Lesson on Prayer

The Lord is sovereign over all. He knows how to be God at His best and let that be known to men on earth. Even for believers, He works things in ways He could gain their attention. All those who know God in this subjective way will surely worship God for His ways.

In the recent past, I thought I made a mistake in making some decisions related to the dates of our family's foreign trip. But as I prayed over the matter over and over again I realised that the Lord was in the minute detail and I did not make a mistake. It was His sovereign arrangement. This pertains to our trip to Singapore and Taiwan, and before that my children's trip to Lonavala for the teenagers training. The itinerary looks quite tight, but the Lord was involved in the planning. Hallelujah!

When I applied for the visas for Singapore and Taiwan visit too, through the process and outcome of the application, I could see the Lord’s hand in it. The duration, the visa type granted, and the waiting period, all made me to turn to the Lord and pray. I did not take anything for granted just for the fact that I am legally eligible. The issuing  authority is God Himself on the throne. My Singapore visa application was delayed for over three weeks until I finish the ministry literature journey to Andhra Pradesh. When I applied, it was too realty to process. And when it was to be processed, the person in charge was on leave. All these matters led me to pray and pray and fully depend on the Lord.

Even when I got both the visas, now there are situations happening in both the countries. Singapore is going through Covid spike again. And Taiwan is being threatened by China's military drill after the new President's official inauguration. Despite all these, we keep praying and praying. The Lord is in control and He knows the best!

Now, India is on the process of election for the new term. Yesterday, I cast my vote for the candidate and party I deemed best. Though I had my discernment from the so called political analysis, and though I prayed earnestly and daily for the burden within me, I am ready to accept whatever result the Lord would give. No matter who rules in India, the real Rural is God on the throne in the heaven. Until the result be declared on 4th June, I will still pray earnestly to the Lord for what I felt I should pray for. Whether my desire be fulfilled or not, or my prayers answered or not, I will amen whatever the result and submit to the Lord’s deputy authority no matter who or which party comes to rule this country. 

In all these processes too, I enjoyed spending time with the Lord in prayer. Most of my prayers these days are for the country to be opened for the gospel of the Kingdom.

All these are ways and opportunities to pray, pray, and pray. The environmental arrangement of the Lord makes me learn how to pray unceasingly. 

Unceasingly pray, 

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

(1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, RecVer)

Ministry of the Word to Tirupati

Tirupati, the temple city of Hindu deities, was not new to my ears, except for my eyes. Time and again, I have heard and read about as it has been religiously frequented by many who placed their faith in the dieties. This was also one of the cities I wished to visit. This time, I could finally make it. But we arrived at the city late in the night and was surprisingly greeted with an abundance of nonveg food at a hotel, contrary to the notion of vegetarianism associated to the same faith in the North. The room that I and a brother was lodged in had a framed photos of two deities, black faces religiously adorned. As usual, I read my Bible straight facing the idol frames as I could not read for the day due to long drive. Interestingly, my Bible reading portion was on Exodus 20 onwards. 

And God spoke all these words, saying, I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the slave house; You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, nor the form of anything that is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water beneath the earth. You shall not bow down to them, and you shall not serve them; for I, Jehovah your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, (Exodus 20:1-5, RecVer)

What a timely word! What an exposition of the truth! What a revelation of the true and living God!

As I slept, the Lord burdened me with a message on "Open Vessel" from 2 Timothy. Even in a dream, the Lord gave me verse by verse, point by point of what to minister to the saints in the church in Tirupati! The message was clear and the burden heavy.

The following day, when the brothers asked me to minister the word after the Lord’s table meeting, I ministered on the need to be an open vessel to the Lord, for growth in the divine life, for the building up of the Body of Christ, for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. Touching upon the background in which 2 Timothy was written with the burden to overcome the degraded situation of the church and the backslidden condition of the saints, the key burden was on the exercise of the human spirit with a stress on the eternal life, the divine truth, and the Holy Scriptures (chs 1, 2 ,3).

