Sunday, 23 February 2025

Blending in Jalandhar

Today, February 23, the Lord brought the churches in Punjab together at the meeting hall of the church in Jalandhar. The church in New Delhi and Gurugram coordinated to serve in fellowshipping the burden of participating in the Lord’s move in India in the matter of prayer and material offerings for the building of the blending center in Chennai. The Lord gave us this opportunity to blend and fellowship with the churches in Punjab.

When the burden was released in New Delhi for the churches in North India, mainly NCR, the Lord gave us the opportunity to participate and we seized the opportunity to offer. What a blessing it was to be able to participate in the Lord’s move on the same day itself in a way of consecration trusting in the Lord and in His blessing!  About a week later, the Lord burdened me and in fellowship with my family members, especially my wife and my son, we offered our portion. What a blessing! What a grace! What an opportunity!

Then, the brothers also fellowshipped about the need to bring the same burden to the churches in Punjab by gathering the saints together in Jalandhar. Initially, I considered some practical considerations mostly related to about 7 hours of travel. I had my preference for the mode of transportation. I thought it would be better to travel by train so that I could rest and also spend time in Bible reading and prayer during the travel hours. But I opened myself to the brothers and followed the fellowship. And the fellowship was, to travel by road in an SUV. Though I preferred the train, I denied my choice and took the brothers' fellowship. 

On the 22 February we travelled by road in an SUV starting at about 7:10 AM,  and we reached our destination at 5:00 PM. It took about 10 hours, as we also stopped in between for breakfast, refueling, and also visited a sister in a hospital. 

To my surprise, I did not feel it was a long journey as we fellowshipped among ourselves many matters concerning the church life, our experiences, and also the situation of the saints in North India. A brother even said that for the sake of fellowship and blending it was best to travel together by road. And that was indeed true. We enjoyed fellowshipping the whole time while traveling. 

The moment we arrived at the meeting hall in Jalandhar, we had a time of fellowship with the brothers from the church in Ludhiana and  enjoyed our lovefeast. Today, the following day, we enjoyed a time of fellowshipping with the churches in Punjab blending together in oneness. We, brothers from the church in New Delhi and Gurugram, coordinated together to release the Lord’s burden to the saints in Punjab which was also released in different parts of India which I had recorded in my blog https://palmeichung.blogspot.com/2025/01/material-offering-blessing.html. The same burden was repeated and I also shared the same portion that I already shared in New Delhi. Besides, I was glad to witness some key saints being recovered into the fellowship and oneness of the Body of Christ, especially from the church in Ludhiana.

Though the journey was long, about 10 hours up and 10 hours down, the time we spent together on the journey was precious. We enjoyed a time of fellowship among ourselves and a sweet time of blending and building up with one another. Through this church trip together, the Lord also prevented me from handling some complicated situations if I had stayed back on Saturday. First, in the morning, I received a message from a brother texting me for fellowship as he had a "major" issue to discuss. But I know that I am nobody to solve any issue, minor or major. At most, what I could do was to direct the brother to turn to the Lord in prayer and pray with him. I am glad I need not deal with that complicated situation. If at all I still need to get involved in, I would rather do it with much prayer and in coordination with other brothers. Second, I received another message from a sister requesting a pick-up for the Lord's Day meeting. I simply mentioned my inability to help her. I informed her to take care of herself in a way of helping her pay the price and somehow come to attend the meeting. Later, I also learned that she had a health issue and contacted a sister who then took care of her. Had I been there, I would have had to take care of all these matters too. But the Lord arranged the situation in a way that other saints, especially younger saints can function. I was thankful to the Lord for leading me to Jalandhar so that the saints themselves could take care of the needy ones. In that way, more saints could be brought into function.

There is always a great benefit in amening the brothers' fellowship and coordinating in oneness with the Lord's move. Praise the Lord!

