Being Ashes

“And he shall take away its crop with its feathers and cast it beside the altar toward the east, in the place of the ashes.” (Leviticus 1:16, RecVer)

Ashes in the Bible indicates the result of being burnt as an offering. Meaning, the Ashes confirms that the offering has been accepted by God. Which further means that the one being offered is completely put to death and issues in resurrection. 

The past few weeks, especially, the past few days, the Lord has been gracing me to experience Him as my burnt offering. It was not an easy experience though. For, without the Lord’s special grace, it would have been impossible for me to even be an offering, much less being burnt to ashes. I could have felt being rejected. But under the Lord’s light, I could see the invisible sovereign hands of the Lord Jesus, touching me and perfecting me. Be it in the matter of coordinating for the seekers conference, or the remark by the brothers on the report to the brothers, or the direct message from the brothers concerning an article I drafted. They were all used by the Lord to deal with my self and to perfect me. These were all the experiences the Lord blessed me with, so that I can gain Him and experience Him as my burnt offering; to be burnt to ashes.

These ashes are resulting in transformation to make one more and more precious, even to become as precious as the New Jerusalem. The ashes of the burnt offering are placed towards the east, alluding to resurrection. Therefore, anyone who experience becoming ashes experience resurrection as well. Being burnt in crucifixion will always result in transformation to ashes in resurrection. 

Today evening, as we were accommodated in the meeting hall of the church in Taguig, Phillipines, I met a brother with whom I could fellowship experientially on the matter of loving the Lord with the first and best love and giving Him the first priority. He was so touched by the fellowship and testified that even before the training began he has already been trained and received the message already. We had a wonderful time of brotherly fellowship. Perhaps, this is an issue of becoming ashes after being burnt. 

I need more and more experiences of being burnt to ashes. In fact, this should be a daily and continual experience in my whole Christian life. I dare not say that I have become ashes already. In fact, I am just beginning to experience being burnt. This experience of burning should continue all the days of my life until the Lord comes back. I need more grace to be on the line of experiencing Christ as my burnt offering and being burnt to ashes day by day. 

Lord, grace me to experience being burnt to ashes more and more, day by day..

A Visit to Singapore

I have been hearing about Singapore since my childhood as a clean city, well developed, and having one of the best education systems in the world. In the past, I wished to visit this country one day and even I tried once but could not make it. This time, at the Lord's perfect time, I came along with brothers from India on our way to attend an international training in Manila, Phillipines.

On the 2nd of Oct, we arrived Changi Airport at about 6:30 AM. A brother from the church in Singapore picked us up and drove us to the meeting hall of the church. We took some rest and had a time of fellowship over lunch with some elders of the church. Which was then followed by a sight seeing visit to Asia's largest bird sanctuary, Bird Paradise. Later, we had a time of rest, then dinner, and a time of fellowship with the elders and responsible brothers of the church in Singapore.

A brother who fellowshipped with me concerning a sister proposed to me in 2005 was one of the coworkers serving in the church. It was a surprise meeting him after 17 years. He was so excited to know about my well being, of my family, and also in my service. Since I was asked to share what the Lord has been doing in India through the literature service these days, I gave them a glimpses of the Lord’s move through the literature service, especially in North India.

During the fellowship, as the key brother started his fellowship he mentioned his involvement in my marriage as he also attended my wedding in Taipei in Jun 2006, as a little connection he has with India. As the brothers in India presented their potion of fellowship, at the end, I was requested to share two matters. 

First, I gave a testimony of what the Lord has been doing in North India terming it as the Lord’s specific leading. I testified further how we prayed and followed the Lord’s specific leading to introduce and distribute the ministry of the word in North India. And how the Lord blessed His move and reserved His remnants, and also how He led us to those seekers who were and will be introduced to the churches and the work for follow-up shepherding.

Second, on the request of a brother, I reported about the ongoing crisis in Manipur; my view and understanding about the situation there. 

The next day, after enjoying a "Pig rib soup" breakfast, we visited the Gardens by the Bay, then had a Thai-Malaysian lunch, and a visit to SEA Aquarium.

