AOJ NEWS

Mark 14:54

But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. Jesus was betrayed by Judas and was taken away to the high priest. Peter follows Jesus keeping a safe distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest and warned himself at the “enemies fire”. One of the servant- girl of the high priest recognises him and mentions, she has seen him with Jesus. He denies stating,” I neither know nor understand what you are saying”. And, even a person who witnessed Peter strike off the high priest’s servant’s ear queried, but Peter denied.

Now, Peter wasn’t a meek coward, he had displayed great courage, a born leader, was bold, audacious and radical. Remember he walked on water (Matthew 14:29), he struck the ear off the high priest’s servant, Malchus (John 18:10) and he had a very intimate relationship with Jesus, in fact his name was mentioned first. (Matthew 10:2). So, this was shocking to hear Peter denying Jesus, the one with whom he had spent 3 years, in his intimate circle and had declared that he would go with Jesus, both to prison and to death (Luke 22:33), deny Him.

Immediately, a rooster crowed as Jesus had forewarned, Peter went out and wept bitterly, he must have felt extreme guilt, hopeless, repented, he had denied the very person whom he declared he would die for. Peter probably thought, “it’s all over so now let me get back to the old profession- fishing “(John 21). Peter goes fishing along with the others, who also agree to join him, but they caught nothing.

Jesus had not forgotten Peter in spite of all his flaws and shortcomings, Jesus loved Peter beyond his understanding, in the morning He was at the shore awaiting Peter and the King of kings had also prepared breakfast for them with His own hands.

Peter and the others did not know that it was the Lord. Jesus asks whether they had caught anything and asks them to cast the net on the right side, the net was so heavy that they had to drag the net, Peter jumped into the sea when he heard it was the Lord, he must have squirmed, felt miserable and guilty.

But from Jesus “Hesed” (Hebrew – mercy, steadfast love and faithfulness) flowed towards Peter, Jesus accepted him with all his flaws, reinstated and restored Peter. From a flawed person, an uneducated fisherman he was now an Apostle, a leader, a shepherd, a “fisher of men”, as promised by Jesus.

It’s very easy to get distanced from the Lord Jesus, the world will woo you, peers will, it may be uncool, being too busy can, running after money, accolades and awards can. We need immense grace each day to stick close to the Lord. Let us pray each day that we draw nearer and nearer to Jesus every day,

And If We Have Wandered Away

Jesus is waiting for us,

he is gracious, merciful to meet at the point that we are in, restore us, accomplish His great plan in our life. Thank God!!

Loving heavenly Father, draw us nearer and keep us close to You in Jesus mighty name, Amen!

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sol.Lalitha Menon , Aoj

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GOD HAS A PLAN

For Surely I know the plans I have for you, Says the Lord, Plans for your Welfare and not for harm, to give you a FUTURE with HOPE

Jer 29:11

The above Verse is from the extraordinary letter Sent from Jeremiah, to the Babylonian Exiles Who Were sent unto into “EXILE” from Jerusalem (Gods presence) of Peace)

to Babylon (Away from Gods presence)

Why were the people taken to Babylon as EXILES?

Jer 25:5-6 Says that they have Sinned against GOD by not following his Words

Once again God is reassuring US in Jer 29:11 that the Captives will again be brought back. to Jerusalem. For he has plans for his people

What is GODS PLAN FOR HIS PEOPLE ?

Before we understand God’s plan for Us, Understanding what is EXILE? Is Very Important.

An EXILE is someone who was forced out of their home Country and is Living Somewhere else

The bible refers to Christians as exilers in the world Bible tells us, “Christians are “Citizens of Heaven” St. Paul Says are piligrims on this earth. ( as aliens and exiles)

1 Peter 2:11 and Heb:11:13

If you look for the Word Exile in the Bible. You’ll find pretty quickly, that the primary example is when the people of Israel exiled away from thier home to the nation of Babylon for 70 years

From the first pages of the Bible Adam and Eve were exiled away from God when they Sinned, they were banished from the Garden of Eden As the representative of all humanity their “HOME” Was with God Where they could walk with him enjoy full fellowship with HIM

Because of Adam and Eve we all are living in exile away from GOD even if we don’t realise it. Our true home is living with God in his immediate presence

The story of the bible can be summarized as God’s work to restore.

