AOJ NEWS

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life”

Mathew 6:25.

Here in this verse Jesus said Take no thought  for your life, don’t be anxious  about anything  in this world.

“These things I have spoken unto you , that in me ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”.

John 16: 33

                        Fear, worry and anxiety are all weapons of Satan to keep us from  experiencing the full  light that God  has for us. Those emotions keep us paralyzed.. Learn  how to live free from worry and and  casting your cares upon Jesus.

                Jesus say to those with fearful heart”….be strong , fear not,: behold, your God will come with vengeance, and even  God with see recompense, He will come and save you“

Isaiah35:4

Why we should not worry

1. Life is more precious  than worldly things
2. Men is more than materials
3. Men better than plants and animals  that don’t worry about  dressing
4. Worry is a sin and it produces  fear
5. It cause severe  depression
6. Creating  troubles
7. Made us to live like an orphan  even though  we have our Heavenly Father who cares for us
8. Torment  over something  that will  likely  a blessing  if it comes

Jesus paid for all the riches, blessings on the cross.

Have to believe,  accept and utilise  the things Jesus  paid for us.

I used to worry  about my children  studies and future  always but when I attended  FRP class “Tearing down  Strongholds” Jesus taught me how to become  happy.  So when we submit  our thoughts  in tod HIS mighty  Hands, He will lead us.

“Be still and know that I am God: I will  be exalted  among  the heathen,  I will  be exalted  in the earth”

Psalm 46: 10

  “Fear thou not, for I am with thee:be not dismayed: for I am thy God:I will strengthen thee, yes, I will help thee,yes,  I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness “.

Isaiah 41:10

Prayer

Heavenly  Father we come before you, thank you for your presence Lord. Thank you for teaching us how not to worry.  Teach us how to hold your  verse and meditate. We ask in Jesus name .

Amen

Sol.G. Kamalin Viji

No one can serve two masters. …. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Matthew 6:24

Everything in life demands undivided attention. Be it your job, studies, business or anything you do in life. Even while cooking, if attention is somewhere else, food may get spoiled. Jesus here is saying the same.

One cannot serve God and money together. Putting your trust and faith in money and not on God is what he is referring here. Its not wrong to possess materialistic wealth but its about placing your priority on your wealth & riches and on God at the same time. The key word here is “SERVING”

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

1 Timothy 6: 17

And in the very next verse, Paul is saying be generous and willing to share.

Jesus says,” Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, ….”

Matthew 6:25

Anxiety, tension of the future makes us more vulnerable to money and we tend to forget the promises of God that He will provide us everything.

Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6: 21

So when it comes to serve the Lord by mentoring people, sharing the gospel or even meditating the scriptures, the thought of money, wealth and riches should not come in mind and focus should be on God’s work only. We see so many leaders, missionaries, pastors today claim to do Lord’s work but sadly their focus has turned from God’s work to fulfilling of their materialistic needs. God said in Exodus 20:3,” You shall have no other gods beside me.” We are making money our God while serving the only God our creator. Satan who is so subtle in his ways, turning God’s people to rely on generating wealth and materialistic possessions and not on God, Jehovah Jireh.

Testimony

When I came to the Lord, I started going to Hyderabad every month to attend the Church and be in the presence of the Lord. Everyone used to say in the Church how come I manage to come every month and I used to be very much surprised how come their focus was not on God but on why I come and how much I spend. Gradually I lost interest in work and instead of waiting on the Lord, I left working and lost all the work. Realizing my mistake, I asked forgiveness and put my complete trust in His provision. After almost 6 months, God again opened a door for me and taught me that He doesn’t want His children to leave the world and be at the mercy of the people of this world but how being in this world, one should serve the Lord with all that one has got. I praise God for teaching me the life’s most valuable lesson practically.

Prayer

May God guide us all not to become slave to money but have the mind to only serve Him with all that we possess!

In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Sol.Neha

” ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world”.

1John 4:4

It was Christ’s triumph at the cross that enabled John to proclaim to all who believe, you are from God, little children, and have overcome them the strength of the enemy may be great, but greater is the power of God Almighty. Greater   in might, majesty, dominion and power., is the omnipotent God, who can come and reside in His people.so we can overcome the evil spirits and their power,” because, greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world”

  God  showed me this verse when I was not confident about myself, my work and my family. He took me under His wings to protect me. He encouraged me to keep working hard. I had my belief in Him that He will give the desires of my heart. (psalms 37:4-5) in His own time. I waited patiently for a long time. But my Father remembered and gave me that perfect job at the perfect time. I am grateful for what I have today. I was the horse and was ready for a very long time, but God gave me victory at the perfect time.

” The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but safety is of the Lord”.

