Freedom in Christ

Today morning, the Lord spoke to me from Bible verses concerning freedom in Christ by walking according to the Spirit. In fact, last night as one of my school classmates invited us for fellowship over dinner, we had a time of testifying and sharing the word of God. Nine brothers and sisters visited my classmate at her residence in Aizawl. She has been serving as the Second-in-Command of the 1st Bn., Mizoram Armed Police. Out of her burden and love towards the Lord she has been witnessing, counselling, and helping her colleagues to bring them closer to the Lord. She, along with other officers, also are taking care of some of their soldiers tp come out of addiction. They recently concluded a "Camping" for those who needed deliverance from drugs and alcohols and invited us to witness at the follow-up meeting of those who attended the camp.

The Lord gave the burden and the words that I should share in the said meeting today afternoon. As we were introduced, I was requested to share my testimony of salvation which I readily obliged. Therefore, I first shared my testimony of salvation and released the burden the Lord gave me on Freedom in Christ by Walking according to the Spirit. 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not be entangled with a yoke of slavery again.” (Galatians 5:1, RecVer)

“For you were called for freedom, brothers; only do not turn this freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13, RecVer)

“But I say, Walk by the Spirit and you shall by no means fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, RecVer)

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25, RecVer)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32, RecVer)

“If therefore the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36, RecVer)

“14. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am fleshy, sold under sin. 15. For what I work out, I do not acknowledge; for what I will, this I do not practice; but what I hate, this I do. 16. But if what I do not will, this I do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17. Now then it is no longer I that work it out but sin that dwells in me. 18. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but to work out the good is not. 19. For I do not do the good which I will; but the evil which I do not will, this I practice. 20. But if what I do not will, this I do, it is no longer I that work it out but sin that dwells in me. 21. I find then the law with me who wills to do the good, that is, the evil is present with me.” (Romans 7:14-21, RecVer) 

“23. But I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members. 24. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?

25. Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin. 

There is now then no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. 2. For the law of the Spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 7:23-8:2, RecVer)

“7. But the profane and old-womanish myths refuse, and exercise yourself unto godliness. 8. For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the present life and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8, RecVer)

I enjoyed the Lord's instant supply of His word as I ministered the word of God. The Lord graced me to testify to the congregation of the secret of living an overcoming life by living and walking according to the Spirit. The main burden is deliverance from all kinds of bondages by turning to the Lord who is in our spirit, and a warning not to try to overcome the flesh by the flesh. Only Jesus Christ is the Overcomer and by being only in Him can we be overcomers too. A simple way to turn to the Lord is by calling upon the Lord's victorious and mighty Name. I myself enjoyed the rich supply of life as I ministered the word of God. I do believe the seed of the word of God has been sown into the listeners and it will bear forth fruits one day.

After the meeting, we still had some time of fellowship with the Commandant where we introduced the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version and explained the significance of Christian literature as a study aid to help the believers enjoy and understand the word of God. Then, we exchanged our phone numbers  for further communication, had a photo shoot, and bid adieu. 

Only by being in Christ the Victor, we can enjoy the freedom in Christ by living and walking according to the Spirit. 

Lord, make be an overcomer!

Tears of Joy

A brother who loves the Lord saw a TV ads scroll about the release and introduction of the New Testament Recovery Version in Mizo. He enquired about the meeting and He attended the meeting which exactly began at 1:00 pm and ended exactly at 3:30 pm as per the schedule on 8th September. He was so much impressed by the way the saints coordinated for the entire meeting. As he ate his snacks after the meeting, one of our brothers met and fellowshipped with him which led to our visiting yesterday and today.

Yesterday, we met for the first time at his house and introduced the ministry literature. He and his wife testified that they love the Lord and have so much been blessed by the ministry of Br. Watchman Nee since he first read The Normal Christian Life. He had also received the ministry books at his office in 2011 when a brother introduced and sold the ministry books in Mizo. Out of hunger and thirst he purchased about 70 different versions of the Bible. His wife too loves the ministry books by Watchman Nee so much. She had been seeking for two books The Glorious Church and The Orthodoxy of the Church. One day she went to a Baptist Book House and came across a booklet, Treasure in the Earthen Vessel by Watchman Nee which she read over and over again to the extent of memorizing the entire content of the booklet.