For which cause I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and of love and of sobermindedness. (2 Timothy 1:6-7, RecVer)

A good number of saints testified of the help they received and the enjoyment they had from the ministry of the word. The, we went to meet four of the old, big and famous Christian Pastors in Tirupati. All fo them appreciated the truth so much upon hearing the introduction of the Holy Bible Recovery Version and purchased them immediately! The Lord truly blessed the ministry of the word in Tirupati!

The next day, a Pastors' gathering was called for, wherein I ministered on the all-inclusive Christ typified by the good and spacious land in Exodus 3:8, Ephesians 3:8 and Deuteronomy 8:7-10. The Lord imparted this burden on the all-inclusive Christ as I considered and prayed for His timely word for the Christian leaders. All the brothers were richly supplied with the ministry of the word! Having thus accomplished the burden for this time, the last stop being the city Tirupati, I worship the Lord for His sovereignty and blessing.

In the local church too, the leading brothers have testified to me that our visit this time was a very timely visit. They have been struggling with coordination and oneness, but this visit and all the fellowship we enjoyed together have opened up the mysterious ministry hidden to them for years now. Four of the brothers personally testified to me that the Lord had cleared up their long pending enigma on the ministry and the practices of the church life in the Lord’s recovery. I had no idea about their condition before I came, neither did I have any intention to know, much less, try to help them. I simply followed the Spirit's anointing within and upon me and faithfully ministered the word using the ministry literature. 

Jesus is Lord in Tirupati!

Christ is Victor in Tirupati!

Lord, bless Your testimony in Tirupati!

You are the true and living God!

So shall it be made known to all the pilgrims and residents of this city of the deities.

Ministry of the Word to Pulivendula, Kadapa

Pulivendula, a small town in Kadapa district was well developed beyond many  metropolitan cities I have visited in India. The reason was obvious. It was the home town of the present Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. I wish all the cities and towns in India would be developed in the same pattern.

Our first meeting in this town was with two professors from JNTU, one from the English and the other from the Computer Science department. They both were Christian leaders in the campus and one of them a Bible teacher and preacher among college and university students. After a detail and meticulous explanation and their patient and careful hearing, they both appreciated the Recovery Version Bible so much and purchased both the English and Telegu versions!

In the evening, a group of Christian leaders, seekers, and saints were invited for a meeting where I ministered on God's Economy. In fact, the Lord burdened me on this truth while on the way to this town. Verse by verse, point by point, I ministered on God's economy of dispensing the divine life to His children and the processes He took in creating man with body, soul, and spirit and His passing through incarnation, human living, crucifixion, resurrection, and becoming the life-giving Spirit to dispense into man's spirit. And then, the dispensing from the spirit to the soul and to the Body and God heading up all things in Christ. Though the topic seems high and difficult to understand, but with the enjoyment of God's economy subjectively day by day, the message was delivered in a very simply yet profound way, enjoyable to the audience. Now, I practically agree that the high peak truth is understandable and enjoyable depending upon the minister himself understanding and enjoying the high peak truth.

The following day, we visited a village evangelised and shepherded by a brother located at about half an hour drive from the town, a rocky valley village, Kondagattupalle. Then, we had family visits, shepherding the saints. As the main leading brother requested for a word of love for his family, I ministered on the importance of reading the Bible, prayer, seeking God’s will, family prayers, Life-study pursuit, the need for secular education too to encourage the young people, and then prayed for the saints. We also visited the YS Reddy's family, introduced the ministry, and prayed for the family.

Thus, the burden for Pulivendula was released. 

May the Lord strengthen the church life in Pulivendula!

Ministry of the Word to Badvel and Kadapa

Early in the morning we arrived in Badvel and went straight to the hotel room the brothers booked for us. After a few hours of rest, we had a time of ministering the word to a group of Christian leaders. The burden the Lord gave me was on "One God, One Work, One Goal" expounding Ephesians 4:11-13 along with my personal testimony of salvation experience. Right after the meeting, a brother came and testified that his doubt about salvation in the Bible has been cleared finally. A good number of brothers were fellowshipping after the meeting about the truth they just heard. They testified that they were made clear of the one ministry amidst the confusion in Christianity of many ministries. 

