Uttarkashi

Few months ago this town was fixed for our distribution, an utter North on the proximity of the Himalayan ranges. A couple of times I was considering to change the plan for at least few reasons: no known contact nor arrangement made, and none gave a positive response on inquiring about visiting this town. Nevertheless, as planned and prayed for we came to this town, with only one phone number. Even before we met this brother whose number we have, he met us on the market as we went out for lunch. Amazing!

Later he came to our hotel room to check us out. Initially, he was very skeptical about us as the Christians in Uttarkashi were on the guard against any indoctrination from heretic or cultic faith. Even he was very strong to not associate himself with any denomination and stated that all Christians meets in their homes and there is no building called "church." Besides, there is no full time workers as such but most of them are running schools, on teaching jobs, and serving the Lord. I was so happy to hear what he had to say, and interjected saying that "we are the same."

To clarify further on who we are, I explained the basic statement of faith we uphold, and expounded the truth concerning the Trinity with our Christian beliefs and practices. This I did to clarify his doubt about us as he was afraid that we might have been "cultic." To clarify further, I explained about the essential Trinity and also the economical Trinity which, I bet, he must have never heard of. And explained further the orthodoxy of the church, the universal and local aspects of the church. After all these "truthspeaking" he changed his view, opened up and offered help.

First, he introduced us to a Christian Principal with whose family we had a home meeting. We used the ministry literature to explain some basic truth of the Bible on the three parts of man, regeneration, and growth in life. They were so glad to receive our ministry, especially by the way we shepherded them with the truth. They invited us for dinner, ordered the ministry books, and sent us to lodge.

The next day, the former brother gave us few more contacts out of which we met two, both Principals of Christian schools. The first one gave us good feedback on the kind of Hindi translation we have produced and ordered all the books, both English and Hindi, and the other Principal was so glad to receive the riches of the truths we ministered to them on truth, life and the church. He even invited us for dinner and dropped us back to our lodge.

Overall, the Lord's leading and blessing was so marvelous. The experience we have been enjoying was like what we read of Abraham of the Old Testament, who simply followed God, not knowing. Though this is a small town comparatively, the response to the ministry of the word is amazing.

May the Lord recover His testimony in Uttarkashi!

Pauri Garhwal

Our first time, and not knowing anyone except a phone number given by a brother from Dehradun, we came to Pauri Garhwal. From one lead to another, the Lord brought us to this city and led us to meet the three main Christian groups and their Pastors. We spend few hours with each of them introducing the ministry books. They all were so impressed that they purchased the books and invited us to minister to their congregation on the following Lord's day.

On the Lord's day we ministered to three Christian groups. 

To a Methodist Church established in 1910, we introduced the ministry literature, and when we learned that it was a special "Women Sunday", the Lord led us to minister on the importance of the sisters' functions in the church life for the fulfillment of God's purpose on the earth, the "Six Marys." We exhorted the sisters to function in bringing forth Christ, listening to Christ, loving Christ, experiencing the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ, praying in Christ, and labouring in Christ for the church.

To one Pentecostal church we ministered "God's Organic Salvation," and to another Pentecostal church filled with young people and sisters in an "upper room," the Lord burdened us to minister on "the Nazarite Vow" from the Old Testament and "the Priesthood" in the New Testament. The Lord blessed the ministering so much so that, the Pastor requested us to continue to minister even after we released our burden after an hour and half. They wanted more fellowship so the Pastor made an impromptu arrangement for another informal meeting over lunch at his house where his joint family members and friends came, out of which a teacher-couple opened up for fellowship and expressed their heart for the church life and even ordered the ministry books after we shared on "the Orthodoxy of the Church." 

Later, a host of believers came for yet another meeting when we ministered on "God's Eternal Plan", the creation of tripartite man and the processes the Triune God passed through, regeneration, and growth in life. They were so hungry for the word and so seeking that even two and half hour non-stop fellowship was not too long. We had to stop the meeting for time's sake. Such was the leading and blessing of the Lord in this city. 

May the Lord gain His testimony in Pauri Garhwal.

Blessed Children

Behold, children are the heritage of Jehovah,
The fruit of the womb a reward. Psa. 127:3 - 

This verse has been fulfilled in our family life right from the day God blessed us with our first daughter, thereby we named her Bliss. Then followed by Amana and Christy,  as a continuation of the Lord's blessing in truth, the high peak truth, the truth the ministry of the word has blessed us with, and the reality of the word,  who is Christ. That's how the names were derived.

