An Open Door: Bible College

The day before we departed from Bengaluru, in fact, our very last day in the city after the proofreading project, the Lord opened the door for us to meet the principal-in-charge of the Bible college whose business center we had used for the proofreading project. Although we should have visited the college during our stay there due to the tight schedule of the project we were not able to do so. I personally did not have any leading from the Lord during that time. The Lord has His better plan always.

On the last day, we were given an appointment with the key person in the college. We had a good time of introduction and discussion on some theological aspects of the Christian journals that the ministry has been publishing. I for my part did not speak much. My two brothers from abroad did most of the talking and they could relate with one another on a theological level. Much of the talk concerning the citations of the journals by different scholars were all unknown to me for the obvious reason that I had never been a theologically trained person, much less a biblical scholar as such. Perhaps, one day, if the Lord would lead, let His will be done.

My only contribution to the talk was the introduction of the Holy Bible Recovery Version and an offer to gift them the Bible that I introduced along with a couple of ministry books by both Brother Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. I did this with the burden that the Lord would use the minsitry literature as a key to open the door to theological seminaries. For, the ministry is for all, including those in the Bible colleges and seminaries, to all the saints in the local churches, Bible students, and Bible scholars. As promised, a week later, I did send the promised gifts which they confirmed when they received them.

This meeting opened up the door for further contact with theologians in the upcoming conference of the Bible scholars associated together under a theological banner, mostly of the evangelical Christians. We picked up the burden of this opening and made the necessary contacts with the key people. A brother from the States made the contact and I came into the picture to carry out the practical printing of a Christian journal, a special issue meant for free distribution to all Bible students and scholars.

A week later, after much prayer and fellowship, I made an urgent arrangement for me to participate in the theological conference, though not a theological one myself. This participation came with a heavy price financially as we had to pay for the conference attendance and the book tables we booked. It was not a cheap affair at all. But we paid the price. Besides, I had to find my own accommodation in addition to the price mentioned before, then my flight tickets, and a week amid my tight busy schedule when the Hebrew class that I registered myself for just started. The Lord knows why all these prices need to be paid. 

During the conference, we were given about ten minutes to present all that we needed to present. I spent a good amount of time, praying and preparing what to present and how to present. I truly experienced the Lord's presence in all our presentations. No matter what the responses were at that time, I believe the Lord had touched something that He wanted to bless the "theological objective doctrinal mindset" with something of "the truth embodied in the word of God and ministered forth as living water to be a subjective and enjoyable life supply to all God's children." That was the purpose. The enemy may try to thwart God's special move, but he will not succeed. For Christ is the Victor and he always will be. I stand in oneness with Christ the Victor. And all the prices paid were worth it.

Faithfully, we brothers participated in the conference and spent most of our time at the book stalls where we met with all those who came to visit us. We had good contacts all over India among the key Bible colleges. At least, these contacts compensated for all the prices we paid to attend this. May the Lord use this as a starting point and a turning point for many of the beloved Bible scholars for the spread of the high-peak truth in this country. 

Thank You, Lord, for this open door. Keep the door open for the spread of Your minsitry.

Experiencing Christ in Mysuru Visit

Since we completed the proofreading project earlier than expected and we had some free days, for the sake of taking care of the visiting saints from abroad, I proposed a two-day trip to Mysuru and Coorg. In fellowship, the brothers all agreed and I made all the plans for vehicle and hotel booking with the help of some local brothers. 

In Mysuru, we visited almost all the tourist sightseeing places that we could visit in one whole day; Mysore Palace, Car Museum, hilltop view of the city, and other places of interest. In the city, we also had a time of lovefeast with a brother's family. Here, I learned a very important lesson in service and coordination.

Our day in Mysuru was very tiresome, at least for me. Since that was right after the project and I was busy settling many official matters, I was physically worn out. By the end of the day, I was completely weak and kept sneezing and coughing. That drew the attention of my brothers and they requested me to take a good bed rest. Initially, I felt I could handle it, but in the night I was really tired, I had a body ached and slight uneasiness. 

