Ministry of the Word to Batala

Batala was inserted in our distribution trip just because the city lies in between Gurdaspur and Amritsar. Actually, we had no contact in this city. But as we planned and prayed for this city, only in the morning  of the day we were to visit, a contact was given to us. So we came to meet his one, who was a Pastor.

The moment we met and introduced the ministry books in Punjabi, he showed so.much interest. But since the time of our visit was lunch time, he offered us to eat lunch with him. Meanwhile, he introduced another Pastor nearby which we visited as he prepared our lunch. In that way, we could meet the key Pastors within the one day we had for this city. 

This latter Pastor was so impressed by the ministry books that he invited us to visit the city again on 7th May to distribute the ministry books in a Pastor's meeting. So, the next trip to Punjab was planned accordingly. 

As we had lunch with the first Pastor, I introduced the ministry books in Hindi. He immediately placed order for the entire set along with the English Holy Bible Recovery Version. Promptly and step by step the Lord led us to the people He wanted us to meet.

Lord, raise up the church in Batala!

Ministry of the Word to Gurdaspur

One of our brothers gave us hospitality in one of the villages in Gurdaspur. We stayed there for three nights and during the day visited the nearby localities for distribution. Though it was a remote and interior part of Punjab, many believers have been gained by the Lord so far. I personally was overwhelmed by the spread of the gospel in the interior parts of Punjab. I believe, in the entire North India, Punjab is the state with the highest number of Christian population, especially in the villages. 

One of the Pastors we meet was so impressed by the truth and the ministry books, especially the Holy Bible Recovery Version. He immediately placed order for the Bible and all the ministry books in Hindi, five sets each as he also has a Christian books shop and he often goes for distribution using his gospel van. I reckoned that as the Lord opening the door and immediately supplied all the books he ordered. Though he was busy with other Christian meeting, he patiently took time to host us even with lunch. The Lord has prepared His chosen ones for His move. Though we met for the first time, we could trust one anther for God’s move. 

Later, we were invited by another young Pastor at his house. Though he was interested in the ministry books I felt he did not have the capacity to purchase them. Therefore, I was burdened to gift him three books, on the church and the oneness of the believers, to read. Out of his poverty, he even hosted us with dinner. Though we tried to deny his requested he insisted that we dine with him. May the Lord gain him and supply him richly.

In this district there are already three families through whom the Lord can even raise up His testimony. 

Lord, raise up the church in Gurdaspur!

Ministry of the Word to Pathankot

Pathankot was our last stop in the last distribution trip. But due to time constraint we were not able to do anything as we came from Chamba via Banikhet. We only came to board our train from this city. Therefore, we decided immediately that we would come back to Pathankot for another round of distribution, not merely satisfied with the exhibition in a Christian convention. Besides, Punjabi booklets BXL 1,2,3 were just printed and the first ministry books in Punjabi needed introduction and distribution. 

As we arrived Pathankot, the first person we met for the introduction and distribution of the ministry books in Punjabi was a very senior Pastor and a pioneer of the gospel move in Pathankot. He was the first person to receive the Punjabi ministry books. He opened the door for us by introducing a good number of key Christian leaders. Though he regret that he could not give us hospitality due to some legal issues he recently faced, he was glad that we could meet him atleast. He even requested us to pray for him and the ministry he has been involved in, and he also prayed for us and blessed us.

The next leader we met was the President of the Christian Pastors Association. This brother was so impressed by the truth that he purchased some key books that I introduced to him. He received a good number of the free Punjabi books for his distribution and invited us for lunch as well. It was indeed the Lord who led us to meet the key people at His own time.

During the two days stay in the city, we met the key people and the base for further distribution of the ministry books has been set. The Lord gave us a brother who has been so impressed by the truth that he volunteered to do the distribution on our behalf. What we could not, he will continue to carry out.

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Pathankot!

Training: Inward and Outward

The Lord has been training me these days in all possible ways. I have been blessed to be under His divine dealing and training. Last week, we had a three days training on the recent international training for elders and responsible ones on "Being a Vessel unto Honor, a Fully Equipped Man of God, by Being Empowered in the Grace Which Is in Christ Jesus to Fully Accomplish Our Ministry in the Unique Ministry of God’s Economy." The speaking of the Lord has been timely. Though His speaking through the training were outward, His work has been intrinsic. Through His word, here a little there a little, the Lord does His work gradually, especially in me.