 Proverbs 21:31

“I wait quietly before God for my victory comes from Him”.

Psalms 62:1

“Be still and know that I am God”.

Psalms46:10

             To be still and rested we need to trust God as our refuge.  Our primary source of confidence in our lives must be the Lord and not money, position, power, talents, fame etc. No storm can rock our boat when Jesus is in it with us. Trusting God in every aspect of our life is stillness. We are freed from the chains of fear, anxiety, hopelessness, pride and guilt. As we increase in the knowledge of God, our trust will grow, our joy, peace and hope will grow. We will humble ourselves before Him and exalt Him.

Prayer

          Dear God, in the name of Jesus I pray you keep me going with your grace, love and strength. Please keep all your children who believe in you and love you, under your wings.

Amen

Sol.  Aparajita

 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 5:16

We all know prayer is something that comes from the heart, which goes beyond are mind and works deep in our soul. It’s something that changes us from within, as it is an encounter with living God. It involves a complete surrender of our entire self to God.

Bible teachers us throughout, the importance of this communication with God. Gospel of Luke emphasizes the most on prayer than any other books. And the role model is none other than Christ himself. Jesus not only teaches us to pray but withdraws himself for prayer. Few things that Jesus taught us are as follows:

• Jesus had a disciplined habit of prayer. Luke 22:39

It was habit of Jesus to go away from the multitude and pray.Here Jesus teaches to be like him, to have not just a habit of prayer, but disciplined habit of prayer

• Jesus had a designated place of prayer. Luke 5:16

Jesus just didn’t start to pray where he is, but we see in all the references that he separated from others, went to mountains or wilderness to pray. What he teaches us, is to get separated from everything around us and then be in God’s presence.

• In midst of growing popularity and busy life Jesus took time to pray. Luke 5:16

How busy you maybe, how popular you be, how great and wide ministry you may have, if you don’t spent time in prayer, nothing is fruitful, this is what Jesus thought us.

• Jesus prayed for long hours before taking important decisions. Luke 6:12

Jesus spent one whole night in prayer to select the 12 apostles. Similarly before every important event he did the same. He teaches us to do the same.

• Jesus prayed in public and in private. Luke 8:18

Prayer can be done in public and also in private. When you are praying in public, it should be inspiring the others to pray. Just as we see in Luke 11:1 that after Jesus praying, the apostles asked him to teach them to pray.

Therefore when we follow Jesus let us follow him completely even the prayer life He led. A prayerful life in which, voice of heaven is heard, temptation and plans of the devil are overcome, guidance is received, transformation happens and its strength us to stand all situations in our life.

Prayer

Lord help us to follow you in all aspects of our life. Help us to renew our prayer life and spend time in front of you, so that we can be fruitful to the fullest in our life.

In Jesus name .

Amen

Sol.Shebe

Pray for your land and people

1. First of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks be made for all men.

2. For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and reverence.

3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior.

1Timothy 2:1-3

TESTIMONY

  I live in Manapakkam, Chennai. Recently we shifted to this area. The ground opposite to our home was filled with garbage up to 5 feet height. It was in that condition for several years. I lifted my hands towards the ground and started to pray in the name of Jesus, the garbage should be cleared, the land should become clean and nobody should throw garbage there. Within a month, the local corporation cleared the entire place. I was filled with joy that the Lord answered my prayer. To my surprise within the next 2 months, it turned into a Kabaddi playground. Now youth in our area practice Kabaddi every day. I thank Jesus for listening to my prayers and making the place useful for many.

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

 2 Chronicles 7:14

When we earnestly seek his face, the Lord will heal the land we are living, pour grace upon the people and bring peace to the place that we are living.

You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

God calls us as royal priesthood.

The work of a priest is to stand and to intercede for his people. God has called us as royal priesthood to pray, intercede for our people and place and for our nation and the world.

Currently, all the nations are suffering from economic crisis, we hear of war everywhere, sickness and suffering.

Is it not our duty to pray and intercede for all?

Prayer

Our loving heavenly father, we pray for all the people to be filled with grace and peace. We pray for all the ruling authorities to be filled with your wisdom. May God’s mercy and compassion be poured on everyone.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

Sol. Camilia Theodore, Chennai.

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Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,31  which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

Luke 2:28-32

Simeon, a man from Jerusalem is described as a righteous and devout man and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he won’t die unless he sees the Lord’s Messiah. All of us have some promises given by the Lord regarding our life, our children, our family, our situations.

Do we wait upon those patiently like the devout Simeon for the promise, to see and touch with his hands?

Often, we tend to give up on our promises from God because it has taken a long time or the circumstances don’t look favourable or we have taken people’s opinion on it. So, who is leading us?