Few days ago my wife sent me on WhatsApp a snapshot of Amana's scorecard in CONQUEST IQ Olympiad with grade A, the highest in the grading category, where he scored centum in almost all the subjects tested. The very sight of it humbled me as I deemed myself unworthy for it. I am not being proud as a father, but what impressed me deeply was the grace of God bestowed upon me and my wife and our family. I never considered that we deserve this much, but the Lord has been more than gracious. My innate reaction was, I prayed, thanking the Lord for His mercy and reconsecrated my life so that I, in no way be a stumbling block to our children but be a proper shepherd and guardian to the Lord’s children.

As the children grows they have been developing a sign of excellency in their academic career. The parent-teacher meeting called once in a month or two were mostly filled with the teachers' appreciation of our kids' performances at school. Not just once, but almost all the time. And I don't think they were just trying to please us, the parent, but I reckon it as genuine, as I know my wife has been keeping track of their studies on a daily basis. So whenever I witnessed the good news of our children's performance, I always complemented my wife for her labor besides acknowledging the Lord’s blessing. On top of that, we daily prayed for our children and also taught them to pray for the Lord's wisdom, knowledge, understanding and blessing. Perhaps, this is the Lord's answer to our daily prayer.

Later, in our night prayer, my wife and I thanked the Lord together for His blessing. We also prayed that we would represent God properly as God-man parent, shepherding the children He has blessed us with. I even personally prayed that none of my sins or failures or shortcomings be passed on to our children. But that the blood of Christ would cover me and grace us and bless our family for His testimony and purpose on this earth.

Children are indeed the heritage of Jehovah.

Thank you Lord, for the children.

An Experience at Doon

Despite Doon being within an easy reach from Delhi, the past decade of my stay in the capital region did not beckon me even once to pay a visit for whatever reason. One thing I follow in life is following the leading of the Lord. Thus far, the Lord had never led, but this time.

In Dehradun, we were lodged in a guest room of a small Christian "ashram" as they call it. On day one itself, we were invited to a meeting of some 40 Christian leaders where we introduced the ministry books. Many of them were very interested and received the free Rhema books, not just for themselves but also for their congregation, and some purchased the title books. 

There, in the meeting, one of the Christian leaders whom they addressed as "father" caught my attention and he too was keen to talk to me. Perhaps, we have this innate biological connection of being from the same state. The short while conversation was sufficient to be more brotherly-friendly as he and I agreed to meet up for more fellowship. Later he did attempt to meet me twice but in both cases I was busy. Somehow I was invited to attend an annual function in his campus where he is the "father" in charge, an official and religious position and responsibility. The following day he invited us for dinner and also for sharing the word of God with his Bible students, staffs and serving ones. As we visited his campus, he led us straight to the chapel and the Lord burdned me to share the word on loving the Lord with personal testimony. After dinner, I had more fellowship on the ground of oneness and the practice of the church life. Just before we left, I gifted him the New Testament Recovery Version.

Last Lord's day we were invited to minister the word of God at Masihi Mandli(Christian  Church), a pioneer church in the city since 1939 where we ministered on the Christian Life. In the evening we were invited to minister at Doon Bible College Chapel by the Principal where we, three brothers, shared our testimonies of salvation to the theological students and introduced and distributed the ministry books. Later, the Principal hosted a dinner for us.

We also visited all the leading Bible colleges and the main Christian groups and spent considerable time fellowshipping and introducing the ministry books to the Principals and Pastors. One significant experience was the time of fellowship with the Principal of New Theological College who paid heed to whatever we had to introduce. Besides, he showed interest in the ministry literature and said he would consult the librarian and place order later. Once I discovered that he is a PhD and is a  professor of Old Testament Bible, I took no time to introduce the Recovery Version using Exodus 31 on the builder of the Tabernacle with footnotes. He was impressed and nodded in agreement of the profound revelation in the notes. I gave a word to send him the Life-Study of Genesis and Exodus, and encouraged him to purchase and study the Life-Study of the Bible.

My main burden in visiting this city, Doon or Dehradun, is for nothing less than the spreading and ministering of the ministry of the word. My heart is burdened to find out seekers who would stand for the Lord's testimony in Dehradun.

May the Lord gain His testimony in Dehradun.

