Serve as Slave

One of the most important characters of  a servant of the Lord is 'serving as slave'. Often, I wonder if serving the Lord is so honorable and respectful; yes it does, to God. In fact, it is a privilege to be able to serve the true and living God. But the danger on the flip side is, as seen among many religious leaders, they are serving the Lord as "masters". This for sure, I loathe to the uttermost. May I not be found as such. 

Acts 20:19 "Serving the Lord as a slave with all humility and tears and trials..."

A slave does not exercise his right, does not express his opinion nor does he have his will or his way. He is just a slave; obeying the command of his master without even expecting an iota of appraisal or reward. He just serves, in sickness or in health, day or night, any time duty demands, he serves. That is to serve as a slave.

Going by this generic understanding of a slave, Am I such a one? Only God knows. May the Lord have mercy on me that I may be found as I should be; serving as slave.

I have been tested again and again of my attitude in serving the Lord. I am not ashamed to confess that often I do serve as "masters", but the Lord spoke to me very clearly two days ago that I must serve Him as a slave. To be tested, He allowed some situations in which I must practically serve as slaves.

I had to officially carry out my official duty and had the full right to decide on a matter and do it officially as I deemed it right. But the Lord reminded me that I should serve as a slave, and the way I discharged my duty was with the exercise of my spirit in prayer, and humbled myself to take the lower ground and did the work. It was indeed such a joy to learn this lesson of life!

Two days ago a brother invited me for a love-feast with new ones without proper information of the timing, and of course, I had to drive too. As I did so I took a route which I knew for sure was better, but on his suggestion I changed the route, accepting what he said and what my spirit "amened". But the route was experienced to be very bad for driving and time consuming. However, I exercised not to express any vindication of my original plan, but he himself apologised for his suggestion. 

Later, I had to wait for more than an hour for the actual love-feast to start. I opined to myself if I was informed of the proper time I could have better utilized this one hour prior to the feast. But the Lord reminded me that I am just a slave, and as such, "what right do I have?" I better repent for not having a proper attitude of a slave. It eventually turned out  that I used that time for prayer; praying specifically for some new ones and contact them by phone and texting. It was a sweet hour of prayer and shepherding indeed. Of course, the love-feat was very rich and the time spent with the new ones was great!   

Yesterday, as we prayed and fellowship on the distribution of the ministry books I proposed that we pray-read this verse, "Serving the Lord as slave with all humility and tears and trials...,"  it was such a timely speaking of the Lord. All serving ones were so much supplied by this simple verse. In fact, we were adjusted in the way we serve our God, especially our attitude in dealing with the believers and our clients. What a timely speaking of the Lord it was, and it still is!

Lord, grant me the grace to serve You as slave, with all humility and tears and trial. May I be found as "a faithful and prudent slave."

Amen and Amen

Accepting the sovereignty of the Lord in all persons, matters and things is the lesson I have been learning these days. Though I could have used my natural hand to interfere and turn things around according to my taste and desire, the Lord would still interfere and still have His way, not mine. This is what I have been learning; to say "amen" to all that the Lord has arranged.

Recently, a fellowship came up for a proposal to attend an event of no less significant, an event to grab for, an opportunity not to miss. But all must be done in fellowship with the concerned brothers. Accordingly I drafted a mail as I understood best and checked with my coordinator for a correction or confirmation. The reply was altogether a whole new mail entirely not according to my "like". But the Lord impressed me deeply to forget altogether of my stand, my way or my desire; of who I am or what I am or even what my feelings were, and to just say "amen" to my brother. Experiencing grace and trusting for more grace, I forwarded the message without altering the content. Later, the Lord confirmed that it was His way how things were done. And I was graced to experience the lesson of learning to say "amen." A bitter lesson, but a sweet result.

Similarly, I had to renew my house deeds and had to work things out with my house owner. I agreed for the 10% increase and modified the previous deeds as was requested. When my owner sent me back with his terms I had some feeling within me for negotiation, especially on matters involving money. But as I prayed over it, the Lord led me to simply say "amen" and trust in the Lord who provides abundantly beyond what I can ask or think of. 

Similarly, in matters in the church or in my official service, the lesson the Lord has been teaching me is to simply submit to His will and His way; He knows best. And in simply "amening" I found myself in joy and peace. Otherwise, I can't even imagine what a "rebel" I would have become.

Yes, I do have rights and am eligible to claim things righteously. But denying all these, and accepting the Lord's sovereign arrangement, is the way to experience more grace and enjoy the Lord's blessings. (Often, blessings comes in disguise).

Lord, grant me the grace to "amen" to whatever You say. Amen.

Sharing in Sorrow

The new ones whom the Lord burdened me to shepherd and care for have become so precious to me, even as they are precious to the Lord. Be it their spiritual lives or their earthly careers, I have been so concerned for them. Often I would pray with them and encourage them.