To such a family, we felt best to start a Bible reading meeting which we did today. The family had invited two other brothers to join the Bible study session. We read the Gospel of Matthew 1 with selected footnotes. After reading certain sections, we gave further explanation which they appreciated so much. Verse by verse and note by note, we read and dwelt on crucial points. They all enjoyed the riches of the ministry of the word so much. In this way, all Christians can function and study the word of God in a better way by themselves in groups and in mutuality.

One of them way physically blind. His testimony was amazing. He testified that the day he became physically blind, his inward spiritual eyes were opened. All the Bible verses he memorized in his childhood and youth became clear to him after he was physically blind. He grasped all the points we read from the Bible verses and footnotes. As he testified of his enjoyment of the ministry of the word, he was overwhelmed with joy that he even shed his tears of joy. He could not control his tears as he testified of his thankfulness to the Lord for revealing the deep and hidden truth of the Bible. 

The Bible is interpreted by the Bible. The footnotes in the Recovery Version is a collection of interpretations and revelations of the Bible verses using many other Bible verses. Therefore, this is reckoned as one of the best study aid to understand the word of God better as it unveils the unsearchable riches of Christ.

The understanding and the enjoyment of this truth bring tears of joy to those understood the real significance of the Recover Version. Today, I have witnessed with my own eyes, tears of joy as a result of enjoying the riches of the word of God.

May the Lord open the eyes of all the readers of the Bible to see and understand the word of God as it should be understood. And may the enjoyment of the understood word of God brings tears of joy to the readers of the word.

Co-working with Christ for the Mizos

Fifteen years ago in 2007, the Lord led me to this city Aizawl with a brother on my second visit and met with a group of believers called TMEF (Truth Mission Evangelical Fellowship) at their head office. Today, along with four other brothers I came to visit the same group again at their new office in Aizawl. In the first visit to this group, the leading brother led me us to a brother who has been the key brother who now has been taking the stand for the church in Aizawl. Today, we met with the President and explained to him the many features of the Recovery Version in Mizo. In the first meeting, the local church in Aizawl was recovered, and in today's meeting the door was opened for the spread of the ministry of the word to all the 10,000 plus seekers who loves to study the word of God. The two visits are for the move of God in His economy through the literature service. It was a joy indeed to witness how the Lord has been moving in and through us for the recovery of His testimony and heart's desire among the Mizos.

I remember, in our first meeting we were asked what we thought about smoking, by the senior Pastor with a coat suit sitting on his office table with a Bible in his hand and a cigarette on the other hand. I still remember, how the Lord strongly anointed me and gave me the timely and apt reply to his tricky question. If I were to say smoking was wrong I had no Bible verse to support my answer as smoking itself was never mentioned in the Bible. Yet if I were to answer in the affirmative, my conscience would bother me, for I knew that smoking was not commendable to the believers. At that juncture, the Lord gave me the word in John 14:26

But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and remind you of all the things which I have said to you.

I explained further that, today the Lord Jesus Christ as the Comforter is the Holy Spirit who dwells in our spirit. As Christians, if we live by His life, we will know whether smoking is right or wrong. This answer convicted him to the uttermost that his countenance changed at that very moment. Then, he changed his mind and said he knew whom we were looking for. Therefore, he led us to the key brother who has been standing for the Lord's testimony. I believe, our meeting today fifteen years after, will yet be another milestone for the Lord's further recovery of His testimony in Mizoram among the Mizos.

Fifteen years ago in 2007, the Lord led me to meet the key translator of Mizo for the ministry books by Watchman Nee. Today, we came to meet him again and alas, he has been suffering with cancer in his stomach. Nonetheless, his heart for the ministry books was still fresh. Though he could no longer translate, he blessed us that we can continue to translate the riches of the ministry into Mizo. He was so happy that the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version could be released and made available to all God's children speaking Mizo. This too, as usual, he gifted us all with a Mizo traditional shawl each. In a return gift, I felt it strongly that we gifted him a copy of the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version which we did with our signatures on it. 

I am filled with awesome wonder how the Lord has been moving in and through us as the Treasure in our earthen vessel. May the Lord continue to carry on His move among the Mizos in Mizoram and all over.

