Redeeming the Time

Matthew 25:3-4

For the foolish, when they took their lamps, did not take oil with them; But the prudent took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

In the parable of the ten virgins, the understanding concerning "lamp" and "vessel" has been a great eye opening to me. The "lamp" according to Proverbs 20:27, 

The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all the innermost parts of the inner being, is our human spirit. Whereas, the vessel according to Romans 9:21,

Or does not the potter have authority over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor?, is our human soul. Since all the ten are virgins, they all are believers. As "virgin" believers, we all have oil in our lamps, and we all have the Spirit of God in our human spirit. That's what makes us virgins, believers. But our soul still needs to be transformed and be saturated and permeated with the Spirit from our spirit. This transformed soul filled with the Spirit is the oil in our vessel. 

To have the oil on our lamp is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but to be filled with the Spirit in our spirit needs an exercise and paying of a price to buy the oil. The more price we pay, the more oil we can gain. This paying of the price entails dealing with the world, the flesh, the natural man, and anything other than Christ. Therefore, to have the extra oil in the vessel is a matter of wisdom; we need to be the wise virgin. 

Ephesians 5:15-18

Look therefore carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissoluteness, but be filled in spirit, 

To be wise is to be filled with the oil in the vessel. This also means to redeem the time, every opportunity, to gain Christ. The gaining of Christ is the will of the Lord which is also synonymous to being filled with the Spirit. 

The life lesson I learned from the Lord's speaking in the Body and through the pursuit of the ministry is: Be the wise virgin knowing the will of the Lord, filled with the Spirit, being transformed in the soul, redeeming the time to gain Christ in every opportunity. 

Adieu Nani

But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are sleeping, that you would not grieve even as also the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so also those who have fallen asleep through Jesus, God will bring with Him. Therefore comfort one another with these words.  For God did not appoint us to wrath but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us in order that whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore comfort one another, and build up each one the other, even as you also do. 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14, 18;5:9-11.

Seven years have elapsed since I knew Nani, an elderly sister, who at the age of 86 had gone to be with the Lord. I have been visiting the family as a family-friend whenever I am in town on the Lord's day evening for fellowship on the word and prayer. My first meeting was with her son-in-law who is an architect when I was on the hunt for one such for a project in Gurgaon. On my very first meeting to the family I proposed for a weekly meeting which they readily agreed as they love the Lord too. Since then our relationship get sweeter and sweeter. 

Few months ago she got hospitalised and was placed in the ICU. When I visited her, on her sick bed, she recognised me despite her critical situation. She motioned her hand to get close by to her. As I did so, she held my right hand, requested me to place it over her forehead and emphatically said, "Brother, please pray..." I did so, and prayed for her that if it be of the Lord she be healed; let the will of the Lord be done. Then I left her.

Few weeks later, she was recovered; once I saw her again in the home meeting at her house. That was my last meeting with her. 

Last month when I was on the ministry of the ministry of the word literature journey to Himachal Pradesh, I received an urgent call for prayer at midnight from her daughter conveying her critical condition. I was in Shimla and could not visit her then; I could only pray specifically for her over the phone. Few days later I was informed of her recovery. But I could not meet her again as I was on a busy schedule of traveling, that time was down to the South after the North India trip. The last time I heard about her was when I was in Chennai that she had gone to be with the Lord. 

The day I came back to Gurgaon from my South India trip, was the day a "Memorial Thanksgiving Service" was conducted on her behalf. Her daughter requested me to share something which I readily agreed. In the meeting, I testified of the time we used to spend together weekly, fellowshipping on the word of God and prayer; of how she would quietly sit at the corner of the room, sang along in our hymn singing, and listen to the word of God.

Since the crowd at the memorial meeting was a mixed crowd, I shared the word in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14, 18;5:9-11. The word of God itself is life and therefore, a couple who is a family friend opened up for more talk on Jesus Christ. Besides, two other Christian couples also opened up for a future visit. These were the further contacts after her memorial service.

Nani is no more. But the fruits of her womb; her daughter, grandchildren and family friends will be followed up for fellowship and shepherding. Her love for Christ and the word is the sweetest remembrance I have of her. And as the Lord graces, the people I came to contact with on her memorial service day will definitely be followed up for the gospel and also for shepherding.

