Life Lesson: Trial of the Called

Abraham was called by God, so are we. As the called and chosen race in the New Testament, the history of Abraham is indeed our story today. God set him as a pattern from which we draw our life's path. He walked by faith, so must we. God's promise to him was humanly impossible, yet they were all proven possible. Only God knows the "science" of the impossible becoming possible; there is no way a human mind can fathom. Only the fools would try to. I guess I am not one to follow suit. Lord, have mercy on me.

Recently, I had a conversation with a brother who is also my house owner. That conversation triggered something I never expected in my life: a consideration of having my own house in Gurugram. I have been living in the city for twenty years now, and eighteen years in the present premises. There were thoughts flying around my head as to the hows and wheres of this consideration becoming a reality. The more I thought about it, the more I felt it was impossible. I tried planning and scheming, but to no avail. I tried searching online for some real estate options, and the only scheme available is an affordable housing based on e-draw, and the venue is outside the city, though in the district of Gurugram. For this, I even registered myself online at the government portal. Then, on further reconsideration, I took a break from applying for the draw, though the due date is still a week away. I would rather pray over it first and also fellowship with my wife. And follow the Lord’s peace within and between us, 

Through all these, deep within, the Lord has promised me, as He did to Abraham, that He would provide at the proper time, which only He knows. As called by God, I have been following the Lord, and I must continue to do so, on and on, step by step. Meanwhile, I have been warned by the example of Abraham committing a mistake in using his natural strength to fulfill God's promise when he ended up producing Ishmael, whom God rejected. Instead, at the proper time, when neither of them believed in God’s promise, Isaac was born.

Then Abraham fell upon his face and laughed and said in his heart, Will a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child? And Abraham said to God, Oh that Ishmael might live before You! But God said, No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. (Genesis 17:17-19, RecVer)

Is anything too marvelous for Jehovah? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. (Genesis 18:14, RecVer)

And Jehovah visited Sarah as He had said, and Jehovah did to Sarah as He had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. (Genesis 21:1-3, RecVer)

Nothing is impossible with God. I must trust in God and take Him as my faith, to live by faith. At the appointed time, He will fulfill His promise, even for the earthly tabernacle until He returns, all for Him according to Him.

A place where the church can meet fruitfully,

A place where the literature service can operate peacefully, and

A place where my family can live joyfully. 

Until He leads me further, I must stay put, at the place where I have been. No argument, no negotiation, but total submission to the will of my heavenly Father, is all that I need to do. He knows what is best. I must simply trust Him. Lest, there is a chance of becoming like Cain who left the presence of God, like Jacob, needlessly struggling with his uncle Laban. Only Jacob proposed to serve his uncle for seven years for Rachel yet ended up serving fourteen years and got the two daughters of his uncle. Later, after twenty years of service, he had to flee in haste. 

Jacob should serve as a warning for me, not to use my natural strength to gain even what God has promised. At the proper time, He will fulfill His promise. I don't know how, I don't know when, but He surely will fulfill His promise. O Lord, help my unbelief.

And Jesus said to him, You say, If You can. All things are possible to him who believes. Immediately, crying out, the father of the child said, I believe; help my unbelief! (Mark 9:23-24, RecVer)

At the time of life, God’s promise of my Isaac will be fulfilled. And in my Isaac, the promise of God will be full of riches.

And the man became rich and continued to grow richer until he became very rich. (Genesis 26:13, RecVer)

Lord, let Your will be done.

Lord, may Your promise be fulfilled.

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.

Amen

Ministry Journey to Belagavi, Karnataka

After my hectic traveling schedule, which began on 5th January till today, the 19th Jan, I came to Belagavi to attend the Lord’s Table Meeting on the 17th January night after a seven-hour-long bus journey, as the conclusion of the ministry literature journey this time. To my surprise, I was given hospitality in an elderly brother's house, who took care of me so well despite the health condition of his wife. The couple was so joyful to host me. In fact, they joyfully exclaimed that I was their first guest in their newly renovated house! They fed me like a "king" despite my informing them again and again that I did not need such attention. As a guest, I just enjoyed their hospitality. 

Being their guest and a brother, the brother fellowshipped with me at length concerning the spiritual experiences he has been through, the dealings and the lesson of the cross he has been learning, and his subjective experiences of the power of the blood of Jesus that gave him victory over many unseen demonic attacks in his family. He took the opportunity to fellowship with me during breakfast and lunch. Our fellowship went on for hours. Though I also fellowship some testimonies of the Lord’s work in my family, I was mostly listening to what he had to say. He was so joyful to release all that was in his heart concerning his family situation. Now and then, we would simply pray together for all the points of the fellowship. 

Yesterday, on the Lord’s Day, the brothers invited me to break the bread with another brother. In fact, it was my first Lord’s Table Meeting in the church in Belagavi, though I visited the saints a couple of times in the past. What a blessed fellowship!

In the prophesying time too, I shared my enjoyment of the Lord’s word in Matthew 5:48. And shared how, as children of God of our heavenly Father, we can be perfect as He is perfect, in His love, using 1 John 4:8,16,12, 17. 

Later in the evening, together with the brothers, we visited all the saints' homes one by one. It turned out that this was their first visit after a long gap and the first in this year, which they felt was overdue. In all the home visits, we simply prayed for the saints' family. That prayer itself was such a shepherding to the saints.

Today, after the whole morning of personal prayer and Bible reading, and fellowship over breakfast and lunch with my hosts, and a time of prayer together, a brother dropped me off at the Belagavi airport. Thus, concluding the last lap of the ministry distribution, and with this, covering all thirty-one districts of Karnataka.

In this new year 2026, in the first month, the Lord led me to twelve cities covering three states: Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Kerala in two-weeks time, attending a fellowship, a training, a Christian convention, a secular book fair, and a ministry literature journey to three districts. Praise the Lord and to God be the glory!

Lord, bless the church in Belagavi! Lord, bless Your move in Karnataka! Lord, bless Your move in India!

Ministry of the Word to Koppala and Hospet

Beginning from the time the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada was printed, the Lord burdened me to travel the length and breadth of Karnataka for the introduction and distribution of the same, along with the seven newly released Kannada ministry title books. Since January 2025, in coordination with the local brothers, I have undertaken five ministry literature journeys. This time, from 15 to 17 January 2026, the remaining three districts of Karnataka were covered. From Bengaluru in Jan 2025 to Hospet in Jan 2026, the entire state of 31 districts was visited for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. What a grace from the Lord that He led me step by step, locality to locality, and met with the key Christian leaders in each district, either in the Pastors' fellowship, or small group meetings, or at their offices/homes, or in the church meeting venues. What an experience the Lord blessed me with these trips! Only the Lord knows how much He has gained me. And I can testify too, how much I have gained Him in all these journeys. Praise Him!

