Ministry of the Word to Wokha

Wokha, a hill town between Kohima and Mokokchung, was the first stoppage in our previous visit to Nagaland where we met a family who were so interested in the word of God, who purchased the ministry books, and also gave us a warm hospitality.

This time, our intention was to simply stop by for a while as we were passing through the town on our way from Mokokchung to Kohima. Immediately as we met them, they welcomed us and we began our fellowship. The Lord burdened us to minister on the line of the Christian life and the church life. We traced the history of the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament and their fulfilment and reality in the New Testament as the incarnated Jesus and the resurrected Christ as the Spirit dwelling in the spirits of the believers for the expression and representation of God as the church, the testimony of Jesus Christ. Using relevant Bible verses, we also ministered the truth concerning Christ and the church. The universal and local aspect of the church, the ground of oneness, one city one church, the need to be recovered back to the orthodoxy of the church, and the practical ways to take the stand for the Lord’s testimony. We did not expect nor prepare to minister all these truth. But the Lord led us to minister on this burden. 

As I was ministering the word, I enjoyed the flow of life richly. Verse by verse, the word of God flowed forth as spring of living water. I do believe, the brothers and sisters just drank the living water that the Lord supplied from Himself as the Head through a member to the members of His Body. The anointing of the Lord was so sweet yet so strong. This definitely is for the Lord’s recovery of His chosen remnants for His testimony in Wokha.

The key brother testified that as he listened to the ministry of the word, he saw a revelation of the church. Not a "brainwash" but a revelation, by his own word and confession. He testifed that this was the truth and that he should take the stand for the church in Wokha according to the Bible. No denomination, no human organization, but the local church standing on the ground of oneness as the church in Wokha for the Lord’s testimony. He saw this vision!

For their practical experiences and enjoyment, we also invited them to visit the nearby local churches, especially the church in Aizawl. For this, we also shared the testimony of the saints in the church in Aizawl, how the Lord raised them up and recovered them. And also to visit other churches in India and abroad, perhaps, Taiwan for the international blending in Taipei next year. May the Lord lead them so.

Later, they prepared a dinner for us which we enjoyed and then prayed together and left for our next destination Kohima.

May the Lord recover His testimony in Wokha.

Ministry of the Word to Peren

Peren is the last district in Nagaland we visited in the ministry of the word literature journey. With this visit we have covered all the key towns and districts of Nagaland. In fact, it is inky Nagaland that we thoroughly visited every district for the introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. 

Peren is the land dominated by the Zeliangrong Naga tribe. This is also the tribe of which I belong to, by my physical birth, a Rongmei. I did not choose to be one but God made me so. Therefore, I do have feeling for this tribe to be brought to the full knowledge of the truth, especially the Rongmeis who are yet to believe into the Lord Jesus Christ. 

As we were driving towards the town, we passed through Jelukie, a Rongmei inhabited town. After a few miles drive past the town, I checked my Google map and it still showed Jelukie was ahead of us. But, we actually drive past the town. So I told the brother driving the car to crosscheck if we were on the wrong road. To my query, he stopped to check with the car coming behind us. It so happened that the other car driver was his old acquaintance. He then became our guide to the town. Later, he also gave the phone number of the key town Pastor. What a divine intervention even in the apparent mistake made by Google map!

Upon arrival at the town, we called the Pastor who just happened to walk passed by us where we stopped our car. He took us to his house and there, we fellowshipped with him concerning our visit to Peren town. He and his wife were so interested in the ministry books and we discovered a wide door open for the spread of the ministry of the word. The Lord sovereignly led us to him and his house and used him as the beachhead for His move in Peren town.

Later, a good number of brothers and sisters, mostly full time serving ones in the Christian mission came to see the ministry books. Whoever came were caught by the introduction of the ministry books especially the Holy Bible Recovery Version. In fact, everyone of them ended up purchasing the Holy Bible Recovery Version and a good number of selected title books.

We were amazed at the way the Lord led us. We knew nobody in this new place. But the Lord sent His angel through man to lead us to the right people and place. We literally did nothing except to stay in the Pastor's living room, displaying the ministry books, and introducing the riches of the ministry of the word to all who came to check out the books. All the while, enjoying the local tea made by the sister over and over again as we spent time with groups of people coming and going. 

After such a wonderful experience of Christ in His visible leading, we prayed together with our host and left the town at dusk, having fully accomplished our task this time.