Friday, 21 February 2025

Ministry Bookstore in Vellore

On 15 January 2025, I spent the whole day with a brother in Vellore and also visited the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore. This was recorded in the January blog. https://palmeichung.blogspot.com/2025/01/ministry-of-word-in-vellore.html

The Christian Medical College Vellore was established in the year 1900 and started as a single-bedded clinic, under the leadership of Dr. Ida Sophia Scudder. It is now ranked as the second-best medical institute in India, attracting many brilliant doctors and students from across the country. 

Despite the opposition and persecution in the North, the Lord has opened up this campus in the South where many people from the North who either serve or come for medical treatments were very open to the gospel and to the ministry. What could not possibly be done in the North any longer, can now be freely done in the South for the North!

As the Lord opened up this college for the spread of the ministry of the word over the past few months, a ministry books store has been opened in coordination with the local saints to meet the spiritual needs of the many seekers among medical doctors, nurses, students, and patients from different parts of India! Besides, we also had a time of fellowship with the medical students, seekers,  and saints. The Lord has specially burdened a Doctor-couple who both serve in the hospital to take the initiative for the spread of the ministry among the doctors, nurses, patients, and medical students in the campus. Weekly Recovery Version Study groups are going on, and a simple read-through of a few verses along with the footnotes was found to be an effective way of shepherding the seekers.

On the 19th of February, I received some photos from a brother proving that the ministry bookstore had been opened! Therefore, the following day, I posted the following to the literature group as an announcement to the serving ones to pray for this bookstore.

Ministry Bookstore in Vellore 
Opposite CMC
****************************
And when the famine was over all the face of the earth, Joseph *opened all the storehouses of grain and sold grain* to the Egyptians; and the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:56, RecVer)
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In coordination of Amana Literature and the church in Vellore in fellowship with the brothers in Tamilnadu, a ministry bookstore has been opened!

This will also serve as a place for seekers to come for fellowship, prayer, pursue the truth, and receive the ministry of the word.
---------------------------------------------
Prayer Burdens

Pray thay this storehouse of grain be a channel of spiritual life supply to the lovers and seekers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray that the faithful word and healthy teaching be made available to all God’s children and grant to all the taste of the ministry.

Holding to the *faithful word*, which is according to the teaching of the apostles, that he may be able both to exhort by the *healthy teaching* and to convict those who oppose. (Titus 1:9, RecVer)

Pray that through the ministry of the word, the Lord’s sheep be shepherded into one flock, into the church life.

And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must lead them also, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be *one flock, one Shepherd*. (John 10:16, RecVer)

Pray that many seekers from the North be gained through this open door in the South.

Pray for the serving ones to be good and faithful stewards to give food at the proper time to God’s children.

Each one, as he has received a gift, ministering it among yourselves as *good stewards of the varied grace of God*. (1 Peter 4:10, RecVer)

A man should account us in this way, as *servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God*. Here, furthermore, it is sought in stewards that one be *found faithful*. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, RecVer)

Who then is the *faithful and prudent slave*, whom the master has set over his household to *give them food at the proper time*? (Matthew 24:45, RecVer)

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Hymn: Thou Art My Vision

During 132 days of our brothers being confined in Mathura for the sake of the gospel, many things transpired within me and without too, where I have been serving, in the church in Gurugram, in North India, and in the literature service. Initially, some kind of fear engulfed me. Yet gradually, I began to learn the lesson the Lord wanted to teach me. Likewise, we have all been gradually made to understand the reason behind this confinement. During those days, I had a strong and specific feeling before the Lord which I also brought to prayer day by day. Those feelings, I turned into a poem or a hymn. This hymn was not written in a day or even a few days like the other hymns when I would just write a hymn until I completed it. But this time, this hymn was conceived over a period of time and finally brought into its final form. This is the best way I could express my feelings. The feeling to revive and renew the vision that God has and that He has shown to me and many others.

Amidst the persecution for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a renewed vision of God and a need for a revived living ensuing from the enemy’s outward attack on the churches in North India led me to pray and compose this hymn. It was composed over a period of time.
Time:3/4 D Major
Tune BF#360 “Be Thou My Vision”
 1.  Thou art my vision, O God of glory!
     Appear again that I see Thee clearly.
     Remove my veils, from darkness set me free.
     Till the end, faithfully, Lord, follow Thee.
    