Perhaps, for my learning and theirs too, somehow, the three of these ones for whom I am specially burdened for, could not succeed in their competitive exams thus far. I have a deep burden for these ones to be able to clear the highest competitive exams of the country, the civil services of India. And that they would be a testimony of the Lord as high ranking officers. However, God's ways are the best and His timing too.

When I heard the result of these brothers, I was sorrowful as I knew the sorrow they went through after much studies, labor and pain. I was in fact, privileged to share in their sorrow, though I have not spoken to them yet. The pain that they would have been going through even now, is the pain that I am sharing with them. Their result is mine too.

As I took their matter before the Lord in prayer, the Lord comforted me with a hymn which I read and read and sang and later on posted via WhatsApp to many of my contacts; in fact, that was the portion I experienced and it help some brothers too.

1	Take time to behold Him,   Speak oft with Thy Lord, Abide in Him always,   And feed on His Word. Wait thou in His presence,   Submissive and meek, Forgetting in nothing   His blessing to seek.
2	Take time to behold Him,   The world rushes on; Spend much time in secret   With Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus   Like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends, in thy conduct,   His likeness shall see.
3	Take time to behold Him,   Let Him be thy guide; And run not before Him   Whatever betide; In joy or in sorrow   Still follow thy Lord, And, looking to Jesus,   Still trust in His Word.
4	Take time to behold Him,   Be calm in thy soul, Each thought and each temper   Beneath His control. Thus led by His Spirit   To fountains of love, Thou then shalt be fitted   His mercy to prove.                                                      Hymn #643

In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord. And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

This is the line that touched me so much, and this has become my encouragement to others.

I am glad that I could learn to share in the sorrows of others, caring for them and praying for them. This is how the Lord teaches me lessons of shepherding. Walking with the new ones, step by step. This is how the Lord has been leading me through, step by step, even He will lead me through unto the end.

Take time to behold Him,
  Let Him be thy guide;
And run not before Him
  Whatever betide;

Increase in Faith

As the Lord blesses, and in His leading, with oneness, me and my wife have invested on land and house. Every time we did in oneness and in peace, we witnessed the Lord's presence and blessing. Oftentimes, in my own natural concern I tried to delve into the matter in detail and found my self in anxiety, yet after all, there was nothing to be anxious about, as all our investments have been righteously and legally confirmed and documented. 

Today, we have realised that our monthly expenses are going up drastically, with the children's fee hike and the house rent increase. I was inwardly contemplating of finding an amicable resolution with my house owner to not raise the house rent in the coming year, and then to negotiate on financial reason. But as I was considering and praying about this, the Lord shine on me and even spoke to me, not to bargain on any financial matter. The Lord further enlightened me to trust and have faith in Him who is the source of all my supply, spiritually, psychologically and physically too. The Lord's direct speaking was, the source of supply is rich enough to meet any amount of need. However much increase the need could have gone, the supplying source can meet all of them, sufficiently and in fact, abundantly. 

He can meet more than my need.

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will fill your every need ⁴according to His riches, in glory, in Christ Jesus.

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19⁴ God supplies us according to His riches, not according to our needs. His riches exceed our needs.

Yes, He can meet more than my need. Not merely according to my need, but according to His riches. With His speaking the Lord comforted me to trust in Him and that my faith may grow through all these experiences. And now I decided not to negotiate or bargain on any matter with my house owner.If the increase of rent is due, so be it. The more the need, the more the supply will be. The supply of God is according to God's riches, far beyond my mere need.

My faith was deeply strengthened. I was so thankful to Him for His marvelous promise and speaking. Besides, other source of blessing in disguise is helping the needy ones, especially those of the household of faith. Recently, by the Lord's leading, we were graced to be able to help some needy saints. To the extend that we have lend with almost nothing left behind to meet our own need. Of course, the Lord takes care of this need. 

However, this experiences was truly of the Lord. By this, we do not trust in the blessings of God per se, but trust in the God who blesses. Though, sometimes I asked myself if I am over lending, or what if the saints are taking advantage of our generosity. But the Lord reminded me again and again through my reading of the word that "it is more blessed to give than to receive," (  Acts 20:35) and it is a blessing to help my fellows brethren in times of need. On the contrary, not to help is a curse, and to store for oneself alone is selfishness which can hinder and stop the Lord's rich blessing. Not to be generous for the sake of receiving blessing but to take of the Lord's need by caring for fellows members in the Body. This exercise and experience also increase my faith very much, in the Lord, for all things.

Lord, increase my faith furthermore; 

To fully trust in You for all things,

To look to the Source ever only,

And not be anxious about the means,

Yea, much less, be worried about the ends.

For the Producer is much richer the consumers,

The Supplier is much richer than the receivers.

Shepherding : Revisitation

Today, the Lord burdened me to visit a family by all means as I have not visited for a quarter of a year. Though I attempted a couple of times, it never worked out. But today, I was very burdened and decided to visit at all cost.

On this revisitation, I was shepherding the family especially the husband who has already believed into the Lord Jesus Christ but has not yet been baptised, as he has been waiting for the proper time and proper inward confirmation for the same. The Lord's word of shepherding was, sharing testimonies of two new believers who were baptised and whose lives changed dynamically after the Lord Jesus saved and entered into them. 