Adieu Nani for now...We will still continue the fellowship and prayer with your loved ones who had left behind. 

Literature Journey to the South

A brother's fellowship on his burden to open a ministry bookstore as an outlet for the ministry of the word, and that he has willingly offered a shop space with all the needed furniture with a brother to look after, had initiated the need for my visit. On further prayer and fellowship, we felt good to visit the site, besides visiting our home offices and serving ones in Kerala. 

In Trivandrum office, I spent time with the brother coordinating for the distribution, and with the Recovery Version Bible translation team. I had a first hand experience of how the literature service was going on and what the spiritual atmosphere of the church was. I am glad that the Lord has been gaining ground in the church in Trivandrum, He is blessing the saints as they are being blended into one accord commanding the Lord's blessing, even if resulting in the increase of numbers in the church. 

In Vellarada, we had an on-site view of the store provided for the ministry bookstore, a first hand fellowship with the brothers who would be directly responsible for the store, and other practical and legal matters. 

Near Marthandam, in a remote village, we visited a full time serving brother's family and enjoyed a fellowship over lovefeast dinner. 

In Cochi, we had a time of fellowship on Malayalam translation and distribution at our office there. A serving brother and his wife has been faithfully serving for over thirty years. I deeply honor and respect such a faithful servant of the Lord, who despite traversing various trails has been going on day by day. I pray that the Lord would extend his days on the earth that he could be a blessing to the literature service, to the churches, and the saints, and even perfect the young ones for him to pass the mantle on. 

In a short while fellowship with all the serving ones there, I fellowshipped on the matter of our being useful to God, wherever and whatever we serve. How useful we are depends on how much anointing we have. How much anointing we have depends on how much we gain Christ, redeeming the time and knowing the will of the Lord. How much we gain Christ also depends on how much Christ has been wrought into us through various trials and tribulations through the cross. The cross is every where; the Lord placed them in our lives and circumstances for us to gain Christ. We better be wise, redeem the time to gain Christ and be useful vessel to the Lord. 

In the evening we had dinner and prayer and departed for home back to Gurgaon. 

Though this was never planned by me nor anyone beforehand, the Lord planned it in time for the good of the literature service in India. I am just an open vessel for the Lord to move freely and do whatever He pleases for the carrying out of His economy through the literature service in India. 

May God bless India by blessing the saints and the churches and all the services in the Body of Christ. Amen.

Christ is Victor!

But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Christ is the Victor! Indeed He is, against all the outward attacks of the enemy. Much more, He is the Victor, even inwardly within our natural self and within the church. Many testimonies have been told of the victory of Christ against all odds in a Christian life, especially, those against persecutions, temptations, trials, and tribulations. Well, Christ is the Victor in all these. And much more, He is the Victor in the internal attack of the enemy who attempts to divide the church by sowing seeds of division among the brethren. 

It was within the past few days of my visit to Chennai and Cochi that I could experience the inward victory of the Lord within me. This visit exposed me to certain speaking of factual incidents interpreted in a negative way. It was more like a point by point rebuttal of the brothers who spoke from their viewpoints and understanding of things according to the light they have. Well, facts can be viewed from different angles and can have ambiguous interpretations. But one thing is sure: God is sovereign, and He is still on the throne; Christ is the Lord and the Victor, and He is still and ever will be the Head of the Body, the church. The fact that things are what they are today is a proof that Christ is still the Victor over all of the past incidents, however negative they may seem to be. Nothing happens under the sun without the knowledge of the Lord. If it did happen, He allowed it for a reason known to Him best,  and revealed to us in time. 

In one city, I was briefed again of the "mistakes" committed by so and so brother with factual proofs. I was not perturbed. Because I was very clear in my spirit that the Lord is the Victor and that He has clearly allowed things to clear the mess among certain brothers so that He can go on further without any hindrance. The seed of dissension indeed were sown subtly by the enemy among some brothers using circumstances, but the outcome of those circumstances as proven today are all for good. If such "negative" incidents did not happen, the Lord's move in India today would not have been much clearer, smoother, and more intensified, with many younger saints being raised up to cooperate with the Lord in His move today. As for me, I simply worship the Lord for His sovereignty over all, past and present.

