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Showing posts from April, 2024

"Trust God in fearful times; find strength."

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“Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, For the LORD GOD is my strength and song; Yes, He has become my salvation.”  Isaiah 12:2. In today's world, we all go through fearful and unstable situations in our lives. Sometimes, those moments occur when we’re worried about our families or friends; at other times, we may be concerned about our careers or work-related problems. There may also be times when our health declines or something accidental occurs in our lives. But today, God's word says that we should trust Him and not be afraid of anything. His words are truthful; He is our salvation, our strength, and our song. He gave His life to give us the gift of Salvation. Let us focus on the goodness of God and choose to let Him be our strength. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." தேவனே என் இரட்சிப்பு; நான் பயப்பட

"Jesus promises answered prayers in faith."

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If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14. In this chapter, Apostle John describes how Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure from earth and encouraging them not to lose hope but to trust in His name. He promised that whatever we ask in His name, He will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. One of the miracles Jesus performed involved blind Bartimaeus, a man with faith, who cried out and called upon the name of Jesus. Jesus answered his call and restored his sight. Jesus still answers prayers when we ask in His name according to His will, for the purpose of glorifying Father. He is our prayer-answering God, full of mercy and compassion. He speaks about the relationship we have with the Father through Jesus, for the glorification of His name. John 15:16 says, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may giv

"Blessed are the humble in spirit."

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Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3. Jesus taught on the Beatitudes as part of His famous Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes tell us how we can be truly blessed. Jesus begins by saying that the poor in spirit are blessed. Being poor in spirit is not a call to poverty; it is to be humble and depend upon God completely for every good, both bodily and spiritual. In Luke 18:10-13 , Jesus told this story: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ ” Which one went home justified? The one who was poor in spirit. Jesus contrasts different reactions to t

"Trusting God in life's battles."

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Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47. Today's verse is from the story of David and Goliath. David, a humble shepherd, steps forward to fight the giant warrior Goliath. He had a secret weapon: trusting in God for all his victories. He knew that he alone could not beat Goliath, but he also knew that God could and would deliver him from Goliath and the entire Philistine army. If we trust in the power of God like David, we can overcome our day-to-day challenges. David emphasizes that the battle belongs to the Lord and cannot be fought with physical strength or weapons. There are many things in life that we don’t have control over, but they are under God’s control. Therefore, we don’t need to fight. Instead, we can have an attitude of quiet confidence in God. And as we do, our faith will deepen as we learn to expect His provision even when facing our biggest

"Zion, the source of divine blessings."

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The Lord bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Psalm 128:5 Zion, the city of holiness, the city of refuge, or the city of our God, can refer to one of three places: the hill where the most ancient areas of Jerusalem stood, the city of Jerusalem itself, or the dwelling place of God. As we see in today's scripture, Zion is the place where spiritual and everlasting blessings are stored up, along with the Holy God who dwells there and all other mercies we ask for. The goodness of God flows from Zion to Jerusalem, where we receive blessings - spiritually and physically - and rejoice in the Lord, praising His name. In order to receive such blessings, we need to have access to the God who is in Zion. How can we, as ordinary people, have access to the dwelling place of such a magnificent God? Jesus gained access for us to the dwelling place of God through the sprinkling of His own blood.  Hebrews 12:22 says, "But you have come to Moun

"God hears our heartfelt cries always."

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You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you. Isaiah 30:19. Our God is a gracious and compassionate God. He is always there to answer our cries whenever we call upon His name. He is aware of our affliction and suffering. Each teardrop has meaning to our Father God. He keeps track of all our sorrows, bottling each teardrop for His remembrance. None of it is unnoticed by God. When David wrote Psalm 34, he was saying that this poor man cried out from within, not knowing what or how to pray, and the Lord heard him and delivered him. It was a deep cry from the heart of David, and the Lord was faithful to hear. Through many promises, God assures us that He listens to our cries. But when we are with the Lord in eternity, God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. He is Psalm 18:6 says. "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him,

"Worship the Lord in spirit and truth"

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On the harp, I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4. King David describes how we worship the Lord by surrendering, praising, and using instruments. His heart was filled with joyful songs and praises as he reflected on the great things the Lord had done in his life. God created us to praise Him with all our hearts and minds. David says, 'To God, my exceeding joy,' which is what we often lack during low points in our lives. To experience that joy, we need to go into the presence of God by surrendering our lives and connecting with Him. In His presence, there is fullness of joy and freedom. We can praise Him in any way we want, using instruments and shouts of praise. Today, true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and truth, just as Jesus taught the Samaria woman at the well. God wants us to worship in truth and Spirit.  Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” தேவனே, என்

"God lifts the lowly and mournful."

