Trusting God in the Body

Trusting in God is a thrilling experience. In the age of the church, trusting in God is even more practical and detailed. It is one thing to individually trust God and yet another thing to trust in God through the fellowship in the Body. Without a proper vision of the Body of Christ, it is easy to simply trust in God just by oneself, but with the vision of the Body and living in the reality of the body, it is even more experiecnable and practical to trust in God and walk step by step in fellowship with the Body. Christ, the Head of the Body, is one with the Body. What the Head Christ feels and says is what the Body feels and says. This lesson is revealed in the epistle of Paul, especially from the time he was saved in Acts 9.

But rise up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do. Acts 9:6

The Lord has been gracing me to learn to trust in God through the fellowship in the Body these days in many practical matters that I have been involved in. Recently, we have been in fellowship with the brothers for the practical ways to take care of the building facility which was used for the training purposes. Due to the circumstances pertaining to North India, the building has been lying vacant for a couple of months, which even led to the luring of theives to steal whatever could be stolen to the extent that minor destruction of the property began to happen. Therefore, to take care of this facility, we have had a good number of fellowships over the past few weeks. We had considered together multiple options to take care of this matter. Even a couple of families have been considered to hire them as guardians of the facility. One after the other, the ones suggested haves opted out one by one due to reasons of their own. In fact, in all these experiences, we also prayed that the will of the Lord be done. Quite unexpectedly, a family expressed voluntarily their desire to be caretaker of the building. This was followed by a couple of fellowships, and finally, it was decided that this family would be the caretaker temporarily for at least half a year. 

Well, what impressed me the most in all these fellowships was the way the Lord led us in considering this matter together. He led us to trust in Him by trusting in the fellowship of the Body. He spoke to us in the fellowship of the Body. And we had the confirmation of His speaking through the fellowship of the Body. If not for the Body, some personal decisions would have been taken and that may even be of the Lord's will. But the lesson of coordination in the fellowship of the Body would have been missed. Now that it has passed through so many rounds of fellowship, I have learned one important lesson. Trust in the Lord by the Body. What a lesson in the Body! Not simply to trust in the Lord by oneself and let the Body know about it, but together with the Body, we trust in the Lord. What a precious lesson!

In addition to this lesson of trusting in the Lord in and through the Body, I also learned the lesson of committing every matter to the Lord. Ultimately, what the Lord decides from the throne will be what we will decide on the earth. Anxiety and worry should have no place in the lives of Christians. Only what the Lord decides will come to pass. We simply need to learn the lesson of committing everything to the all-sovereign God. 

Now, I have learned to give up my opinion or feelings. Though the Lord may be the one who gave me such feelings and opinions, I should not trust that they are truly from the Lord. I am still a man in the flesh, and it is very possible that my feelings may still be natural. Therefore, though I may still have my own feelings and opinions, I must learn to commit everything to the Lord and let His perfect will be done. And once His will is clear, I must deny my feelings or opinions whatsoever; I must deny myself, drop everything, and amen the Lord's will revealed through the fellowship the Body of Christ.

Lord, preserve me in the fellowship of the Body for every matter in my life and in the church. Trusting in God by trusting in the Body is a mysterious yet wonderful lesson!

Silence Is Sometimes the Solution

But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to Him, I charge You to swear by the living God to tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God. (Matthew 26:63, RecVer)

And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, Do You not hear how many things they testify against You? And He did not answer him, not even to one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. (Matthew 27:12-14, RecVer)

Sometimes, silence is the solution to situations. These days I have been through certain situations not of my own nor my family nor my making, but in caring for the saints, the church, and the service I am involved in. In the midst of vagueness without and the absence of peace within, my only reaction has been just to remain silent. Silence is the solution.

While reading my Bible today too, I was impressed at the silence of the Lord Jesus Christ in facing serious allegations against Him. He just remained silent. When He was accused by the chief priests and elders, and even Pilate, He did not answer them, not even one word. In fact, He answered them by not answering at all. Silence was His answer.

