthew chapter 1 along some footnotes, showing him how to read the Bible daily. Then, for his continual shepherding, I introduced the Shepherding Materials, online version, and read together with him the first chapter. So that he could continue reading by himself the following chapters, and I also gave him the freedom to call me whenever he wills for fellowship or doubt clarifications.

The baptism on Wednesday and Friday here in Marthandam were the first two fruits for this year in gospel preaching in the way of ministering life. In the North, the outward situation is no longer favourable to such, though we still preach and lead people to receive the Lord, we wait for baptism. Thank the Lord for this wonderful experience of ministering life.

Jesus is Lord! Christ is Victor!

Brotherly Fellowship and Baptism

As were meeting various Christian leaders introducing and distributing the ministry literature, especially, the Holy Bible Recovery Version, we also took time to visit some saints' family as a shepherding visit. One brother, who I have known since the time I was in college has been physically sick for decades now. I had a particular burden to visit him and his family. Though they have been struggling in many areas, the brother and his wife have been faithfully serving the Lord according to their capacity. Visiting and fellowshipping with them encouraged me inwardly. Despite their outward condition, they have been graced by the Lord to stand firm for the Lord’s testimony and also serve like full-timers. When meeting with such saints, I was convicted that with my situation I could have done much more. Even in outward poverty, they are rich in Christ. 

We also visited another brother and his wife, who were my training mate for a month or so while I was undergoing the full-time training more than two decades ago. He had arranged a meeting with his brothers' family whose two sons are Pastors. As they requested me to minister the word, I ministered my recent enjoyment of the word of God. The ministry of the word is the ministry of life from the minister being one with the ministry. There was a sweet ministering of life. One of the Pastors and his mother testified of how much they were supplied with the ministry of the word and confessed that it was the first time they heard such a ministry of the word. After prayer, they hosted us with my favorite "Kerala Beef Fried in Coconut Oil". It was an enjoyable time of brotherly fellowship and blending.

Today morning, the Lord brought one new contact who purchased the ministry books first from a Christian bookstore, then, online. As we spoke to him, it became clear that he wasn't baptised yet. He just came to the faith about a year ago, but had no solid foundation in the word. But he, being a book lover, liked to read all kinds of books. His love for books led him to the ministry literature. 

Therefore, I preached the gospel of Jesus Christ beginning from God's plan till Christ's redemption and led him to the Lord in a fresh way again. Further, to give him the complete gospel, I led him to read all the key Bible verses concerning the seven spiritual significances of baptism. After ministering the word, he, out of his own willingness and choice, exercising his free will in obedience to the sovereign word of God, decided to get baptised. 

The local brothers had their fellowship and made everything ready for baptism. So, we all went to a nearby river and baptised this new brother. I did not baptise it myself, but let the local brothers do. 

The local saints were very encouraged at what the Lord was doing in their local church. Though we came mainly for the ministry distribution, the Lord also opened the door for gospel preaching, saving soul, and fellowship with them.

Besides, on the request of the brothers, I also shared briefly in their small group meeting on loving the Lord, in line with the experience of breaking the outer man, the Lord’s discipline in love reciprocating with our love for the Lord.

May the Lord continue to bless His move in Marthandam and the nearby localities.

Burden for Manipur

The burden the Lord revived in me in the beginning of this year concerning the Lord’s testimony in the North East was released after the national serving ones training in Keralam this month in fellowship with a brother. Soon after the burden for North East was fellowshipped, what the Lord had revived and reserved within me was released gradually. 

As I was on a distribution van riding for over ten hours from Angamaly, Keralam to Thengapatnam,  Tamilnadu, I prayed and began to call the brothers in the North East one by one. There were two groups for which the Lord burdened me. First, the key leading brothers, to bring them into the fellowship in the Body on a regular basis, and second, for the younger brothers who have graduated from the full-time training who need to be shepherded and recover their God alloted portion in the Body. With much prayers and fellowship, the Lord opened the door of the brothers' hearts and I could first fellowship with them one on one. With the younger ones, I even enjoyed praying with them. 

