Timely and Brotherly Fellowship

On the 24th of October, on a Lord’s day morning while in Ujjain, a brother called me and invited me to visit him. That call ignited the burden to visit Jagdalpur, where he works mostly, and another family of a sister we have been considering to visit for years now. A few days later, while at Bhopal, in fellowship, we decided to visit Jagdalpur and booked our flight tickets.

The Lord knows best the need of every individual. This time we came to Jagdalpur to visit the brother who has been serving the Lord in his way and has been in association with some Christian organizations. This is perhaps, my third visit for a special time of fellowship with him.

As we met him, he immediately acknowledged his need to be recovered fully into the truth and life practices of the normal Chirstian life and church life. We did not need to say anything further, he knew where he was, who he has been, who we are, and what we have been into. Just a meeting was sufficient enlighten him.

Today morning as we fellowship over breakfast, he confessed the deepest agony he has been through. He was humble and open enough to confess his real situation. As a brother, I offered some fellowship concerning his situation and honestly told him what his needs actually are, that he has been very lonely in the midst of many "pastors and missionaries" who surrounded him just for money.

Firstly, he needs to recover his enjoyment of Christ personally that his being may be gained by the Lord to be a proper person. Once his person is right, then all that he does will also be right. Otherwise, it will be troubles after troubles in everything he does. 

Then, he need to spend time with his wife especially to pray for the love of God to increase in them that they would love God and love one another with the divine love,  and that they be one with God and one with one another.

Secondly, he need to be in fellowship with the Body of Christ, fully join himself into the one flow of God's move. Individual ministry will lead nowhere, for God is seeking to build up His Body, and only His builtup Body can crush Satan and defeat him. For this, I porposed that he join the online meeting we have been conducting and gradually blend into the practices of the church life, including his children and wife. I encouraged his children to join  the online children meeting of the church in Gurugram and his wife to be in fellowship with the sisters in the church life, perhaps, with my wife first.

Thirdly, concerning his big business plan, I encouraged him to look to the Lord and be wise in entering into partnership with anyone especially when it involves big money and politics. I warned him of the danger of getting into business debts and having any link with politicians. I rather offered my brotherly suggestion to stand on his own feet for a business within his own capacity to take care of his financial needs and serve the Lord.

After such a brotherly and timely fellowship he expressed his gratitude and promised to take necessary action right away. Then, we all prayed together in the hotel where we ate our breakfast. After this fellowship, the burden within me was released for this time. Therefore, we left the city to return back home.

“Listen to counsel, and receive instruction, That you may be wise at the end of your days. There are many devices in a man’s heart, But it is the counsel of Jehovah that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:20-21, RecVer)

Praise the Lord for such a timely and brotherly fellowship! 

May the Lord fully recover him and all the genuine believers and serving ones with him for His testimony in Chattisgarh and Odisha.

Parental Salvation in Jagdalpur

Two years ago we were informed about a sister in Jagdalpur who got saved and came to the church life and that her family need to be visited for the gospel. However we could not visit the family as requested. It was in our last trip that the same burden was revived to visit her, clubbing together with a visit to another brother. Therefore, the visit was done yesterday. 

Yesterday, though our appointment was at 7:00 PM we decided to meet the family in the morning so that we could spend the evening with some other families. As we visited, we could not speak much except introduced ourselves and got to know one another. The father of the family invited us to go along with him to Chitrakote where the "Niagara Falls of India" was situated and where his official site was located. He also invited us for lunch and took us for sightseeing at the Chitrakote falls. We had a day of sightseeing and a lovefeast, all the while fellowshiping with him and another brother for whom we came for fellowship. Two birds were hit with the same stone.

In the evening we visited the family again with the burden to preach the gospel and pray for them. Though we were not well versed in Hindi, my coordinator brother preached the gospel in English first, translated by another brother in Hindi. He touched the three key points of confessing sins, calling upon the name of the Lord, and continuously reading the Bible. 