In the last two places, it was purely an introduction of the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada and the available ministry books in Kannada. Though we had to lodge in hotels and eat with the local brothers who led us, it was worth all the expenses for the sake of making the ministry available to God’s children in the state.

One evening in Hospet at a Pastor's house, we had a wonderful time of fellowship on the word of God concerning Christ and the church. I had no intention to share these topics; the Spirit led me to do so in the course of our fellowship. The family, especially the father, was so enlightened by the fellowship. Then, we had dinner together with the family in a local restaurant. The next day, in one of the biggest meeting halls in the city, a good number of Pastors gathered together, where I had a special time of introducing the ministry to all. Later, one of the Pastors invited us to visit his mother, who was battling cancer for years. We visited the family and prayed for the mother. Then, we enjoyed our last meal together with the local brothers, who are Pastors themselves, and concluded the ministry journey.

Then, a brother and I had to take a seven-hour-long bus journey from Hospet to Koppala to Hubbali to Belagavi. And, thus concluded the Karnataka ministry literature journey!

Listen! Behold, the sower went out to sow.

And others fell into the good earth and yielded fruit, coming up and growing; and one bore thirtyfold, and one sixtyfold, and one a hundredfold. 

(Mark 4:3, 8, RecVer)

One day, the seed sown will grow and bear forth fruits; thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold!

Lord, bless Your move in Karnataka!

Ministry Journey to Davanagere, Ranebennur, Haveri, and Hubbali

As the Lord burdened me to visit every district of Karnataka for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature in Kannada, I prayed and planned for this final ministry journey. Though this plan was met with cancellation when I fellowshiped with one brother who could not join this trip due to his mother's health issue, and a Pastor who was supposed to lead us did not respond. However, as I brought the matter to prayer, the Lord impressed me deep within that if I did not carry out this trip this time, I would probably never be able to make it again, ever. Therefore, I prayed and considered before the Lord, then the Lord led me to fellowship with another brother. As I did so, step by step, the plan came to fruition, though with a change in the dates. I took that as the Lord’s leading and visited Chennai and Kerala first, then Karnataka. Due to this change of schedule, I was even able to visit Chennai, which turned out to be a very fruitful visit, even beyond my imagination. 

In all these trips,  I chose a train journey so that I could spend enough time in prayer and reading the word. From Tiruvalla at 9:30 AM to Kochi to Bengaluru to Davanagere the next day at 9:30 AM. A hectic yet experiential journey!

Davanagere

In Davanagere, a Pastors' meeting was arranged where I shared the word of God on "the wife of Uriah" along with the introduction of the New Testament Recovery Version and the ministry books in Kannada. To my surprise, almost all the Pastors ended up purchasing the NT Recovery Version and the ministry books. Three brothers, one of them a key brother from Nayakanahatty, along with two new ones, also joined the meeting and were very impressed by the ministry presentation. Even as we were about to leave, another senior Pastor enquired about the Bible and purchased five copies from our already limited stock. Then, we rushed to the next city.

Ranebennur 

In Ranebennur, a group of seekers was waiting for us for quite some time. The moment we arrived, we introduced the ministry books and the Recovery Version. Many of the seekers here too purchased the minsitry books. Then, we rushed to the next destination. 

Haveri 

We arrived at the right time for the meeting scheduled for us. In a way of introducing the minsitry literature, I shared the word on Acts 8, the event that transpired between the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip, and the life of Paul. Here too, most of the Christian leaders and seekers present purchashed the literature. The key Pastor was very receptive to the ministry. 

May the Lord open up the Scriptures to them and gain them for His testimony one day.

Hubbali 

In Hubbali, a much bigger congregation, I was requested to minister the word. Though not prepared beforehand, always prepared and ready in the spirit. As I prayed before I was called, the Lord burdened me to minister on 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, along with John 6:63 and Matthew 4:4. I enjoyed the rich anointing of the Lord as I ministered the word of God. Then, I briefly introduced the ministry books. The key Pastor was so impressed by the minsitry of the word and the ministry literature introduction so much so that he, using his "Pastoral authority," encouraged all the believers to pay the price to purchase the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. Here, all the stock of the books and the Bibles we brought along with us were fully sold out!

Then, we had a time of fellowship over tea and dinner with the key brothers. Thus, our day ended. We checked into our hotel room, I took a bath and had a deep sleep after the whole day, laboring and traveling. My day began at 3:30 AM and ended past midnight after traveling through seven localities!

May the Lord gain all the places He demarcated for us as He promised Joshua of the Bible 

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

Ministry Journey 2026: Bengaluru, Chennai, Kozhecherry, Kumbanad, and Kochi

My first ministry journey this year, 2026, began with the full-timers training in Bengaluru for three and a half days, with a one-day preparation fellowship. In all these visits, I purposefully choose train journey as my mode of transportation with the view that I could spend more time in prayer before I arrived the destinations. All these visits required much prayer from my side so that the purpose of my visit to each place would be fulfilled. Overall, I had sufficient time for prayer and enjoyed the Lord’s special grace throughout.

Bengaluru 

In Bengaluru, the Lord’s direct speaking was on my need to be pruned so that as a branch abiding in the Vine, I should bear fruit, much fruit, and remaining fruit. The speaking of the Lord was from John 14, 15, and 16. Yes, the spiritual fact is that, as believers, we are in the Lord. However, we must exercise to abide in the Lord by exercising our spirit to live out Christ, to pray, to read the word, and to be in constant fellowship with the Lord. In this way of our abiding in the Lord, the Lord would also abide in us. Thus, this mutual abiding will produce the spiritual fruits, even the fruits that remain.

The Lord has set the direction for the entire year with His timely speaking: abide in the Lord, be pruned, bear fruit, and that our fruits should remain.

Besides, there were practical fellowships on our going on in the Lord’s move in this country. Despite the changes in the outward governmental and religious environment, I believe the Lord will advance in His move and bless His testimony in India with Himself as the blessing.

Chennai

Then, in fellowship with the brothers, I realised that I should go to Chennai and participate in the Chennai Book Fair on the Lord’s Day afternoon after the church meeting. My schedule was changed abruptly for the better when I learned that the preplanned distribution journey to Karnataka was adjusted.

In Chennai, I was able to spend time in fellowship with a college student at length over coffee and dinner as he opened up about his personal situation. I was glad that the Lord arranged such a precious time with him, which I never expected. My time with the serving ones in the literature service was on the need to be a man of prayer, a man of the word of God, and handling finance properly by honoring the Lord as the Source of supply. Though I did not plan it, due to an invitation, I also visited an uncle and an aunt and fellowshipped with them on the promise of God the Lord gave me at the beginning of this new year: Ezekiel 36:9-11, 37. All these were never thought of, but at the last minute, the Lord made it happen. What a fruitful visit to Chennai!