What a privilege and what a blessing that I could participate in His move, co-working with Christ in His earthy ministry! 

Lord, continue to bless the Mizos with the healthy teaching that they all come to the full knowledge of the truth, a further progress from being saved merely. Amen!

Mizo New Testament Recovery Version

Today, the 8th of September 2022, the New Testament Recovery Version Bible in Mizo was released and introduced at Aizawl. This truly indeed is prayers answered of the Body, by the Body, and for the Body. The Lord has been faithfully leading us from the very beginning of learning Greek to the day it was released and made available for the children of God speaking Mizo language. The chronology of the Recovery Version translation is as below:

• Greek Learning: 6th February 2014 to 16th November 2016
• Translation Fellowship and Training: 9-12 Jan 2017
• Mizo Recovery Version New Testament Translation: 13 Jan 2017
• Completion of Translation: 23 Oct 2020
• Final Proofreading Completed: 5 Feb 2022 
• Mizo New Testament Recovery Version is Available Now!: 8 September 2022

The Lord has been gracing me to be able to participate in all the steps of making the translated Mizo Recovery Version available. I have also been graced to design all the materials needed for the release and introduction of this version. I have had the privilege of designing the invitation card, letter, banner and schedule. In fellowship in the Body, many of these designs have been refined.

The coordination from the saints in the church in Aizawl was marvelous. I only designed the materials and sent to the brothers in Aizawl. They had thorough fellowship and made the  meeting fruitful by carrying out all the practical services.  I only amened whatever the brothers felt best and did whatever I was requested to do. The result is that we could witness the blessing of the Lord in one accord. I do believe, henceforth, the Lord's move would be intensified among the Mizo speaking brothers and sisters with the availability of the New Testament Recovery Version in Mizo.

In my sharing of the introductory word for the publisher LSM, as a serving one in Amana Literature, I shared the need for the Recovery Version in addition to the already existing Mizo translation. Two Bible verses that I shared are in relation to the burden of the literature service are:

Who then is the faithful and prudent slave, whom the master has set over his household to give them food at the proper time? Mt 24:45

Philip…said, Do you really know the things that you are reading? And he (an Ethiopian eunuch) said, How could I unless someone guides me? Acts 8: 30, 31

As faithful and prudent slaves, we serve to give spiritual food to all the children of God at the proper time. The food we serve also function as a study aid to help believers understand the word of God.

As I was fellowshipping with the local brothers and sisters in Aizawl, I realized how much the Lord loves us and the people of Mizo, and gave His accurately translated and properly interpreted study Bible. I believe this is for the bringing of the people of Mizo into salvation and into the full knowledge of the truth. I also witnessed the Lord's blessing upon all that we did in fellowship. Praise the Lord!

Lord, bless the distribution and the reading of the Mizo New Testament Recovery Version! Amen and amen!

Speak God’s Word

Today morning the Lord spoke to me about speaking His word boldly by being filled with the Holy Spirit. In fact, today is also the day I was invited to speak God's word in a brother's wedding meeting. Though I had the Bible verses that I am burdened to speak on, the Lord gave me a fresh word to speak today in my time with Him today morning.

“And when they had so besought, the place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31, RecVer)

The Lord’s word gave me such boldness that I could exercise to minister the word boldly in a brother's wedding. I am also very aware of the fact that the crowd in the wedding meeting is a mixed crowd of believers and unbelievers, and even among the believers, from various denominations. Therefore, the Lord gave me what to speak to meet the need of all the audience.

As I prepared for the message, the Lord gave me the key burden to release: What is the meaning of life? And to answer this question, there are eight crucial truths which I expounded point by point. Who is God? Who is man? Who is Satan? Who is Jesus Christ? What is the church? Who are the overcomers? What is the millennium kingdom? And what is the New Jerusalem?

By answering these eight questions, I answered the main question on what is the meaning of human life. Then, I shared a few words about loving the Lord Jesus Christ first in our married life and exercising to be one with the Lord and with one another in every aspect of our Christian married life so as to live a normal Christian life.

The key Bible verses read in the meeting are below.