Following my brother, I had the burden to strengthen the gospel preaching by requesting the father and mother to read the tract The Mystery of Human Life in Hindi, paragraph by paragraph, along with me. After the reading, I exercised to preach the gospel in Hindi with the same points of truth as in the tracts. Then, led them pray the sinners' prayer to believe and receive the Lord, and finally prayed for the entire family.

After such an exercised meeting, I felt the burden the Lord gave us was released. Deep within, we have the confirmation that they were indeed saved. Praise the Lord!

For such a meeting as this, it was worth all the travel. Their two daughters have believed into the Lord Jesus Christ and were baptized already. Mainly, it was because of their two daughters' prayer and burden for their parents, the meeting could transpire. 

Through the daughters, parents were gradually brought to salvation. What a parental salvation!

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple-dyed goods from the city of Thyatira who worshipped God, was listening, whose heart the Lord opened to give heed to the things being spoken by Paul.” (Acts 16:14, RecVer)

May the Lord gain the entire family with their relatives.

Fruitbearing: The Lord's Blessings

Yesterday, I received a surprise call from one of the brothers who have not been regular to the church meeting. In the past he had brought some new people with the motive of business. Therefore, I kind-of keep away from involving in any business as such. When he called me I made it very clear that he was welcomed as a brother for fellowship, not for business. With that I agreed to meet him and his friend. Besides, I need to leave for Jabalpur in the afternoon so I asked him how much time he would need. He said about thirty minutes, which was manageable for me.

A few minutes after noon, he brought a new friend. As we conversed I sensed his friend's seeking heart. I wasted no time, and started preaching th gospel to him. After the gospel, I further felt the need to lead him to prayer and receive the Lord, which he willing did. Then, having further sensed the need for him to be baptised, I explained to him what is baptism and why it is needed. On asking him if he would like to be baptised, he replied in the affirmative again. Everything went on smoothly, yet I wanted another brother to coordinate with me in baptising a new brother. Therefore, I called up another brother to come to the meeting hall so that we together in coordination and one accord can baptise him.

Meanwhile, I got a help from my cousin brother to make baptism tub ready. To further strengthen the truth of the gospel, I and the two brothers read through The Mystery of Human Life, emphasising on  the six keys, explaining each key in detail. Then, we once again prayed the sinner's prayer to him receive the Lord and helped them, including the brother who brought him, to call on the Lord outloud. I also explained the significance of calling upon the name of the Lord. Another burden for the brother who brought the new one was the need for him exercise his spirit more. Therefore, the burden on calling upon the Lord’s name was emphasised. When my brother arrived, we prayed for the new brother and baptised him. 

We have been praying for the saints to bear fruits. Much more, that each one in the church should bear at least one remaining fruit. Though we have not resumed the church’s going out to preach the gospel, the Lord answered our prayers and brought fruit. This was the second baptism for the year post pandemic.

After the baptism, we still sat for fellowship to further strengthen the faith of the new one and also the brother who has brought him. Though I committed only for thirty minutes earlier as I needed to leave, I ended up spending two and half hours. Gospel preaching, leading the new one to salvation, explaining the significance of baptism, baptizing, and then strengthening fellowship. Therefore, I needed to change my travel plan. Instead of taking metro I booked a cab and went straight to the train station to catch a train to Jabalpur.

Praise the Lord! When the Lord blesses, He blesses. If not for the Lord's blessings, no matter how hard we try, the fruit is not forthcoming. 

May this new one be graced by the Lord To be under constant shepherding and be a remaining fruit in the church life.

Offering Dispensing

And my God will fill your every need according to His riches, in glory, in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

The Lord is the source of all supplies; be it spiritual, psychological, or spiritual. He does it in His own time and in His own ways. He knows when and how and to whom to supply. I have been graced by Him to coordinate with Him in supplying His children's needs. Whenever He supplies and is routed through my bank account, I go before Him to seek His leading. As He leads and gave me the sense, I dispense the offering to the saints. This has been going on for years now. He is the faithful one!

