AOJ NEWS

FAITH IS A GIFT; PRAY FOR ITS INCREASE

The apostles said to the Lord “Increase our faith…

Luke 17: 5

Romans 1:17 says that the righteous shall live by faith and Hebrew 11:6 says it’s impossible to please God without faith.  According to Romans 12:3 each one of us is blessed with a measure of faith which we can maintain, lose or keep it increasing. There are certain things that we should do to keep our faith increasing.

We have to maintain a register recording all the miracles we experience every day; so that we can remind ourselves of his Omnipotence which is sufficient for us to overcome any threat that comes to test our faith.

Even before I got married in 1989, I had committed my life to the Lord and was praying for a man of God to share my life with. But after our marriage I found that my husband was more like an atheist and had nothing to do with God. I was heartbroken but the Lord strengthened me and spoke to me through His word, not to give up but to hold on with faith.

I never had expressed my disappointment but tried to be an affectionate and understanding wife, all the time praying and believing for his salvation. After 25 long years, God touched him and his life got totally transformed. Now we are serving the Lord together with great joy. God helped me to hold on to my faith and honoured His words.

Also when we start looking at the circumstances our faith may falter. Peter could walk on the sea as long as his eyes were on Jesus. Once he looked at the boisterous sea he started to drown. Whatever the situation may be, we should strongly believe thatGod is in control of everything, to keep up the level of our faith.

Giving importance to God’s word will surely increase our faith. We have to keep on meditating the word of God and if possible memorize as much verses as we can. Bible is a great resource to fill our faith reserves.

Praising God and worshipping Him in Spirit shall surely help us to build a strong unwavering faith. When we believe we shall see the glory of God and our faith shall surely overcome the world.

Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank you for you are the author and finisher of faith. Help us to be strong in faith putting our trust in you alone, giving more importance to your word in our life and always to remember the mighty miracles you’ve done in the past for us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Sol. Jeslyn Jeyakumar

“During death angels will come to carry the soul away.”

Luke 16:22

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.”

Yes, the Bible indicates that when we die, we will not be alone, but angels will accompany us on our journey to heaven (if we deserve).  In the above parable, Jesus talked about a poor man who had suffered much during his time on earth.  When he died, Jesus said, “the angles carried him to Abraham’s side-to heaven – a happy and joyful state where he was comforted.

That has to do with the ministry of angels at the time of death of a believer.

John-11:25-26 “Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

He is with us right up to the moment of our death.

We deserve nothing less than hell because of our sins but Jesus took upon himself the judgement and hell that we deserve.  Now he offers us the gift of eternal life and all we have to do is receive it.

John 5:29 says “those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

In Luke 16:19-31 speaks the death of a rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus.

In Luke 16:22 We see the experience of both like one moment poor Lazarus was collapsed at the gate of a very rich man, a dying beggar and the next moment he was being carried by angels to heaven.  In this physical life his companions were dogs licking his sores but in death, mighty angels came, swept him into their embrace and carried him into paradise with Abraham.

And the rich man being carried by angels not by the good but by the evil angels and not into Abraham’s side, but to hell.

Angels are ministering spirits given for us. Few months back, in Punjab, one young believer boy named Moses met with an accident and had a severe head injury. It was just next to impossible for him to survive but a miracle happened. The Lord released His resurrection power on Moses and he got a new life within 10 days. This was according to the Word given by heaven for him and so many other patients were also discharged that day. I believe that it was the Lord who sent His angels in human form to take care of his hospital admission, treatment, fee payment etc. Two believers (attendants) released Word of God (Rev  2:10)  all the time there where he was admitted. All glory to the Lord.

Mathew-25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Our life is not a bed of roses but ahead of us is heaven, where we will be safely in God’s presence forever.  Let that great truth encourage and strengthen us every day.

Sol. Poonam Batra, AOJ

… ALL THINGS ARE LAWFUL FOR ME, BUT I WILL NOT BE BROUGHT UNDER THE POWER OF ANY.

1 Corinthian 6: 12

Some say, “ALL THINGS ARE LAWFUL FOR ME”

YES; BUT NOT EVERYTHING IS GOOD FOR YOU.

I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me its slave. I MUST BE AN OVERCOMER

Christian teaching about God’s grace can create uncertainty for believers about WHAT IS OR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR.

