Bruised Reed

A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench until He brings forth justice unto victory. Matthew 12:20

Not Breaking a Bruised Reed and Not Quenching a Smoking Flax

Verse 20, a further quotation from Isaiah, says, “A bruised reed He shall not break, and smoking flax He shall not quench, until He brings forth judgment unto victory.” As the One anointed with the Spirit, Christ not only will make no noise in the streets, but He will not break a bruised reed or quench smoking flax. This indicates that while He was being rejected and opposed, He was still full of mercy. The Jews who were opposing Him were like bruised reeds and smoking flax. The Jews used to make flutes or reeds. When a reed was bruised, they broke it. They also made torches with flax to burn oil. When the oil ran out, the flax smoked, and they quenched it. Some of the Lord’s people are like the bruised reed that cannot give a musical sound; others are like the smoking flax that cannot give a shining light. Yet the Lord will not break the bruised ones or quench the smoking ones. Although the Lord was rejected, He was still merciful. Even those who had become bruised reeds He would not break, and those who had become smoking flax He would not quench. Rather, He would still keep open the door of mercy and grace to them all. Among His followers and believers today, many have become bruised reeds that can no longer give a musical song. As a rule, these bruised reeds should be broken and thrown away. But Christ will not do this. Moreover, many of His believers no longer burn as a bright light. As a rule, He should quench them all and cast them away. But He will not do this either. Instead, He is merciful. No matter how much opposition, persecution, and attack, this heavenly King is always merciful. He is a merciful, kingly Savior. You may reject Him today, but He will still be merciful to you. Tomorrow if you say, “Lord Jesus, I repent,” He will deal with you lovingly. What a merciful Savior He is! He will never break a bruised reed or quench smoking flax. Rather, He would wait for you to receive His mercy and grace. (Life-study of Matthew, Ch. 32)

In this pursuit of the ministry, I was so encouraged and enlightened concerning the weaker saints. Especially when it comes to official duty, one tend to overlook the matter that even in official service, the "employees" concerned are still the saints. We are not like any other secular company. Though secular company in registration, the purpose and function is to serve saints, seekers, and sinners. Besides all the serving ones are saints in the church life. Though the function and spiritual maturity of different saints varies, still they are saints and must be treated as such. Often times, I tend to consider taking action on certain unproductive serving ones, I am being reminded again and again that I cannot do so as any secular company would do it. Human resource management cannot really be done without the Lord's leading.

Of late, we have had serving ones who could not function for health reason. At least two of them took months of bed-rest. In this scenario, the humanity of Jesus was exercised to still support them in full as though they had labored as full-timers. Besides, we also have case of a serving one struggling in a habit that hinders his regular service. Many times, I considered "firing" such a one, but every time I was about to execute, something within me and outward circumstances proved me wrong. Often I was in dilemma, swinging like a pendulum, between two opinions. Most of the time I got defeated of my own "management thought." Thank God for the Lord who is operating in me and in my environment.

As we pursued this portion of the Life-study of Matthew, the Lord reminded me again and again of His mercy and grace. Even a bruised reed He would not break, nor a smoking flax he will not quench. Then why should I? Instead, I must encourage the bruised reed and smoking flax to come to the Lord to receive more supply and be useful vessels unto the Lord. This message completely changed my thought and I now leave all the matters of management to the Lord. May the will of the Lord be done in each and every serving one's life. My only responsibility is make sure the Lord is the Head and the Master,  as such He has the final say in everything in the service, of whom I am just a slave in His service.

The door of mercy and grace is open to all the serving ones; even a bruised reed He will not break, nor quench a smoking flax. This is how I must serve and function in dealing with the serving ones. Thank the Lord for such a precious lesson of life.    

Words of Wisdom

So I said, Wisdom is better than strength; but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of the wise man spoken quietly are heeded more than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Ecclesiastes 9:16-18

Following the current affairs of the world these days have made me realise the stupidity of the world leaders and their lack of wisdom in handling importance issues of life. They must have spoken whatever they have spoken after much consultation with their counsellors as it pertains to sensitive matters of war and peace, life and death. But the much sounding bangles amounts foolishly to childish cry, and at best, worldly wise. 

The recent war of words between the super power of the world, the US president, and the young autocratic lad of North Korea makes me wonder "what's wrought into the world leaders in their worldly-wise war of words?" 

One morning as I read the word of God, I was enlightened in my spiritual understanding of what wisdom really is; wisdom is better than strength. Armed with nuclear weapons one may boast of one's strength but this very boast can be suicidal. The weapon that one trusts may be the very weapon that thrusts one to destruction. I could possibly see such a destruction nearer than expected. This is no big news at all, as the world is heading for its self destructive suicidal mission as ever has been. The only solution is the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to all men, especially to both the war-mongering nations, and find solution in prayerfully looking into the word of God and trusting in the wisdom of God who is sovereign over all.