The next day morning, we were to visit Coorg. But one of the brothers had a special concern for my health and requested that I stay back just to rest the whole day. In the morning, I was informed that I should take a rest and not go to Coorg. Initially, I felt I was fit enough to go after the night's rest. But deep within me, I realized that that was the Lord's speaking. The crucial point was not whether I was healthy enough to go to Coorg, but whether I was willing to take the fellowship of the brothers contrary to my own natural feeling and decision. Whether I was healthy or not, one of the members of the Body felt that I should stay back and rest. I better listen to the voice of the Lord through the Body. I denied my personal feeling of being well and took the brothers' fellowship. I willingly decided to stay back. 

In fact, I was actually well and good to go. But since the word had already spoke and a brother already expressed his strong feelings, I took that as a spiritual test for me in my service to listen to the fellowship of the Body. To submit and obey the leading of the Lord through the brothers and to not rebel in any way, even in my attitude, was the lesson the Lord graced me to learn. 

And Samuel said, Does Jehovah delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed, than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, And insubordination is like idolatry and teraphim. 1 Samuel 15:22-23

So, I stayed back and took a good rest. In fact, that rest gave me enough time to make up for the many chapters of the Bible I could not read as per my schedule the past few days. Therefore, I could make up all the lag. That was the Lord's sovereign arrangement.

The next day, we headed back to Bengaluru. Again, according to the feeling of the brothers we vacated our stay at the convention center and checked into a hotel room for two more nights near the airport. In all these, I denied my opinions and amened the brothers' fellowship. The Lord reminded me again and again to always go along with the flow according to the fellowship of the brothers. All the outward sightseeing, eating out, hotel stays, and traveling around kept aside, I learned very important lessons of coordination, fellowship, and exercise to be in one accord with all my fellow brothers and sisters.

These were my experiences of Christ in Mysuru visit and a non-visit to Coorg.  Lord, thank You for the grace that enabled me to learn a very important spiritual lesson on obedience and submission.

Kannada New Testament Proofreading Stage 3

On the 12th of August 2024, the third and final stage of the Kannada New Testament Proofreading began. Four weeks before, the first and second stages started and were completed on time. As my experience was for the first two stages, my experience of the Lord was the same in the final stage too. I had been praying daily in my personal prayer life for this particular task at hand. I did not know how things would go by. I had no idea how we were going to make it through again, not basing my confidence on what was accomplished in the previous stages. Therefore, the best I could do was, pray, pray and pray.

In the final stage, the task was completed within two days. So, we even released the volunteers earlier than expected. But my task became the busiest of all. I had to settle all the invoices for food and lodging with the venue management, clear off the copiers and stationery items, discard all the printed papers, and complete every pending work before we could wind up the proofreading project. The Lord graced me to experience him much, especially in all the human dealing involving money and manpower handling. Day by day, the Lord graced me to carry out all my responsibilities. It was a wonderful experience of Christ in his humanity and also the wonderful Spirit of reality who taught me and led me step by step. In fact, at the end of the project, I was so worn out physically that my body suffered a little bit and I felt sick for one whole night. But a rest the following day recovered back my body to normality. The words of Hudson Taylor confirmed my experience: There are three stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done. 

Finally, the Kannada proofreading of the New Testament came to completion! Halleluiah! Praise the Lord! May the Lord bless the printing and distribution of this Kannada New Testament and recover many of His children for the testimony of Jesus all over Karnataka!

Kannada New Testament Proofreading Stage 2

On the 29th of July 2024, the second stage of the Kannada New Testament Proofreading began. Two weeks before, the first stage started and was completed on time. As my experience was for the first stage, my experience of the Lord was the same in the second stage too. I had been praying daily in my personal prayer life for this particular task at hand. I did not know how things would go by. I had no idea how we were going to make it through again, not basing my confidence on what was accomplished in the previous stage. Therefore, the best I could do was, pray, pray and pray.

