Fellowships in Vellore

The visit to this city was not a part of my plan. However, as I planned to travel to Anantapur for the distribution, a brother inquired if I could pass through Vellore for a visit. Later, after further fellowship with the brothers, making the plan for the distribution, my visit to Vellore was confirmed as my last stop this time was planned in Palameneru, which was not far from Vellore.

Last Lord’s Day, after the combined meeting in Palameneru, I came along with a brother's family to Vellore. I spent some time in the bookroom, and then we travelled together to a remote village to fellowship with a family who had recently been recovered into the church life. The Lord led me to share about having a "hidden life" of prayer with the Lord daily. 

It is common for many saints to pray corporately and enjoy the church life corporately. However, there is a great lack in spending a private, intimate, spiritual relationship and fellowship with the Lord. I shared my own testimony of how the Lord led me in almost every practical matter of my life during my personal time spent with Him. And I testified how the Lord answered my prayers for my family's salvation, serving the Lord full-time, family life, and many important decisions taken after solid hours of personal time with the Lord in prayer. The brothers were so touched by the fellowship that they all testified one by one how much they lagged behind in their personal prayer life. They also confessed that due to this lack, they have drifted away from the Lord in their daily living. Though I did not know about their spiritual condition, the Lord spoke the timely word to each one of them. Praise the Lord!

The following day, we visited two brothers who were saved due to their critical health condition while being treated at CMC Vellore. I listened to their testimony of salvation, which was mostly due to their hopelessness after difficult times of serious medical issues. One was from West Bengal, a Bangla-speaking brother, and the other from Bihar, a Hindi-speaking brother. I felt the Lord was introducing me to them, or vice versa, for the future purpose of the Lord’s move in North India. I patiently listened to their testimonies and interjected now and then to clarify what I understood of their sharing in Hindi. They both were so excited to fellowship with me, and I responded to their fellowship with amens. After two hours of listening to their testimonies, as we needed to go to another fellowship, I prayed on their request and left.

About an hour and a half drive from Vellore, we visited a new family who are gradually turning towards church life. To them, after the lovefeast lunch, the Lord led me to share on doing the will of the Father using the Lord Jesus as a pattern in Matthew 26. God has His one unique will, and all that we are and do must be in line and within His will. Oftentimes, there is a clash of opinions in the mind, but we must pray to do only the will of the Father as the Lord prayed, no matter what the price.

And taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee aside, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch with Me. And going forward a little, He fell on His face and prayed, saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will. And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, So were you not able to watch with Me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Again, going away a second time, He prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done. (Matthew 26:37-42, RecVer)

The Lord Jesus was deeply distressed and exceedingly sorrowful concerning His crucifixion at the cross and prayed to the Father if it was possible to bypass it, but He submitted to the Father's will by saying, "Let Your will be done." What a wonderful pattern of the God-man Jesus Christ!

In the same way, we all have to submit our lives and all matters to the Father that His perfect will be done in every matter so that in all the wills that we carry out, His will be done. This fellowship was for all the family members, as they all were facing dilemmas in their lives. They were greatly helped by the fellowship, as that was what they actually needed at the moment. May the Lord’s perfect will be done in their lives.

Then, we visited a brother and his wife who were pastoring a congregation. To them, the Lord led me to fellowship on the oneness of the Body of Christ, the one new man, and the church in her local aspect. I also introduced the New Testament Recovery Version to them using the footnotes in Matthew 1 on the son of David, the five women, and the wife of Uriah. They both were so supplied through the fellowship and wanted more fellowship. However, we need to take leave as we have two more meetings lined up in the evening.

Finally, in the evening after the Bible study time with some medical students in CMC Vellore, we had a dinner lovefeast fellowship with a brother's family who has been going through situations. To them, the fellowship was on trusting the Lord to live by faith and to seek the presence of the Lord in everything by sharing my testimony of how the Lord supplied all my needs and led me with His presence from the time I came to serve the Lord full-time.