Now, we pray for the Lord to speak to all these brothers and sisters through the ministry books unto their enlightenment to even bring them to the full knowledge of the truth.

Lord, bless the Zeliangrong brothers and sisters for Your testimony in Peren!

In God I Trust

Today, the Lord blessed me with a new day and a new year to my human life. My prayer is that if the Lord so wills, He may bless me with a healthy and long life to live and magnify Him. 

Today, I turn forty five in my physical age. If the Lord would allow me to live upto ninety, I have reached the mid of my lifespan. My life is in God's hand. And I fully submit to Him that He may do as He pleases with me. Like Paul, I pray that I could be the factor for the joy and strengthening of the saints as long as the Lord gives me breath in my nostril.

“And being confident of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of the faith,” (Philippians 1:25, RecVer)

Today, the Lord's speaking to me for my life forward is that I am a minister of a new covenant, a minister of the Spirit who gives life. For this, He is the Life supplier, my Source, from which I receive life supply. He has made me a branch 

“Who has also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, ministers not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6, RecVer)

As a minister of the new covenant, my responsibility is to give life. Day by day, I must pay the price to gain the Lord more as my life that I be filled with the Spirit to give to others. In my speaking or in my fellowship with others, I must minster life to others, especially to the weaker ones.

“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask and he will give life to him, to those sinning not unto death. There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he should make request concerning that.” (1 John 5:16, RecVer)

“And I answered a second time and said to him, What are the two olive branches that are by the side of the two golden spouts, which empty the gold from themselves? And he spoke to me, saying, Do you not know what these are? And I said, No, sir. And he said, These are the two sons of oil, who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:12-14, RecVer)

Since to be life supplier is what the Lord called me for, I trust in the Lord to accomplish His commission. "In God I trust" is the banner of my life. Henceforth, to be an ambassador, a minister of the new covenant in the Body of Christ is what my forty five years and forward life will be.

“In God, whose word I praise, In God do I trust, and I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalms 56:4, RecVer)

“In God do I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalms 56:11, RecVer)

The Lord also gave His lovingkindness and faithfulness to be His minister. Though His requirement is that I be a faithful and prudent slave, yet this requirement is being met by His sending forth lovingkindness 

“Who then is the faithful and prudent slave, whom the master has set over his household to give them food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45, RecVer)

“He sends forth from heaven and saves me; He reproaches him who would trample me; Selah God sends forth His lovingkindness and His faithfulness.” (Psalms 57:3, RecVer)

So, I pray for Him to be gracious to me. 

“Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me; For my soul takes refuge in You; Indeed in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, Until the destruction passes by.” (Psalms 57:1, RecVer)

This is the Lord’s promise for my new year and all the years to follow. May the will of the Lord be done in my life.

Thank you Lord for the new year. Grace me Lord for all the years to come to be Your faithful and prudent slave, Your minister of the new covenant, a minister of the Spirit to minister life to others.

Ministry of the Word to Impur

Today morning, we were considering where to go for the distribution of the ministry literature first, to Impur or to Mokokchung town. As we fellowshipped and considered, we felt to go to Impur first. On our way, we enjoyed a time of prayer together for the Lord’s leading and for His testimony in Nagaland. 

In Impur, there stands the first Baptist Church in Nagaland. It was built in 1896 by the first Christian missionary to the Nagas who came in 1872, Dr. E W Clark.

Here, we first met the Baptist Pastor and introduced the ministry literature. He immediately purchased the Holy Bible Recovery Version. As he invited us to eat lunch with him, we had a time of fellowship, sharing our testimonies and some crucial truth and practices concerning the Christian life and the church life. He very much appreciated the truth we present and the time of fellowship we enjoyed together. Later, we prayed together and left.

Then, we met the Principals of all the three institutions in this mission center; the Nursing School, Bible School, and Higher Secondary School. To my surprise, all these Principals were so interested in the Holy Bible Recovery Version after I introduced to them. They all purchased for themselves and also promised to introduce to others as they found it to be very useful for their understanding of the word of God. 

Step by step, the Lord led us to meet the key people one by one. And further gave us a contact for the Bible College in Mokokchung too, which I personally desire to visit for the purpose of the ministry literature introduction and distribution. 