     Ephesians 1:17-18
2Spirit of wisdom, Father of glory,
     Revelation, in full knowledge of Thee,
     Grant me grace, Thy glorious vision to see.
    The eyes of my heart, Lord, enlighten me.            
    
3. Should Thy will be this path, windy-stormy,
     Grace me to tread it, in Thee, with Thee.
     Paying the price, trusting in Thee fully.
     Looking away, Lord, unto Thee only.
 
     Psalms 23:4-6; Matthew 10:32-33
4.  Thy rod and Thy staff, Lord, they comfort me
     Walking through the shadow of death-valley.
     Before men, Thy name Lord, to confess in Thee
     Grace me ever Lord, never to deny Thee.
 
     John 16:33
5. In this world there are afflictions fiery
     Strange trials coming to me seemingly 
     Thou overcame them, gave peace to me
     Rejoicing, Thy sufferings I partake with Thee.
 
     Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 4:12-16
6. In Thy name, Christ, should I reproach be
     Blessings mine! For the Spirit of glory 
     And God, as a Christian, rest upon me!
     Not ashamed, Lord, but give Thee all glory!
 
     Romans 8:28
7.  Together, all things work, Lord, good for me
     Whatever betide, Lord, I still love Thee.
     For Thy purpose, Lord, Thou has called me
     That In Thine image I conform fully.
 
     Acts 6:7; 12:24
8.  Thy word multiplies and grows steadfastly, 
     ‘Midst persecutions, fierce and heavy.
     Thy disciples true, multiply greatly,
     Albeit scattered far, across land and sea.  
 
     Acts 26:19
9. Lord, appear again, Thou, God of glory!
     Heavenly vision, to see clearly;
     The church, Thy Body, Thine economy
     To Thine vision, e'er obedient be.
 
10.Heavenly vision, O God of glory!
     Christ and the church, what a mystery!
     This vision, all my life, my living be.
     Grace me Lord, now, unto eternity.
 
11.Whatever betide, O Lord, abiding in Thee,
     Transform me  Lord, from glory to glory
     Prepare Thou Thy Bride, beautifully.
     Amen, Lord Jesus! O Come, Lord quickly!
 
     Prayer
12. For Thy grace and mercy, I bow my knee.
      As Thou love me Lord let me love Thee
      Captured by Thy love, attract by Thy beauty
      Gain me wholly, all for Thee.
 
      Luke 1:53; John 10:10; Col. 3:16
13. I come to Thee Lord, hungry and thirsty,
      Poor in spirit, my vessel I empty.
      With good things, Thy Spirit, O Lord, fill me,
      With Thy life, Thy word, Lord, abundantly.

Sunday, 16 February 2025

Honoring Marriage

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and the bed undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4, RecVer)

Today, the Lord led us to have a special fellowship to cater to the need of the married couples in the church. In fact, of late I had received a report that some couples were not going on well as they ought to, in their marriage relationship. This was rather a shocking news to me. It even alarmed me and woke me up to cater to the need of the saints in the church. Though I have had experiences of trying to help married couples in their relationship in a way of fellowship, I took it for granted that the church in my locality need as much care as I rendered to the outsiders. As I would not handle this solemn matter in a light way, I brought the matter to fellowship with the brothers and also prayed concerning fellowshipping with the married couples and the ones on the next in line.

Yesterday, as we were fellowshipping with a brother who had come after a long long time, the matter of marriage was brought up as he was very concerned for His daughter who is forty and is not yet married. This initiated the burden to pursue an article on marriage with excerpts from the ministry. Then, we brothers realised that this was the timely speaking of the Lord and that we should lead the saints to this kind of fellowship.

Later in the night, I posted an exerpt and the link to the church group with a note:
https://shepherdingwords.com/holding-marriage-in-honor/

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and the bed undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4, RecVer)

Dear Saints,

Since the Lord just blessed us with a marriage in the church, it is also important for all the married couples to have a proper view of marriage. Here is a link on "Holding Marriage in Honor", please read this article.