By the way, it was while in a train journey from Bengaluru to Chennai that the Lord graced me to complete reading my Holy Bible for the fiftieth time!

Kozhencherry 

My journey to Kerala was to attend the Kumbanad convention at the invitation of one of our serving brothers in Kerala. I was given hospitality in Kozhencherry in a big "white house", surprisingly. In fact, it was a foretaste of what the Lord would provide as I started praying for our own residential house for the threefold purposes of fruitful church meeting, peaceful literature office, and joyful family living.

Kumbanad 

Then, one afternoon, I was with the saints in Kumbanad convention and met with a good number of seekers visiting the ministry books stall, where I could introduce and minister the word to a good number of Bible college students, Pastors, and seekers.

Kochi

Finally. I came to Kochi with the burden of honoring our senior brother, who the Lord used for the initiation of His recovery in India and the pioneer of the literature service in this country. What an honor to honor him in the best way I could! With love, concern, and care in the humanity of Jesus, I did what I felt I could do best. In fact, I felt that this was the opportunity the Lord gave me, as I have no control of the future, and I did not know if there would be another opportunity in the future. 

We had a buffet lunch together at Barbeque Nation in LuLu Mall, Kochi. Then, I had the privilege to honor him with love and respect by walking around with him, holding hands as he needed balancing, while walking due to his maturity in age. And bought for them a branded formal shirt and an informal collared shirt for the brother, and two pairs of sarees for the sister, all of their choices. It was a blessing to me to be able to participate in the little that I could, to honor and respect the elderly saints, and make them happy. May the Lord give them good health and long life full of peace and joy.

Thus, having accomplished the first part of this journey, I boarded a train to Bengaluru for the ministry literature journey in Karnataka. 

Amen to God's Faithful Words

This new year has brought new things in many ways. Spiritually, the Lord has promised me with His faithful word of increase, fruitfulness, and multiplication. Since then, my prayer for increase has been intensified. In fact, I shared these faithful words of the Lord with some brothers and pray-read these verses. I shared the same with a group of serving ones in Chennai as I visited them on my literature journey. Today, as I visited my spiritual and local guardian when I was a student in MCC twenty-five years ago, I shared the same words of the Lord. They were very much encouraged and received it as the Lord’s speaking and promise for them too. The verses are the very verses the Lord gave me on the 2nd of January 2026, which I shared with a few others.

My Enjoyment of the Word of God Today (Received and Shared on 2nd Jan 2026)

For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be tilled and sown; And I will multiply people upon you, the entire house of Israel, all of it! The cities will also be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt. I will also multiply upon you man and beast, and they will increase and be fruitful, and I will make you inhabited as you were formerly, and I will make it better for you than when you began. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. 

(Ezekiel 36:9-11, RecVer)

Thus says the Lord Jehovah, Moreover, for this I will be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them;

I will increase them with men like a flock.

(Ezekiel 36:37, RecVer)

On the practical and physical realm, too, God has given me a burden to pray for our own housing in Gurugram. All these twenty years, we have been living in rented houses. I believe the time has come now to have a house of our own. The visit of our house owner recently and his request for a rental increase have ignited the need for our own housing. I took whatever transpired as the Lord’s doing and picked up another burden to pray for, for our own housing, with the view that it will be useful for the literature service, and for the church meeting place. The specific speaking of the Lord for this house that I and my family have started praying for is to be useful in the following way.

That the literature service can run in peace.

That the church can meet in fruitfulness.

That the family can live in joy. 

Besides, the Lord further gave me His faithful words in which He promised to fulfill this at the proper time. He also indicated that He would give two young brothers as my spiritual children and two elderly brothers whom I should shepherd like I would shepherd my own parent. Yes, two spiritual younger brothers and two spiritual elder brothers. I amen His words. May His words be fulfilled in time.

Even as I was reading the book of Genesis, the written words had become so living that I could see God speaking through the verses I had read. From the lives of Noah, the years he lived; Abraham and Sarah, the possibility of the impossible at the time of the year; and Isaac, the Lord’s provisions.

For as many promises of God as there are, in Him is the Yes; therefore also through Him is the Amen to God, for glory through us to God. (2 Corinthians 1:20, RecVer)

Amen to God’s faithful words!

Be Perfect?! In Love

You therefore shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48, RecVer)

No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12, 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. In this has love been perfected with us, that we may have boldness in the day of the judgment because even as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear has punishment, and he who fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:16-18, RecVer)

God is perfect! As Christians, God is our heavenly Father, possessing His divine life and divine nature. As children of God, we can be perfect because our heavenly Father is perfect. What a miracle! What a mystery! What a possible impossibility! To be perfect as our heavenly Father is, is to be perfected in His divine love.

He who does not love has not known God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8, 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)

God is love. Love is the essence of God’s divine nature. Having received His life, we also have His love. By abiding in His love, exercising to love God and love one another, we can be perfected in His love. 

God's love is already perfect. However, the perfected love of God must be perfected in us by loving God and loving whom God loves. This love is of the divine life which we received during our spiritual birth and which we now possess. By this divine love, we are becoming love. In fact, His divine love is being perfected in us, love itself. Thereby, His divine love mingling with our human love perfected by His divine love, makes us one in His love. The issue of such divine mingling is, God and man, God and us, becoming one and being perfected in His love!

The word "perfected" in 1 John 4:17 in Greek means teleioo, which means "to accomplish, to finish, to complete." God is accomplishing His divine love in us. This will result in our boldness to contact God in fellowship with Him and to face the judgment at the judgment seat of Christ. By loving the brothers with the love of God, we will be bold and will have no fear before God. 

I enjoyed this truth concerning God's divine love. In fact, this was my sharing portion yesterday at the Lord’s Day prophesying meeting in the church in Chennai, and also my sharing portion in Delhi at the serving one's training. This truth has gradually become my experience, and yes, it will be perfected in me one day!

Father, perfect me as Thou art!

Father, perfect me in Thy love.

Bible Reading: Fiftieth Time

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman, cutting straight the word of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, RecVer)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 

On the 10th of January 2026, the Lord graced me to complete reading my Bible for the fiftieth time. This transpired while on a train journey from Bengaluru to Chennai. As I completed my fiftieth time of reading the Bible, I thanked and worshipped the Lord for His special grace. Personally, it was a joyful day indeed. Following this, a passenger next to me started conversing with me, which led me to preach the gospel to him. Later, after I arrived in Chennai, I boarded an Uber Cab to the hospitality home. I made friends with the cab driver, preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to him, led him to call on the Lord, and finally introduced him to the local brother when I reached my destination. This was my first gospel preaching for this new year.