After all these enjoyable fellowships, all the meetings that were arranged for me were all taken care of. In each meeting, the Lord gave the timely word, and all who attended the meeting and fellowship were richly supplied. Hallelujah! Out from the throne of God and the Lamb flows the rivers of living water!

And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb in the middle of its street. (Revelation of John 22:1, RecVer)

Lord, continue to bless Your testimony in Vellore.

Ministry of the Word in Palamenaru

 This was the third time I visited this locality. In the previous two visits, I came here for the ministry of the word literature distribution. But this time, due to the brothers' request, I came just to visit after the distribution trip as a "passing through" on my way back home. 

The brothers fellowshipped and made an arrangement for a combined Lord’s Table Meeting of three localities nearby: the churches in Palameneru, Tirupati, and Vellore. Though I was informed of the meeting, no one specifically informed me that I should minister the word. In fact, all the brothers assumed that I knew that I should minister the word. So, I was just prepared simply to enjoy the blending meeting of the saints and prophesy my portion for three minutes. However, in case the brothers requested me to minister the word, I would simply follow the brother who gave the opening word. So, I kept myself open to the Lord for whatever He wanted me to minister, if He wills so.

The saints have all arrived for the combined meeting, and the bread-breaking meeting was done. Then, I was informed by the brothers that I should minister the word for an hour with translation into Telugu and Tamil. But before I stood up to minister, there were a few minutes' gaps when the serving ones were adjusting the translation arrangement. I used that time to quickly consider what would be the need of the saints. The Lord then led me to call hymn 812 on coming to the Lord to eat and to drink Him on the word and in prayer. The message was made clear to me to minister on eating and drinking the Lord in prayer and in the word.

For an hour, I released my burden on the need to come to the word of God daily and also the need for a prayer life with personal testimonies of reading the Bible in a scheduled way with a goal, and a prayer life- personal, family, and the church prayer. My burden was fully released. Later, the saints testified that this was the need of the time for all the saints, as many saints have not been practising the basics of the daily Christian life of coming to the Lord in the word and in prayer.

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, RecVer)

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (John 6:63, RecVer)

And the word of God grew, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly; and a large number of the priests obeyed the faith. (Acts 6:7, RecVer)

And when they had so besought, the place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31, RecVer)

After the meeting, we had a time of lovefeast and blending, and then left along with the saints in Vellore for my visit to Vellore. 

Lord, continue to bless the churches in Palameneru, Tirupati, and Vellore.

Ministry of the Word to Uravakonda, Konepalli, and Pamidi

Uravakonda

On our way to Anantapur, we detoured to Uravakonda to meet a group of village Pastors in a remote area. For some reason, I did not feel like getting involved in the speaking, as most of them did not understand English. Therefore, I left the matter to the local brothers. Meanwhile, I went to take a prayer walk in the nearby empty land. 

Towards the end of our brothers' introduction of the ministry literature, one Pastor with an evil intention purposefully attacked the Telugu translation without any solid basis. The question he asked was not even a point of truth, but an article referring to a child Jesus. He was not even willing to listen to what our brothers had to say. In anger, he muttered something in Telugu and left. This was the only negative experience in the entire trip this time. It was a lesson for us not just to speak the truth but also to pray and exercise the spirit while speaking. The local brothers learned their lesson not to take the ministry lightly. Nevertheless, there were genuine seeking brothers who enquired more on the ministry books and purchased them.

Konepalli

In this minsitry journey to Anantapur, one of our coordinating brothers hail from a village, Konepalli. Since his family members are yet to be saved, I felt very good to visit them. So we did. The family had prepared a local delicacy for our dinner. As we fellowshipped, I prophesied in my spirit that the brothers' whole family would be saved, and the very place where we ate our dinner would be the very place the Lord’s Table Meeting bread should be broken when the church is raised up in the near future. I had a strong burden for the salvation of the entire family and the villagers; therefore, I preached a one-sentence gospel to the parents, "Believe into the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." Then, I prayed for their salvation. I do believe the Lord will save the entire household of my brother, along with the villagers, and raise up the church in Konepalli.