An excerpts from the same article is below:

Whether a church is sound and healthy or loses its element and essence is very much dependent upon the marriage life. Do not consider the matter of marriage to be a light thing. We must hold it in honor” (Life-study of Hebrews, 613). 

We should not treat marriage as common, as those in the world do; it is something of God’s ordinationWe should cultivate our relationship with our spouse as co-heirs of the grace of life and forsake the worldly view of marriage as being merely for self-gratification. In this way we can avoid the terrible damage of adultery and divorce, thus preserving ourselves and our spouse in a proper condition to participate in God’s move on the earth. May marriage be held in honor among all the saints in the Lord’s recovery for the strengthening of the churches and the fulfillment of God’s economy in the present age.
Today after the Lord’s Table Meeting and lovefeast, we had a special fellowship where all the married couples sat together, couple by couple, and the yet to be married ones in twos and threes, and we all pursued an article on honoring marriage. We began by pray-reading the verse, "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and the bed undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4, RecVer)

Then, we had mutual and organic fellowship where brothers and sisters shared their enjoyment of the truth concerning marriage relationship of loving one another with the love of God, one with one another in the oneness of God, and fellowshiping and doing things together in oneness. As married couples need to honor the marriage God ordained by not allowing the bed to be defile with fornication and adultery, we also emphasied on this point where our lust need to be dealt with thoroughly. Then, by having mutual honor and submission to one another, and by enjoying the grace of life together, we honor the marriage God blessed us with. 

I also used the verses below in 1 Peter 3:7 and Ephesians 5 to bring out some crucial points of truth concerning marriage relationship as written in the Scriptures. 
Husbands, in like manner dwell together with them according to knowledge, as with the weaker, female vessel, assigning honor to them as also to fellow heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7, RecVer)

Being subject to one another in the fear of Christ: Wives, be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord; For a husband is head of the wife as also Christ is Head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the Body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be subject to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her That He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word, That He might present the church to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that she would be holy and without blemish. In the same way the husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his own wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ also the church, Because we are members of His Body. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. This mystery is great, but I speak with regard to Christ and the church. Nevertheless you also, each one of you, in the same way love your own wife as yourself; and the wife should fear her husband. (Ephesians 5:21-33, RecVer)
As a caution, I also warned the married couples to be open to another in fellowship and keeping nothing secret between them, and also not to, in fact, never to expose the hidden weaknesses of one's spouse. Of course, only with the exception that when one needs help and need to bring the matter to matured saints who can cover, pray fellowship, and help in resolve the marital issues. Then, we all prayed together and ended the meeting. Still, some couples wanted to fellowship their experiences and the fellowship went on and one for another hour. The fellowship on honoring marriage was with much testimony and edification for all. Hallelujah!

The Lord knows the timely need of the church and gave us His words at the right time. In fact, the critical situation of a couple concerned l has been also been resolved through the fellowship in the Body and the Lord coming into their relationship. The Lord sovereignly uses even the outward situation to deal with the inward being of the couple. Praise the Lord!

Lord, by Your grace and mercy, preserve the marriage life of all the married saints with the cooperation of the husbands and wives for the testimony of Your church in Gurugram.

Why Christians Suffer?

But according to the Holy One who called you, you yourselves also be holy in all your manner of life; Because it is written, “You shall be holy because I am holy.” And if you call as Father the One who without respect of persons judges according to each one’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear, (1 Peter 1:15-17, RecVer)

This week, the Lord has been speaking to me particularly as He also spoke to the whole church as we are pursuing the truth concerning the Christian life under the government of God. The Lord made it very clear to me that all that transpired in a believer's life is sovereignly under His government for the purpose of fulfilling His economy. Since we are the kingdom people to fulfill God’s purpose, God also carries our His work of judging, purifying His children to be made Holy as He is holy to clear up the entire universe and bring in the new heaven and new earth. 

The judging in 1 Peter is a daily judging under His government that His children go through for purification and this began from His house. Therfore, the sufferings in iur Christian life.

