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Home , Khambhat, Lingda

2014 VOL 20 ISSUE 4

henever God wants to get a God’s children is never easy. Modern work” (v3). His sense of responsibility work done, He lays hold of Sanballats and Tobiahs are not any less and care for the work to which he is Wwilling people. We see this pattern evil than those of Nehemiah’s day. called for is evident in this answer. throughout the ot. Nehemiah was In chapter 6 of the book of Nehemiah The work must not be disturbed. one such who became a useful weapon we see the craftiness of the enemy and “Why should the work cease while I in the mighty hands of God. God the canniness of Nehemiah. leave it and go down to you?” (v3). was looking for someone to go to the He says nothing of his jealousies, nor ruined city and restore safety and order. Schemes and snares: v1–11 reproaches them for their treacherous Nehemiah was to be that person. His The adversaries heard that the wall design, but gives them a good reason, work was not just preaching, as some was built and no breach left in it. one of the true reasons why he would other prophets of the ot, rather he Then Sanballat and Gashem sent not come. had to put his hands, mind and body an apparently friendly message to This reply of Nehemiah to his enemies into a laborious work. He was more Nehemiah (v1,2). They realized that is worthy of adoption by us in our inspired with the sense of his obligation they could not prevent Nehemiah’s Christian life. When we are tempted in to help his brethren, even at the cost project from succeeding by open to devious sins and into practises which of much trouble, self-denial, and peril military engagement: so they decided will hinder us in our Christian duty, let to himself. His mission was not easy. to overcome him by deception. They us be reminded of our great calling and Though he had all the credentials, proposed a conference, pretending responsibility. qualities and proper authorization from that they wished to come to a good We also notice the concentration of the king, and did everything through understanding with Nehemiah. They mind and energy Nehemiah employed the proper channel, the enemy did not would lure him in to a mutual ground, here. This is essential to succeed in leave him alone. They tried their best to outside the wall. But he recognized any important pursuit. Nehemiah was attack him and stop the work. the evil purpose of their hearts. ‘Ono’ committed to his work. Four times As inspired by Nehemiah, people went was near Lydda, in the plain country back to work and so did the enemy. bordering on Philistines. But Nehemiah This time Sanballat and his men aimed inwardly knew their thought was to do A journey through 3 their attacks on Nehemiah, the leader. him mischief (v2). It is possible that Many of God’s people will never realize, Nehemiah had some secret information The Danger of Criticism 6 here on earth, the special temptation regarding this plot. ABC of Godliness 11 and testing God’s servants face day after Nehemiah replied to them with great For your information 12 day. Trying to do something good for heavenly wisdom. “I am doing a great Sanballat and Geshem sent messages to of when trying to serve in lowliness is Nehemiah and the conspirators but Nehemiah and four times he returned painful indeed to any sensitive soul. But it is now an affair between God and the same answer. Then they changed it is well not to retaliate, nor even to these unholy plotters. And God can be their tactics. They had tried conciliatory explain, but just to ignore the cowardly trusted to settle this matter righteously RAJASTAN methods and failed to corrupt him. charges and leave results with God. in His own time. Now they would use a scandalous In the midst of the enemies’ endeavour The culmination of the commission: report with intent to intimidate him to frighten him and the people and so (v5). There is nothing new under the weaken their hands, Nehemiah lifted v15–19 sun. Satan’s wiles are such, and the man up his hands to heaven in a short prayer At last, despite every effort to frustrate of God must not be ignorant of his (v9): “O God, strengthen my hands.” the work, “the wall was finished” in devices. The support and relief for a godly man fifty-two days from the time they began PAKISTAN The fifth time Sanballat sends his ser- is that he has a God to whom he can to labour. When this was manifest to vant with an open letter in his hand. approach by faith and prayer when he the surrounding nations “they were Official letters were typically rolled up is in trials and difficulties, when the disheartened in their own eyes” (v16). and sealed with an official signet by the enemy is trying to fill him with fear and The following statement is noteworthy. sender or one of his officials. An open weaken his hands. In Christian work “They perceived that this work was letter or unsealed letter was not only a and warfare, when we are entering into done by our God.” While it is true that sign of disrespect and open criticism, any service or conflict, we have this the leadership qualities of Nehemiah but also was sent with an intention to God to hear our prayers. and the collective and committed make the information therein public, effort of the people contributed to the Satan has not exhausted his ammu- completion of the work, Nehemiah and thus create alarm among the Jews nition. When the open letter failed to and excite them against Nehemiah. The gives all the credit to God and he says intimidate Nehemiah into stopping even his enemies understood that goal of this document was to intimi- the work and coming to a meeting, his date Nehemiah into stopping the work. the work was not possible without GUJARAT enemies decided to try intimidation the intervention of God. God works The letter suggested that Nehemiah’s from within. They hired a false prophet through faithful people, but it is God MADHYA intent