Fellowship with Literature Serving Ones

Whenever I visited Chennai, I used to spend time with the serving ones for a time of fellowship, following the Lord's leading on what to fellowship. This time too, I had one morning time with all the serving ones on the 20th of Dec. In the last visit, through the fellowship, the office ceiling was renovated and health insurance for all the serving was purchased. 

This time, I fellowshipped with them on the faithfulness required of serving ones in their service to the Lord. I encouraged all of them to be so exercised in their spirit that they would be found faithful by the Lord, especially in taking care of their official duties. Each serving ones needs to record their daily work schedule and serve at least eight hours a working day. In this regard, the exercise of the conscience plays a vital role in the service. I also touched on the matter of every serving one to be faithful to practice the God-ordained way of preaching the gospel. In the South, the state is still very open to the gospel unlike in the North.  So, I encouraged all of them to actively participate in the church gospel preaching, home meetings, group meetings, and the church life in general. Every serving one should be a pattern to the saints. I also mentioned the need to recover their weekly truth pursuing, prayer, and fellowship which they all agreed to do once a week on Wednesdays, and gradually consider increasing the frequency.

This time too, I met the new brother who came to serve in the literature service as a result of the previous visit to his family for fellowship. As the Lord leads, he has been brought into the service. I also had a personal time with a brother whom I had borne in my heart to preserve him in his service despite the serious case that was brought against him in the past. The Lord has been merciful to him and he has been gradually recovered through much prayer, fellowship, and shepherding. I pray that the Lord will preserve him to be faithful to the end.

I regard all the serving ones and honor their portions the Lord has apportioned to each one of them. I also mentioned that I serve in coordination not as a "boss" to his "subordinates' but as a coworker serving in the Body in the publication work for the Lord's move. Therefore, I serve in the principle of mutual trust and respect. In this way, we serve in the Body in coordination, faithful to the Lord in each one's function. 

Lord, bless all the serving ones in Chennai office for the ministry of the word!

Shepherding a Brother

A brother has been calling me now and then for fellowship. As a brother, I did my best to shepherd him whenever he called. This time, since I came down to Chennai, I informed him about the possibility of meeting up and also introducing him to the brothers in the church life in Chennai. But, I left the matter to the Lord and let the Spirit do His work. 

When I was actually available to meet, I did not receive a positive response from him and I could not sense that he was indeed serious or eager to fellowship. Therefore, I did not wish to force myself into meeting him. Instead, I gave him the choice to decide on his own. Only if he was willing would I pay the price to meet him. I left the matter to the Lord. Once my fellowship with the brothers in Chennai ended, I waited for him to make the call.

Since I did not receive a response within the time frame I gave him, i.e., before lunchtime on the 19th Dec, I decided to cancel the meeting and go to a brother's house for hospitality. Only when I reached my accommodation, he called me. Only then, I made the decision to meet him.

We eventually met at a lake he proposed to meet at about an hour's drive amidst the city traffic. Then, we spent time together at a nearby coffee house for fellowship over a cup of coffee. We had about two hours of fellowship, especially on his marital issue, and prayed together. I spoke what I felt was needed to be spoken. I was specific in letting him know that the soul-life has to be denied, the self has to be dealt with and follow the Lord. The soul life has been a great hindrance for many to progress spiritually. The soul life also has been a major issue in his marital issues. Only the mercy of the Lord can lead him through in his matter. I recognized that I was not the one to lead anybody, therefore, I deferred every decision he needed to take by sincerely seeking the will of the Lord in everything about his life, especially his marital issue. Though my fellowship with him may be a little sour and I had to let him know that his soul life need to be dealt with, he also felt a little uneasiness with the fellowship I had with him. I felt that was what he needed at the moment. I cannot be a man-pleaser. I must speak what needs to be spoken without fear. At one point, I even told him to his face that his ego, his self, needs to be dealt with by the cross of Christ. Only when the will of the Lord is made clear, He can follow the Lord's leading step by step.