On one hand, Scripture is emphatic that those who are in Christ are not subject to the law of Moses. Christians are free to eat old-covenant- restricted animals, for instance, and not to participate in all the special holidays required for religious Jews.

Moreover, Apostle Paul has written in the previous verse, 1 Corinthians 6:11, that those in Christ have already been washed of their sins, sanctified in Christ, and declared justified by God.

That transaction is complete. We are saved. Why not continue to do whatever we want, then?

Why not participate in what we call sexual immorality?  Why not do whatever comes naturally, whatever our bodies desire?

That’s the question Paul seems to be answering in this and the following verses.  In this verse Paul tells us “All things are lawful for me.”

But all things are not helpful: The Corinthian Christians used their “liberty” as a license to sin.

See the reference to the harlot in 1 Corinthians 6:15

1 Cor 6:15 You know that your bodies are parts of the body of Christ. Shall I take a part of Christ’s body and make it part of the body of a prostitute? Impossible!

Corinthian Christians thought they had the liberty to use the services of prostitutes. This was culturally accepted in the city of Corinth.

It is true that nothing- including sin- can ever separate a forgiven Christian from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus

Romans 8: 38- 39 says- 38 For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below, there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

So does this give the right to justify our actions for sinful activities?

Paul writes this is a wrong standard for believers.

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IS NOT AN OPEN EXCUSE FOR ANY BEHAVIOUR OR ATTITUDE.

Paul is urging the Christians to live up to who they are now in Christ. He is encouraging all Christians to make this the standard for their choices.

Paul insists that the standard for Christian behaviour must be whether a practice is helpful or enslaving.

Sex is more than a mere bodily function; God designed it to unite two people into one body in marriage. That union with another person includes Christ, to whom we are also united, into union with us. Our bodies will be resurrected and are meant even now to bring glory to God.

I WILL NOT BE BROUGHT UNDER THE POWER OF ANY: In this phrase, Paul is saying I will not be brought under the power of anybody (as in the body of a prostitute).

A PRINCIPLE FOR SEXUAL PURITY AMONG CHRISTIANS IS NOT THE SAME AS FOR FOOD.

“My body wants food, so I eat. My body wants sex, so I hire a prostitute. What’s the problem?”

The body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body:

Paul warns us not to take that slogan, which applies to irrelevant food restrictions, and apply it to sexual immorality.

Because of our lustful sexual appetites, it may seem that God did make our bodies for sexual immorality. But God did not make our bodies that way; sinful Adam did. The body is not for sexual immorality.

Our bodies will be raised up by the Lord at the resurrection. So what we do with our bodies in regard to food does not affect us in the same way as what we do with our bodies in regard to sex.

Sol Dr Gita

“But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”

Luke 16:31

While speaking of the Law, the Prophets and the Kingdom through the Lazarus and the Rich man parable, Jesus says these words of Abraham to some Pharisees and His disciples present there. Through the verses of this parable, we might have heard more of being helpful to the poor, the needy and so on. But another main frame that Jesus has shown here is, the marvellous miracles, signs and the testimonies go in vain, if one does not hear and believe in the word of God in the Law and through the Prophets.

Yes, people believed in Jesus’ name when they saw the signs which He did (John 2:23). But among the disciples who followed Jesus seeing the signs, many went back in disbelief when He told them about the things written in the prophets (John 6: 60,66). We may have experienced people eagerly seeking for the signs of healing, deliverance, prophetic words for their future, family, nation and so on, but go back in disbelief when they see no external signs or when the opposite happens. Also, there are some people who still won’t be convinced with more signs and wonders even if they saw them as they had hardly heard and believed in the Word of God. In Romans 10:17, we read that hearing the Word of God creates the faith in the truth unto salvation, and a sign may or may not have a role in it.

One of my aunts felt so lonely after the demise of my uncle, her son and daughter-in-law lived separately and adding to her burden and pain, the news of her second grandchild diagnosed with blood cancer made her completely helpless. She sought her help through the Word of God shared in the “Paul School of Deliverance” conducted by the Army of Jesus, her son and daughter-in-law got together and glory to God, her grandchild also got cured from cancer. The signs did encourage her belief, but the Word of God convinced her. Now, even in her illness, though the recovery is not as expected, instead of seeking for more signs, she is happily living by faith in the truth that made her free.