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He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. Job 5:11. In today's scripture, Job's friend Eliphaz says that Job is corrected by God through punishment given by God, yet God is a just God. He lifts those who are lowly in state and those who mourn. Eliphaz tells Job that if you confess your sin and reconcile with God, He can lift you up from your state; you still have hope. Today, this scripture speaks to us, saying that God doesn't turn away from you as if He is not seeing your situation. He sees your situation, your lowly state, and your heavy heart. As Hagar says, He is a God who sees you. If you are found as righteous in the sight of God, you rejoice as God is going to lift you up. On the other hand, if you realize that your relationship with God is not good, maybe it is time to come back to God, as He is there to lift you up anyway. Let's take it as Godly counsel and examine ourselves to get set up in the higher places where there is

"Walk safely with wisdom and discretion."

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Keep sound wisdom and discretion. Then, you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:21, 23. King Solomon mentions the benefits of sound wisdom and discretion. While wisdom implies the ability to act on knowledge, discretion is the capacity to carefully assess something. He states that God will enable us to walk safely without stumbling if we are wise and discerning. Danger and hardship come even to those who follow God. However, with sound wisdom and discretion, we can find safety. The Bible recounts that Joshua urged his generation to make the right decision, the one he had made. He declared that he and his household would serve the Lord, challenging the Israelites to choose whom they would serve. Additionally, King David states in Psalm 23 that we do not walk alone through life. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, walks with us. Not only does He walk with us, but He also walks in front of us. He leads us beside still waters and in the paths of righteousness. P

"True friendship involves honest, loving rebuke."

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Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27.6. This is a great proverb about true friendship and love. Yet true friendship sometimes means telling others hard truths they may not be eager to hear. When correction in the form of a "rebuke" is motivated by sincere love, it becomes a hallmark of friendship. We need friends who will provide constructive criticism for our benefit. The Apostle Peter referred to the Apostle Paul as beloved, even though Paul had publicly rebuked him. On the contrary, Judas pretended to love Jesus by kissing Him, but his kiss was deceptive. Judas used flattering words and a kiss, not as a sign of love but as a signal to the soldiers to arrest Jesus. Godly individuals are eager to have their faults pointed out, and they are deeply grateful when others perform this selfless act. Psalms 141:5 says, "Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oi

"Man's worth is known by praise."

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The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him. Proverbs 27:21. This scripture depicts a refining pot for silver and a furnace for gold. The process begins with the base ore being put into the refining pot. As the heat increases, the valuable metal sinks into it, while the dross rises to the top. Over time, more impurities come to the top, and each time, they are scraped off, revealing purer silver or gold. Similarly, a man is tested by how he reacts to praise. Does it go to his mind and ruin him, or does he immediately deflect praise to God? Let us, therefore be wise and attribute any praises given to us immediately to God. Proverbs 17:3 says, "The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts." வெள்ளிக்குக் குகையும், பொன்னுக்குப் புடமும் சோதனை; மனுஷனுக்கு அவனுக்கு உண்டாகும் புகழ்ச்சியே சோதனை. நீதிமொழிகள் 27:21. இந்த வசனம் வெள்ளிக்கு ஒரு சுத்திகரிப்பு பாத்திரத்தையும், தங்கத்திற்கு

"Continue in brotherly love; show hospitality."