In the church in Jerusalem as seen in the book of Acts, there was a great persecution, but the Lord allowed it for the spread of the gospel throughout the whole inhabited earth. It would be a folly to blame the persecution in Jerusalem, for the Lord allowed such for a better purpose. So also is with the situation here. 

Another brother too, briefed me over the situations he has been undergoing painfully in a secret way, as he perceived it. Though with some bitter feeling he expressed with much grief within, I am very clear that the Lord is the Lord and He is very good at doing what He intend to do. He is the Lord and will never transfer His lordship to other. All the circumstances narrated to me were history and they were facts, no doubt, but we need the eyes of the Lord to see His hands that moves behind the scene. To me, it is again, Christ is Victor!   

Though I had the grace to listen to all that they had to say, I filtered them all within and would not allow any negative seed to remain in me, much less, be sown into me. After all the patient hearing, I inwardly declared, "Christ is Victor!" 

If those incidents did not happen I would have a question on what the Lord’s testimony in India would be today, where and what I would be doing today. Sometimes, there has to be judging and firing, death and burial, of everything natural for the Lord to have a fresh and new beginning. What He did in the churches in Asia minor in the early church history, He is doing it today afresh for the recovery of the saints and the churches for the building up of His Body. 

In fact, one Lord's day, after hearing and filtering what were heard, I declared from deep within that "Chair is Victor!" Sovereignly, a brother chose a hymn on the same banner, Hymn 124. We all sang this will with a real feeling of triumph and joy. 

Praise of the Lord - His Victory1Praise Him! Praise Him! Christ is Victor!He has won the victory!Sin is judged, old Adam finished,Full redemption now we see!Vanquished all the evil powersThru the Cross triumphantly!2Praise Him! Christ is resurrected!God hath raised Him from the dead!All the pow'r of death is swallowed,Man from death to life is led!Broken through are hell and darknessAnd His pow'r exhibited!3Praise Him! Christ hath now ascended!God hath raised Him to the throne!Far above all rule and power,He the highest Name doth own!All authority receivingTill His foe is overthrown!4Hallelujah, Christ the VictorTriumphed on Mt. Calvary!Hallelujah, resurrected,He displays His victory!Hallelujah, now ascended,He shall reign eternally!Author: *Composer: Henry Thomas Smart (1813-1879)

Whatever the enemy did, and is doing today, and perhaps, will still try to do, will all end up in the manifestation of the multifarious wisdom of God. Christ is Victor! Jesus is Lord! 

Shepherding Sheep

Not to boast, but declaring the fact, that my spiritual son, a brother in the Lord, to whom I preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and baptised over a dozen years ago has been established as a family man: he got a managerial job, married a doctor sister, and now expecting to become a father. It was a joy indeed to meet him again, this time the first time meeting after his marriage. We were joyful and thrilled. 

For hours I fellowshipped with him about what the Lord has been gracing and blessing me in the service of the Lord, that too, I testified at his request as an encouraging shepherding. They invited me for dinner and we enjoyed a lovely meal together. 

As the Lord led, I ministered God's economy as revealed in Ephesians 1:4-5 linking with other relevant verses and the need to be consecrated as a burnt offering to live a Christian life for the church life. I also showed them the way of the church life and their need for such, I even encouraged them to start a home meeting in their home besides attending the Lord’s Table Meeting and other meetings of the church. They both agreed readily and decided that they would, from this coming week. May the Lord grace them to leave the fold and enter into the flock of God. 

The visit, to my assessment is a visit for shepherding and recovery. Many hidden and unknown feelings before the meeting were all removed and resolved in just one meeting. I value and treasure the worth of a simple brotherly shepherding visit. This is how the Lord visits His chosen ones, including my self. 

Face to face visit can never be replaced by whatever latest technology the world offers today. I did try many a times using phone calls, texting and messaging, and email, but nothing is as effective as a face to face meeting. As far as practicality allows, shepherding by home visit is the best. 