The gracious Lord has paved the way for all these brothers to be brought into sweet fellowship in coordination. Besides, for the younger brothers too, we agreed to meet online once a week for prayers and fellowship. For this, I created a WhatsApp group and added the younger brothers. The Bible verses for this group is:

Practice these things; be in them, that your progress may be manifest to all.

Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:15-16, RecVer

In addition to the phone call confirmation, I sent the following message conveying the purpose of the group to the group members of Prayers and Fellowship.

Brothers, as we fellowshipped over the phone, let us use this group for prayers and fellowship, to encourage one another, supply life to one another, that we all may practice the things of the divine economy that our progress may be manifest to all as the testimony of Jesus wherever we are, to be ministers of the word supplying the divine life to the saints for the building up of the Body of Christ. 

In this regard, to start with, let us meet online for prayer and fellowship on Wednesday night at 9:00 PM for now.

In fellowship, we may adjust it accordingly. 

May the grace of the Lord be upon us all.

Since these are younger brothers in Manipur, I felt it good to let the responsible brothers especially of the local churches where these brothers are in fellowship with.

Dear Brothers in N_____ and I______

(List of brothers_____, and others)

With much burden and prayer, I am bringing this fellowship that I will be in prayer and fellowship with the younger brothers from Manipur who have completed their full-time training and are now in different localities in Manipur. 

The main burden is to pray, fellowship, and pursue the truth together with them. I also have formed a WhatsApp group called prayer and fellowship for this purpose. 

The brothers in the groups are: 

A, G, P, M, and myself.

Please pray for us that we all may be shepherded and perfected to be functioning members in the Body.

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Practice these things; be in them, that your progress may be manifest to all.

Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy 4:15-16, RecVer

This is the new beginning the Lord is initiating for His move in Manipur despite the outward problems in the state politically and socially. 

May the grace of the Lord lead all the brothers on and on for His strong and intensified move in Manipur. 

Training in Keralam

The Lord had gathered us together again on the national level this time at Angamaly, near Kochi in Keralam for three days. Twenty years ago, I came to this very city for the young people’s training. I still remember speaking to the young people on God’s complete salvation and giving testimonies. Two decades after, the Lord’s speaking to us is one the ministry of the word and God's dispensing for His economy.

I arrived to this city after over fifty hours of train journey, then waited for over an hour for bus, and another hour of bus ride to the venue. Despite all the travelling experiences, the Lord’s speaking was very apt. The need of the time is to be ministers of the word, dispensing the divine life to people, for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. The speaking began by the releasing of the burden concerning stedfast prayer and the ministry of the word. 

But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.

Acts 6:4, RecVer

The minister, who is the person, and the ministry must be one. To minister life, the minister must be filled with life first. To receive life, the minister must pray and receive the ministry of the Spirit. This receiving is accomplished through the ministry of the word. Only the word ministered into the minister can be the ministry of the minister. Apart from God embodied in the Son realized as the Spirit ministered through the word there is no ministry of the word. Such genuine ministry of the word can only build up the church that will ultimately consummate in the New Jerusalem. 

For three days, we received the Lord’s continual supply of life. The serving brothers were all blended in coordination and we all received the services of the saints in Keralam. What a blessing to witness such a service in this land! This time, the number of attendees doubled the expectation. So, the serving brothers had to make special arrangements for meeting in three different halls simultaneously connected via Zoom screening. And brothers from abroad served us via the same online tool. Though things have changed outwardly, the Lord’s move continues, and is being intensified by the year. 

This time too, I had a crucial fellowship with some serving brothers concerning their services. As one of our serving ones resigned, it was also a testing time for a young serving brother to pick up the burden what the other had left behind. It looked to me like the Lord is purging and purifying even the serving ones in the ministry. 

Then, after the training, I stayed back for spending time with another seving brother in Keralam and coordinated with him in the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. 

As serving ones, we all must serve in the Body in sweet coordination under the headship of Christ in one accord, serving and functioning within the measure of God's measure, all for the accomplishment of God's goal.

Lord, grace us as Your ministers of the word.