HEAVEN

BACK TO EARTH

to bring humanity out of Spirtual exile But Today Jer: 29:11 are the words spoken by God to each and everyone one of us who are in Spirtual exile ( Away from God )

For God says from God) For I Know PLANS I HAVE FOR You” These plans are not just to restore us from worldly worries

But plans to give us a “future with Hope”

What Is The “Future With Hope“

• Living In The Presence God
• Citizenship Of Heaven
• Life With God
• Eternal Life
• Our Eternal Home

Let us always strive to be in the presence of God by living a life which is pleasing to God

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the plans you have for us. Help us to live and enjoy your presence in our lives in Jesus name I pray.

Amen

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Sol.Annapureddy Bala Reddy, Aoj

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” For Thus Said The Lord Of Hosts, After His Glory Sent Me To The Nations Who Plundered You For He Who Touches You Touches The Apple Of His Eye”.

– Zechariah 2 : 8

In the month of March 2022 ,my husband happened to go somewhere and while coming back he became hungry and thought of having something.He purchased something and while eating in his car two people suddenly came and opened the door of his car and sat inside. One of the person tried to strangulate my husband. My husband tried to attack that person through the knife he was holding in his hand but all in vain. That man hit my husband hard and my husband almost fainted and fell down on the ground. The man took out the keys from my husband's pocket and gave it to his friend . As that man started the vehicle, my husband regained consciousness and he immediately opened the car's door and sat inside. Both these people started hitting my husband and my husband started shouting loudly asking people to help him. As a result these two men got scared and immediately stopped the car and fled away. The story did not end here as my husband driving towards our home he noticed that a bike was following him and same two men were riding that bike chasing him. My husband became nervous after seeing them but then he noticed a procession passing from there and he parked his vehicle there. When those two men saw my husband standing with many people they just ran away from there finally leaving my husband. My husband came home and told us everything about the incident. When my husband came home that time I was busy in Haryana troop Church but I heard his full story and really thanked God for saving my husband.

Next day when my husband went to see his car , he found a revolver there and then he realised that those two people maybe were following him in their bike for this revolver. We all were puzzled and didn’t know what to do whether to go to police station and report or to leave as it is .So we sat down in prayers and after the prayers my husband decided he would not go to the police station as he was suspicious that they may interrogate him and may also demand money .We all decided that in night we would go and throw this revolver somewhere. When we were just thinking about it my son got an idea to search about the revolver on Google and when we searched we found that it was China made and it was not even a revolver but a gas lighter. Oh! what a relief it was.

Our Sorrow Turned Into Joy .

OUR GOD IS SO GREAT. .

He loves us so much .He can’t see us tensed or unhappy about anything

Isaiah 54:17 also says"No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from Me,declares the Lord. "

This verse is true and living. I am so happy and thankful to God that when those men threatened my husband to give his car my husband did not give and God really saved him from their hands. God is really great and nobody knows His ways. He really look after His children.

Psalm 91:11 also says," for He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways".

Really God’s promises are true. Whatever satan had planned for our family ,God destroyed all his plans. All glory to God Almighty. God fulfilled what is written in Zechariah 2: 8.

 I really want to thank God for His Mercy and also would like to thank AOJ for teaching us how to fight with satan and also how to use our authority in Christ Jesus not only for our life but also for our family.

Sol. Sol.Usha Dutta ,Aoj

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GENDER EQUALITY AND MISCONCEPTIONS

Generally the first misconception in a family is that a woman is inferior to man .

The creation of a woman in bible was an after thought of God to help Adam.
A woman must not take part in public worship.

Paul gave the impression that the woman is subservient to man because man (husband) is the boss and head of a family.

Gene. :2-18. says “ It is not good that man should be alone. l will make a helper suitable for him.” Verse 23. Adam said, “ This is now my bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh,. She shall be called ‘woman’. for she was taken out of man. 

Woman was made to fulfill man’s needs. A woman is in no way inferior to man and man is in no way superior to woman.

They both are complimentary to one another. In a Christian marriage, there are three persons involved. MAN , WOMAN and GOD.

The marriage can not last if there is no love between man and woman or if there is no place for God.

They are no longer two but one flesh - “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder “. 

Paul says_ Out of respect for Christ be courteous to one another. Wives_ ‘Support and understand your husbands. Husbands ’Provide leadership to wives; not dominating but cherishing. Submit to one another like Church is to Jesus.

The first woman came from man but ever since then, every man comes from a woman. So quit thinking who came first or is superior because everything virtually comes from God.

Jesus loved his church to the extent that he died for her. Jesus is God but voluntarily emptied himself of all his glory and became a man.