Officially, I have also been dealing with some serving ones concerning their services. Though I could have exercised official authority to take action, I chose to pray and commit the matters to the Lord. Then, the Lord led me to say nothing and do nothing. So, I remain silent. Let the Holy Spirit work. And He did, as we pursue the truth portion, the message that I considered to speak, the Lord spoke through the ministry of the word. The Lord kept me in silent mode so that He could speak succinctly at the right time. With this, my job was done. Yes, just by remaining  silent. 

Certain other fellowships concerning marriage for a couple of saints also have been going on. Like it or not, I was involved as a brother and a serving one. Though I had my feeling and opinion, I was just led to swallow up my own feeling and thoughts and just be silent. The only unique answer to all the puzzling questions is silence. I just prayed for the Lord’s perfect will to be done in all the cases under consideration. What a release, what a rest, to commit all these complicated cases to the Commander-in-chief, Christ!

Even when the situation of the saints and the church are getting complicated, I and a brother would only bow our heads to the Lord and plead for the Lord’s mercy. We can do nothing. We may fellowship but only the Lord has to work in the lives of the saints. We can warn and fellowship, but it is the Lord’s who can change people's heart and save them from the tactic of the enemy. Therefore, we can only commit them to the Lord and just be silent. 

Silence, sometimes, is the solution. In just being silent, we give room to God to come and do His work.

Marital Fellowship

One burden I have been praying for is for all the married couples to be one with God and one with one another, to love God and to love one another by the divine love of God in Christ. I have learned this lesson from my marriage life. And I believe, this is the lesson every married couple should learn. Otherwise, there is a grave danger of turning away from the grace of God. Of course, for such a marriage testimony, the source of marriage and the foundation of marriage must also be God Himself. With God as the source of marriage with the grace of God to keep the marriage enjoyable, brothers and sisters must take grace day by day, honoring the Headship of Christ and honoring one another as co-heirs of the grace of life.

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)

Recently, a brother and I have been through a couple of times of fellowship related to two couples. One case has been so serious that we know not what to do except to cry out to God for mercy. We cannot act in the flesh as it will only lead to destruction. We can only pray and pray for God to deal with the couples involved. The cases are so complicated that it cannot be even discussed with any other saints nor can we speak to the couples involved directly. These cases are fit only to commit them to the Lord, cry out to God, plead for the Lord’s mercy, and pray and pray. No physical action can be taken in the flesh. Only should the Lord lead, then can we consider to take action according to the Spirit. 

Sometimes, I wonder why I have to face all these complicated situations among the saints, especially among the married couples in the church life. I now expect all these couples to grow in life to the extend of shepehrding other needy couples. Yet now, their marriages are in a complicated situation, I hope not in a limbo. May God be merciful to us. This is a sure sign that we have been very much lacking in the enjoyment of Christ as our life and life supply. This is also a reminder to not take the church life for granted but to exercise daily to enjoy Christ as life. Spiritual exercise is a daily matter. 

Inspite of all the complicated marriages, I have a strong and confirmed feeling within me that Christ is still the Victor in the church and in the lives of the couples in complication. Deep within, I have the assurance that these marriages will be preserved and the Lord will heal the situations among the saints. Though outwardly I am concerned, but inwardly, the Lord’s peace confirmed to me that He will shepherd His children and recover all of them.

I also believe that the Lord allows these complicated couples to come to our lives as serving brothers for us to turn to the Lord and take Christ as our wisdom and discernment in dealing with problems to find the solution in Christ. Praise the Lord!

Lord, preserve all the married couples in the church for Your testimony. 

Marriage Fellowship

These days, there has been fellowship after fellowship related to the marriages of the saints. It is indeed a good sign that marriages are happening among the saints. We have been barren for many years concerning our saints getting married. We have made a couple of proposals in the past and most of them did not work out. But, this year we got one marriage done, and now three more couples are in the process of fellowship. 

Yes, this definitely is a good news that young saints are getting married. But at the same time, these fellowships are not without complications. The past few weeks and still ongoing, I have been involving in a couple of fellowships on the upcoming marriages of three couples. Some are smooth and sweet, while others are complicated and confused. But I am sure about one thing, God's perfect will will be accomplished and in the process we are being perfected. 