Time in a Train

What do you do when you have so much time? The best thing I can think of doing is, read the Bible. That's what I actually did when I had so much time sitting in the train waiting for my destination. Initially, I thought I made a mistake by taking a train journey to attend the Serving Ones Training in Angamally, Kerala. The train journey is about 50 hours with delays. I thought to myself, if I had taken flight I could have saved two full working days when I could accomplish so much work. I almost regretted taking train. However, I accepted the situation arranged by the Lord. When my train ticket was booked, I thought I could change it to flight later. However, I did not feel good about it as there were other saints with whom my train ticket was booked. So, I decided to take the train journey. 

The first day was mostly rest as I had to complete all my works before I travelled. So, I did not have sufficient time to rest the previous night and we needed to leave by 3:30 AM to catch a morning train. Then, after sufficient rest, I continued to enjoy my  daily schedule of prayer and Bible reading in the train itself.

The following day, I had more time as I already rested sufficiently. Then, I decided to simply read my Bible. So, I read, and read, and read for hours the old testament and completed the books of Genesis from where I left off. Then, I had a time of prayer inside the train, releasing all the burdens the Lord blessed me with, in prayer. Then, again I continued to read the new testament, on and on until I completed the gospel of Matthew from where I left off. Then, a time of prayer with my family over the phone. And it was then time to rest.

So, no time was wasted. All the time I had, I used it for prayer and Bible reading. In between,  fellowshipping with the saints. Therefore, my train journey became meaningful and fruitful.

This train journey, though long, was really a good one. I had enough time to rest, which I would never had otherwise. And I can speed up my reading of the Bible as I have a goal to achieve. Thank the Lord for this over fifty hours of train journey. Time well spent in the train.

New Normal Life

Should the Lord grant me a century lifetime to live, I have lived almost half of my life. In these four decades and more of my human life, I have learned a lot. From the past, from the present, from failures and from successes too. Life is about living and learning to live. The only question is, what is the scale with which your life is measured. Is it ethic, or religiosity, or spirituality? Borrowng from the Scriptures, the best life to live is, Christ. 

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

Living Christ is the standard for a normal Christian life. In fact, to be a Christian is to be a normal human being. For without Christ, life is abnormal, no matter what standard one lives. Only Christ is the normal life. 

In Christ, everything of humanity and divinity is encapsulated. Loving what or who to love, hating what or who to hate, Christ is the standard. Love or hate outside Christ is just human feelings. Therefore, the normal Christian life is to live Christ in His divinity and in His humanity. A life in Christ is perfectly human and completely godly. 

But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace unto me did not turn out to be in vain, but, on the contrary, I labored more abundantly than all of them, yet not I but the grace of God which is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10, RecVer

By the grace of God I am what I am. It is His grace that has been keeping me thus far. I have been learning to take Christ as my life. While in the ministry journey, I was fully occupied with the ministry I was involved in. While at time, I was also fully occupied with my responsibility as a father. While at the office, I was also fully occupied with my official responsibilities. There was no time to waste. Life, to me, was indeed worth the living.

The past few months, I was fully occupied with carrying out responsibilities; official, of the church, and of my family. From morning to late night, all my time was occupied. I was glad that the Lord enabled me to accomplish everyday my daily schedule. My personal time with the Lord in the word and prayer, time with my family, time with the saints for the church life, and all official works were all well spent day by day. This all were due to the grace of God specially bestowed upon me. Praise the Lord!

For instance, the last few days before I ventured off for another ministry journey was noteworthy. So many things came up that I needed to finish before I travel again. I had only three days from the time I came back till I needed to leave again. On the Lord's Day, as usual, I was fully occupied with the church meeting in Gurugram and brothers' fellowship in Delhi. On Monday and Tuesday, I had to complete all the pending official works along with taking care of the family's needs. Somehow, I determined in my heart, I would complete it, and I did so. Finally, everything that needed to be done was done. At times, I wandered how such accomplishment was possible in a few days. It was the grace of God. This is by Christ's life. This is what I call, the new normal. A balanced life between office, church, and family. That's why, I call this life, a normal Christian life, as it is possible only in Christ, by living Christ. 

May the good God grace me to live Christ as my life day by day all the days of my life.

