Reading the Holy Bible

The Lord has been gracing me since my childhood to read the Holy Bible. My grandfather had taught me to read the Bible everyday as he himself read it everyday, morning and evening, whenever he was not engaged with any important official or domestic works. The spirit of reading the word of God has passed me since then. Bible reading has thus become a part of my daily life. I simply cannot live my life or pass a day without reading the word of God. I reckon this as special gift from God and one of the physical blessings the good God has bestowed upon me. Thank You God for Your spoken and written word!

I do not make Bible reading a law or a thing sof legality, but a lifestyle. If it were a law, I would have to keep it with struggles, perhaps. But since it has been a lifestyle it just comes along and gets with my daily living. I never felt any struggle whatsoever, rather I enjoyed it and received the supply of life through my coming to the word of God. It is like eating my daily meals; breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with the many snacks in between. I enjoy my food, my daily manna, my heavenly, spiritual, and divine food.

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I gain understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:103-105, RecVer)

Last year December 2022, I completed reading the entire Bible 40(forty) times. Initially, I thought to slow down and be satisfied with reading through the Bible just once in a year. But, He gradually enlightened to me see my need for more of His words. Why only once when I can do much more? The more I can read, the better. Therefore, I have the heart to be able to read the Holy Bible at least a 100(hundred) times in my lifetime, if the Lord so wills. I trust the Lord will honor this burden and will grace me again to score a century in reading His word. 

By the way, I find no better book to read in the world than the Holy Bible. I find no better time to invest on anything other than on reading the Holy Bible. Of course, as I read, I turned to my spirit and use the word of God to pray back to God. I find it very enjoyable and easy to touch God through His word. The best prayer I could offer to God is simply pray back His words as I read His words and through His words He speaks to me. The living word of God on earth has become my language and medium to fellowship with my living God in heaven. No wonder, the Pslamists had declared their love for the word of God in their Old Testament tone as they were at that time. Now, in the New Testament time, I do the same in the new way, through the Spirit anointing the written word turning it into the living word. What a blessing!

After forty times of reading the Holy Bible, the Lord has taught me some very effective ways of reading His word. He graces me to directly enter into His thoughts through the spirit of wisdom and revelation and enlightens the eyes of my heart to know Him, His will, and His way. I do use the help of other writings, exposition, lights and revelations. 

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him, The eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:17-18, RecVer)

As long as the Lord give me good eyes to read, sober mind to understand, and good health to be able to read, I would take His grace and read and eat His words all the days of my life. Do grace me Lord.

Lord, thank You for Your Holy Bible! Amen.

Ministry of the Word to North and Middle Andaman

The journey to North Adaman was not in our plan, but the Lord opened the door for us, and it was an impromptu plan in sweet coordination. For this trip, we had to start as early as 3 AM to access the first convoy as the entire reserved island of the Jawara tribal had to be crossed with full security. Then, we had to cross over to other island by boat as bridge was still under construction. Then we stopped over at Betapur and Rangat, and finally arrived Mayabunder at about 10:30 PM just for night stay at a hotel. The entire trip took us about 20 hours. Of course, in two places we had a gathering with the Christian leaders.

Belapur

A group of Tamil speaking brothers were laboring among the local Hindi speaking islanders. Though Hindi was not their mother tongue, they learned and were able to minister fluently in Hindi. To them, the ministry literature was introduced and distributed. All the pastor placed order for Tamil New Testament Recovery Version.

Rangat

A Christian leaders gathering was arranged and we introduced the ministry literature in the meeting hall of a full-time serving brother. To my surprise, almost all of them paid the price to buy the ministry books. One key Methodist pastor was not able to come for the meeting, therefore, we visited him without any appointment. But as we introduced the ministry books, he was so interested and purchased all the English books available along with an order for the Holy Bible Recovery Version.

Mayabunder 

A gathering for just an hour was arranged for the Christian leaders as we had to rush back well in time to catch the 2 PM convoy. So we briefly and quickly introduced the ministry literature. I was very encouraged by the positive response of all the brothers. They all purchased the ministry books and paid them in ready cash. The Lord surely remembered their hunger and thirst for the healthy teaching and supplied them with the riches of the ministry of the word.