Sometimes, I wonder why things are not so easy as it would seem to be. In referring to my own marriage, to me, it should be very simple once it is clear that it is from the Lord. But the cases I am involved in right now, seems to go through tough water. I do not doubt the will of God, but the timing and the way some of these couples have taken are questionable. I only pray that the will of the Lord be done even in the timing and the way the marriages will be carried out. 

As for me, though I personally did not voluntarily get involved in these upcoming marriages, I have no choice but to be with the brothers and be one with them in the fellowship. While attending the fellowships, my best contribution was, to keep praying silently and inwardly while the matters were being fellowshipped. Only when asked to speak, I just spoke what I felt I should speak. But I made it always clear that, despite all the fellowships, the perfect will of the Lord be done.

I am being trained and perfected to serve the saints in this regard. And I am learning this lesson through all the fellowships. One day, my own children will have to face the same situation. I pray that the Lord will preserve all of us just to be one with Him without any opinion other than the perfect will of the Lord. Now, I am in the process of learning to serve in shepherding the saints in leading them to do the perfect will of the Lord.

Lord, head up all the fellowships. Lord, let Your perfect will be done in the lives of all these young couples!

Christ Is Victor!

Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply and, when some war occurs, they also join themselves to those who hate us and fight against us and go up from the land. So they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built storage cities for Pharaoh, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out so that they came to dread the children of Israel. (Exodus 1:10-12, RecVer)

God created man to fulfill His divine purpose on the earth and for which He blessed man to be fruitful and multiply (Gen.1:26, 23). Since the fall of man, there has always been a battle between God and His enemy. God carries out His purpose while His enemy opposes in all possible ways. And this spiritual battle that began has been continuing. In all the records of the Bible and in the history of mankind, this has been the fate of man. Today, we have been facing the same spiritual battle even in a so call free democratic land.

While I read these verses, the Lord reminded me of the strategy the enemy had deceptively taken. He "dealt wisely" with the Christians with the intention to persuaded them and destroy them all. For this very reason, the believers in the true and living God Jesus Christ have been under all kinds of afflictions and persecution. Nevertheless, the hand of God was upon the believers for perfection and also upon the non-believers for perdition. God is God and He wants perfectly how to be God.

Inspite of all the afflictions and persecution the believers are forcefully subjected to, God sovereignly turns around the works of His enemy for the manifestation of His multifarious wisdom. He uses all the works of persecution for the multiplication of His believers. First, by multiplying His grace for the believers' enjoyment and second for the multiplication of the believers in numbers. Throughout the church history, persecution has always multiplied the number of believers worldwide. The more the persecution the more the multiplication. The same is being manifested in North India these days. Hallelujah!

These days, in the church life in North India,  we have also been undergoing various trials and tribulation, but the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ has been multiplied to us day by day. The tactic of attacks are in variety. I personally have been an eyewitness to Satanic attacks. But one thing to me is solidly clear, Christ is the Victor! And the victory of Christ is our victory! Though I have been undergoing many fellowship related to the enemy's attack, deep within I was very clear, Christ is Victor and we are on the triumphant procession of the victorious Jesus General. Therefore, I am not afraid by the enemy's attack and his threatenings. To me, it is like facing a roaring Lion face to face but the Lion is caged. To me, this is a sign of progress and spiritual growth. The fiercer the battle, the more triumphant the victory will be. Hallelujah!

Christ is Victor!

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in the Christ and manifests the savor of the knowledge of Him through us in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14, RecVer)

Note of Appreciation

Today, our children's school teacher requested us to write something about our experience of the school where all our three children have been studying. For multiple reasons, we have chosen this school. In fact, from the very beginning, the Lord led us to admit our children into this school. Over the years, we have realized that this is the best school for our children on every aspect. Acdemically, location wise, and for many practical reasons, this is what the Lord has arranged for us, and it's the best. The main point is that this is the Lord's sovereign provision for our children's education and their holistic learning as preparation for their perfecting in their humanity.  Ultimately, our prayer has been that they all become useful vessels to the Lord, containing and expressing God in their living. And our burden is to give our children the best education for the sake of the Lord and His divine economy.

Initially, when my wife told me to write something, I told her to draft the content. And I did the polishing. Together, we wrote our appreciation of the school and sent it to the teacher.  To the best of my knowledge, this is our genuine appreciation for over ten years of experience with the school.

