Not Yet?

It was long since I have been burdened to upgrade my educational qualification. I thought this time I could make it as I applied for a research program in one of the most reputed universities in the country. But  since the time I received a call letter for exam and interview, I had ever been busy with my official responsibility, as I had been to the North East for the ministry of the word journey. Though I carried with me the text books for studying, in case I could find time, but I found myself engaged in the ministry of the word all the time. I dared not divert attention as I would handle first thing first, and not compromise on my priority. Thank God, I could fully discharged my burden fully for the ministry of word this time in the seventeen localities in four states the Lord led me to in the North East of India. In fact, the only time I could open up the text books for preparation was in the flight when I flew back from Imphal after mission accomplished.

Right from the time I landed in New Delhi, the difference of temperature was almost unbearable. On reaching home, my daughter was down with bacterial infection which I was not aware of. But she loved me so much and missed me during my absence, she came to hug me on my arrival. Later I got infected with the same bacterial infection. Though we both consulted different doctors, we ended up eating the same antibiotic. That laid me down to bed for days, and sovereignly it began on the night before I went for the exam. The two days before, were occupied with office matters which I could not lay aside either, finding myself with no time to study nor prepare for the exam.

Nevertheless, I went for the for the exam but my body was running high in temperature with headache and bodyache. I could not wait any further to rush back home and take rest. I simply reckon this as the Lord's hand tapping me to wait yet a little while for the upgradation. Initially, it was painful inside, but the Lord knows best. I simply submit myself to the Lord. Let His will be done.

The words of the Lord are loud and clear, but the timing, I still have to find out. I do not give up unless the Lord make it clear too, but still looking to the Lord for His further leading and proper timing. Besides, I will prepare myself thoroughly before I can venture into yet another training in life. 

Lord, lead and guide me at Your time.

Brotherly Fellowship

Since the Lord had called me to serve Him on 1st January 2003 from the Bible verse, "And now, O Israel, what does Jehovah your God ask of you except that you fear Jehovah your God so that you would walk in all His ways and love Him and serve Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul;" (Deuteronomy 10:12) I had told my parent in faith that the Lord was responsible for all my needs and that I would not burden them any longer, financially or otherwise, but should the Lord bless me, I would share the blessing of God with them. Since then, I determined not to receive anything from my family, be it financial or family inheritance, till date, by the Lord's grace.

When I had a time of fellowship with my brother and his wife, I made it very clear to them that all the family land and building belongs to them, and I would have no part in any inheritance. Instead, as the Lord blesses me I would help them to further construct the first floor of the building for them and for the use of the church in Imphal as a meeting hall. I also told them that the Lord has provided all my needs, and if need be, He will also provide our own building elsewhere in India or abroad. I would simple trust the Lord. This is the first time I have made it very clear to my brother, as the Lord had called me to serve Him, and that he would take care of our mom and dad in their old age.

I also fellowshipped with him about his living before God and man, and the need to exercise to live a God-man life to be a testimony to the heathen village we are in, besides emphasizing the need for a physical exercise too. In order to shepherd him, we also looked into his business and critically analysed its pros and cons; even calculating in minute detail if it was worth continuing. We also looked into his academic career and encourage him to finish his graduation and suggested a Master's degree program too. And also studied the loans and other financial matters, and warned him to be careful of loans; better is never to borrow, but work within the walls. Most importantly, we prayed together for the Lord's work in us, for our family, for his education, job, family life and also for God's purpose to be fulfilled even through us.

It was a sweet and long fellowship indeed. It was worth it, and my burden was released concerning him. That was my brotherly fellowship with my brother in the Lord and in blood.

Lord, gain us fully for You!

Family Fellowship

Last week, the Lord sovereignly arranged my step-mom and step-brother to visit me at our home in Imphal. Though I wanted to visit them, due to time constraint I could not. However, my burden to meet them was conveyed by my brother to them and they came.

It was eight years since I last my step-brother, when after preaching the gospel to him I and another brother baptised him. Now he has grown up so much; I spent quite a considerable length of time with him and with my step-mom too, fellowshipping about what the Lord has been doing in our lives, and encouraging them to love the Lord, eat the word and live a life of prayer daily.

To me, I consider them as my brother and sister in the Lord and treat them as such. The only law I applied to this matter of "step" is the law of the Spirit of life. I do not apply Moses' law or any man-made law, not even the denominational law of today's Christianity, but the leading of the Spirit within and without. And I dare not touch any outward matter, be it ethical or societal, but only as the Lord leads. To me, this is all that matters.

In my consideration of the family life, they are as dear as any other members. I treat them as my relative in spirit and in blood. Though certain uneasy matters still lingers around, all cloud of doubts have been cleared off as far as I am concerned. And I look to the Lord for more of His working in our family for His testimony.