Husband and wife fulfill their conjugal duties to one another. Their bodies belong to each other. Destroying it, is not acceptable to God.

Samaritan woman was not righteous but Lord waited to talk to her and delivered a sermon of “Water of life “

A woman in Bethany was allowed to wipe His feet with her hair.

Women stayed with Jesus till the end – near the cross and they were the first to visit the empty tomb of the risen God. God gave different gifts to men and women and they share their responsibilities as per their needs. They must use their gifts for the glory of God.

A husband must love his wife

AS JESUS LOVED HIS CHURCH.

Mine was an arranged marriage. My husband always praised me behind me and he never shouted at me. we always had a profound understanding between us. We always shared and supported each other. With whatever we both have earned, God blessed us to buy three flats and a saloon. Its really God’s blessings upon us for our good understanding, oneness and the support we gave to each other.

Prayer. : Father we thank you for all the blessings you showered upon us. Because you are in our midst, we are happy and contented. We always put our trust in you. A threefold chord is not easily broken.
 Amen.

Sol. Noreen, AOJ

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Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

What do you understand by this verse?…

Here as I read this verse the only thing that want to you to focus on is

F A I T H

Here it’s all about the faith. Are you holding onto some dreams and goals which are not yet come into existence? Now here look at this beautiful verse it says Faith is the substance of things hoped for. What are you hoping for? Are you waiting to see a breakthrough in your life or healing or deliverance etc. Here is the biggest answer for all your questions. It’s your Faith.

Turn your Bible to Matthew 17:20-21,

Here it says Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Believe and Receive. Put your trust in the Lord and He will establish all your works.

Your Faith is the evidence of the things unseen. Wait upon the Lord and have Faith that your dreams will come true. Everything that you desire according to the will of God will become true. You see it becoming alive in your life. Your Faith can move the mountains, your Faith can work miracles, through Faith you can see your dreams are coming true just as we see in the life of  Joseph. Remember everything is possible with God.

Is there anything too hard for the Lord?

No. So never turn to the right or to the left but fix your eyes on JESUS. Let us live by Faith not by sight. Know that if you have Faith then you will get the things that you are hoping for.

Let’s Pray

 Precious loving heavenly Father! From today I just want to live by Faith and not by sight. Help me to know that all the dreams and all the things that i desire will come true only by having Faith. Increase my faith in you.

In Jesus name

Amen

Sol.Mercy

“And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in  his hand”.

Genesis 39:3

           Joseph’s life is an  example for us to know how we can have a victorious life on this earth. God saw the heart of Joseph and loved what he saw. It is God’s will that we should  reveal Jesus in our life to others. So they can follow Jesus, seeing our good works and life. We have to practice what we teach and preach.

                 Mathew 5:16 says”  Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Farther who is in heaven”.

Jesus is  our  role model . We must  follow his footsteps. He humbled Himself and came as  a human being to show us  how we can be victorious in our human nature. The enemy will tell our soul that God is against our success because he wants to steal our peace, joy and potential.

             The multicolored coat of Joseph which was a gift to him by his father, made his brothers jealous of him . Multicolored coat is a metaphor of different  talents and  ability God has given us and smearing it with the blood of a young goat is a foreshadow of the blood of Jesus needed for our  success, fulfilment and Salvation (Genesis 37:31).Jacob his father blessed him with a final prophetic blessing  saying “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall”. Genesis 49:22.

       This means Joseph’s line would multiply and thrive. God decided that wherever Joseph went He would go with him. So success in life is not due to our brilliance or hardwork our talents, but that the Lord in us. He blesses our dreams and desires and bring it to fruition in due time .

            Joseph was faithful to God and to earthly masters whom God placed over him. He was forgiving ,patient and willing to wait for God’s will to be fulfilled. He suffered so much in early life in order to be pruned or prepared to bear much fruit. But the Lord made it all ended well.Joseph became the instrument in the hands of God for the survival of the twelve tribes of Israel  in a time of great famine. Our own experiences of salvation or success becomes a source of blessing to others.

Zechariah 8:23 says”………We  will go with you : for we have heard that God is with you “.

            Our life on this earth has many phases like that of Joseph’s :seeds of desires and dreams planted in our hearts and minds

           A phase of oppression and persecution

         A desert phase,  

A phase of captivity.

        A phase of growth and prosperity

     A phase of fruition and fulfilment

   A phase of legacy

Joseph’s life and success were beneficial for him, for the inner circle of his family, for the nation and for the Lord.