Beloved, do not think that the fiery ordeal among you, coming to you for a trial, is strange, as if it were a strange thing happening to you; But inasmuch as you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice exultingly. (1 Peter 4:12-13, RecVer)

As the Lord judges, our experiences are like going through a fiery ordeal, as gold or silver is being smelted for purification. God has His divine purpose in allowing this fiery ordeals. 

First, we must remember that despite being saved and born into the kingdom of God, despite the Spirit being in our spirit, we are still in the old creation. Our soul and body are still in the process of transformation. The Lord uses "strange dealings" to deal with us. It could be health issues, financial crisis, relationship misunderstandings, job related, etc. But the wise God uses all these to deal with the old creation until He can clear them all for our good and for His divine purpose. So, we "suffer" under His government. 

Second, He uses all dealings as a means of disciplining His children as our loving Father.

And you have completely forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when reproved by Him; For whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom the father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all sons have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore we have had the fathers of our flesh as discipliners and we respected them; shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined for a few days as it seemed good to them; but He, for what is profitable that we might partake of His holiness. Now no discipline at the present time seems to be a matter of joy, but of grief; but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised by it. (Hebrews 12:5-11, RecVer)

Third, as He disciplines us, by His mercy, we may turn to Him, learn to trust in Him, and live by the Spirit.

But I say, Walk by the Spirit and you shall by no means fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16, RecVer)

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25, RecVer)

Fourth, in this way of being disciplined by the Holy Spirit and living by the Spirit, we will gain God, grow and be mature in the divine life.

Fifth, all these fiery ordeals that we go through under His sovereignty are our participating in the sufferings of Christ for the fulfillment of His divine purpose in gaining us for His Body to be builded up.

Since, we cannot escape the hands of God following us in His sovereignty, we need to have a proper attitude to receive everything as from the Lord for our own good and for the fulfillment of His divine purpose. The Lord Jesus Himself is a good pattern for us to follow, commiting all to the Father.

So then let those also who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:19, RecVer)

We must pass the time of our daily living in the fear of God; the holy and reverential fear of God, knowing that He sees and knows all of our inner being and outward condition.

Pass the time of your sojourning in fear, (1 Peter 1:17, RecVer)

Therefore, let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

In like manner, younger men, be subject to elders; and all of you gird yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time, (1 Peter 5:5-6, RecVer)

In this way, we live our Christian life under the government of God for the fulfillment of His divine economy. 

I enjoyed these words this week and was very much enlightened concerning the purpose of sufferings a Christian go through and the proper attitude required. Today, I released this burden and also my personal enjoyment and enlightenment of the word of God in the church meeting as the concluding word of the meeting. I believe, the saints also received the Lord’s timely speaking to the church and we all were richly fed today.

These are the answers to the million dollar question many Christians who presumed to have a dreamy "fairy tale spiritual life" by ends up suffering. The answer to the paradoxical question, "Why Christians suffer?"

Praise the Lord for His speaking! Praise the Lord for His dealings! Lord, gain us fully unto maturity for Your divine purpose.

Friday, 14 February 2025

Wedding Testimony Meeting

The church in Gurugram has finally conducted a proper marriage for the first time today! What a blessing it is to witness the Lord opening the door for many marriages to come. The church has indeed been blessed with many young working saints who love the Lord, faithful to the truth, enjoying the church life, and are of marriageable age. Though we had some hiccups in the past concerning marriages, this time the Lord led us through to witness a wonderful testimony of two saints getting married.

As a brother in the church, I have been involved from the initiation of this fellowship between a brother from Delhi and a sister from Gurugram. After months of waiting, fellowship between the two families under the covering of the church brothers in Delhi and Gurugram transpired twice. Then, a couple of practical fellowship followed, together with many meetings of prayers. Then, finally, the 14th of February 2025 was decided for the wedding testimony meeting.

I personally picked up the burden to accomplish whatever I need to to accomplish, especially in coordination with the sister's family. I also took the initiative to draft the meeting schedule with much consideration for the ministry of the word. As these points were brought to fellowship, with some adjustments, the brothers confirmed the schedule and the meeting direction was set.

