In this sermon, Pastor Ortiz shares a heartfelt message on the topic of replenishment, drawn from Jeremiah 31:23–26—a passage that speaks to the restoration and renewal God offers to His weary and sorrowful people. Preaching on Mother’s Day, Pastor Ortiz acknowledges the difficulty of preaching on this occasion, choosing instead to focus on a message that applies to everyone: when we are empty and broken, God alone can replenish our souls.

The context of the passage is the captivity of Israel—a nation broken by its own choices and sins. Pastor Ortiz reminds us that like Israel, many of the burdens we carry are a result of our own decisions. And yet, in His mercy, God does not leave us to deal with our self-inflicted problems alone. Instead, He promises to restore, to replenish.

Pastor Ortiz dives into the meaning of the word “replenish,” showing how in the Hebrew, it implies restoring to fullness—whether it’s refilling oil, drawing water, or refilling the grain for bread. These examples beautifully symbolize how God replenishes us through the Holy Spirit (oil), Christ’s presence (living water), and the Word (bread of life).

He then addresses common—but ineffective—ways people attempt to replenish themselves: through escapism (vacations, sleep), entertainment (binging TV or games), food, busyness, or relationships. Each substitute may distract, but they ultimately leave us dry and still longing for peace and rest. Only God can truly restore.

Replenishment begins with recognizing it is God who does the work—He says “I have satiated... I have replenished.” It's found not in perfect circumstances, but in the wilderness—through difficulty, not in its absence. Just as God provided manna, water, and guidance in Israel’s wilderness, He meets us in our dry seasons. We should not wait for ideal conditions, but trust in the God who works in unlikely places.

Pastor Ortiz challenges the listener to shift focus from problems to praise, highlighting that replenishment brings visible renewal. Our speech, our spirit, and our outlook begin to change when we focus on God’s goodness. We’re reminded to count our blessings, because true satisfaction is found not in a change of circumstances but in the presence of God.

Finally, Pastor Ortiz shares that trusting God's Word is key. Like dry soil needing to be soaked, our hearts may resist at first, but if we stay in the Word, God will begin to seep in and restore. Even when nothing around us changes, something changes within us.

He concludes with this encouragement: when you are replenished, pour into others. Help someone else. Encourage someone else. Because in this life, we all need to be filled—and God is the only one who truly can.

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