Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, I am glad to wish all the members of the CSI Tirunelveli Diocese a very blessed New Year! May grace and peace be multiplied to you by God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps"  Psalm 85:10-13.

God promise from His word for this year:

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted"  Job 42:2

God is faithful and righteous and He rules over the entire universe. His kingdom abounds with truth and righteousness. Prophet Isaiah realized the kingship of God in the Temple (Is.6:1-3). This Years promise is from the Book of Job and it is spoken by Job who is convinced of God’s sovereignty and righteousness. The Lord has blessed us. The Sovereign Lord is in action in our own Diocese and He is giving us what is good and noble. Nothing that He wanted to do could be prevented. Likewise, nothing that he likes to perform in our own life, family, church and Diocese will be prevented. Let us hold on to our Lord with new hope, prayer and fellowship. May the almighty God make our lives prosperous!

New Life and Joy :
(Luke 19) Zacchaeus was hated by his own people. He lived without joy and peace. He climbed up a sycamore-fig tree curious to see Jesus. Jesus, who was passing by, stopped and asked him to come down because He wanted to stay in Zacchaeus’ house. Zacchaeu obeyed and took Jesus to his house. The joy of Zacchaeu knew no bounds. Jesus wants to stay in our home during this new year. Let us also invite Jesus like Zacchaeu and receive His joy. The words of others accusing him as a sinner led him to a new realization. He was craving for Jesus to come to his home. Hence he made a public confession saying he would give back four times the worth of anything received illegally. Jesus gave Zacchaeu a new life and joy filled his heart and home.

Jesus gave not only living water but also new life and joy to the Samaritan woman who came to fetch water. It became a perennial fountain within her (John 4).

Saul, educated at the feet of Gamaliel was running around to threaten and kill the disciples of the Lord. When he had an encounter with Jesus, it resulted in the end of his former life and joy and peace overflowed his heart. He was able to joyfully accept and bear agony, persecution and sufferings for the sake of Jesus (Acts 9)

Whether a rich or sinful or educated, the Lord grants joy and peace to all those who surrender their lives to Jesus. All that we long for in life is peace and joy. In this new year, when we surrender our lives and our family to God’s will and purpose, miracles will happen. Peace and joy will fill our hearts.

Any time, any day
Is praising time;
Sing Songs of Zion
From your heart and soul!

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let’s sing aloud;
No more sorrow, no more tears,
Sing with joy!

I make an earnest appeal to all the Presbyters in service now; when you come to the next Pastors’ meet, please come with new details about the history and ministry of your church and also of the Diocese,

May the Lord bless us!
In the Lord’s ministry,

(JJ Christdoss)
Bishop in Tirunelveli