Trusting in God’s grace, I have a goal of reading through the Bible at least a hundred times in my lifetime, if the Lord wills so. This is my personal goal, and it gives me immense joy to be able to read and read the word of God. I do trust the Lord that He will grant me my heart's desire to read and read and read His words. And along with the reading, He may also speak to me and enlighten me as He did so many times as I was reading His words. In fact, all that He needed to speak to man was already spoken and recorded as the Bible. The need of the time is to diligently spend time reading His word day by day. This is man's responsibility. He will do the speaking and give the enlightenment. Therefore, I exercise myself to be diligent in coming to His word and cut straight the word of the truth.

Like Timothy, I have been graced to know the sacred writings even from my early age. What a mercy! Thanks to my grandfather, who taught me to read the Bible since my childhood. What a great blessing it has been to me to have learned this lesson of reading the Bible! And I am passing on this lesson to my own children, to my spiritual children, and also to all the young ones and the believers the Lord has brought to me, time to time.

And that from a babe you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, RecVer)

To me, the only book worth reading again and again is the Bible. To me, the only time that must be spent at any cost is to read the Bible even if it means doing it as a habit. Let it be a habit and be a part of my life. I reckon this is a good habit. God forbid, if I say that reading the Bible and prayer are the only things that must be done every day at all costs, even at the sacrifice of other things.

My prayer has been that the Lord would grace me day by day to be able to read the Bible with good eyesight; with a renewed mind filled with the shining of the divine light, sight, vision, and revelation; and a strong spirit to absorb the word as spiritual nourishment. And that, no matter what my circumstances may be, the Lord may grace me with the reading of the Bible and prayer day by day. I cannot think of a life without the word of God and prayer. They have become a part and parcel of my life. I have been married to the word of God and prayer. I can't help but keep reading the Bible and praying. And it has been my joy and enjoyment day by day. I can sacrifice anything else in the world, but not my time with the Lord in prayer and the word of God. 

I pray that all my children, family members, saints in the church life, and all the children of God should love the word of God and read it to be constituted with it, and be a man of prayer to the extent that we all be "living Bibles" and "talking Bibles" for others to see and read the Bible. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. Col. 3:16

Though I have read the Bible a half-century times, I still have miles to go before I complete a century. As I begin again my fifty-first journey, the Lord may grace me and lead me on and on, till I reach the goal.

May the Lord grace me with the taste and enjoyment of His word that I may read and eat the word of God every day, all the days of my life.

Special Lord's Day

Today's Lord’s Day meeting was the first for the year 2026. The saints in Mathura were with us, and we enjoyed a special time of meeting, blending, and fellowship together. The Lord’s speaking today was again on the matter of our prayer life, living a secret life before the Father, and continuing to have a direct and intimate fellowship with the Lord day by day. For this, the burden released was on, setting time for personal prayer every day, at least an hour, and also setting a place where one can daily spend time in prayer. With this burden for prayer, the Lord set the stage for us to live this year 2026, a life of the kingdom, bridging the gap between the plan of God in Genesis till its fulfillment in Revelation. 

Today, we had a special lovefeast for a brother's family who had shifted to New Delhi. Following this, we had a special time of fellowship for the brothers' family members to share whatever the Lord led them to the church concerning their experiences while they served the saints in the local church for fifteen years. It was not a farewell meeting as we will be meeting soon, and over and over again, but a special time of fellowship in brotherly love; receiving and supplying one another as members of the Body of Christ. We are all in the one Body of Christ. As members, we follow the Lord’s leading in our services under His sovereignty, all for the building up of the Body.

As brothers in the church, we had fellowshipped about the matter and did our best for the family shifting out to another city. We stood in oneness with the Lord’s move and did all that we could in prayer, offering, and in arranging special lovefeast and fellowship for the family. Our prayers are with the family, that the Lord may continue to bless them and make them useful vessels in His economy. 

In the evening, my family had the honor and privilege to take out the family and a visiting sister for a time of lovefeast dinner at Double Tree, Sector 56. To me, this was the best I could offer, and I did so with much joy. No matter the price, it was about the honor and love I had a way to express towards the family. Even in small things like this, the inner peace and joy from the Lord is what I treasure the most. It was indeed a blessed time of blending over lovefeast. It was indeed a memorable night for all of us, especially our children. 

What a blessed special Lord’s Day to begin the year with! 

May the Lord continue to bless the churches in New Delhi, Mathura, and Gurugram.

Beginning in Hindi

 Today, the Lord gave us a new beginning as we had our first brothers' fellowship of the new year 2026. Our prayers, morning revival, and fellowship all began in Hindi and ended with Hindi. Since I first came to Gurugram in 2005, I have been serving in this city for the Lord's testimony. At least after twenty years of living and serving in Gurugram, the Lord led me to manage the Hindi language, though I am still yet to be more fluent in spiritual terms. Finally, I could make it in Hindi. In fact, yesterday I had the feeling to fellowship with a brother who was visiting us from Mathura, to stay back with us for two more days to attend the Lord's table meeting in Gurugram, as they have not been able to meet in Mathura due to the persecution going on there. After consideration, he obliged to my request and the entire fourteen saints stayed back. Today, they enjoyed their day indoors and outdoors, blending, and they all joined the prayer meeting of the church in Gurugram. Later on, they all helped in preparing for tomorrow's love-feast, on the Lord's day. The saints from Mathura are all Hindi-speaking saints. Their staying back was a great boost to us in our exercise of speaking and praying in Hindi.

In our brother's fellowship, everything was in Hindi because we care for a Hindi-speaking brother, and at the same time, the Lord used his presence for us to pray and fellowship in Hindi. In our prayer, morning revival, and fellowship, I also used only Hidni for the first time. Though I could do without it, I chose to speak in Hindi henceforth, for the sake of the Lord's move among the local saints.