to revolt was common know- (v12), Shemaiah, to lure Nehemiah who works. PRADESH ledge which would be made known to into the Holy Place in the temple for the king of Persia if he did not come refuge from a murder plot. To enter Nehemiah adds a footnote to it (v17– to the requested conference (v6–8). and shut himself in the Holy Place 19). In the days of building the wall, ujarat is We are not told what impression, if would have been a desecration of the the nobles of Judah who refused to Ga state in the any, this letter made on the Jews. It house of God and would have caused work (ch.3:5) were in alliance and western part of was carefully worded to imply that people to question his reverence for correspondence with Tobiah because . It is known Sanballat’s only desire was to clear God. Shemiah was the son of a priest they were related to him by marriage. locally as “Jewel of the MAHARASHTRA Nehemiah of the accusations or bad who was a friend of Nehemiah. This The nobles reported Nehemiah’s words West”. It has an area of reports that were made against him by plan would give them grounds to raise to Tobiah on the one hand, and praised 196,204 km2 (75,755 sq mi) Tobiah in Nehemiah’s hearing on the others around. Yet it was so cunningly an evil report against Nehemiah, who with a coastline of 1,600 km other. phrased to create fear in any dissatisfied was not a priest and had no right to go (990 mi), most of which lies on the Malwa: modern Gujarat, South of India’, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, prson within... that they are facing an into the Holy Place. It would also make How many of you have faced this Kathiawar peninsula, and a population Sindh, Rajasthan, Maharash- Independent India’s first Deputy investigation if Nehemiah did not go the people question his courage (v11). kind of atrocity as you wholeheartedly in excess of 60 million. The state is tra and Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister and Home Minister, down to confer with Sanballat. But God’s devoted servant again rose, tried to serve the Lord? Remember it bordered by Rajasthan to the north, Gujarat was known to the was from , Gujarat. It is also But Nehemiah was not concerned strong in faith, superior to the situation is nothing new. It is an old tactic of Maharashtra to the south, Madhya Ancient Greeks, the the home state of two Indian prime about this at all. He knows he is per- (v11). He realized that he was again the enemy and all who participate in it Pradesh to the east, and the Arabian various Persian Empires, ministers—Morarji Desai (1977–1979) sonally right with God; and he does not face to face with evidence of a plot will go down with the enemy. We have Sea as well as the Pakistani province the Roman Republic, and and current incumbent, Narendra fear suspicion and idle tales. He was against him. With Sanballat and Tobiah seen it several times since we started of Sindh on the west. Its capital city familiar in other Western Modi. Vikram Sarabhai, considered the ministry of Operation Barnabas. aware that their aim was to weaken the there were several other disloyal Jews is Gandhinagar, while its largest city centers of civilization the ‘Father of the Indian Space Pro- Every time the Lord gave us the victory. hands of the builders (v9). who shared in the conspiracy. One was is Ahmedabad. Gujarat is home to through the end of the gramme’ originated from a family of The one who is with us is greater Jain industrialists from Ahmedabad. One of Satan’s cunning device to a prophetess named Noadiah (v14), the Gujarati-speaking people of India. European Middle Ages. and Meshullam (v17,19) and Eliashib than the enemy; therefore let us trust Famous industrialists such as Dhiru- discredit the message is to discredit the in His might. We need to continue The state encompasses major sites of The oldest written record messenger by fair means or foul. This (ch.13:4,7) the high priest’s grandsons of Gujarat’s 2,000 year old bhai Ambani, Azim Premji, Jamsetji (ch.13:28). It is sad when those who with confidence and commitment to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, Tata, were all from Gujarat. India’s was tried with Apostle Paul. When a complete the great work, when scan- such as and Dholavira. Lothal is documen- servant of Christ and the church seeks are in the place of speaking for God are ted in a Greek book named biggest and best-known multi- found in sympathy with the adversaries dalous reports are spread against us. is believed to be one of the world’s national conglomerate, hailed from to stand steadfastly against iniquity, first seaports. Gujarat’s coastal cities, ‘The Periplus of the Erythraean Satan will try to throw dust in the of his truth, thus hindering the work a Parsi Zoroastrian family in Navsari, The above article is adapted from my chiefly and , Sea: Travel and in the eyes of simple believers by calling He has committed to His loyal servants. and is widely regarded the legen- book Verpadinte Mathil based on the served as ports and trading centers in Indian Ocean by a Merchant of him “Pope” or “Diotrephese” (3 John Nehemiah, in his customary way, dary ‘Father of Indian Industry.’ book of Nehamiah. The Malayalam print the First Century’. 