"The words of the wise man spoken quietly are heeded more than the shouting of a ruler among fools." This is the perfect and timely message for both the "dogs barking" leaders of nuclear equipped nations. No wars has ever brought peace, but only destruction and death. Wise words and wise ways ushers in peace. Wisdom is better than weapons of war. This is not just a word of wisdom, but the word of God. 

I hope and pray that our world leaders learn wisdom from God and be wise in ruling the nation. This is no mere voicing of my opinion but a burden the Lord implanted in me to pray for such world leaders too. As much as I do, I wish all believers do the same, as we are taught to do in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men;  On behalf of kings and all who are in high position, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of our Savior God,  Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.  

If ever this message reach the leaders in question, may it be the message that's loud and clear: Wisdom is better than strength; The words of the wise man spoken quietly are heeded more than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. 

Ministry of the Word to Jammu Again

This was our second visit to this North Indian city. We came to this city mainly for a Christian literature exhibition in a crusade for three days and also as a revisit to the seekers and lovers of the Lord whom the Lord manifested in our previous visit. 

We were given hospitality by the family of the brother who helped me in my spiritual life when I began to experience the Lord some twenty years ago. Though we could not fellowship with him on the word of God much, we were given a very brotherly and homely hospitality. 

The general experience with the Christians of this city is somewhat superficial and shallow. The outward pomp and show of being God's "prophet" and claiming some kind of spiritual authority made me feel nervous. For I knew truly well what a genuine prophet of God actually is. Many have taken the gifts of God so lightly and designated themselves as so-and-so or such-and-such. I fear for them. So much the more I realised the urgency and need for the distribution of the ministry of the word to educate the Christians spiritually. Through the distribution of the ministry books, I have the strong faith that one day all these dear fellow Christians who received the ministry books will grow in life and be not tossed about by every wind of teachings. For this very burden, I feel it worthwhile to spend time and energy, even money, for the sake of the dear children of God. 

The most significant time spent was with the family who received the ministry of the word. The last day of our stay in the city was with this family. We fellowshipped at length on Christian life and the church life. The fellowship went on till past midnight and I could sense the Lord is gaining this family for His testimony in the city. We did fellowship on the line of taking the stand for the Lord's testimony. We also invited the brother for national serving ones training coming up in November this year which he readily agreed to attend. 

During our morning time, we also introduced the Holy Word for Morning Revival to the brother which he readily agreed to subscribe for the believers with him. To me, this is one of the signs of his accepting the ministry of the age. Besides, he also invited us to minister the word to his congregation. As I was praying and considering what to minister, the Lord led me to minister the basic of a Christian life: God’s purpose in creating man, the need for growth in life, and the practical way to grow in life by breathing, drinking, and eating the Lord. To encourage the believers, I also testified of what the Lord has done in my life as a testimony. Later, I gifted the youth who could read English, the ministry books. One young sister who was so seeking and thirsty for the word, and who also did the recording of the speaking, stayed back for some fellowship after all the congregation left. To her I gifted the New Testament, Recovery Version, as I could foresee that she would treasure it and benefit from it. 

After the meeting, we had another round of fellowship with few more matured believers on loving the Lord as the first and best love, and fellowshipped on the matter of "prophet and prophesying" as mentioned in Ezekiel 37. After we discharged our burden, and enjoyed the lovefeast, the brothers saw us off to the railway station, and thus ended our ministry journey this time. 

Through all these trip what I treasured the most is the Lord's presence with His timely leading and His present speaking to all whom He led us to meet. May His heart's desire be accomplished, and especially for Jammu and Kashmir. Amen.

Ministry of the Word to Anantnag, Kashmir

Anantnag, a business and trading center of Kashmir Valley, was our next destination for the spreading and sowing the seed of the word of God. This too was our first time to visit the city. The only contact we had was just a phone number from one of our contacts from the previous visit to Jammu. 

As we drove down from Srinagar to Anantnag, the entire length of road was teeming with Indian army on duty, perhaps, on patrol as this region has been infested with terrorists. The old stories I heard about this city was frequent bomb blasts and terrorist attacks. What was reckoned as a dreaded place for long, I finally had the grace to visit and tread the same road-line that witnessed many attacks.  

We were welcomed by a brother who has been serving there for some twenty years. Later we visited a hospital run by a Christian group purely with  a mission goal of spreading the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Doctors and nurses with missionary mind have been laboring in that place and are also conducting Christian meeting within the hospital campus as well. This is the best way they could serve the local people with love by medical care and spiritual food supply. 

