Ministry of the Word to Hadagalli, Harapannahalli, and Kottur

In Kudligi, the Lord had prepared the people and the places He wanted us to minister to and visit. The best possible hospitality in this remote town was arranged. We were lodged in a very comfortable bungalow and fed with the riches of the local delicacies. The local Pastor who hosted us made all the necessary arrangements, and we simply followed him. 

Just in one day, we had four meetings in a row at four different locations with a good distance apart. The Spirit of the Lord anointed every meeting, and every Pastor we met ended up purchasing the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada, and some placed orders for the ministry books.

Hadagalli

In this town, I was given first fifteen minutes to introduce the ministry literature. As I did so, using Matthew 1 with crucial footnotes on "Son of David," "Son of Abraham," forty-two generations, etc., the brothers were so impressed. One of them made an interjection and requested me to take more time. Then, I continued further with Philippians 1:19 on the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Then I stopped as I was conscious of the time given to me. Then, all the brothers requested me to take another thirty minutes more, and I continued, explaining the usefulness of outlines and subjects in the Recovery Version, and also used the title book by Watchman Nee, "The Character of the Lord’s Worker" to show them the need for proper character of the Lord’s serving ones. Since it was already lunch time, I stopped, and the brothers were literally in awe of the riches of the ministry. They even requested if I could visit again for a seminary on the truth, as they wanted more of such an exposition of the word of God. All the brothers present there purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. 

Bible School in Haddagalli

In a Bible School, I was given time to address the students along with the founder, owner, and Principal of the school. To them, I encouraged them to study the Bible every day and with careful memorization of important verses. I demonstrated to them by quoting Bible verses from memory and exhorted them to become "men of the word of God." The students were so encouraged and greeted me with gratitude after the introduction of the ministry books. The Principal requested me to pray for the Bible school students, which I did, and he also purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada and placed an order for the ministry books in Kannada for the Bible school.

Harapannahalli

In this village, some senior Pastors gathered together to hear us out. Once I introduced the Recovery Version using the book of Romans with its outlines, subject, and key verses, the brothers were full of joy. One of them exclaimed, "The Bible has been opened up today!" Then, I used the book, "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" to show them how the God of resurrection, the Triune God, is dispensing Himself into us, stage by stage, in our Christian life to fulfill His divine purpose. They all were so joyful at the revelation of the word of God and proclaimed "Hallelujahs!" in between my sharing. Here too, all the brothers purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. 

Kottur 

As we arrived at this last destination for the day, it was already dark and there was a power cut in the area. Despite the outward darkness, the Pastors were eagerly receiving the life supply from the light that emanates through the minsitry of the word. Along with the introduction of the ministry literature, I also used the book, "The Breaking of the Outerman and the Release of the Spirit" to explain the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our Christian life, at times, through "breaking" as a result of severe dealing through circumstances sovereignly arranged by the Lord. Here too, all the brothers purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada. 

Thus, from morning till night, we enjoyed the Lord’s supply richly through the ministry of the word. Physically, it was a hectic day, yet spiritually, it was a blessed day! 

May the Lord bless the word sown as seeds into the hearts of many brothers in this part of Karnataka. One day, the Lord will recover His remnants and raise up His testimony all over Karnataka.

Ministry of the Word to Raichur

In Raichur, we were given hospitality at the meeting hall of a Brethren Assembly. The leading brother was known to our brothers. In fact, two times our brothers had come for the free ministry literature distribution here already. On the same night of our arrival, two key Christian leaders came to meet us to whom we have introduced the Recovery Version in Kannada and the ministry literature. They both immediately purchased a copy for themselves. They requested if I could again next for a meeting eith all the Pastors in the city. I had to politely decline as I had no leading at the moment for the next visit. I have no freedom of choice of my own; I follow the Lord’s leading and am willingly submitted to the Spirit's restriction and leading.

