AOJ NEWS

LET THEM NOT TURN BACK TO FOLLY

“I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” (Psalm 85:8).

Psalm 85 is a prayer that the LORD will restore favor to the land. The relationship with God is the psalmist’s main concern. It is a great relief to know that God’s wrath has passed and now one can pray for restoration. When one prays for revival, he is asking for God to work in His people so that they will only find joy in Him (Psalm 85:6).

True revival confirms that God alone is responsible for salvation (Psalm 85:7). One who is praying for revival should submit to the authority of God’s word. The psalmist was confident that God will speak peace to His humble people and to His saints (Psalm 85:8).

A true believer is humble and eager to hear what God speaks to him because God speaks peace to His people. Paul explains how we receive peace. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1). God is willing to give peace to His people, but they should not return to their foolish ways.

Peter’s warning: “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to his own vomit, and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22).

When a person turns away from sin, peace is declared to them; nevertheless, if they do it again, it will be at their own risk. All sin is foolish, but backsliding is especially so. It is blatant foolishness to return to sin after appearing to turn away from it or to return to it after God has declared peace. The words of the wise: “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11).

But, if they grieve the Holy Spirit by returning to their sinful ways, their latter end is worse for them than the beginning. Peter warns: “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and cannot overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20).

Have we turned to God wholeheartedly with true repentance?

Are we careful not to return to our foolish ways?

The LESSONS we learn:

• When one prays for revival, he is asking for God to work in His people so that they will only find joy in Him.
• A true believer is humble and eager to hear what God speaks to him because God speaks peace to His people.
• Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ.
• God's people should truly repent and turn to Him rather than return to their foolish ways.

Dr. S. Selvan

^{Aspects associated with wholesome Blessings}

After creating the world God wanted man to live with his wholesome blessings.

Let us see five types of wholesome Grace which comes from God as mentioned In James

1.Patience as wholesome Grace(James1:4)

It states,Let patience have her perfect work that he may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.In our life we are tormented with many trials and tribulations .We have to endure with patience.This patience will have perfect work on us and this patience given by His Grace will make us wholesome .

2.Fullness in the gift of God (James 1:17)

Every good and perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights.The Goodness And Grace of God is non partial and does not differentiate between rich and poor,big or small,high esteem or low esteem it is granted to everyone who trusts in Him wholeheartedly and seeks His Grace.

3.Fullness in Faith (James1:23a,25)

One who listens to His words and does according to it or not forgetting what he heard but obeying will be blessed In fullness ,because he has strong faiths in God,God strengthens him in fullness of faith.

4.Fullness by our deeds (James 3:2)

If anyone is never at fault he is a perfect man able to keep his whole body in check.If a man fulfills what he says he is a wholesome person.He will be able to control his body and guide it by the power of The Holy Spirit and be successful in all his deeds.

5.Fullness In Wisdom (James 1:5)

If anyone of you lacks wisdom he should ask of God who gives generously to all without finding fault and by faith it will be given to him.Let him request like King Solomon requested God.

In the span of our life we come across many trials,temptations,pains,agonies,Let us be victorious by bearing everything patiently with all our good deeds ,heavenly wisdom and wholesome gifts which comes from heaven

Sol.Dennison

What does God says about me?

Acts 13:22“And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.”

1Samuel 13:14 “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

From the above two verses we see, God himself testifying about David,as a man after God’s own heart, and the one who does God’s will. Isn’t it amazing when God himself testifies about a man .We can testify that God is Good,Worthy,has done many good things, but what testimony would God give about us?

We all know that God the Father testified about Jesus.At the Jordan river, Jesus was baptised and when he came out of the water the heavens opened and a voice came from heaven saying “This is my beloved son ,in whom I am well pleased.”Likewise John the Baptist also testified “Behold!The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”.

Today,What can God the Father testify about us?Many a times we are keen to know what kind of testimony people give about us,we think about it,we also enquire to know if the people are talking good about us,great about us .Have we ever regarded to receive a good report from Our Heavenly Father? We all know that the best students from schools and colleges and also best performer from government offices receive      “Certificate “.

Rather than receiving good certificates from the people of the world,how great it would be to receive such report from Our Heavenly Father.

David:

We already saw that God testified about David saying a man after God’s own heart. The man who does my Will is indeed commendable.