We are the happy parents of our three children studying at Summer Fields School! Our children have been enjoying their school life from the very beginning. They have been motivated by their teachers through the exciting school curriculum and the friendly-cum-homely environment the school has provided. We sincerely appreciate the ways teachers have been taking care of the students and how innovatively they interacted with them. They are not only focusing on the students’ academic performances and studies but also on their personal holistic development. This helps them develop their talents in a very fine way. Through the courses of EFL (Education for Life), the teachers nurture life ethics and moral values through practical, engaging, and enjoyable sessions. The students were recognized for the values they embody and have been constituted with overtime.

Talking about activities and functions in the school, in addition to the sports day, annual day, and assemblies, there are different kinds of workshops, book week, science week, etc. These provided the students with many opportunities to participate in, be trained to express themselves, and be gradually perfected in their humanity. 

For instance, one of our daughters was naturally shy to speak in public. However, after she participated in a science exhibition through the encouragement of her teacher, she started to build up her confidence. Now, she actively participates in many kinds of school activities.

Talking about infrastructure, the school provides good facilities for the students to learn and enjoy their school time. The ambience in the school causes our children to feel like going to school every day. We sincerely appreciate our children's school, Summer Fields School, and in fact, we reckon it as our own. 

Thank you!

By the way, as we have also been praying for our children's education, we have also been praying for the salvation of some of their friends, classmates, and teachers. Our children are the gospel seeds where they can impart the divine life to their friends and their friends' families in a way of living out the divine life imparted to them through the word of God in the family and in the church. I believe, for this reason, the Lord has placed us in this part of the world. All for His divine purpose. 

Lord, bless our children to be a channel of blessing to their friends and teachers.

Turning Seventeen

Today, the 27th of February, our eldest daughter Bliss turned seventeen. It was indeed the Lord's grace that children are growing up so fast. Despite being the parent of a teenage daughter, I personally still feel I am as young as she is. Being in the Lord makes me feel so young, even as young as my own children. In the Lord, every day is a new day. Though the body is decaying, the inner man is renewed day by day.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

As usual, to shepherd our children we generally take our children for a meal outside on their birthdays. Though we do not have the habit of so-called celebration with many others, we do cherish the day and thank the lord for all His blessings these years and reconsecrate for the new year.

Today morning when I woke up, I wished my daughter a happy birthday and a new beginning. I then prayed for her, blessing her as her father. Later, in the afternoon, as a family, we all went to eat out. This made her day, and everyone was happy. Then, we purchased the necessary items for our son and our youngest daughter too. So all of them got something that they needed; food, pants, and shoes. The Lord also faithfully provided all the needs. 

My wife had a burden to make a card for our eldest daughter on her turning seventeen, for which we both wrote a letter together and gifted her as a gift.

Dear Beloved Bliss,

You have passed through many things last year, whether they were happiness or sadness, the old things have passed away. Now, may the Lord grant you a new beginning to continue your life journey. You may face new challenges, difficulties, and many obstacles in the future, but remember, you are in Christ. 

So then if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, they have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, RecVer)

The Lord is your life, your wisdom, and your shepherd. He will lead you and guide you in every step. Always come to Him and fellowship with Him as you are, have faith in Him no matter what happens to you. 

Come to Me all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, RecVer)

We believe you will have a lot of experience and enjoyment of Him. We are here to always support you in every possible way. 

We love you! 

Mom and Dad

That said, all children are gifts from the Lord. In fact, they are out from the Lord and are for the Lord. As parents, God's earthly guardians in humanity, we do our best to take care of them in every aspect of their human life. We pray for them every day and also teach them prayer so that they can pray by themselves. In all possible ways within our measure God has measured to us, and we have been doing our best to raise them up for the Lord's purpose. In giving good health care, good education, training them in their human living, shepherding their souls, and perfecting them for the Lord's use. As parents, we have been doing all that we could. All the rest, we leave it to the Lord.

My prayer for my children has always been, that they would grow in grace and in the full knowledge of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and unto the day of eternity. Amen.  2 Peter 3:18

Lord, continue to bless us as a family and all our children for Your divine purpose.