This reminds me of the feeling of a father and mother in raising their children to successful career and manhood. So much the more, in spiritual matter too. What a joy indeed to see our sheep grow and be preserved in and among the flock of God!

This reminds me of the Lord’s heart for His sheep, and His charge to the disciple in the matter of shearling if there is indeed a genuine love for the Lord. 

Love, I love You, and I love Your sheep. Make me a good Shepherd like You. 

John 21:15-17

Then when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My lambs. He said to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Shepherd My sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Peter was grieved that He said to him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. 

Surprise Meet

Formally, with an invitation card, and informally, with word of mouth, I was invited to attend a wedding meeting of a brother's daughter. I have been maintaining a good relationship in Christ with this family since I first knew them when I was a student, the father of the family was my teacher. Our teacher-student relationship gradually developed into a brother in Christ. I did grace the wedding meeting with my presence and prayed that they both would grow up to love the Lord for the Lord's testimony. 

What surprised me was the meeting with a group of teachers who were my teachers more than a decade and half ago, and a class mate too. We were all surprised! To me it was all for good, and it rejuvenated my relationship with my ex-teachers afresh. I only wish that I can freely address them as brothers and sisters as freely as I do so with the teacher whose daughter's wedding turned out to be our surprise meet. 

The photoshots we took were later posted on our classmate WhatsApp group, again to the suprise of all. These are the group of people I used to pray for, and I was reminded again to continue to pray for the welfare of all; the saved ones for growth and maturity, and the unsaved ones for their salvation. 

That college in that department of Computer Science at that year was perfectly timed for me by the God of heavens. It was there that I was shepherded into the way of the Lord, into the church life, and into the way of serving the Lord full time. To meet again, and be reminisced of those golden days was indeed a pleasant surprise.  

God bless all my teachers and all my classmates then, and may they now be, as my prayer has been, my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I only wish and pray that all be saved before it's too late. 

Awaiting another surprise meet in eternity... 

The Way

Matthew 22:16And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that You are true and that You teach the way of God in truth and do not fear anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.  

John 14:6Jesus said to him, I am the way and the reality and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. 

Acts 9:2And asked for letters from him to Damascus for the synagogues, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 

Jesus taught the way of God, He Himself is the way, and the believers followed Him in the way. The way is the way ordained by God. Many have believed into the Lord for many years, but how many have followed Him in the way? If all did and does, the Body of Christ would have been builded up by now. Since the case at present is not, the way has not be followed as it should. Therefore, the need for Christians to take the way of God, and the way of the Lord. 

The way is definitely the way of feeding, eating and drinking the Lord every day; being renewed and revived every morning; preaching the gospel and saving sinners; shepherding the new ones for growth unto maturity; and perfecting the saints for the building up of the Body of Christ. This truth is doctrinally known to many, but is it a reality to all as well? The current state of the believers proves otherwise. Therefore, there is an urgent need for some to diligently and faithfully take this way. And I must be one of such. Lord, have mercy on me. 

Besides all these practices, there are some minute and finite adjustments in the way we carry out our shepherding and prophesying meetings week by week. A brother helped us to see that many times because of our improper and immature practices, the functions of the saints and new ones are limited, if not, annulled. To rectify such "malpractices" we must take the new way. The new way, in this context, is a practice in which all saints, especially, the serving ones exercise in having a home meeting within fifteen minutes, and prophesying within three minutes. All speaking or shepherding must be well prepared, in spirit, to the point. We did have some testings and and exercises and were all exposed in our old way of taking the new way. We must take the new way in the new way. For such there is a need for a concrete, definite, and absolute consecration-an upper room consecration. 

An upper room consecration comes with a costly price. Contextually, it is a risking of one's life for the heavenly vision, of cutting natural connection with relatives and friends who may not be on the way, of dropping the old way to take the new way for the building up of the Body of Christ. 

This is the timely speaking of the Lord. I and the brothers coordinating in the church must learn to take this new way. Perhaps, for this reason, the Lord sovereignly withholds the blessings? May we all learn our lessons well. 

Lord, grace us to take this new way for You and for Your Body's sake.