Word, Spirit, Word

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16, RecVer

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63, RecVer

The opening of Your words gives light, Imparting understanding to the simple. Psalms 119:130, RecVer

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. Ephesians 4:16, RecVer

For the building up of the Body of Christ, the saints need to grow. For the growth of the saints, the word of God is needed. Not only the written word in letters but the living word that gives life. For the word of the Lord is spirit and life.

All Scripture is God-breadth. Only the word that is God-breathed can build up the Body. Therefore, the word need to become flesh in the believers. The word must be living and subjective. Only the subjective, organic, living, intrinsic word can truly build the saints for the Body. 

The Bible did not say, all Scripture is profitable. It says, all Scripture is God-breathed, first. Then, the Scripture that is God-breathed, is profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Without first receiving the word of God and enjoying it, the word will remain the word in letters only, at best as knowledge. Therefore, daily, moment by moment, one has to enjoy the word of God, make the word become flesh in him, be filled and constituted with the word, then and only then, the word will become profitable to perfect and complete the man of God.

Once one receive such a living word, it becomes the spirit in him. And the spirit as the word when enjoyed, will flow out as the word. The ministry of the word is the flowing out of the spirit from the living word constituted in the being of the minister.

Therefore, word-spirit-word is what builds the church, Christ Body. For this, the word must be enjoyed day by day. Practical ways like morning revival, reading the Bible, pursuing the ministry books, getting into the Life-studues, etc., help the saints in experiencing the "word, spirit, word" model. If this be the case, all the saints will function as the joint of the rich supply according to their measure, and in so functioning, will also build up the Body of Christ. 

This was the burden the Lord released to the brothers in this country when we gathered for the National Brothers Fellowship. The same burden now is being conveyed to all the saints in the localities in the North. 

By this way, the Lord is building up His Body through the saints who have been experiencing and enjoying the word-spirit-word model.

Lord, build up Your Body and prepare Your Bride for Your soon coming.

Ministry of the Word to Madhupur and Deogarh

Madhupur, a new city was introduced to us by a Bishop in Dumka. It took us about four hours from Godda to arrive here. We took a bus ride for over three hours to Deogarh, and then another auto ride to Madhupur. Since this was all our first time, we had no clue where to get down from the bus even. Much less, where to get on to another bus or train or auto to reach our destination. But we experienced the Lord’s sovereignty in leading us where to get down. We also got an auto carrying goods to take us along to Madhupur. In mysterious ways beyond human imagination, the Lord led us again step by step.

Once we arrived Madhupur, our host sent her driver, who then dropped us to a hotel booked for our stay. Then, her manager, a brother came to meet us to whom we introduced the ministry. After that, we basically took rest.

The following day, we had a time of fellowship with our host, an elderly sister. Upon hearing the introduction of the ministry literature, she purchased all the books we still had with us. Thus, our goods were emptied out there and then.

She then fellowshipped with us about what the Lord has been doing through the ministry she has been involved in for these thirty five years. She invited us again for a time of training all the serving ones with her. Thus, the plan for the next ministry journey was conceived. We commit the matter to the Lord again for His perfect will to be carried out again.

Then, finally, we came to Deogarh, our last stop, from which our flights back home were booked. My brother left earlier for Bengaluru, and I waited for mine to Delhi. 

Meanwhile, another Pastor from Deogarh was contacted and he came to meet me at the Deogarh airport. To him too, I introduced the ministry literature in Hindi and handed him all the remaining free books in Hindi for distribution. As I waited for the flight, I completed all my pending blogs for the month.

In all these places we came.not knowing. Now, the Lord has revealed to us how this state has been preserved for the seed of the ministry of the word to be sown and how He will recover His lampstands all over this North Indian state.

Lord, bless Your move in Madhupur snd Deogarh. 

Ministry of the Word to Godda

As introduced by the Bishop in Dumka, we came to this city, Godda. After a long local bus drive through the dusty roads under the hot sun, we arrived at a school run by a couple with the heart of serving the local people. 

