Ministry of the Word to Manali, HP

A beautiful valley surrounded by snow-clad mountain famous for tourist destination welcomed us warmly in a Christian-run school guest house. The story behind this connection, a brother welcoming guarantee to Manali and to the guest house, is worth mentioning. 

Few years ago a brother from Rourkee heard about me and came to meet me along with another brother in Gurgaon who knew my address, since then, we maintain our relationship in Christ. This brother from Gurgaon got married to a sister in Manali and is known to a principal of a school who was given a free Rhema booklet in Hindi when he recently came to visit him in Gurgaon. This principal handed over the Hindi booklet to another brother who is a clerk in the same school who read and was so impressed by the truths. He wanted to order the next set, but his filled-in postcard for next set order was sent to him back wrongly twice instead of being sent to Rhema's office in Bangalore. Then he decided to send SMS instead, and he did it thrice to make sure his complete address was sent with a request for the books in Hindi. This happened when we were praying and considering to visit Manali. He then became the key contact who made all the arrangements in the city. And it was he who welcomed us in the early hour of the morning when the city reeled at about 1 degree Celsius. 

Our first meeting was with the school principal who has been an ardent reader and lover of the ministry of the word. Within few minutes of fellowship our brotherly relation became so sweet and intimate. He invited me to share my testimony and the word of God in their Bible study meeting. I did so as the Lord led me; testifying and ministering on who Jesus is and how to experience and enjoy the Lord moment by moment. The Lord richly blessed the meeting. After the meeting we had long hours of fellowship with the principal on the Lord's recovery, clarifying the misunderstanding some people had of the church life with real life testimonies of our own in coming into the church life. The fellowship continued with lovefeast and went on till late night. We were glad that the Lord led us in all our fellowship. The following day he sent a message, quoted verbatim:

Thanks for the enriching fellowship we had last night. My heart always beats and yearns for the oneness of the church locally and universally. Sometimes I felt that lot of time and resources have been squandered due the lack of understanding of the importance of this oneness among the believers and churches. The man made church systems always hindered the biblical truths. I was always enriched by the writing of brothers Nee and Lee. Thanks for sharing these spiritual riches with us in Manali. Hoping to have many more such meetings with you in future as the Lord permits.

The next day, though we planned to meet various Christian leaders living in the vicinity of the city, the Lord marvelously brought all the pastors together without any pre-plan. These pastors came for different purposes in the premise where we were lodged, some to pick their children after school, and some to meet doctors for medical check up, and through word of mouth among the pastors themselves, we could meet all of them. All the pastors received the ministry books and almost all of them ordered the entire Hindi set of books. That was the Lord's sovereignty. Thus we could meet all the leading Christian leaders in town. 

Then we had a lighter moment of sightseeing tour to Solang, a mountain enveloped with snow; the first time I saw and touched snow with my own hands. We enjoyed God’s creation, appreciating the beauty of nature with a couple of selfies and snapshots. In the evening we were invited for a lovefeast at a brother's house where we also fellowshipped on the experienced of living by faith. 

We thanked and praised the Lord for His sovereignty in the distribution of the ministry of the word in Manali. 

May the ministry seeds sown bear fruits in its own time. Amen. 

Ministry of the Word to Shimla, HP

This capital city of Himachal Pradesh has been in my heart for the introduction and spreading of the ministry of the word. But I had no contact to visit until last week. Out of burden from the Lord, it was planned that Shimla would be covered as well. 

When we were in Solan one night, a group of students were contacted by the Lord’s sovereignty. One of the student leaders gave me a brother's number as I told them that Shimla was our next destination. This brother whose number I got became our initial contact for this city visit. When I called him, his immediate reply was, "call me whenever you reach Shimla, at new bus stand." He readily made arrangement for our accommodation and food, and welcomed us to his guest house. 

Our first meeting was with a group of Bible translators where I fellowshipped on the importance of proper translation of the word of God by introducing New Testament Recovery Version with footnotes and other ministry books. Though they were a little hesitant about brother Witness Lee's books, they placed order for Watchman Nee's book. This was due to a brother calling up their organizational leader in Kerala who has some false notion about brother Lee. I simply exercised my spirit to minister the word of God to these brothers as much as I could. I ministered on the truth concerning regeneration, growth in life, the church, the economy of God, etc., using relevant Bible verses. By and large, they were very impressed with the presentation of the truth, though one of them tried to find fault in my speaking, his interjection and comment all turned out to be good for me to expound the the truth further with much clarity.

