Never Say No

Trusting the Lord in everything that is related to serving and functioning within my capacity, whenever there was an opportunity, I simply took it up by faith. My simple banner has been, "Never Say No," in the things of God. 

Whenever I was assigned for my portion in any spiritual activity, I took that as from the Lord. As much as I could, I never said no. If God had not ordained those functions for me, it would never have been brought to me either. Even if it were, it would hot have worked out. But in my experience, all those assignments given to me by the brothers turned out to be a great blessing to me personally besides being blessed in the assignments themselves.

Since the pandemic struck, there have been many online meetings for the churches and also for seekers all over India. Now and then, the brothers have asked me to coordinate in ministering the word of God to different states and language groups.  Whenever I was assigned, I always said amen to the brothers even if it seemed it might not work out. I firmly believe in the God who moved the brothers to make such an arrangement. I dared not say "No" to the brothers, which would mean saying "No" to God. Despite my condition whatsoever, the Lord's presence was with me all the time. This m, made me realize more that it was not I who functioned but it has always been God who has been ministering in my ministering. What a blessing, what a joy, when we amen God!

Even when I traveled for my official service of distributing the ministry literature, I still would not say "No". Somehow, I scheduled my time to still carry out my responsibility and thereby, continued to enjoy God's presence. I trust in the Lord that in the coming days too, the Lord will continue to grace me to never say "No" to His sovereign arrangements. I reckoned all the assignments as God's arrangement with His promised presence and blessing. And firmly believe in His words:

For as many promises of God as there are, in Him is the Yes; therefore also through Him is the Amen to God, for glory through us to God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

God's Presence - God Is

God's Presence

As a Christian, the spiritual fact is, I am in God and God is in me. My responsibility is to abide in God, remain in Him, and dwell in Him as my home. The issue of such a living in the divine Trinity is the presence of the Lord. 

In the Old Testament, Moses had the promise of God's presence going with him; he desired the presence of God to the extent that he would not do anything without the Lord's presence.

Now therefore if I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know now Your ways, that I may know You, so that I may continue to find favor in Your sight. Consider also that this nation is Your people. And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. And he said to Him, If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:13-15

There definitely is a difference between God's going and God's presence. It is one thing to have God's blessing and Him doing many things for us yet without His presence. God's presence is His smile, His delight, His being one with us in everything and not merely He doing things for us or on our behalf. If one has God's presence, he definitely will also have God. Here is the thin line between God and God's presence. Many may be satisfied with the former, God's blessing and helping hands, but not God's presence, His smile, His will, and His delight in everything. To enjoy the joy of God's presence, the one key condition is to abide in Him, remain in Him, and dwell in Him as our home. 

God's presence is my need in everything. The children of God in the past were led by the presence of God in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, which today is the presence of the Lord in the Spirit and the Word of God. These are the practical ways one can enjoy God's presence. While things are bright and normal, the Spirit typified by the cloud during the day is sufficient. Whereas when the situation is dark and negative, still the leading of the Lord can be felt through God's presence in the Word.  This is to live in the divine Trinity.

God Is

But without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes forward to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

To believe that God is, is to believe that He is everything to us and that we are nothing—John 8:58; Eccl. 1:2. To believe that God is implies that we are not; He must be the only One, the unique One, in everything, and we must be nothing in everything—Heb. 11:5; Gen. 5:22-24.

As we enjoy God's presence, we must also realize who God is; not merely doctrinally only. God is everything, many confess that either religiously or out of fake humility. But to realize indeed that God is everything is yet another matter. The Lord has been merciful to help me realize that God is indeed everything and that I am nothing and I can do nothing.

In the past, I have used statements like, "God is everything, I am nothing." But deep within me, I still believe that I was still something and that I needed God when I needed His help. Which means, I still could do something of my own. That's why I was very jealous to labor for the Lord. Well, it must be good for me at that time to experience the Lord in such a way. In fact, that only ushered and brought me to the point of realization that, all that I thought I could do resulted only in failures and shame. Yes, I mean it. All that I could do with all my strength, even perhaps with the help of God, were just failures and shame. I had not experienced the death of my "self", my "natural man." There had been much mixture of myself with that of God.  Now, by the Lord's mercy, my eyes have been opened and I am beginning to see who I really am. I am NOTHING, and I mean it. GOD is EVERYTHING and I believe in it.

As I reconsidered my service in the church, one particular thing striking is, all that I thought I could do resulted only in failures. What I thought began well ended up nowhere, especially in taking care of some new ones. I could see clearly where I lagged behind; I need God to be everything in all things and that I am nothing, Therefore, I must believe that God is and I am not. Praise the Lord!

Experience of Christ: Banking

A need to open a new bank account was brought to my attention three weeks ago. Though I initially suggested that one of our existing accounts could handle the purpose, my coordinating brother felt the need to open a new one, to which I agreed. Therefore, I took immediate action to open a new current account in one of the banks where we already have a running current account. Due to an urgent need, I talked to the bank officer to speed up the process for which on the same afternoon all documents along with signatures were submitted at the bank itself. Therefore, we were promised that within a few days' time the account would be ready.