For three days, we, brothers in North India, came together at the meeting hall in New Delhi for the training. The Lord has been preparing our vessels to be a vessel unto honor usefull to the Master. But for this, He has been perfecting our vessels to be like that of a soldier who would not entangle himself in the affair of this life, an athlete who contends in the game, a laboring farmer who labors faithfully, a carpenter who cut straight the word of the truth, and a proper workman. All these are to constitute us to be useful to the Lord.

Suffer evil with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please the one who enlisted him. And also if anyone contends in the games, he is not crowned unless he contends lawfully. The laboring farmer must be the first to partake of the fruit. (2 Timothy 2:3-6, RecVer)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman, cutting straight the word of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, RecVer)

But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels but also wooden and earthen; and some are unto honor, and some unto dishonor. If therefore anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, useful to the master, prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21, RecVer)

This was how I experienced the Lord’s perfecting outwardly through His speaking. But following this training ,we also had another two days of seekers' training. This training, though at the very outset, it might be for the seekers, but it was a training for me particularly. My inward being has been dealt with by this training. I bore the responsibility for inviting and taking care of them all. Though only half of the ones who confirmed to join turned up, the training went on. This was a dealing for my inward being that I should not boast of anything relating to the seekers. 

To care for the seekers, I looked to the Lord for those who came and also for those who could not come. Besides, throughout the training, I was with the seekers, learning together with them and taking care of them. Out of my own burden, I also took part in whatever way I could. I spent and I was being spent for the sake of the seekers. It was a burden to bear, but with the Lord’s grace, everything was taken care. The saints in the church in New Delhi and Gurugram coordinated to take care of the hospitality. In this way, we all bore the same burden together. What a learning and what a training! Praise the Lord! These two trainings were a training for me inwardly and outwardly. What the Lord spoke became my experience. His hand followed His words. What a grace!

Lord, make me a vessel useful to You, a vessel unto honor.

Give Thanks for All Things

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28, RecVer)

Giving thanks at all times for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father, (Ephesians 5:20, RecVer)

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17, RecVer)

All things work together for good! Yes, indeed. But do you give things for all things that work together for good? It is one thing to acknowledge and accept the fact that all things in our life work together for good. This, many Christians have accepted it in obedience to the word of God. But the issue here is not the mere acceptance of the fact, but the giving thanks for all things that have happened. This is the challenge here.

Two weeks ago, in a fellowship with a brother I saw this new light of the need for giving thanks at all times for all things. I do accept many things that happened to my life as allowed by the Lord. In fact, I always acknowledged that He is sovereign over all. But rarely did I do so with thanksgiving. I accepted the facts but "with grudgingly, murmuring, complain, and even opinion." The Lord exposed who I was inwardly. Though I might display self control and handled the situations spiritually, deep within me, I did not give thanks for what had transpired. I was exposed. This was a new lesson learnt on that day of the fellowship. I thank the Lord for using the brother to open my eyes and see who I had actually been all this while. 

This fellowship also led me to realise that many things that the Lord sovereignly allowed in my life, though I did not like many of them initially but I accepted all of them gradually, were the best for me. Now, having realised that they were indeed the best, I can eventually give thanks for all those things that had transpired. The realisation of God’s will, not merely accepting the fact as God’s sovereignty, enabled me to give thanks to God for all things. This should be the case, henceforth. Give thanks for all things at all times!

When this is the realisation, it is also the knowing of God’s will. For, all things that the Lord allows is His will. To acknowledge and give thanks for all things is the understanding of God’s will, and infact, the doing of God’s will as well. This truth revealed to me through the brother's fellowship is a great salvation to me. What a relief, what a salvation!

I even shared my newly found revelation and realisation to all the brothers in the fellowship right there at Lemon Tree, suite room, in Sector 56, Gurugram where we brothers gathered together for two days.

It is one thing to pursue, study, know, and speak the truth, yet it is altogether another thing to receive light from the truth. The Lord has blessed His recovery with the ministry of the word. I pray that I should not miss the knowing, pursuing, and studying of the truth. Much more, I must receive light and revelation through the truth that has been ministered to us richly.

Lord, open up Your word and give me light!