9–10), who wants to put him first, and brings the whole matter at once to the Maurya and Gupta empires, and of the book is available for `100. The Gujarat has played an important “Heretic”. Trials like these are not easy God, and puts the case in His hands during the succession of royal Saka Mahatma Gandhi, who spear- English version is available online. role in the economic to bear. To have one’s good illspoken (v14). It is no longer a matter between dynasties from advent of the Western headed the Indian indepenadence Satraps era, whose geographic movement against British colonial history of India. territories included and rule, was a Gujarati. The ‘Iron Man 2 3 y plan was to meet with the came to Gujarat from Kerala in 1975 Bro. Simon Payyanur, G Timothy & Mery about salvation for 27 years until some The Gospel in Gujarat Massembly workers in Gujarat and worked in different places for concentrating on the evangelists came to our village in the The Christian Church is and not for an elaborate study over seven years with “All India Prayer Telugu population. year 2000 and preached the gospel.” predominantly Catholic, CNI and of the gospel work in that state. Fellowship” before coming here. The The Lord gave fruit After his salvation he joined SBC, Methodist. Generally, nominaliism, Lord blessed his efforts and an assembly and a Telugu assembly Chennai. Then he came back and was I reached Ahmedabad on a Tuesday was formed here in 1983. Several was formed. In 2011 in fellowship with the Bethel Brethren compromise with Hinduism, afternoon, where Bro. M G Mathai divisions and lack of outreach have families from three different villages he initiated a ministry Assembly at Ahmedabad for two years. received me as it was prearranged by came to the Lord but the devil worked at Kandla Port area. Then he was sent to work with the sapped Christian spiritual life. Not the brethren there. He took me to Bro. through one brother and the work was There too, an assembly assembly at Mehamadabad, many local people have come to P T Varghese’s home where Bro. Shaji destroyed. Now seven families gather to was formed and a district, where the work was going on Christ. Most of the Christians in Varghese also was waiting for me. worship the Lord. Several families who temporary hall was since 2006 through Bro. P T Varghese this state are migrant workers. The Bro. P T Varghese, from Kerala, has were in to fellowship here moved out erected with tin and Bro. Daniel Samuel Beli. There are major problem in reaching out to the been working there since 1987. After a of the town for various reasons. sheets. They plan to several Christian villages around this local people is that Christianity is start meetings in this place and therefore greater opportunity year, a separate assembly was formed. Having spent the night with Bro. considered to be the religion of the hall by November. for preaching the gospel. Though they The Lord brought 20 brethren from Mathai’s family, Bro. Shaji Varghese lower cast. The early missionaries belong to an organized church, they different backgrounds. Now 50 people and I left early in the morning by road The Ahmedabad made the mistake of taking the of seven languages are worshiping here. have not heard the gospel. gospel to the downtrodden first— heading towards the west to meet with Brethren assembly Several local people also came and four Our next stop was at Dhandhoodi to knowingly or unknowingly. This was Bro. V P Mathew in Kutch district. helped them to of them are commended to the Lord’s We reached Samakhyali by 8:30am purchase a land in meet with Bro. Daniel Khristi. It is a carried on by national evangelists work from this assembly. Now a young Christian village and has 32 Methodist also for several reasons. No won- and had breakfast with his family. He Gandhidham for the man is studying at SBC, Chennai. came to Gujarat for work and had assembly hall. They families. He was saved at a revival der, in caste-dominated India, He also initiated work at , been in for 28 years where he are now looking to the prayer meeting and later on lead into Christianity has become the reli- Mehamadabad, and Linkhda. came to the Lord through Bro. Raghu’s Lord for the provision assembly fellowship by some of our gion of the lower caste and is ministry. In 2000 he separated himself for a building. After a evangelists who went to work in his always considered to be taboo. The first Assembly in Ahmedabad is The Ahmedabad Brethren Assembly for the Lord’s service and was with time of fellowship and village. After completing studies in In some areas of Gujarat you will Rajasthan Bible School which was started by migrant workers Simon Payyanur for some time. Then lunch at his house we Assembly Hall at Gandhidham and in SBC find Christian communities which from Kerala. That assembly is still in 2004 he came to Samakhyali in continued our journey Chennai, he spent some time with the are the descendents of the early thriving and is active for the Lord. Kutch district. This is a village situated to Rajkot, which is about 190kms away. He got saved through the ministry of assembly at Mehamadabad. He started converts from the lower cast. Not by the side of a National Highway. The Bro. M G Mathai. In 1997 he com- working here four years ago. A few Bro. David P Isaac first came to Rajkot, only that: the are Our next stop was at Surendranagar Lord brought four families to Him mitted himself to serve the Lord and families believed and they are being Gujarat with the ymef team in 1988. very business-minded and they can where Bro. M G Mathai is serving from second generation Keralites. The came to Nadiad. In 1999 worship taught. No worship meeting is started He was challenged with the need here only think of their material profits in the Lord. Covering about 120kms by meetings are in . started. Now 15 believers are gathering. yet. He is also reaching out to other and decided to continue. At that time whatever they are engaged with. road, we reached there by 7:30pm. He There is a Bible study going on in a The work at and Mehamadabad continued on page 8 there were two believers from Kerala So they do not find the Christian Mission Hospital in also were initiated working in this city. With them a faith very attractive. Shaji Varghese & Bency this village. by him. He is very P T John & Mercy worship meeting was started. Now concerned about the Our next goal was 25 believers are gathering. Another The first Brethren evangelist to marriage of local Gandhidham which work was started in Junaghad and ten Gujarat was Bro. T C Chacko from believers. Many fami- was about 60kms believers are gathering for