After this fellowship, I said goodbye to him. Since he is a believer himself, I did not feel the need to follow him up and coerce him for anything. Let the will of the Lord be done in his life. Until he takes a further step for further fellowship, I decided not to interfere in his matter again. I leave him to the Lord.

This is a lesson for me too. To be faithful to the truth and not be a man-pleaser.  May the Lord shepherd my brother and gain him fully for His purpose.

Brothers Fellowship in Chennai

Our God is the moving Triune God! He moves in the midst of the world's chaotic situation, often clubbed with persecution, especially in North India these days. His move can neither stop nor be hindered. Our responsibility on the earth is to be one with Him in His move. In fact, the stronger the opposition to His move, the stronger and swifter His move becomes. For He is God, and He is good at being God. Hallelujah!

From the 17th of Dec tilt the 19th, the brothers serving in coordination in India came together for a three-day fellowship on the Lord's move in India specifically. Day by day for three days we came together for prayers and then fellowship on some practical points. In between, a senior brother fellowshipped on the burden the Lord has imparted to him for all of us. So for three days, we had a bl; blessed time of prayers, fellowship, and blending. What a joy and blessing indeed for brothers to be oneness! The outward situation in India just proved the inward move of the Lord in, among, and through all of us brothers. Praise the Lord!

In this fellowship, I also brought the point for the new directors from India. Though I proposed two young brothers who have been in my consideration for years now, they are still to go through many learning and lessons in life until they are fully prepared by the Lord to bear the responsibility of shouldering the publication work together with me and the brothers serving in coordination. In fellowship, two new brothers from India who also have been coordinating in the Lord's move were proposed to be the new directors from India. 

Following this fellowship, I updated the brothers on the publication work in the USA, and also my coordinating brother who is still in prison at the present time. I confirmed the directorship to the brothers and will further proceed with the formal registration of their directorships. 

Other practical needs of the present time were also fellowshipped in responses to the current political situation in India. All that I can testify is that God is still on the throne and He is executing His work through us on the earth.

Lord, bless Your move in India!

Third Visit to Prison

Today, along with the saints in the church in Gurugram, we visited the brothers in the prison in Mathura. This was my third visit to the brothers. Though the brothers have not been released yet, we all still continue to pray for them day by day. 

This time, I personally came to fellowship some important matters related to the official literature service as I will be fellowshipping with the brothers serving in the work in India in the coming week. I felt it best to bring the matters to fellowship with my coordinating brother first before I presented it to other brothers. Except for the prison wall, I still felt that I am still serving in oneness with my brothers. As usual, I brought whatever official matters to him and only if we both feel good in oneness and one accord, then only I will take the further step. My brother has been my completer like "the Urim and the Thummim." What a blessing to serve in coordination!. What a grace not to be able to make any crucial decisions without fellowshipping with the one the Lord has ordained for me!

Today, I also brought to my brother the person I have been considering for a new director to be brought into the literature service. I have been carrying this burden for many years now, and today I revealed it to my brother. I mentioned to the other board of directors some months ago. But to move forward with this proposal, I still need to fellowship with the brothers serving in the work in India. 

Though I fellowshipped what has been in my heart, I do not stick to it. I leave the matter open to the fellowship of the brothers and let the Lord make the final decision through the brothers. Even in this matter, I am willing to give it up. 

In fact, the Lord also made known to me the other day during my prayer time that I completely leave the matter for fellowship. Though I may mention it, I must not stick to it. May the perfect will of the Lord be done.

One good news that I heard from the brothers is that, so far, three prisoners have heard the gospel, called upon the Lord's name, believed into the Lord Jesus Christ as the true and living God, and accepted Him as their personal Saviour right there inside the prison. In all the cases, once these inmates believed into the Lord, they got bail the next day.  What a sovereign arrangement of the Lord!

I don't know how long the brothers be imprisoned and how many more visits I need to make, but one thing is sure, Jesus is Lord!

