AOJ NEWS

Persistent Prayer

pray without ceasing,
I Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
Luke 18:1 NKJV
We know the story of the widow who persistently visited the unjust judge to get her justice against her adversary. She had nobody to help her. But she went and put her request consistently before the judge. Only because of her persistence the judge worked out the case for her. Jesus gives this story as a parable to make His disciples know the value of constant communion with the heavenly Father through prayer. The Lord’s ears are inclined to the cry of His elect. The choice is ours whether we need His help or not. Jesus asks His disciples if the unjust judge couldn’t ignore the poor widows constant reminders how could the heavenly Father ignore the humble cries of His beloveds.. Moreover God is just and righteous and He cannot tolerate injustice against anyone.
Daniel prayed three times a day without fail. Though he was in Babylon his Windows were open in the direction of Jerusalem, the Lord’s city and his eyes we’re fixed on to the Lord’s mercy. How can the Lord evade his prayers.
The Lord sent His angels to shut the lions’ mouths so that they didn’t hurt him. Daniel knew the Lord’s attributes and he stands in the gap for his people, Israelites and deliverance of Jerusalem. He confessed his own sin and the sins of his ancestors and prayed and put supplications with fasting and humbled himself with sackcloth and ashes as was customary for 21 days. God sent His answer through Gabriel as we read in the scripture.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
I Timothy 2:1‭-‬2 NKJV
In his epistle to Timothy, apostle Paul tells him to persistently pray for Kings, rulers and all those in authorities, that they take wise decisions at government levels enabling people for a good and peaceful life. Lord wants people to pray for the leaders so that they be efficient and just in their duty to the welfare of the people. granting personal freedom to worship the Lord devoid of oppression and bondage.
Listen to the Lord speaking to Ezekiel lamenting his displeasure against His own people:
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV

Isn’t it our duty to pray for our land, it’s rulers and the total benefit of the people?
Many a time the Lord was angry with Israel as they were rebellious and stiff necked. Israel would have been totally wiped out if Moses had not stood in the breach for them to prevent the Lord’s wrath on several occasions of their ingratitude.
Let us pray without ceasing. Let us bow before the sovereign God that He be compassionate to shower His loving kindness on us and our land. Bless the Lord for all His benefits.

Sol. Dr. Salomi Kurien

Watching him carefully

One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully.

–Luke 14:1 

Let us ponder on Jesus here  receiving the invitation from the ruler of the Pharisees. By this time Pharisees had already formed an opinion about Jesus that He came to abolish many of the unwanted customs and traditions of the Jewish religion which were imposed on the people  as  burdens.

Jesus would have given a thought whether to accept this invitation or not. When I receive invitation from people to conduct trainings or to share messages with Churches  or certain section of the people, I will choose and decide whether to accept it or not. Jesus could have declined this invitation because already he had bitter experiences with them. Whenever and wherever He went the Pharisees sent their representatives to find fault with Him.

And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. 

–Luke 6:7 

As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things,  lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

-Luke 11:53-54 

They even sent spies to put Jesus in danger.

  So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 

–Luke 20:20

In such a situation Jesus is accepting this invitation. Here also they were watching him carefully. Jesus willfully and boldly sought and created situations to preach the truth .

Paul says

  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

–2Ti 4:2

 Col_1:28-29; 1Th_2:11-12, 1Th_5:14, Tit_1:13, Tit_2:15; Heb_13:22; Rev_3:19

1.Jesus sought opportunities to rebuke, exhort, reprove with complete patience and teaching.

2.Even when He knew that He will be humiliated, found fault with,  He accepted the invitation.

3.We should be ready to go to preach the gospel where it is not accepted.

4.Even to create situations and opportunities to preach gospel.

5.Even to the places where we know for sure, you will meet with opposition.