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Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers. Hebrews 13:1,2. Today, many of us live selfishly within our comfort zones, prioritizing ourselves and our families before considering others. The Bible tells the story of Abraham and Sarah’s generous hospitality toward the three visitors who came to them. Abraham made a great effort to be hospitable to these men, whose angelic nature was not evident to him, at least initially. By welcoming outsiders, serving them humbly, making them feel safe, and actively engaging with them, we practice hospitality in a way that reflects the love of Christ. When we embrace inclusivity and equality, they are willing to listen to us, as our faith in Christ is at work. Romans 12:10 says, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." சகோதர சிநேகம் நிலைத்திருக்கக்கடவது. அந்நியரை உபசரிக்க மறவாதிருங்கள். எபிரெயர் 13:1,2. இன்று, நம்மில் பலர் நம்முடைய வாழ்க்கையை வசதியாக அமைத்த

"Believers, you have overcome the world."

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You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4. In this scripture, Apostle John refers to "little children" as young believers who are growing in the Lord every day. He encourages the believers as below: 1.   Saying, "You are of God," which means they are of His family; they have  embraced His truth, and His Spirit dwells with them. 2.   He mentions that these believers have "Overcome them," meaning they  have  taken victory over the evil one and the world. 3. He reminds us that the power of Christ, who lives in the believer, is greater  than the power of the world. The Holy Spirit living in us is far stronger than  any attack by the evil one. This scripture should empower us today not to fear the enemy but to trust the Lord and obey His commands. In this way, we can overcome the powers of darkness and walk with boldness in our life. 1 John 2:14 says, " I have writ

"David, a man after God's heart."

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Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! 1 Chronicles 16:11. The greatest treasure of seeking the Lord is the promise that we find Him, and in finding Him, we receive life, strength, and power to navigate this challenging world. After King Saul's disobedience, the Lord sought a man after His own heart. In 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22, we read that after removing Saul, God raised up David to be their king. Regarding David, God testified, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' King David's own testimony, 'To seek His face,' signifies more than merely approaching Him out of need; it speaks of knowing Him and understanding His ways and thoughts. Let us, like David, seek His face to be strengthened in Him.  In Psalm 27:8 , King David says. 'When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”' கர்த்தரையும் அவர் வல்லமையையும் நாடுங்கள்; அவர் சமுகத்தை நித்தமும் தேடு

"Fear Not, God Is with You"

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Fear not, .. I will help you,” says the Lord. Isaiah 41:14. It’s a wonderful promise for us not to be fearful. We should not be the people who are anxious, troubled, worried, or afraid about the things that threaten our lives and happiness. Here, God referred to the children of Israel as 'you worm Jacob' “so little, so weak, so despised, and trampled upon by everyone." It means that they were trampled by the other nations as easily as people would trample a worm. Today, our situation may be the same, hard-pressed and crushed from every direction. But God promises deliverance to us, protection from our enemies, and triumph in the end. Let us trust Him and be stronger in Him. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." பயப்படாதே; நான் உனக்குத் துணைநிற்கிறேன் என்று கர்த்தரும் இஸ்ரவேலின் பரிசுத்தருமாகிய உன் மீட்பர் உரைக்கிறார்.ஏசாயா

"Let not your heart be troubled, I am with you - Jesus"

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Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. John 20:21 The risen Savior appeared to many during the forty days after His resurrection. On one such occasion, Jesus entered a closed room and stood in the midst of the disciples, uttering these words. He was preparing the disciples to carry out His work in His absence, saying, "As the Father has sent me, I also send you." This indicates that He was sent to the world with a mission, and as He departs, the mission must continue; thus, He sends them into the world with the same mission of reaching the lost with the Gospel of peace. When the disciples were gripped by fear of the authorities, losing their peace entirely, these words brought them great reassurance. Today, as we bring the Gospel of peace to a world deprived of peace, it will bring significant calm and rest to people's hearts. That's why Jesus said in  John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give

"God protects those who trust Him."

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He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11. This is a promise of God to protect us from all disasters, accidents, plagues, diseases, and harmful things. God has commanded angels to guard us. Many times, we can see the dangers that lie ahead of us, but not always. However, God still protects us. Even inside our bodies, anything can go wrong, but God prevents it all. We need to thank God for His protection. If we fear Him and trust Him, He will protect us. The Bible describes how God provided an army of angels leading horses and chariots of fire to protect the prophet Elisha and his servant. When God opened Elisha’s servant's eyes, he could see the angelic army surrounding them. Hannah knew this God and was the first person to call God by this name, 'The Lord of Hosts,' in the Bible.  Psalm 34:7 says, "The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them." உன் வழிகளிலெல்லாம் உன்னைக் காக்கும்படி, உனக

"Cast your burdens upon God."

