Counted Worthy!

And they were persuaded by him. And having called the apostles to them, they beat them and charged them not to speak based upon the name of Jesus; and they released them. 

So they went from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name. 

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and announcing the gospel of Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:40-42, RecVer)

The apostles set the pattern of the gospel living for all the believers to follow suit. In the principle of the first happening, what the apostles were counted worthy of, by being persecuted in the name of Jesus, all the believers thereafter repeated the same experience. Today and tomorrow, it is the same narrow, constricted, and persecuted path that has been laid for the believers in the same Lord Jesus Christ. The path has been laid, but it is up to the Lord when His children will actually walk this path and be persecuted at the same time. According to the Scriptures, those whom the Lord allowed and graced to walk the path of persecution were counted worthy of the Lord. In actuality, in a very positive and spiritual sense, it is an honor to be persecuted in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I wonder if I will be graced to be able get this honor. It's all up to the Lord’s sovereignty. Only time will tell.

Last Lord's day, I was informed of the imprisonment of six of our young saints who were preaching the gospel in Noida. When I heard the matter, it was a shocking surprise. Because, as per the law of the land quoted below, what transpired should not have been legally correct.

Article 25, Constitution of India 1950

(Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion). It guarantees the freedom of conscience, the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion to all citizens.

However, the world we live in is always against Christ. Satanic forces were behind instigating persecution to the children of God. It was then during the apostles' time, so it is now in our time, in our nation. Nothing new, and nothing to surprised of. Satan's kingdom has been shaken! He then breathed threatening knowing fully well, his time of execution of the Lord Jesus' victory at the cross is near. But all his deeds will only strengthen the Lord’s move and serve as a wake up call to all sleeping Christians. What Satan meant for harm, the Lord overturned it as a timely good for His children. Praise the Lord!

Sincerely, I worship the Lord for allowing persecution to His beloved children. My appreciation and regard for these young siants have shot up due to this incident. My eyes became more widely opened to the Lord’s move in North India. I could perceive that this is a new beginning among the Hindi heartland for His testimony. Amidst saffronisation and amidst persecution, the glorious banner has been raised up high, "Jesus is Lord, Christ is Victor!"

Yet on the human side, I also have a prayer and concern for those still in bonds. I pray daily for the Lord’s covering upon them, for His grace to supply and sustain them, that they would experience and gain the Lord much much more. And that they also be released and all charges dropped soon. I beseech the sovereign Lord for their early release and timely intervention. Until then, my prayer will follow on. Despite all, the gospel preaching should go on, day by day, house to house, as the apostle did so.

What a grace to be counted worthy to suffer in His name! This is rejoice worthy! 

An Experience in Bengaluru

Yesterday morning I arrived in Bengaluru and put up at CEO Centre SAICS, the proposed venue for the upcoming Kannada proofreading project in July-Agust this year. I had to come alone as my brother had to take care of urgent situation that transpired in Noida last weekend. Nonetheless, three other brothers from Bengaluru accompanied me to take care of the trial run of the food quality for the proposed project. Thereafter, we had a time of fellowship with the potential volunteers for the same. The Lord took care of all the matters in a wise way, though not expected.

The moment I arrived, I spent time with the manager of the venue and briefed him of all the practical details and some foreseen situations. Then, step by step, the Lord led me through in all the tasks that needed my attention and accomplished the purposes of my visit to Bengaluru. One thing that was unavoidable was the long time spent in commuting between places. Hours and hours were eaten up in traveling within the city. But that also turned that to a wonderful time of fellowship with the brothers. 

One brother, in particular, took his driving me as an opportunity to share to me how much he has been helped to read the Bible. He testifed that he never was used to reading even his own academic books, much less the Bible. He had been struggling in the past to breakthrough in Bible reading. But his breakthrough came only recently as a brother helped him with the way to read the Bible and gave an example of me reading the Bible as he saw me reading many times. Last year in Belgaum, he physically saw me reading the Bible in hotel room where he chanced to enter. I had no intention of showing to anyone my Bible reading. Since I had time, I just read as I used to do so. That incident created a great impression on him and since then he has been exerciseing to read the Bible, taking me as his pattern. Then, the Lord gave him a breakthrough and now he has been reading for about an hour each day about ten chapters. In addition, he also impressed his wife and another sister to do the same, giving my pattern. Now, all the three have been reading the Bible regularly. 

