Christian Expo, Delhi

As a part of reaching out to the Christian community, as the ministry literature servings ones, we participated in the World Christian Expo at YMCA New Delhi. Our main burden was for the exhibition of the ministry of the word, and hoped that Christians can have a taste of the ministry. Our motto has ever been, "The Ministry of the Word for All!" 

Besides, by such participation, we have a good exposure to our fellow Christian brethren. Though it was planned for a big event, the turn out of the crowd was not as expected. Coincidentally, the day the Expo began was the day our Prime Minister announced the demonetisation of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes. The aftermath was, the entire nation was shell shocked and economic crisis creeps as cash crunch crashed every Indian. Suddenly our currency which normally were saved in 500s and 1000s became mere pieces of paper. All ATM and Banks were running out of cash and we cannot withdraw even our own money saved in the bank. This incident affected the exhibition so much. But we thanked the Lord for all things.

Despite the economic turmoil, the Lord brought some genuine seekers for fellowship in our stall. Some from Gurgaon, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida and even Faridabad. The Lord prepared a ground work for His further move in NCR(National Capital Region).

Besides, two very seeking sisters visited our stall and upon further fellowship they opened up their real condition and consented to fellowship with the church in Delhi. The following Lord’s day they attended the meeting with the saints.

To me, personally, it was a good experience of first hand handling all the practical arrangement. From planning to execution to accomplishment, it was indeed a blessed experience. I enjoyed the exhibition despite the negligible sales. I treasure the life lessons more than the workload and business per se.

Moreover, our relationship with some Christian leaders were sweetened and strengthened. We also got to attend a Publisher's Meet where new things were learned for the distribution of the ministry of the word.

Despite all the physical setback in terms of business or profitability I graded the overall experience as "PASS" considering the positive aspects of making the ministry of the word available to the seekers and Christians in general.

May the Lord gain those who came in touch with the ministry. Amen. 

Trump Triumphs and Trumps

Since the day I heard about Mr. Trump from the very early days of his entering American politics, my inner sense told me, "this man must become the President of USA" though I knew nothing about him. I was and am still very naive to American politics, still my inner sense supports him for some reasons unknown to me then and now, but the who;e mystery were unfolded from time to time. Since then I began to check the news on Google for updates about this man. Never in my life I have been so interested to follow up on secular matter like his candidacy, and much less foreign politics, though I have been very regularly updated on my country's, India, current affairs.

Few reasons for my inclination towards Mr. Trump for the President of America are these:

His supports for Israel, especially his promise to shift the capital of Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. To my understanding of the word of God, anyone who proposes change in line with the Bible prophesy must be elected to power, just like how God had to used Cyrus, the King of Persian, to fulfill His prophesy. This point itself is a solid base for my hidden inclination.

His proposal for stopping illegal immigrants which is related to God's righteousness. I don't think he can stop the legal migrants, but the point is, conforming to principle in the Word of God. Illegality is unrighteousness by law.

His opposing abortion and homosexuality is another valid point, as it amounts to murder and fornication if this has to be legalised. Besides, the opposing party had not only approved of it but even legalised homosexuality which God hates and warns against it time and again. To stand against such anti-biblical stands must be approved by the Bible abiding believers.

His opposing radical and extremist religionists is another strong point that deserves approval. Anything extremist must be fought against. He just proposed to do that. While the other party dare not even use the word "radical"  to condemn fanaticism.

He being mistreated by the US Media, to my understanding, was truly unfair. Almost everything I read about him reported by the media were mostly negative. But this boomeranged with a condemnation on biased media. When I needed an update I first looked at the news report and then the news from his own party and compared them. And my discovery was a biased and unfair reporting of one and supporting the other. There definitely was a biased reporting which was meant for His disadvantaged but which actually boosted a hidden support for him,  at least because of the bias. Unfavored bias u-turned to be his unmerited favor.

His seeking God’s wisdom and guidance and the support he garnered from the evangelicals despite being rejected and ridiculed by many hypocritical politicians even from his own party fold. The seeking of God's blessing and wisdom and being supported by the believers in constant prayer is a very strong point for approval.

His proposal to right the rigged system of the established system was another value added point to his election.

Besides all these, the prayer that I prayed to God when an elderly brother confirmed to me that I had the gift of prayer and that all that I prayed for will be answered. As a confirmation to this I prayed a prayer to see if what that brother prophesied was true. And thus, like Gideon, my prayer was for the triumph of Trump. The same thing I did last night as the election was going on that the Lord may elect him for His purpose on the earth. Yet again, as a proof to whether my prayer will be answered.

This morning as the counting was on full swing, I was awestruck by the result that Trump was on the way to triumph. But as the counting went on, I became very nervous, and finally when the final result was out, it was a joy indeed. Not merely because of the triumph of Trump but because of the hand of God behind the scenes and the spiritual deal I had with God based on the prophesying of an elderly brother concerning my function in the Body of Christ.

