Gleanings from USA Visits

This time, a visit to the USA also included the visits to some sightseeing spots, not according to the world's way but according to the leading of the local saints. The saints that we visited have been laboring on their localities and the Lord also blessed them bountifully. We came to witness what the Lord has been doing through their labors. Personally, I have seen the wisdom the Lord gave to the brothers in the way and the places they labor. I have been very much impressed by what I have seen. Besides, the hospitality arrangement for all of us from India was exemplary. 

In addition to the blending and fellowship we enjoyed with the saints in the churches in the Bay Area, we were also led to visit some places of interest. The brothers took all the pains to take us to all these places. What a favor from the Lord that I could be a part of the team from India to be able to participate in this trip. The places that we visited are the following:

• Golden Gate Bridge 
• University of Berkeley 
• Fremont Conference Center
• University of Davis
• Sacraments New Meeting Hall
• Alpha House, a 335 acres in Nevada County
• Hatchery and a Dam on American River
• Old Sacramento 

One thing that impressed me was the wisdom of the brothers in purchasing lands many many years ago and some recent ones. They had the vision for the present need and also for the future plan. The Fremont Conference Center was built with the latest technology has now become useful for the perfecting of the saints of all ages. The Alpha House in Nevada County was very thoughtful for meeting the need of the saints for spiritual retreat as it was an hour drive from the bustling city life, far away enough to be secluded only for spiritual training. This place was once a goldmine and now turned into spiritual goldmine for the saints to gain more gold of the divine life through perfecting training. These visits surely have a great impact on me. 

To all these, I can only thank the Lord and worship Him for all that He has done through the ministry. I have been blessed to glean from all the places we visited. Yes, gleaning from the old creation for the new creation! What a pattern! Praise the Lord!

Revisiting America

The Lord sovereignly arranged another trip for me to vist USA this time. This was my third visit to USA. Despite the political turmoil surround LA in California and the crack down on illegal immigrants, those with legal documents have no issue. This trip was particularly useful for me in many ways. 

First, I was able to complete my assignment of re-listening the recorded messages of our recent training of five days which was held in Hyderabad. This re-listening is one of the requirements for attending the second phase of the training to beheld in August in Chennai. The long hours travel time from my home to New Delhi Airport; then while checking in, passing through security checks and waiting to board the flight; the flight time from New Delhi to Dubai and from Dubai to San Francisco; I was able to complete the assignment. Fourteen sessions of fellowship that were coverd in five days, I was able to go through all of them the second time by utilising all the time required to reach USA. I was freshly supplied by the fellowship, high above the ground in a realm of buoyancy!

Second, this trip enabled me to experience the Lord in a fresh way of living the life of baptism. This was also in line with the present HWMR.

For if we have grown together with Him in the likeness of His death, indeed we will also be in the likeness of His resurrection. (Romans 6:5, RecVer)

From Day 1 of my trip to USA, the Lord graced me to experience living in the likeness of His death. This was a precious lesson that had been due for long l in my life experience. Though I shared my personal testimony, a couple of times, of how I got save and how I came into the church life, which I rarely shared, I never had even an inkling of self promotion or self glorification. I exercised my spirit to testify only when asked to testify and limited my words to how much was needed to be spoken within the limited time frame. This was altogether a new learning and a new  experience for me too. Thank God, that this time the Lord gave me the opportunity and the grace to experience Him in His death, and live the life of baptism. Praise the Lord!

Third, in all these places we visited this time, seven local churches in the Bay Area; Hayward, Fremont, Davis, San Francisco, Sacramento, Berkeley, and Burlingame, we enjoyed a sweet coordination among ourselves, the visiting saints from India, in our fellowship, sharing of testimonies and reports, so much so that we could blend well with the saints in all these localities. We were mutually shepherded and we learn from one another. O what a blessed blending in the Body!

These experiences have also testified in reality how much we have been blended and builded up together in the Body. Thank the Lord for such an experience! The ministry has brought in the reality of the one new man. This is not merely an outward trip to USA but a trip of an experience of Christ for the blending and building up in the Body.

As my visits to USA were in the past, this visit also is also a blessed visit. God has blessed America and use this country for His move all over the world. 

God bless America!

Teenagers Training in Gurugram

The things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9, RecVer)

Last weekend we had a three days' teenagers training in Gurugram. This was, in actuality, a training for the families in the church in Gurugram. Since it was proposed to be held in Gurugram, we brothers were trying our best to arrange hospitality in the old training center or hire a convention centre, but nothing worked out. The only option we had was to open our homes and accommodate as many as possible. The arrangements were made in such a way that about eighty plus saints be given hospitality and arrange a meeting for the same in the existing meeting that we thought, could accommodate maximum fifty saints. However, with all adjustments, we could finally accommodate all the saints; hospitality and meeting place. We experienced the Lord’s bountiful grace and everything was taken care.