On our way back, as we stopped by to taste Litchi fruits from its tree, we met the owner of a recreational park who also has a good number of Litchi fruit trees. We befriended him and shared contact phone numbers for future and further communication. He gave us a friendly tour to his garden and park where we enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation. After our day of meetings with the key people in the mission center, the Lord gave us a time of relaxation in this beautiful garden.

After coming back to our resting place, I shared the highlight of our visit to Impur to my brothers as:

Today, we visited the center of Christian works in Nagaland and introduced the ministry literature.

151 years after the gospel was brought to the Nagas, the ministry books was introduced to all the key leaders, the Pastor, the Executive Secretary, and all the three Principals of the Bible College, Hospital and Nursing School, and the Higher Secondary School.

All of them welcomed us and received the ministry books, especially the Holy Bible Recovery Version. 

May the desire of God’s heart to bring them into the full knowledge of the truth be fulfilled!

Ministry of the Word to Mon

The Lord has blessed us for the spread of His Word in Longleng, and further led us to visit Aboi on our way to Mon. Though we intended to avoid this small town of the Konyaks due to bad hilly road, still we ended up in this town through the unknown road we took. Therefore, we met the town Pastor and introduced the ministry literature. He welcomed us, received the ministry literature, and also prayed for our onward journey. 

On the way from Longleng to Mon, we got stuck twice. Once, due to rain and sleepery muddy steep road, we had to literally push the vehicle uphill with all our physical might. And with a little exercise of the body and also of the Spirit, calling upon the Lord’s name, we overcame this little hurdle. Then, we had the risk of fuel running out with no fuel station on the way, yet as we enquired in the villages we passed through, we got a fuel supplier where we filled up our vehicle oil tank, a good 30 litres. This reminds us of the need to be filled in the Spirit all the time, all our life long in our Christian journey. Finally, another hurdle was that our vehicle front left wheel tyre got punctured. We had to stop about an hour to fix this. No problem, we got stuck twice, yet not struck!

When we arrived the main town of Mon, a youth Pastor became our guardian angel to arrange for our hospitality and the places and people we need to meet. We simply rested in the Lord as He us led step by step.

Yesterday, Saturday, morning, we visited the only theological school, Mon Theological College, where a gathering of all the students were arranged for our introduction and distribution of the ministry literature. As my Bible reading portion was, I led the students to sing a song on these verses.

“As the hart pants after the streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and appear before God?” (Psalms 42:1-2, RecVer)

Once we introduced the ministry literature, students thronged the book table and grasps the books, as the deer pants for the water their souls thirst for the word of God! 

We praise the Lord that the Lord brought us here at the right time. Had we come earlier, they would have been on their vacation. The Lord exactly knew on what day and at what time to visit this Bible college and He led us accordingly. 

Later, we also met the committee members of the Konyak Baptist Church. We and the ministry literature we introduced were received with warm welcome. After our introduction and distribution of the ministry literature, they all prayed for us. Later, we also met the Gorkha and Sumi churches' Pastors for the same. Therefore, our burden for this outermost past of Nagaland bordering Myanmar was released. Then, we moved on to another city, Mokokchung. 

May the Lord blessed His children with His words. And may He recover His remnants to bear His testimony.

 

Christ and His Cross for the Church

The ethnic clash that erupted in Manipur on May 3rd does not seem to die down. Despite the Central and State government's attempt to douse the burning state, every attempt seems only to add fuel to the fire. The delaying tactic of the Government only gave time for the two warring communities to attack and kill one another. The longer the delay, the more the casualties. There seems to be no solution to this ongoing ethnic violence. Then, what is the solution? From where will the solution come? And when?

I have friends and brothers from both sides of the communities. I also also heard stories from both sides of their own versions. Each side justify their own deeds and none were willing to take the blame. Slogans, propaganda, and memorandum are being raised from both sides. None admitted to their mistakes, none willing to forgive, and none willing to retreat either. The establishment remains a mute spectator of the devastation causing havoc to the social fabric of the state. Friends turn foes. Where do the situation go from here?

With my little knowledge of the word of God and the few experiences I have of the way of life, I can, for sure, envision a solution. The solution is Christ and His Cross for the genuine Church.

No matter what the government will decide will only lead to troubles as it cannot please both sides. There has to be a compromise and there has to be sacrifices. The state has embroiled itself into a miry clay of confusion with no eminent return to normalcy. It is like walking on the edge of a sharp razor with barefoot, bleeding wherever it turns or whatever step it takes. Even if it stays still, it is and will still bleed. Battleground has be set for civil war with no truce at sight. 