The following day, sicne early morning there was incessant rain. We were not able to go out anywhere nor was there any meeting arranged as there was a 200th year anniversary meeting of the Brethern Assembly. We waited for the rain to cease to go out and also for any positive leading to visit. The two matters did not work out. Meanwhile, I had my morning revival, personal prayer, and Bible reading. The rain did not cease to pour down. Besides, there was no proper contact for meeting. I reckoned this as the Spirit of Jesus forbidding us to stay further in the city. Therefore, we decided to travel to the next city, about five hours journey. 

Just before we depart from the city, a contact I met in January this year at a meeting in Bengaluru who was from Raichur was brought to my knowledge. I called him and he came to meet us at the place we were lodged in. Again, as we were about to leave, I left to thank our host and bid goodbye. As I did so, he immediately requested with folded hands for prayer for him and his family. He is an elder brother, one of the key brothers in the Brethern Assembly. At the request of such an elder brother, I felt he must have gone through difficult times, though he did not mention anything about it, it was just my inner feeling. The Lord knows best. I prayed for him and his family and the believers with him, following the inner leading within me. I prayed for their growth in life through the ministry of the word. Then, we left the city for the next destination. 

It took us six hours drive from Raichur to Kudligi with an hour break for lunch and fuel filling in between. Our hospitality was in a government guest house. We enjoyed a warm hospitality from our host who arranged a local home-cooked traditional Kannada dishes. The Lord took care of us so well. In fact, it was a time of rest for me despite the outward hectic schedule. 

May the Lord continue to work in the lives of His remnants for the recovery of His testimony in Raichur.

Ministry of the Word to Yadgiri

We came to Yadgiri and logged in a hotel for the night. The next day, before we met with the Pastors, I had a time of personal fellowship with a brother who accompanied us this time. He happened to stay in the same room with me. We had a time of prayer and fellowship when he opened up about his personal situation. In line with the present burden these days, I helped him turn to the Lord and bring all his matters to the Lord.

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; And the peace of God, which surpasses every man’s understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, RecVer)

Later, after breakfast, the  Pastors came to our hotel room, as they were being invited by the key Pastor in contact with us. As room 313 got filled, it was time for me to address the guests with the very burden for which we came to this city.

For over an hour, I introduced the Recovery Version using Bible verses. As inwardly led by the Lord, I used Acts 8 to lay the foundation for the need to receive help in understanding the Scripture.

And when Philip ran up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, Do you really know the things that you are reading? And he said, How could I unless someone guides me? And he entreated Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31, RecVer)

I also emphasised that the Bible being the word of God, a spirit of wisdom and revelation is needed to understand as it should be understood, and the eyes of our hearts need to be enlightened.

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him, The eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:17-18, RecVer)

Then, I used various verses in Matthew 1 along with the corresponding footnotes to show how the Recovery Version can be a useful study aid in studying the Bible. I highlighted the significance of the name of Jesus (Matthew 1:21), the son of David and the son of Abraham (v. 1), the female names in the genealogy and their significance (vv. 3, 5, 6, 16), and the forty-two generations of three fourteen-generations (v. 17). Besides, I also introduced the seven new ministry books released in Kannada with an emphasis on "The Breaking of the Outerman and the Release of the Spirit." As I ministered on the need for the believers' growth in life, the spreading of Christ as the Spirit from the spirit into the soul, and all things working together for good for the believers' transformation and conformation to the image of the Firstborn Son of God, using Romans 8:28-29, the Pastors were all deeply supplied with the ministry of the word. Each of them amen the words as I ministered, following the inward anointing. I myself was richly supplied, so were all the brothers. 

Right after I finished my speaking and ministering, every one of them purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada, some of them got three copies, and one of them purchased the entire full box of 16 New Testaments. All the Bibles we brought to Yadgiri were sold out in one meeting. Praise the Lord! 