He took the time to share this and thanked the Lord for the help. I had no special feeling as such, because it is purely the Lord’s mercy that I can read the Bible.  Nothing to be proud of. My simple reply is, "Praise the Lord!" If someone could be help, it is because God has helped me. It is all God’s work, and I am only a vessel. Besides the Bible reading, I also encouraged him to be a man of prayer. The word and prayer should always go together. 

As I left for the Airport to catch my flight to Hyderabad, I just received a phone call informing me of the flight delay. I had already checked out so I went ahead even though too early and I decided to use the Airport lounge. At the Airport, I first spent time reading my Bible again, my daily portion, as usual. Then, I accessed the lounge, enjoyed the abundant supply of food to my heart's content. Afterwhich, I enjoyed a ministry portion which I also posted in some WhatsApp group. 

As I exit the lounge to board the delayed flight, it was further delayed. That gave me time to enjoy more ministry materials, and also write a blog that has been pending concerning prayer for the present poll, the general election going on in India. Once I was done and the time arrived for boarding, there was a further delay. So much commotion occurred at the boarding counter, passengers were complaining about the delay, and relay delays, and some cancelling or changing flights. The matter did not matter to me at all. For I know God is in control. This delay only gave me more time to keep writing about my experiences. 

In this case too, all things worked together for good. I am happy waiting as I know God has yet another wonderful plan for me. Time will reveal soon.

God us good! Yes, He is good, all the time, in all things. So, I give thanks to Him at all times and also for all things.

This is a wonderful impromptu experiences in Bengaluru. What a rest when others are restless. For I know my God.

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)

Prayer for the Present Poll

And I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will stop the arrogance of the proud, And the haughtiness of the terrible I will abase. (Isaiah 13:11, RecVer)

The ruling dispensation of the present regime has its days numbered. The decade long rule has manifested it's true color of its extremist ideology. The politically right wing has been flapped to take off the country to its utopian dream of making the entire nation sing its bigoted song of nationalism. The majority of the Central agencies have followed suit in joining the enthralling chorus. Though I tried to be apolitical, I cannot neglect my rights as a citizen born in the flesh, of this country. As much as I have the right to vote, with that comes along my freedom to choose which party or who to vote for, I will yet again exercise my franchise, as I deem best according to my observation of the nation I live in. 

My discernment is based on my fellowship with the true and living God with Whom I have been in a relationship with, since I was born again some seventeen years ago. In my prayer and consideration, even in my reading of the Holy Scriptures, it has been made known to me that the fate of the proud and arrogant must be meted with defeat and humiliation. This is according to God's sovereignty. And such defeat will be the timely medicine to humble oneself and acknowledged and fear the true and living God. O how I pray that God’s will be done.

Incidents after incidents, it has also been made more clear to me that, God willing, the rule of the arrogance must be put to an end. The Holy Scriptures reveals the desire of God’s heart; that all men be saved and be brought to the full knowledge of the truth. Anything or anyone trying to stop God’s word may do so at the expense of facing God’s wrath. I fear God,  and I also fear God for those who do not fear God. Therefore, for the good of all, I pray for the hand of God to abase the arrogant and uplift the lowly. Such deeds of God would be a befitting reply to those politically powerful and proud party that provokes the politically poor people.

I could be wrong, if so, may God forgive me. But my understanding of the present politcal scenario is, the defeat of the dictatorial dominant and the victory of the vile valor would best balance the socio-religious-politico imbalance. I humbly plead the righteous Judge to deliver justice due to the people of this nation. May God save India for His testimony. Yes, God bless India!

Since a few months ago, as the poll bungle sounded in my inner ear, I have been praying for the salvation of the people of India from anything that is not of God. In course of time even as I prayed daily for the good of this nation I am born into, I became more and more clear that a change of regime is due now. One day as I read the Scriptures, a couple of verses enlightened me to see how God dealt with the proud and arrogant rulers in the history of the nation recorded therein. Then a week ago, I had peace within my being during my prayer time as I prayed for this nation that God has indeed hear my prayers, and also the prayers of many saints. Then, a day later after that, six of God’s children have been arrested and charged with whatever charges the religious fanatics could convince the police with, under this ruling dispensation. This became enough evidence to present before the Heavely Judge to delivery justice righteously in due time. Yes, I presented my plea before the Honourable Supreme Judge of all. "Lord, hear my case. Do not delay."