In the evening, we enjoyed lovefeast fellowship with the saints in the church in Singapore and attended the combined prayer meeting of the church with a fellowship on the Lord's move in India. Though I was not prepared to share anything as the arrangement was such, still the brothers called me to share. With no preparation to share, but an impromptu sharing, I exercised my spirit to testifying of what the Lord has been doing in North India for the distribution of the ministry literature among seeking believers. I began by sharing that we carry out the Lord’s move by prayer, Spirit, and the word. And testified further of how the Lord specifically led us step by step to meet with Christian leaders in new states, cities, towns, and villages. And how these seekers were supplied with the ministry books and then followed up for shepherding. 

In all these, I have been experiencing the burnt offering and that the experience of burnt offering should be continual. Last week, I had this experience of being burnt. And now, the Lord showed me further that I should continue to be burnt. This is the reality of blending; through the cross, by the Spirit, for the building up of the Body of Christ!

After two days, we were dropped off at Changi Airport and spent about an hour touring the airport, taking photos with the brothers at the Jewel, and then departed for Manila, Phillipines. 

Thus, the visit to Singapore ended with memorable experiences, both physically and spiritually. The Lord's timing is always the best. The Lord's arrangement is also the best. 

Lord, bless the church in Singpaore!

Being Discerning

“Indeed, My Servant will act wisely and will prosper; / He will be exalted and lifted up and very high.” (Isaiah 52:13, RecVer) 

The spirit of wisdom and discernment is from God. The only way to be truly wise is to be one with God. What He is, is what I should be. His thoughts my thoughts, His mind my mind, His will my will, His words my words, His ways my ways, His work my work, and His walk my walk. In such oneness, I can exercise His wisdom.

Through many experiences in my Christian life, I have faced failures, rejections, oppositions, and even false accusations. I have been learning to take everything as from the Lord. Such experiences in life make me grow in life too. Along with this growth, comes wisdom and discernment. I in no way claim to have become wise, but I do experience exercising wisdom. Experiences with people have taught me a lot of life lessons. Especially, the bitter and difficult experiences truly trained me to be more wise and discerning. Now, to some extent, I can testify that the Lord has granted me some wisdom and discernment concerning persons, matters, and things.

A brother called me recently and offered himself to serve full-time in the literature service. Right away I knew his intention was not pure. In fact, he was simply looking out for a means of survival. I immediately confronted him about his offer and that he did it only for money. Though he tried to deny it, but that was the fact. I spoke boldly and straightforwardly and even used a strong word. My intention was to help him realize his heart was not pure and his intention was not right. I could see things clearly even through him. I only hope that he humbles himself and simply follows the Lord's leading for all his financial needs. In fact, I never was like that. I generally would talk politely and use my natural human politeness. But the time has come now to stand up and call black as black and white as white.  I believe this is what I really should be by this time. I can remain the same year by year. I must also grow in wisdom and discernment.

Likewise, I have been experiencing complex situations now and then. But I took them as lessons from the Lord for me to learn. Yes, learn to be wise and discerning by turning to the Lord deep within concerning those situations, considering carefully how and why it happened. I have been graced to be touched by the many brothers and sisters around me, in the church life, and within my family circle. Because, when I prayed for wisdom, God gave me problems to solve.

Now, when seekers call me for any help, especially financial help, I direct them to trust in the Lord and not in me. May the Lord grace me to learn from Him and take His wisdom and discernment as mine.

Being Burnt

May He remember all your meal offerings and accept your burnt offering. Selah Psa. 20:3 

Then he shall take off his garments and put on other garments and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. Lev. 6:11 

The Lord Jesus is the reality of the burnt offering in Leviticus. He was accepted by God as the most absolute One. Today, we are His duplication and His many brothers. As such, we must offer ourselves up to God by taking Christ as our burnt offering. Only then, our offering will be accepted by God in Christ. 

The Hebrew word translated “accept” in Psalm 20:3 actually means “turn to ashes.”  The Hebrew word rendered “accept” can be translated not only as “turn to ashes” but also as “accept as fat,” “make fat,” and “be as fat.” For God to accept our burnt offering means not only that He turns it to ashes but also that He accepts it as fat, something that is sweet and pleasing to Him. For the burnt offering to be turned to ashes means that God is satisfied and that we therefore may be at peace. If we understand this, we shall realize that in our Christian life there should be a lot of ashes. In Leviticus 6:11 once again we see that the ashes were not thrown away. This indicates that we should treasure the result of our offering of the burnt offering to God. We should never throw it away. In God’s eyes, the result of our burnt offering is highly regarded.  The result of our being a burnt offering will be something that carries out God’s New Testament economy. (Life-study of Leviticus, pp. 57-58)

The Lord has been gracing me to enjoy "being burnt to ashes" these days. A few days ago a brother replied to an email report I sent to the brothers. Since he named me as one of the recipients, I reckoned it proper to take the matter before the Lord in prayer and in the spirit of meekness, reply to the email, accepting the very points he pointed out. 