After we fellowship all the practical points in Hindi, we also had time of prayer-reading the Bible verses the Lord gave me for the church and for myself for this year, the following Bible verses in Ezekiel 34:26, 27; 36:9-11, 37

और मैं उन्हें और अपनी पहाड़ी के आस पास के स्थानों को आशीष का कारण बना दूंगा; और मेंह को मैं ठीक समय में बरसाया करूंगा; और वे आशीषों की वर्षा होंगी।

यहेजकेल 34:26

और मैदान के वृक्ष फलेंगे और भूमि अपनी उपज उपजाएगी, और वे अपने देश में निडर रहेंगे; जब मैं उनके जूए को तोड़ कर उन लोगों के हाथ से छुड़ाऊंगा, जो उन से सेवा कराते हैं, तब वे जान लेंगे कि मैं यहोवा हूँ।

यहेजकेल 34:27

और देखो, मैं तुम्हारे पक्ष में हूँ, और तुम्हारी ओर कृपादृष्टि करूंगा, और तुम जोते-बोए जाओगे;

यहेजकेल 36:9

और मैं तुम पर बहुत मनुष्य अर्थात इस्राएल के सारे घराने को बसाऊंगा; और नगर फिर बसाए और खण्डहर फिर बनाएं जाएंगे।

यहेजकेल 36:10

और मैं तुम पर मनुष्य और पशु दोनों को बहुत बढ़ाऊंगा; और वे बढ़ेंगे और फूलें-फलेंगे; और मैं तुम को प्राचीनकाल की नाईं बसाऊंगा, और पहिले से अधिक तुम्हारी भलाई करूंगा। तब तुम जान लोगे कि मैं यहोवा हूँ।

यहेजकेल 36:11

परमेश्वर यहोवा यों कहता है, इस्राएल के घराने में फिर मुझ से बिनती की जाएगी कि मैं उनके लिये यह करूं; अर्थात मैं उन में मनुष्यों की गिनती भेड़-बकरियों की नाईं बढ़ाऊं।

यहेजकेल 36:37

In the afternoon, our church prayer meeting was also conducted fully in Hindi, although a few saints prayed in English. All the burdens were released in Hindi, and the prayers were offered mostly in Hindi. I myself had the grace to exercise my Hindi in all my prayers to the Lord. 

Later, in the evening, we had a home meeting with a brother's family. That meeting too was fully conducted in Hindi. The Lord was so sovereign that the message we pursued was on God's Economy. We pursued the message in Hindi. Though I wanted more of the Hindi-speaking saints to share more, a sister asked a question on Genesis 3:24 to me from what I ministered a few weeks ago. In answering her question, I covered the entire God's economy, the creation of man, the fall of man, the redemption of the fallen man through the redemption accomplished by Christ on the cross, and how God is accomplishing His divine economy through the redeemed men on earth.

Today, the first brother's fellowship of the year, the first prayer meeting of the church, and the first home meeting of the year all began in Hindi. May the Lord fulfill His divine purposes and promise to the church.

God's Faithful Word

The faithful God has spoken His faithful word at the beginning of this new year, 2026. God has a way to speak to His children at the proper time. When He speaks, we must pay heed to it with utmost attention and believe firmly in the spoken word of God. God's word never fails. For the past two decades, we have been struggling with the increase in the number of saints meeting as the church here in Gurugram. thesis time, the Lord's speaking has become very clear from the beginning of the year. It was no coincidence that such verses of God's speaking became my daily Bible reading portion. In fact, I thought of completing my Bible reading before the end of the year 2025 for the 50th time by December 31. However, I did not have the peace to do it. I would rather follow the inward leading of the Lord, how much to read in a day. I simply followed the Lord's inward leading. Therefore, the Lord timed the portion perfectly for me to read the portion in Ezekiel on 1 and 2 Jan 2026.

I was full of joy when I read the first promised blessing on January 1, and I shared it with the saints immediately.

My Enjoyment of the Word of God Today (Received and Shared on 1st Jan 2026)

And I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing, and I will cause the showers to come down in their season; there will be showers of blessing. 

And the trees of the field will yield their fruit, and the earth will yield its increase, and they will be secure in their land; then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I break the bars of their yoke and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 

(Ezekiel 34:26-27, RecVer)

Again, on the 2nd January, the Lord spoke to me His words of promised blessing of increase, multiplication, and fruitfulness as a continuation of His promise for the year. This time I shared with the church and family group, with those who are more in fellowship.

My Enjoyment of the Word of God Today (Received and Shared on  2nd Jan 2026)

For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be tilled and sown; And I will multiply people upon you, the entire house of Israel, all of it! The cities will also be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt. I will also multiply upon you man and beast, and they will increase and be fruitful, and I will make you inhabited as you were formerly, and I will make it better for you than when you began. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. 

(Ezekiel 36:9-11, RecVer)

Thus says the Lord Jehovah, Moreover for this I will be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them;

I will increase them with men like a flock.

(Ezekiel 36:37, RecVer)

The faithful word of God also came with a faithful commitment from the recipient of  His word. God released the burden; we must follow up in prayer. God promised; we must claim it by faith.

Today, I also shared this promise of God with the brothers in coordination in the church. We claim the promise of God together, and the Lord will fulfill His promise.

Amen to the word of God. Amen to God's faithful word of promised blessing of multiplication, fruitfulness, and increase for the year 2026!

First Day, First Month

As the Lord released the burden for prayer toward the land, the city, and the temple, we also began our new year in such a way. I personally enjoyed a wonderful time of prayer personally, for all my official services, church responsibilities, and family duties. As usual, as the Lord burdened me much, I enjoyed a sweet time of prayer, releasing all the burden the Lord blessed me with, carrying forward the prayer burdens from the last year. What a blessing to be burdened by the Lord to pray His burdens!

On the first day of the first month, I enjoyed the Lord’s grace again to begin the new year in prayer personally, and briefly together with my family members too. As a brother helped us in the churches' combined prayer meeting with some key Bible verses related to the burden released for prayers towards the holy land, the holy city, and the holy temple, my new year, the first day of the first month, began with prayer for the burdens released. 

In the first month, on the first day of the month, the land emerged from the flood. I must continue to gain the all-inclusive Christ.

And in the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the water was dried up from the earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark and saw that now the surface of the ground was dry. (Genesis 8:13, RecVer)

On the first day of the first month, there was a return to the city where there is separation, protection, and expression. I must be recovered more and more inwardly and outwardly for the reality of the church life, the kingdom of God.

For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem according to the good hand of his God upon him. (Ezra 7:9, RecVer)

On the first day of the first month, the Word of Jehovah came for purification. I must be purified with the blood of Jesus daily and be constituted with His word, for His truth sanctifies.

Thus says the Lord Jehovah, In the first month, on the first day of the month, you shall take a bull of the herd without blemish, and you shall purify the sanctuary. (Ezekiel 45:18, RecVer)

In addition to these personal experiences and enjoyment of Christ, the churches in North India had a two-day teenagers and young people meeting for a marathon reading of the book of Genesis with a review on the burden of the book. 

The Lord also gave me a personal word, which I also shared with some WhatsApp group I am in.