Despite all these boasting and shameful display of arrogance, may the King of kings, the Lord of lords, rule in wisdom and let the whole world know that "Heaven Do Rule."

All said, still only God’s perfect will be done. God knows best how to be God indeed. I will and always accept God’s will despite my personal perception. Amen and amen to whatever God decides. Only God’s will be done. Amen.

Lord, save India!

Lord, bless India!

The Lord's Supply

Taste and see that Jehovah is good; Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear Jehovah, you who are His saints; For there is no lack with those who fear Him. The young lions hunger and starve, But those who seek Jehovah will not lack any good thing. (Psalms 34:8-10, RecVer)

Jehovah is my Shepherd; I will lack nothing. (Psalms 23:1, RecVer) This should be the testimony of every children of God. The Lord is the Shepherd, He knows our need and He supplies it accordingly. Paul testifies, "And my God will fill your every need according to His riches, in glory, in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, RecVer)

Therefore, according to the truth and according to our normal experience of Christ, the Lord is indeed our Shepherd and He must meet every need. However, in some cases, this has not been the case. Sometimes, I wondered why some saints are always in lack. In the recent past, at least three cases of the Lord’s serving ones have told me their financial lack they had been through. All of them are serving full time. And to my understanding, they should have sufficient even according to the support they received. But the reality is completely different.  Perhaps, there is a hole in their relativity the Lord? Or they lack to fear God in their living and conduct? Only God knows. May He have mercy on us all.

When these brothers came to fellowship with me, I pray within that the Lord may supply their needs as He supplies me. I could not understand very well why the Lord’s serving ones need to go through this kind of lack to the extend that they have to even mention it to me knowing fully well that I can do nothing about it. I am not the supplier, only the Lord Jesus is. But as for me, though at times I may be in lack, the Lord always supplied me. In every lack, I experienced the Lord’s bountiful supply. So when I compared my self with these brothers, though I am no better than them in any way, I wondered why are they in lack? I always believe that the Lord can bountiful supply them as He supplies me. I can only sympathies with them and pray for them that the Lord would richly supply them. In fact, in some cases, I had to encourage them to trust the Lord and often shared my own testimony. 

Recently, the Lord supplied me bountiful. As usual, I would pray to the Lord to guide me how to share the blessing with others as well. When blessed financially, in addition to offering to the Lord, I would offer to the needy siants too. The Lord revealed two needy families and to them offering were made through the church. The Lord also reminded me of my own family in Manipur.  As the eldest son, I have not been able to do much to meet the family's need, but now and then when the Lord led me I would send offerings in the form of money. This time, the Lord gave me bountifully so I transferred a good amount to my father’s bank account. The same goes to my younger brother who has been taking care of our family in Imphal. As and when the Lord supplied, I shared the same to them. 

The Lord has been faithfully meeting all my needs and the needs of my family too. Even as the eldest son, it is proper to share in the family's burden. But I did so when the Lord led me and also supplied me.

This has been my experience of the Lord’s bountiful supply these days. I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good! He knows and He gives according to His riches. 

Thank you, Lord! You are my Shepherd! Supply Your children according to Your riches and according to Your promises. Let no servant of God be in lack, ever. The Lord supplies. Amen.

Ministry of the Word to Amritsar

In Amritsar, the Pastor contact we got from Tarn Tarn warmly welcomed us. Since we came late to meet him, we only had dinner and rested in a hotel booked for us by him. The reason for us being late was because we decided to visit Wagah border from Tarn Taran on Saturday itself. In the midst of our distribution tour, we often took a time out for some sightseeing if there indeed was something worth seeing and we had the time too.

Sightseeing 

Amritsar being the border of India Pakistan at Wagah, we came to visit Wagah border and witnessed the Indian Army BSF daily ceremony. The crowd was charged with voices of patriotism. The next day, we also had a glimpse of the golden temple from outside and Jallianwalla Bagh.