Then, a brother came to talk to me personally and narrated the ordeal he had gone through the previous night at his house. He was reading Acts 8 and could not understand. Then, someone visited him and accused Christian leaders in general of not being faithful in money matters and in physical relationships. He was deeply broken by such a false accusation and wondered how such a thing could happen to him. Out of deep sorrow, he and his wife prayed and slept very late. Today morning, he was invited to come to meet us. Immediately, the Lord told him from what he read, "And the Spirit said to Philip, Approach and join this chariot." (Acts 8:29, RecVer). So, when he came, all his questions and doubts about Acts 8 and the false accusation he went through were all cleared up. He was so happy that the Lord spoke to him through the fellowship. By the way, I had no idea about him or what he went through. I only spoke what the Holy Spirit led me to. Even the introduction of the ministry is the ministry; ministering the word through the introduction of the ministry. 

May the Lord continuously open up the Scriptures to all our brothers and supply them richly, the healthy teaching, for their spiritual nourishment and growth in the divine life, even unto the recovery of His testimony in Yadgiri!

Ministry of the Word to Kalaburagi and Shahapur

Having released the burden of the distribution in Bidar, we came down south to the next city, Kalaburagi. The initial plan was that we spend more time in this city as we considered to meet different Pastors at different places. The local broher who led us did not have a good experience in this city in his previous visit. So he allotted more time. However, as we arrived the city and contacted the Pastor in correspondence, he invited us to join the Pastors' fellowship going at his residence and introduce the ministry literature. This was not at all expected. But the Lord made all the plan ready.

I was given just fifteen minutes to introduce the ministry literature to the Pastors with translation to Kannada. Prior to this, a brother who accompanied us in this trip requested if I could speak again on the "wife of Uriah" in Matthew 1:6 with its spiritual significances as he was so much supplied by the revelation he received in my introduction in the precious city, Aurad. I took that as an indication of what I should speak. Therefore, when I introduced the New Testament Recovery Version, I used the note on "wife of Uriah" as a study aid along with other notes in Matthew 1. By the way, the brother who requested me for using this note came and sat in the front row and recorded my introduction of the Recovery Version. The Lord anointed the speaking so much so that it beame a ministering of the word of God to all the audience. The Pastors were very much touched by the ministry of the word and right after I introduced, each one of them wanted the Recovery Version New Testament in Kannada along with the seven Kannada title books. One entire box of New Testament (16) copies was sold out along with all the sets of Kannada books too. I even had to request a brother to get back one set of title books for sample to be shown in the upcoming distribution trip in other cities and towns.. 

The Lord blessed the distribution so much so that, beyond our expectation, one big city was covered in fifteen minutes! Of course, after the introduction, it took some time to settle the sales order

Then, we proceed further south to the next city, Shahapur. We arrived this place about two hours earlier than the scheduled time due to the quick accomplishment in the previous city. This gave me time to read my Bible and get some rest before we began the next meeting.

When the Pastors arrived at the appointment place and time, I was praying what to minister. Following the Lord's leading, I gave a gist of the church history,  how God used different people at different times to give revelation on some crucial truth in the Bible. For example, justification by faith through Martin Luther, sanctification through John Wesley, and narrated the beginning of the Baptist and Pentecostal movement. Then, I used Matthew 1:17 with the footnotes as a demonstration on how the Recovery Version can be an excellent study aid in studying the Bible. 

Thus all the generations from Abraham until David are fourteen generations, and from David until the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ, fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:17, RecVer)

The three fourteen-generations totalling forty-two generation with its spiritual significance was amazing! The Recovery Version has expounded it in detail!

After the introduction, all the Pastors present in the meeting immediately purchased a copy of the New Testament Recovery Version with full payment. They gave a word to pass on the availability of such a wonderful study Bible in Kannada language to their Pastors as well. Thus, our burden for this city was also released. Then, we moved on to the next city. 

With the sowing of the seed of the ministry of the word, the Lord will let these seeds fall into the good soil and one day, we will reap the harvest. 

May the Lord reviver His remnants in thses cities and raise up His lampshades in Kalaburagi and Shahapur!

