Life Lessons from Jeremiah

Pt. 8: I Am the Clay

By Louie Marsh, 6-21-2026

1) Following Jesus can get STRANGE.

"1The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2"Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." (Jeremiah 18:1, ESV)

"2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' ""…"6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey." (Mark 1:2-3,6, ESV)

"1Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (Genesis 12:1–2, ESV)

2) Spiritual truth often PARALLELS real life.

3So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. (Jeremiah 18:3-4, ESV)

"24He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field," (Matthew 13:24, ESV)

3) If Jesus is Lord I allow Him FREE REIGN in my life.

5Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. (Jeremiah 18:5-6, ESV)

"13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am." (John 13:13, ESV)

4) God is the Sovereign of the Universe, in the end His will is DONE.

7If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. (Jeremiah 18:7-10, ESV)

5) In light of this – I must REPENT.

11Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: 'Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.' (Jeremiah 18:11, ESV)

6) The unbelieving world WON'T DO this.

12"But they say, 'That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.'" (Jeremiah 18:12, ESV)

Life Lessons from Jeremiah

Pt. 7: Real Spiritual Warfare

By Louie Marsh, 6-14-2026

1) Ever felt like God has TRICKED you?

"7O Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me. 8For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, "Violence and destruction!" For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. (Jeremiah 20:7–8, ESV)

"6know then that God has put me in the wrong and closed his net about me." (Job 19:6, ESV)

then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me. (Job 19:6, NIV)

.

2) If I'm called by God, I must ANSWER that call.

9If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. (Jeremiah 20:9, ESV)

"16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:16–18, ESV)

3) Doubt & fear work to DESTROY me.

10For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! "Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" say all my close friends, watching for my fall. "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him." (Jeremiah 20:10, ESV)

4) But God will OVERCOME them.

11But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. 12O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause. (Jeremiah 20:11-12, ESV)

5) I must WORSHIP Him for delivering me.

13Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers. (Jeremiah 20:13, ESV)

6) Be PREPARED for the struggle to continue.

14Cursed be the day on which I was born! The day when my mother bore me, let it not be blessed! 15Cursed be the man who brought the news to my father, "A son is born to you," making him very glad. 16Let that man be like the cities that the Lord overthrew without pity; let him hear a cry in the morning and an alarm at noon, 17because he did not kill me in the womb; so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb forever great. 18Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?" (Jeremiah 20:14–18, ESV)

"3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:3–4, ESV)

Life Lessons from Jeremiah

Pt. 6: My Deceitful Heart

By Louie Marsh, 6-7-2026

1) I must LEARN to trust in God alone.

"5Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. (Jeremiah 17:5–6, ESV)

The person whose "heart turns aside from Yahweh" is "cursed."

In ancient Israel's theocratic monarchy, turning away from God was considered rebellion and treason, crimes still punishable by death in most countries of the world today.

Such a rebel Jeremiah compared to the, "juniper," of the "wilderness, a land of salt and not inhabited" (17:6). This description leads to the identification of the with the Sodom apple of the Dead Sea region. This tree has broad leaves that appear to be upturned in prayer. It bears a fruit about the size and shape of a lemon and is attractive in appearance. But when opened, this fruit reveals only dry, silky, threadlike fibers that carry the seeds on the wind, much as the milkweed. A person who makes his home in the barren wilderness of the soul and orders his life so as to produce only desiccated, disappointing "fruit" "will not see when good comes." - Gregory A. Lint, ed., Jeremiah–Lamentations, The Complete Biblical Library: Study Bible (World Library Press, 2000), Je 17:5–8.

· When I trust myself, I get NOTHING!

2) My life will be STABLE & FRUITFUL if I do.

7"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7–8, ESV)

"9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)," (Ephesians 5:9, ESV)

3) My big problem – My Heart has a TERMINAL disease.

9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17:9–10, ESV)

"26And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

4) If I follow my heart alone I will end up a FOOL.

11Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool. 12A glorious throne set on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. 13O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water. (Jeremiah 17:11–13, ESV)

5) Only God can HEAL my heart.

14Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14, ESV)

"28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."" (Matthew 11:28–30, ESV)

6) So I will follow God's CALL thru good times & bad.

15Behold, they say to me, "Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come!" 16I have not run away from being your shepherd, nor have I desired the day of sickness. You know what came out of my lips; it was before your face. 17Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster. (Jeremiah 17:5–15-17, ESV)

7) I will TRUST God & let Him deal with my enemies

18Let those be put to shame who persecute me, but let me not be put to shame; let them be dismayed, but let me not be dismayed; bring upon them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction!" (Jeremiah 17:18, ESV)

Life Lessons from Jeremiah

Pt. 5: The Precious from the Worthless

By Louie Marsh, 5-31-2026

When Life Doesn't Make Sense:

Backstory of this passage – Malawi – and why this translation,

1) Be completely HONEST with God.

"15You who know, O Lord, Remember me, take notice of me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. Do not, in view of Your patience, take me away; Know that for Your sake I endure reproach. (Jeremiah 15, NASB95)

2) REMEMBER my own spiritual history.

16Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. 17I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers, Nor did I exult. Because of Your hand upon me I sat alone, For You filled me with indignation. (Jeremiah 16-17, NASB95)

· I must LOVE God's Word

16Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;

· I am CALLED by God's Name

For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.

· Don't FOLLOW the crowd.

17I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers, Nor did I exult.

· Stand ALONE if necessary.

Because of Your hand upon me I sat alone

· FEEL the depth of sin in myself & our land.

For You filled me with indignation. (Jeremiah 16-17, NASB95)

3) I must be WILLING to speak from my heart.

18Why has my pain been perpetual And my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will You indeed be to me like a deceptive stream With water that is unreliable? (Jeremiah 19a, NASB95)

Complaint is central to lament. But Christians never complain just to complain. Instead, we bring our complaints to the Lord for the purpose of moving us toward him.

"2O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? 3Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted." (Habakkuk 1:2–4, ESV)

"1I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; 2he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; 3surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long." (Lamentations 3:1–3, ESV)

4) God will show me the TRUTH I need to hear.

19Therefore, thus says the Lord, "If you return, then I will restore you— Before Me you will stand;

"8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:8–9, ESV)

5) God says I must LEARN from suffering.

And if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman. (Jeremiah 15:19b, NASB95)

6) If I walk with God He'll TAKE CARE of me,

They for their part may turn to you, But as for you, you must not turn to them. 20"Then I will make you to this people A fortified wall of bronze; And though they fight against you, They will not prevail over you; For I am with you to save you And deliver you," declares the Lord. 21"So I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent."" (Jeremiah 15:19c–21, NASB95)

Life Lessons from Jeremiah

Pt. 4: Honest to God

By Louie Marsh, 5-24-2026

Jeremiah complains to God about the evil in Israel

1) I must be both honest and RESPCTFUL towards God.

"1Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. (Jeremiah 12:1a ESV)

"2"Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. 3Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! 4I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments." (Job 23:2–4, ESV)

· Why does evil PROSPER?

Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? 2You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. (Jeremiah 12:1b-2, ESV)

· It's OKAY to question God when I don't understand.

3But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. (Jeremiah 12:3a, ESV)

· My solution – ANNIHILATE them!

Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. 4How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? For the evil of those who dwell in it the beasts and the birds are swept away, because they said, "He will not see our latter end.""(Jer.12: 3b-4, ESV)

2) God's answer – That's above your PAYGRADE.

"5"If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5, ESV)

Short answer: no, not in a sprint. A horse can hit around 40 to 44 miles per hour, while the fastest humans top out near 27 or 28.

But over long distances? Sometimes yes. Humans have beaten horses in races around 20 to 22 miles, like the Man versus Horse Marathon in Wales. It's happened five times in 46 years, usually on hilly terrain in hot weather—our sweat cooling system helps when horses overheat.

In even longer ultras, humans can hold their own or pull ahead in the right conditions, thanks to endurance and better heat regulation.

"8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8–9, ESV)

· I must not be NAÏVE when dealing with evil.

