First Experience

As the Lord has blessed us with a new car, as a family, our prayers have been that whatever the Lord blessed us with, it must be a blessing to others as well. Especially, useful to the saints for the church life. 

Today, I had the privilege and honor to drop to Delhi, my coordinator, co-worker, and brother in the official service and brother in Christ in the church whom the Lord blessed me with. Since the Lord has relocated his service in Delhi, he had to move for the Lord’s work. It was a blessing for me to drive them as they shifted from Gurugram to Delhi with the brand new car. Though that may be just a ride, but it meant a lot to me. When they first came to Gurugram fifteen years ago, I had the privilege to pick them from the railway station with another brother. Now, when they left the city, I was graced to drive them again. To me, it was a brotherly responsibility and a sweet fellowship in practical matters. May the Lord bless my brother's family wherever He leads them.

Today morning too, with my daughter and wife, I had the experience of riding the new car, dropping our daughter for her school farewell meeting, and then picking her up from the school. 

These matters may sound trivial, however, this is the principle of "first use". Tbis also my first experience with the new car. I was glad that the usage of the new car began well and I pray that, even in matetial things, everything should be to our heart's content, useful to the saints, and useful to the Lord.

Because out from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36, RecVer)

To Him be the glory in all things. For this, God also gave everything at the right time for His use, rightfully. I can testify to this fact, as every thing was times rightly; the expiry of the old, the buying of the new, the timely provision from the Lord in making things available at the right time. Yes, even, in using people, matters, and things, to meet all that He has planned for His children for His glory. To such a wonderful, sovereign God, I bow down my head to worship Him. Amen and amen

God Provides: Personal Testimony

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, RecVer)

Today, exactly one week after our old car turned fifteen years and was scrapped, the Lord has blessed us with a new car. He also provided richly all the money needed to purchase it at the right time. Wherever the need is, may it be useful to the Lord, to the Body, to the saints, and for the church life. The car is a KIA Carens Clavis.

Testimony

The reason for choosing this car is the Lord’s leading, and it has a personal spiritual history. Many months ago, as I had been considering in prayer for a new car, as our Alto K10 would be turning 15 years old in December, the Lord showed me in a dream about this particular company and model. The next day, during my prayer time, He reminded me of this particular car. I immediately googled and found it was too expensive; in fact, it was more than three times my initial budget. Then, I kind of gave up even considering this car. However, in the following days, weeks, and months, whenever I thought about the need for a car, only this model came to mind. Though I also considered a smaller and cheaper one, I never had the peace to go ahead with any of them. In fact, at one time, I even considered Renault Triber and Nissan Gravite, both 7-seater economic MPVs, but my inner peace never allowed me to dwell on them, even. Many times, I tried to tune my mind for a small car, but I never had the peace. So, I literally had no choice but to consider KIA Carens. Finally, I visited a KIA showroom and inquired about this model, including the color (which I had seen in my dream). But the sales executive said they don't have what I was looking for. However, a few days later, he called me up and said there was only one piece in the entire NCR, though similar cars with other colors were available.

Later, when I mentioned this car to a brother, he felt good about it and also helped me to review and negotiate the price. I took that as a confirmation from the Body. Then, another brother spent one whole day calling up many KIA dealers in NCR and concluded that no one had this particular model with the chosen color, and even with the negotiated price. A further confirmation from another brother. Thus, the car was bought.

When the Lord shows something, He always provides to meet the need, not just sufficiently but bountifully.

Jehovah-jireh, God Provides

On the financial side, while looking into what the Lord has blessed us, I realized that one of the investments that we made nine years ago, which I thought I had bought by mistake, had grown beyond my expectations. Besides, there were also offerings we received and have not used for quite some time. Then, it was confirmed that all these were the Lord’s provisions to meet this need at this time. Praise the Lord!

May the Lord preserve us with a pure heart to only love Him, only look to Him, and only live Him out.

Brotherly Fellowships

Brotherly fellowships with different brothers were good spiritual exercises for me to exercise my spirit and let the life of God flow through me. In fact, in all the fellowships, the Lord's divine life was flowing, and we all enjoyed the joy and peace within. 