Pamidi

We, then, headed for a meeting with the young working Christians in Pamidi. When we arrived, I was requested to minister the word as it was also the weekly Christian meeting. I ministered on "worshipping God in spirit all the time" with the main emphasis on being in our spirit to worship God in spirit all the time, not merely at a specific time of a day or on a specific day of a week, using John 4:9-24.

Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. (John 4:21, RecVer)

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truthfulness. (John 4:24, RecVer)

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. (2 Timothy 4:22, RecVer)

The Spirit Himself witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:16, RecVer)

After the ministry of the word on worshipping God in spirit all the time, the local brothers introduced the ministry books and the New Testament Recovery Version in Telugu. Almost everyone present in the meeting purchased the Recovery Version. Then, in the night, we left for Anantapur.

May the Lord who spoke the word and led us to all these localities cause His words, as the seed of the word of God, to grow unto the raising up of His testimony.

Ministry of the Word to Anantapur

We had been visiting different parts of Ananatapur district for the past few days, and we had finally come to the main city of Ananatapur. We arrived very late in the night and were given hospitality in the home of a brother who is also an officer in the agriculture department. 

The next morning after breakfast, we had a time of fellowship with our host's family. As they requested me to share something, I shared on the need for all Christians to be constituted with the word of God. For some reason, the Lord’s leading in all the fellowships and meetings in this trip was on the word of God and prayer. As I shared these two burdens, the family members were very encouraged. They even indicated that they would renew their Christian living with daily Bible reading and prayers. 

We were then led to meet an independent Pastor who was also very impressed by the introduction of the Recovery Version and immediately purchased it for himself and promised to read it and then introduce it to his congregation. 

Then, we met one key Pastor in the city who is also a well-known Bible teacher. At first, I gave the time to the local Telugu-speaking brothers to introduce the Recovery Version in Telugu. Though he appreciated it, he also tried to compare it with all the other Bibles in his possession. He also brought out a Telugu study Bible, which he compiled. Then, I was asked to minister something.

I began by quoting 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 3:16,17 on the need for the Christians to come to the full knowledge of the truth. Then, I ministered on the need to daily pursue the word of God, which can make the Christians grow in life, and how the truth can teach a person, convict him, correct him, and instruct him in righteousness so that the man of God may be complete and perfect in every good work. The Lord then touched this Pastor, who is a Bible teacher, so much so that he requested me to come and introduce the Recovery Version Bible in his upcoming Silver Jubilee celebration of the ministry he has been involved in, where about two hundred Pastors are expected to attend. However, I did not have any leading to confirm to him. He bought the New Testament Recovery Version. 

We then visited the sister of one of our brothers and preached the gospel and led them to pray to receive the Lord. After which, a meeting was arranged in another Christian group where I ministered on loving God with the love of God as God is love.

And now, O Israel, what does Jehovah your God ask of you except that you fear Jehovah your God so that you would walk in all His ways and love Him and serve Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul; (Deuteronomy 10:12, RecVer)

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God, and everyone who loves has been begotten of God and knows God. He who does not love has not known God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8, RecVer)

And we know and have believed the love which God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16, RecVer)

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40, RecVer)

And Jehovah your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed, so that you will love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:6, RecVer)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35, RecVer)

The next day, we had an early morning meeting with the top leader, the Superintendent of a big Christian group. By his own confession, he has been an ardent lover of the ministry of the word and has been listening to and studying the Life-study messages. Despite all that he confessed, there was a lack of reality and depth in whatever he confessed. May the Lord speak to him in a stronger and deeper way so that he may be fully recovered to practice the ministry he professed to appreciate.

Then, we met another Pastor who was so much touched by the Recovery Version Bible we introduced and the words we fellowshipped with him, especially on the matter of righteousness. Then, a meeting with another politician turned Pastor, and finally, a group of students.

