Bridging Faith
As we start the new year, imagine we are standing at the beginning of a bridge. Behind us is 2023, with all its good and bad moments. Ahead of us, the bridge leads us through 2024, a year we don't know much about yet. This bridge is more than just moving from one year to the next. It's a time to think about what has happened and look forward to what's coming with hope.
Every year, we cross this bridge, and every year, our journey has similar challenges and hopes. The Bible, which has been with us for ages, shows us this. It's like a mirror showing us that people have always had struggles, but they also always had hope. The Bible stories, like those about Malachi's time, show that people often make mistakes and forget what's important. But these stories also tell us about something that never changes – God's love and patience. This love is just as strong now as it was in the past.
So, as we go deeper into 2024, let's see this not just as a new year but as a chance for real change. Now is the time to understand that we all face similar challenges, to admit our weaknesses, and to be happy about the chance to get better. By doing this, we are following the Bible's wisdom, which helps us now and gives us hope for what's ahead.
Reflecting on Malachi's message from the Bible, we see how much his time was like ours. Malachi spoke to people who were facing challenges and were becoming less sincere in their faith. He called them to really think about their lives and to come back to a true and deep faith.
It's amazing how similar Malachi's observations are to what we experience today. Even though we have new technology and more knowledge, our basic human nature hasn't changed. We still face the same problems, like losing track of what's important, making mistakes, and then making excuses for them. Our world may look different, but the way people act and think is very much the same.
But Malachi's message isn't just about the problems. It also gives us hope. No matter how often we mess up, there's always a chance to come back to a real and honest relationship with God. This call from God doesn't get weaker over time. It's always there, asking us to be honest about our mistakes and to seek a closer connection with God.
Let's think about this: Are we like the people Malachi talked to? Have we let our commitment to our faith get weaker? How can we bring back a true and deep faith and love in our hearts? Thinking about these questions isn't just about looking back. It's an important step towards a better and more meaningful future.
In the book of Hebrews, we find words that encourage us, especially when life is hard and we feel tired. The writer tells us to keep holding on to our faith, even when things are tough. This message is important not just for the past but for today too, where we often face uncertain and difficult times. Hebrews teaches us that faith means more than just believing when everything is going well. It's about keeping hope alive even when the future looks unclear. It reminds us that we're not alone in our journey. Jesus is with us, guiding and supporting us.
Then, in the book of James, we learn about a faith that is active and real. James makes it clear: faith is not just about what we say. It's about what we do. In today's busy world, it's easy to think of faith as just something we believe in our heads. But James tells us that faith should be seen in our actions. It's not just about talking about love; it's about showing it through kind acts and caring for others, every day.
James's message is very relevant now. In a world full of talk, what really matters is what we do. He challenges us to look at our faith and ask ourselves if we are living it out in our actions. Are we just talking about love, or are we actually showing it in our daily lives? James encourages us to have a faith that doesn't just accept things as they are but tries to make a real difference. A faith that doesn't just offer words of hope but shows love through what we do.
As we think about what Hebrews and James teach us, let's use their wisdom to inspire us to act. Let's see our faith not just as something for ourselves but as a way to bring change in our lives and the lives of others. In a world that needs real love and honesty, let our faith be a light that guides us and others towards true compassion and hope.
The Bible passages from Luke 18, Hebrews 10, Mark 9, and Romans 7 give us valuable lessons about the struggles we all face. In Romans 7, Paul talks about the fight inside us between what we want and what we should do. This is something we all feel – the struggle to do what's right, even when it's hard. Paul's words are old, but they still show us what we go through every day.
But these Bible stories also give us hope and show us the way. Luke 18 tells us about a widow who kept asking for justice. She never gave up, and her story teaches us to be persistent and humble in our faith. It's like a long race with many challenges, but it also brings the chance to grow and win.
Mark 9 shares a story about a father who asks for his son to be healed. He admits, "I believe; help my unbelief." This shows us that faith can be complex – we can believe, but sometimes we still have doubts. It's a real picture of what believing can be like: sometimes clear, sometimes unsure.
Hebrews 10 offers words of encouragement. It tells us that even though we're not perfect, Jesus has made a new way for us through his sacrifice. This part of the Bible tells us to keep holding on to our hope because we can trust in what Jesus promises. It asks us to look beyond our current struggles and believe in a better future.
These Bible stories, written a long time ago, really speak to what we all go through. They remind us that struggling is a normal part of life. They teach us about being persistent, humble, and keeping faith, even when it's tough. In the middle of our problems, these stories are like a light of hope. They tell us we're not alone in this journey. We're part of a big story of faith and hope that connects all of us, across time and places.
As we think about these important lessons, let's find comfort in knowing we're all in this together. Let's use the wisdom from the Bible to help us with our problems now and show us a way to a hopeful future.
During our thoughts on the challenges we all face, one thing stays the same: God's love. No matter how many times we make mistakes or don't live up to our own expectations, God's love is always there. It's like a strong, steady presence that helps us when life gets rough.
Hebrews 10 talks about this in a beautiful way. It tells us about a new promise God has made with us. This promise isn't about following a set of rules. It's about grace, the kind and generous love that comes from God. Jesus showed this love in the best way possible. He didn't ask us to do more; instead, he did everything for us. This is the greatest show of love and kindness.
This kind of love from God tells us to see our mistakes not as reasons to lose hope but as chances to feel God's compassion. It teaches us that our lives aren't just about the times we fail but about how much we are loved. In moments when we feel weak or doubtful, this love gives us hope. It tells us we are more than our mistakes.
Let's really think about how great this love from God is. Let it change how we see ourselves and how we think others see us. With this never-changing love, we can face our problems with new hope and show this endless love to others. This love from God isn't just a promise for something new; it's a sign that every day can be a fresh start.
As we say goodbye to the old year and journey through the new one, let's be hopeful. We've learned a lot from the Bible, our own experiences, and knowing about God's love that never changes. These lessons are like lights that help us move into 2024.
Let's see this new year as more than just a date change. It's a chance to really commit to doing better. Now is the time to think about our lives, recognise where we can improve, and fully accept the kindness and forgiveness that comes from Jesus. This kindness is not just a pat on the back. It's a strong force that can change us, helping us turn our challenges into opportunities for a better, more honest life.
Moving forward, let's keep in mind what James teaches us. It's not enough just to say we believe. We need to show it through our actions, filled with love and care. We should build a community where what we do shows our faith more than what we say, where love is something we do every day.
I encourage each of you to not only listen to what the Bible says but to do what it teaches. Let's make our community a place of understanding, kindness, and strong support. As we go on this journey together, let the strength of our shared faith be bright, showing the way for us and others. Let's spread hope and love, reaching out further than just our group.
So, as we continue in 2024, let's be hopeful, ready to help, and excited to show the love we've been given. Let's work together to make this year a time when our faith really makes a difference.
