Week Seventeen, 2026

As the bus pulled into the roadside parking lot, I saw a multitude of pottery displays. When I exited the bus, I walked right by the displays and walked back to observe the potters making the pottery. That process started with a lump of wet clay as they began to use their hands to form whatever they were making.

One potter got my attention. He stopped his wheel and closely examined the pitcher he was making. Finding it to be a little out of form, he took the clay and returned it to a big lump, as he began all over again. As I watched the process unfold, I thought of the prophet Jeremiah’s description where God instructs the prophet to visit a potter’s house to learn a lesson about His sovereignty and relationship with Israel. Watching the potter rework a marred vessel, Jeremiah learns that God, as the Master Potter, has the authority to reshape, break, or mold His people (the clay).

The metaphor of the potter and clay also emphasizes God’s good purposes for His creation. A potter responds to defects in the clay (lack of moisture, a lump, or other issues) by further working the clay into a usable form. Likewise, God doesn’t throw away His creation but continues to work toward His good purposes.

God uses the metaphor of a potter and clay to illustrate His absolute sovereignty and desire to reshape Israel. As the potter reforms a marred vessel, God demonstrates that He is actively working on individuals and nations, with the power to mold, break, or remake them based on their response to Him.

God is the potter, and people are the clay, emphasizing that God has total control and authority to fashion life according to His will. When the vessel becomes spoiled, the potter does not throw it away, but reshapes it. This shows that if people repent of their “lumps” (sins, faults), God can reshape them into a useful, new vessel.

Responsibility of the Clay: While God is sovereign, the clay must remain “supple” and submissive to the potter’s hands to be molded. The process involves pressure and difficulty, but it is for the purpose of creating a functional, beautiful vessel. This lesson was given to show that God’s plans for nations are not fixed; if a nation turns from evil, God may refrain from the destruction He intended.

God never gives up: The potter keeps working with the clay until it is perfected. God is actively involved in the lives of His people, even in the midst of trials, to refine and shape them. While God is in control, people retain the ability to either submit to or resist the molding process.

Jeremiah learned at the potter’s wheel that the potter is always at work with the clay. Clay cannot make something beautiful by itself. He learned that the potter never gives up on a lump of clay, and God won’t give up on you.

Sometimes True Stories

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve original apostles chosen by Jesus, and yet he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. This is the very definition of a dishonest man who spread incredible strife and changed the course of history. Judas served for three years as acting treasurer for Jesus, but ultimately fell under the spell of Satan. If you are like me, we often look at the world today and think things are upside down; what seems right is chastised as wrong by those with different views. At times it may be difficult to determine truth, but that is an ungodly view and exactly how the devil hopes we will respond. “Without God it is impossible to determine truth; with God we become part of His master plan.” — Tony Ferguson

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So many times, the same frustrating thing happens when I try to pray. “Heavenly Father,” I say, but almost immediately I get interrupted by my own thoughts. I really hope I don’t have to work late tonight. I try to correct course and refocus on God, but another distraction comes to mind.

I wish I hadn’t yelled at the kids this afternoon. By that point, praying feels like a lost cause. I’m obviously more interested in worrying than spending time with God. Even so, I pull myself together and give it one more go – it’s hopeless. I’m distracted again.

Our mortgage is too high. I wonder if my wife could get a higher-paying job. When those distractions keep coming, I’m tempted to feel guilty, but then I remember this invaluable advice from Paul Miller, author of A Praying Life:

“Come [to prayer] overwhelmed with life. Come with your wandering mind. Come messy… The very things we try to get rid of – our weariness, our distractedness, our messiness – are what get us in the front door! That’s how the gospel works. That’s how prayer works.”

What a relief. When I find distracting thoughts interrupting my prayer time, I shouldn’t resent myself for them. Instead, I should pay attention to what those thoughts are and talk to God about them.

I often notice that my distracting thoughts are related to the deepest fears and anxieties that subconsciously pull me away from Jesus throughout the day. When I pray, He is letting them come to the surface so that I will give them to Him.

We don’t have to feel guilty about the thoughts that distract us during prayer – we should notice them, name them, and tell Jesus about them. He’s been waiting to hear about them all day. — Joshua Rogers

Quotes You Can Use

When you have a true encounter with God, you come away with the realization that God is for you.

If your job is to motivate people, living like you are injured and hurting will only inspire your physical therapist. — Dwight Short

While it is admirable to live a righteous life, we must not fall into the trap of thinking we can be good enough to earn our way into Heaven.

It doesn’t matter what we think about Scripture; the Bible is true whether we accept it or not. — Billy Graham

Trust the One who made you and saved you.

Listening wisely means welcoming godly correction and refusing ungodly influence. Correction is a gift, not a threat. Listen to godly correction. Who (and what) you listen to shapes who you become. Choose your voices wisely. — Edgar Aponte

Whatever it is you are living for, whatever passion rules your life, whatever it is that gets you out of bed in the morning and drives you – that is your god.

Love is demonstrated by our actions.

I attribute my success to this—I never gave or took any excuse. — Florence Nightingale

God knows that fear is born when we focus on the problem or on the power of the enemy.

A faulty view of Heaven destines us to a wasted life on Earth.

The secret of your strength lies in your commitment to Jesus Christ.

There is no shortage of voices talking about the news. Very few help Christians discern it biblically.

We should train ourselves to think wisely. — Tommy Campbell

When the world seems to be falling apart, our faith stands secure on the rock-solid promises of God.

God has provided a path for redemption when judgment day comes; don’t let the devil derail your path.

Don’t be discouraged when God delays the answers to your prayers.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to contribute your ideas and thoughts, address all items and comments to [email protected].

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