Exercising Authority

2 Corinthians 10:8 For even if I should boast somewhat more abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord has given for building you up and not for overthrowing you, I will not be put to shame.
13:10 Therefore I write these things while being absent in order that when present I would not have to use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for overthrowing.

God is the God of love, grace, and mercy; He is also the God of righteousness. Mostly, as children of God, we enjoy His love, grace, and mercy. And very rarely we are ready to face His righteousness. And if we do, we are in fear and trembling before God, if we have a proper heart and attitude towards God. Sooner or later, a believer who has been enjoying God's love, grace, and mercy will also have to face God's righteousness where God exercises His authority.

The same goes for the believers, all of us,  in our day to day living. Be it at home, or school, or office, or in the church, God has His place for authority which is mostly based on His righteousness. I personally love the sweeter side of God's face. His love is wonderful, His grace more, and His mercy much more. When faced with situations I always try the way of love, grace, and mercy first. But certain case needs the exercise of god's authority. Today I was put into such a case, and I need to exercise the authority God bestowed upon me to carry out His works, both in the church and in my official works.

Due to the nation lockdown in India for the 21 days, which was just extended to another two weeks till 3rd May, officially we were not in a position to print HWMR for the saints. We have started a pilot project pioneering with Tamil language to bring the HWMR in eBook format. The brothers who were working on this worked really hard to bring it on time. When all was done and released electronically to be purchased online, the very next day of the release, we received a circulated copy of a pirated version. This was like pouring cold water on a flickering flame that suddenly doused off the dim light. 

Officially, I and my brother with whom I coordinate had no choice but to take action. We fellowshipped and did whatever we were supposed to do within the limit of the authority God has given us. I personally would love to exercise grace and mercy and simply forgive the brother who did it. But I cannot nullify the righteousness of God. Therefore, I personally made a call to the concerned brother directly and spoke to him. He immediately confessed his mistake. I told him not to repeat the mistake ever again, and also asked him to tell all the people to whom he sent the file to delete and purchase the legal version. Besides, we also wrote an official letter to the church elders in the locality where the brother belongs. And the necessary actions were taken. 

Another incident was with the church WhatsApp group. In fellowship, I had written an appeal to all the group members to make use of the church's group for church purposes only. But a particular sister kept violating the appeal. In fact, some saints got so annoyed with her and suggested that I remove her from the group. Yes, I did consider removing her but, decided to give her more grace for her to realize. An appeal was written, a reminder was sent by some group members to her when she violated the norms, and I also sent her a personal message requesting her not to keep forwarding irrelevant messages or posts. Though she replied she would comply, she would still violate what she promised to keep. 

Today morning she posted a piece of political news and a joke. The moment I saw it, deep within me, I had a strong conviction that I needed to exercise the authority the Lord has given me for the shepherding of the church. So I politely reprimanded her in the group and requested her to rather share her experiences and enjoyment of Christ for the spiritual benefit of all the members. Well, the message may seem quite strong, perhaps. But deep within I felt that was what I needed to do as one of the admins. And I felt quite peaceful doing so. Otherwise, I would be like a father leaving the house too open to let children do whatever they want. She did apologize and left the group. What the brothers wanted was actually being done not by me removing her, but by her realizing her fault and leaving it with apologies.

These two experiences became a treasure to me today. I had no intention whatsoever of overthrowing anybody. But with the burden for the learning, benefit, and building up of all the members in the church's group, I did so. The exercise of authority, when needed, is all for the building up. And my heart is all for the building up.

Prophet: True and False

The word prophet has been very misunderstood by Christians today, especially among the charismatic preachers. Some dared to call themselves "Prophet" so and so, and take pride in it. They even dared to advertise themselves with their photos on a large billboard, on news and magazines. But the prophet the Bible reveals are meek, lowly, and humble. Therefore, the study on this subject is important. The message on "CHRIST—THE TRUE PROPHET TYPIFIED BY MOSES" from the Crystallization-study of Deuteronomy has shown me great light.

There are five burdens in that message as follows:

1. What or who a true, or real, prophet is?
2. Moses the prophet, who is a type of Christ the Prophet.
3. Know Christ the Prophet.
4. Paul, the counterpart of Moses, the chief prophet in the New Testament, the one who completed the word of God (Col. 1:25).
5. Know who the false prophets are.