Having the Word of God, we should live by faith in God’s Word and not as a result of an experience, an angelic appearance, or even someone returning from the dead. Even heaven and earth may fail, but not one dot of the Law to become void (Luke 16:17). As soldiers in the Army, let us put our focus on the Word of God, and also be concerned about the people whom we preach, to make them walk in faith and not by sight.

Sol. Aphirancy

“Listen, my dear brothers: has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him?”

James 2:5

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matt 5:3

For you know the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich yet for your sake became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Cor 8:9

With these verses we get to know that the Lord Jesus Christ loves everyone equally and He shows no favouritism whether the person is rich or poor. He does not like His children showing favouritism and disparity between the poor and the rich. Christ Jesus himself, being the King of kings left the heavenly throne and came on the earth and also became poor for our sake that out of His poverty we will become rich.

He also told us in the Beatitudes that blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Lord wants us to be humble and He wants to lift those who humble themselves before Him.

It is our hearts that He is interested in. He sees through our hearts and He knows what’s inside our hearts. Whenever the Pharisees, Sadducees and the teachers of the law came to trap Him by their cunning ways, the Lord could see through their hearts and what they intended.

The Lord did not trust them.

But always answered them in a way that astonished them.

Even today the Lord knows the heart of all men and blesses them accordingly.

He does not want us to show favouritism of any type towards anyone. He wants us to treat all our brothers and sisters equally.

But those who do not acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Saviour even after knowing Him, will always remain poor and no one can help them in this spiritual poverty

It is our faith that the Lord is interested in.

He wants to see us rich in faith and in His Word. Those who are rich in faith will never live in poverty, for they have found the greatest treasure in their lives and that is Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

But those who are rich in the Word of God, even though they are poor will have the greatest riches of all times.

There was a member in our Konkani Troop church meeting. He was genuine in faith, in hearing the Word of God.   He believed and accepted the Word of God. He had no money to cultivate his land.  God gave another member of the same Troop Church wisdom to purchase the stock he had of the previous year at a high price. Thus the paddy he had as stock, was sold at almost double the price. It was enough to meet all his needs. Glory be to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Sol. Luiza Kudchadkar AOJ

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:7 

Jesus Christ came to this world to establish a government. Except Lucifer nobody, who lived in his time seems to be bothered about it.  Because human beings in their fallen nature, had not understood its value or meaning. But Lucifer who was with the Lord, who knew the greatness and character of God, in his tremendous wisdom tested Jesus and found out that “Jesus is the King who came to establish his Kingdom here on earth by ‘by bruising his head’. Jesus accomplished it. He restored the dominion of Adam and his descendants on earth and enabled them exercise their power of subduing everything on earth.

Any king who wants to establish a kingdom will first start making himself strong on this earth by accumulating wealth, properties, gold, palaces, Military forces etc. Then he will start expanding his earthly territory.

Jesus’ Govt is entirely different.

It is established in human hearts. He delivers people from the lies and deceptions of satan, breaks the strongholds, which satan has built in their minds and release them from darkness. Their eyes are opened to see the truth. Their fear, inhibitions, anxieties, disappointments, rejections everything vanish, and they see themselves rulers of the earth. They start ruling the earth, sky and ocean. (Gen 1:28)

The capital of Jesus’ Government is human heart. When a person accepts Jesus Christ and commits himself to regularize his life by obeying His commandments, one gets deliverance. All the yokes of manmade traditions (even that of denominational Churches) religion, caste, creed, everything is broken. They enter into a new order, a new world, and become new creation with new nature and characteristics. This is contagious; Spreads from heart to heart, life to life.  Those who tasted it cannot resist the compulsion of sharing it with another.  

This process of establishing Jesus Government in human hearts commenced on the day of Pentecost, when Holy Spirit was poured from heaven around 2020 years ago.  It spread from Jerusalem to Antioch, to Rome, to Greece and to other countries, and is continuing, all over the world, till today.  Lucifer tried to stop it in many ways. But wherever he tried, it burst out all the more powerfully.  It spreads from person to person, house to house, family to family, city to city, country to country etc. It is ever on the increase and never on decrease. It crosses over all the financial, cultural, religious, social and political barriers.

Among those who wanted to put an end to the Government of Jesus, the first one was the Roman Empire the land of which covered the whole earth at that time. The Roman Empire fell miserably in the 3^rd century A.D. and gave way to the Government of Jesus. Rome accepted Jesus as the head of their Government.