Let’s see how God has testified about a few more

Moses:

Numbers 12:7-8

“Not so with My servant Moses;He is faithful in all My house.I speak with him face to face,Even plainly,and not in dark sayings;And he sees the form of the Lord.Why then were you not afraid

To speak against My servant Moses?”.God testified about Moses in front of Aaron and Miriam.Can God testify about us in such a way?Is our life all true?Is our words,works true?Can God look at us and say my true and faithful servant?

Job

Job1:8

“Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

What an wonderful testimony we see about Job especially Before the devil.Like how God gave a testimony about Job,can God share a testimony about us?

He or She is best,good morale,there is none like him/her; before men,before the devil can God testify about our life ?

Nathanael:

John 1:47

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

Jesus testified that Nathanael is without deceit can God testify that we are  innocent and without deceit and a righteous child regarding us?

Beloved,God is one who sees us,who knows us and there is nothing hidden from Him.Today can God testify that we are innocent,good conduct Israelite?

Centurion:

Out of the hundred servants,when one of the servant of the Centurion was sick,he came to Jesus and told,say just one word and my servant will be healed

Mathew 8:10

“When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”.

Jesus marvelled.Centurion didn’t call Jesus home,neither did he say come and touch my servant and heal.Instead he told just say one word,his faith was marvellous to Jesus.Have we at any point of life mentioned,Lord just say a word,I believe there is power in your word ?

Luke 12:8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.”

Are we proclaiming about God before men?or are we hesitating?are we fearful?ashamed?When we proclaim and declare about our God before men , Our God testifies about us to the angels in heaven.

Hence receiving a good report from men is nothing.But The Creator who created everything,who said heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool,God who is,who was and is to come ,The King of kings,The Almighty God testifying about us that we are the man after His own heart,true in all ways,best,good conduct,innocent righteous Israelite,great faith in none like her,not only before men,but also before the devil and also before the heavenly angels,May the Lord testify our lives as such.

Let us all strive to live a life which pleases God,and that God himself can testify regarding us.In Jesus Name,Amen

Sol.Dr.Petricia

“And shall not God avenge His own elect,which cry day and night unto Him,thou He bear long with them ?”Luke 18:7

                   The parable of the widow and the unjust Judge,reveals God,s willingness to hear and answer the supplications of His elect. Here in order to avoid the disturbance ,the unjust Judge allowed what she asked for.This incidence encourage us to be continually in prayer, to pray without ceasing and to remain in constant communion with The Lord— especially when those blessings seem  to be delayed.

He is a generous Father who gives good gifts to all His children .(Mathew7:11) Any perceived delay is His wise preparations to make all things work together for good,to those that love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)

                      We need to pray day and night when some difficult situations come. We should never give up but with thanksgiving,praise and confidence, in the goodness and ability of God to  resolve it, keep persisting in prayer.

“Pray without ceasing.In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”2Thessolonians5:17,18

Jesus knowing the Father,promises He will not delay,but rush to our help.

             Why God didn’t give us a immediate answer?Like in our human courts, the adversary side would bring up objections to the Lord  against us.He will raise many objections.We should ask for forgiveness and check our own hearts and see if there is any unconfessed sins. If any we should confess and get rid off the burden of such sins.

               Through such persistent seeking of the Lord,we will beat the enemy,our adversary and his accusations.Holy Spirit is our pleader in the high court  of the Lord.Scripture says that Jesus ,Himself is our advocate before the judgement throne of God.Another reason,why God didn’t give an immediate answer is to build Jesus like patience and character in us. “ For you have need of patience,that,after you have done the will of God,you might receive the promise”. Hebrews 10:36

              Problems come to us as temptations or stumbling blocks which are traps or snares deliberately set up by the enemy or his agents. We can ward off it only by His grace.Stumbling blocks will be due to our own egos and pride.  We  should daily ask the Lord to examine us .”Search me ,O God, and know my heart:try me and know my thoughts.And see if there be any wicked way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms139:23,24

^{If there is anything,allow the Holy Spirit to remove it and we ourselves should not be a stumbling block to others in their  spiritual progress and maturity. We should grow mature in faith and reveal Christ in our lives to others.}

                  Heavenly Father help me to maintain a trusting attitude of prayer, knowing that any perceived delay is your willing preparation. Thank you for making all things right in your own perfect timing. I pray in Jesus mighty name, Amen

Sol. Gigi Jacob

Salvation?