Surprisingly, in the second stage, we could complete the project much earlier than expected. So, we released many of the volunteers a few days before the two full weeks were completed. But I became much busier than I expected. In fact, I planned to take a week off to go home but I had to cancel that plan as I felt I could not neglect my responsibilities. Every day, I got busy with one work or the other. Even for my own Bible reading and prayer time, I had to struggle to take time out by adjusting it with many other things. Besides, on the third week, a PSRP session started every morning for two weeks. Since I decided to attend the PSRP too, my schedule became even more tight. Come what may, the Lord still enabled me to have time for personal morning revival, Bible reading, prayer, attending Life-study reading, and family prayer every night. Where there is a will, there indeed is a way. 

During the first and second stages, we also took some of the volunteers out for dinner, to cherish them for their voluntary labor. And all the serving ones were given the best hospitality and the best food service we could offer. Thank the Lord for His grace.

Finally, when the second stage was over, most of the work was over and most of the volunteers left, as we did not need more manpower for the final stage. Praise the Lord for His leading all throughout the first and second stages for four weeks.

The same announcement for the first was given for the second stage when we finally completed the second stage.

Bible Reading: Forty Fifth Time

On the 31st of July 2024, the Lord enabled me to complete reading the Holy Bible for the 45th time! Then, I prepared myself to start the next round for the 46th time. This has been my burden and one day the number of times I read the Bible should be equivalent to my physical running age. That dream has been fulfilled! Now, at 46 I am actually reading my Bible for the 46th time.

By God's grace, I do pray and hope that this trend can continue and that I will be able to read the Bible more and more times. So now, I must read through the Bible at least once in a year to keep this dream alive. 

My desire is much more than this. Now, I pray that I can read the Bible a hundred times in my lifetime. I don't know how many more years the Lord will give me in this earthly tabernacle. If His will be so, I pray for His grace that within the many years still remaining or until He returns, I may be especially graced to hit the century of reading the Holy Bible a hundred times. 

I can only trust the Lord and do my best to faithfully read and read His word day by day. It's up to the Lord to fulfill this dream of reading the Bible a hundred times. May the will of the Lord be done!

Though I have read the Bible many times, every time I read I find something new. I enjoy reading the Bible daily as this is the time I can communicate with God objectively through my reading of the word. The written words, at times, become the living word and I hear God's speaking to me, the timely words. Whatever situation I may be in, the reading portion at any particular time was apt for that particular experience at that time. This is a wonder of wonders. I seek no miracle more than the miracle of God speaking to me according to my real situation and real needs day by day. My job is simple, just open the Bible and read, the windows of heaven open up and I see God face to face through His words in my spirit.

Praise the Lord for this grace of reading, eating, breathing, and enjoying the word of God!

Experience of Christ in Critical Conditions

On the day when we joyfully completed the much-awaited proofreading project of the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada, the enemy tried to creep in and cause trouble among the serving ones. In fact, while the project was going on, due to pressure and other human opinions and feelings that differed from person to person, some exchange of words and misunderstandings happened among the key serving ones, the translators, the editors, the typesetters, and the coordinators. Though I was vaguely aware of it, I did not get myself involved in it unless needed. I simply stayed in my lane and never bothered to cross over to the other lane that the other brothers were taking care of.

On that day, I was immediately called for an urgent fellowship to the room of a brother. There, the typesetter, editors, coordinators, and translators were present. Point by point, a brother who called the fellowship narrated the incidents that led up to the emergency meeting being called for. Point by point, he brought the facts out; the hurtings and the words exchanged among them. The whole matter was addressed to me as a witness as they all went through some complicated relationship already. I just sat there and listened carefully to all the words and sentences my brother had to say. Meanwhile, I also turned to my spirit to discern the feeling of the Lord concerning the matter. I dare not voice my opinion on any of the points being mentioned. I inwardly cried out to the Lord and asked for His wisdom and discernment so that I may know exactly how I should react and respond. It was indeed a critical moment. This could either make the work successful or break the entire project to nothing; a very pivotal moment, like the climax of an event. The tides could turn in favor or against the entire project. I just listened and prayed, not uttering any word until I was fully clear about what the Lord wanted me to say.