Some key Bible verses are the backbone for the proper understanding of who and what the true prophet is.

Deuteronomy 18:15-19A Prophet will Jehovah your God raise up for you from your midst, from among your brothers, like me; you shall listen to Him. This is according to all that you asked of Jehovah your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear any more of the voice of Jehovah my God, and let me not see this great fire any longer, lest I die. And Jehovah said to me, They have done well in what they have spoken. A Prophet will I raise up for them from the midst of their brothers like you; and I will put My words in His mouth, and He will speak to them all that I command Him. And the man who will not listen to My words which He will speak in My name, I Myself will require it from him.

Acts 3:22-23 Moses said, “A Prophet will the Lord your God raise up unto you from your brothers, like me; Him shall you hear in whatever things He speaks to you. And it shall be that every soul who does not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.”

Acts 7:37 This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, “A Prophet will God raise up unto you from your brothers, like me.” 

Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord Jehovah will not do anything unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. 

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of one’s own interpretation; For no prophecy was ever borne by the will of man, but men spoke from God while being borne by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. 

1 Corinthians 7:10 But to the married I charge, not I but the Lord, A wife must not be separated from her husband 

1 Corinthians 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who has been shown mercy by the Lord to be faithful.

1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is more blessed if she so remains, according to my opinion; but I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one that all may learn and all may be encouraged.  

Having known who the true prophet is, there is also a need to know who the false prophets are.

False Prophets

1. First, the characteristic of the false prophets is that they are actuated by the spirit of deception (1 John 4:6; Jer. 14:14; 23:25; 27:10, 14; Ezek. 13:8); that is, their prophecies are filled primarily with lies.
2. Second, they promise people vain and fleeting prosperity and pleasure (Jer. 6:14; 14:13, 15-16; 23:17, 21; 27:9; 28:16; Ezek. 13:19).
3. Third, they are greedy (Jer. 6:13; Micah 3:11)
4. Fourth, their teachings are somewhat religious on the surface but actually help people to do evil (Jer. 5:31; 23:14, 27, 32; Ezek.  3:22).
5. Fifth, we should discern prophets not by their preaching or the fact that they can perform signs and wonders but by checking the fruit of their work (Matt. 7:16-20).
6. Sixth, false prophets have received some kind of special inspiration to do their work; however, that inspiration is not the Holy Spirit. The source of the words is darkness and deception.
7. Seventh, they are wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing (v. 15).

Therefore, there is a stern warning concerning the false prophets: 

2 John 10 and 11, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not say to him, Rejoice! For he who says to him, Rejoice, shares in his evil works.” This is a very serious warning concerning heretical and false teachers.

The conclusion is, first, we need to regard God’s prophets. Second, we need to live a life of prophesying, a life in the principle of incarnation, that is, a life of oneness with the Lord where both His word and the anointing abide within us. Finally, we also need to beware of the false prophets lest we be led astray.

This learning from the ministry of the word was very helpful to me. I have shared the same to the saints I am fellowshipping with and am shepherding. Praise the Lord for such a healthy word!

Locked-Down But Looked-Up

As the country is on a 21 days lockdown period, many reactions among different kinds of people arise. The poorer section of the society suffers from poverty; jobs were gone, no money, no food, no shelter...Sometimes, what has been going on sounds like, in a bid to save people, people are being killed. To save from an unknown disease, people are dying of known economic disaster. The lockdown is also currently going on in many countries of the world. The earth, for the first time, had her rest from human intervention. Roads were empty, business shut, all men were imprisoned in their homes. Busy buzzing cities turn into ghost towns.  This is perhaps, a wonderful life-time experience. For many who do not know God, they get bored waiting for their release like a caged bird dreaming of being set free one day.

Well, that perhaps is the reality of many, but not for the saints I know of. I have heard of reports globally, and within India in our fellowship that all the saints are just being revived! The lockdown is a knockdown for the soulish and fleshly man, but for the spiritual man, it is a kneel-down time to spend with the Lord in fellowship and in prayer.