Mussoorie

My first time to visit this famous Hill station, Mussoorie, well known for its altitude, cold weather, and educational center. Our sole objective of being in this city was for the distribution of the ministry of the word. Not knowing any, we just came with a  burden to meet the Christian leaders and introduce the ministry literature.

The first one we met was a leader of an age old church from the British time. He received us well and offered to introduce more Christian leaders in town. He himself bought a series of the New Believers Series by brother Watchman Nee and received free Rhema literature. The next person we met was a leader of a Methodist Church, who was so open to us and the ministry of the word. As we introduced the ministry literature to him, he immediately decided to get all the Hindi books. As we met him again later, post lunch on his insistence, he opened up furthermore and we fellowshipped at length on various crucial truths of the Bible including, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the economy of God, the Bible itself, a Christian life and the church. He was so interested in the ministry that he purchased all the books we had in our possession, and even ordered for what we did not have. He accepted us as his own brothers in the Lord and was so happy that we met. Deep with, my innate feeling was that this brother has a deep hunger and thirst for the word of God. Perhaps, even as he will enjoy the ministry of the word one day, he might as well take the stand for the Lord's testimony in this city. May the Lord work in Him and gain His testimony in Mussoorie!

This city is thinly populated yet a tourist destination, specially famous for its peak called Landour at 7500 feet above sea level. We hiked the mountain in search of "churches" only to find two of them locked and empty with no one to meet. They were built during the British rule too. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the physical beauty of the landscape surrounding the buildings, an aerial view of the snow clad Himalayas. Though we intend to meet more, even as many Christian leaders as possible, we met one more who was old in age and cold towards anything new. We therefore concluded that the one who welcomed us and paid the price to purchase all the ministry literature was the one reserved by the Lord for His testimony. This city also hosts training for the bureaucrats of the country, and here we are distributing the high peak truth in this city for the benefit of our fellow citizens. 

Mussoorie for Christ and the Church!

Bezalel

Exo. 31:21b  Bezalel  Exo. 35:30;  36:1, 8;  37:1;  38:22;  39:2;  1 Chron. 2:20; 2 Chron. 1:5

Bezalel was a master builder, a leader in God’s building. His name means in the shadow of God, indicating that as a master builder, Bezalel was a man under the shadow of God’s grace (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10a; 2 Cor. 12:9). Uri, the name of Bezalel’s father, means light of Jehovah, and Hur, the name of Bezalel’s grandfather, means free, noble, white (signifying clean and pure). These three names indicate what kind of persons the builders of God’s dwelling place should be.

In serving the Lord, all God’s children are and must be Bezalel. As the name signifies, Bezalel, must be under the shadow of God’s grace. Without being under the Lord's covering grace one cannot go on serving the Lord. For the attack of the enemy is severe against those serving the Lord.

Mathew 16:18 "I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." In the New Testament, we are today's builders of the church. What the Lord prophesied on the building of the church is very significant. He simply did not say that He will build the church, but also that the gates of Hades shall not prevail against the builded church.

Note from the Recovery Version:
Gates of Hades refers to Satan’s authority or power of darkness (Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18), which cannot prevail against the genuine church built by Christ upon this revelation concerning Him as the rock, with stones such as Peter, a transformed human being. This word of the Lord’s indicates also that Satan’s power of darkness will attack the church. Hence, there is spiritual warfare between Satan’s power, which is his kingdom, and the church, which is God’s Kingdom.

Today, as we serve the Lord in whatever way or whichever capacity, the gates of Hades will not be silent, rather, with all the evil forces of darkness it will attack the building work, especially the builders, if possible. And I have been experiencing the same in my service to the Lord.

This time the attack was very fierce before I set out for the recent ministry journey that I am undertaking at the moment. From my family side there was a conscious care for my cousin brother who could not attend to the office works because of his health and past habit. And the concern of my wife in my absence if things did not go well. Besides, the current economic crisis India is embroiled in, due to demonetisation of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes. Though our money is in the banks with our saving accounts but not withdrawable due to cash crunch at all banks and long queues of cashless clients at ATMs. On top of this, an official need to defend and confirm the truth against the false allegation of some unknown writer which was reported to be in printing and the need to stop such false accusations. Literally I was tossed in dilemma for at least a day. At one time, deciding to cancel the literature tour, and at other time, going for it as planned. But finally, after serious prayer and consideration I decided to go ahead as planned, trusting in the Lord's covering grace.