The opening of Your words gives light, Imparting understanding to the simple. (Psalms 119:130, RecVer)

The Father’s Will

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the times of the ages (2 Timothy 1:9, RecVer)

But you have closely followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, endurance, (2 Timothy 3:10, RecVer)

The will of the Father is to accomplish His own purpose, of His chosen ones to enter into the kingdom of the heavens, relating to the saving of sinners and perfecting the saved sinners to be builded up in the Body of Christ. This was Paul's purpose which was also God’s purpose. Paul was so one with God that his purpose is one with God’s purpose. And he laboured all his life to fulfill God’s purpose as his purpose. Therefore, he did not ceasing praying for the believers that they also may be filled with the full knowledge of God’s will.

Therefore we also, since the day we heard of it, do not cease praying and asking on your behalf that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (Colossians 1:9, RecVer)

Apart from God’s purpose, everything and anything anyone does will only amount to nothing. Hence, it is imperative to first of all know God's will and then serve God according to His will. Lest, the Lord would deny knowing the so called servants of God doing their own will in the name of the Lord. To such, the Lord will even dubbed them as workers of lawlessness. What a terrifying words to hear this denial from the Lord? This word sends chill down my being in fear and trembling before God, not to be disapproved. So, better look to Lord now and make sure that whatever one does is indeed according to the Father’s perfect will.

Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but he who does the will of My Father who is in the heavens. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, was it not in Your name that we prophesied, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name did many works of power? And then I will declare to them: I never knew you. Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness. (Matthew 7:21-23, RecVer)

Having warned of not doing the Father’s will, one must walk the way that leads to life, the constricted way of the narrow gate. This way is the way of the cross, denying the self, and following the Lord Jesus absolutely.

Enter in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it. Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14, RecVer)

The constricted way of the Lord seems tough, but the grace of the Lord will enable all the faithful servants of God take this way. God always grace His children who follows Him absolutely. This may as well be connected to taking up the Father’s yoke and learning from the Lord whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light.

Come to Me all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30, RecVer)

In summary, to do the will of the Father, one must seek the Father’s will first of all. Then, take the Father’s will as our own will. Henceforth, it is the Father who will grace His children to accomplish His will. Thereby, enabling all His children to rest while laboring all the while and yet fulfill His will.

This revelation is yet a salvation to me. I labor yet I rest in the Lord while laboring. His grace is sufficient for me. This makes serving the Lord so enjoyable. Because, it is He who does the willing and working for His won purpose. I even shared this message to the believers in a meeting online to the brothers and sisters in Madhya Pradesh.

For it is God who operates in you both the willing and the working for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13, RecVer)

Lord, preserve me in You, resting in You while I labor to fulfill Your will, all the days of my life.

Ministry of the Word to Dalhousie and Chamba

Chamba and Dalhousie have been in my heart to visit for the introduction and distribution of the ministry books. This time, the Lord opened the door for us. Though we did not know anyone when we planned to visit, only the night before we left for Chamba, a contact was introduced. After some calls and fellowship, we had to readjust our schedule. The Lord was behind the scene.

We discerned that it would be better for us to visit Dalhousie first according to the Spirit's leading felt in our spirit. Therefore, we went to a village near Dalhousie to hisue of a brother who was introduced just the night before we met. In fact, our host happened to be the most senior Christian leader who shepherds the biggest Christian congregation in Dalhousie. As we introduced the ministry books, they selected almost all the books I carried along with me, paving the way for the ministry to spread. 

Later, we visited Dalhousie hill station and met with the CNI Pastor. As soon as we introduced the ministry book, he thanked the Lord for bringing us to him. He had been longing for some good Christian literature and the Lord met his longing by sending us to him. Since the meeting hall was a centre of tourist attraction too, the Pastor also requested for more books that can be given out to anyone who would be interested. In this way, the door to Dalhousie was opened up.

After an overnight stay with our host, we went to Chamba the next day morning where another Pastor received us and took care of us. The moment he heard about the ministry books and the Recovery Version Bible, he immediately place ld order for the entire set along with the Bible. Then, he took us to visit other Pastors to whom the ministry was introduced. With these few Pastors, we covered the key Christian leaders in Chamba. 

Though, our plan us to travel by bus to Pathankot to board our late night train, the meetings with Pastors took more time than expected. We had to take a cab instead. This cab became the vehicle the Lord alloted for us to commute in the town for the distribution. We tentatively planned something, which if we were to strictly follow, it was impractical. The Lord was sovereign and led us according to His plan instead. Therefore, we could accomplish the purpose of ministry books introduction and distribution. Praise the Lord!

Thus, the burden for Himachal Pradesh was released and the practical sowing of the seed was carried out. In His time, the Lord will accomplish His heart's desire. 

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Dalhousie and Chamba!