As he narrated the entire episode and asked for forgiveness from the saints, I carefully observed the reaction of the saints. However he felt he was hurt or being hurt, therefore he did what he felt was best. I prayerfully observed the scenario of the meeting and considered it carefully before the Lord. One by one, everybody confessed their mistakes and asked forgiveness from one another. When all had spoken, I realized I had to speak. Only then, did I open my mouth to say what the Spirit gave words to say.

My statement was simple: the facts were declared, confessions were made, forgiveness was sought, and according to the truth of the Bible, the problems were solved whatever, right there and then. I quoted 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I further stated that no one should hold on to their feelings any longer. The facts were declared, and the word of God was plain and clear. Since confession was done, the Lord is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Period(.) Satan's work was stopped right there. 

After that, we all prayed one by one, and the matter was resolved once and for all. Later, in the afternoon, as a conclusion to our project, we all declared and sang the victorious hymn, Hymn #124.

1

Praise Him! praise Him! Christ is Victor!

  He has won the victory!

Sin is judged, old Adam finished,

  Full redemption now we see!

Vanquished all the evil powers

  Thru the Cross triumphantly!

2

Praise Him! Christ is resurrected!

  God hath raised Him from the dead!

All the pow’r of death is swallowed,

  Man from death to life is led!

Broken through are hell and darkness

  And His pow’r exhibited!

3

Praise Him! Christ hath now ascended!

  God hath raised Him to the throne!

Far above all rule and power,

  He the highest Name doth own!

All authority receiving

  Till His foe is overthrown!

4

Hallelujah, Christ the Victor

  Triumphed on Mt. Calvary!

Hallelujah, resurrected,

  He displays His victory!

Hallelujah, now ascended,

  He shall reign eternally!

 Witness Lee (1905-1997) 

What an experience of Christ in critical condition! Christ is Victor! And to prove it so again and again, the Lord even used the enemy to really prove that He indeed is the Victor! 

How can there be a victory when there is no enemy? How can there be a victory when there is no fight? Satan is being used as an ugly tool for the declaration of Christ the Victor! 

Christ is Victor! Jesus is Lord!

Shepherding by Being Responsible

Bearing responsibility is not an easy task in oneself. The only one Person who bears responsibility fully well is the Lord Jesus Himself, the Chief Shepherd. Today, in His heavenly ministry, He still shoulders His responsibilities by shepherding His children to shoulder the same responsibilities He bears. By His mercy, I believe I am one of the "shepherds" he has been shepherding to shepherd others. As such a one, I am still learning to shepherd.

As a brother in the church, as a serving one in the literature service, and as a father in my family, I too have enough responsibilities to handle day by day. I have been learning this lesson of taking the Lord as my Shepherd in shepherding others. On the one hand, it is a difficult task but on the other hand, it is an easy task as the Lord Himself is the One who does the shepherding, though maybe through me too.

One of our serving ones had been suffering from a disease in his internal organs for many years. The matter was brought to my notice while the proofreading work was going on. In fellowship with the other brothers, we immediately decided to take care of his health. So, it was my responsibility to take him for all the medical tests and make sure that all that needed to be done was actually done before the project was over, even before he went back to his hometown.

This was a wonderful opportunity the Lord bestowed upon me to be responsible and at the same time shepherd him by discharging my responsibility. From finding a doctor to consult his case to taking him to different tests in different parts of Bengaluru, purchasing all the medicines prescribed, and making sure that all needs were taken care of.  Yes, it was a responsibility from my side, but it was more an opportunity for shepherding him.

I am truly thankful to the Lord that this matter came to light during our stay in Bengaluru and that within the period of our stay there, all medical tests and care were taken care of. This was a real shepherding to the brothers as this was what he had been waiting for for years as he confessed that though he knew what to do, he postponed it due to lack of financial assistance. The Lord had provided all the needs at the right time. Most importantly, I was especially graced to be a brother who could take responsibility for all the needs and discharged them in time in a way of shepherding.

Just by discharging my responsibility, I was actually shepherding the saints. Prasie the Lord for this grace.