After a few days, I called up the bank officer only to get the response that he would be checking and updating. After repeated requests and delayed responses, I got a message saying that a name correction had to be done from the already existing account. For this, I went to the bank to submit a form for name correction; which error was also committed by the bank when it was first opened. Now, that became the reason for the delay. Then, after a few more days, I got a response from the bank that the name had been corrected, while calling up the bank for the new account as the correction had been done, he request a few more days to open the account. 

After a few more days, I followed up on the progress of the account only to hear a repeated request for a few more days. Therefore, each time I enquired I was promised that it will be done the same day evening or the next day. The repeated response went on and on until a full week was over. Then finally, I got a message stating that the old account had to be changed, creating more problems.

I had no choice but to go to the bank and talk to the manager directly. Even the manager promised that he would get the work done, and requested for a few more hours. I plainly told him to confirm if the bank could open an account without affecting the already existing account. Only with their answer, I could proceed to the next step. Finally, after much talk and waiting, the bank officer responded that they could not open the account at all. I felt like blasting them for their untrustworthy words and false promises and wasting three long weeks. But the Lord within me was very calm and at peace. In fact, I was reminded by the Lord to simply keep calm and accept the fact that it could not be opened. In fact, it need not be opened at all as the Lord has a better way of handling the need. 

When I fellowshipped with my coordinator about the current status of the account, we came to a conclusion that it need not be opened at all as the need could have been better handled in some other way. But for my part  I had done all the I could. The Lord confirmed within me that I had done what I need to do and the result was that the Lord has a better way. I was completely satisfied and at ease that I had discharged my responsibility and the Lord interfered to show us the better way.  

Through all these processes, I experienced the Lord in exercising faithfulness in carrying out my responsibility, trusting the Lord for the result. It would have been unfaithful to not do my part at all. I did my best and the Lord took over the result. No grudges to anyone, no complain, no murmuring, no reasoning, only the experience of the Lord in all these. Even in official banking works, the Lord could be experienced richly! Praise the Lord!

Fruitbearing: The Lord's Blessings

On the 24th of November, a brother called me up and fellowshipped that if he could bring over a new one who wanted to be baptized. Though I did not know who the new one was, trusting in my brother's word I amened his request. Later, the new one actually came with his wife. They were first met by my young brother with whom I have been coordinating in the young people meeting and in the gospel meeting. At the first meeting, the conversation to the new one was, "Jesus loves you!" at a birthday party when he was serving food. Later, this new one believed into the Lord and called up my brother for baptism.

As I met him, I felt the need to preach the gospel once again; to make sure that they truly believed into the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, using The Mystery of Human Life, I asked the new one to read paragraph by paragraph, and after each paragraph, I exercised my spirit to preach the gospel in Hindi along with my fellow brother. Therefore, after ascertaining that they really understood the gospel, and they did believe into the Lord Jesus Christ, I once again helped them to pray the sinners' prayer and led them to definitely receive the Lord Jesus again, calling upon His name several times too. Then, I explained the significance of baptism and asked them to decide for themselves. I wanted to make it very clear that I was only presenting the truth of the Bible, preaching the gospel, and letting them choose if they would receive the gospel and be baptized. The new one was definitely willing as he already believed into the Lord, and his wife also expressed her willingness to be baptized. Then, arrangements were made and we baptized both of them.

When the Holy Spirit convicts people, they simply repent, confess, and believe into the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Man's only responsibility is to discern the move of the Holy Spirit and cooperate with him to carry what the Lord wants to accomplish. That's what we did; simply cooperating with the moving Triune God in saving people. 

Once they were baptized there was a sense of joy and peace within us and within them. They both were filled with peace and joy. Then I gifted them The Shepherding Materials in Hindi for them to read daily. My brother had purchased lunch for them as he had the burden. I did not interfere in inserting my own opinion as I could also provide lunch for all of them too. I wanted my brother to bear the burden and execute them with love and receive the blessing and gain the necessary experience in caring for the new ones. The new ones' needs were taken care and my brother also got to function. Praise the Lord! 

We have been praying for the salvation of people. Though we have not gone out to preach the gospel since the pandemic struck, still the Lord brought people at His time to receive Him and be baptized. It was purely the work of the Holy Spirit. With man this is a thing of impossibility; but with God, it is very possible. That's what we have been witnessing in the church in Gurugram. When the Lord gives, He gives. Praise the Lord!

Experience of Christ: Resting in Him

On the 17th of November morning, I was on a distribution trip to Jagdalpur and had the intention of skipping the Wednesday fellowship, which I generally did while on a trip. But since we did not have an appointment early in the morning I decided to join with the initiation from my brother. Therefore, we attended the fellowship and it turned out to be a great blessing to me. The burden of the fellowship was on experiencing Christ and resting in Him in the midst of all trials and tribulations. I took down the key points from the fellowship and considered them carefully. The next day we left for Raipur. While on board the flight from Raipur to New Delhi, the Lord burdened me to write a hymn on the points from Br. RC's fellowship. As I began to write, I enjoyed the Spirit's anointing so much so that I could easily write a hymn, line by line, stanza by stanza within an hour and forty-five minutes. I started when the flight took off and finished when the flight landed. 