On the Lord’s Day, we had meeting in a hired banquet of a hotel as the consummation of the training. Though no portion was assigned to me but as the need arose I opened myself to the fellowship of the brothers. On Saturday, according to the brothers' fellowship, I shared the significances of baptism before the baptism of teenagers. And on the Lord’s Day, at the spur of the moment, I was asked to share something. So, based on what I heard from the testimonies of the teenagers, I summarised the sharings into three points.

• Love the Lord Jesus 
• Love the Word of God
• Love the Presence of God; Spend time in Prayer with the Lord every day, develop a personal, intimate, fellowship, and relationahip with the Lord

It was a great blessing to witness our young ones being cared for and trained in the best possible way. I thanked the Lord for all the serving ones who labored so much and shepherded the saints. 

The concluding words shared by a brother was also very apt. Whatever they have learned, received, heard, and seen must now be put to practice.

Lord, bless all our young ones. Preserve them, prepare them, and perfect them to continue to bear Your testimony and await Your return.

Reality of Baptism in Union City

The Christian life is a life of baptism. The reality of baptism is to live in the death of Chirst by being baptised into Christ, not just once, but living in it's reality where the self, the natural man, the old man, the flesh, the world, and everything not of God is put to death. This experience of baptism is possible only in the mingled spirit by being in Christ into whom we have been baptised. Only then, resurrection becomes a reality too, not a future state but a present process that is being experienced day by day. 

Yesterday, I landed in San Francisco for a blending trip in the Bay Area of California prior to attending the live Semiannual Training in Anaheim. In this trip, my first experience was the experience of Christ in His death. Though a few days ago I spoke about baptism and baptised some, I have not yet been baptised myself fully into it's reality thoroughly. The Lord gave this opportunity to experience the reality of baptism.

Though I was baptised about twenty five years ago, I am yet to fully experience the reality of baptism. The Lord has given me many opportunities to experience baptism now and then. Little by little, here a little, there a little, now and then, He has brought me to experience it. He has chosen appropriate time and place to accomplish His work of baptism in me. This surely is the mercy of the Lord.

Last night, I was given hospitality in a brother's house in Union City, California. As I lay down to sleep, the Spirit wrestled with me to deal with my self. I could not sleep properly. Something of my self bothered me. I knew right away that I need to be dealth with. Therefore, I prayed that this "fox's tail" of my self be completely put to death. I had a fresh and thorough consecration to deal with it again. 

The fact that I was given hospitality in Union City reminds me of my need to experience and enjoy the result of baptism, a living in an organic union with the Triune God and also with His Body in oneness, in one accord, and in sweet harmony. I reckon this sleepless night in Union City as the turning point in my life to live in the reality of baptism that I may experience and enjoy the reality of baptism in my Christian life. That my Christian life indeed be a life of baptism.

Later, I spent time to pray for all the prayer burdens the Lord has been burdening me these days. Then, I enjoyed my morning revival on the same matter, living in the reality of baptism. The Lord’s speaking was so timely. It matched my experience and it confirmed my experience too. This is the New Testament ministry. 

We have been buried therefore with Him through baptism into His death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4, RecVer)

Oh what a blessed night in Union City! There I began to experience the reality of baptism in areas of my life that needs thorough baptism and ushered me to the reality of being in union with the Triune God and His Body.

Bible Reading: Forty Eighth Time

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. Col. 3:16

Today, on my forty-seventh birthday, and as I enter my forty-eighth year of my human life, the Lord graced me to complete my forty-eighth time of reading the Bible and start with my forty-ninth time as I have a goal of reading through the Bible at least a hundred time in my life time, if the  Lord gives me the grace. This is my personal goal, and it gives me immense joy to be able to read and read the word of God. To me, the only book worth reading again and again is the Bible. To me, the only time I feel must be spent at any cost is to read the Bible and spend time in prayer every day, even if it means doing it as a habit. Let it be a habit and be a part of my life. I reckon this is a good habit. God forbid, if I say, reading the Bible and prayer are the only things that must be done every day at all costs, even at the sacrifice of other things.

My prayer has been that the Lord would grace me day by day to be able to read the Bible with good eyesight; with a renewed mind filled with light, sight, vision, and revelation; and a strong spirit to absorb the word as spiritual nourishment. And that, no matter what my circumstances may be, the Lord may grace me with the reading of the Bible and prayer day by day. I cannot think of a life without the word of God and prayer. They have become a part and parcel of my life. I have been married to the word of God and prayer. I can't help but keep reading the Bible and pray. And it has been my joy and enjoyment day by day. I can sacrifice anything else in the world, but not my time with the Lord in prayer and the word of God. 