The first-hand report I received from the saints in my locality is, the saints are much more revived! During this lockdown period, our church life activity doubled! If not, tripled or more... Not exaggerating, but narrating the fact. I myself, suddenly became very busy, not with official works or family responsibilities, but fellowshipping with the saints online. Daily we have online meetings as the curch, daily I have fellowship with few saints, and almost daily I have group meetings to enjoy with a group of saints. What a blessing in disguise! 

I also heard similar testimonies from the saints in my own locality. The saints are so happy about the lockdown. Of course, positively speaking. They testified that they have never experienced and enjoyed the Lord in this way. Daily from morning till night, morning revival, Bible reading, truths pursuing, church meeting, group meeting,..has been a daily schedule now. As they narrated their testimony to me, I just felt like this is the revival we have been looking for. Not an outward revival of a sudden spur-in-spirit through a revivalist, but a daily moment by moment, one-on-one revival in the spirit! 

The lockdown actually for the saints is a lookup to God. Locked done on earth, yet looked up to heaven. To the saints, this is a glorious time, to the world, it is a gloomy time. To the saints it is a blessing in disguise, to the world it is a curse in dismay. The saints have even wished that the lockdown continues, in a positive sense. God forbid to mean it otherwise. But to the world, they have been waiting for this doomsday to be over soon.

Yes, we are locked down outwardly, but we also looked up to the Lord inwardly and constantly. It may not be wrong to quote this famous verse now in Romans and apply it today:

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers;  

Life Lesson: Preparation

The Lord has been so merciful to me to teach me a very important lesson in life; Preparation. I cannot and must not take things for granted. For any task assigned to me, I must be prepared. I must do my best. In fact, prepare myself with my utmost ability as I trust the Lord. In other words, I must prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Last week I was assigned to take a PSRP session for the church meeting online. The message was simple, loud, and clear. The outline of the message speaks by itself. I have already enjoyed the message during the video training and also attended the PSRP session on the same message already. I am not a new one in the ministry. Somewhere, deep within, there was complacency and an attitude of "I know, don't worry. Everything will b e alright." This was my condition and therefore I did not do my homework well.

When I took the PSRP, though I spoke all the right words according to the ministry of the word, for they are being constituted in me already. But deep within, though the words I uttered were correct and right, there was a deep feeling of spiritual deficiency in the presentation. The saints still all said amen to all that I said. But there was no amen within my spirit. The saints may or may not notice the blunder I committed, but deep within me, it was too obvious. I went into nervous mode as I presented with sweats all over. The message was presented, the burden of the message released, and the job was done. But I was not yet done. The Spirit convicted me so deeply that the following week I was into a self-condemnation mode and kept telling myself, "I should have prepared well enough." I went before the Lord and confessed my improper attitude towards presenting the truth. I unconsciously rely upon my years of constitution of the truth. Well, that's good! But I must also labor on the word and not merely depend upon what I already have. That was a very important lesson for me.

This week, the Lord in His sovereignty gave me another chance to take the PSRP session for the church again. I did not choose it but was assigned by the brothers in the brothers' fellowship. I simply amen the Lord's second chance given to me. This time I learned my lessons and took the matter seriously. I prepared myself well with prayer and getting into the message and Bible verses. I did not rely upon my constitution only but on the Lord's anointing and His fresh utterance so that the saints can receive life-supply.

Today, I presented another message well, this time well-prepared; with notes, and prayer and the word. The Lord came in and blessed the PSRP session. It was so sweet and so enjoyable. I can tell this from my being, the release of the Spirit and the ministry of the word as life-supply to the saints. After the presentation, deep within I felt quite thankful to the Lord. Yes, for the session, but much more for His anointing and speaking, and teaching me a very important lesson in life; preparation.

In a similar manner, I must prepare myself to meet the Lord. I cannot take for granted my years of Christian life and church life in the Lord's recovery. Yes, the Lord blessed me with a wonderful Christian life and church-life with the rich ministry of the word. But I must also prepare my whole being to be an overcomer to meet the Lord as His built-up and prepared bride.

Praise the Lord for the lesson of life-PREPARE.