As I went ahead as planned against all odds, the Lord indeed blessed the decision as we have been experiencing now in our ministry literature journey.

Few days ago as I met the Principal of the largest Bible college in town and introduced the ministry of the word to him, I also read the Bible portion from Exodus concerning Bezalel, Uri and Hur and expounded it with spiritual revelation. I myself have been experiencing the same, the need for the covering of the Lord's grace as a serving one.

All serving ones of the Lord are Bezalel and must be under the Lord's covering grace. Otherwise, there is no way to build up the church and no way to go on in our service to the Lord.

Lord, keep me ever in Your covering grace. Amen. 

Greek Finally

Almost three years the Lord has been gracing us to learn Greek, mostly grammar and vocabulary. Since the course began, by the Lord's mercy, I have done my best to attend all the classes and completed all the exercises. Besides studying as much as I could, the Lord graced me to score above 90% except the last exam at 89.5%, which if a question to be adjusted was to be taken into account, my score would be 90% score. In fact, this last exam with the least score was mainly because I was too busy travelling for the distribution of the ministry of the word, I hardly get time to study. But I did my best to find time and did my best. At least once, I got the grace of scoring 100%. Though number is not the deciding factor of how much I have learned, it does speak volume. For scorecard was earned through studies and hardwork.

When my teachers asked each one to comment about the course my comments were:

Online Classes
The faithfulness and burden of the servings ones motivates and encourages me to do my best to get into the lessons and assignments, study the vocabularies, take the quizzes and exams. Though I did not understand much at the first briefing, the studying that followed helped me a lot. 

Generally, I go through the lessons at least five times, both online and using printed books, made my own notes, and did a lot of practices on the tables and vocabularies, mostly memorization. I did not deem myself qualified to take the quizzes or exams until I felt I have thoroughly learned enough, so I put a base number as "minimum five times" going through the whole lessons to qualify me to take the tests.

The questions in each class on crucial point(s) caught my attention on the key points of the lessons. They were very helpful.

Assignments
It helps me in the practical application of what was learned in the lessons. In most of the cases, it was the assignment that made me really understand the lessons, without this would be a mere theory. Some of the assignments were quite lengthy and difficult for a first timer, but it was worth the labor. And the answer keys to the assignments added much to the proper understanding of the lessons. In many cases, I did not get it right, but the answer keys served as a self-help teaching tool. 

Quizzes and Exams
These are the main motivating factors that help me to study hard. I dared not take those until I was 100% sure I had studied enough to be able to answer all the questions.

Comments
To be frank enough, I have nothing to say of what I don't like, I like them all. And I don't know what better ways than these will there be. I had been a student for 20 years till my Master's Degree, and I never studied in this way. If all my classes were this way, I feel I could have done much better in my academic score as a student then.

As serving ones, family man and also holding various responsibilities, the way the Greek classes were conducted, the time duration for the studies, assignments, quizzes and exams were just perfect.

This is no exaggeration, nor "trying to please my teachers", I mean what I said.

I only regret that I might not have met the expectation of my teachers.

Overall, I feel really blessed to be a student of my "Father tongue" and reckon it as God's grace and a dream come true.  My main concern now is "do I really learn it well?" as expected or as I should. Hope I do so...

Lord, have mercy on me and grace me.
Thank you, dear serving ones.

Even after all these years of learning I still feel I am still a naive. Greek is still Greek to me. But when I delved into the word, on the Greek text, I did discover that I did learn something. Praise the Lord for that. But I still feel I should learn more, and be more equipped in my "Father tongue."

There were times I had to study while on a literature tour. Sometimes in the bus, in the train, and at guest house. I have written at least three exams while on a literature tour. To me, time, place and circumstance cannot hinder my heart to learn. Where there is a will, there is always a way. I think I proved it. I hardly miss any class except once when I was in Goa for a distribution tour as I could not get proper internet access, and never missed any assignment or exam. All were done on time, at least at the eleventh hour.

I know not why my teacher thinks I can teach Greek. He surprisingly offered me a role of "staff" after the final exam which I was more than obliged to accept it, not to teach but to learn more. Last week as we had the final class I still feel I am a young learner. Approximately three years of learning is not too long. I felt the same now even after the course as when I first began to learn. Greek is still Greek and I must keep learning. Though I will still be in touch with Greek, at least as a staff, I will ever still be a learner. My attitude is the same as when I began then, and now even as I finished the course. 

Greek finally will still be Greek.