Last week a big amount of offering was channeled through my account. Initially, it was mentioned for a certain entity. However, deep within me, I had the feeling that there are needs for certain saints. Though I generally do not fellowship with the one who sends as to how the offering needs to be distributed, for I normally distribute as intended. But this time, I had the feeling to check if this offering could be used to meet the needs of certain needy saints, the immediate reply was to dispense the offering as the Lord leads and according to the need.

Therefore, I prayed and considered before the Lord for a few days, and gradually the Lord made it clear to me to whom and how much offering has to be offered. First, I wrote the names and the amounts down, and each time I pray over this matter, the Lord will put more names and amounts, and in a few days' time, the paper was filled with names and amounts. Through prayer with certain saints or fellowship, or even through circumstances, I got a clear picture of what needs to be done. 

Once everything was clear within me, I transferred the offering accordingly. Though none of this has been intended for me personally I was full of joy that I have this grace to be able to discern to whom the offering has to be offered. Though I am not the supplier, I felt the joy of the Lord in His meeting the saints' needs; I could sense the joy of the receipients too.

A few days later, I received indirect indications by the receivers of the offerings that it has been such a great help to them in the midst of their great needs. I praise and thank the Lord for His faithful supply.

I believe this is what Paul meant by "my God will fill your every need according to His riches, in glory, in Christ Jesus."

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh, as it is said to this day, On the mount of Jehovah it will be provided. Genesis 22:14

Praise the Lord!

Shepherding Young People

I have been praying together with a group of young brothers since the Lord burdened me to take care of the young people in the church in Gurugram. The very first burden and goal the Lord imparted into me for the young people was that each one of them would be graced to join and be trained in the two years full-time training. Initially, when the burden came to me, it was "impossible" considering the cases of the young people then. But the Lord is sovereign in working all things together for good in each one of them.

When the time came, the first young people to graduate also happened to be my niece. The Lord worked on her and she joined the full-time training. Later, another brother also was touched by the Lord through his circumstances and he also joined the training. A year later another young brother graduated, and he also decided to join the training. Now all these ones are enjoying the Lord's training in the training.

One brother who has been a little skeptical about the truths and the church life has been very passive in the church life. I used to pray with him whenever he picked my call. Otherwise, it was even hard to talk to him. But we have been praying for him. A few months ago, something transpired in his family which prompted me and another brother to fellowship with his father if he would be released for the training. But we got no response at all even after months have passed. Deep within my being, I wish that he could consecrate himself and join the training. But it seemed like an impossible case.

One Lord's day I got to fellowship with him along with his mom and brother to seriously consider joining the training. They all agreed and I even brought the matter to the brothers to fellowship. But no response came from them.

However, last month, something very bad happened in his life. He was "driven out" by his father out of rage for some reason. Even otherwise, he has not been on good terms with his father. Only God knows for whatever reason. What could I do? Nothing. It was a blessing to be able to do nothing but pray. That's what I did with a few other brothers. The Lord hears our prayers. Amen!

Last month, while I was on a literature journey to Madhya Pradesh in MHOW, I received a phone call early morning from this brother saying that he had been driven out by his dad and that he came to my home. Immediately, I welcomed him to stay with us though I was not at home then. I called my wife and my brother and advised them to make the necessary arrangement for his hospitality. I also called up a brother with whom I am coordinating in the church affairs to consider his case and how we could help him join the training immediately. Within a few hours, we were able to make all the necessary fellowship and the matter was decided that he would join the training. Finally, after all the impromptu arrangements and special circumstances, he joined the training after a few days. Praise the Lord!

The Lord knows how to gain people in His own way and in His own time. He knows best. I simply must do my duty faithfully, to pray and pray for the young ones. This is the best way I can shepherd them, and also usher them to join the training.

Lord, shepherd all these young saints; shepherd them and train them, make them useful vessels to You!