To me the person was not the matter, either him or her is not the issue here at all. But the matter of the fulfillment of the word of God. This election has much lessons in store for me. Ultimately, it is God who decides all matters under the sun. The Most High still rules.

Trump triumphs and trumps to make America great again. So shall it be. God bless America!

Being Daddy

The Lord has been gracing and blessing my marriage life all these years, a decade now. Last week the Lord gave me a new experience in practically taking care of the children the Lord graced me with, as my wife and my youngest daughter went to Chennai to attend a Serving Ones Training. In fact it was the first time I got to take care of my children alone without my wife. Initially, I was wondering how to take care of them as I never did alone before. But I took the opportunity to learn and experience more from the Lord.

Putting on the shoes of a mother and yet still being a father, my way was to lead them to be responsible for household chores from the time they wake up; folding the blankets, washing up, prayer, breakfast, dressing up and going to school. And the chores continued when they were back from school; changing dress, eating lunch, doing homeworks, Bible reading, sometimes for games, then dinner, bathing, night prayer and resting for the day. I also joined with them in some of the daily chores. My life took a new turn with new experiences, and my relationship with my children became sweeter and dearer.

This blessed experience taught me precious lessons of life and I am learning "being daddy." What a blessing to experience the Lord's leading in caring for the children the Lord blessed us with. 

With my wife, our prayer for our family have been that we would be God-man family, loving the Lord, living the Lord and being one with the Lord. Besides being covered by the Lord’s grace, our prayer also is that our house be a house of prayer, a house where many guests and visitors can receive God’s blessing when they visits us, where sinners be saved, seekers be shepherded and saints be strengthened. Even as we have been praying for all these we also faced some attacks from the enemy now and then. Nevertheless, through every trials and temptation the Lord has been gracing us to come out victoriously gaining more Christ, growing in life a little more,  and maturing in life gradually.

When my wife came back I updated her of the well being of our children. We both realised the need to work together in shepherding as guardian angels and as caretakers of the Lord's children whom He blessed us with. Our responsibility is to be faithful to the Lord in what He has entrusted us with, and learning to be proper Christian parent. What she can I may not be able, nor what I can she may not be able, so we both must coordinate together to take of the children. And especially me, learning to be daddy just by "being daddy."

Triangular Trip

This time the Lord took me to three places in North India again for the distribution of the ministry of the word, viz., Roorkee, Haridwar and Rishikhesh. Again this was my first visit to these places. A brother came along with me in coordination and we were given hospitality in a local brother's home in Baktowali, Jhabrera.

This was the brother I met few years ago, who came along with another brother in Gurgaon. Surprisingly some other brother had asked him to meet me, and till date I could not recognise that unknown introducer even after his photo was shown to me. Anyway, it was all the Lord's arrangement for His divine economy. During that visit, I remember sharing to him for hours on the truth concerning a genuine ground of oneness. He was very receptive and invited me to visit him since then. But I could do so, only this time it was possible; this was the perfect time.

We were together for six days, each day visiting different people and ministering as the Lord led us to. Though this was meant to be a distribution trip, it was more of a propagation. One significant thing in this trip was the following of the Spirit's leading. And we did exercise in prayer to discern the Spirit's leading.

Memorable and some note worthy meetings were below.

A seeking family: As the meeting began they sang local Hindi songs, none of which I was familiar of, then to take care of us they selected two English hymns, the last one being "showers of blessing." As we finished singing, the instant speaking of the Lord was on "Blessing is God Himself." For over an hour the Spirit's speaking was very rich on God in Christ as the Spirit is the real blessing. The family were very nourished and enlightened as message was loud and clear against the degraded understanding of blessings implied on materialism and mammon. As a token of thanks they attempted to offer some "offering" which I politely rejected with explanation, to set a precedence for the coming days.

Meeting with a Christian leader: A wealthy Christian leader running a big congregation in the city of Roorkee and having a solid work among the IITians was on a defensive mood as we introduced the ministry literature, especially the Recovery Version Bible. But as I shared my testimony of salvation and God's calling he was completely mum, listening with rapt attention. Though he tend to differ in some topics we brought out as he himself is a Bible teacher, he did acknowledge that he learned new things from our fellowship and confessed his defiant attitude when he prayed. We were glad, at least, he heard us out, and he promised to go through the ministry books before he could recommend to others.

A Christian leader in Haridwar: The main and earliest serving ones in the city, who was also a leader of a big international Christian organisation, was very curious to hear us first before he introduced his service to us. As we used the ministry books to minister the word he nodded and even audibly applauded our sincere effort to equip the believers with the truth of the Bible. His response too was that he himself would read the books first and then introduce to other Christians as well. His final comment was his appreciation in the clarity of the truths we presented, and opened up to us for any future help if we need it at all. Later we enjoyed lovefeast together.