My Enjoyment of the Word of God Today

And I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing, and I will cause the showers to come down in their season; there will be showers of blessing.

And the trees of the field will yield their fruit, and the earth will yield its increase, and they will be secure in their land; then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I break the bars of their yoke and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 

(Ezekiel 34:26-27, RecVer)

What a way to begin the new year! On the first day of the first month, the Lord has graced and blessed us so richly, even with His promised showers of blessing! Hallelujah!

Year End Meeting

Yesterday night being the last day of last year, as usual, the church had a meeting of the saints. This time, the first one hour was a combined meeting of the churches in New Delhi, Gurugram, and Mathura. We had a solid time of corporate prayer meeting with burdens released on prayers towards the holy land, the holy city, and the holy temple as Daniel prayed in Daniel 9.

Now when Daniel came to know that the writing had been signed, he went to his house (in his upper room he had windows open toward Jerusalem) and three times daily he knelt on his knees and prayed and gave thanks before his God, because he had always done so previously. (Daniel 6:10, RecVer)

After our corporate prayer, the brothers released some specific burdens for the coming year 2026 in line with the recovery of the land (the all-inclusive Christ), the city (the church as the kingdom of God), and the temple (the church as the house of God). To gain Christ, we had a prayer on strengthening our daily morning revival, prayer life, and truth pursuing. For the church as the kingdom of God, we prayed for more building among the saints in the small groups to live a small group living. For the the church as the house of God, we had consecration prayer to offer to Lord all thag we have and we are. May the Lord bless the churches in North India.

A brother also helped us in the matter of offerings from Ezekiel 45 and 46, the four kinds of offerings: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly. This basically means that we have to live Christian life as an offering life daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.

Another brother helped us with the need for our truth constitution, building, prayers, and offerings. Along with this, some practical points to consider one the kast day of the year; review your life for failures, offenses, sins, and unforgiveness and repent for all these drawbacks and have a new beginning. And the burden ended with some practical pints to consider: 

• Managing Money: We must learn to mangae our money. Where our treasure is, there our heart will also be.
• Time Schedule: Spend time for morning revival, truth pursuing, prayer, church meeting, gospel preaching, and shepherding.
• Truth Constitution: Daily Bible reading.

After this session, we also had another session for the church in Gurugram as usual, the "counting blessing meeting" along with prayers and consecration, where the saints shared their top portion of their experiences and enjoyment of Christ in 2025. This meeting concluded with hymn 16, worshiping God the Father for His greatness as we entered the new year, and praiseed Him by singing hymn 7.

Glory, glory to the Father!

Glory, glory to the Son!

Glory, glory to the Spirit!

Glory to the Three in One!

Let us praise Him! Let us praise Him!

Praise our God, the Three in One!

Give Him glory; give Him glory!

Wondrous things for us our God hath done!

Last year ended with praise, worship, thanksgiving, and giving glory to God and we entered the new year with the same.

 

Hallelujah for the end of the old! 

Hallelujah for the beginning of the new!

First Experience

As the Lord has blessed us with a new car, as a family, our prayers have been that whatever the Lord blessed us with, it must be a blessing to others as well. Especially, useful to the saints for the church life. 

Today, I had the privilege and honor to drop to Delhi, my coordinator, co-worker, and brother in the official service and brother in Christ in the church whom the Lord blessed me with. Since the Lord has relocated his service in Delhi, he had to move for the Lord’s work. It was a blessing for me to drive them as they shifted from Gurugram to Delhi with the brand new car. Though that may be just a ride, but it meant a lot to me. When they first came to Gurugram fifteen years ago, I had the privilege to pick them from the railway station with another brother. Now, when they left the city, I was graced to drive them again. To me, it was a brotherly responsibility and a sweet fellowship in practical matters. May the Lord bless my brother's family wherever He leads them.

Today morning too, with my daughter and wife, I had the experience of riding the new car, dropping our daughter for her school farewell meeting, and then picking her up from the school. 

These matters may sound trivial, however, this is the principle of "first use". Tbis also my first experience with the new car. I was glad that the usage of the new car began well and I pray that, even in matetial things, everything should be to our heart's content, useful to the saints, and useful to the Lord.

Because out from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36, RecVer)

To Him be the glory in all things. For this, God also gave everything at the right time for His use, rightfully. I can testify to this fact, as every thing was times rightly; the expiry of the old, the buying of the new, the timely provision from the Lord in making things available at the right time. Yes, even, in using people, matters, and things, to meet all that He has planned for His children for His glory. To such a wonderful, sovereign God, I bow down my head to worship Him. Amen and amen

God Provides: Personal Testimony

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh, as it is said to this day, On the mount of Jehovah it will be provided. (Genesis 22:14, RecVer)

Today, exactly one week after our old car turned fifteen years and was scrapped, the Lord has blessed us with a new car. He also provided richly all the money needed to purchase it at the right time. Wherever the need is, may it be useful to the Lord, to the Body, to the saints, and for the church life. The car is a KIA Carens Clavis.

Testimony

The reason for choosing this car is the Lord’s leading, and it has a personal spiritual history. Many months ago, as I had been considering in prayer for a new car, as our Alto K10 would be turning 15 years old in December, the Lord showed me in a dream about this particular company and model. The next day, during my prayer time, He reminded me of this particular car. I immediately googled and found it was too expensive; in fact, it was more than three times my initial budget. Then, I kind of gave up even considering this car. However, in the following days, weeks, and months, whenever I thought about the need for a car, only this model came to mind. Though I also considered a smaller and cheaper one, I never had the peace to go ahead with any of them. In fact, at one time, I even considered Renault Triber and Nissan Gravite, both 7-seater economic MPVs, but my inner peace never allowed me to dwell on them, even. Many times, I tried to tune my mind for a small car, but I never had the peace. So, I literally had no choice but to consider KIA Carens. Finally, I visited a KIA showroom and inquired about this model, including the color (which I had seen in my dream). But the sales executive said they don't have what I was looking for. However, a few days later, he called me up and said there was only one piece in the entire NCR, though similar cars with other colors were available.

Later, when I mentioned this car to a brother, he felt good about it and also helped me to review and negotiate the price. I took that as a confirmation from the Body. Then, another brother spent one whole day calling up many KIA dealers in NCR and concluded that no one had this particular model with the chosen color, and even with the negotiated price. A further confirmation from another brother. Thus, the car was bought.

When the Lord shows something, He always provides to meet the need, not just sufficiently but bountifully.

Jehovah-jireh, God Provides

On the financial side, while looking into what the Lord has blessed us, I realized that one of the investments that we made nine years ago, which I thought I had bought by mistake, had grown beyond my expectations. Besides, there were also offerings we received and have not used for quite some time. Then, it was confirmed that all these were the Lord’s provisions to meet this need at this time. Praise the Lord!