Then, as we met one of the leading Christian leaders from a mainline church, he was very impressed by the truth in the Holy Bible Recovery Version. He asked me what theological degree I had and which Bible college I went to. To his surprise I answered, I did not go to any theological college nor have any theological degree, but I testifed to him that I read and study the Bible everyday with helpful Christian books. He was so impressed and immediately purchased a copy of the English and Telegu Recovery Version Bible for himself. He even promised to invite us for a big Pastors gathering in Ananthapuram a few months later thia year. It was because of this and time constraint that we skipped Ananthapuram this time though it was in the plan. Later, as we met another mainline Christian leader, he also immediately purchased the Recovery Version. This time again, they were hearing about the Recovery Version for the first time! 

In the evening, we had a time of fellowship with a sister's family whose mother was baptised and was give a new name, Priscilla. Then, we enjoyed a lovefeast fellowship over dinner with the responsible brothers.

The following day, we went to Kadapa city and ministered the word on the qualifications of God’s called ones in Exodus 3 and 4 from the life of Moses highlighting the key points on the purpose of God's calling, the subjective signs of God’s calling expounding on the staff turning serpent, the bosom becoming leprous, the Nile water turning blood on dry land, the cutting of a foreskin, and the matching of Moses with Aaron. In fact, the Lord gave me this burden a few hours before actually ministering it. As the brothers who volunteered to accompany me were relatively new to the church life and I felt they still need to learn the truth. This message became very timely for all the brothers who accompanied me. They testified that many of their doubts about serving the Lord were cleared. One brother thought he needed money and material riches to be able to serve the Lord. But the Lord’s speaking made it clear that the source of service should only be God and God alone, others the Lord will take care.

Then, we moved on to the next destination, Pulivendula.

Lord, bless Your testimony in Badvel and raise up the church in Kadpa soon!

Ministry of the Word to Kurnool

In the last ministry literature distribution trip to AP and T, it became clear that there is a need to visit city by city, town by town, even village by village, and meet Christian leaders and seekers for the introduction of the ministry literature, especially the Recovery Version Bible in Telugu and English. It was then that another trip was planned to the unfathomed region, Rayalaseema. This time round, right after the Serving Ones Training in Hyderabad, we embarked on another ministry journey to a few select cities and towns of Rayalaseema. 

Our first destination was Kurnool. A brother who is also one of the serving ones in the literature service gave us hospitality. A meeting with Christian leaders were planned for two days, in addition to visiting some select Christian leaders personally at their homes. In all the meetings, the Lord richly blessed the ministry literature introduction as the local church brothers also coordinated with us. To my surprise, all of these ones were hearing about the Recovery Version of the Bible for the first time. This indeed made the visit even more worthwhile. 

One afternoon, there was a meeting with groups of Christian leaders where we were given the opportunity to introduce the ministry literature which was also video recorded. Then, a time of fellowship with two medical doctor brothers in the hospital owned by one of them. The Lord burdened me to minister the word on receiving the word of God by breathing in the Scriptures that is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). And all this, for the building up of the Body of Christ in the one unique ministry by faithfully carrying out our portion, our ministry, in the one ministry. I then prayed for the two doctor brothers and gifted the owner of the hospital my used outline of the recent training for his study of the truth as he missed the training.

On a Tuesday prayer meeting night, on the request of the brothers, I fellowshipped with the saints on loving the Lord as the main motivating factor for the practice of the God-ordained way. The saints were so supplied with the fellowship. Even, I myself was richly supplied. Praise the Lord for His timely speaking!

We also met a medical doctor brother who takes care of one of the biggest Christian groups in the city. To him too, the Recovery Version was introduced. Though new to him, he appreciated the content in it and purchased a copy for himself immediately and also paid extra amount as an offering.

In the request of the brothers, I also visited and fellowshipped with three responsible brothers' families of the church in Kurnool. One of the brothers' daughter was to get married two days later, for which I prayed for the family. Another brother and his wife requested me to share my testimony of salvation and how the Lord ushered me to the church life, which I did. And yet another brother requested a special fellowship for him and his wife, along with a newly married brother, so I fellowshipped about the need to love the Lord Jesus Christ and by His love only can spouses love one another, and exercising to be one with the Lord and be one with one another. I emphasized that this is the secrete to receiving the Lord’s blessing in a family life.