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Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you. Psalm 55:22. This is a great promise today for us. To "cast your burden" means to fully entrust it to God rather than trying to carry it for ourselves. Whatever the situation may be, God is more capable than any human being ever could be. David understood that very much. So he releases all his worries and fears into the care of the Lord, who takes on that burden. The first thing we need to know is who our God is and His strength; second, we should have faith on Him; third, we submit all to Him as it is not worrying about anything. When we do this, our fear, worries, sorrow, and doubts will leave us, and we will not be moved at any cost. We will rejoice in Him more as He is taking care of us. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established." கர்த்தர்மேல் உன் பாரத்தை வைத்துவிடு, அவர் உன்னை ஆதரிப்பார். சங்கீதம் 55:22. இன்று நமக்கு இது, ஒரு பெரிய வாக்குத்தத்தம். "உன் 

"In Christ, we receive complete redemption."

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In whom we have redemption [d]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14. This verse declares that in Jesus Christ, we receive everything: forgiveness, redemption, salvation, healing, and deliverance through His blood shed on the cross. Sin induces fearful consequences: it separates us from God, subjects us to His judgment, and enslaves us to the Devil. We have been purchased at a price—the precious blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. He has not only redeemed us from a lost eternity but has also forgiven us of our sins—past, present, and future. When we believe in Him and seek forgiveness for our sins, His blood cancels all our sinful debts.  Ephesians 1:7 says, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." [குமாரனாகிய] அவருக்குள், அவருடைய இரத்தத்தினாலே, பாவமன்னிப்பாகிய மீட்பு நமக்கு உண்டாயிருக்கிறது.  கொலோசெயர்1:14. இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவில், மன்னிப்பு, மீட்பு, இரட்சிப்பு, குணமாகுதல் மற்றும் ச

"God is our help and hope."

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Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20. Many of us are living in this world with hopeless situations. We try to find our own solutions for the problems we face in our day-to-day lives. Finally, when everything fails, we turn to God. However, King David declares that God is our help, our hope, and our shield. Sometimes, our struggles may not have immediate solutions; in such cases, we should patiently wait for God's help. For example, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and arthritis may worsen over time, but patiently waiting on God can lead to healing and strength to overcome. To experience this, we need to trust in God, understand His power and, above all, have patience to wait for His timing. Having a diverse understanding of who our God is helps us place our trust in Him and find rest even in the midst of hopelessness.  Psalm 18:2   says, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in

"Sacrificial love: Christ's gift for us."

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Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13. In this scripture, Jesus speaks about the profound sacrificial love He demonstrated at the cross for us. No one would willingly die even for their loved ones, yet Jesus Christ gave His life for strangers like us. Christ paid the price for the sins of the whole world, willingly going to the Cross and offering Himself to satisfy the requirement for the salvation of mankind. Those who receive this eternal gift of salvation are expected to abide in Him, reflect His love, and love others in the same way He loved us. As we allow this love to deepen in our hearts, it naturally overflows to those around us. As John writes, this love empowers us to sacrificially serve others, even to the point of laying down our lives for them.  1 John 3:16 says, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." ஒருவன் தன் சிநேகிதருக்காகத் த

"Wise counsel enriches hearts with wisdom."

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Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out. Proverbs 20:5. In this proverb, King Solomon compares deep water to men of wisdom. When we connect with wise individuals, we gain more wisdom and knowledge. We need to be careful about whom we follow, whether wise or foolish people. The Bible states that the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, while the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Righteous individuals are the wise ones who fear the Lord; they serve as good counselors. We will be safe when counseled by them. Our God is a Wonderful Counsellor. If we connect with Him every day by meditating on the word of God, we will become wiser. Seeking counsel from Him is like drawing water from the springs of wisdom.  Proverbs 18:4 says, "The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook." மனுஷனுடைய இருதயத்திலுள்ள யோசனை ஆழமான தண்ணீர்போலிருக்கிறது; புத்திமானோ அதை மொண்டெடுப்பான்.