May the Lord preserve us with a pure heart to only love Him, only look to Him, and only live Him out.

Brotherly Fellowships

Brotherly fellowships with different brothers were good spiritual exercises for me to exercise my spirit and let the life of God flow through me. In fact, in all the fellowships, the Lord's divine life was flowing, and we all enjoyed the joy and peace within. 

While in Goa about ten days ago, I had a personal time with a brother the whole day, driving around Goa, visiting places of interest, and all the while fellowshipping. Of course, this was on the last day of my stay in Goa after all the official works were done. In fellowship, he poured out whatever was on his heart that concerned him. I exercised my hearing ear to patiently listen to all that he had to pour out. I also exercised my spirit to discern the matter and filtered the key points out. I could only fellowship to him that the Lord is sovereign and He is working things out according to His plan. I did enjoy his love, care, and hospitality. His burden for the Lord’s move and the action he took impressed me so much. The entire one-week distribution trip was the burden of the brothers in Goa, especially this brother, whom the Lord imparted a special burden to take the initiative. May the Lord bless the burden he has and enlarge his capacity much more with an enlarged heart to shepherd the saints.

When I came back to Gurugram, a brother came to fellowship with me concerning his concerns for his brother. The Lord graced me to pay careful heed to his burdens as well. I could discern that whatever happened to his family was sovereignly allowed by the Lord with the one purpose of gaining all of them to be absolute for  Christ and the church. For, each one of them was distracted from the central lane of God's economy. The Lord gave me the ear to hear what all that brother had to say.  Then, having heard all, I could only pray for the family that they all love the Lord and stand firmly in the truth. One thing I was clear concerning this family was that the Lord has chosen them to be pillars to bear His testimony in Gurugram, though they have many other plans. May the Lord shepherd my brother's family for His testimony in Gurugram. 

On the Lord’s Day, we had a specific fellowship with a brother concerning his service that, for the temporary moment it had to be put on hold due to a certain situation that had been going on in his life. It was not an easy feeling. Thank the Lord for the Spirit in my spirit that I could turn to,  to handle this kind of intermixed and complicated checker works. Since I was not clear concerning the Lord’s desire in the matter, I could only silently wait and pray. And when asked about my feelings specifically, I could only reply to what I had been feeling all along. I really did not know what to say. I could only pray that the Lord’s perfect will be done in the concerned brother's life.

Yesterday, my cousin brother, for whom I have been praying, came to visit us. It was surprising that we met after two full years. I simply fellowshipped with them their need to have a spiritual fellowship with the saints in the church in New Delhi, in addition to helping them know how you plan things ahead for their family and their future.

Today, I had a time with a brother who came to help me look into the purchasing matter of the new car I decided to purchase. In fact, it was months later that we could come together again and coordinate in practical matters. May the Lord fully restore my brother's soul. 

All these brotherly fellowships were very cherishing and shepherding to me. And I believe, it was also very cherishing and nourishing to the ones I fellowshiped with.

This is the church life. This is the normal Christian life for the church life. It has been through such fellowships that I have been shepherded and even tempered in my being. 

Praise the Lord for the brotherly fellowships!

Life Lesson: Gospel Meeting

Today, being a holiday, as the church, we planned a gospel meeting. This gospel meeting was very unique, in that, my core heart's desire was carried out. Yes, it was a gospel meeting where we should focus on the gospel friends. Yes, I did invite my gospel friends too. However, my main burden was on the function and perfecting of the saints

In fellowship and in prayer, we planned for the schedule of the gospel meeting. It was perceived in my spirit that such and such ones would share the gospel message, and such and such ones would testify for the Lord. Brothers too amened the proposal right away. We were blessed with a sweet and strong coordination in the preparation for the gospel meeting.

Today, in the gospel meeting, we had four saints testify. My heart was filled with joy in witnessing the testimonies of the saints, especially the brothers whom I have so much burden to perfect. To me, witnessing the testimonies of the ones the Lord burdened me to perfect brought much joy to me. Much more than I expected, I witnessed the Lord’s hand upon all these ones.

Though most of the gospel friends invited did not turn up, still, the functioning of the newly perfected Hindi-speaking brothers brought much joy to me. Christ has been glowing in their lives. What a sight to behold! What a blessing!

Even after the meeting, the time spent with the saints and the brothers in fellowship taught me more life lessons. A new group meeting was planned. Two brothers' functions were recovered. And when a new one turned up late, and I was busy, other saints were able to shepherd the new ones in mutuality. Besides, the sisters all coordinated to prepare lunch for everyone. This was a beautiful picture of coordination in the Body.

In fact, I did not function openly, but was behind the scene. I prayed and prepared the saints to function. This is the way to perfect the saints. And this was my new role in my functioning in the church. What a blessing! What a privilege!

Gospel means good news. And the good news of perfecting the saints was carried out. May the Lord perfect all the saints for His building work in His Body. Hallelujah!

Experiencing Jehovah-jireh

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh, as it is said to this day, On the mount of Jehovah it will be provided. (Genesis 22:14, RecVer)

But godliness with contentment is great gain; For we have brought nothing into the world, because neither can we carry anything out. But having food and covering, with these we will be content. But those who intend to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. For the love of money is a root of all evils, because of which some, aspiring after money, have been led away from the faith and pierced themselves through with many pains. (1 Timothy 6:6-10, RecVer)

Since our old car's validity expired on 22nd Dec, we have been planning for a new one. After much consideration and prayers, we have come to settle on a particular car which was much beyond our initial plan and budget. However, our considerations were for the usefulness in the Body, for the church, and also for the family. And we have peace in these considerations, and this is the final confirmation: the peace within, from God, among ourselves in the family, and also in the fellowship of the Body. Our decision was based on the peace from God, primarily along with the need, no matter the price. The Lord is the One who provides, Jehovah-jireh. 

The Lord, as the source of every supply, supplied the need this time, as usual, with His sovereign arrangement. Nine years ago, I was convinced by a sales representative of ICICI Prudential to buy a term insurance plan for 5 5-year payment plan and another five-year investment. To my surprise, when the need for this new car arose, I discovered that this investment plan had earned more than 100%. Therefore, I surrendered this plan despite it gaining much profit by the day these days. I was even tempted to keep the plan longer to earn more profit; however, I was reminded by the Lord not to love money. This has to be used in times of need, not caring for savings or profit. I must simply trust in the Lord who meets all our needs. It is He who provides, Jehovah-jireh. 