Later, we had a good while fellowship with a brother who is a doctor and a full time missionary. Both of them have a wonderful testimony of serving the Lord for twenty long years with hardly any visible fruit. But they were not discouraged, rather were full of hope that one day the Lord would bring in revival among the local people who were bound by religious bondages and the fear of backslashes from their orthodox community if they dared to believe into the Lord Jesus Christ. Despite this circumstance, the brothers faithfully met week by week, and though just the two families. And the doctor brother in his profession has prayed over many of the babies he helped to deliver, some thousands by the time we met, that they would one day be freed from all curses and bondages of the enemy to receive the new life in Christ Jesus. Despite all the challenges they have been facing, he was very clear in the burden he received from God and very determined to continue to serve as he has been doing so. It was a service with a strong faith of dare to do or die. Praise the Lord for such living testimony. 

We had fellowship at length especially on the matter of the church, as I felt the burden to share the vision concerning the church as the Body of Christ was their need. They both have been enjoying a wonderful normal Christian life experience, now the need is on the proper experience of the church life as the issue of a Christian life. As I sensed the need for more light on the church I gifted the doctor three books on the church. Furthermore, as he was so keen to know the word, I introduced the Recovery Version Bible which he immediately requested and purchased. After a wonderful experience of fellowship, we sang,  prayed, and worshipped the Lord together. Then, we bade adieu for the time being. 

This visit has left a deep impression on me at least in three matters: faithfully and patiently laboring with hope in a place wherever the Lord has sent and placed us, using every opportunity even in restricted place to serve the Lord in deeds to people if words could not be used, and be open to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head of the Body and to the believers as the members of the Body. 

After such a meeting and fellowship I have a hope that the Lord would reveal Himself more to His chosen ones and recover His testimony in Anantnag.

Lord, hasten the day You will fully recover Your testimony in this city. Amen. 

Ministry of the Word to R S Pura, Jammu

Only a night before, the Lord gave us a contact for this town at India-Pakistan border. Though we knew nobody, the Lord arranged brothers as our guardian angels in this town. Just few kilometers away from the border we were given hospitality where we had fellowshipped with three different groups of Christian leaders and workers. 

The first one was with a school owner, who by faith had established his own school with the goal of preaching the gospel to the local people who are mostly unbelievers. As we introduced the ministry books we ministered specifically on the glorious church and the need for the believers growth in life to be the bride of Christ as we were already chosen to be the Lord's counterpart. The Lord enlightened them concerning the church through the ministry of the word. They were very touched and amened all that we ministered. Besides they took care of us and introduced us to other Christian leaders as well. 

We met with the believers and newly appointed Pastor of a small church established by the British in 1872.The congregation seemed to have been dwindling and dying. But we introduced the ministry books and encouraged them to go on with the Lord. We ministered on the all-inclusive Christ; expounding the unsearchable richness of Christ in an experiential way with personal testimonies based on  Deuteronomy 8:7-8 For Jehovah your God is bringing you to a good land, a land of waterbrooks, of springs and of fountains, flowing forth in valleys and in mountains; A land of wheat and barley and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees with oil and of honey;  

To a brother who was newly appointed to take care of the only Christian church with almost no congregation, we encouraged him to look to the Lord in prayer and gain people for Christ from scratch. Even I spoke to him in faith that if he would seek the Lord and labour sincerely and faithfully the Lord will bless him from zero to two hundreds believers. I gave a testimony of how the Lord saved my household through prayer and claiming the word of God,  Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household. This fellowship encouraged him a lot and increased his appetite for the ministry of the word. Though I gifted him "Life Lessons" and "New Believers Series", he still wanted to get more books. I allowed him to choose whatever he needed and he purchased the books. He seemed to be very seeking and hungry for the word. We only hope that the Lord would gain him for His move in this boarder area. 

The fellowship we had while introducing the ministry books was indeed the propagation of the word. The books are so rich that a chapter in any of the book could be a message. In fact, while introducing them, I always ended up ministering at length and in depth to the satisfaction and life supply to all who were with me. I myself enjoyed the ministry of the word. 

Praise the Lord for the distribution of the ministry of the word here in RSPura. One day I hope to see the Lord’s testimony being raised up through the ministry of the word that have been distributed. 

Ministry of the Word to Srinagar, Kashmir

The Lord has burdened us to venture into this land for the ministry of the word. We have been praying for this and even attempted once in our previous trip, but due to the political turmoil we could not make it. But this time everything indeed worked together for good; for the spread of the ministry of the word into this land. 

As burdened by the Lord we started our journey from Leh in the afternoon by road. On the way as I considered our schedule in Srinagar with no schedule fixed, for a while, I was a little concerned. I did try to call people whom I knew and even texted a brother for prearrangement. But nothing worked, besides, I was completely out of mobile range as the route we took was on a remote location with no connectivity. At the moment, the Lord comforted me that He had made all the arrangements and that I would witness His work when I arrive there. 