6For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you." 7"I have forsaken my house; I have abandoned my heritage; I have given the beloved of my soul into the hands of her enemies. Jeremiah 12:6-7, ESV)

· God will judge in HIS TIME not mine!

8My heritage has become to me like a lion in the forest; she has lifted up her voice against me; therefore I hate her. 9Is my heritage to me like a hyena's lair? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the wild beasts; bring them to devour. 10Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard; they have trampled down my portion; they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 11They have made it a desolation; desolate, it mourns to me. The whole land is made desolate, but no man lays it to heart. Jeremiah 12:8–11, ESV)

· Those who profit from evil will only receive JUDGEMENT.

12Upon all the bare heights in the desert destroyers have come, for the sword of the Lord devours from one end of the land to the other; no flesh has peace. 13They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; they have tired themselves out but profit nothing. They shall be ashamed of their harvests because of the fierce anger of the Lord."" (Jeremiah 12:12–13, ESV)

3) I must GUARD AGAINST false repentance.

"7"Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you. 8O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? 9Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us." 10Thus says the Lord concerning this people: "They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins."" (Jeremiah 14:7–10, ESV)

"9As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter." (2 Corinthians 7:9–11, ESV)

Life Lessons from Jeremiah

Pt. 3: Faith of the Heart

By Louie Marsh, 5-17-2026

1) The truth HURTS.

"4Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel. 5Thus says the Lord: "What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? 6They did not say, 'Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?'" (Jeremiah 2:4–6, ESV)

2) God Calls EVERYONE to Repentance:

"12Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, " 'Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever. 13Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord. 14Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15" 'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:12–15, ESV)

· Repent of Empty Forms of GODLINESS.

3Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. 4Do not trust in these deceptive words: 'This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.' 5"For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another," (Jeremiah 7:3–5, ESV)

"8"Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. 9Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, 10and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, 'We are delivered!'—only to go on doing all these abominations?" (Jeremiah 7:8–10, ESV)

"5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." (2 Timothy 3:5, ESV)

3) We must teach the whole, ESPECIALLY the unpopular parts!

"2"Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word." (Jeremiah 26:2, ESV)

"18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:18–25, ESV)

4) I must understand the power of CHOICE.

"23But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.' 24But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. 25From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day. 26Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. 27"So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. 28And you shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips." (Jeremiah 7:23–28, ESV)

We must do this just in case some might hear and repent.

People will react very negatively to this – don't let that surprise you.

5) I must keep my heart SOFT.

"18My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick within me. 19Behold, the cry of the daughter of my people from the length and breadth of the land: "Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?" "Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images and with their foreign idols?" 20"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 21For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. 22Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?" (Jeremiah 8:18–22, ESV)

"41And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation."" (Luke 19:41–44, ESV)

6) The Bible says faith must come from our HEART.

"23Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." 25"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart."" (Jeremiah 9:23–26, ESV)

· No matter how PAINFUL that is.

Woe is me because of my hurt! My wound is grievous. But I said, "Truly this is an affliction, and I must bear it." My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken; my children have gone from me, and they are not; there is no one to spread my tent again and to set up my curtains. For the shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered. A voice, a rumor! Behold, it comes!— a great commotion out of the north country to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a lair of jackals. I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Jeremiah 10:19-24 (ESV)

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut. 4:29

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

Life Lessons From Jeremiah

Pt. 2: Be On Mission

By Louie Marsh, 5-10-2026

IF I'M GOING TO SERVE GOD…

1) It helps to know WHAT I'm supposed to do!

See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:10 (ESV)

The three pairs of verbs-pull up/tear down, take apart/demolish, build/plant-are all-involving. In the way of faith we do not escape because it is too much for us; we plunge into it because we are commanded and equipped. It is not our feelings that determine our level of participation in life, nor our experience that qualifies us for what we will do and be; it is what God decides about us.

· To uproot and tear down

"13He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up." (Matthew 15:13, ESV)

"7If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it." (Jeremiah 18:7–8, ESV)

• Sin-corrupted structures must be pulled up at the roots (Jeremiah 18:7-8; Matthew 15:13).

• "Tear down" pictures dismantling false worship, injustice, and empty confidence.