To the Middle and North Andaman too, the Lord has his way to send forth His light and His truth that His people may be led to His holy mountain and His holy tabernacles.

To this remote and isolated islands, the ministry of the word has arrived. Since many years ago, the gospel of grace has been preached here, now the truth of the gospel of the kingdom of God has come. May the Lord lead His people further into 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, RecVer)

Ministering the Word in Port Blair

On the evening of the ministry books introduction and distribution in Port Blair last Thursday, a brother came to me and enquired more about the books. He has been so burdened to preach the gospel among the local people in the island and shared to me his vision in serving the Lord. He also said something special like this, not verbatim though, "After listening to your speaking, something within me is telling me to talk to you and invite you to minister the word in the small church I am taking care." Immediately, I knew it was from the Lord and I accepted the invitation. Later, I fellowshipped with my brother and we both felt good to visit his small church, the fruit of his labor for over fifteen years.

On the Lord’s day morning, as usual, my brother ministered the word on The Purpose of Man and I followed to minister on Household Salvation, how the purpose of man created by God can be fulfilled with household salvation promised by God. After the meeting, the believers testified of how much blessed they were with the word. The key brother and his wife invited us for dinner fellowship, and the brother volunteered to help us in driving us around to meet the few more Christian leaders as our last sprint for this visit. Then, we went for some shopping and finally ended the day with a lovefeast on a sumptuous meal.

An AG pastor who first had a doubt about the ministry was so supplied when we actually met and introduced the ministry books with the Holy Bible Recovery Version. After the meeting, he exclaimed that all his doubts were fully cleared and even invited us to minister to his congregation on the Lord’s day. The timing of this meeting was right after the one who invited us first. Therefore, we ministered the word to two congregations in Port Blair last Lord’s day. 

To this group, our ministering the word was more elaborate as this is one of the big and famous groups. After my brother spoke the messages on the meaning of human life, calling upon the Lord, and loving the Lord, I followed suit by continuing the burden with the importance of reading and eating the word of God daily for growth in life. Verse by verse, I helped the congregation to see the vision of Christ as the bread of God that believers should eat daily with emphasis on John 6:31-57, 63.

“As the living Father has sent Me and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me.” (John 6:57, RecVer)

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63, RecVer)

The responses of the entire congregation was very encouraging, especially the key pastor who declared to the enitre congregation, "Jesus said, eat me!" As I encouraged every one to read the Bible everyday and perhaps a gift for those who complete reading the Bible in a year once, a gift to be given, the pastor echoed the same and made an announcement for a Bible reading reward scheme. 

May the word of God ministered bear a hundred fold fruit one day. As He sent forth His light and His truth, may He also recover His remnants and lead them to His holy mountain and holy tabernacles.

Ministry of the Word to Port Blair, Andaman

In 2016 we had visit Andaman Island for the fist time after a training in Tenkasi where we prayed by faith and claimed our good lands in India for the Lord’s testimony. The good labd I claimed was Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Therefore, in fellowship we visit the islands. The contact I had at that time was of a brother whose book I received while distribution the ministry book in Guwahati. Through that contact, the Lord opened the door for the visit to the uttermost part of the world as later commented by a brother from USA who read the report after the visit.

This  time it was our second visit and we were able to meet most of the Christian leaders in four localities. The Lord granted us favor in the eyes of the Christian leaders who were very open. They warmly welcomed us and helped us in many practical aspects to make the introduction and distribution of the ministry of the word fruitful. 

Inwardly, the Lord led us with a very specific burden to send forth His light and His truth through the ministry of the word. His word became our instant and constant guide throughout the journey. 

Send forth Your light and Your truth;

They will lead me; They will bring me to

Your holy mountain and to Your tabernacles.

Psalm 43:3

This time, the Lord prepared a brother who gave himself fully to assist us in meeting most of the key leaders in Port Blair as he has been serving in the city for more than two decades. The Lord used him as our physical guide in almost all the practical things we did while in the island. As a token of thanks, we gifted him with the Tamil New Testament Recovery Version and some offering as his family was in need. In fact, his son was under treatment in a hospital but he was with us for the ministry journey.