Gospel Preaching

Since the pandemic struck India, all our physical gospel preaching has stopped. We switched to an online gospel meeting which has been going on every alternate Friday via Zoom. For this, I have the blessing to coordinate in making all the practical arrangements in assigning the host, hymns and the singers, testimony sharing, and the gospel preacher. Though online, still it is a gospel meeting and I have been doing my best in the responsibility allotted to me.

Last Saturday in our brothers' fellowship we decided to preach the gospel openly in the shopping complex nearby. It was our first physical going out after the lockdown. As we went and met people on the streets, the heart of the people are still open. Within a span of one hour, we were about to meet a good number of people and preach the gospel to them too.

Personally, I have not been preaching the gospel face to face. This was my recovery from preaching the gospel face to face. I was glad that I could exercise to preach the gospel to at least three people. After a long gap, I could flow out the gospel to strangers and sinners again!

One encouraging thing was, we also met a Christian brother whom we met during our gospel preaching. He was so glad that we could meet him. In fact, when I started preaching the gospel to him, he immediately confessed that he is also a Christian. Then we had a sweet time of fellowship in the open area outside a bank where he came for his banking work. He was so happy that we met him and told us he would love to visit us someday. He lives in a locality nearby with his family and also has some other family who use to meet with him for prayer and fellowship.

Today evening when I called him up he was so happy to converse over the phone and proposed to come and meet with the church this coming Lord's day and also invited us to visit him next weekend. I believe it is for these seeking believers that the Lord burdened us to go out and preach the gospel.

May all these ones who heard the gospel be saved and the brother become a remainig fruit for the church in Gurugram!

Blessed Family

Blessed is everyone who fears Jehovah, Who walks in His ways. You will indeed eat the labor of your hands; You will be blessed, and it will go well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house. Your children will be like olive shoots round about your table. Thus will the man be blessed who fears Jehovah. Jehovah bless you from Zion;  And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you also see the children of your children. Peace be upon Israel. Ps 128:1-6

Last Saturday, we decided to eat lunch as a family after a long long time of not being able to eat out. In fact, I promised my children that I would take them out before I went for a distribution trip last month.  But I could not find the proper time. Therefore, this time I made it a point to do so.

Every night the Lord has been gracing us to spend time together in prayer. Even when I traveled, I still would call them for night prayers. This has been the best and the only time I could spend with my family though we live together in the same house.  Every day I have my regular routine, and night prayer is set for the family together. From morning till night I have been occupied with my office works, shepherding the new ones, prayer, and pursuing with some saints. Besides, I have also included an hour's time of physical walking, praying, and listening to the life-study messages in my schedule. My whole day is filled with schedules. I am glad the way things go on. 

Once in a while I decided to take my children out and let them have what they wanted; especially eating their favorite burgers, ice cream, and soft drinks. I personally have no passion for all these but for the sake of my family I am doing it. There joy is my joy. When they are happy I am happy too. Actually, I have not spent on any unnecessary items. Whatever financial supply the Lord blesses us with, it all has been spent for the rightful purposes. Eating out once in a while is a part of the family building.

It is purely the Lord's mercy that He has been gracing and blessing our family very much. Looking at my chidlren I feel very blessed. They are all healthy by the Lord's mercy, studying well, read their Bibles, spend time in prayer, attend the meetings, and also doe stheir assigned household responsibilities. The house, the school, and all the provsions are blessings to us. Whatever the Lord provides that is the best. I don't think I can ask for more.  God has given us the best of the best!

Whenever I asked my children if they would like to shift to a better house or a better school, all of them replied in cohesion, NO. They are very satisfied with what we have right now.

This is contentment and satisfaction the Lord blesses us with. Because of the Lord's blessing, I don't need to worry too much about my own family, so I can spend time shepherding the saints and the new ones. And I can keep travelling to different parts of India for the ministry without any resistance from my family whatsover,. I thank the Lord for my blessed family. When the Lord blesses, He just blesses, and we are blessed.

Thank You Lord for my family! My family is all for You. Amen.