My wife and I had been meeting with some dear Christians, and I had been a Christian for only five years. I really loved the Lord and longed to have a closer walk and touch with Him. My lack was how to go on. I talked with many who loved the Lord also, as I did. I tried many approaches to reach and love the Lord. In 1976 we felt we had reached a plateau concerning our going on in the Lord. We searched in many books, went to many different kinds of Christian meetings, and asked many Christians how to really love the Lord. We wanted to love Him with our whole being, but we were frustrated by not understanding how to do so according to the Word.
Then one day someone introduced me to Watchman Nee’s writing, and I read The Breaking of the Outer Man for the release of the Spirit. My! From that day, I received such light and enjoyment I cannot even to this day explain the rapture with which I was enveloped. I wanted more! I heard that Watchman Nee had been imprisoned in China and had died in confinement in 1972.
I then heard a dear co-worker of Watchman Nee, Witness Lee, was alive and living in the USA. I also learned that twice a year Bible studies, called “Life-studies”, were offered for those who wanted to receive more light and enjoyment from the Word. I also heard that if I wanted to go on in the Lord and was really serious about the Word, reading these writings would help me greatly.
So I attended a Bible conference in December 1976; those meetings began my sweet enjoyment of the Word through Witness Lee and his writings; from that day until now, I have received much life, nourishment and peace by reading their writings. Previously, I had read much and understood little of how the Lord speaks to us through His Word, though, as many, I diligently studied it. The Bible Life-studies have brought fresh light, nourishment and a deeper appreciation for my dear Lord Jesus and His precious Word, the Bible. Though Witness Lee was taken to the Lord in 1997, I have continued enjoying his writings and have received much light until this very day from the pure Word.
Through the past 23 years my family and I have enjoyed fellowship with many believers who also enjoy these dear brothers’ writings; we have and still meet with dear Christians in the local churches in the various cities where we have lived (Tacoma, WA; Dunn Loring, VA; and Anaheim, CA).
Michael Manzullo