Prayer

Lord Heavenly Father, give us the courage and boldness to be like Jesus, not to take offense in anything, to face situations of opposition for the sake of gospel, even to preach  gospel in the midst of enemies.Amen

–Sr. Angelica AOJ

“If Any Of You Lack Wisdom, Let Him Ask Of God,

That Giveth To All Men Liberally,And Upbraideth Not, And It Shall Be Given Him”.

James 1:5

The ultimate source of all wisdom is God Himself. God reveals His wisdom to us in His word,the Bible. We can also seek God,’s wisdom in wise and godly counsellors

Proverb 11:14 
"Where No Counsel Is,The People Fall:But In The Multitude Of Counsellors There Is Safety".

That is from the mouth of multiple witnesses. God has given us His written word which He puts in the heart and mouth of His believers to advice us.

Here James, the haif brother of Jesus, is referring to the wisdom we need when we have to face various difficulties and tough choices to make.

Recognizing our lack of godly wisdom is a good step towards growing in grace,maturing in faith, and gaining an understanding of our position in Christ and all that He has done for us.

God knows that we are weak and frail and He knows that testing our faith can cause us to complain or murmur.But God provides all the wisdom we need to maintain a steady heart, patient endurance and an unwavering faith in Him.

I am a twelfth standard student and God gave me this verse while l was in tenth standard.The classes were on online due to lockdown.studying in that mode was new and all the classes were not interesting I had a tough time understanding practical subjects like Maths and Physics. So I worked hard and came to know how to prophecy and how to write decree and declare by attending prophecy class in Army of Jesus(AOJ).

The decree I wrote was in this way ” In the mighty name of Jesus,the King of kings and the Lord of Lords, I decree and declare that in my board exam I want 85% and above. I seal this decree with the precious blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit “.Amen. I also use to proclaim this verse every day from the beginning of the class which Sr.Angelica gave me.

The word comforts me.John15:7 says”If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will,and it shall be done unto you”.

When the time for exam arrived , the schools were told to conduct pre-board exam within the school premises. And based on that and practical marks the result will come on the website.August 3rd on my birthday result came.I got the courage and opened the CBSE portal.To my surprise God gave me 89%.God did hear and answered my prayers.Through this I learnt the power of prophesying and using the authority God gave me Lord Jesus I thank you for bringing this testimony in my life.Let your name be glorified.Help me to grow in grace and in wisdom as I rest in your love and in your word.In Jesus name I pray.

Amen.

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SOL.RACHEL

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“EZRA WENT UP FROM BABYLON;

AND HE WAS A READY SCRIBE IN THE LAW OF MOSES,WHICH THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL HAD GIVEN:

AND THE KING GRANTED HIM ALL HIS REQUEST,ACCORDING TO THE HAND OF THE LORD HIS GOD UPON HIM”.

E z r a 7 :6

Ezra was a scribe who was taken to Babylon as an exile.He was a willing and able scribe to write down the law given to Israel through Moses.His tongue was a ready pen in the hand of a writer That is his speech and Writting were anointed.. when God wanted to communicate a message,He chose to write it on the wall or tablet

Exodus 31:18
Daniel 5:5–12

Ezra Sought To Grow In Stature And Wisdom With God.God Will Guide Such People And Bless Them. And Cause Multiply Their Influence.

Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries and were influential Jews.They had a burning desire to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its ruins.They were successful in obtaining permission and resources to rebuild Jerusalem.

Ezra7:10 says Ezra prepared his heart and prepared the hearts of the people for giving praise and thanksgiving in public. When He read the word.people began to mourn of repentence.Ezra comforted them and asked them to rejoice. Whatever be our sorrow when we read,memorize and meditate on the word , we will be caused to rejoice.

Believe And Claiming A Promise Is Also Obedience Or Application.

Like Ezra we have to study the word and explain it to our co-workers and friends whenever we get an opportunity. If you are faithful in this small responsibility God will enlarge our vision and our influence.