Many saints also participated in the practical arrangement, especially, the young people. I was glad to witness what potential the young people have if channeled properly. They all were serving voluntarily with satisfaction. 

Besides all the background works, me and my wife had our portion in sharing testimony for the bride. My wife testified of all the good things she knew about the bride from the first time they met till today. I gave a future testimony for the couple from today going forward as married couple. I exhorted them to be one as in God's eyes a married couple is one flesh. To maintain this oneness, they must exercise to fellowship and pray together for every matter. As married couple, they must also love one another. Since our human love is fragile, the divine love is needed by which the husband and wife can love one another eternally. With these few words, I also participated in the prayer for the blessing of the newly married couple and declared the two as married, henceforth, husband and wife.

Later after the meeting, we; a brother, myself, and the elder brother of the bride, coordinated to drop the newly married couple to their new home in Delhi Dwarka. There too, we were privileged to have the first home meeting and prayer with the newly married couple. A responsible brother and his wife joined us too.

What a blessing to witness and participate in this wedding testimony meeting in Gurugram! As the church prayed and blessed the couple, the Lord will definitely bless the couple. I trust this is also a testimony to many young people who will be married.

May the Lord bless the couple!

Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Lessons on Kindness

Since childhood I have been shown kindness and I have been taught to show kindness to all, especially to those who are in need. By the Lord’s mercy, I have been graced to show mercy and kindness to whoever I can, within my capacity.  Of late, I learned a lesson even in showing kindness.

I had given hospitality to a good number of brothers and sisters as I accommodated them to live with us as a family. In all possible ways, I treated them as my family members. But when theses ones were well off and could stand on their own, their reaction changed. They behaved as though they received nothing from us. Some even became negative and instead of appreciation, they started speaking negatively. Sometimes, I wonder if I did the right thing in giving them hospitality when they needed it. Though I did not expect any reward from them, at least, an act of humanity would require a word of appreciation or thanks as I did to others whoever gave hospitality to me. Based on these experiences, I learned a lesson. Give hospitality, show kindness to others, even show mercy and grace, but never expect anything in return.

At the same time, I also begin to consider if I should give hospitality or show kindness to all who asked. Should not I discern if I was led by the Lord to give hospitality or show kindness? Perhaps, I took it for granted that doing "good" to others is automatically of God. Sometimes, my natural goodness may be as bad as acting in the flesh. Perhaps, I need more discernment even before doing any "good" to anyone. This is the lesson I need to learn.

Because of such negative reactions from those whom I showed mercy, I have been thoroughly exposed of my natural man even in doing good. I was just natural. Now, I am very careful to act naturally even if it is for good, especially the good of others.

Recently, a fresh experience ignited a question within me of my "goodness" to others. I gave full free Dom to a brother to eat with lunch at no cost. I even gave him the freedom to consider my house as his own. For a good number of months, he has been eating lunch at his own time in iur house, completely free meal. I gave him this offer when I realized his wife was not around to cook for him and he had nothing to eat for lunch during office working days. But his act of kindness was not appreciated bynhim at all. Rather, he negatively spoke about the food and abruptly stopped eating with us even without informing me. Then, I realised, my act of kindness was taken for granted and was never even considered beneficial. I sincerely regret showing him the kindness of offering him a free meal with our family every working day. What a lesson! The same goes to another sister whom I thought needed help and did my best to help her. Yet, later she took it for granted and did things in her own way without any fellowship. Perhaps, she needed more help in fellowshipping with the saints. Despite her reaction, I still kept the door open for her to ask or request foe help anytime she needed.

These are few lessons I have been learning regarding kindness and giving hospitality. Yes, according to the Scriptures I must be hospitable irrespective of the reaction of the guests. It is just a responsibility. Yet, I must also discern and not act in my natural goodness. In fact, I must also learn to deny my soul life and follow the Spirit's leading even in showing kindness, giving hospitality, and doing good deeds to others. Thank God for these lessons!