By the way, the Lord has been drawing a young brother to fellowship with us. He was one of the Pastors we met in our last distribution journey. He showed interest in the truth and also in fellowship with us. He even shared his personal testimony with me and indirectly hinted at his need for himself, his family, and the congregation he is shepherding. May the Lord gain him fully for His testimony one day.

After all these meetings for two days in Anantapur city, our distribution journey this time had come to an end. Brothers from other localities went back, and some of us proceeded to attend the combined Lord’s Table Meeting in Palameneru.

Praise the Lord for the city of Ananatapur. May the Lord, in His time, establish the golden lampstand in Ananatapur. 

Ministry of the Word to Guntakal

In Guntakal, we were first introduced to one of the key Christian leaders in the city. The Father-Son duo who led the group were well-versed in English. So, I took the lead to introduce the Recovery Version and the ministry books. 

As I used the verse in Ephesians 1:5 to show the accuracy of translation using "sonship verses adoption," the key senior Pastor confirmed my speaking with a resounding excitement and joy. He testified that he just preached on "becoming God," the last Lord’s Day, to the believers in his congregation. However, he was not too sure, as his English version says "adoption". However, when I pointed out the Greek word used for sonship and proved the divine thought with John 1:12, 13; 3:3,5, he was all the more excited. I also clarified that "becoming God" is only in life and nature but not in the Godhead, he exclaimed in joy that his vague understanding of the truth had been made crystal clear. He was so happy when I confirmed his vague understanding of what I just spoke to him about sonship. Then, we had a wonderful time of fellowship as Christian brothers. Later, they provided a wonderful lovefeast.

Next, we had a time of fellowship with another Pastor and his son on the Recovery Version of the Holy Bible. Though they initially were skeptical about the translation we presented, when I explained the matter of accuracy in translation and the revelations concealed in the footnotes, they became very interested in the truth and also very submissive from their initial attitude of skepticism. Later, I also shared my testimony on how God called me to serve Him and how He has been faithfully leading and blessing me; they were very impressed. We were given hospitality in his guest rooms.

The next morning, the Pastor and his wife gave a wonderful local delicacy for breakfast, and we enjoyed a time of fellowship wherein they also requested me to pray for them.

In the night, a meeting was arranged for working people where I shared the need for coming to the full knowledge of the truth by being constituted with the word of God by daily reading, studying, and receiving the word of God.

In this way, the Lord blessed the ministry distribution in Guntakal. May He raise up His testimony through His chosen people at the proper time.

Ministry of the Word to Gooty

In Gooty, we were first introduced to a working brother where I briefly introduced the minsitry. Then, we were taken to another brother's home where I was asked to minsitry something to the key senior brothers who took the lead to introduce the ministry to other fellow Christian leaders. Because of the insistence of the brothers, I used Hebrews 9:4 to explain the spiritual significances of the placement of the golden incense altar, apparently mistaken in Hebrews 9 to be in the Holy of Holies, while in Exodus it was in the Holy Place. After this exposition using the footnotes in the Recovery Version, the brothers were so impressed with the revelation concerning the experiences of the golden incense altar, which described our spiritual experiences in prayer. This explanation impressed two leading brothers deeply. They became more keen to know the truth, and their hearts became so open to the extent that they opened up their homes for hospitality.

Besides, there was a group of students who were so impressed when I shared my testimony of salvation and ministered the truth on the assurance, security, and joy of salvation. These were young people, and our visit to them was a surprise visit. Though the meeting was intended for introducing the ministry literature, the moment I saw a good number of young brothers, mostly new believers, I had the burden to share my testimony to encourage them, which turned out to be what they actually needed at the moment. The leading brother, who was a little cautious before he heard us minister the word, became very open after he heard our introduction of the ministry literature with our life experiences. He even became the key person to invite us for the next day's meeting with a larger number of students and working brothers and sisters. Though I myself could not join the next day due to another meeting I had to attend in another city, the Lord further opened the door for His move in the city.