What is the secret of this increase?

When a person becomes the citizen in Jesus Government, peace starts ruling his heart. A boy called Jeyan’s  (name changed)  life was in a miserable condition. He was all alone living with his mother and the mother died of heart disease. He went into depression and after 6 months one morning he also had a severe heart attack and doctor gave only 2 hours for him. He himself had to sign the papers before starting treatment. When we met him, he could not sleep, could not speak loudly, was on strict diet, could not even drink water more than 1 litre a day. We felt pity for this boy and allowed him to stay with us. Started praying for him. After 8 days he spoke, “I’m feeling much better now. More than physical health I am at peace now. I can sleep very well. The anxieties are gone’.

This is because Jesus started ruling his heart. There is no end for the growth of Jesus’ Government and the peace that brings along with it.  When it covers the whole earth, and when all the people (the chosen ones) are brought under this Government, the heaven itself comes down and the New Heaven and New Earth will be established on earth. Yes, His Government will have no end. It will be ever on the increase.

This is our calling. To bring Jesus Government into the hearts of all citizens in each Constituency. Each one of them should be delivered from all the lies and deceptions of satan and enjoy the peace Jesus gives.

Sr. Angelica AOJ

Jesus said to his disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.”

Luke 16:1

God is not just a powerful figure in the world, He is an intelligent designer who brought the world into existence with all of its interconnected processes, animate and inanimate which means that even the smallest pebble is the work of His design. In Genesis 1, God commands man to exercise dominion over the earth and to subdue it.  (Genesis1:26,28, Col 1:15-1, John1:3).

We are given the privilege to enjoy the resources but the ownership is vested in him. In Leviticus 25:23-24, God forbids selling of the land permanently because it belongs to Him and we are only stewards of the environment. Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesy about the dire consequences that occur when man disobeys God and fails to take care of the earth. (Isaiah 24:4-6, Jer2:7). What we understand from the key scripture Luke 16:1 is that the rich man is displeased with the manager for wasting his possessions. With this verse in mind, let us examine whether we used the treasures of the earth wisely.

 The term natural resource means resources that exist without the help of humans.

The first figure shows the various kinds of natural resources and the second shows a cycle of extraction to waste. A recent study reveals that 62 million tonnes of resources such as minerals, wood, metals, fossil and bio-mass fuel are extracted from the earth and ⅕ of the world’s natural resources that are extracted end up as waste, on average 10 tonnes for every individual.  The figures are staggering. Resources use and waste generation have distinct environmental impacts. Industry, technology and consumers have a major role to play by making more informed choices.

John’s Gospel 6:1-15 (Miracle of feeding thousands) reveals Jesus’ attentiveness to human needs as well as his judicious use, equitable distribution and conservation of resources. These principles constitute models for the contemporary world in its management and use of available resources. The proper use and management of its resources guarantee the sustainability of the resources. However, with the increasing rate of depletion due to over-exploitation, over-consumption, environmental pollution and entrenched culture of waste, the need to sustainably use and manage these resources has become expedient. Throughout the Bible, we see God’s intervention in human history, we are caretakers of God’s provision for mankind and mismanagement brings down judgement. Billy Graham once noted that “of all people, Christians should be the most concerned for the environment” explaining that God created the world and entrusted humanity to protect it. We are accountable to God for the way we handle the resources which He has given to satisfy our needs and not greed. With this in mind let us exercise our paramount duty to make people realise the importance of not wasting our natural resources.

 Let us bow our heads and seek forgiveness for how we treated the earth and it’s fullness by approaching the heavenly throne and also invoke his blessings. Amen.

Sol. Nirmala Lazar

“Between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.”

Luke 16:26

On meditating on the above verse there are two things. One is “that those who want to go from here to you” and the second is “nor can anyone cross over from there to us”. The latter we understand that people in hell with a view of heaven will want to get to heaven but the first part says those who want to go from heaven to hell. This word can be put to explain no one can cross over but let us think if any one would want to do that if so why would any one who after all trials and tribulations in this world now in the presence of our Almighty Lord and glorious riches in heaven will want to go back to hell. If yes, the only answer would be to save their loved ones who lost their eternity. But it is not possible.

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” Heb 9:27

I use to look at my old family albums and I could see the family members who have left this world and think whether did they get their salvation and wonder how they would have faced the Lord.