· To destroy and overthrow

"52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;" (Luke 1:52, ESV)

• Intensified verbs stress total demolition of prideful kingdoms.

• Nothing withstands the Lord's decree—not Jerusalem's walls, Babylon's empire, nor modern idols (Jeremiah 25:29; Luke 1:52).

• Destruction here is mercy: it halts evil before it devours further

· To build and plant

"6I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up." (Jeremiah 24:6, ESV)

• Judgment clears ground for restoration.

• "Build" promises stability; "plant" promises fruitfulness.

• God never leaves ruins unattended; His ultimate aim is a people and a place flourishing under His reign.

· This is Jeremiah's MISSION STATEMENT.

Other Biblical Mission Statements:

John the Baptist;

A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 (ESV)

Jesus:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:18-21 (ESV)

Paul:

But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles— to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26:16-18 (ESV)

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV)

My Mission Statement:

To go anywhere, at anytime, to teach anyone God's Word, and to Empower Disciples.

2) To fulfill God's call I need lots of REASSURANCE!

· 1st Assurance – God is WATCHING over him.

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see an almond branch." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it." Jeremiah 1:11-12 (ESV)

The almond tree is one of the earliest trees to bloom in Palestine. Before it puts forth leaves, it puts forth blossoms, white and snowy.

The vision is accented with a word play. The word almond and the word watching are nearly identical in Hebrew. "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I see a shaped ("almond"). "Good eyes! I'm sticking with you. I am shoqed ("watching") my word to make every word I give you come true. I am watching my word like a shepherd watching his flock.

· 2nd Assurance – BELIEVE that God limits evil in this world.

The word of the LORD came to me a second time, saying, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north." Then the LORD said to me, "Out of the north disaster shall be let loose upon all the inhabitants of the land. For behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the LORD, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah. And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. Jeremiah 1:13-16 (ESV)

"I believe in getting into hot water, it keeps you clean." - G. K. Chesterton

The subject of the vision is negative (in contrast to the almond vision) but its message is positive, for its effect is to contain evil. The boiling pot is a container of evil, and it poured out by someone – it is limited and controlled.

The boiling pot reduces evil to a location and a use. We cannot afford to be naive about evil-it must be faced. But we cannot be intimidated by it either. It will be used by God to bring good.

"7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." (2 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV)

The first vision convinced Jeremiah that the word of God bursts with wonders and that its wonders are not illusions. The second vision convinced Jeremiah that the world is very dangerous but that the danger is not catastrophic.

3) I must be SHAPED by God's Word & Vision, nothing else!

Jeremiah was shaped by the visions, not by the fashions of the day, not by his feelings about himself. We know that he often felt terrible and that he was treated terribly. He often felt weak; he often was near despair. In fact, he was always strong. His emotions often failed him; his faith always held fast. His strength was not achieved by growing calluses over his highly sensitive spirit.

"18And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you."" (Jeremiah 1:18–19, ESV)

Educated by the almond rod, his inward responsiveness to the personal, whether God or human, deepened and developed. Educated by the boiling pot, his outward capacity to deal with dehumanizing evil and to resist depersonalizing intimidation became invincible: "impregnable as a castle, immovable as a steel post, solid as a concrete block wall." Not bad for someone who started out as "only a boy."

4) Now it's time to get to work – be PROFESSIONAL.

But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you… Jeremiah 1:17a (ESV)

"6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey." (Mark 1:6, ESV)

Pictures – map of E.Timor, story of when you first taught this.

THE UNLIVED LIFE – taken from The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. (Gates of Fire)

Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet. It is the root of more unhappiness than poverty, or disease. To yield to Resistance deforms our spirit. It stunts us and makes us less than we are and were born to be. If you believe in God (and I do) you must declare Resistance evil, for it prevents us from achieving the life God intended when He endowed each of us with our own unique genius.

Genius is a Latin word; the Romans used it to denote an inner spirit, holy and inviolable, which watches over us, guiding us to our calling. A writer writes with his genius; an artist paints with hers; everyone who creates operates from this sacramental center. It is our soul's seat, the vessel that holds our being-in-potential, our star's beacon and Polaris.