        I have the experiences of all the above phases in my life but by the grace of God I endure all those without any complaints. So God gave me victory over the enemy .All glory to God.

          Our faithfulness will be tested in  many seasons. If the God is with us we will surely succeed regardless of the circumstances.

Prayer

       Father God thank you for helping us to be successful on this earth and a blessing to others. Be with us always. In Jesus name I ask.

Amen

Sol.Gigi Jacob

“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

john 8:11

Early morning Jesus was found in temple teaching the people where all people came to him. The scribes and Pharisees brought a women who was caught in adultery and they bought her to Jesus set her in the midst. They said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.So when they continued asking Him, He raised face towards them said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Now anyone who have not sinned has the right to stone her and put her to death

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.

Now finally she was left alone with ONLY ONE who is standing there still who is without any sin, who can stone her to death

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
1 Peter 2:22 

And he asked her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus, who alone stood there ,who had not sinned and worthy to stone her to death said :

“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

JOHN 8.11

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John :3:17

Bible says He came to fulfill the law and not to abolish the Law or prophets prophecies

The wonderful thing happened to this women on that sad morning was that she landed in Jesus hands who will bear all the sins of the World, including her sin and condemnation , the same moment the exchange happened where her condemnation of death was taken by Jesus and gave her life, which turned her mourning into a happy morning.

Today any sinner and those who are suffering in condemnation can bow down to the cross of Calvary can be saved. Because as soon as a sinner comes to Jesus HE exchanges their sins with His righteousness which he earned by his blood.

• LAW brought her Condemnation

• But the GRACE OF GOD gave her Life

We have to forgive others who sin against us , because The Lord says, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”( Rom 12:19) God already forgave our sins so we have to forgive others.

I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”_ John 8.12

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PRAYER

Dear God forgive my sins, I don't want to live in condemnation , nor bear the shame, nor suffer anymore. I believe That you died for my sin, and my sins are forgiven through your blood. Even help me Lord  not to sin no more by your grace, and to forgive others when they sin against.

A M E N

Sol. PINTA EUNICE, AOJ.

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 PRAISE AND WORSHIP

It has three elements in it.

•  BLESS
• PRAISE
• WORSHIP

A  .BLESS. 

“BLESS THE LORD O! MY SOUL AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME  BLESS HIS HOLY NAME

Psalm 103:1

It is awesome to think that the Creator of the Universe is allowing us to BLESS HIM. We bless Him. through our praise and  worship

B .PRAISE :

Praise is an expression of admiration and telling others how wonderful we think they are. They are Gods masterpieces

  Because your love is better than life, my lips  shall glorify you. I will praise you as long as l live and lift up my  hands unto thee.

Psalm 63:3

2 .Why do we Praise? We praise because of who He is and what He does. He became a curse for us and redeemed us from the pit, washed us with water through his WORD.

” To present her to Himself as a radient church without stain, wrinkle or any other blemish but holy and blameless.”

Ephesians 5: 27

3 .Who should Praise God?

A. Those who seek God.             

B .Everything that has breath.

 4 . When to Praise God?

 A:  All the time.  Psalm 34:1                      

B :  In every circumstance         

1Thes 5: 16 “Be joyful always and give thanks in all         

5 .Where should we praise? 

Among the nations and in the midst of congregation l’ll sing your praises.

C .WORSHIP :

Worship is an expression of love and giving of our whole heart and life.

“To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength.”

Mark 12:33

It is written “God is a spirit and His worshippers must worship Him in SPIRIT and TRUTH.

1, IN TRUTH .      To worship in truth is to worship in holiness and anointing. We are washed from our sins in His own BLOOD before we are called to do priestly duties.

2 IN SPIRIT.    True worship is when our inner being (man) respond to the prompting of Holy Spirit. Only   ‘Born Again’ of the Spirit, can truly worship God

   “ Who among the Gods is like you O! Lord- Majestic in holiness awesome in glory, working wonders.

Exodus 15: 11

Testimony:

When l go deep in worship, sing praises to God, l experience holy spirit touching me and my head becomes warm. Satan can’t put any thought or worry in my mind at that time.

Prayer

Lord l pray Thee to help us to worship in truth and spirit always.

ln Jesus name

Amen.