Today we have a lot of family and friends who have not experienced our Lord’s salvation and still among us eating, drinking and travelling with us and the only person who knows what happens to them is us who are saved through the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ through his Grace.

The Bible says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart”. Eccl 7:2

I saw a few deaths in my extended family, my friends recently and I see most of the persons were not ready to face our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible clearly states, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water”. Heb 10:22.

 Without salvation and covenant with our Lord Jesus Christ they will lose their eternity.  Let us have this burden which our Lord Jesus Christ has about every soul who are yet to return when we meet them, eat and travel with them so that God through you can save them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father we pray for the burden you have, to be poured on us and always to be mindful about the souls who are not yet saved and always act on it by the guidance through the Holy spirit that they will receive the salvation we share through your Grace. Amen.

Sol.Leo

My heart is overflowing with a good matter; I speak of my works to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 

Psalm 45:1  

I will speak of the one who created the heaven and the Earth and everything under it.

Ever wondered how apostle John wrote in his book –John 1:1 about Lord Jesus Christ –

 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”

Who revealed this mystery to him?

When God’s Word is filled in your heart and mind, it’s the Holy Spirit which gives utterance. (Acts 2:4) It’s the heart only which desires evil thoughts (Mark 7:21-23) and it’s the heart only which when is cleansed by God’s Word, made an abode for God by the Holy Spirit.  God makes His abode in it and sanctifies the tongue which speaks the truth of God.

Our prayer should always be as per Psalms 119:171-172, “May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.”

Whether its old testament prophets like Moses, King David, Jeremiah or the apostles of Lord Jesus Christ, they all were ordinary human being but were chosen by God and with their complete surrender, God spoke through them to His people.

2 Peter 1:21, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Whenever I desire to glorify God with new words of praise, the Holy Spirit guides me and makes me write them. Once when I was asked to share my testimony with inmates of Tihar prison in just 2-3 minutes, I was baffled as I wanted to share my whole journey in Christ with everyone. Immediately Holy Spirit prompted me to write my testimony in poetic form which I could not, otherwise, have written and that poem was praised by everyone. I still wonder did I write it?

Prayer: Heavenly Father! Help us to guard our heart and speak of your goodness only.

Sol. Neha

“There is more joy in Heaven”

Lk 15:7

There is a parable in Luke 15:12-32 that speaks of repentance. The younger son got his share of property from his father. He lived lavishly and wasted all his wealth. He repented and returned to his father saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” His father not only forgave him but gave him lot of gifts. He was dead, but came back to life; He was lost but found again. They began to celebrate and there was much joy in the house.

 Repentance is the first step to salvation experience. Sinful men, created by God can repent for his sins and turn back to God any time while he is still alive on this earth. Forgiveness for sins can be obtained while we are living on this earth but we can neither repent nor receive salvation after our death.

      When I repented and accepted Jesus Christ, definitely the heaven would have rejoiced. This happened in Zimbabwe in the year 1998. Along with my wife, son and daughter I had gone there for some work. I was a staunch Hindu, and I had taken the idols along with me. I worshipped them in my room but God had predestined me and he had prepared a different plan for me.  

An old couple conducted ‘Troop Church’ every Saturday with my wife for four years. My wife accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as she knew the truth. She came to me and said, “seek, you will find.” She also read Isaiah 44:14-18 to me. The last verse says like this, “And no one considers in his heart, nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” these words struck me like a spear. Who is true God then? I started asking this question daily.

A servant of God came to me the same day evening and said, “while I was praying this morning, the Lord asked me to visit you.” I thought you might have gone to India, how come you didn’t go, he asked me.  During this conversation my eyes were filled with tears. Then he prayed for me.  I neither knew the bible nor Jesus at that time.  I experienced a deep sense of joy and peace that I could not explain in words. At the same time, I am sure, heaven too might have rejoiced at my repentance. After the prayer my problem got solved and I returned to India happily.

  There are many things that can give us happiness on this earth. A few of them are,

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  (Matt 5:11,12).

When you find some of your children walking in truth – 2 John 1:4

When we are sincere and faithful and multiply the talents that are given to us then we enter into the joy of the Lord. Matt 25:21

Prayer:

Lord use each one of us in such a way that every minute heaven is filled with more joy and the hundreds and thousands of people around us repent and accept Jesus as their personal God and savior. Amen!

Sol. Mohana Sundaram AOJ