This also I wish that all my children, family members, saints in the church life, and for that matter, all the children of God should love the word of God and read it to be constituted with it, and be a man of prayer. To the extent that we all be living bibles and talking bibles for other to see and read the Bible. 

Having begun my forty-ninth time of reading the Bible, today morning I spent an hour on the word beginning from Genesis, the first ten chapters, and Matthew, the first three chapters.

May the Lord grace me with the taste and enjoyment of His word that I may read and eat the word of God every day, all the days of my life.

Birthday Gift: Baptisms

On my forty-seventh biological birthday today, the Lord gave me a wonderful experience of "baptism." This baptism is my experience of the cross and dealing with my natural man. The Lord has been gracious to show to me who I am and what He needs to do in me. These days I have been positively busy as I am engaging in productive work for the church, for the office, and for my family. I have been enjoying the joy of being a responsible man in my areas of service, and enjoying being a family man. Oh, what a blessing!

From morning to night, I have been engaged in office work, completing things that need to be completed before I leave for the live semiannual training at the minsitry station in Anahien, California. As the brothers serving the teenagers' training that is going on in the church in Gurugram fellowshipped with me about ministering the word on baptism, I had to prepare myself to release the word of God. Though I had been ministering this truth many times in the past at different places, this time, I wanted to make it more precise and clear to all the young ones. Therefore, I went through the Bible verses and the ministry portion with prayer again. Then, when the time came, I ministered on the seven significances of baptism.

Beginning with the way to be saved as mentioned in Romans 10:9-10 and the need to be baptised in Mark 16:16 to enjoy the complete salvation of God in many aspects, all the teenagers were helped to see these seven significances.

1. Confirmation of Inward Belief, Mark 16:16
2. Fullfillment of God's Righteous Requirement, Matthew 3:15
3. Testimony and Open Declaration, Matthew 3:16
4. Spiritual transfer from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God, John 3:5
5. Identification with Christ in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection, Romans 6:3-6
6. Baptism into the Body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:13
7. Appeal to God for a Good Conscience, 1 Peter 3: 21

Along with the ministry of the word, I had the burden to lead those who are not yet baptised to pray for their baptism. Following this, nine young brothers and sisters took water baptism, of which four were brothers and five sisters. Through the brothers' fellowship and arrangement, I was graced further to usher the sisters in their baptism in coordination with another Hindi-speaking brother.

This was a wonderful day, a joyous day for all the teenagers and the saints, especially me! I reckon this as my birthday gift. Yes, a gift of baptism; an experience of baptism in my being and the experience of baptizing the new believers into the Triune God! What a birthday gift!

Hallelujah! Christ is Victor! Jesus is Lord!

Inner Peace

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6

I have been shown mercy by the Lord to know Him, experience Him, enjoy Him, and I believe, I am also expressing Him to some extent. Day by day, from one degree of glory to another degree of glory, the Lord is transforming me, as I learn to behold Him.

But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

These days, the Lord's work in me has become more and more subjective. Every other day, for any matter or thing, I have been "bothered" by the Lord inwardly. I could not decide on any matter so easily without first bringing them to the Lord and considering the matter in my personal time with the Lord. The inner peace within me has been a strong indicator of the Lord's will felt in my inner being. I am glad that the Lord is faithful to lead me inwardly, and much more, I am thankful to Him for His grace that I could discern His feeling in my feeling. I have been mercifully "disturbed" in my inner peace when a matter was brought before me that may not be perfectly from the Lord or of the Lord, though the matter be spiritual or perhaps even be in the fellowship of the Body. This inner sense of life has become very sensitive and strong to the extent that I cannot go ahead on any matter unless the inner peace within me is in perfect harmony with me. Thank the Lord for this grace.

For instance, I was given the go-ahead to attend an international training in Malaysia. Every fellowship and every practical matter seemed to be in sweet harmony. In fact, all financial provisions were available too. But as I considered the matter before the Lord again and again, the inner peace within me "disturbed" me positively to reconsider. Instance after instance, it became clearer and clearer that I might have to withdraw from attending this live training, but attend the same training on webcast video training with the brothers in India in India itself. Finally, after a period of three months, it was made clear to me by the inner peace within me that I should skip this time unless the Lord succinctly and vividly revive the matter again.

Likewise, in matters concerning many practical matters in my personal life, family life, office life, and church life, the peace within me has become very sensitive in discerning the leading of the Lord. Outward situations and human reasoning cannot convince me any longer unless the inner peace within is perfectly restful. For it became so obvious that the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.

And the peace of God, which surpasses every man’s understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

And let the peace of Christ arbitrate in your hearts, to which also you were called in one Body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15