 Is there a chance of losing salvation? If you are truly saved there is no chance of losing it. You can be confident of this very fact, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;Philippians 1:6

For We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

This verse is talking about the spiritually regenerated man. His great mercy and love reconciled man to Himself by taking on the punishment for sin on His own body at Calvary. This is made possible by faith, and faith alone and not by works of law.

What does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:8-10 We were spiritually dead because of our sins and carnal desires. God wanted to regenerate us from this stage and so “Jesus gave Himself up for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Titus 2:14

That’s His grace which brought salvation to all those who believe in His great work of redemption. We are promised the blessed hope of our eternal relationship with Him.  We are His choice and our reciprocal behaviour is total surrender to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. One who is in Christ is a new creation and he joins with the body of Christ, His church. The new identify of the believer in Christ is given in these verses.

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit”.

I Corinthians 12:12-13

The Spirit of God dwells in the believer and guides him according to the Word of God. Though we may belong to the different denominations of the church constant reading of the Bible will inspire us to follow the right path and leave unnecessary rituals and wrong interpretations. Once you know the truth you will be bold enough to leave whatever is not Biblical…If you are convinced of the truth you will follow truth leaving aside everything else. What is truth?  Jesus prays to the Father

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17

^{Truth will set us free. One who is rightly saved will be guided by truth, that’s the Word of God. This is how you can say about yourself that you are the workmanship or masterpiece  made for good works created in Christ. He who started this new work in you is God and He will continue this work till the very day you will be taken up or raptured to be united with Christ Jesus. If you waver from the right path the Holy Spirit will bring it’s awareness in us to repent and return to Him again. And the journey continues till the very end. He will redeem us from every ungodly ways and keep us with Him as part of His body, the church. Praise Jesus.}

Prayer

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for keeping us as part of the Body of Christ, the Church. Thank you for the blessed hope we have in You. Bless us O Lord. Keep us away from temptations and temporary pleasures. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Sol. Salomi Kurian

  THE CROSS: SYMBOL OF  PEACE WITH WITH GOD

 2Cor 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,so that in him we might become the righteousness of God

A Chinese nurse asked,” Why in your home is a large picture of a criminal with nails through hands and feet”

“Why you expose your children to this violence ?”

It is difficult to see for a worldly man, the agonizing compassion of a loving God. For the worldly minds, it is foolishness.

But we sing with reverence and gratitude: This Song,

‘See from his head his hands and feet ; sorrow and love flow mingled down.

And thorns composed so rich a Crown…love so amazing so divine ,demand my life,my soul my all.’

Through the Cross, Christ not only gave us His love and His Life eternal but also His nature, peace and righteousness to believers.

The Four “R’s” offer us:-

1. Reconciliation(come to terms with God)

2.Redemption( wiped   away all sins.)

3. Regeneration(Spiritual Life.)

4 .Righteousness of Jesus.

2Cor 5: 15. “And that He died for all,that they which live should not hence forth live unto themselves but unto Him who died for them and rose again.”

The central core of the Word of God sets Christianity as the only redemptive Faith among the religions of the world.

As a result of  the Cross we are reconciled to God .One of the greatest evidences of Christian life is our love for our fellowmen. It is impossible to love God and hate our fellowmen. *   Though Cross is an instrument of torture and shame , still its the only hope for a sinner throughout the History of mankind.lt is glorified because upon it the love of compassionate  God was revealed to a rebellious world.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for carrying our sins and shame upon your Holy body to make those believe righteous. Amen.

Sol.Noreen

Jonah 3:2“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”

Prophet Jonah in his reluctance to execute God’s assignment fled in an opposite direction. He had his own agenda, to his surprise, he discovered the hard way that, it’s GOD who is in CONTROL of his life. In God’s abundant mercy, after a relentless pursuit God commissions Jonah for the second time.  Here God says “Arise, go, tell, what I tell you”? In other words God, did not give him the full sermon with the comma and the full stop, but said, “I will tell you.” And, at the end 120000 people of the great city Nineveh was saved.