Ministry of the Word to Bidar and Aurad

Thus says Jehovah, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel, I am Jehovah your God, Who teaches you to do that which is profitable, Who leads you in the way that you should go. (Isaiah 48:17, RecVer)

Come out from Babylon; Flee from the Chaldeans; With a voice of shouting declare; Let them hear this, Send it out unto the end of the earth; Say, Jehovah has redeemed His servant Jacob. (Isaiah 48:20, RecVer)

Having heard about Bidar many years ago, it has been in my heart that one day I could visit this district for the ministry literature distribution. This time, the Lord made it possible. After flying from Delhi to Hyderabad and an early morning train from Secunderabad to Bidar, I finally got to visit this district. The plan this time was to cover the northern parts of Karnataka, and with this trip, to cover the entire state of Karnataka, at least the districts and main cities and towns. I was given warm hospitality in a brother's house.

On our first visit to a group of Methodist's serving ones, the key leader did not welcome us and sternly refused to even hear us out. As a brother was talking to him for a time of fellowship to introduce the ministry literature, I was actually reading my Bible. Interestingly, the verses I read from Isaiah 48:17, 20 just confirmed my brother's whispering to my ears that the leader refused to hear us out. Jehovah was teaching me to do what was profitable and "come out of Babylon." Immediately, I realised we had to leave. There was no point trying to forcibly present the ministry to those who were not willing to receive. So, we left immediately without wasting any time. 

Then, we got an urgent appointment from a Pastor who was about to leave for another city. In fact, the Lord led us out of the first closed door to move on to the next open door, at the right time, lest we miss both. Since the Pastor was getting ready to leave, I immediately introduced the ministry books one by one, starting from the Holy Bible Recovery Version. Within a few minutes of presenting the ministry, the Pastor and his wife decided to purchase all the ministry books in Kannada, the New Testament in Kannada, and also the Holy Bible Recovery Version in English. Later, we also presented the ministry literature to a group of Christians in another location. While other Pastors in town were not available to meet, I had a time of fellowship with the brothers who were accompanying me this time for the distribution. The Lord also arranged the situation in such a way that I got time for rest, as I did not sleep enough the previous night due to my travel.

In Aurad, the following day, we met at a meeting hall of a Pastor where eight different Pastors of different Christian groups came together to pay heed to us. I simply followed the Spirit's leading inwardly, and began with the importance of the word of God in our Christian life, using 2 Timothy 3:16, and the need to understand the Scriptures with someone's help, as in the case of an Ethiopian eunuch with Philip in Acts 8. And then, I introduced the Recovery Version Bible and the ministry books using Matthew 1:1, 6, and the corresponding footnotes on "the son of David" and “David begot Solomon of her who had been the wife of Uriah" The Lord anointed the speaking and opened up the Scriptures to the Pastors as I also emphasised the need for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17, 18) and the opening of the word (Psalms 119: 130).

The result was, every one of them was richly supplied with the word of God, and each one of them purchased the New Testament Recovery Version in Kannada and the seven title books in Kannada. This was the work of the Lord sowing Himself as the seed through the ministry of the word. One day, the Lord will recover His remnants to bear His testimony in Aurad.

By the way, as we were traveling by car, I had a time of fellowship with a brother on the four pillars needed to live a healthy Christian life for the church life: the need for daily morning revival, daily reading of the Bible, daily prayer, and daily practical church life. In this way, the days in Bidar were well spent. 

May the Lord raise up His testimony in Bidar and Aurad soon!

Experience of Christ: The Spirit of Jesus

And they passed through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, yet the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. (Acts 16:6-7, RecVer)

By virtue of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit has been given to us (Acts 5:32) inwardly on the day of our spiritual birth. Since then, this Spirit of Jesus or the Holy Spirit has been leading us day by day provided one pays heed to His leading. It is now the responsibility of every believer to live and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25).