While we were treated with warm Telugu hospitality in a senior brother's house, I was requested to share "something." Immediately, I took that opportunity and ministered on the oneness that the Lord had prayed for in John 17.

And all that is Mine is Yours, and Yours Mine; and I have been glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world; yet they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given to Me, that they may be one even as We are. (John 17:10-11, RecVer)

That they all may be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that You have sent Me. And the glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, even as We are one; I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. (John 17:21-23, RecVer)

The Lord’s anointing was so rich that as I ministered the word, the word flowed forth like rivers of living waters. 

We are one because we are of and from the same one God, possessing His life and His nature, the same as Himself, our Father. This oneness is God’s desire for His children, and this is exactly what the Lord Jesus prayed for, the greatest prayer ever recorded in the Bible.

In fact, the Lord Jesus created this one new man at the cross for the oneness of the redeemed believers. He had crucified in His flesh the cause of division among His children. Now, as children of God, we have to put on the new man by dealing with everything that is not Christ. For in this one new man, Christ is all and in all. Only Christ matters in the one new man. Anything apart from or in addition to Christ will only bring forth division. All the divisions of denominations are due to the fact that, in spite of being in Christ, there is something more than Christ. Christ plus different reachings and practices; cultures, traditions, teachings, etc. In the one new man, Christ should be the one and only one, the Head as well as the Body. But Christ plus caused the divisions. 

Abolishing in His flesh the law of the commandments in ordinances, that He might create the two in Himself into one new man, so making peace, (Ephesians 2:15, RecVer)

And have put on the new man, which is being renewed unto full knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, Where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:10-11, RecVer)

The brothers and sisters got new light and revelation through the fellowship on the word of God. In addition to this, another brother showed so much interest in the truth that he even enquired about joining the training and to be in fellowship. 

In the city of Gooty, we could sense the Lord’s definite works among the seeking believers, evident by the fact that they all appreciated the ministry so much. It was as though they heard the truth spoken to them for the first time. I believe it was so, as the truth on oneness has not been ministered thoroughly or not at all among God's children today. Therefore, the Lord sent us to those new cities for His testimony. 

This city, Gooty, has much hope. Many have received the ministry of the word dearly, even with paying the price, as we also had a considerable number of the New Testament Recovery Version in Telugu and the ministry books sold.

May the ministry of the words sown as seed into the hearts of the believers bear forth fruits unto the establishment of His testimony in Gooty soon.

Ministry of the Word to Kadiri

A week ago, I set out for the minsitry of the Word Literature journey again, this time in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, as this district is yet to have the Lord’s testimony established. Though the distribution was to begin on Monday, 17th November, but on the Lord’s Day, the brothers took me to Pulivendula with the hope that I could join the Lord’s Table meeting there. However, on the 16th Nov, Lord’s Day morning, we received an impromptu call and a surprise invitation from the Brethren Assembly in Kadiri. Therefore, we rushed to attend the meeting in Kadiri. 

In Kadiri, we introduced the New Testament Recovery Version in Telugu and English along with the minsitry books, and some brothers purchased them. Though we intend to go back after the meeting, we were invited to meet another brother in a nearby village who prepared a lovefeast for us and to whom we also introduced the ministry books. And this led to another brother and on to another Pentecostal Pastor. Ultimately, we ended up spending the whole day in Kadiri and went back to our lodging place in Pulivendula only in the night. The next day too, we spent the whole day in Kadiri and introduced the minsitry books to different Pastors.

This time, the arrangement was a one-on-one meeting with the Pastors. In most cases, I requested the local Telugu-speaking brothers to introduce the minsitry directly in Telugu. This helped the local brothers to function. I would do the speaking only when there was a need to do so in English and if it was required to minister the deeper truth to some key Christian leaders. 

May the Lord raise up His testimony in Kadiri among the brothers whom He has led us to sow the minsitry of the word.