WHAT IS THIS RESISTANCE?

· I won't let my FLESH stop me.

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. Romans 7:14-20 (ESV)

5) To overcome I must RELY on God's strength.

… Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you." Jeremiah 1:17b-19 (ESV)

· God's strength shows itself in my WEAKNESSES.

Jeremiah 1:17b-19; 2 Corinthians 4:7–10, 12:7-10

"17... Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you."" (Jeremiah 1:17b–19, ESV)

"7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies." (2 Corinthians 4:7–10, ESV)

"7So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7–10, ESV)

Life Lessons From Jeremiah

Pt. 1: Called & Qualified

By Louie Marsh, 5-3-2026

Introduction: Excuses

The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month. Jeremiah 1:1-3 (ESV)

His family and town, near Jerusalem, center of power, might have known many famous people, etc.

The exact meaning of Jeremiah is not certain: it may mean "the LORD exalts"; it may mean "the LORD hurls." What is certain is that "the LORD," the personal name of God, is in his name.

1) Jeremiah Endured because He Knew God was CALLING HIM.

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

Jeremiah as almost all the prophets, saw themselves as people being acted upon by God. This is God's call, God's will, God's plan, NOT his! If we are to endure the hardships of ministry, we must understand that this is all about God and what HE wants, not about us.

2) God's First Call – the Call to Christlike Character.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

3) God's Second Call – the Call to Christlike Conduct.

"5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—" (2 Thessalonians 1:5, ESV)

4) No EXCUSES allowed!

Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:6-9 (ESV)

We are practiced in pleading inadequacy in order to avoid living at the best that God calls us to. How tired the excuses sound! I am only a youth; I am only a housewife; I am only a layman; I am only a poor preacher; I only have an eighth-grade education; I don't have enough time; I don't have enough training; I don't have enough confidence; or, with biblical precedence, "Master, please, I don't talk well" (Ex 4:10). Too much is being asked of us. We cannot cope. We cannot manage.

Eugene H. Peterson. Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best (Kindle Locations 429-432). Kindle Edition.

Moses King of Excuses!

· "Who am I?" = I'm not IMPORTANT/QUALIFIED enough.

"11But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"" (Exodus 3:11, ESV)

· They won't ACCEPT my message.

"1Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The Lord did not appear to you.' "" (Exodus 4:1, ESV)

· I'm not a good SPEAKER.

"10But Moses said to the Lord, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."" (Exodus 4:10, ESV)

· I'm afraid and don't WANT to go!

"13But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."" (Exodus 4:13, ESV)

5) God's response to Jeremiah's Excuses.

· Excuse 2 - God's POWER is always available.

"3And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it." (Exodus 4:3, ESV)

· Excuse 3 - God will PROVIDE what I lack.

"11Then the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."" (Exodus 4:11–12, ESV)

· Excuse 1 & 4 – God is WITH me.

"12He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."" (Exodus 3:12, ESV)

These excuses show Moses' very human fear, insecurity, and reluctance—yet God still used him powerfully. The chapter highlights that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

I must be humble enough to accept learning from others what I need to learn and experiencing what I need to become fully qualified. If I think, "God called me so now I – who know and have experienced nothing – will take over. I'm headed for a fall and refusing to accept God's qualifying school of some very hard knocks!

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 9: Being Responsible

By Louie Marsh, 4-26-2026

TO BE A RESPONSIBLE BELIEVER I NEED TO…

1) Live & pray according to GOD'S PRIORITIES.

"1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:1–3, ESV)

· My top priority is SPREADING the good news!

As to the rest, pray ye, brethren, concerning us, that the word of the Lord may run and may be glorified, as also with you, 2 Thes. 3:1 (Young's)

"…may have a triumphant career…" (Lightfoot)

· A secondary priority is DELIVERANCE from danger.

2) Ask God to GROW my heart.

"5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)

"32I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!" (Psalm 119:32, ESV)

WHAT AREAS DO WE NEED TO GROW IN?

· GOD'S LOVE

· CHRIST'S PERSERVERANCE

3) Live out my faith through HARD WORK.