The next day early morning we arrived at Srinagar. A sister from Leh who was so touched by the ministry of the word we ministered at Leh on Christian life gave me her sister's number. When I contacted her she gave me a Pastor's number who later became the key person, who then gave us hospitality in this city. We were accommodated at his guest house and as we fellowshipped over breakfast he invited us to minister the word on the Lord's day. 

On my first visit to Srinagar, Kashmir, the Lord opened the door in the only Christian protestant church for the ministry of the word. I prayed and ministered the word as the Lord burdened me. The Lord's speaking was on "God's Plan and Creation of Man" and the need to love one another as God is love. After the meeting we had fellowship with different believers. One most prominent meeting was with a young brother, an engineering student, who loves the Lord. I encouraged him to love the Lord more by testifying of the blessing and importance of loving the Lord when one is young with my personal testimony and that of others. 

We also met with a school Principal, a Headmaster and a Lecturer, and fellowshipped at length the importance of the proper understanding of the word of God for growth and transformation in the divine life. 

The most touching meeting was with a brother who gave up his government job and came to Srinagar to serve the Lord by faith. Though he has been serving for more than one and half decade he has not really brought even one local person to the Lord. The strict religious environment is one of the main reasons for hard ground for the gospel. But I was very much impressed by his burden, patience, and hope in the Lord. After listening to him I had the burden to share on 1 Timothy 2:4 Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. He was so glad for the word; He testified that this described exactly his burden in his service to the Lord in this religious and dry land. We then became so close and dear to one another as Christian brothers. He wanted the ministry books so much that I gifted him few books and he purchased some too. The Lord indeed has a way to manifest His chosen ones.

Praise the Lord for His initiation in this city for His testimony! May the Lord gain and bless Kashmir, especially the capital city, Srinagar, and raise up His testimony!

Ministry of the Word in Leh Ladakh

With no contact and no idea about this city except that we were burdened by the Lord to visit this city, I personally kept the matter aloof yet in prayer for over three weeks, though my fellow co-working brothers have brought the matter for fellowship again and again. My simple response was, "we'll pray and plan." 

This uncertainty brought me to pray and pray, at times in fasting, and struggled with the Lord much in prayer. I even mentioned the burden to my wife and even prayed in our family prayer. Then a little light dawned, and I became clear of the day I should consider to start the journey, keeping in view the places and time duration of the entire trip. 

Even when the date for setting off became clear I still had no contact at all. Though I even tried through various channels to get contact nothing came to fruition until we, a brother and I, prayed together, then by faith decided to go ahead and booked our flight ticket. The night before we actually left for Leh, a brother from Leh was introduced to me and he made arrangements for us in Leh. Just in time... Praise the Lord! 

At 11,500ft above sea level, we landed in a guest house owned by the relative of a brother who became our key contact. He came to fellowship with us in the hotel where I introduced the ministry literature to him. He then became friendly and our brotherly fellowship began from then on. 

Due to high altitude we were advised to rest as our body needed adaptation to the environment to avoid any unprecedented health situation; we took good rest. Breathlessness due to low oxygen was bypassed after few hours of bed rest. 

Later, in the afternoon, we had a meeting with the Principal and Christian staff of a mission school, where I released my burden on the all-inclusive Christ. All the staff were very impressed and many of them purchased the ministry books and the New Testament Recovery Version. And in the evening we had time of fellowship with the pastor of the only church in the city, the Moravian Church, established in 1885 by the Moravian missionaries. We fellowshipped at length on various points of truth of the Bible; on truth, life practices, and church related matters too.

The next day, our local brother took us to various tourist spots and drove us around the city, and took us to his house for a lovefeast lunch. And in the afternoon, a meeting was arranged at the meeting hall of the church. 

The Lord's speaking was on "the Christian life" with various supporting verses in the Bible. As I ministered with scriptural verses on being born-anew and growth in Christian life, the believers received with much hunger and thirst for the Word. Three of them kept recording all that I ministered on their smartphones. I was not distracted but exercised my spirit to minister the word as the Lord led me. After the meeting, some came to testify of the blessing they received through the ministry of the word. One sister especially expressed her thankfulness in the Lord’s arrangement and enquired our next plan. When I told her that we would be heading for Srinagar and that we had no contact there, she gave her number and her relative's number. She even enquired if she could invite me for their next year summer conference as she is the president of the women society of the church there. The will of the Lord be done. 

Our meeting before we left the city was the climax of the visit to this Buddhist dominated city of Leh. Deep within, I have the faith that the Lord has sown the seed of the kingdom into this city, and one day we will see the Lord's testimony in Leh Ladakh. 

Lord, bless the seekers and saints of this city and gain Your testimony!