                                 Sol. Noreen

1 Peter 2:24, “…………. By his wounds you are healed.”

7 places Our Lord & Saviour shed His blood

These are 7 places where the blood of Jesus was shed & can be applied in our lives. To apply the blood means to have truth & nothing but the truth of God. (1 John 3:8) The truth in the blood gives us the mind of Christ. When the blood flows, truth flows. We must resist the devil with the blood. When the blood is used God becomes your Judge & Jury.

1. At Gethsemane where He sweated drops of blood. Luke 22:44– our relationship broken in the garden & fixed in the garden. He destroyed the evil altar of toiling & sweating.

2. Struck on His face: Matthew 26:67

Your face is your glory. He destroyed the evil altar of slander & lies which is keeping us from prospering. He took away anything that would disfigure who you are in His Kingdom.

3. His beard was torn from His face. Isaiah.50:6

He broke the altar of Shame & low self esteem.

Beard is a symbol of honor in the Hebrew culture. He did not want us to experience shame ever. For our shame He will give us double honour Isaiah 61:7.

4. He was scourged on His back Psalm 103:3, Isaiah 53:5. 39 stripes for every disease known to man, past, present & future, so that you & I could be healed.

5. Crown of Thorns were placed forcefully into His skull Mathew 27:29, Mark 15:17, John 19:2 so that the curse of poverty (Gen 3:18) be broken over us, & prosperity & financial abundance be our portion.

6. Crucified, 3 nails – 2 in His Hands & feet represent the work of your hands & our walk. He paid the price for you & me & destroyed the evil altars of unproductiveness & fruitlessness i.e., nothing will be aborted that belongs to us. We can live a productive life.

7. They pierced His side John 19:34. In this He did 2 things a) He gave birth to the church, His bride. (Just as God put first Adam to sleep & Eve was brought forth, so God put last Adam to sleep on the cross & we His bride came forth) and b) He died of a broken heart, so that everyone who feels broken, through traumatic experiences etc, can be mended.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for shedding Your blood. We apply your blood over all these areas in our lives, our families & all those we come in contact with and The Holy Spirit is ever present in us to remind us that the blood of Jesus has made us totally forgiven & eternally righteous. The Holy Spirit applies the blood & seals our souls with the blood. The devil cannot break that seal. We seal these decrees in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

                                                                                                                                                                Sol. Joan

You Did Not Choose Me, But I Chose You And Appointed You That You Should Go And Bear Fruit….”

John 15:16

When God’s anointed King Saul feared that he might be slain by the uncircumcised people (1 Chronicles 10), he embraced death by falling on his own sword. All the men of Israel fled. No one came to give honour to the king chosen and anointed by God for them and they all left from there for fear of their life fell upon them.
The Philistines ridiculed and scoffed at the body of King Saul and glorified their idols by spreading this as good tidings.

At this time of disgrace, God stirred the hearts of the valiant men of Jabesh Gilead and they fearlessly rescued body of king Saul, respectfully buried it and also fasted for 7 days. What they did was an act of gratitude, honour and respect for what king Saul did when they were in trouble (1 Samuel 11).
Earlier also we see how in Judges 21, 400 virgins of Jabesh-Gilead were used to save the tribe of Benjamin from extinction.

In this generation, God has chosen us i.e. Army of Jesus and given us that anointing to wage a war against the enemy and break the bondage in which all the people of God have fallen into and rescue them like those valiant blessed men of the tribe of Jabesh Gilead.

We need to bring back the honour that God deserves.

God is not looking for a physical building but He wants to live in our hearts.

He doesn’t want customary worship but spiritful and truthful worship.

Lord Jesus Christ is our saviour and we need to preach Him not to earn a living out of this preaching.

We need to bury the self (desires, longings, aspirations, worldly honour and praise) and present ourselves to God i.e surrender the self-will and pray to the Holy Spirit to reign in us so that we will bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

God is earnestly waiting for us. We need to mediate for God’s chosen people, to have that passion and courage to declare His true being.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Let us submit ourselves to Him and do what He is showing us to do. Resist the devil and he will flee from us. (James 4:7) Let us not be slack in doing the assigned work, negating our very self to the cross where Jesus bled for us and gave us this new life.

P R A Y E R :
“Father God! We thank you for choosing us and calling us out of that gloom where we were in. Thank you for entrusting us this true ministry of Lord Jesus Christ whereby we can spread your word of love, forgiveness, authority, healing, harmony and true worship. Help us in doing what is right and fearlessly take this ministry to every human living on this earth.”

Sol. Neha

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