We also met with all the mainline churches' Christian leaders, and each of them paid close heed to all that we spoke. Besides agreeing with the truths presented, they had nothing to say further on the contrary. In fact, there was no way to speak otherwise as all that we spoke were all from the Bible. One of the Pastors and his son were so impressed with the truths that they ordered the entire set to be displayed for the believers in their congregation especially during Christmas time, though their bookstore would not display books other than their own publication. They found another better way out. Sensing the potential of this young brother, 1985 the Pastor's son, I gifted him a copy of the Recovery Version Bible New Testament as it would be a blessing to him. May the Lord gain this young man for His testimony. 

Another noteworthy meeting was a brother who is a Government servant and is shepherding a group of believers in Shimla. He was so sober and seeking that every book I introduced he wanted to have them. The truths in the books were his key attractions as he realised his and his congregation need for the proper and healthy teaching. He also ordered the entire set and wanted to study the truths, speak the truths, and introduced to others as well. 

Our last meeting in this city was with a Pastor, a missionary, and a youth leader who turned out of be the most seeking ones and open among all those we met. As we fellowshipped on the Christian life and the church life with an emphasis on the church from the view of God using the book "The Glorious Church" they were so impressed and convinced that they all need to be recovered to the orthodoxy of the church and each of them be reconstituted with the truths for the Lord's testimony. The leading Pastor who has already established fourteen assemblies ordered two copies of the entire Hindi ministry books and promised to order more for all his coworkers. He wanted to have more fellowship and was especially thankful that the Lord sent us to meet their timely need. Though many new believers have been gained, their is a great need for the proper and healthy spiritual food. This is where the ministry material played a vital role.

We were glad that the Lord led us to various Christian leaders and seekers in this city, and especially glad that the riches of the ministry have been made known to the key Christian leaders. The seeds of the ministry have been sown, and now looking forward to the growth, development, and manifestation of these seeds. 

Lord, gain Your testimony in Shimla! 

Ministry of the Word to Solan, HP

A brother who by profession is a Dentist has been working in this city and has been inviting me to visit him. The Lord used him as a threshold for us to decide this trip to Himachal Pradesh. Though we knew no one, we prayed, fellowshipped, and made a plan to visit this state by faith. Therefore, we came to this city Solan. 

No sooner we arrived in this brothers' house, we had our lunch and went to visit the only pastor he knew in town. We introduced the ministry books to him and got more leads for meeting more people. Besides, we also met a sister, a lady pastor, who just concluded their fasting prayer meeting with the youth group. As we introduced the ministry books and fellowshipped our intention in visiting this state, one of the youths, and the lady pastor herself gave some more contacts. These contacts were the key people in town that we met and fellowshipped with the following day. 

Though our Dentist brother himself was busy for His work, the Lord arranged a Pastor's son whom we met the previous night to take us around to meet the key leaders. Two important leaders with whom we spend considerable length of time were very genuine in their faith. They both were working, running their own businesses, and at the same time serving the Lord. Their understanding of the Bible seems to be deeper than the other people we met. And both knew and read brother Watchman's books. "Ministry is the overflow of life," is one statement this brother made, and focused so much on life rather than work. We were glad to fellowship with these brothers. On top of that, they did not believe in denominations and were simple meeting as group of believers at homes. And they seemed to be increasing in numbers by the day. They even were very careful in accepting any Christian teachings or writings as such, and I personally was very glad that they were such, because this will save them from the indoctrination of various kinds of teachings. Since they already read some of our books, they were willing to read the books that we distributed. I believe they will read them, be blessed, and be gained by the Lord. 

The most important burden we had was for our Dentist brother, who hosted us, and his family. We spent one night till early next morning to fellowship with them. Initially, his wife opened up a couple of questions related to the church life. We did our best to explain from the Bible the inward, intrinsic nature and essence of the church. And expounded further on the need for growth in life and maturity. The following day being the Lord's day, we decided to spent the morning for corporate morning revival and the day for Lord's day fellowship. 

With the burden to prepare this couple to be the pillar for the Lord's testimony in Solan, we had the first Lord's day meeting at their home today. The Lord's speaking was on three matters: The knowing of Jesus the Saviour subjectively all the days of our Christian life, the exercise of the human spirit to touch the Lord Spirit at all times, and the listening to the Lord Jesus only in all matters and things. And with the proper subjective experiences of the Lord, we also encouraged them to have a daily exercise and discipline of a prayer time both personal and corporate, Bible study time, and pursuing the ministry books. Then we all prayed together for one another and for the Lord's testimony in Solan. 