I was given a promise when my younger son was in his 12th std. that he would leave the country after his graduation and would pursue his PG abroad. Nothing looked favourable and then he was just in the 12th. When he graduated as a Biotech engineer, things got worse thanks to covid, losing my job etc. It was a stormy season but I had the grace to hold onto God’s promises and took tangible steps towards it in a hopeless situation. But then, that’s where God likes to display His power. Amidst many a challenges and impossibilities on the 5th of May 2022, my son landed in Canada to pursue his PG. Praise God! He was faithful to the last alphabet of what He had spoken.

When Simeon looked at that baby swaddled by His mother’s arms, he felt like those who dream. He took the baby, the Lord’s Messiah in his own arms and praised God, his eyes had seen what God promised him. Do you remember Paul’s journey in Acts 27, the storm and the ship-wreck? But Paul was given an assurance when all hope was lost, the angel reminded him that he had to stand before Caesar so he wont die, he had a promise from God. Acts 27: 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Paul and all 276 of them survive the ship wreck.

So Next Time You Have A Bad Situation Just Remind Yourself Of What God Has Promised You And Gain Confidence That This Ship Wreck Won’t Kill You.

If you have God given promises in your life, hang in there until you touch it, see it, even if nothing looks favourable. For in His time, it shall come to pass for sure.

Loving heavenly Father, thank you that you are faithful to the last word, help us to have patience and wait upon you faithfully. Like Simeon may we be led by the Holy Spirit into our God given promises, in Jesus mighty name. Amen!!

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Sol.Lalitha Menon

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JESUS Chosen The Unworthy To Do His Work

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MATTHEW 11:25

You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

JESUS Chose His DISCIPLES Who Are The FISHERMEN

Matthew 4:18-22 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, At once they left their nets and followed him.

Positive Thing In The Disciples:

The only positive nature is their OBEDIENCE. When Jesus said follow me, they immediately left their boats
& nets and followed Jesus.

During their early days of training, they are very dull.

Matthew 15:16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.
Once they started the ministry, they are filled with power, miracles and wonders.

Acts 19:12 So that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Acts 4:13 When the chief priests and elders saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

The Lord chose me even though I’m not talented or worthy.
When I attended the troop church for the first time, I was very dull. Not good at sharing the word, leading a team, leading worship, etc. When my troop church leader told me not to go to the traditional building church on the 1st day of the troop, I simply obeyed it and never gone to the traditional building church from that day.

The only positive thing in me is the obedience.
Then the Lord started to train me as I was sitting at his feet and listening to his words.

Now the Lord taught me how to lead and serve him. He also enabled me to build the worship department. Also used me to build Sapphire University, 24 hours online worship, etc. All glory to God for using this unworthy vessel to do mighty works for his kingdom.

PRAYER:

Thank you Lord for choosing this unworthy and unskilful servant and moulded into a useful tool for building your kingdom.

AMEN.

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SOL. THEODORE, AOJ.

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“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil…….when tempter came came to Him, He said………..Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God”.

MATTHEW 4:1-4

Through the verse Mt.4:1,we clearly understands that Jesus Christ was taken to the wilderness to be tempted by the tempter(satan)

Jesus was extremely hungry as He had fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness.

The Devil Was Trying To Take Advantage Of A Weak Moment,A Physical Weakness Due To Lack Of Food.

But Jesus replied to the tempter with the above verse quoting Deuteronomy 8:3.The verse implies that even if we need food for our body,we need food for our spiritual man, that is the word of God..

Just as food contains vitamins and medicine needed for body

Every Word In Scripture Contains And Releases Healing To Our Spirits And Minds.

During my adolescent days my dad lost his business.so me and my brother had to work to support the family.I attended more than fifty interviews but in vain. I knew that God was teaching me perseverance, finally in 2011 I got a job but had to work night shift. It was a challenge for me . But my God strengthened me to work and succeed. Now I am a teacher. All glory to God.

The emphasis is on“every word”.we need to consume the word and meditating on one word at a time to discover its inner spiritual nutrients,meanings and secrets.

• The word is alive,
  • dynamic,
  • sharp,
  • penetrative and
  • double-edged.

Every day we need food to sustain our life.similarly we need spiritual food for the inner man.when we consume it the fire,the passion, the energy ,

THE STRENGTH OF GOD IS INVESTED IN US.

In meditation we break the word into its smaller parts.The word is medicine to us, it heals us of our inner ailments.It is both an offensive or defensive weapon. It is a hammer and a fire. Inside us.Jeremiah.23:29,Hebrews12:29

Unlike manna of the old testament time
It can be stored and brought out of our hearts and mouths by Holy Spirit.(John 14:26,1 John2:27)whenever needed.It has an answer for every question and solution to every life problems and it satisfies us.