Psalms 115:14″The Lord shall increase you more and more……”

Scripture needs to be studied every day,interpret everyday, taught and practice it everyday.One cannot be a reader of Bible without being a practitioner.We must lead people to the land of promises(promises in Bible).

Daniel 12:3 says”And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever”.

The more we study, Meditate , memorise and practice it,then we are blessed and we make it a practice in our lives. When we transfer the written word to our hearts, we are more blessed and enjoy perfect peace. Writing converts thoughts into visible words.writing makes the invisible visible.

WHEN WE WRITE FOR GOD WE BECOME A READY PEN IN HIS HAND.

 Heavenly   Father help us to become a ready pen in your hand.Enlarge our vision and  multiply our  influence.In Jesus name I ask.

Amen

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SOL.GIGI JACOB

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“But if we confess our sins to Him,He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness”.

1John 1:9

If we want to maintain a continual fellowship with God,we need to confess our sins to Him.Forgiveness and cleansing are guaranteed because God is faithful to His promises and HE acts on the basis of His justice. Christ’s death on the cross fulfilled God’s justice and freed us of our guilt.

1. We need to allow God to search our heart
   Psalms51:10″ Create in me a clean heart. O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me”.
2. And also spend time with God. we must always have our foundation on the rock, Jesus and His words. That is why Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17“Never stop praying”.

Meditate on the word daily and ask God what He wants to reveal to us and transform us. If He reminds us of one sin immediately repent and confess ,and have victory over that sin. If Jesus showed us many sins, don’t be disappointed. Ask for pardon. He will help you.
Isaiah1:18“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool”.

 Christ  like transformation is a continuous  process for our growth  throughout  our life. It will not occur immediately. 

    Without God's revelation we cannot change. He has to open our eyes, ears and mind

Jeremiah17:9,10 says” The human heart is the most deceitful of all things., and desperately wicked. who really knows how bad it is?”
“But, I the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve”.

Prayer

      Father God help us to have a continual  fellowship with you. Forgive our sins and cleanse our hearts. Amen

Sol. Sujatha Maduram

A GREEN OLIVE TREE

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BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD. I TRUST IN THE STEADFAST LOVE OF GOD FOREVER AND EVER.

P s a l m 5 2 : 8 (ESV)

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The Righteous Who Believes God To Be His Strength Says The Following Words:

But I Am Like A Green Olive Tree In The House Of God. I Trust In The Steadfast Love Of God Forever And Ever.

Green Olive Tree Requires two esential things that is

• Sunlight

• Water

Here The the green olive tree grows in the house of GOD

Then what will be the SOURCE of sunlight & water ?

SOURCE OF LIGHT

Revelation 1:16

AND HIS FACE WAS LIKE THE SUN SHINING IN FULL STRENGTH.

SOURCE OF WATER

John 7:38

‘OUT OF HIS HEART WILL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER.’”

The LORD’s light of his countenance(face) Shines with full strength → upon the olive Tree

And the rivers of water flows from his heart

The Secret of tree to stay green is, it is planted in the house of GOD and his presence

No the more like the ordinary trees which is planted on the earth which is dependent on the sunlight and the water.

But Like A Green Olive The Tree Which Trust In God For Its Light And Water

As it says in hosea (Hosea : 14 -9)

Take with you words

and return to the Lord;

say to him,

“Take away all iniquity;……

Assyria shall not save us;

we will not ride on horses;

and  we will say no more, ‘Our God,’

to the work of our hands.

In you the orphan finds mercy.”

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I will heal their apostasy;
I will love them freely,his shoots shall spread out;
his beauty shall be like the olive,
They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;
they shall flourish like the grain;t
hey shall blossom like the vine;
their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

BLESSED life it is to be living in Gods presence today our source in which we are connected need to be GOD, God need to be our source of light and life giving Water which help us to grow as a green olive tree if our leaves our turning pale, Pale leaves usually suggest a plant isn’t receiving enough light. (Most plants need at least six hours of direct sun )

PRAYER

LORD the FATHER our gardener I come before you through JESUS CHRIST be gracious towards me heal my apostasy and be merciful upon me let you be my source of engery for my growth and I trust in you Alone

AMEN

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SOL.PINTA EUNICE, AOJ

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And they said ” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house”.