Our brother has also been burdened by the Lord to be a distributor of the ministry books to the seekers in Solan. His house has now been opened for others to come and receive the ministry books. He has also been introduced to a good number of seeking believers for future fellowship. He and his wife were so thankful to the Lord that we visited them and a new Era of their marriage life, Christian life, and church life has dawned. They both testified to us to this fact. They even wanted us to stay one more day but we insisted that we moved on as we have to visit more localities in this ministry journey.  

May the Lord fully gain this family for His testimony in Solan. 

Déjà Vu: Shepherding

Twelve years have elapse since I came to serve the Lord in the way of shepherding the saints, new ones, brothers, sisters and families. My experiences in shepherding seems to have repeated over and over again. Though the object of shepherding, the people, differs a lot, but the very act of shepherding essentially, in principle, is all the same. The feeling of shepherding has always been joyful. Though the ones I have shepherded or have been shepherding are all positive yet whether these ones will remain in the church is all in the hand of the Lord. I, for one, wishes that all remain faithful and become remaining fruits, but how much my wish turn into reality is one challenge I have been facing till today. Nevertheless, I will not give up on anyone as far as the Lord graces me to shepherd the saints. 

Three such families under my prayer and care were turning out to be very positive, and along with the brothers I visited them last week. In all these meetings, the Lord's speaking was very sweet and enjoyable, and the new ones were cherished and nourished. All seemed to go well, and I pray that they all will be fully recovered for the church-life. One family has been in contact for about seven years now. Even when we lost contact I decided not to give them up in my prayer, I kept praying for them and asked the saints to pray for them too. I did the same for all the new ones under my care. The Lord is faithful, and in time, He brought these families in contact again for shepherding and fellowship. This time my burden further is to bring more saints to take care of these ones, and not just me. I hope the brothers will also pick up the burden and even in shepherding, it can be a corporate shepherding. 

Now, all that I can do is, to look away unto Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith, to perfect the faith of all these ones to be faithful remaining fruits for the Lord's testimony in Gurugram. 

This feeling of shepherding has been a déjà vu. 

Life Lesson: Missed Flight

Two responsible brothers from the church in Gurgaon were supposed to attend a training on church administration in Taiwan. I personally was very burdened to perfect more brothers to bear the responsibility of the local church I am in. In fellowship, two brothers were proposed and all arrangement including flight tickets and visas were done. But there were few important things that were not well taken care, which later came to light, and eventually became lessons for all of us to learn. 

Firstly, the seriousness of this training was underestimated. Though a very important training and a very important trip for the church as well as the brothers, hardly any prayer was offered on the same. Nor was there any subsequent fellowship following the decision taken. Though the saints knew about it, not many really cared for it. This was the big mistake I and the brothers have made. 

Secondly, the financial arrangement was all initially burned by the church, as the training is for the church purpose. Though we fellowshipped with our brothers to participate in the expenses as much as they could, only the Lord knows the deep intention of the brothers themselves. Whether they were willing to bear the entire expenses, paying the price for the Lord's sake, or taking things for granted. I felt in this matter also, all of us need a deeper lesson to learn. 

Thirdly, it concerns the matter of oneness among us brothers who made the decision and also the oneness of the travelling brothers with their wives and families. Though we all noted our head on agreement with a resounding "amen" I am not too sure whether we all brother had the same burden and oneness in all matters regarding this trip. 

These three crucial factors were worth considering as far as we the brothers in the church were concerned. Personally too, I learned some deep lesson from the Lord in this regard as I was the one who first raised the toss. My intention itself need to be dealt with. Perhaps, my intention was good in sending the brothers for such training, but the way it was proposed and carried out might have been natural in that it was not taken seriously. 

The result was amazing; the two brothers missed the flight. The flight timing was kind of tricky as it says 10 Nov, 00:05. We all were of the assumption that the flight was on 10th midnight. But, a closer look at it revealed, it was on 9 Nov night, passed midnight. 

Though the brothers did their best to suddenly reschedule everything on 9 Nov, it was one day too late. Though rebooking of new flight could have been done, it was Rs. 40,000+ too expensive. Finally, the trip was cancelled to the utmost disappointment of the all, especially the brothers. But later we all learned our lesson the hard way round with much sober mindedness. 

Few days later as we were enjoying a group meeting in one of the brothers' house, a brother who missed the flight, the Lord's speaking was very fresh: Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

I believe, when opportunity like this comes up again, things would be very different. We have learnt our lesson and we will not take things for granted anymore. 