As such a one learning to live and walk by the Spirit, I have been experiencing the Spirit's leading either in going ahead or in being forbidden. As Christians, we have to proactively take actions according to the light of God’s word. Should the Spirit forbade us, then we should immediately take action to stop going any further. Otherwise, as the peace of God abides within, we must proactively carry out God’s commission.

In a number of cases, I have been restricted in my spirit and forbidden to go ahead with what I initially planned to do. In fear and trembling before God, I would check every matter before moving ahead. This practice helped me spent more time to pray over matters that concerned me. Be it considering my brothers' fellowship on joining a National College Students training, or consulting brothers for official matters, or approving a huge amount of money for construction of distribution books storeroom, or planning for a distribution trip to Karnataka, or even applying credit card for paying my daughter's admission application fee online, or even trivial matters like cutting hair or buying household items, and many other matters too. The Spirit's forbidding and allowing, toggling between a "yes" or a "no", has been my constant experience. I believe, I am being trained to follow the Spirit succinctly. In many cases, I had to change my own initial plan and thought. What my natural man thought initially, when proven to be not of the Spirit, I changed. In this way, the Lord trained me to follow him and experience the Spirit's leading step by step. This reminds me of the Lord’s words to Simon, son of John.

Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go. (John 21:18, RecVer)

I am glad that I have been led by the Lord through the saints surrounding me, my brothers in the church, my family members, and even my circumstances. I am learning to be pliable, to be sorber minded, and not to be rebellious or disobedient in any way. I fear God and even more fearful to grieve the Holy Spirit. The peace of God in everything I decided to do is of utmost importance to me. In this way, I learned to experience the Spirit of Jesus.

A Christian life is a life of experiencing the Spirit of Jesus, in many cases, of forbidding. What a blessing it is to be forbidden when not in the perfect will of the Lord! What a salvation!

God's Gospel Move

And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he who sits on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer. (Revelation of John 6:2, RecVer)

The Lord in His sovereignty has done a complete overhaul in the way we carry out the gospel move in our locality these days. With the changing political and religious atmosphere, the Lord also moves ahead in leading us to take ways conducive to His move despite the outward restrictions and risks. All for the preparation of His coming again and perfecting us to be His mature Bride. One thing is sure, no one can stop the Lord’s gospel move. Bills may be passed, laws may be enacted, leaders may change, but Jesus remains the same; He is the Lord over all!

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped, But emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men; And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11, RecVer)

In God’s gospel move in our church life, we brothers have been praying together as much as we can, and more brothers have been gathered together every Saturday afternoon for prayer, pray-reading, and practical service fellowship. Besides all these initiatives from our side, we also made significant improvement in the way we carry out the shepherding of the saints and the new ones.

Organic systematization of the small group meetings

Since the last full-time training, we have organically systematised the way we carry out the small group meetings. We have now been practising cherishing one another in the exercise of the divine love in caring for every member of the small group, praying for one another's specific and timely needs in a human yet divine way. At the same time, supplying the nourishing needed with the word of God as the divine light to shine on each one. And ushering each member into their organic functions to carry out the divine will, the universal priesthood of every member functioning to build up the Body of Christ. This new practice has revived the small group meetings!

Similarly with the small groups in the new ones' homes, we carrying out the same. So, far, five small groups have been regularly functioning each week with more and more saints participating and functioning. According to the need of the saints, we pursue different ministry materials; Life Lessons, Life-studies, and Shepherding Materials. Thank the Lord for this new way.

Besides, I personally also started a home meeting with a young brother, reading the Bible together with the help of study notes, testimonies, and prayers.

The Lord also opened new doors in our area for the gospel move through our children's classmate's and their families.

Outward situations may go on according to the trend of the world. Perhaps, it may worsen by the day, but God's gospel move cannot be stopped. In fact, God’s move also is intensifying against the tide!

What a blessing to live in this time of the age! God’s move is being intensified at the toughest time, and how blessed are we to be a part of this blessed move. Outward restriction draws out inward revival.

Praise the Lord for God’s gospel move! What a privilege to be a part of God’s gospel move!