Thus, having enjoyed the Lord’s blessing in Kurnool, we moved forward to the next city Badvel.

Lord, bless Your testimony in Kurnool!

Snippets from Fellowship 7-9 May 2024

In fellowship with a senior brother, new light and revelation were bestowed upon me. Though much of the fellowship were absorbed inwardly and rather subjective, some of them can be articulated for future reference or perhaps, to serve as reminder. Herein I record them as snippets, a gleaning from the fellowship of iur spiritual farm.

As a minister of God’s word, we must always keep the word fresh in our being. Be careful to store the word of God. This requires a person to be one who is dwelling and abiding in the word of God. The word must operate in us; the more the word operates, the more the word shines. The anointing Spirit makes the word fresh and shining. Whatever we have received through teaching or revelation must be kept fresh. Then, the saints will receive the life supply. The Lord's teaching does give knowledge but they are outward instruments to convey the inward revelation.

The Lord need brothers who can speak the word of God and minister God as light and revelation. 

The God of glory appeared to Abraham. It pleased the Father to reveal the Son in us and announce the gospel in us. When we receive more and more revelation concerning Christ, we receive light. 

Abraham left his Father because he saw the revelation and obeyed. Revelation then produces faith. This should be a daily event. 

Do not underestimate the simple things.

How do you gain the revelations?

It all begin by seeing the revelation. God use time. Abraham’s experiences in time frames. 73+20+17+17 years, a toral of127 years.

Exercise your spirit even to the point that it becomes a habit.

The Holy Spirit always guide us. The Spirit reminds you of what you what He has revealed.

We need the Holy Word opened to us.

We need light in our understanding.

Where death operates, light operates. 

Gain the storehouse of nourishing and enduring word. Gain this unique possession. The most important thing is to gain the unique possession, no matter what we do. Gather the unique possession. Do not look for the outward thing.

On Persecution

If you are reproached in the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. For let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler into others’ affairs; But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name. (1 Peter 4:14-16, RecVer)

To know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, If perhaps I may attain to the out-resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11, RecVer)

The Lord’s recovery is watered by the blood of martyrs. Where death operates, life operates. Even Hudson Taylor's coworkers where martyred in China. In 1910, many prayers have been offered by the saints for the persecuted Christians. Br. Watchman Nee was raised up during this period. The first generation coworkers, except for few, all died in the prison. 

Do not compromise. Be faithful unto death. Persecution is not strange. Be properly ambitious before the Lord. We do not know how long we can freely preach the full gospel. Where persecution is the highest, there the Christian population is also the highest. Where persecution is, resurrected will be.

Build up a local church and send people out.

Love the Lord Jesus and the word of God. 

If people love the word of God, half the work is done. The word will operate in them. A regenerated man has the capacity and taste of the word of God. Blend the saints into one without any preference. Only the one who is bendable can blend others. 

Jealousy and selfish ambition go together. Deny the self, forsake the soul life, and agree with the Lord. Jealousy has to be killed. Otherwise, the church cannot be built.

Our learning has to be completed. Appreciate your brother and learn from him. We need one another. Learn the lesson of knowing who you are not. Bear the cross. This will liberate us. Accept the brothers' portion and that will make you complete. 

Generalist

To be able to do a little bit of everything. That doesn't mean we should not be specific. We need to have many learnings and be balanced. If we only are specific, we don't know there are many necessary lessons to build up the Body of Christ. 

For example, an evangelist must know how to shepherd, teach, and build up the Body of Christ, in addition to evangelism. The more we learn different aspects, the more we know when and how much to emphasize. To be an adequate apostles, he must be a generalist. 

On Ephesians 4:11

Not everyone is an apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher, but everyone must be able to function as any gifted ones.

Learn to be a generalist. Teaching and shepherding are the most important gift.

To be good shepherd and teacher is to pray for. Be a generalist. Humble yourself. Appreciate your brothers' function. Be balanced. 

"Watchman Nee is the most balanced person," said Witness Lee.

Even if the increase comes, you should never feel that the increase was because of you. Don't exalt anyone aspect. 