Experience of Christ: Resting in Him
Composed on 18th Oct. 2021
Enlightened through Br. RC's fellowship on 17th Nov.
Composed while flying onboard from Raipur to Delhi after the ministry of the word literature journey.

Meter: 6.6.9.6.6.9 with Chorus
Time: 3/4 – F major
Tune similar to Hymns # 582

Psalms 23
1  In the midst of hardship, 
Forget not you're a sheep.
Jesus Lord is your Shepherd alway!
No matter what great pain,
He'll not leave you to faint.
He'll shepherd and lead you all the way!

Rest and enjoy,
Then you'll always rejoice!
Being one with Jesus,
In the Lord whom you trust.

John 14:17; 2 Cor. 2:14
2  Spiritual reality,
You must know and must see
Through God's dispensing in you daily;
Through your failures at times,
Yet know, in you He triumphs
If at the altar you lay fully.

Song of Songs 1-2
3  An intimate story 
Betwixt God and you be
Ever told by His passing through you.
Surely then you'll discern
And all the lessons learn:
God’s will in all is to mature you. 

Isaiah 45:15; Matthew 11:29-30
4  God often hides Himself.
Pressed feeling in yourself?
Never struggle nor murmur you'd be.
Rest in your situation,
Spiritual oppression,
Builds up your spiritual(potential) energy.

Psalms 23:4; John 4:14
5  Even when in valley,
God desires you wholly.
Touch the Lord by faith, not by feeling.
The fountain of water
Unto life eternal 
Will spring up out of your inmost being! 

Matthew 7:14; 2 Timothy 4:8
6  Don't give up, come what may,
Tears and trials on the way
Only helps walk the constricted way.
Carry on your service,
Your church life never miss,
Purified you'll be; and crowned that day!

Ministry of the Word Literature Journey: Jabalpur

The Christian leaders in Bhopal porposed and planned for us, the ministry literature exhibition in Jabalpur. Though we did not plan it ourselves, we were encouraged to carry out the same exhibition we had been in different parts of Madhya Pradesh. Besides, there is a family who has been shepherded by a sister in the church in Mumbai that deems our shepherding visit. These two matters brought forth the burden to travel to Jabalpur.

In the morning of 13th Nov I arrived at Jabalpur train station where a senior pastor of the Full Gospel Church came to receive me. Then we went to Indian Coffee House for a time of fellowship over breakfast. There I was requested to share my testimony which I did with my heart's content and with much release of my spirit. It was my first meeting with the Christian leader and it was fitting that he know me and the ministry I represent before he introduced me further to other Christian leaders and congregations. I thanked the Lord for this sovereign arrangement of the Lord; it was indeed an ice breaking session and an introduction to one another. This testimony confirmed to the brother of the authenticity of the ministry I represents and the genuineness of the faith I believe into. Since then, he was so touched and opened for any following meetings.

Later, when my brother who was coordinating with me arrived, we all together has a fellowship over lunch where the elderly Christian leader also testified of the Lord’s work in his life.

In the night, an impromptu meeting was arranged for a group of believers where we ministered on the need for breathing, eating, and drinking the Lord for a normal Christian life and growth with a strong emphasis on the importance of the word of God that can make a Christian grow. I also shared my testimony of how the word of God as life and spirit have been my constant supply, especially in trying times.

“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)

The next day being the Lord’s day, we were invited to minister the word of God first in the Full Gospel Church and then in the Assembly of God Church. In the first meeting, we ministered on the anointing Spirit and the need to be anointed through the word and exercise of the spirit. In the second meeting, we ministered on the need for growth in life by the Spirit of God in our human spirit renewing and transforming the soul with a detail explanation on how the mind, emotion, and will needs to be and can be gained fully by the Lord. And concluded with the result of such a growth that issues in a normal Christian life, a life of living Chirst as in Philippians 1:21.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, RecVer)

The leading pastor later took us for lunch at a five star hotel with his family. Then we went to visit a family who has been shepherded by one of the sisters in the church in Mumbai.

On Monday, we had a seminar with the Christian leaders in Jabalpur where we introduced the ministry literature with the Holy Bible Recovery Version and then exhibited the ministry books. Later, we went to visit the family of a sister who has just begun to enjoy the ministry and fellowshipped with them on various topics they requested a clarification for.

Having thus accomplished the burden for Jabalour visit, for the Christian leaders seminar with ministry books exhibition and meeting the seeking family, we proceeded to the next destination, Jagdalpur via Raipur.

May the Lord bless the sowing of the divine life through the word of God and may He gain His remnants to bear His testimony in Jabalpur.

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.