October 16, 2016

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for October 16th: Jeremiah 31:27-34; Psalm 119: 97-104; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8; theme: Laity Sunday ; Song: This is a Day of New Beginnings Jeremiah: This is the last week that we will deal with Jeremiah this year. Jeremiah has a way of turning our understanding of life upside down. He encourages us to see the good in the bad things of life and to realize the bad we bring on ourselves by trying to feel good. He encourages us to come out of our skin and to think of others. And to find hope in the darkest of situations. Our text for today starts out by saying that the day is coming. It is not hear yet, but it is coming. We will realize all that we have been striving for. Not only will things get better, but God will make a new covenant with a new people. People will live right, because they think right and praise God right. We can look forward to that day. Jeremiah ends his message with the most popular verse in the bible – This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Luke: This is another word of hope and trust in the Lord. The widow prays and prays, and the judge gives her justice. I heard a story of a mother who walked into a dealership and prayed over a car every day. The dealer gave it to her. If a dealer who does not go to church can do that, imagine what God can do if you pray to him every day? There is a lot going on in our world that we need to pray about. God wants us to pray, God wants to answer our prayers. But the world has gotten so far away from prayer. When Jesus comes will he find us on our knees or standing on our own two feet. Luke encouraged us to stay faithful and to pray. Questions: If you could pray for a perfect world, what would it look like? How do you rejoice in the present? What gives you hope? What signs of hope do you see in the world? What are you praying for now? What discourages you from praying?