A Christian leader in Rishikhesh: A very decent, well to do and educated leader and his wife welcomed us and gave us good audience. Every ministry books we introduced was an eye opening to them. With some insight, we presented the subject on "authority and submission" which pricked them so much as the Christian world today is embroiled with hidden fights for name, fame and position. They, without any hesitation, selected that book with the same title and others as well. Since they promised to introduce to others and they being the main one, we were happy that the beachhead was touched.

The most significant of all the meetings we had was the one with a Christian leader and his family with the local "Sarpanch," an elected head of a village-level statutory institution of local self-government called the panchayat (village government) in India (gram panchayat), along with a the district president and vice president of a ruling political party of the state, Uttarakhand. The Spirit's speaking was on growth in Christian life, oneness among the believers, sanctification by the word of God, and the truth and practices of righteousness. The speaking was so strong that these leaders would have been impacted in their inward being and living as political and social leaders. The burden on oneness was released because our host was in tears when he met us and expressed the sadness and seriousness of division among believers today of which he himself was one of the victims.

Another additional meetings were:

Two brothers from Delhi of a leading Christian group were co-hosted by our guest with us. As we fellowshipped, the Lord burdened me to share my testimony that touched them so much that the elderly brother of seventy five years later acknowledged his gratitude to the Lord for the unexpected meeting. He further fellowship and told me something of his discernment that I had the gift of prayer and healing and other gifts that many Christian leaders are seeking for. I simply nod my head in neutrality, and he asked me to simple say "amen." Only the Lord knows what He has bestowed me with, and if at all His discernment were true the gifts of God is for the building up of the Body of Christ that will fulfill God’s eternal economy.

Finally, the last meeting we had in this trip was the Lord's day meeting where I was asked to minister the truth on "baptism." I ministered on the seven significances of baptism, after which three new believers took baptism, one of which was a village "pradhan," the village head.

This triangular trip to three different cities and villages has opened our eyes and a new door for the Lord's move in the Hindi heartland.

May Your testimony in the Hindi heartland!

Still My Onesimus

It was barely two months ago when I confided in the Lord and took in my cousin brother to join and help in the official service vacated by his brother, knowing fully well his background and the critical condition as a man who used to indulge in unhealthy habit of intoxicating drink. To me it was more of grace rather grade. He had zero score on grade from all angles, academically and even otherwise, but in the eyes of grace, he is a precious Onesimus to me. After passing through the required fellowship he came on board to serve as an office staff, in fact, more of a helper on clerical job.

Indeed, he has been such a help to us officially and in family too. But the day I set out for another official trip. barely a week ago I received a news of his going to his past habit of drinking. It was a surprise to me at the first hearing though I had the sense that something went wrong as I could discern from another staff that he did not report for office duty. Later, my wife confirmed it and for few days the attack of the enemy was ferocious. I was in the midst of literature tour and back home was this incident. Many thoughts lingered, and as I and my wife brought the matter to prayer, the Lord just shepherded me to commit him to the Lord and support him in prayer. Each succeeding report went from bad to worst. But I could only pray.

The Lord gave wisdom to my wife to handle the matter wisely in my absence. And I stood with her in prayer. There were thoughts ranging from punishing him to firing him, but the ultimate and timely speaking of the Lord was to simply shepherd him. He is still my Onesimus.

Now, deep within me, my heart is to encourage him and supply him more with the divine life supply that he could fully overcome all the attacks of the enemy. Some wise disciplining might happen but most importantly is the supply of the divine life that swallows up death. Life overcomes death, love overcomes hatred, and, light overcomes darkness. Praise the Lord!

Come what may, there is never a hopeless case in the eyes of the Lord than the devil himself. All cases are hopeful, and the Lord can restore His children from worst to good and then to best. In Christ and with Christ, all is well and He will make it best with a proper spirit and proper attitude and shepherding. 

God's Favor

What a makes a man special is the hand of God in him, upon him and behind him. When one is with God, all things fall in-line in favor of him. This is a common phenomena in the lives of many saints throughout the ages. Since the time of the Bible, men of God like Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, etc., had God’s favor upon them. Wherever they went, whatever they did, God’s favor was upon them. Similarly in the New Testament, beginning with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and the apostles, and the earlier believers, the Lord’s presence as His blessing was upon all of them and they prospered in all their activities. So was the case today as well. With God and in God we are blessed, and are in God's favor.