Besides, as the church in Imphal went for an outing two weeks ago, our family was in the same car when all of us could blend together, even discussed family matters and plans ahead of us. It was a wonderful time together.

Even more so, when I came back to Gurgaon, I spend as much time as I could with my wife and my three children; at times telling stories, reading Bible together, helping them in their summer vacation home works, playing and praying together. So far, so good. The Lord is so good to us. 

Christ centered family life, bound by the cord of the divine love with the uniting bond of peace and the band of oneness, is our family prayer daily. 

Lord, bless our family for Your testimony!      

Touching God

Unceasingly Pray 1 Thessalonians 5:17

My simple subjective experience of this verse, "unceasingly pray," is to simply be in touch with the Lord. This is so simple yet ignored or neglected quite often by many. Only if all the children of God are simply in touch with God all the time, their lives would have been revived and there will be growth in life, manifestation of the gifts God has given to them and expression of the living Christ. This is one of the major items I have been practicing and encouraging others to do; to be in touch with the Lord.

All electrical gadgets, however good or expensive they may be, without a flow of electric current they are all "dead corpse," just show pieces; at best good for appreciation and at worst, white elephants.

In many of my fellowship with the saints and seekers I have been focusing on this truth of touching the Lord by simply exercising the human spirit. 1 Timothy 4:7b "...exercise yourself unto godliness". Without this crucial exercise of the human spirit where the Spirit of God dwells, there can be no touching God. The right organ must be used for touching God. "God is Spirit.." John 4:24a, to touch God who is Spirit we must exercise our human spirit. The best and simplest way to touch the Lord is simply to call upon His Name, "Lord Jesus!" I used to have a reservation of calling the Lord Jesus' Name out-loud, mostly due to ignorance and religiosity, but once I tasted the sweetness of tasting the sweet Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I can't help myself, but to keep calling, "Lord Jesus! Lord Jesus!"  

Our main problem is not touching God. Once we are in touch with God all the time, all problems are no problems at all. Come what may, we go through situations with God and experience Christ and gain Christ all the more. 

Many have wasted the "problems," God allowed in their lives; they are blessings in disguise only if they have proper spiritual eyesight. In God, with God and through God, they can "walk on the water", "make way into the sea" and "cross the river Jordan".  All these experiences will be subjective, only if they are in touch with God.

This simple truth has been my message these days, to whomsoever I met and ministered to. Last week and this week, in all the fellowships and meetings, I have been speaking this simple truth, "touching God." And I myself are learning and practicing touching God. 

Lord, keep me in touch with You all the time.

Being Broken

Gen. 32:24 And Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.Gen. 32:25 - And when the man saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was dislocated as he wrestled with Him.Gen. 32:28 - And He said, Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but  Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.Gen. 32:30 - And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for, he said, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been preserved.Gen. 32:31 - And the sun rose upon him as he crossed over Penuel, and he limped because of his hip.

This reading of the word few weeks ago gave me a lot of light. In our natural man we are individualistic and selfish as Jacob's name implies, a supplanter. We are "bluff-masters" indeed in our sinful nature. But the Lord loves us and He will do anything to gain us by all means. So the need for dealing and breaking.

Until the break of dawn indicates that the time of the incident was midnight. Night is darkness, and darkness is the absence of light. Spiritually, when we are individualistic and in ourself in our undealt natural man, we are void of God's divine life and we are in the darkness, in the night. Even at such time, the Lord would visit us, to deal with us and gain us, as signified by the "a man" visiting Jacob.

A man, an angel of Jehovah visited him, wrestled with him and broke the socket of his hip. Who or what is this "man" subjectively? It could be persons, matters or things, which the Lord sovereignly uses to break our natural man. Many times, the Lord uses compatible ones to break our strongest part, "our thigh".

Oftentimes, we are too strong and too good in certain things and we don't depend on the Lord. Thus, our strongest part becomes our weakest part; the things we are good at, our strong point in our natural man, becomes our weak part in our spiritual man, as we fail to depend on the Lord. Therefore, our thigh of strength need to be touched and broken. Many things we faces are the Lord's visitation, perhaps, sicknesses, losses or even deaths and the likes are the Lord's dislocating of our hip. So that we would limp and never trust in what we used to trust any longer, except in the Lord Himself.

We should thank the Lord for "a man" whom He sent to wrestle with us until the break of dawn. Hallelujah! By and through this wrestling we face God, face to face. That's why that place of wrestling was named Penuel, meaning face to face with God. This is a turning point and a crucial phase of our Christian life. Without such experience, there can be no growth, much less, maturity. We all need to come face to face with God. Meet God in every situation.