El-bethel

Genesis 35:7And he built an altar there and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed Himself to him when he fled from his brother. 

El-bethel, God of the house of God, signifies the experience of God as the Body, the church, the house of God. This corporate experience of Christ in the church is a much higher experience of the Lord than a personal experience of the Lord individually. Jacob, a representative of all the believers, had both the experiences, beginning with his individual experience, and then progressing to the corporate experience. This is exactly what many believers have been experiencing, especially those who progressed in their Christian lives and proceed further to the Body life. 

Our Christian life is not merely for salvation, nor for spirituality alone, but for the building up of the Body of Christ. Salvation experiences must lead one to spiritual growth, development, and maturity for the building up of the Body of Christ. Else, the fate of such spirituality without the Body nor for the Body will be a conglomeration of divided individual spiritual zealots. God is not after a collection of giants, not builded nor blended, but after the builded Body, that He can indeed be El-bethel. 

Once I cared for my salvation so much, and God graced me the wonderful salvation. Then I sought for spirituality with all hunger and thirst, God has been gracing me that too. Now, my burden is, based on the salvation and spirituality I have been graced with, I am for the building of God's house. Throughout the ages, many lovers and seekers of the Lord have spent their whole being for spirituality, this of course, is much better than worldliness, but is not sufficient for God to accomplish His purpose. Only Bethel, the house of God being gained, and God being the God of Bethel, El-bethel, can fulfill God’s heart's desire. 

This is the need of the age, and only the recovery of the Body life that builds the Body up as the Bride of Christ can only bring the Lord back. My Christian life, my church life, and my service must be for this. 

As we were enjoying this truth in a fellowship of the brothers in the church in Gurugram, we brothers testified whole heartedly and thanked the Lord for gracing us to see the vision of the Body, and live in it. And how we wish that all the believers too see such a vision of the Body and be for the Body of Christ. 

God, the El-bethel, grace us all Your children for Your house, Your heart's desire.

Jehovah-shammah

Ezekiel 48:35It shall be eighteen thousand reeds all around, and the name of the city from that day shall be, Jehovah Is There.  

"Jehovah is There" is the presence of Jehovah Himself with His chosen, redeemed, regenerated, transformed, and glorified tripartite people to be one entity, a great corporate God-man, the mutual abode of God and man; God in man and man in God. This is the goal of God in His creation of man. And this should be a Christian's subjective experience all the days of his life, and it must be my personal testimony.

Though because of the sin of idolatry, the glory of Jehovah left the children of Israel, the holy temple, the holy city, in the holy land, through the recovery and restoration of the people, the temple, the city, and the land, the glory of Jehovah returned back. Though degraded, through recovery, the restored city has a new name Jehovah-shammah! 

This history of Israel is being relayed in a Christian's life today. And it is my story too. I was enlightened by this picture. For the recovery of the holy temple, there must be first a recovery of the holy land. Which means, to subjectively recover the holy temple in the holy city with the name Jehovah-shammah, the holy land, Christ must be subjectively recovered back in our experience. This brings me into the urgency of enjoying Christ daily in all things. If I do not enjoy Christ, I can never enjoy the church as typified by the holy temple and the holy city. For God to fulfill His plan and for me to a part of the fulfillment of God's plan, I must enjoy Christ, the all-inclusive Christ, with all His riches. 

In the allotment of the good land to the children of Israel, the ones closest to the holy temple are the priests, followed by the levites, then by the workers, and then the royal families, and the rest of the people. The ones closet to the temple, the priests, are the ones who maintain the fellowship between the people and the Lord. In the new testament, the believers are the priests. As such, I am a priest too. But how much I function as priest depends on how near I am to the holy temple, geographically speaking. Likewise, how near I am, or how close my enjoyment of the presence of God will determine my real spiritual function as priest. The more I enjoy Christ, the closer I will be to Him, the closer I am to Him, the more function I will render in my service, and the more important I will be in His purpose. This being the case, I must exercise daily and hourly to enjoy the Lord at all times. 

By this way of gaining the good land Christ, and staying in His presence, Christ and the Church will be recovered in my experience, and I will be a part of the city where Jehovah is There, one with God in His move for His purpose. 

This was my enjoyment, and I shared this truth last Lord's day. And may this be the experience of all the saints. Jehovah-shammah, Jehovah Is There, be my testimony and the testimony of the church. 

This enjoyment, I shared to my brothers today. May the Lord grace us all to recover the good land Christ, live in His presence, and be one with God with a name, "Jehovah is There!"