Praise the Lord! Christ is Victor! The gates of Hades cannot prevail against the church built by the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Self, My Self

These days, I have been so much enlightened by the Lord concerning my "self." Never have I seen such a revelation as I saw these days. Though I vaguely knew that my self was the greatest hindrance to my growth in life and my self was my greatest enemy, I was not very clear who this self really was. Had I been clear, I would not have been offended by anybody or anything. My experience proves that I have been offended a couple of times and that too, not because of the "offenders" per se, but my self, the offended one. It was just the reaction of being misled when being touched. The truth is, the Lord wanted to deal with me, my natural man, and sovereignly used people, especially brothers and sisters, to perfect me. When being dealt with my being was not able to take the pain. Therefore, the offense.

Having seen this vision of the self, I still dare not claim that I will never be offended. For, to see is one thing and to be dealt with is another thing. Having seen the vision of the self is a mere knowledge. Now, I must experience the dealing of my self through the operation of the cross by the Spirit. I need grace upon grace to learn the lesson of the cross and be dealt with thoroughly until I can truly say, "No longer I but Christ." (Gal. 2:20)

The Lord Jesus has given me a powerful key to deal with my self. That is, deny the self!

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his soul-life shall lose it; but whoever loses his soul-life for My sake shall find it. (Matthew 16:24-25, RecVer)

From experience, I can testify that even to deny the self was not an easy matter. The Lord’s grace and life supply are needed to deny the self. The self is the motivating factor for the work of the flesh. Only by the Spirit's can I truly deny my self.

For if you live according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the practices of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13, RecVer)

This has been my desperate prayer these days that by the Spirit I may put the practices of the body to death. Then, the Lord’s word will become true to me in experience. 

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30, RecVer)

The best way I know for my self to decrease is by denying my self. The HWMR portion on the message, The Exercise of the Kingdom for the Building Up of the Church, has been the Lord's timely speaking to me.

The self is the soul declaring independence from God.

The following are some expressions of the self:

1. With the self there are ambition, pride, and self-exaltation—Matt. 20:20-28; 1 Pet. 5:5; Rom. 12:3; Num. 12:1-10; 16:1-3; Phil. 2:3-4.
2. With the self there are self-righteousness, self-justification, and exposing, criticizing, and condemning others—Matt. 9:10-13; Luke 18:9-14; 1 Pet. 4:8; John 3:17; 8:11; Luke 6:37; Matt. 7:1-5.
3. With the self there are introspection and self-despising—S. S. 2:8-9; 1 Cor. 12:15-16.
4. When we are in the self, we can be offended by the church, the leading ones, or the saints— Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Col. 3:13.
5. With the self there are disappointment and discouragement—cf. Rom. 8:28-29; 2 Cor. :1.
6. With the self there are self-love, self- preservation, self-seeking, and self-pity—Matt. 13:5, 20-21.
7. With the self there are murmurings and reasonings—Exo. 16:1-9; Phil. 2:14.
8. ith the self there is natural affection (friendship) based on natural taste and preference—Matt. 12:46-50; Phil. 2:2b; 1 Cor. 12:25.
9. With the self there are the matters of being opinionated and dissenting—John 11:21, 23-28, 39; Acts 15:35-39; cf. 1 Cor. 7:25, 40.
10. When we are in the self, we are individualistic and independent—16:12.

If we exercise the key of denying the self to lock up the self, it is impossible for us to be offended; blessed are those who are not offended—cf. Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60:

1. If we can be offended, it is proof that we are full of self.
2. If my self has been locked up, I will not be offended no matter what you do to me or how you treat me—Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60.

We need to learn to exercise the key of denying the self to lock up the self in every situation:

1. Whether a situation is for us or against us, whether the brothers love us or hate us, we must lock up the self—2 Cor. 12:15.
2. If the self is locked up, the church will be built up.

What a mercy that the Lord showed me my self! All the offenses due to my self have been made void due to this revelation on my self. I praise the Lord for His speaking. I thank the Lord for His wisdom in dealing with me using my beloved brothers and sisters in the church life. O what a grace, o what a mercy. May my self be ever denied! May the Lord grace me to deny my self all the time, all the days of my life.

Investiture Ceremony 2024

Today, we were invited to attend our children's school program by the school as our daughter was felicitated as School Captain for a house, and our son was compering for the ceremony. This was one of the many school programs that we have attended.