While in Goa about ten days ago, I had a personal time with a brother the whole day, driving around Goa, visiting places of interest, and all the while fellowshipping. Of course, this was on the last day of my stay in Goa after all the official works were done. In fellowship, he poured out whatever was on his heart that concerned him. I exercised my hearing ear to patiently listen to all that he had to pour out. I also exercised my spirit to discern the matter and filtered the key points out. I could only fellowship to him that the Lord is sovereign and He is working things out according to His plan. I did enjoy his love, care, and hospitality. His burden for the Lord’s move and the action he took impressed me so much. The entire one-week distribution trip was the burden of the brothers in Goa, especially this brother, whom the Lord imparted a special burden to take the initiative. May the Lord bless the burden he has and enlarge his capacity much more with an enlarged heart to shepherd the saints.

When I came back to Gurugram, a brother came to fellowship with me concerning his concerns for his brother. The Lord graced me to pay careful heed to his burdens as well. I could discern that whatever happened to his family was sovereignly allowed by the Lord with the one purpose of gaining all of them to be absolute for  Christ and the church. For, each one of them was distracted from the central lane of God's economy. The Lord gave me the ear to hear what all that brother had to say.  Then, having heard all, I could only pray for the family that they all love the Lord and stand firmly in the truth. One thing I was clear concerning this family was that the Lord has chosen them to be pillars to bear His testimony in Gurugram, though they have many other plans. May the Lord shepherd my brother's family for His testimony in Gurugram. 

On the Lord’s Day, we had a specific fellowship with a brother concerning his service that, for the temporary moment it had to be put on hold due to a certain situation that had been going on in his life. It was not an easy feeling. Thank the Lord for the Spirit in my spirit that I could turn to,  to handle this kind of intermixed and complicated checker works. Since I was not clear concerning the Lord’s desire in the matter, I could only silently wait and pray. And when asked about my feelings specifically, I could only reply to what I had been feeling all along. I really did not know what to say. I could only pray that the Lord’s perfect will be done in the concerned brother's life.

Yesterday, my cousin brother, for whom I have been praying, came to visit us. It was surprising that we met after two full years. I simply fellowshipped with them their need to have a spiritual fellowship with the saints in the church in New Delhi, in addition to helping them know how you plan things ahead for their family and their future.

Today, I had a time with a brother who came to help me look into the purchasing matter of the new car I decided to purchase. In fact, it was months later that we could come together again and coordinate in practical matters. May the Lord fully restore my brother's soul. 

All these brotherly fellowships were very cherishing and shepherding to me. And I believe, it was also very cherishing and nourishing to the ones I fellowshiped with.

This is the church life. This is the normal Christian life for the church life. It has been through such fellowships that I have been shepherded and even tempered in my being. 

Praise the Lord for the brotherly fellowships!

Life Lesson: Gospel Meeting

Today, being a holiday, as the church, we planned a gospel meeting. This gospel meeting was very unique, in that, my core heart's desire was carried out. Yes, it was a gospel meeting where we should focus on the gospel friends. Yes, I did invite my gospel friends too. However, my main burden was on the function and perfecting of the saints

In fellowship and in prayer, we planned for the schedule of the gospel meeting. It was perceived in my spirit that such and such ones would share the gospel message, and such and such ones would testify for the Lord. Brothers too amened the proposal right away. We were blessed with a sweet and strong coordination in the preparation for the gospel meeting.

Today, in the gospel meeting, we had four saints testify. My heart was filled with joy in witnessing the testimonies of the saints, especially the brothers whom I have so much burden to perfect. To me, witnessing the testimonies of the ones the Lord burdened me to perfect brought much joy to me. Much more than I expected, I witnessed the Lord’s hand upon all these ones.

Though most of the gospel friends invited did not turn up, still, the functioning of the newly perfected Hindi-speaking brothers brought much joy to me. Christ has been glowing in their lives. What a sight to behold! What a blessing!

Even after the meeting, the time spent with the saints and the brothers in fellowship taught me more life lessons. A new group meeting was planned. Two brothers' functions were recovered. And when a new one turned up late, and I was busy, other saints were able to shepherd the new ones in mutuality. Besides, the sisters all coordinated to prepare lunch for everyone. This was a beautiful picture of coordination in the Body.

In fact, I did not function openly, but was behind the scene. I prayed and prepared the saints to function. This is the way to perfect the saints. And this was my new role in my functioning in the church. What a blessing! What a privilege!