· Don't SETTLE.

"6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6, ESV)

· Don't DEMAND your rights

"7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate." (2 Thessalonians 3:7–9, ESV)

· Do stand up and LEAD

"10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:10–13, ESV)

· Practice TOUGH LOVE

"14If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15, ESV)

WHY THIS EMPHASIS ON WORK?

· Because life is all about PRODUCING VALUE!

4) Seek and Receive CHRIST'S PEACE.

"16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16, ESV)

5) Live my life in GRACE!

"17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:17–18, ESV)

· Grace = SALVATION.

· Grace = LIFE.

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 8: Building Up

By Louie Marsh, 4-19-2026

1) My speech should be FREE & OPEN

"2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction," (2 Thessalonians 2:2–3, ESV)

"5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness." (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)

2) My life should be TRANSPARENT.

"1Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come." (2 Thessalonians 2:1–2, ESV)

"5Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?" (2 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)

"9The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false," (2 Thessalonians 2:9–11, ESV)

3) My Responsibility is to manage God's gifts WISELY.

"4who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)

· Approved by GOD

· Trusted with the GOSPEL

4) My goal is to please God ALONE.

"5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." (1 Thessalonians 2:5–6, ESV)

5) My love should be SOUL DEEP.

"7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:7–8, ESV)

6) My conduct must be GODLY.

"10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:10–12, ESV)

· ENCOURAGING

· COMFORTING

· URGING

7) My calling is to SHARE the good news of Christ!

"13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." (1 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV)

Living In The Last Days

Pt. 7: Hanging Tough

By Louie Marsh, 3-12-2026

You know you're in trouble when....

• Your accountant's letter of resignation is postmarked from Zurich.

• You're taking a bus to the bank to make your car payment.

• You take assertiveness training, but you're afraid to tell your wife.

• You tell a barber what you think of his prices before he cuts your hair.

• You see your stockbroker hitchhiking out of town.

• The plumber floats by on your kitchen table.

• Your pacemaker comes with a 30-day guarantee.

• Your wages are paid out of petty cash.

• The pest control guy crawls under your house and never comes out.

IN TOUGH TIMES I NEED TO…

1) DECIDE to deepen my spiritual life starting NOW!.

"3We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:3–4, ESV)

· Growing FAITH & LOVE are two signs my spiritual life is deepening.

Paul uses a compound Greek verb meaning growth above expectations – huper from which we get hyper.

Trouble Makes My Faith Grow By…

· Making me face UNPLEASANT truths.

· Testing to see if I'm LIVING a supernatural life.

2) TRUST GOD to bring about justice.

"5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels" (2 Thessalonians 1:5–7, ESV)

3) Compassionately REACH OUT to the lost.

"8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." (2 Thessalonians 1:8–10, ESV)

Hell is horrible because it goes on forever – you are eternally brought to "complete ruin" as it says literally.

Hell is even worse because you are shut away from God completely. That's why it won't be a party – ALL GOOD THINGS are absent from Hell. There is nothing there but evil and pain.

This ought to motivate us!

4) FOCUS on giving Glory to Jesus!

"12so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:12, ESV)

5) BELIEVE that God will fulfill His purposes in my life.

"11To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power," (2 Thessalonians 1:11, ESV)

6) YBH – YES BUT HOW?

· Pay attention to my HEART.

"23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NAS)

Keep means to watch over and protect – what many of us do in the name of guarding our hearts is actually hardening and kill it!

This doesn't mean to suck it up – be tough – shut down your emotions – and ACT okay when you are not.

Rather it means to be authentic and open before the Lord on all occasions about everything – and as open with others as you can be.

"34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34, ESV)

The heart "spurts out" good or evil according to the supply within.

1) as ejection by force throw out, expel, drive out; (2) as expelling or excluding without force repudiate, send away, let go.

"18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." (Matthew 15:18, ESV)

Out of the mouth. Spoken words come out of the heart and so are a true index of character.

· An open heart to God is the KEY to real spiritual depth.

"14Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: " ' "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive." 15For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'" (Matthew 13:14–15, ESV)