Amos 4:12   Therefore this is what I will do to you, O Israel; And because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

Marriage Fellowship

Never do I reckon myself as one who can fellowship with others on their marital issues. Nevertheless, the Lord in His sovereignty sent some married couples to me for fellowship. I dared not give any "advice" or "counseling" as such, for I know my limitation as I myself am still learning. The Lord has been gracious in my marriage life. He has been blending and building me with my wife. In spiritual matters we both have always been one; that is one of the secrets and blessings of our marriage life. The Lord has blessed me with the sister He deems best; and she is my wife, my friend, my coworker, my lover, my companion, my vital partner, my beloved, my helper, my counterpart, and the list goes on...

Some brothers and sisters now and then came for personal fellowship on their marriage issue. I know too well that the solution to all the problems is Christ and Him crucified only. Teachings on marriage in an ethical or moral relationship are also not the solution. And I in myself can offer no alternative solution other than Christ. Therefore, I always led whoever came to fellowship with me on their marital issue to Christ and prayed with them and also prayed for them.

Recently, two families came to fellowship with me on a very serious note. The two of them have similar issues. They both have been through a very complicated marriage life and even contemplated divorce and utter dislike on certain character traits of their wives. It involves in-laws' relationship, finance, and health as well. I patiently listened to all what the husbands have to say about their wives. Of course, they also confessed the mistakes done from their part. Listening to such a fellowship, my spirit was so stirred up to lead the brothers into their spirits. The soul will reason, analyze, compare, contrast, debate, and will finally be ended up in self-justification but with death. Yes, right in all matters but death. Oftentimes, whoever spoke concluded the matter as though he was right, of course, in his opinion. 

To one brother, I asked him to kneel down wherever he was, with the phone call still on. I also knelt down, and we prayed together. First, asking the Lord for forgiveness for all the wrongs and sins committed. Then, for the Lord to come into the marital life; especially in their love for the Lord and love for one another, in their oneness with the Lord and oneness with one another. The brother confessed that that was the first time he knelt down to pray. After that fellowship, he learned his spiritual lesson too. I have the faith that the family has already been recovered.

To the other brother too, I encourage him and his wife to pray together every day, even to kneel down and pray, not as religious piety but as one who is simple, sincere, and seeking the Lord desperately in their marital issues. 

In fact, I and my wife have started a weekly fellowship with the couples separately. The fellowship included prayer and pursuit of the truth. The Lord taught me this simple and serious lesson of bringing the husbands and wives together to pray and pursue the truths of the Bible together. In this way, I don't have to speak that much nor give my "advice/counseling," the ministry of the word speak for and by itself. I simply echoed the word of God, and that really became the antidote for marital related diseases. 

Praise the Lord for He taught me this way! So far, this is the best way I have found. If the Lord leads me further for something else, that's up to Him. Having said this, I am also nurturing my own married life, daily looking to the Lord for all the minute detail in my family life. Taking Christ as my Head and fellowshipping, blending, and building up with my dear wive is the way I have found to be full of blessing.

Lord, bless the families of the saints to be and bear Your glorious testimony!

Virtual and Physical Meeting

During these days of Coronavirus lockdown, many Christians were struggling to reconcile between physically meeting at a meeting place or using the online means to still continue to meet. As far as I am aware of the truth in the Bible I offered my understanding of the word to the fellow brothers who had a doubt and asked for clarification. I offered my reply as such:

Not abandoning our assembly together

Hebrews 10:24-25And let us consider one another so as to incite one another to love and good works, Not abandoning our own assembling together, as the custom with some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more as you see the day drawing near.

Yet we are subject to God's appointed authority.

Romans 13:1-5Let every person be subject to the authorities over him, for there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are ordained by God. So then he who resists the authority opposes God’s ordination, and those who oppose will receive judgment to themselves. For the rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you want to have no fear of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from him; For he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, fear; he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience.

At present, we, in the church in Gurugram as with all the local churches globally wherever the lockdown or meeting restriction is being imposed because of the current global pandemic, NOT BECAUSE OF PERSECUTION FOR OUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, we meet and fellowship virtually online via Skype or Zoom or any online means possible to still NOT ABANDON OUR ASSEMBLING TOGETHER YET STILL SUBJECT TO AUTHORITY.