Gospel means good news. And the good news of perfecting the saints was carried out. May the Lord perfect all the saints for His building work in His Body. Hallelujah!

Experiencing Jehovah-jireh

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, RecVer)

But godliness with contentment is great gain; For we have brought nothing into the world, because neither can we carry anything out. But having food and covering, with these we will be content. But those who intend to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. For the love of money is a root of all evils, because of which some, aspiring after money, have been led away from the faith and pierced themselves through with many pains. (1 Timothy 6:6-10, RecVer)

Since our old car's validity expired on 22nd Dec, we have been planning for a new one. After much consideration and prayers, we have come to settle on a particular car which was much beyond our initial plan and budget. However, our considerations were for the usefulness in the Body, for the church, and also for the family. And we have peace in these considerations, and this is the final confirmation: the peace within, from God, among ourselves in the family, and also in the fellowship of the Body. Our decision was based on the peace from God, primarily along with the need, no matter the price. The Lord is the One who provides, Jehovah-jireh. 

The Lord, as the source of every supply, supplied the need this time, as usual, with His sovereign arrangement. Nine years ago, I was convinced by a sales representative of ICICI Prudential to buy a term insurance plan for 5 5-year payment plan and another five-year investment. To my surprise, when the need for this new car arose, I discovered that this investment plan had earned more than 100%. Therefore, I surrendered this plan despite it gaining much profit by the day these days. I was even tempted to keep the plan longer to earn more profit; however, I was reminded by the Lord not to love money. This has to be used in times of need, not caring for savings or profit. I must simply trust in the Lord who meets all our needs. It is He who provides, Jehovah-jireh. 

When the liquidated investment was deposited in my account today morning, my first reaction was to praise and thank the Lord for His provision. Nine years ago, he led me to make this investment because He knew that nine years after, this year, this amount would be useful to meet the need for transportation. God truly is Jehovah-jireh. 

As always, my first reaction to such provision from the Lord is to honor the source, the One who provides. My wife and I, along with our three children, prayed together and thanked the Lord in our family prayers tonight for His timely provision. In oneness, we used at least 10% of the received amount for offering right away before we touched the money for any other purpose. Therefore, we transferred the offering amount as another additional offering to the present burden for the Chennai Blending Centre construction project. First to God; first things first, always. After all, it is all from God. He is Jehovah-jireh. 

God provides, and we must wisely use God's provision for the intended purposes. Whatever the genuine need is, irrespective of the cost, the provision must be used rightly at the right time. Honoring God's provision in such a way deals with our heart; to be pure in money matters and not loving money in any way, even with the view of saving more or gaining more profit. The real gain and profit are in the Lord’s blessing. 

This is a good lesson in learning to be content with whatever God provides and not be greedy for gain. 

Praise God, Jehovah-jireh!

Marriage Group Meeting

One of our new ones' son's got married on the 12th December this year. However, I was not available in town, and I had to excuse myself from attending the wedding meeting. Besides, this being a wedding conducted by the families according to the custom of the nation, the brother also felt that he would not be able to entertain us, as he would be busy with many other relatives and guests. Therefore, it worked out good for us and for them that, as the church, we visited them only after all the family functions were over and they were available for a time of prayer and fellowship, in peace. In fact, the Lord sovereignly worked out everything good for all of us. 

After all the ceremonies were done and after most of the guests had left, the brother invited us as the church for prayer and a time of group meeting at his house. As we fellowshipped with the church saints for our visitation, we also felt good to gift them gifts, including the Holy Bible, the best marriage gift that can ever be given to anyone, along with a set of Crockery and Mixer set chosen by the sisters. Even in this, we had a wonderful coordination.

On the 19th December, Friday night, we, as the church, visited the family and had a time of prayer, fellowship on the importance of marriage in the eyes of God, and enjoyed a dinner feast prepared by the family. This was the perfect time and arrangement.

We have been praying for this family, especially for their salvation. The family has been enjoying home meetings week by week for over a year now. They all believed into the Lord Jesus Christ, called upon the Lord's name every time we met, and also prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ. The father of the family, our brother, has been graciously saved by the Lord from many sinful things. Since his salvation, the Lord has been working on him and also in his business. He has been testifying that it was the Lord Jesus who blessed him in his business. Since he believed into the Lord Jesus, the Lord delivered him from many bad habits, and his family members also could sense the change. 