worship Kerala who came to Ahmedabad lies have left the from Samakhyali. We there. Another meeting will soon be in 1960 and the first assembly was assemblies and joined reached Gandhidham started at Morbi. formed in 1962. But he returned with larger denomi- a little after 11am. to Kerala In 1982. Evg. T S Koshy Travelling another 90kms towards the national churches due Since Bro. Simon came to Baroda in 1977. But he coast, we reached Jamnagar, where to this problem. also left Gujarat, settling in Kerala. Payyanur refused to Bro. P T John is working. He came Our plan for the see us, we met with to Gujarat in 1978. He moved to In 1979 Bro. Jose Dali and Bro. P day was to visit five Bro. G Timothy. Maharashtra in 2006 and came back T John reached Gujarat. After the other workers in that He took us around in 2012. There also an assembly was 1980s, several evangelists from region, which was to see some of his formed. In the beginning there was Kerala came to Gujarat. Now there made easier as Bro work places and the good ministry among the Army and are fifteen commended workers Jacob, the son-in-law assembly hall which is Air Force people and many came to the from Kerala assemblies and eight of Bro. Beli took leave a temporary tin shed. Lord. Many believers from here moved workers from Gujarat. Unlike in most from his work and We also had a time of out to other places for several reasons. other states, village evangelism and fellowship and lunch drove us around in his training local workers has not been at his house. He came After fellowship and dinner at Bro. car. We drove a little the thrust in Gujarat and most of the to Gujarat for work John’s house we took a night train over 20kms to reach twenty-five assemblies are situated from AP in 1999 and to Nadiad and reached Bro. Daniel Kheda to meet with in cities. Most of the believers in the the Lord reached him Samuel Beli’s house by 8:30am. After a Bro. Christy Chintan. shower and breakfast we had a time of assemblies are migrant workers there. In 2002 left his Bro. Christy comes fellowship. from other states. job and joined a Bible from Salvation Army school. After that he Bro. Daniel Samuel Beli is a local man background. Yet he M G Mathai & Chinnamma Daniel Samuel Beli & Premila started working with and from a nominal Christian family. says, “I did not know 4 5 Adapted and edited from the writings of R E Denny he Lord Jesus Christ concluded discriminate. There are three reasons A fisherman said, “One never needs The critic attempts to apply two stan- But if one wants to see their strength, 4 Criticism Never Changes Anyone is important ermon why we are inadequate to judge or a top for his crab basket. If one of the dards of judging and measuring; one rejoice in their strong character, appre- H S in the Gospel Jesus made that point clear. “How can criticize another. crabs starts climbing up the side of the for him and a different one for others. ciate the big heart of love that beats Tof Matthew, Chapter 7; with a dis- you say to your brother, Let me remove basket, the other crabs will reach up For instance, firmness is an admirable in their breast, then he will find all that cussion on judgement. When the Lord First we never know all the facts nor the speck from your eyes, and look, a and pull it back down.” Naturally none quality in himself, but it is stubbornness and more! said “Judge not”, it is not a prohibition the total person. Second, it is almost plank is in your eye? Hypocrite! First of them escape—all are imprisoned by in others. on a righteous kind of judgement. We impossible for any person to be strictly The “experts in incidentals” get a remove the plank from your own eye, each other. Some people are lot like are supposed to exercise righteous impartial in his judgement. We cannot When Prophet Nathan narrated the false sense of superiority by criticizing and then you will see clearly to remove crabs. judgement with careful discernment. fully understand each other from story of a rich man who had taken a poor others. A group of men may have the speck from brother’s eye.” (v4,5). But we need to be careful about a another man’s point of view. Third, Criticism is a sure sign of personal man’s lamb to King David he blazed worked many hours individually and This spirit of criticism is a terrible, censorious, hypocritical, self-righteous no person is good enough to judge spiritual failure. When a person begins with anger. However when the prophet collectively to reach a decision based infectious disease. One cannot get kind of unfair judgement. But the Lord any other man. Since we are fallible, to throw dirt, he is losing ground. The applied the same to the king himself on what seems to be the best direction rid of it by an effort of the will. When Himself makes it clear in the following have been marred by our own sin, and censorious attitude is always a sign of he became broken and repentant. for the good of all. Yet some who a person is obsessed by a friend’s verses that it is necessary to discern are always subject to bias prejudging a declining spiritual life. We project our We are going to be judged by the knows nothing of the facts, who has fault, he will judge him. But the spirit dogs and swine (v6) from one’s own before the fact. spiritual shortcomings onto the other same rule which we apply to others. spent no time nor energy in research of judging evaporates the moment one brethren (v3–5). person. The best standard of measurement is and labour, gets up to criticize it. It Jesus, in His sermon in Matt 7:1–5, becomes conscious of his own faults. Jesus Christ. When I measure myself makes him to feel superior and gifted. The Scribes and Pharisees were guilty gives four important lessons or J B Chapman used to say, “When a To honestly face oneself, one must alongside Him, He will reveal to me my As he passes judgement, he gets a of exercising a false judgment about principles. man is getting religion, he