By the way, the church, in Greek, ekklesia, means an out-calling. This word is used in reference to a called-out congregation. The genuine believers are called out of the world to belong to Christ. As far as practicality allows we must assemble together physically, even otherwise, we must still assemble together using online means, for fellowship, prayer and for the word of God.

May the Lord be our wisdom to carry on and live out our Christian life no matter what the outward circumstances may be.

To my above reply another brother asked, if we can consider virtual meeting as that of physical meeitng, my reply is as below:

Worship God in Spirit

Our meeting for fellowship, prayer, the ministry of the word of God, etc., whether physically or virtually, MUST BE IN SPIRIT AND TRUTHFULNESS FOR THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Ephesians 4:12

For the perfecting of the saints unto the work of the ministry, unto the building up of the Body of Christ.

John 4:21-24

Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is of the Jews. But an hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truthfulness, for the Father also seeks such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truthfulness.

The best is to meet together physically in Spirit if practicality allows, at a designated meeting hall or house to house. 

Acts 2:46And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with exultation and simplicity of heart.
Acts 2:42And they continued steadfastly in the teaching and the fellowship of the apostles, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.

That said, once we can meet physically, the virtual meeting should NOT substitute our physical assembling together. This is just for the time being according to the ongoing situation. Come what may, may we all continue our fellowship, prayer, ministry of the word,...steadfastly.

Having offered my understanding of the word, I must also continue to meet with the saints in whatever way possible. The Christian life is a congregating or flocking together life. How long the lockdown will go on, I have no idea. No matter what, my enjoyment of my Chrisitan life and church-life should go on and on...

Online Church Life

Hebrews 10:24, 25 

And let us consider one another so as to incite one another to love and good works, Not abandoning our own assembling together, as the custom with some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more as you see the day drawing near.

The nation has been in lockdown for a period of 21 days and extendable if needed. During this period we were requested to "stay home, stay safe." Only for the essential need, there is an exception. As the children of God and law-abiding citizens, we would submit ourselves to authority set up by God. Yet at the same time, we cannot sacrifice our Christian life and church life at any cost. Therefore, we made use of the technology at our disposal.

Now our church life has been fully online. With this trend, we become more busy engaging ourselves with one another online for fellowship, prayer, and truth pursuing. All those who used to be very busy with their works are now completely free at home. This is a good opportunity to shepherd them. That is exactly what as the church we have been doing, seizing the opportunity to shepherd the flock of God.

My time has much more been occupied in fellowship and prayer with a good number of brothers on a daily basis these days. The saints who were dormant for quite some time got revived and recovered. Now I have to consider how much I can really shepherd as I am limited too. Though in the world all busy activities were halted, yet within our home, we have been busier on virtual online church life. It turns out that the Lord is doing His revival works among many brothers and sisters. 

The outward Coronavirus, unseen and unknown, has been creating a global disaster, yet inwardly, the spirits of the believers have been intensely exercised and are turning to the Lord. I believe, many unbelievers would definitely and desperately be crying out for help to their unknown gods and goddesses. Medical science, money might, social status, human wisdom, and whatever, name it, are all falling flat before an invisible mysterious virus. I pray for the stoppage of this virus spread, at the same time, more desperately I pray for the salvation of my countrymen in particular and the people of the world in general. God definitely does not want men to perish in their sins, He wants men to be saved and come to the full knowledge of the truth.

This is good and acceptable in the sight of our Savior God, Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3,4 

That their hearts would be softened and that they would seek for the true and living God and find God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, in the church in Gurugram, we even started a DAILY ONLINE MEETING over Skype and many small groups online fellowship and prayer. This is perhaps, the good thing about this global pandemic. As I look at the statistic of the church, I could see a gradual increase in the number of saints meeting and functioning in the church life. Our goal as the church is to have two districts by June 2020 and a hundred regular saints by end of 2020. The Lord has been leading us to achieve this goal even in the first quarter of the year. Now we are meeting in three districts and the number of saints in the church life is heading for a hundred mark. 

Come what may, the Lord has been very gracious to lead us through and through. Now our church life has been intensely on "let us consider one another so as to incite one another to love and good works, not abandoning our own assembling together."

Praise the Lord for the church life!