On the Lord’s day, we ministered to the believers of the Pastor's congregation. The burden the Lord gave us to release on breathing, drinking, and eating the Lord. We three brothers coordinated to minister the word in turn, within an hour's time. The believers were so supplied by the ministry. After which, we also distributed the books.

Since our burden was to meet the key Christian leaders, the Lord arranged a Pastor's meeting on the following day, Monday. As we attended the meeting, it was a pleasant surprise altogether. Later, I wrote a note to the brothers:

Today, we had a meeting with the Pastors and they made us their main speakers and guests without any prior information. Two politicians also joined the meeting. 

On their request, we repeated the same message ministered on the Lord’s Day concerning breathing, drinking, and eating the Lord, in addition to distribution. The Pastors were so receptive and requested us to come again and minister to them.

The moment we entered the train to depart for Delhi, Amritsar received showers of rain. The seeds were sown by tilling the ground and God sent the rain!

In fact, the Pastor contact in Amritsar was the main organiser of the Pastors' meeting on Monday. We were made the guests and speakers to the gathering of about a hundred serving brothers and sisters. Since the Pastor was so touched by the ministry on Lord’s Day at his place, he once again requested for the same message to be ministered. We took that as the Lord’s leading and ministered the word with the exercise of our spirit. The Lord indeed anointed His word. Many brothers and sisters were so supplied by the word. I myself could sense the rich flow of life through the ministry of the word to the extend that we were invited to vist them again for the ministry of the word. Whether the Lord will lead us again or not, we don't know. We left the matter to the Lord. Only in His will, can we do. May His will be done.

In the meeting too, two politicians were present. I do pray that the Lord will touch them and save them too. Thus, having released the burden this time, our distribution trip came to a satisfactory conclusion. But, our train was delayed by two hours, that too was the Lord’s sovereignty.  Layer, the moment we boarded our train, there was a heavy downpour. The Lord sent the physical rain to this city after the burden for the ministry of the word was released. I took this as the Lord’s confirmation of His work. He sends the rain only after man tills the ground.

And no plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up — for Jehovah God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no man to work the ground, (Genesis 2:5, RecVer)

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Punjab!

Lord, bless Your move in Punjab!

Ministry of the Word to Tarn Taran

Amritsar was the city we planned to visit after Batala. But we did not have a contact. But as we were planning, a Pastor called us and invited us to visit him. But he was not in Amritsar but in Tarn Taran, a city about an hour's journey from Amritsar. Therefore, this city was added in our journey. 

This Pastor came in touch with the ministry books in Hindi at a Christian convention in Pathankot a week ago. As he was reading the book and praying, he felt the urge to call a number printed on the booklet. It was exactly at the same time that we were praying and planning for the distribution in Amritsar. Therefore, his phone call became the leading for us to visit Tarn Taran first.

In fact, I have been burdened to visit Tarn Taran since the time I first heard the name a couple of years ago. Though our trip to this city was not planned, the Lord fulfilled the burden he implanted many years ago in my heart. I can only marvel at the Lord’s mysterious way of leading us for His move.

As we fellowshipped with the Pastor who was a pioneer in this city for the gospel, he was so burdened for his son whom he also invited. When his son came, I introduced the Holy Bible Recovery Version in English.  Every sentence that I spoke became to him a new light and revelation. He was so excited by the depth of the truth presented in the footnotes of the Recovery Version. Somehow, the Lord led me to present Genesis 1:1 on God, Elohim in Hebrew,  plural noun, which signifies the Triune God. Then, Genesis 1:26. Then Matthew 1:1, 3,5,6,16. As I explained the footnotes in these verses on the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, the five women, he was completely taken aback. He proclaimed in exclamation, "Today is my second salvation!" So, within the short time he had, he received light after light, and placed order for the Holy Bible Recovery Version.

As we enjoyed the sumptuous meal provided by the Pastor, we prayed together and the Pastor and his wife blessed me literally. Through one of the Pastors whom he also invited to meet us, we got a contact for Amritsar finally, who then became our key contact for Amritsar. 

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Tarn Taran!

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!