Elijah the mighty prophet in Israel at a time when the nation had turned away from the Lord and were worshipping Baal, King Ahab had formed an alliance with Ethbaal, the King of Sidon and married Jezebel his daughter. Elijah boldly tells Ahab that there will not be dew or rain for the years except when he says so. He goes off to hide by the Brook Cherith and when it dries up the Lord commands him, 1King 17:9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” If it was us we would think, “Come on God, there might be so many widows in Zarephath now how in the world will I know? Can you give me a clue please?” But, God did not give any detail, verse 10 says he arose and went to Zarephath and as God had promised, the arrangement was taken care of on arrival. Not only did the widow provide food for him but Elijah was used by God to change the history of the suicidal widow and her sons.

Joshua 1:2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, [even] to the children of Israel. Joshua an important figure in the events of Exodus, is the successor of Moses chosen by God He had assisted Moses, and was also commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against Amalekites.  While the people camped at Shittim, he took over as leader, he was told by God to cross over Jordan and take over the Promised Land which God was to give unto the Israelites. It begins with a major speech by God, He commands and encourages Joshua but does not give any detail about acquiring of the territory. Joshua had to face wars for many years and he conquered 6 nations and 31 kings, the land was divided amongst the 12 tribes of Israel.

We see in the above verses each time God did not provide a detailed road map to any of his commands. They had to believe him, trust him and take the steps but the result was always mind blowing. Has God asked you to arise and do something? Trust Him and take that step, you will not regret. When He says arise then He takes responsibility.

 Or has He said, Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Hasn’t God spoken to you through this verse that the light and glory of the Lord is upon you, so shine for the Lord? So much so that, both gentiles and kings would come to your light, Jesus. Go ahead and Shine!!!

Sol.Lalitha Menon

The Wisdom From God

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:16-28

You can have knowledge without wisdom, but you cannot have wisdom without knowledge. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. It is knowledge applied. Seek wisdom from God.

Solomon asked for wisdom, and God granted him.

•1 Kings 3:15 Solomon “returned to Jerusalem” (instead of going to the high place), and “stood before the Ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.”

• He did the right thing and worshipped the Lord before the Ark of God.

One particular dispute that was brought before the King, to show us the wisdom that God has given Solomon.

• This is no ordinary case. For a family dispute to be brought before the King, it would likely mean the judges down the ranks were unable to solve it.

Let’s look at the case in hand and learn. READ 1 Kings 3:16-23.

Let’s pause here. What would you do? For those of us who do not know the rest of the story, what would you have done?

Two prostitutes living together, each giving birth to baby boys, three days apart.

• They stayed alone, in the same house, with no other family members or friends.

• In the night, one mother accidentally rolled over and smothered her baby to death.

• She then switched the babies in the middle of the night, giving her roommate the dead baby and taking the living one as her own.

When the other woman woke up to nurse her son, she found out that the baby has died. And on closer look, realised that the baby wasn’t hers.

• It may be hard to tell, for a baby that young, but surely a mother can recognise her child.

• The babies must have been swapped in the night. But she has no proof.

The other woman denied knowing anything, insisting that the living child was hers.

• The circumstances served her well. No one could know for sure. The cover up was impeccable.

• It happened in the night, they were sleeping, only two of them in the house, no witnesses, both babies of the same gender and born only three days apart.

• She was so confident of the cover up that she was prepared to commit perjury before the King, that is, to lie to the King, without fear of being caught.

So with this information, what are we going to do? How are we going to solve it?

• This is probably why the case is brought before the King – no one can solve it.

So what did Solomon do, with the wisdom God has given him. Read 1 Kings 3:24-28.

Solomon took time to LISTEN to both sides and gathered information. After hearing their stories, he SUMMARISED their respective positions (verse 23).

• He looked at their body language and observed their interactions.

• Obviously one of them is lying. One of them made the switched and covered it up. But which one?

Solomon came up with a way to test their reactions.

• He declared, “Bring me a sword. Cut the baby into two and let each of them take half.” (3:25) Let’s end the case here.

• There is a risk in this (a small one): What if neither of them say anything? What if both remained quiet? Is Solomon going to carry out the threat?

Herein lies the wisdom. Solomon believes that the real mother would respond, undoubtedly, naturally, because no mother would allow such a thing.

As expected, one of them reacted passionately. 3:26 says she was “filled with compassion” and said, “Give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”

• Her utmost concern now is not to get the baby but to keep the baby alive.

• And she is even prepared to give him up to the other woman, just so that the child can live.