God's Plan
And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of heaven and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. And God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of heaven and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28, RecVer)

“And Jehovah God said, It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper as his counterpart.” (Genesis 2:18, RecVer)

Believe on the Lord Jesus
And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.(Acts 16:30-31, RecVer) 

Christ and the Church
Being subject to one another in the fear of Christ: Wives, be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord; For a husband is head of the wife as also Christ is Head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the Body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be subject to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her That He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word, That He might present the church to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that she would be holy and without blemish. In the same way the husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his own wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ also the church, Because we are members of His Body. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. This mystery is great, but I speak with regard to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:21-32, RecVer) 

Overcomer

“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they loved not their soul-life even unto death.” (Revelation of John 12:11, RecVer)
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! (Revelation of John 22:17a, RecVer)
“He who testifies these things says, Yes, I come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.” (Revelation of John 22:20-21, RecVer)

I do believe that the word spoken in faith will bear fruit one day. I also believe that this is the beginning of many years of prayers being answered by God for the salvation of the unbelieving Rongmeis from the brothers' side whose relatives are all yet to be believers and also the recovery of the proper church life from the sisters' side whose relatives are all Christians. One day, I will witness the full result of prayers answered!

Lord, may Your word bear forth fruits in Your way and in Your time. 

A Home in a House

Houses are made of materials designed and built by men whereas homes are made of people, built and blessed by God! A house may not be a home even to the dweller nor a home may not necessarily be a house. Houses are inorganic, physical, and materialistic while homes are organic, and comprise living people. A beautiful house never guarantees a beautiful home, but a beautiful home surely guarantees a beautiful house. People are more attracted to the houses today than the homes that should be in the houses. Only when people living in the house are happy, can there be a "home sweet home." Such is the home that one has to look for and long for.

Yesterday, an old classmate of mine posted a series of photos of his newly constructed beautiful house in the group. Many have immediately appreciated the beauty of the architectural design and its finishing. But what came into my mind first was the need for a homely environment in that beautiful house. In congratulating him on his newly constructed house I also send a note that I felt most genuinely as a message to all:

Congrats D___! Beautiful house! 

Wishing you and your family a blessed home in this beautiful house.

Houses are made of materials designed by men but homes are made of people blessed by God!

A Note of Exhortation

A beautiful home is where the family dwells in oneness and harmony (Ps. 133); where love prevails (1 Cor. 13); and righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17) reigns in every member of the family. In fact, such a family is only of God where Christ makes His home in the hearts of all (Eph. 3:17). 

May God bless you D___; your home and your house.

I for sure cannot say that I have a beautiful house as all my life I have been living in a nominal house; in my grand parent's house, or in my uncle's house, or in a hostel, and now in a rented house. To put it more plainly, I have never owned a house of my own, much less a beautiful one architecturally. The rented house my family now lives in is perhaps one of the oldest buildings in the community, and perhaps, a not-so-good-looking house in design or in construction quality for I have had many issues with the quality of the house construction.

Nonetheless, my family finds a home in this house. All my children are so happy living in this house. And many saints and relatives have also come to stay in this house. Despite its old looking outwardly, inside is full of brotherly love. In spite of an old building with furniture, doors, and windows, all broken up due to oldness, still, we all have been living happily in this house. Oftentimes, I test my children if we should shift to a better house elsewhere within the same rentals, but none of them ever agreed. They don't care for the house itself, they care for the lovely and peaceful atmosphere in the house. We have a home in this house!

Indeed, the Lord's presence has been the greatest blessing in this house which makes us feel at home. In fact, we all find a home in this house. Though it is a rented house, I have been living in and managing the house as though it is mine. I have been paying the rent regularly for over a decade now, but still, I never had the feeling that I am a stranger in this house. I feel very much at home so do all my family members. It is the Lord's blessing that brings love, peace, and joy to this house making it our home for now. I have no idea how long we have to be in this house, but as long as the Lord leads us to stay here we will follow the Lord's leading. Having said this, I am willing to follow the Lord's leading. Should He need us to move to another house, I will, it all depends on His leading.  But the fact is, we do have a home in this house and we all enjoy our home in this house.

In fact, as a family, we pray regularly for the Lord to bless us to be a godly family; a home of prayer, a home of fellowship, a home of the word of God, a home where many can know, believe and receive Christ. And a home where our family is a living testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Lord, bless our home to be a home sweet home with Christ as our Head and Christ who is all in all, in all of us.