Besides, the Lord also prepared another brother who is a pastor of a Pentecostal group who usually were exclusive, but he was very inclusive towards us, accepting all our requests and even allowing us to use his meeting hall for the meeting with the Christian leaders in Port Blair. There were times we frequented his house and the meeting hall under his care as all the books were stored in his meeting hall under his custody. At odds times we had to visit him, even 3 AM in the morning or 11 PM late at night. He cooperated with smiling face! His humanity was such a cherishing. To such a one, my heart was open to him and gifted him the Malayalam New Testament Recovery Version, making him the first  to possess and read the Recovery Version in Malayalam in the island. Along with this, a good number of ministry books were gifted as well as a token of thanks for all his help.

On th first day itself, we were able to meet five key Christian leaders and introduced the ministry literature. All of them received them without any hesitation. In one of the meetings with a Christian leader, the burden for Middle and North Andaman was conceived and even a detail plan was laid out.

One afternoon, a good number of Christian leaders were gathered together and we introduced and distributed the ministry books to all. To many of them, this was the first time to know the riches of the ministry literature.

To those who could not make it to the gathering of the Christian leaders, we paid the price to visit them at their homes, some with appointment and others without any appointment. All of them welcomed us ad were so impressed by the ministry books especially the Holy Bible Recovery Version and most of them ended up placing order for the Bible. 

With two key Christian leaders we had a time of dinner lovefeast, one at his home and the other in a restaurant. And on the last day, a brother and his family invited us for a time of lovefeast fellowship at their home. This brother was gifted with the few ministry books sample I took for introduction. 

The Lord indeed sent forth His light and His truth. May He one day lead all His chosen remnants to His holy mountain and His tabernacles.

Be Angry, But Do Not Sin

Be angry, yet do not sin; Consider in your heart upon your bed, And be silent. Selah (Psalms 4:4, RecVer)

This verse excatly described my experience recently. I was so much provoked to anger by one of my family members with whom I have had fellowship ample number of times. Still then, I felt the matter was not resolved despite my continual persuasion. I was taught an important lesson in self control. Whenever the matter of concern came up, I was disturbed and wanted to stop the ongoing matter. But I learned an important lesson, to leave the matter to the Lord and trust in Him fully. I was just enlightened to see how much I lacked in trusting the Lord. Definitely, what He did not plan will ever come to pass. I must simply put my whole trust in the Lord.

A few weeks ago, I was very much tempted to burst out in anger. I even schemed and planned for some actions to be taken in case of disobedience. In fact, when I lay down to sleep, the matter bothered me and I planned for some actions. But after much consideration and praying over the matter again and again, I realised that the Lord was in control and I need not take the place of God in taking any decision. Therefore, I did not bring the matter further and decided not to bring it again unless the Lord leads me so.

It was a tough lesson to learn. I thought I was patient and could control my temper but when I was provoked I found myself struggling. Gradually, the Lord has been training me and perfecting me. Thank God, that I did not burst out in anger but subdued my temper by turning to the Spirit indwelling my spirit. And now I have perfect peace and the matter did not bother me again. What a life lesson! Be angry, yet do not sin; Consider in your heart upon your bed, and be silent.

When the need arises to express the genuine feeling within, it may be expressed but with a reminder, "Be angry, but do not sin." This I learned from the Pslamist concerning God expressing His anger towards His rebellious and disobedient children. 

“Therefore Jehovah heard and was angry. And a fire was kindled against Jacob, And also anger went up against Israel; Because they did not believe in God, And they did not trust in His salvation.” (Psalms 78:21-22, RecVer)

“When the anger of God went up against them and slew some of their fattest ones and struck down the choice men of Israel.” (Psalms 78:31, RecVer)

This experience reminds me of the letter to the church in Ephesus. In anger, the devil can be easily given a ground. Which means, it is he who provokes and instigates. He will use whatever and whoever to accomplish his mission. We must turn it into mission impossible by not sinning, rather trusting in the Lord and leaving the matter to Him in prayer. Therefore, first consider carefully and be silent, and shut up the mouth of the devil. 