One particular instance I encountered recently was with a brother and a friend too. He has be trailing behind peers and perhaps trolled in the background in the corporate world he worked in, by some busybodies. Often times, I encouraged him not to be bothered by all these "challenges." The Lord knows best and He will lift up his people in due course. Often these temporary "bites" are a test for future blessings. When the time comes the Lord will accomplish what He intend to accomplish.

Few weeks ago he informed me of a new job offer, but very challenging as he needed to pass through all the tests and interviews. When he vaguely mentioned the offer I had a strong feeling within me to encourage him to go ahead though it meant leaving the present job and many new things to be adjusted to. I prayed with him that the Lord's perfect will be done and commented that perhaps, that was the answer to the prayer for many months concerning his profession, marital issues, and the likes, as his status would definitely improve.

Stage by stage, he updated me of the progress towards the new job. From the first step of sending his CV to the technical test and interviews, then on to HR and Management interviews, and the results in each stage, and finally to the selection and appointment order, we have been through prayers. Few days ago before the final result was out, he called to fellowship his concern of his incompetence for the new job as it definitely was an upgrade with tougher and higher responsibility, especially on leadership skill as he had no experience, nor was or had ever been in such a post. But I encouraged him that it is all the favor and blessing of God that matters. I even cited the example of Moses and Joseph. Moses treasured God's presence and Joseph found favor in the eyes of his "bosses" because God was with him.

Exo. 33:14 - And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.Exo. 33:15 - And he said to Him, If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

In every stage of development, we prayed together and sought for the Lord's blessings. And step by step we witnessed the Lord's favor, His blessing hands. And finally he texted me stating that he was favored and received the appointment letter with a salary hike and upgraded profile.

Today, we prayed together thanking the Lord for His blessing and favor, and beseeched the Lord that he be the Lord's testimony among his peers, juniors and seniors. And also that this be a new beginning in Christ in his professional career, his family life and his Christian life for the Lord's testimony.

When the Lord's blessing comes, it just comes and none can stop. May the Lord bless him continuously all the days of his life and make his family a living testimony for Christ and the Church.

Listening

One of the lessons a serving ones of the Lord should learn is "listening." In fact this is one of the character traits mentioned by brother Watchman Nee in his book, "The Character of the Lord's Workers." Many times, listening is a big test for many workers of the Lord. This time, I am also learning this lesson.

A brother who had been in legal trouble over his marital problem, whom I had warned of his decision for remarriage to an unbeliever, went ahead to make his own decision. Despite making such a gross mistake I still did my best to shepherd him whenever possible. In fact, I even attended his marriage and prayed that the Lord would gain him through all situation. I warned him on three important points, the main one of which was not to be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. 

2 Corinthians 6:14Do not become dissimilarly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
Note from the Recovery Version: Dissimilarly means diversely, implying a difference in kind. This refers to Deut. 22:10, which forbids the yoking together of two dissimilar animals. Believers and unbelievers are diverse peoples. Because of their divine nature and holy standing, the believers should not be yoked together with the unbelievers. This should be applied to all intimate relationships between believers and unbelievers, not only to marriage and business.

This word indicates that the Corinthian believers were dissimilarly yoked with unbelievers, not separated unto God from worldly people. This means that they were not fully reconciled to God. Hence, the apostle exhorted them not to be dissimilarly yoked with unbelievers but to be separated that they might be fully reconciled, brought back, to God.

Though I wished that he can be a channel of blessing to his wife and family, as expected , things really did not turn out well. Despite the outward facade of good and modern lifestyle, there indeed was no oneness as a proper couple should have. For oneness can be achieved only by both being in Christ. Therefore unequal yoking cannot indeed bring about oneness. The ultimate issue was a break-up.

Though I  did not approve his decisions in many ways, still, as a brother I looked to the Lord to shepherd him. He did visit me last week and we had hour long fellowship. This week even as I was on a distribution tour, he called me again. It was just two nights ago that I had to listen to him for hours over the phone. He went through a tough time and needed someone to talk to and fellowship with. The Lord simply led me to listen to whatever he had to say. He spoke and spoke and spoke, and I listened and listened and patiently listened. After he spat out all that were in his being concerning his family matter he said, "Thank you for listening to me patiently." And further explained his gratitude to the Lord for giving a brother who gave him a listening ears. After all "stories" I simply led him to pray. Since he needed a special advice, my recommendation to him after the late night talk was to take a good rest.

The next day morning he called again for fellowship, and I simply led him to the word of God to pray. We prayed few verses from Matthew 5. The word of God was so nourishing that we repeated the verses over and over again. The best prayer was to pray the word of God and be nourished by it. I was nourished and he was nourished too. Praise the Lord!

Many times to shepherd people just needs a listening ear. Not to give advises or suggestions, but to simply listen and discern what the reality is and shepherd with the word of God.

Lord, grace me a listening ear, to listen to Your children and to You, and apply the word appropriately.