Father,God, Thank You For All The Blessings That You Have Showered Upon Us.Lord Give Us Your Strength To Overcome The Temptations And Grow,Stronger In Faith.
In The Matchless Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray,

AMEN

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SOL.JACQUELINE EMMANUEL

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RESURRECTION

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“And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, …………………….”

By Christ’s Death On The Cross We Are.

R E D E E M E D

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But do we really take part in knowing the Power of His Resurrection?

 Before I used to think and ask the Lord, how the Apostles did and what made them do such righteous and miraculous works revealing the heavenly power, but here we stand, often asking forgiveness for not exercising our authority, spiritual gifts, and what makes us fall behind again and again. One day while a sister was sharing the message about baptism, the word “Resurrection” which I had heard of a lot sounded quite different. I felt the dry parts of my mind getting revived in the power of the Holy Spirit, which made me acknowledge what I have to magnify more about and changed my viewpoint of things to a whole new perspective.  

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." 
                                                        (Romans 10:9)

“He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25).  

Without realising and walking in the power of resurrection, the work of redemption and justification remains incomplete.

THE APOSTLES know and also confessed that Jesus Is The Son Of God, healed sickness, broke the bondages of people and did miracles in Jesus name, when they were given the authority to do so.

It is the resurrection of Jesus that revealed His true nature and made the apostles lead the largest movement ever known to man. The preaching in the book of Acts emphasized more about the power of resurrection than the work of redemption. He has promised that He will be with us to the end of time. This changes everything.

A dead hero in the grave is no help to us.

But A Risen Savior In Heaven Gives Us Great Confidence And Power!

The Resurrection power is in you!

Jesus was, “declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

Every Christian believes and receives salvation, but sadly, most aren’t operating in the fullness of the resurrection power available to every one of us. Though we have experienced the different gifts of the Holy Spirit, to get operated in full, this amazing power from the Spirit of Holiness is available within us to transform, equip, and empower us. As in Philippians 3:10, practice more to know Him and the power of His resurrection. Just as the resurrection itself was impossible for anyone but God, the power behind the resurrection will take you into situations that are impossible for you to deal successfully with on your own. Let us march forward reviving the dry and dead, experiencing the power of resurrection everyday!

Heavenly  Father give me the grace to have the  power of your resurrection   to deal with  difficult situations.  
Amen

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SOL.APHIRANCY  

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Reliance on  God’s Power

When Elisha and the sons of prophets decided to go to Jordan and build a dwelling there, the iron axe-head of one of them fell into water while cutting wood

“But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.”

2 Kings 6:4-5

Borrowed axe head

It symbolises the sorrows given to us by others. Their harshness, injustices, atrocities etc. are like an iron axe head which press us down, do not allow us to come to the surface and breathe the fresh air of freedom

And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.

2 Kings 6:6

Iron did swim

Can we solve our problems with our own efforts? Can we take out the iron from the bottom of water by making arduous efforts? So, whom should we seek? The Word of God is like a stick which Elisha cast in the water. The result was that the iron floated contrary to the laws of nature and science! Similarly, laborious efforts and powers of the world cannot solve our problems.

We need to trust our Heavenly Father to take the ‘iron’ out of our lives by simply trusting Him that He is leading us through a perfect plan.

Divine Courage and Lord’s Forgiveness Reflected

Elisha had visionary powers which served to defeat every plan which the Syrians made to besiege Israel.

So, the King of Syria sent a host of troops to capture him. When Elisha’s servant informed him of the approaching troops, he was not at all moved or afraid.

 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

2 Kings 6:16

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1John4:4

Elisha used his power of prayer to make them all blind. Then, he led them to Samaria promising to hand over their target (he himself) to them, which they were unaware of. Then, he offered another prayer to restore their eyes.

When the King of Israel asked Elisha to smite them, the latter not only asked him to forgive them but directed him to serve their enemies with bread and drink.

After feeding his enemies, he safely sent them away. And after that the Syrian bands didn’t come to Israel.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;”.

Luke 6:35

When I feel pressed down in my life as human nature is very deceptive, I always rely on the love of Abba Father and His sovereign power. He works in ways which can defy the laws of nature. If we have enough faith, we can even walk on water as our Master did. It all depends on how much we submit to His will, remain focused on His teachings and listen to the voice of the Holy spirit.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help us to always rely on you for all our physical,emotional and spiritual needs. May we always place our trust in God as with Him, nothing is impossible.  May the peace of God always rule our hearts.

In Jesus’s name,

Amen.

Sol. Neelam Sharma