As far as I am concerned, I am carrying out my responsibility to report to the brothers what the Lord has been doing in North India these days concerning the literature service the Lord has apportioned to me. I had no intention of show-off or exposing myself as I had already settled this matter of myself being nothing. Now, the matter is of faithfulness and responsibility. So all the reports I have been preparing are not for myself, but for the brothers and for the office I am serving in, perhaps, "an official duty," may be the appropriate description.

But when there seemed to be a misunderstanding, it was an experience of being burnt. As I considered the matter prayerfully before the Lord, I realized that the Lord was leading me to the experience of being burnt to ashes. So, after prayer, I replied to the email and acknowledged my oversight. I also apologized for the misunderstanding I might have caused and echoed his comment on my need to be more blended for His building. Then, I had much peace in my being and realized that this was the experience of being burnt to ashes.

Then, another experience followed. After working on an article requested by the brothers for a newsletter concerning the Spirit's move in North India through the ministry of the word literature journey, I sent it to the brothers in my country for their fellowship and feedback. Though I could have bypassed it and sent it to the one who asked me for the article, I have learned the lesson that I must fellowship with the brothers in my country while reporting anything pertaining to the country. In this way, I could be in a proper fellowship and under the covering of the brothers. 

The brothers messaged me that I should "hide myself" which I felt I already did as the report had no mention of who the person concerned was. Moreover, they also mentioned that I needed to get the help of my coordinating brother, which I already did. In fact, the article was first sent to him, and I also incorporated his suggestion to add an introductory paragraph and change the whole narrative to the third person. According to his fellowship, I made the changes and sent the article. The two points comment of the brothers were actually taken care. Nonetheless, I took this experience as a lesson of being burnt again. In my prayer that followed this incident, not really because of this incident but my usual and regular prayer time, I looked to the Lord and experienced the matter of being burnt again. 

The Lord's hand always follows His speaking. And I have been graced to enjoy the Lord as my burnt offering. Though the enemy injected negative thoughts into my mind, I turned to the Lord, took Him as my grace, and experienced the cross to be burnt to ashes. 

Lord, grant me the grace to experience You as my burnt offering, even being burnt to ashes, to become useful for Your building.

Being Hospitable

 Be hospitable to one another without murmuring. 1 Peter 4:9

Two weeks ago we had a North India Seekers Conference and Blending in Delhi and Gurugram. A group of seekers from different parts of North India came to attend the meeting. The arrangement was that the seekers stay in the homes of the saints. But there was a group of brothers who wished to stay together in one place. Since it was their first time to join this kind of conference, the only suitable place for a group of seven brothers and two sisters for hospitality was the meeting hall of the church. Therefore, the arrangement was made for them to be given hospitality in the meeting hall and I needed to take care of them. The venue for the meeting was in Delhi but the place of stay was in Gurgram, a distance of about one and half hour journey. It was not convenient at all for me in a very practical sense. But since that was the arrangement, I took that as the Lord's arrangement and looked to the Lord for grace to fulfill my responsibility well. 

Since I knew that this was not an easy task to handle by myself, I fellowshipped with my coordinating brother that dinner could be corporately made for all the new ones who were given hospitality in Gurugram. In this way, the burden was distributed to other saints too. It was such a release to share the burden with the members of the Body. In this way, I am learning to be hospitable. Otherwise, though I have the heart, I could not really be hospitable by myself. Even giving hospitality needs coordination in the Body. 

This time, the new ones also brought their pet rabbits along with them. This made the room smelly and dirty. Yet, in giving hospitality I need to accommodate them all, no matter what they brought along with them, or whatever or how many languages they had. Even for their travel expenses, I was quite concerned but the Lord made ways to meet the need for all the expenses, both for the traveling and food. 

What I ultimately learned was, that I should not reject hospitality simply because I think I cannot give it. But I must exercise to be enlarged in my heart to receive whatever the Body in fellowship has arranged. The Lord knows my capacity and He will allow what He feels best. So I simply must accept the arrangement of the Lord and learn to be hospitable. In myself, I am not a hospitable person. But in the Lord, I am, as the Lord's life is a life of shepherding that shepherds people, especially the saints. Therefore, I can be hospitable. And the Lord gave me the opportunity to learn this lesson on hospitality.