But I still see solution amidst the situation and the dins of war cries. Only if all the parties involved turn to the living God, there is hope. To this, I reiterate, only if all turn to the living God. Especially, all believing brethren must waits on the Lord. I pray that all the professing Christians should first repent and cry out to God for mercy. 

No king is saved by a great army; 

A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain thing for salvation, 

And it cannot deliver by its great power.

Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon those who fear Him, Upon those who hope in His lovingkindness, 

To deliver their soul from death 

And to preserve them alive in famine. 

Our soul waits on Jehovah;  He is our help and our shield; For in Him our heart rejoices, Because in His holy name we trust.

May Your lovingkindness, O Jehovah, be upon us, Even as we have hoped in You.

(Psalms 33:16-22, RecVer)

Inward revival of the Christians is the need of the time. Prayer of repentance and forgiveness is the need of the hour. Resetting the goal to the kingdom of God from setting the mind on the visible and earthly things is the urgent need now. For this, I pray for all my fellow brothers in Christ. Only this is the solution. The experience of Christ and His cross is the solution. I pray for the salvation of all the unsaved. And I pray for the wisdom of God to be exercised through all the decision making authorities not to ever again commit blunders. May the God of peace come into the situation and make peace.

The christians brothers must experience Christ and His cross. As God has forgiven us, so must we also forgive. After all, our enemies are not men but Satan behind the sinful men. Love swalloes hatred. Life overcomes death. Light enliven darkness. Christ is love, life, and light.

Lord Jesus, save the people of Manipur. Lord Jesus, save Manipur! 

Ministry of the Word to Longleng, Nagaland

The Lord Jesus loves the Nagas and brought the gospel through consecrated saints over a hundred year ago. By and large, the state has been christianized, especially the Nagas. Yet, the desire of God’s heart is even deeper than just being Christians.

“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)

In oneness with God and realising His burden, we took upon ourselves the same burden to help our beloved Naga brothers and sisters in Christ to come to the full knowledge of the truth by presenting to them the ministry literature. For this burden, I have toured Nagaland twice in the past and now this time again to cover the districts not yet visited, together with my fellow brethren.

Yesterday morning, we began our trip from Dimapur at about 9 AM by an SUV through Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung, Merangkong, Netnyu and then Longleng. It took us a good 16 hours drive through hills, valleys, and landslide muds. We finally arrived our destination at about 1:30 AM today morning. After our late dinner at about 2 AM, we took rest.

Today, we visited the different churches in Longleng town for the introduction and distribution of the ministry of the word. The Lord was so sovereign in the timing of our visit. We were supposed to come a week earlier but since I needed to go to Cochi for official purpose it was delayed by a week. On top of that, we were supposed to go to Mokokchung and Impur first but after reconsideration we came to this town first. Therefore, we were able to attend the Mid-term meeting of the Phom Baptist churches all over Longleng today that was represented by 55 local churches Pastors. Had we come a week earlier we would have this meeting. Or had we gone to Mokokchung and Impur first, we would also miss this meeting. The Lord knows the best time and He led us as such.

In addition to being warmly welcomed, we were also given time to introduce the ministry literature and also prayed for by all the Pastors present. So, the outreach was wide and covered the entire Longleng district just in one meeting! A good number of Pastors also purchased the Holy Bible Recovery Version, the ministry books, and also invited us for an early dinner with the Christian leaders. After the meeting, we could still visit two more remaining churches and thereby completed the distribution in Longleng!

Our host came to this town just a month ago and stayed in an Ex-MLA's residence. The Lord used this brother who has also been blessed by the ministry books, to host us. In fact, he will leave his job soon for another job. I felt that he came to this city just for the Lord’s move to make a way for us to come and I told him the same, which he readily agreed too. And in this guest house, 13 young people had their singing practice tonight afterwhich we were able to minister the word encouraging all of them to inculcate a spiritual habit of calling upon the Lord’s name, reading His word, and spending time with the Lord in prayer. After all these, we enjoyed yet another sumptuous meal and took rest for the day.

I simply worship the ways of God and the deeds of God that He has sovereignly been showing to us for the sake of His move in Nagaland.

Praise You Lord! Thank You Lord!

I worship You ways, Lord!