After this dealing and breaking, two things followed suit: change of name and limping. Change of name signifies change of person, for the name denotes the person. And one no longer walks as used to be, but limping begins, dependence on God now and forever.

Henceforth, one is no longer in himself in his undealt natural man but is broken and on the path of transformation unto maturity. Therefore, "the sun rose upon him" walking in the divine light of the Lord onto maturity.

This should be every Christian's experience of life, without which would be an incomplete experience and there would be no way to maturity.

Lord, grace me to be broken, transformed and mature in life to fulfill Your heart's desire.

Lamka : A Revisitation

A couple of years have elapsed since I last visited this town. Despite being a Christian dominated town, there is hardly any sign of Christian testimony as far as the communal, social and religious life has been going on. Nevertheless, the Lord has reserved some remnants here for His testimony.

The local church here is growing in life and also in numbers too. As per the brothers' fellowship, I ministered on the Lord's day after the table meeting. The Lord burdened me to minister on the experiences of Christ with my testimony and the truth and necessity of being broken with experiences on Genesis 32, on the life of Jacob in his being broken for growth and maturity in life.

After the meeting, we enjoyed a whole day family visit and fellowship. Whomever I was burdened by the Lord I could visit them and fellowshipped with them too. Even a brother who tried to avoid the saints and would not even picked the phone calls was somehow brought face to face with us, surprisingly arranged by the Lord.

Another noteworthy visit was a brother's family who used to be one of the leading brothers in the initial day of the church life there. But for some reasons, the relationship with the other saints were not maintained. He also could not get through with many of his old religious beliefs and practices. Nevertheless, the Lord burdened me this time to visit him and He arranged for the visit. Almost with tears we had fellowship and prayer together. And I encouraged the brothers to visit this family for shepherding and recover them into the fellowship of the Body.

Another matter was the introduction of a brother who fellowshipped with me in Imphal to the brothers there in Lamka. They all were of the same age group and had similar experiences in truth and also in life. May the Lord recover this brother who has been enjoying the ministry of the word.

The revisit to this locality was a cherishing visit to me and a nourishing to the saints. A decade ago we met first, a year later the church was recovered and now the Lord has been blessing all the saints both physically and spiritually. They even had their own meeting hall now. May the Lord continue to shepherd them.

Besides all these, I also visited my grandmother's tomb; she had gone to be with the Lord about two months ago. My plan was to meet her this time but it was too late already.

Overall, I discharged all my burden for this visit and thanked the Lord for His timely leading.

What the Lord had initiated, He faithfully grace it on for the His testimony.

Ministry Literature Journey: Tamenglong

The headquarter town of the Baptist Christian of the Zeliangrong Naga, Tamenglong, has been in my heart for over a decade now since the first local church was raised up amidst religious storm in a neighboring district at a village called Ngarian. Though there are considerable number of brothers who belong to the same community of this town, it has thus far been untouched as far as the ministry of the word is concerned until the Lord sovereignly brought us to this town this time.

In our first attempt to visit this town, there was a road blockade due to landslide and we took a longer route, but our vehicle broke down at Kangpokpi and we ended up visiting a brother's family who is a prominent Christian leader among the Kukis there.

Our second attempt also faced two true punctures on the hilly terrain and it seemed as though there were unknown forces trying to stop us. But my heart was unfazed as I was loaded with the Lord's burden.

At our first meeting with four elderly brothers when we ministered the truth about Jacob's being broken in Genesis 32 it cleared off all the air of doubts about us. A brother even confessed and asked for forgiveness for his resistance towards the ministry in the past as his daughter is in the church life.

We met as many Christian leaders as possible, and the Lord anointed our speaking and almost everyone we ministered the word to, ended up purchasing the ministry literature. Many of them welcoming us and appreciating what we did. They even proposed a big Christian leaders gathering to address them on the truths. Our burden is to minister and propagate the ministry through the literature as spiritual food supplies to the children of God and for the Lord's testimony.

The most interesting part was a meeting with about 35 seekers comprising about 7 families when we fellowshipped on the subjective experiences of Christ in His saving and calling people. Besides, we also fellowshipped on the fundamentals of a Christian life and 

living. The believers were so blessed by the fellowship.Sensing the seeking situation of the seekers, we proposed for a monthly meeting or fellowship for brothers from Imphal and Ngarian to follow up. 

What the brothers have been reluctant for years for the propagation of the ministry in this town has now been opened up. Praise the Lord! What was thought to be difficult has now been opened up. Now it only behooves the brothers' faithfulness in follow-up shepherding. 

May the Lord continue to strengthen the brothers for the follow-up shepherding until the Lord's testimony is raised up in this city.

My burden was again released for this town. The Lord's leading, presence, anointing and blessings were so sweet. Praise the Lord!

Lord, raise up your golden testimony in Tamenglong!