Acts 16:30 And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.

Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of God to him together with all those in his house.

Acts 16:33 And he took them with him in that very hour of the night and washed their wounds. And he was baptized immediately, he and all his household.

Acts 16:34 And he brought them up into his house and set a table before them; and he exulted because he had believed in God with all his household.

May the Lord grant them the household salvation as promised in the Bible. 

May the Lord gain this family to be His pillars for His testimony among the local people.

Life Lesson: Prayer

Prayer is critical to the kingdom living. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the man of prayer; always one with God, lives in God’s presence, trusts in God, and Satan has nothing to do with Him. In Matthew 6, He has taught us and shown the pattern of prayer. So that the kingdom of God may come on earth and the will of the Father may be done on earth. This is the will of the Father, and for this to accomplish, He taught us how to pray. In fact, the only way to fulfill God's eternal plan is by being like the Lord Jesus Christ, the man of prayer, being able to express and represent God on the earth today.

These days, I also have been very burdened by the Lord to pray for the burdens He blessed me with. By His mercy, I have been graced to be able to pray the Lord’s bestowed prayers upon me. Such being the case, I have been praying myself, and helping others to be a man of prayer too, as the Lord Jesus is. Time and again, whenever I got the opportunity, my burden released to my fellow believers has constantly been on prayer life and the burden for prayer.

Yesterday, as I was ministering the word on the Lord’s Day's prophesying meeting, I released my burden on prayer, the prayer that is critical for the kingdom life. As I prayed over the day before, the Lord gave me the following points, His message concerning prayer.

Set Time to Pray: First and foremost, one must set time to pray. Without time for prayer, it was even pointless to talk about prayer. Therefore, I encouraged all the saints to sanctify their times daily in a way of setting a specific time for prayer. Perhaps, five, ten, or fifteen minutes; even better is, one or two hours a day. This is the base upon which one can build his prayer life.

Learn How To Pray: Second, one must learn how to pray genuine prayers. One must strictly avoid religious prayers or babbling prayers that may not be prayer at all. For this, there is a need to learn to pra,y expressing the Father's will. But this requires knowing the Father’s will as revealed in the word and through the ministry of the word.

And in praying do not babble empty words as the Gentiles do; for they suppose that in their multiplicity of words they will be heard. (Matthew 6:7, RecVer)

The Lord Jesus Himself, as the man of prayer, is the pattern one can follow. Daniel is another pattern who prays three times a day, kneeling with his window open towards Jerusalem. This indicates that Daniel knew the word of God and the will of God and prays accordingly. So, we must learn from the patterns set in the Holy Scriptures; know the will of God and pray the will of God.

Now when Daniel came to know that the writing had been signed, he went to his house (in his upper room he had windows open toward Jerusalem) and three times daily he knelt on his knees and prayed and gave thanks before his God, because he had always done so previously. (Daniel 6:10, RecVer)

As one prays, genuine prayer will usher the praying one into the presence of God and will pray towards God’s interest as Daniel does; towards Christ as the good land typified by the holy land, the church as the kingdom of God typified by the holy city, and the church as the house of God typified by the holy temple. So, whatever or whoever one prays for, it must all be directed towards Christ and the church as God’s house and God's kingdom.

Result of Prayer: Genuine prayers will always result in being filled with the all-inclusive riches of Christ, typified by the loaves, fish, and egg; the riches of the land, water, and air. These riches are in the Holy Spirit that supplies the praying one richly and fills him to the extent that there will be no room for Satan, demons, evil spirits, and darkness but be filled with life and light to supply and enlighten others.

But what father among you whose son shall ask for a fish will instead of a fish hand him a snake? Or if he shall also ask for an egg will hand him a scorpion? If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father who is from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:11-13, RecVer)

In this way of genuine prayer, God will have a way to fulfill His will on the earth, establish His kingdom on the earth as He taught us to pray. 

You then pray in this way: Our Father who is in the heavens, Your name be sanctified; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth. (Matthew 6:9-10, RecVer)

Lord, grace us to set time to pray every day. Lord, teach us to pray Your prayer every day. Amen.