is hard on attempt to see himself as others do. shortcomings so vividly that I will not false sense of authority. He has one themselves, other people, and even the himself and easy on others. But when The key to spiritual progress is self- have time to measure anyone else. advantage, however; he does not have Lord. Their false righteousness helped 1 Personal Danger a man is losing his religion, he gets evaluation, not criticizing those nearest to prove himself right. He can merely encourage this false judgement. Criticism is a danger signal. Jesus easy on himself and hard on others.” The negative attitude of a critic hinders to him. Someone said, “Some Christians who taught, “Do not pass judgement, that God’s work in his own life. The very criticize without responsibility of the A beekeeper was going in and out of A person cannot help others to get rid are so narrow-minded that they could you may not be judged.” Another para- atmosphere of criticism desecrates the outcome. the beehives without fear. A man who of their fault until he is rid of his own. peek through a keyhole with both eyes phrased version says, “Do not criticize, holy, sweet presence of Christ. If I deny One day, after D L Moody finished his was watching this asked him how he Unfortunately the spirit of criticism is simultaneously.” Christians majoring and then you won’t be criticized.” the mercy of God to others, then I have sermon, and hundreds had turned to could do it. The beekeeper answered, one of the greatest faults and is the on minors miss the major issues of life Jesus did not forbid us to judge others, to stand without His mercy for myself. Christ, a man came to him and said; “A bee that is busy producing honey reason why many are unfruitful for altogether. for careful discrimination is essential in If I am stingy with my brother, I stifle “Mr Moody, in your sermon I noticed never stings.” Christ. What we need today is not Christian life. God’s joy in my own soul. When we that you made eleven mistakes in Two little boys lived next door to a strait- criticism; rather, a demonstration of life are positive, we get the full benefit of grammar.” Mr moody replied; “Very laced churchman who had foregone all The critic sees in others his own sins 2 Reaping What You Sow lived to the fullest with Christ. the innocent fun of life. The two boys and failures. He is quick to detect so Jesus explained to His followers; “For God’s positive impact upon us. Jesus likely I did. My early education was To help each other to deal with our were playing ball between two houses, well firsthand, and he is disturbed by with what judgement you judge, you explained it this way, “If you forgive faulty. But I am using all the grammar I failures, weakness, and sins, we need to hide from that old man’s sight. On them! He who belittles another belittles will be judged; and with the measure men their trespasses, your heavenly know in the service of Christ, what are to create an atmosphere of love and the other side of the house was a himself more. In every censure, we you use, it will be measured back to Father will also forgive you” (6:8). you doing with yours?” acceptance. By judging and criticizing large space of yard. The neighborhood revel ourselves. If we call someone you.” The parallel passage in Luke The “experts in incidentals” find it a person we are forcing him to defend pastor came walking by and spoke lazy, we confess that we know what 37, 38 gives us more light in to this 3 The Neighbour’s Error easier to confess other people’s sins. himself or his position or his faults even to the boys; “why don’t you play over laziness means. statement of Jesus. It not only speaks Jesus asked His disciples, “And It is lot easier to criticize others than to when he knows he is wrong. But if we there where there is more room?” One of God’s judgement at the end, but why do you look at the speck in your talk about one’s own sin or failures. Criticism attempts to divert attention accept him as he is, we leave the door boy said, “We don’t want Mr Brown to people are also judging us now: and brother’s eye, but do not consider the see us playing ball on Sunday.” Then away from one’s own weakness. By plank in your own eye?” (v3). The Lord Christians are obligated to help each open for change. putting down others, it gives the false we receive from people exactly what other to grow in grace. When we do the pastor asked, “Don’t you know that is using a figure of speech to drive We are not to confuse this with proper illusion of putting oneself up above we give. We are going to be faced with not judge ourselves, we not only hurt God can see you?” “Oh, yes,” they home the point, “Face up to your own admonition and correction and reproof, them. The real hypocrisy lies in the fact the same kind of treatment we have ourselves, but we also hurt those to exclaimed, “but we would rather God sin.” How can a man overlook his own which is an integral part of Christian that when we criticize a fellow, we act passed on to others. whom we could minister. The Phari- see us than Mr Brown!” glaring infirmities and nitpick the speck growth. like we are greatly distressed by his We will receive from life what we have on another? sees judged and criticized others Jesus opened His discourse on this weakness and faults. However, down put into it. If one sows criticism, he will to make themselves look good. But subject with the command: “Judge deep we love it! We think it makes us reap criticism. If he sows love, he will These “experts in incidentals” see in Christians should judge themselves so not.” The Greek word for “Judge” is look even better. When we say, “How reap love. others just what they are looking for. that they can help others look good. the source of our English word ‘critic’, bad he is, we really mean, “How good If one desires to see the flaws and meaning to separate, to distinguish, to am I!” failures in others, he can find them.