When the liquidated investment was deposited in my account today morning, my first reaction was to praise and thank the Lord for His provision. Nine years ago, he led me to make this investment because He knew that nine years after, this year, this amount would be useful to meet the need for transportation. God truly is Jehovah-jireh. 

As always, my first reaction to such provision from the Lord is to honor the source, the One who provides. My wife and I, along with our three children, prayed together and thanked the Lord in our family prayers tonight for His timely provision. In oneness, we used at least 10% of the received amount for offering right away before we touched the money for any other purpose. Therefore, we transferred the offering amount as another additional offering to the present burden for the Chennai Blending Centre construction project. First to God; first things first, always. After all, it is all from God. He is Jehovah-jireh. 

God provides, and we must wisely use God's provision for the intended purposes. Whatever the genuine need is, irrespective of the cost, the provision must be used rightly at the right time. Honoring God's provision in such a way deals with our heart; to be pure in money matters and not loving money in any way, even with the view of saving more or gaining more profit. The real gain and profit are in the Lord’s blessing. 

This is a good lesson in learning to be content with whatever God provides and not be greedy for gain. 

Praise God, Jehovah-jireh!

Marriage Group Meeting

One of our new ones' son's got married on the 12th December this year. However, I was not available in town, and I had to excuse myself from attending the wedding meeting. Besides, this being a wedding conducted by the families according to the custom of the nation, the brother also felt that he would not be able to entertain us, as he would be busy with many other relatives and guests. Therefore, it worked out good for us and for them that, as the church, we visited them only after all the family functions were over and they were available for a time of prayer and fellowship, in peace. In fact, the Lord sovereignly worked out everything good for all of us. 

After all the ceremonies were done and after most of the guests had left, the brother invited us as the church for prayer and a time of group meeting at his house. As we fellowshipped with the church saints for our visitation, we also felt good to gift them gifts, including the Holy Bible, the best marriage gift that can ever be given to anyone, along with a set of Crockery and Mixer set chosen by the sisters. Even in this, we had a wonderful coordination.

On the 19th December, Friday night, we, as the church, visited the family and had a time of prayer, fellowship on the importance of marriage in the eyes of God, and enjoyed a dinner feast prepared by the family. This was the perfect time and arrangement.

We have been praying for this family, especially for their salvation. The family has been enjoying home meetings week by week for over a year now. They all believed into the Lord Jesus Christ, called upon the Lord's name every time we met, and also prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ. The father of the family, our brother, has been graciously saved by the Lord from many sinful things. Since his salvation, the Lord has been working on him and also in his business. He has been testifying that it was the Lord Jesus who blessed him in his business. Since he believed into the Lord Jesus, the Lord delivered him from many bad habits, and his family members also could sense the change. 

Acts 16:30 And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.

Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of God to him together with all those in his house.

Acts 16:33 And he took them with him in that very hour of the night and washed their wounds. And he was baptized immediately, he and all his household.

Acts 16:34 And he brought them up into his house and set a table before them; and he exulted because he had believed in God with all his household.

May the Lord grant them the household salvation as promised in the Bible. 

May the Lord gain this family to be His pillars for His testimony among the local people.

Life Lesson: Prayer

Prayer is critical to the kingdom living. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the man of prayer; always one with God, lives in God’s presence, trusts in God, and Satan has nothing to do with Him. In Matthew 6, He has taught us and shown the pattern of prayer. So that the kingdom of God may come on earth and the will of the Father may be done on earth. This is the will of the Father, and for this to accomplish, He taught us how to pray. In fact, the only way to fulfill God's eternal plan is by being like the Lord Jesus Christ, the man of prayer, being able to express and represent God on the earth today.

These days, I also have been very burdened by the Lord to pray for the burdens He blessed me with. By His mercy, I have been graced to be able to pray the Lord’s bestowed prayers upon me. Such being the case, I have been praying myself, and helping others to be a man of prayer too, as the Lord Jesus is. Time and again, whenever I got the opportunity, my burden released to my fellow believers has constantly been on prayer life and the burden for prayer.

Yesterday, as I was ministering the word on the Lord’s Day's prophesying meeting, I released my burden on prayer, the prayer that is critical for the kingdom life. As I prayed over the day before, the Lord gave me the following points, His message concerning prayer.

Set Time to Pray: First and foremost, one must set time to pray. Without time for prayer, it was even pointless to talk about prayer. Therefore, I encouraged all the saints to sanctify their times daily in a way of setting a specific time for prayer. Perhaps, five, ten, or fifteen minutes; even better is, one or two hours a day. This is the base upon which one can build his prayer life.

Learn How To Pray: Second, one must learn how to pray genuine prayers. One must strictly avoid religious prayers or babbling prayers that may not be prayer at all. For this, there is a need to learn to pra,y expressing the Father's will. But this requires knowing the Father’s will as revealed in the word and through the ministry of the word.

And in praying do not babble empty words as the Gentiles do; for they suppose that in their multiplicity of words they will be heard. (Matthew 6:7, RecVer)

The Lord Jesus Himself, as the man of prayer, is the pattern one can follow. Daniel is another pattern who prays three times a day, kneeling with his window open towards Jerusalem. This indicates that Daniel knew the word of God and the will of God and prays accordingly. So, we must learn from the patterns set in the Holy Scriptures; know the will of God and pray the will of God.

Now when Daniel came to know that the writing had been signed, he went to his house (in his upper room he had windows open toward Jerusalem) and three times daily he knelt on his knees and prayed and gave thanks before his God, because he had always done so previously. (Daniel 6:10, RecVer)

As one prays, genuine prayer will usher the praying one into the presence of God and will pray towards God’s interest as Daniel does; towards Christ as the good land typified by the holy land, the church as the kingdom of God typified by the holy city, and the church as the house of God typified by the holy temple. So, whatever or whoever one prays for, it must all be directed towards Christ and the church as God’s house and God's kingdom.

Result of Prayer: Genuine prayers will always result in being filled with the all-inclusive riches of Christ, typified by the loaves, fish, and egg; the riches of the land, water, and air. These riches are in the Holy Spirit that supplies the praying one richly and fills him to the extent that there will be no room for Satan, demons, evil spirits, and darkness but be filled with life and light to supply and enlighten others.

But what father among you whose son shall ask for a fish will instead of a fish hand him a snake? Or if he shall also ask for an egg will hand him a scorpion? If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father who is from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:11-13, RecVer)

In this way of genuine prayer, God will have a way to fulfill His will on the earth, establish His kingdom on the earth as He taught us to pray. 

You then pray in this way: Our Father who is in the heavens, Your name be sanctified; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth. (Matthew 6:9-10, RecVer)

Lord, grace us to set time to pray every day. Lord, teach us to pray Your prayer every day. Amen.