"Trust in the Lord brings blessings."

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Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7. This is a powerful statement for those who trust in the Lord. Our God is a great source of help, strength, and comfort. When we trust the Lord, we can connect to a source of divine power to help us find a way out, even in the most challenging circumstances. The story of Daniel in the lion's den is another remarkable evidence of trust. Daniel was thrown into a den of lions for praying to God despite King Darius's decree that no one should pray to any god or man except the king. Daniel remained faithful and trusted God to save him, and God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. This story teaches us that even in difficult situations, our trust in God should remain firm.  Psalm 146:5 says, "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God." கர்த்தர்மேல் நம்பிக்கைவைத்து, கர்த்தரைத் தன் நம்பிக்கையாகக் கொண்டிருக்கிற மனுஷன் பாக்கியவான். எரேமியா 1

"Words wield power, choose carefully."

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He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3. Today's verse states that those who guard their mouths and carefully choose their words will avoid troubles and preserve their lives, whereas those who speak carelessly will face ruin. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that our conversations are always filled with grace and wisdom, enabling us to respond appropriately to everyone. Despite the mouth being small and the tongue being a tiny part of the body, they possess the power to destroy our lives. Jesus teaches us that it is our spoken words that defile us, not what we ingest, as our speech reveals the condition of our hearts. James also warns us that a small spark from the tongue can ignite a destructive fire, like a forest blaze, that can even ruin many lives.  Psalm 141:3 says, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." தன் வாயைக் காக்கிறவன் தன் பிராணனைக் காக்கிறான

"Value each soul, heed Jesus' words."

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Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven, their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10. Jesus is talking about the one sheep that was lost out of the ninety-nine. The idea here is the value that Jesus placed on each individual, even though he or she has nothing to do with God, the Father in heaven. We have no right to consider anyone low because that person is not following God. The angelic representation in the presence of God simply tells us that they have a place in heaven. It's up to them to respond to the Shepherd's call. Because they are away from God, they are no way lower than the one who considers himself or herself Godly. Our Godliness doesn't allow us to consider anyone low because of their option of not choosing to follow God. Our responsibility is to reach out and encourage them to come to the fold. The Shepherd is still waiting with his arms wide open; it's never too late t

"United in death, reborn in resurrection."

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If we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. Romans 6:5. Apostle Paul emphasizes that our lives are dead to sin and alive to God. We are identified with Jesus in His death and resurrection, thereby breaking the power of sin over us. Despite this truth, we often forget, yield to temptations, and commit sin. Paul illustrates that our life in Christ contrasts sharply with a life of sin. Through our union with Him, profound changes occur within our hearts, leading to transformation. This transformed life manifests as a journey characterized by walking in love and freedom. It serves as a tangible demonstration of our new position in Christ, forming the foundation for holy living.  2 Corinthians 4:14 says, “knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.” அவருடைய மரணத்தின் சாயலில் நாம் இணைக்கப் பட்டவர்களானால், அவர் உயிர்த்தெழுதலின் சாயலிலும் இணைக்கப்ப

"Jesus lives, death defeated forever."

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I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Revelation 1:18. In this verse, we learn from Jesus that He is alive. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, from everlasting to everlasting. He is eternal and immortal. He died and rose from the dead as death could not hold Him. The truth of the resurrection is unique to Christianity. All religions are based on a founder who died forever and never came back alive. The resurrection of Lord Jesus is an undeniable historical fact supported by multiple eyewitnesses and historical documentation, including both Biblical and extra-Biblical sources, serving as the foundation of our Christian Faith.  Rev 22:13 says , “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” மரித்தேன், ஆனாலும், இதோ, சதாகாலங்களிலும் உயிரோடிருக்கிறேன். வெளிப்படுத்தின விசேஷம் 1:18. இந்த வசனத்தில், இயேசு உயிருடன் இருக்கிறார் என்பதை அவரிடமிருந்து கற்றுக்கொள்கிறோம