Or he who exhorts, in that exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who leads, in diligence; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. (Romans 12:8, RecVer)

A gift of who can lead. Study 2 Samuel 23, its an example of "he who leads."

Everything we do has to be for the building up.

What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Corinthians 14:26, RecVer)

Your gift must be for the building up, never for tearing down. The safest thing to be is to be a generalist. Do not be so sure of what you think you know.

To be balanced is to be coordinated. Being the oldest may give you the temptation to usurpt the headship of Christ. Being the senior most or the oldest does not make one the head of the church. Only Christ is the Head. There cannot be a "pope" among us. No pontification. Be a slave. The Lord Jesus did nothing apart from the Father. 

"Down with all the popes", write a hymn.

If your hand or leg stumble you, cut it off.

Blend the saints into one. All the lumps and independent items in you be cut off. Be bendable. 

Wherever you serve, does it perfect oneness or damage oneness. It is possible to damage the Body of Christ with good intention. Your natural man must be dealt with, even your good intention. 

You must be blind in the sense that all the saints should be beautiful. You must have many many learnings. As leading one, a big danger is, you like certain kind of brother. Don't choose. Work with whoever the Lord places you with. If you choose, you will suffer. Sometimes, the one you choose may become the biggest opposer. Learn not to choose. 

Time is the best test. Time will manifest who is who. 

Unless you are blind, you cannot discern anything. Learn to look to the Lord. In resurrection, we will have some amount of discernment, by His mercy. We need discernment. Be death to your natural discernment. This is needed to blend the saints together. 

Bring others into function. Love all the brothers. Use all the brothers. Be balanced between discernment and using everyone. 

Do not be narrow hearted, either by selfishness or narrowness and lack of learning. If your learning is enlarged, your heart will be enlarged. 

Sevenfold oil needs sevenfold shining. The lampstands needs seven times more oil.

Hyderabad Visit Again

Again in Hyderabad, I enjoyed a week stay after a longhaul at Bengaluru Airport due to flight delays and cancellations. The visit this time to Hyderabad hit a turbulence. Due to sleepless nights, I could barely be attentive on the first day of the fellowship. However, after a good night sleep, I enjoyed the three days fellowship with a brother. During this fellowship, the Lord worked on me and  certain veils were lifted, which I could only experience and not narrate.

Three days of Serving Ones Training (SOT) followed suit. Message after message, I was richly supplied again on my need to be a vessel unto honor by the empowering grace of God in the one ministry unto the building up of the Body of Christ. I was richly nourished and cherished. The Lord blessed the ministry of the word. And on the last day, I could also share the crucial points of the Lord’s speaking as my portion to the saints as the concluding words along with few other brothers. Inwardly and outwardly, I could sense the Lord’s hand following His words. The depth of the Lord’s work within me during these few days of fellowship was unfathomable. I may recall these fews days and may rightly term it as as the Lord’s intensified training. 

During the training too, I had a time of prayer and fellowship with a brother, a mutual shepherding, in addition to meeting some saints that was truly needed; three of them were just married, one about to get married, and another two with marital issues. To a brother, I sent a message of Bible verses warning him about divorce which the Lord hate after encouraging him to pray that the Lord would recover His marriage. 

After the training, I had a day to settle materials for proofreading works to be held in Bengaluru this year which was also my official duty.

As we enjoyed a lunch lovefeast at a brother's home, the Lord burdened me to spend time with two families, two mothers, and three sisters in school, college, and about to take up a job. The burden released was on helping them in three things I shared with my own testimony on each burden. First, the daily reading of the Bible, second daily personal prayer, and third seeking the perfect will of the Lord for everything in our Christian life.

I do believe that was the timely word for all the sisters, both mothers and daughters. Then, I received a message from my wife about my daughter's matriculation board exam result. As per her skill and interest, she scored 92% in English Language and Literature. That was amazing! Other subjects were above average and good enough as she would not purse those hereafter.

Then, a brother and I left for Kurnool to embark on a week-long ministry literature journey to Rayalaseema (Andhra Pradesh).

That was a fruitful visit to Hyderabad one more time. Thank You Lord for Your grace.