6 7 continued from page 5 Christy Chinthan & Savitha A fruitful work is going on there different industrial Jayesh Bhai David Bhai & Sangeta and rituals. The ‘prosperity gospel’ also among the mountain people under the areas such as Vagra, has much influence upon the tribal villages nearby. Both leadership of Bro. Jose Dali. Bro. Shaji Palage, Jagedia, and people. Bro. Daniel and his Varghese and Bro. Sunil Lokhande also Janor. Bible class is Bro. Jose Dali is looking for a dynamic wife are physically participate in this ministry. The Lord also going on in challenged and that young person to work with him as he is has brought many local people to His Kunipura, which is physically very weak. restricts their move- fold and 60 people have been baptized. a tribal village. ments. Sister Jaywanti They are gathering in two different After the worship meeting and lunch Our second stop on has been trained with places. Five local men have committed with Bro. Jose Dali, Bro. A S Rajumon that day was at VBS ministries and themselves to the ministry in this area. came and took me to Silvassa. Silvassa Ankleshwar where has been working with They are not yet commended as they is in the Union Territory of Dadra & Bro. Antony T V is children for long time. are still under training. They need Nagar Haveli, which is only about working, which is Bro. Jayanti Becher the prayers and encouragement from 20kms away from Vapi. Their Special only about 14kms Makwana is working brethren outside. We had a meeting Meeting was in the afternoon. from Bharuch. He at Lingda which is with some of the local people and came here in 1993, Bro. Rajumon came here in 1991 and a predomi-nantly a also went to see the building being and in the following gathering was started in 1995 with ten Catholic village. He constructed at Moriah Dom for the year an assembly believers. Now 30 believers speaking got saved while he assembly. We then returned to Navsari gathering was started. Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, Telugu, and was attending a short- by evening. In the beginning Malayalam, are in fellowship. Several term Bible school The next day, Bro. Shaji Varghese and some migrant workers families who were in fellowship moved at Nadiad. After his I started our journey again to Bharuch, from Kerala came and out to different places. They regularly conversion he studied driving about 90 kms to meet with accepted the Lord. visit different housing apartments for at SBC, Chennai Bro. Xavier Antony. After a Kerala- Then some local peo- outreach. for two years before style breakfast, we had some time of ple also came. Now Sunday night, I returned back to Vapi start working in this fellowship. about fifty believers to spend the night with Bro. Jose Dali, village. In January Daniel Kristy & Jaywanti are in fellowship, Assembly Hall at Anand and on Monday morning, Bro. Shaji this year, a worship Bro. Xavier came here in 1995 from including several Varghese came to Vapi and picked me meeting started here Kerala. Soon an assembly gathering was He is from Salvation Army background migrant workers. Village outreach is Bro Jose Dali came to Gujarat in 1979 up to continue our journey to Daman, with the help of Bro. P T Varghese started. By the grace of God, nearly and got saved in 1995. Then he got his going on and some other brethren also and spent a few years in Ahmedabad. which is only 12kms away. Bro. A C and Bro. Daniel Beli. Five families 80 believers speaking eight different Bible training in GTC, Kerala and also come and help in this. He has also Then in 1983, he moved to Vapi to Shaji is working in Daman since 2004. are gathering now. There was some languages are gathering now. The Lord in SBC, Chennai. Now 25 believers are produced some . start a new work. In 1984 an assembly In 2006 worship meeting started opposition from the in also provided a good place to gather. gathering here. was formed here. In 1988 the assembly with ten believers. The Lord blessed the beginning. Several local people also have come After having lunch there we carried on building was completed on a land the ministry and now 33 believers Many tribal people come to this town to the Lord. Work is progressing in our journey to Surat covering another After having lunch with Bro. Jayanti looking for work, and allocated by the and family, we left to see Bro. Jayesh Jayanti Becher Makwana & Shehlata 65kms, and reached at the house of government body. Sanjai K Christian & Saroj Bro. Sanjay is trying Bro. N Raghu. First he welcomed us Bhai David Bhai at Vanoti village to reach out to their Parallel works were which also has a good Christian popu- with a smile and a good tea party. Then started in Umbergaon children through to our surprise, he began to attack us. lation. Bro. Jayesh Bhai, a native of various means. Out- and in Surat where the same village, was saved from a We didn’t know that he and one of the Lord has brought reach work in other his friends had filled their quiver well Methodist background in 2000. His villages is also going in others to continue parents died when he was 14 in a fire before and had been waiting for me. the work. Now work on. The Lord has pro- They did not agree with what Operation accident and he has no siblings. So vided a nice building is progressing in Ban- he had to start working in the field as Barnabas is doing and said that all that daarpada, in Nasik for their stay and also we do is un-scriptural. So he warned us early as the age of 14. He was saved by for worship meetings. district, and in reading the Bible and later on joined of severe consequences if we do not Varvada, in Thane CCC as a staff worker. While he was In the evening we stop giving financial assistance to district. Four families working at Anand he met with one of took a train and workers and also the recently launched come to Vapi for the assembly evangelists and through reached Navsari Medical Insurance. He refused to share worship from Daman him learned the New Testament prin- late at night. Next anything about his ministry. But at the and they do have a ciples and got baptized. Then in 2003 morning we left end he did not forget to remind me regular outreach pro- he joined the Bible school at Gandhi- for Bandaarpada, a that he wouldn’t mind having his name gramme in Daman. mountain