Despite the busy schedule of the family, they gave us a warm hospitality serving us sweets, snacks, and a mutton curry dinner. After the dinner, we were listening mostly to the testimonies of the sister and the brother. They have been through many things in their service to the Lord and to humanity. The Lord has been faithfully supplying them richly so that they could in turn be helping hand to many others in need, mostly in material help.

In fact, there were other guests too who they gave hospitality on the same day and night with us. In addition, on the day we arrived, they were busy helping the local Pators with all legal procedures, of an unknown dead body of a brother transporting back to Kerala. Yet, they still entertained us as their guests.

Though we did not have much time to fellowship, the next day, we somehow met the local Pastor and introduced the ministry literature. And finally, before we left, we also met him at his office and introduced the ministry. This being the case, we felt the burden to gift the Holy Bible Recovery Version and some selected ministry books to the family as seeds of the ministry sown into their family. 

May the Lord recover His testimony in Godda one day.

Ministry of the Word to Dumka

Dumka has been in my heart for many years now, at least a decade, when I first heard about it based on the fact that one sister was gained through our books distribution in Delhi, being from this place. Finally, I got to visit this city for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. 

We arrived the city by about midnight due to the train delay. Our host took care of us so well as we stayed for two days and two nights. Though we had no idea how to carry out the distribution, two full days we were busy meeting Pastors who came to visit us for the books. Instead of us going out to visit people under the hot sun with no transportation facility, the Lord brought people instead.

One Pastor after another, we were connected to different people. Our meeting with one Bishop was noteworthy. As we introduced the minister, we ended up spending over four hours in fellowship with him and his wife. They were so impressed by the depth of the truth and became very open to us. In fact, he further introduced and encouraged us to visit his relatives who are in two different districts. Therefore, two more new localities were added to our distribution list. It was truly the Lord’s sovereign hand behind the scene in all our meetings with dear fellow brothers in Christ. The timing, the place, and the openness, only the true and living God can do this. I reported the matter to the brothers with a message:

Update on the Ministry Journey

After West Bengal, we went to Dhanbad, Jamtala, Chittaranjan, and Dumka. One contact after another, the Lord led us to all these new places.

Step by step, the Lord led us to meet the key people for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. 

In Dumka, Br. P___'s family took care of us very well. Many Pastors came to visit us in their house to receive the ministry books. Seeking Christian leaders and Pastors were very impressed with the ministry literature and purchased the ministry books. We also had a time of fellowship with an elderly couple who have been instrumental in bringing many political leaders and their family to salvation, including ex-CM's family members. He was so excited by the truth we presented through the ministry literature and requested us for at least 3 days seminars on the truth with all the Pastors in Dumka. He offered his meeting hall and accommodation in his campus for all who would join.

The Lord led us further to a new area, Godda. Yesterday night, we had meeting with a couple who have been serving the Lord among the locals. The brother happens to be one of the ministers in the present Jharkhand government. 

Today and tomorrow, we plan to cover Madupur and Deogarh.

Please continue to pray for the Lord’s move in Jharkhand.

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Dumka!

Ministry of the Word to Dhanbad, Jamtala, and Chittaranjan

Though we knew no one in Dhanbad, the burden within drove us to plan a visit to this city. From Asansol, we got a contact, and followed the Lord’s leading one step at a time. In fact, our train ticket to Dhanbad was booked just the night before we travelled. 

In Dhanbad, a young Pastor gave us a warm Jharkhandi hospitality. He also placed for himself the entire set of Hindi ministry books. And through him, we got a new contact in Jamtala. 

The burden to visit Jamtala was conceived when I was planing for this trip. As I looked at the map, this city lies in between Dhanbad and Dumka. Therefore, I deemed it proper to set foot in this city for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. 

As we arrived Jamtala, we were directed to go to Chittaranjan. We had an enjoyable "toto" electric four wheeler motor ride and met two brothers there. We saw the "goodland." They took us for a home meeting where I shared the word in Hindi, basically, the mystery of human life. Then, we board a train to Dumka.

In just one day, all these localities were visited. One after the other, step by step, for the first time, we tread our foot on these "goodlands." 

Every place on which the sole of your foot treads I have given to you, as I promised Moses. Joshua 1:3, RecVer