The Lord has been merciful to us and He has been gracing all our children to do well in their academic life along with many extracurricular activities they have been participating in. My sole focus for my children's education is to prepare them for the Lord’s use. As a father, my one goal for education is, to become a useful vessel to the Master (God). Life's only one purpose is to fulfill God's only one purpose for this one life He gave. 

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 Tim 2:21)

As Moses and Paul were trained and prepared sovereignly by the Lord even before they were called to serve, so all those who know their God will also prepare themselves and their children for God's divine purpose one day. On the one hand, it was God who chose, and on the other hand, it is also men who prepare themselves and make themselves available for God's purpose. This coordination between God and man will carry out God's purpose.

And Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in his words and works. (Acts 7:22, RecVer)

I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city and trained at the feet of Gamaliel, according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today. (Acts 22:3, RecVer)

Since the education system itself is under the usurping hand of Satan, as a family, we pray every day for our children's education. For the lord to cover and protect them from all the attacks of the enemy while praying for their learning and education to the highest degree. So far, the Lord has been gracious to our children and they have been doing well in their studies. I hardly have to coerce them to study as they all have been faithful to their studies. On the contrary, I have to stop them from studying late into the night. Besides, they have been constantly pressured by the school itself for all kinds of homework on a daily basis in addition to the many other school activities. I dare not put an extra load on them. I felt whatever the school gave them for their studies was more than sufficient. Besides that, I leave all our children to the wise Master-builder's hand as He gifted Hiram for the building up of His temple in Jerusalem. 

He was the son of a widow and of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a bronze worker; and he was full of wisdom and understanding and skill to do all kinds of work in bronze. And he came to King Solomon and did all his work. 1 Kings 7:14

On top of all these, we as parents, commit all our children to God and pray for them every day. And teach them when the need arises in the way of life. I personally have been doing this by helping my children to pray daily. I have been spending time with my son for a time with the Lord as my wife has been doing with our daughter. This is the best that we can do, and we leave the rest to God.

Lord, gain all our children; train and perfect them to be useful vessels to You!

Brewing Hebrew

Learning Hebrew has rejuvenated my mental ability to study and grasp new knowledge even when I am a father of three children. Safe for the grace of God, it would be impossible at worst, and be a herculean task at best, to learn a new language, in fact, the oldest language in the history of the world. It took me a lot of time to study and understand the grammatical rules and language structure of Hebrew. After months of studies in the midst of my busy official work and church life, the Lord has been gracing me time to learn and learn. Till the midterm exam that I gave on the first week of December 2024, I had revised the 8 lessons in 7 units at least four times each. I would not do a haphazard work. Once I was determined to do a thing, I gave my best shot always. And the Lord graced and blessed me in my studies.

To my surprise, the Lord still gives me good mental health to be able to study well. I feel as fresh as when I was a student some twenty-five years ago. Now, putting on a student's head after a long long gap refreshes my mind so much. In fact, I have been encouraging the young people and my own children in their studies. Not to boast, but as a testimony and an encouragement, I even testified to them that I was able to score cent percent in some of my exams and maintained an average score above ninety percent. I myself did not imagine that I would be studying so hard at this age, and also would be scoring this percentage. 

When I enrolled for the class, my concern was mainly to stay put and keep sailing on with an average mark good enough to continue to study as the course progressed. But, I became much more serious than what I thought, and spent much more time than what I expected, and also got more marks than what I imagined. I believe there is a purpose for me to study Hebrew. It may not be fully clear as yet, but the Lord has a definite purpose. I am not a translator, but there is a reason why I learned Greek a few years ago, and why I am learning Hebrew now. Perhaps, the Lord is preparing me for what He wants to use me in the future for. Perhaps among the Christian and scholarly community one day? This is just my guess. The Lord knows the best. Therefore, my Hebrew learning is for the Lord's purpose, and I will give my full cooperation to the Lord. 

I have been brewing Hebrew these days and trust the Lord that it will be fully brewed.

May the will of the Lord be done. Amen.