village in and address included in our Prayer dam. In 2010 the Lord enabled him to There are several start an assembly in this village which Maharashtra’s Nasik Handbook. After spending about forty district, by car. Bro. minutes there we left back to Navsari unreached villages now has ten believers. He also has out- around. People are reach work in other villages nearby. Shaji Varghese, from to spend the night. Navsari, and I met responsive; they will Next day was a Sunday and I was asked Our last stop for the day was at Gamdi with some other sit and listen for a to worship with the saints at Vapi. So I in where Bro. Sanjay brethren from Vapi on long time. But it is took an early-morning train from Nav- K Christian is working. He started the way and reached difficult for them to sari to Vapi and arrived by 8:30am. working here in 2001 and in the the village after three maintain a separation following year an assembly was formed. hours of driving. Xavier Antony & Sheeba from the tribal culture T V Antony & Rosily 8 9 are gathering. Before coming to Daman he worked in different places in Gujarat for six years. He goes to two villages in Maha- rashtra and in one of them a meeting has started. A local brother has come forward to work there. From Daman we moved to Valsad, covering around 35kms. Bro. Syras Benedict came into the ministry in 2006. After working in Daman and Talasari, he came to Sarigam in 2011. An assembly gathering was started in 2012. Now twelve believers gather. Together with the work here, he also started a work in Savne and Zaroli which are tribal villages in Maharashtra. From Valsad, I came to Navsari for the evening meeting and for the night. Bro. Shaji Varghese came to Gujarat in 1996 to do a language continued from Insight India analysis as he had a burden for Bible translation. As he worked Newsletter Vol 20, Issue 3 with some migrant workers, some of them came to the Lord and our section, words like comfort, hope, realize that God was at work. God can in 1997 a worship meeting was started at Chikhli. Now worship help and quicken give us thoughts of do more than we can ask or think. God meeting is held here on Sunday evenings. Some Malayali and encouragement and they enable the does not always deliver but He will be Tamil families who were in fellowship here went back to their Christian to triumph in trial. The Holy glorified in His people and by their respective places and are in fellowship with the assemblies there. Spirit, through the Scriptures, gives suffering. “The blood of the martyrs is During that time Bro. Babukutty was working In Navsari and enabling and overcoming grace to the the seed of the church.” he left for Maharashtra in 1997. So Shaji continued the work Assembly Hall Christian. The believer is kept by the The Hebrew letter for this section of In Navsari. In 2004, several of their contacts reques-ted them at Ankleshwar power of God through faith unto the Psalm is caph and it indicates to come to Navsari. So he shifted here in 2004 and a worship salvation. the ‘hallowed hand’. For fainting meeting was started here in 2005. People from different langua- he godly are kept by divine The Lord Jesus told His disciples in Christians there is always the strong ges came. A building was purchased in 2007 in a housing power. God cares for and keeps T Luke 18:2 that people ought to pray encouragement that they are in the society. In 2009 there was some opposition from locals and the all who love Him. Abimelech, king of and not to faint or give up. Fainting hollow of God’s hand and no man can housing society people created a lot of trouble. So all the local Gerar, was a god-fearing man. He had occurs when people have insufficient take them out of that almighty grasp. believers left and joined with larger denominational churches been attracted by Sarah, Abraham’s energy or resources to carry on the nor- The prayers in this portion of the Psalm for better security. For two years meetings could not be held sister but he did not know that she was mal process of life. People may faint are for God’s salvation and His keeping in the assembly hall. Then by the grace of God the opposition also Abraham’s wife. As he made plans from hunger or great stress. The Bible power. In answer to that prayer there is cooled down and they started gathering there again. He is also to marry Sarah, God afflicted his family emphasis is connected with the thought the infallible word, “They that wait on participating with Bro. Jose Dali in the outreach work in the and home. He prayed to God about of giving up or stopping some activity. the Lord will renew their strength.” villages in Maharashtra. the affliction and God said, “I have kept you from sinning.” God’s keeping It can also mean giving in as the prob- The main source of opposition to the Bro. N G John was out of station and therefore I could not power is a force overruling in every life lem or opposition becomes too difficult godly one is the proud man (v85). Re- meet with him. A S Rajumon & Kunjumol situation for the Christian. This stanza to cope with. Christians must never member as well that the devil and his of Psalm 119 seems to show how God’s give up or give in, in their struggle with minions are also proud. The inward With this, the trip through Gujarat ended and on Tuesday, I sin or in their conflict with the Devil. A C Shaji & Suni power works in each individual life. trend of the flesh is towards pride; the came back to Bangalore. To gain strength to continue, the Chris- The Psalmist’s soul was almost over- instinct for pride in our achievements. tian must rely on the precious promises It is seen in Nebuchadnezzar’s penchant whelmed but it does find a focus for of God. Abraham grew in strength as faith in God’s Word. He knew the heat to credit himself with success, “Is not he waited in faith for the promised son, this great Babylon that I have built?” of oppression and felt dried out like a Isaac to be born, Rom. 4:20. These leaf in a kiln, but in the drought, he (Dan. 4:30). This is the real reason why promises are given to help believers the proud resist all sense of humility and clung to God’s charter for the believer. carry on in the face of great difficulties. In the time of real despair he trusted any desire to walk humbly with God. God