–Acts 16:31

Paul and Silas directed the jailer to a faith in Christ that brings blessing both to him and his family.The whole household recieved the teaching of Christ and took baptism.

Testimony:

               The same thing happened in my life also. We belong to an R.C church and worship the idols of all saints. We are six children and I am the youngest. Jesus choose me first. It reminds me of  Psalms135:4″For the Lord has chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His  peculiar treasure”. He choose me as a peculiar treasure and I came out of R.C.church. My house was close to my parents house. I was able to reflect  Christ to them. So my mother came to Jesus. When I was born her uterus came out with me. It gave her much trouble. And the doctor told surgery and fix the date. Me and mother prayed so much and God did a miracle. On the day of surgery doctor examined and said no need of surgery as the uterus shrinked

“But know that the Lord hath set apart  him  that is godly for Himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto Him”.

–Psalms4:3

Mother started reading bible and came out from R.CChurch completely. Later my three siblings also joined us.Mother’s  death was also a testimony. She told us to sing throughout  her buried.All came to view said her face  look like an angel.

God gave me and my husband the blessing to look after her till her death and to bring her to Jesus.

       “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life”.

-John3:15

I am sure that she is there with her beloved.

Faith is the key that opens  our  understanding to the Christian life and the Manual is the Bible.

Those who put their trust in Lord Jesus for salvation are to grow and develop in Him with the word of God.

We must love, obey and serve Him above all others, including those closest  to us.

        Paul and Silas did not direct him to use the means of grace, to pray or to continue  to seek for salvation. They said “believe” on the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a simple, a plain and an effectual direction.

Prayer

        Loving Father, thank you that I am saved  by grace through  trusting in Jesus. Thank you for your word. I believe that I can do all things through faith in Christ, who gives me the strength. Amen

–Sol.Rani John

B L E S S E D

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ARE THEY THAT MOURN:
FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED".

M A T H E W 5:4″

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When there are great sufferings  in our life,we usually go into depression. It is a huge pit and we cannot climb out on our own.In my life there was every chance of going into depression  as my husband was having  severe heart problem and I had to look after two small children and an ailing father-in-law and mother-in-law and above all I have to go for work.Now when I look back,wonder how I did it all.

P S A L M S 118 : 23

THIS IS THE LORDS DOING , IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES”.

I know that I was in my Lords hands at that times and HE comforted me with the word (Isaiah 41:10,43:2,Psalms91) and gave me the PEACE that passeth understanding Philippians4:7

Yes?,we have sorrows and anxiety when going through such situations. But when Jesus enters into our heart sorrow and anxiety will flee from us.It is usually caused by the enemy.In the presence of Jesus he cannot stay there, so he flee away as James said in 4:7

2 Corinthians 7:10 says” For godly sorrow worketh repentence to salvation……but the sorrow of the world worked death.”

Godly sorrow gives us inner strength to endure sorrows while worldly sorrow cause us to be weak. Joyful spirit replaces our weaknesses ,afflictions and mourning.He turns our mourning into song and dance. PSALMS 30:5

Lord replaces our regrets with fulfillments and hope, and our tears with laughter. God collects our tears in a vial. when we sow in tears,we reap in joy.when we are comforted praise and thanksgiving continually flow from our hearts and lips.on seeing the tears of barren Hannah God comforted her and raised a great prophet Samuel from her.when our near and dear ones do not understand what troubles our heart and mind,God gives us comfort,deliverance and relief.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for drawing  us near you and comforting us.Give us the grace  to endure  sufferings  and praise you through the storm.
                         Amen

SOL.GIJI JACOB

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AND THE LORD SAID UNTO JOSHUA,

THIS DAY HAVE I ROLLED AWAY THE REPROACH OF EGYPT FROM OFF YOU.

Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

Joshua 5:9 (UKJV)

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Slavery Is A Reproach.

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Many of our people are under reproach today.
Reproach of poverty
Reproach of unemployment
Reproach of disunity
Reproach of separation in married life
Reproach of misbehaving children
Reproach of divorce
Reproach of children not getting married
Reproach of barrenness
Reproach of not getting proper companion in life
Reproach of financial stringency
Reproach of debt & loans

All these are various kinds of slaveries.
All these slaveries are the result of Adam’s sin. All the above are suppressing a man in order that he may not rise up & take authority to rule over his life, the Church, his Constituency, his territory, the State, the Nation.

Can you take a list of all the items that are pushing you down in body, soul & spirit?

Jesus says,
Matthew 11:28-29 (UKJV) 

COME UNTO ME, ALL YOU THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:

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AND ALL OF YOU SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS.

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If one is under struggle
In body (with sickness)
In soul (rejection, loneliness, bitterness, enmity, jealousy, etc)
In spirit ( in sin)

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Until you shake off these burdens & until you find rest, you cannot think of winning countries, States & willing souls.

So let us come out of all the reproaches
Never allow any slavery
Are you under financial burdens?
There are people who look for you to give you jobs.
( Pl give contact nos)
Are you under sickness? There are healing ( Give contact nos)
Are you under any other burdens
There are provisions.
Let’s come out from this reproaches & work for the Lord.

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SR. ANGELICA AOJ

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“AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HER,

Martha,Martha,Thou Art Careful And Troubled About Many Things”.

Luke 10:41

As Jesus and His disciples went on their way,He came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him in her home.She had a Sister named

Mary,who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to His teachings.

Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and complaint to Jesus.,’Lord,don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me’.
Lord answered her,”Martha,Martha,thou art careful and troubled about many things.

 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part?, which shall not be taken away from her".

Here Martha was distracted by worldly things while serving Jesus. Usually we are also serving Jesus in the same way. Martha was there in the home with Jesus but she was not sitting at His feet listening to Him.How sad? Similarly we go to church for our satisfaction and to show others our spirituality. How sad it is?

Mathew 15:8 Jesus said “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth,and honoureth me with their lips but their heart is far from me”.

Martha had an opportunity to serve Jesus.What a privilege. But she is doing it without any joy. Even if you go to church and worship Jesus,what if you are doing it without any happiness. She is here complaining to Jesus.Just imagine the way we complaint about others and serve Jesus without any joy but hatred in our mind to others.

Mathew 7:1 says”Judge not,that you be not judged”.
Spirit of complaining and grumbling taken over her that kill her joy of serving Jesus.Now she is manipulating the heart of Jesus by asking’ do you not care?’ She pushing her frustration on everybody around her and accusing them”” not caring”.

It is not because they don’t care but because they learnt how to serve Lord with joy.

Like Mary if we sat at the Lords feet and study it will please the Lord and HE will be near to us. So what needed to please Lord is always obey Him,trust Him,draw near to Him.

Jesus said in Mathew 11:30″For my yoke is easy,and my burden is light”..walking with Jesus and serving Him gives us joy which will not be taken away from us by Satan.

We are anxious about everything our future, health, about our children ,but Paul says in

Philippians4:6-7″ Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” ” And the peace of God,which pass-through all understanding,shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

Here Mary chose the good portion of sitting at His feet and listening to His teaching.sitting at His feet is the time we spent with Jesus without any distraction Enemy cannot steal your intimacy and fellowship with Jesus.Today we also have to choose the good portion which Satan cannot take away.

Lord Jesus give me the strength and courage to sit at your feet and listen to your teaching.Give wisdom to choose the good portion which Satan cannot take away.Increase our intimacy and love for you, Jesus.

Amen

Sol.ArokiaMari, AOJ

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