Later, the whole family were gathered together wherein I ministered on Exodus 15, on the experience of Marah and Elim. This was my very recent enjoyment of the Lord. In fact, I ministered on the same subject yesterday in a Christian home meeting in Gurgaon. Each time I ministered on the subject, new light dawned. The word became richer and sweeter. I just shared my enjoyment of the Lord through the word; how the Lord changed my bitter water into sweet water to quench my spiritual thirst. Not only so, the very sweet water that quenches my thirst is a spring gushing out from within my spirit to supply others with the same sweetness I have been enjoying. Then, we all called upon the Lord's name and prayed.

In our initial meeting, the sister confessed that she lost all her taste for anything, even the food she used to love. She has been through a lot of pressure and pain, within and without. That was one of the reasons our revisitation took after a quarter of months gap. But after the sweet home meeting, she was so joyous and happy; of course, her mother and her husband too. The Lord graciously shepherded us all. She herself responded their need for fellowship with fellow believers. We mutually agreed to practically meet at least once a month and that they also should join the church meeting at least once a week. By this way, keeping the joy of salvation active in the midst of tin and dross.

What a wonderful revisitation it was indeed! It was a revisitation of the Lord Jesus Christ for a sweet and wonderful fellowship. In faith, I prophesied the baptism of our sister's husband and mother. May the Lord do it soon, in His time. 

Shepherding : Restoration

After a long gap, the Lord had reminded me and burdened me of the need for shepherding those whom the Lord pleased to use me in their salvation. In prayer, the Lord confirmed three local haryanvi who were saved, in fact, were also baptised by us in the church in Gurgaon. Though there are quite a number to shepherd, practically speaking it is not easy to take care of them all, but it must be done in the Body. As for my portion, the Lord burdened me to focus specifically on three of the already batpised ones.

The first one was the one the Lord graced me to meet him in 2012 and got baptised thereafter. This one has so much been blessed by the Lord since then. Even, academically and professionally, so far he has been credited with 17 world records and 6 national records and also honored with a doctorate degree, to this date. Success has been his path since the day of his salvation. Besides, he attributed all to the glory of God in the name of Jesus Christ. He has been an ardent lover of Jesus Christ, and has subjectively experienced Jesus Christ so much.

Last Saturday we had a wonderful time together for over  four hours. He was narrating all the blessings God has blessed him with, unimaginably. I was so happy to see a brother prosper physically as much as I desire to see spiritual prosperity. He was cherished with my listening ear, and also I helped him out in going through his achievements and future plans. My main burden released to him was his need for daily enjoyment of the Lord through the word, prayer and fellowship. We mutually agreed and decided to meet at least once a week and keep a regularly contact via phone calls and messaging. Altogether it was a lovely experience to be with one's spiritual fruit. 

My burden was fully released. Besides, the cherishing and nourishing, I also gifted him a set of Life Lesson Vol 1-4, in Hindi and his assignment was to enter into at least a lesson a week, if not daily, which he agreed upon with the priority of spending time with the Lord in prayer and in the word of God. For prayer, the spirit and the word is the only way to go on in a Christian life with a fellowship in and with the Body.

O what a wonderful day it was! The joy of shepherding and being shepherded by the shepherding! 

May the Lord, the true and chief Shepherd shepherd us all!

Blessing in Disguise

Many good virtues of a Christian life are praise worthy; safe for the practice of possessing such virtues. Recently the Lord taught me a lesson on hospitality. This matter has always been our weak point as a family, as we are busy-laden with three blessed kids. Moreover, our capacity and heart are not large enough to accommodate in reality what we know in theory. But we do have intense longing to be enlarged. Thank God for the God of opportunity, gracing us with opportunities, now and then.

Just a month ago, a brother called me up and made an impromptu decision to visit us and stay with us for few days. My innate reply was "welcome," as it should be. Later, in fellowship with my wife, we prepared for their visit, and it was really a blessing to us. I believe our guests were very blessed too as they testified it and the ensuing result proved it. It was a blessing in disguise. Were we to give a second thought on all practical matters of arrangement, our probable answer could be "not this time." But by faith we said "welcome," and that was the key to blessing.

Again, a sister just called me one day and asked if she could stay with us for few months until she could proceed on, in her academic career. My innate reply was also, "yes." Later, as I thought about all the practical detail, I regretted saying "yes" too soon. Any way, I already said it so I would not retract it. My wife had no problem with her coming and we prepared ourselves to give hospitality.

When she did come, things were all in the right order, and she became a real blessing to our family. She helped us in many daily chore of our family, in cooking, cleaning and caring for the children. It was more like receiving hospitality rather than giving it. This too is again a blessing in disguise. She was blessed, so were we. 

This is how the Lord answered my simple prayer for enlarging my capacity, especially in the matter of hospitality. And all these comes in disguise; mostly impromptu arrangements and decisions- a blessing in disguise.

Lord, enlarge us further more!