for showers of blessing, an expe- The original Hebrew word has the The proud demand special study, and rience of revival (v88). This underlying thought of ‘coming to an end’ or of reference to this topic has been made awareness and inward longing for God’s being consumed. In v87, the same word before. There are several different words intrinsic working are part of the basic for faint is translated, “they had almost in Hebrew which are translated ‘proud’. consumed me upon the earth.” The Syras Benedict & Simy process of divine keeping. When these various words are collated godly Samuel Rutherford once said, they point out the real nature of pride. The words, faint, fail, bottle in the “Believe under the cloud and wait for smoke, dogged pits, persecute and In Psalm 31:23 the writer speaks of the God when there is no moonlight.” All proud doer. The word has the idea of consume in this section of the Psalm, Christians will have dark parts in their speak of unpleasant experiences and someone who climbs up, like Lucifer personal life but like Peter (Acts 12:6), in Isaiah 14:13, “I will ascend into no Christian is free from them. “In they must learn to rest in face of im- the world you will have tribulation,” heaven.” This selfish ambition is the pending doom. The church was praying root of all pride. or as another writer has suggested, earnestly and could not believe that “the blessing of the New Testament Peter was set free (Acts 12:15), and In Psalm 40:4, “The Lord... respecteth is adversity.” All these words speak of Peter, himself, found it difficult to not the proud.” The emphasis of the difficulties, problems and trials. But in original word is on self-sufficiency or 10 11 natural ability. This is no doubt about bitterly oppose all who seek to keep the fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. the reason why God chooses the weak commands of God and they express 13:6). The power of God seeps into the of this world. They have no self-reliance their antagonism by unbecoming life of the child of God and enables the or sufficiency and so they must trust in conduct towards the godly. “They dig child to say, “The Lord is the strength God. Finally in Psalm 86:14, David pits” (v85), and so seek to trap the of my life, whom shall I fear.” Finally told God that the proud had risen people of God just as the hunter snares the peace of God floods into the heart against him. He was opposed by arro- wild animals. bringing with it that inward calm, and gant people. This depicts the attitude the believer can rest in the faithfulness Spiritual pride is one of the worst fea- of the proud to all who are truly of God. It is that wonderful peace that tures of pride because it is a pride in the humble. There are seven references to passeth all understanding (Phil. 4:7). A grace of God revealed in the individual the proud as arrogant people in the brother in Christ was going to have an and it assumes that they are in some Psalms and six of them are in Psalm operation for the removal of a cancer. way especially righteous since God has 119 (see verses 21, 51, 69, 78, 85 & 22). Cancer had been one of the diseases so gifted them. Probably more persecu- Pride is the concomitant of natural that he had feared most. As he was tion has come on the people of God ability and selfish ambition. These traits being prepared for the operation he through spiritual pride than from any produce an arrogant attitude towards found that God gave him that inward other cause. It is spiritual pride that all who seek to live godly in Christ calm, God’s blessed peace, and he persecutes all that stray from a limited Jesus. The other real feature of pride praised God that he had been delivered pathway marked out by the zealous and is found in the remaining portion of from all his fears. uninformed teachers of people. v85; they are not ‘after thy law.’ They May God enable each reader to pray flout the law of God. They have no It is in the position of the persecuted and never give in and so learn of the use for the supposed limitations to saints that the keeping grace of God Lord’s power to keep. “He is able to keep their freedom as the commandments is best realized. He revives or quickens you from falling and present you fault- apparently imply. They do not realize the fainting soul. The Spirit of God less before the presence of His glory.” that the commandments are guidelines first comes to the fainting soul with for human wellbeing and so they chafe the strong assurance from the Scripture under these ‘suggested restraints’. They that the “Lord is my helper, I will not FOR YOUR INFORMATION New Prayer Handbook Articles Welcome The updated version of Prayer Handbook will be ready Insight India welcomes original, articles on missio- for distribution by January 2015. It is priced at `250. logical and doctrinal themes for publication. All rights All commended workers can get it at a reduced rate. regarding publications of articles rest solely with the Please get in touch with editor. You may send your articles to OPERATION BARNABAS Insight India, PO Box 1633, Bangalore 560016. 421 Palm Peak Layout, Kalkere Road Or email them to [email protected] Dooravani Nagar PO, Bangalore 560016. We are also interested in your opinion about the +91 94483 51166, articles and information you get through Insight India. [email protected] Do let us know.

Insight India is published by Needed: Aquilas and Priscillas Operation Barnabas Committed young couples are some overcrowded assemblies while ‘Benaiah’, 421 Palm Peak Layout needed. Are you willing to be some pioneers are being stretched Kalkere Road, Ramamurthy Nagar Dooravani PO, Bangalore 560016 transplanted by the Lord to to the limit as they try to see new +91 94483 51166 +91 96321 23163 advance the cause? Aquila and testimonies planted. Would you pray [email protected] Priscilla were such a couple. Paul about it together? It could be the Edited by asked them to go with him to most exciting thing you ever do! Ephesus so their new home (and Gleaned from UPLOOK Roy T Daniel business) could be used as a Printed at beachhead for the gospel. Many If you are interested mail us at Good News Printers Hennur Road, Bangalore young couples are barely utilized in [email protected]

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