Lord, make me hospitable to all Your children and to others according to Your arrangement.

Being On Time

Being on time is a matter of character. Of late, I have been exposed of my need to be punctual in doing things that need urgent attention. Sometimes, due to busy schedules and giving more priority to other things, I neglected some basic things that turned out to be something of urgent matter. I have learned important lessons in the matter of being on time. 

In our house, we have a water pump whose water level indicators did not indicate the water level correctly and the water tank alarm got malfunctioned. Therefore, water was pumped according to assumption, and every time it was pumped, the water overflowed. One day I finally decided to fix this myself and spent a couple of hours to figure out what actually went wrong with the water tank alarm. Then I discovered that water sipped into the wire connecting the water level detector. Then, I repaired it and solved the water overflow and over-pump problem. 

The ceiling fan in our bedroom had made a lot of noise. For months, we had been tolerating the awkward noises assuming that it could be a loose connection of some nuts and bolts. Finally, I decided to look at what the problem was and realized that it was not a mere nuts and bolts problem. Then I took it to a mechanic who fixed it within a few minutes. Problem solved!

In our office, we had an issue with Wi-Fi connectivity in the other office room. I tried to fix it a couple of times but the only solution seemed to be to have an extension for the other room. It was not fixed earlier as the serving ones were mostly working from home. Since they all have come back, I decided to solve it once and for all by creating an extension. It took me about an hour with the help of an electrician and an IT person to finally fix it.

Similarly, as the video training being conducted in India has switched to online webcast training mode, and that the churches in India decided to follow the schedule set by the one who conducts the training. We had to make arrangements to inform the churches in India early on time. For this, immediate action need to be taken and a fellowship was called to settle this issue. Through the help of the brothers, the fellowship was done.

In all these experiences, the Lord taught me an important lesson of being on time. Yes, the context may be to do things on time. In real life, I must be prepared to meet Him on time if He should return soon. I must be on time to deal with whatever needs to be dealt with in my life so that I may not regret it later, especially, when standing before the judgment seat.

Lord, prepare me and make me ready to be on time.

Ministry of the Word to Daman and Dadra Nagar Haveli

Daman and Dadra Nagar Haveli are two union territories once inhabited by the Portuguese and filled with Catholics. In all our past distribution trips, we hardly visited any Catholic institution. But this time, the Lord gave us a brother who was with us all the while on this distribution trip. In fact, he was once a Catholic priest and has now come into the church life. He did get his independence from the group on this year's independent day. I did meet him once a couple of years ago, as he reminded me. He, out of much conviction from the Lord based on the truth he understood, paid a huge price to leave the group where he spent almost half of his life if he had to live up to eighty-plus years. He became a channel for the Lord's move among the brothers in that fold.

Though these two UTs were not in our original plan when the trip was proposed I looked at the Indian map and discovered that these two UTs were on the way from Gujarat back to Mumbai as we planned to leave from Mumbai after our Gujarat trip. Though we had no contact in these cities, just a few days before we actually went, our brother through his friends' connection contacted the key priest in the two cities.

In Daman, we had a night stay arranged by our brother. The next day morning, we presented the truth to the priest who oversees the entire Daman for his religious group. I presented the accuracy of translation and the usefulness of the footnotes in the Holy Bible Recovery Version and two books, The Basic the Holy Scriptures, and  The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. After the explanation, I also presented the printed title books to the priest. I do hope that it will be a great revelation to him when he reads them. He received the free ministry literature for distribution among his congregation and also to be placed at the Cathedral where many tourists visit. This was what the Lord did for Daman this time.

In Dadra, we visited another priest at Silvassa. Though he initially did not welcome anything or anyone from “protestants,” after listening to the introduction of the ministry books, especially the Holy Bible Recovery Version, he ended up buying the Recovery Version for his personal study even though his congregation would not accept a non-Catholic Bible. To him also, free ministry books were given for distribution.

We just followed the Spirit's leading again, step by step. Our responsibility was to sow the seed of the ministry wherever He led us. Be it Protestants, Catholics, or Pentecostals, the ministry of the word is for all. The Lord as the Seed will sow Himself into those who receive the ministry literature, One day, lo and behold, we will praise the Lord for what He has done!

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Daman and Dadra!