Be angry, yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your indignation, Neither give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27, RecVer)

Thank you, Lord for this precious and powerful life lesson!

Cheating and Complaining

When cheated or felt cheated I usually brushed it aside and took no hurt feelings. But recently I realized that by doing so I am giving an unnecessary message to the cheater that their cheating is OK, at least with me. Though I did not mind being cheated as I trust in the God of righteousness, I have a new realization that for the sake of the ones who have cheated me, I should let them know that what they did was not right and that they should not do it any further. In that way, I can render help to them, at least morally.

Recently, I experienced a series of being cheated in a few cases. The first two were related to food pricing in my recent trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the purchasing of souvenirs in Port Blair at double the price of the original price. In both cases, I decided not to complain or get a refund. I should be more careful before I place an order and made a payment. In these cases, since I already placed the order and made the payments, I decided not to complain.

But as I came back to New Delhi, an Uber driver cheated me by showing me a taxi fare of Rs. 1121 from his mobile at almost double the rate of the actual Uber ride price. Since he did not close the ride, I never received the fare, instead, he showed me his own calculation on his mobile, I guess it was not an Uber App. It was almost midnight and I had to pay him anyway. Finally, I had no option but to pay by cash as he said his PhonePe did not work. Right after the payment, I received a mail from Uber that my ride was only Rs. 681. Then, I realized I was cheated. As usual, I thought to just leave it, but I strongly felt that this time I should complain to the Uber via App, which I did. And also gave just a 1-star rating to the driver with a note on him charging a higher fare. Then, I received a message stating that my fare was only Rs. 331 and that part of my payment failed. What a fraud! I decided not to let things go this time. Not for my sake, but for others' sake, so I pursued the matter.

The other case was an order made online for a bag of rice from JioMart which was never delivered. I kept waiting and waiting, instead, I received a message that the order will be delayed and then a message on shipment, but was never delivered without any status update. Finally, I wrote to the Support Team. But the reply I received was very strange; the order was returned and to be refunded yet never refunded. So I had to write an email again requesting for my order to be delivered or else the money refunded, though I did not cancel the order at all. I even visited the JioStore to verify, only to find out that my order was not even in their record. Perhaps, the order was placed with another store. Therefore, I ordered from another store, a bag of rice, and this too was never delivered. After the repeated call, finally, the delivery was made, but with a price higher than I was promised. Later, I discovered that the rice I order and the rice bag did not match. So I texted the seller and got clarification.

In all these cases of cheating and complaining, I learn one important lesson. I can either ignore it as I did many times, but in some cases, I must pursue the matter for the sake of teaching a lesson to the cheater. In this way, I can at least render some help.

That said, I am least bothered as I am under the sovereign hand of the living and righteous God who knows all things and does all things best for me.

Gospel Friend Visit

Two weeks ago,  a gospel friend came to visit me at the office. I was his client when he worked for one of the biggest printing press in India in Okhla New Delhi. After he left for a new printing press he still keep the friendly rapport with me though I have never given him any print job till date as I would not easily change the printer. Initially, I thought that he has been visiting me now and then to try to get business from me. Of course, there may be some element of this, but I began to realise that he was also genuinely seeking God.

One day as he visited me, I decided to turn the business meeting into a gospel meeting. I preached the gospel using The Mystery of Human Life. And to my surprise, he willing listened to the gospel and prayed to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as His Saviour.

Whenever he had appointment in Gurugram he would call me if he could drop by. If I were in town, I always obliged to his request. This time, he came again and gifted me a 2023 diary which has now become very useful to me. One thing he said about maintaining a relationship in business meant a lot to me. Business may not be forthcoming through the rapport but when the need so arises, the good rapport will transpire into business transaction. I can apply the same to my official duty and in my spiritual service of shepherding. Therefore, always maintain a good relationship with people as much as possible.

When he was about to leave, he requested for prayer. I was so happy that he initiated. Therefore, I led him to pray, calling upon the Lord’s name, and leading him to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. 

What a wonderful gospel friend visit and what a marvelous way of sharing the gospel through business relationship!