Heart Disease

Heart attack has become one of the common problems among many people today despite their intelligence and wealth. In fact, a heart attack seems to be common among the higher echelon of society among the educated elite, the rich, and the intelligent. This seems to have become a rich's man disease. This reminds me of my neighbor who had been doing so well in life, even in physical health, who used to take regular exercises and maintain a strict diet, still, one day, got a heart attack and died. Heart disease is a serious problem. So is the psychological heart, the heart mentioned in the Bible.

In the recent training I attended, I was so enlightened to see the seriousness of my heart condition. Solomon had a serious heart problem and so are many children of God today. Delving deep into the life of Solomon and analyzing his case in depth, he had a very good beginning. God appeared to him twice, a very rare condition among the people of God in the Old Testament. What a good beginning!

1K 3:5 In Gibeon Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, Ask what I should give you.

1K 3:6 And Solomon said, You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth and righteousness and in uprightness of heart with You; and You have kept for him this great lovingkindness and have given him a son to sit upon his throne, as it is this day.

1K 3:7 And now, O Jehovah my God, You have made Your servant king in the place of David my father, though I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.

1K 3:8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people, whom You have chosen, a vast people that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude.

1K 3:9 Give therefore to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?

1K 3:10 And this word seemed good in the sight of the Lord, that Solomon had asked for this matter.

1K 9:2 Jehovah appeared to Solomon a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon.

In His first appearing to him, he had asked for wisdom and God indeed gave him wisdom and understanding that no man ever had. With this wisdom from God, he built the temple in Jerusalem that was pleasing to God and the glory of God filled the temple.

1K 8:10 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of Jehovah;

1K 8:11 And the priests were not able to stand and minister because of the cloud, for the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah.

Afterwhich he dedicated the temple and prayed a long prayer which truly is a model of perfect prayer in which prayer was directed towards the holy land, the holy temple, and the holy city. But the shocking indents that followed after his glorious kingship is a warning to all the children of God today. This is what can be termed spiritual heart disease.

Solomon loved God in his young age but his genuine love for God is no guarantee that he would love God the same unto the end.

1K 3:3 And Solomon loved Jehovah, walking in the statutes of David his father; however, he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.

After all the glory and splendor of his kingdom and his kingship, his God-loving heart was diseased with the love for many foreign women due to the indulgence of his lust. A very practical condition among many children of God today. As recorded in the Bible, his heart was diseased with the love for many persons other than God and he ended up marrying seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. 

1K 11:1 But King Solomon loved many foreign women in addition to Pharaoh’s daughter — Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women,

1K 11:2 From among the nations concerning which Jehovah had said to the children of Israel, You shall not go among them, nor shall they come among you, for they will surely turn your heart after their gods. Solomon clung to these in love.

1K 11:3 And he had seven hundred princess wives and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away.

1K 11:4 And when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect toward Jehovah his God like the heart of David his father.

1K 11:5 And Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable thing of the Ammonites.

1K 11:6 And Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and did not fully follow Jehovah as David his father had done.

1K 11:7 Then Solomon built a high place to Chemosh the detestable thing of Moab in the mountain that is before Jerusalem and to Molech the detestable thing of the children of Ammon.

1K 11:8 And so he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.

The tragic end of his reign was that he lost his own kingdom, God's kingdom, and the nation of Israel. The source of his problem was again a heart problem triggered by the lust of the flesh. Now, these have been written as an example for us to learn from. Therefore, we must be absolute and desperate in dealing with our hearts and dealing with the lust of the flesh, rejecting the flesh, and living by the resurrected life of Christ.

The hands that once built the temple of God could also build the high places; the heart that once loved God also loved idolatrous women, and the heart that once worshipped God could also worship idols. This is a heart problem. 

Loving the Lord today and serving Him today is no guarantee that one will love and serve God to the end. We need the Lord's covering grace and His mercy, to be preserved to love the Lord singly and purely above all and serve Him only unto the end.

What a warning to heed! What a lesson to learn from! Salvation from spiritual heart disease is the need of the age.

Lord, save me from my natural man, my flesh, and its lust. Lord, make me absolute and desperate in loving You and pursuing you all the days of my life.