• That’s a mother’s heart. The threat exposes the heart of the true mother.

It also exposes the heart of the fake one. She was not disturbed at all by the threat. It wasn’t her child anyway; hers has died.

• Her reaction tells. 3:26 “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

Ultimately NOTHING can be hidden from God.

^{• Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”}

Sol.Paulose

Our Failures and God

Every failure is bringing us closer to God. No one on earth is always successful. Many of us have tasted the bitterness of failures in our life. We have failed spiritually and materially. How to come out of those pathetic conditions.

Many don’t come to God in their failures. Some of them choose suicides. Some of them become insane. Some of them even kill those who made them fail in their ambitions and aims.

What should a believer in Lord Yeshua do when they fail?

• 2 Timothy 1:7 – Not timid, but powerful.…
• Romans 3:23-24….
• Philippians 4:6 – Replace worry with prayer, petition, & thanksgiving. …
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust there’s more than you can see. …
• James 1:2-4 – You are maturing. …
• Hebrews 12:1-2 – Fix your eyes on Jesus, not the trial.

The above verses teach us how to face failures in any field. We should come closer to God in failures.

Actually we become powerful and mature if we come to God during our failures. We should fix our eyes on our Lord. We should not worry but should worship and have the patientce before him. We should be in close intimacy with the Holy Spirit.

Through failure, We learn humility and understand our limitations. Failure make us more willing to depend on God and submit to His commands,

King David failed morally by committing adultery with Bathsheba and killing her husband, Uriah. He failed in some battles, but the very next step he took was to seek the help of God who forgave him and made him a successful king.

Peter failed our Lord by his denial of Christ. He realized and repented and surrendered to Jesus. He was made the pillar of the church.

“The only way that failure can get the last word in our life is if we choose to let it. We serve a God who is able to take our failure and still use us to bring glory to his name.” He is encouraging us to help build his kingdom.

^{When we fail, it simply confirms our humanity. We have to confess and repent. We should have faith that God has forgiven us, and then do our best.}

Prayer

As soldiers of AOJ we have failed in multiplying troop churches in spite of so many gift schools and training. Let us not lose our hope and faith. Let us surrender to God and beseech him to give one more chance to rebuild the ruined church. Let us Rise and build up and Add many to the church daily. Amen. Hallelujah

Sol.Subramanian

THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH (JOHN 1:15)

In creation we see that God made everything by His words alone. But for sending his son into this world (redemption and salvation), He needed human intervention. The heavenly decision related to the birth of Jesus was conveyed to mankind through prophets and later through Joseph and Mary. By obedience of these persons, God`s plan was accomplished on earth.

Proceedings thereafter are as follows (Luke 1:26 – 35).

Mary was a virgin espoused to Joseph. Gabriel said “ Hail Mary thou art highly favoured. The lord is with thee; Blessed art thou “among women“.

To the troubled Mary, he said you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus. She replied “I am a virgin. How then can this be?. The angel said “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and God`s power will rest upon you. The child will be called the Son of God“. Thus her doubt was clarified.

Obedience: “ I am the lord`s servant. May it happened to me as you have said“ Mary said.

Mary went to a hill country with haste and saluted Elisabeth her relative. It was to confirm what the angel said about Elisabeth was true and probably to assist her in her household work. Elisabeth said that her babe leaped in her womb when Mary greeted her.

Elisabeth was filled with Holy Ghost when she greeted Mary. “ You are blessed among women and the fruit of your womb is blessed.

Mary sang as a song in praise of the Lord (Luk1.46 – 56).We understand that when we obey gods plans, the presence of Holy Spirit is observed around. Mary’s husband Joseph was a righteous man. He found that Mary, his espoused wife was with a child by Holy Spirit. He had a mind to put her away secretly. The angel in a dream said “Fear not to take Mary your wife. She is conceived of Holy Spirit“. Joseph did, as the angel had said (Mathew 1:18-24).

^{Witness: it is observed that Zacharias and Elisabeth have prayed for children at young age. But God delayed it because John the Baptist should be born just six month earlier before Christ. They waited patiently. So obedience is required along with patience to fulfil God`s Plan.}

Prayer

Heavenly father, you have sent us in this world with great plans. Help us to fulfil by obeying you and waiting patiently. Amen.

Sol . Victy Mithyla