What has changed in the past year?

you know more

you have participated in more things

you've met new people

you are better at some things

Are you more like Jesus?

this is the Lord's goal for us - it doesn't change because He doesn't change

Psalm 1:1-4

We were CREATED to connect!

“apart from vital connection to

me you can do nothing” - John 15:5 AMP

1. DISCONNECT from the world (vs 1)

3 Things to be careful of:

The world’s ADVICE (their counsel)

The world’s ACTIVITES (their path)

The world’s FOOLISHNESS (their scoffing)

Our understanding of Blessing is related to our understanding of God

- if we see Him as wise, good, powerful, loving > we find blessing in His plan, His mission, in honoring Christ

- if we see Him as distant, fake, wrong, tyrannical, inconvenient > we find blessing in self, family, ability, approval, altruism

these aren't bad things on their own but become IDOLS when we don't see Him as He is

2. DELIGHT in God’s Word (vs 2a)

- What are the top 5 things I delight in?

- Have you settled?

delight: joy and satisfaction

"this Word, this instruction is enough - because it leads me to KNOW God"

3. MEDITATE on God’s Word (vs 2b)

- 4 Ways to Meditate

1. Speak

2. Personalize

3. Learn

4. Teach

We all champion something - it's what we're known for

Matthew 12:34 says the mouth speaks what the heart is full of

What impression are you leaving on others?

- What we delight in and meditate on is difficult to hide and tiresome to fake

AVOID emptiness (vs 4)

the blessing of connection is Stability

the consequence of idolatry is Emptiness

* What makes someone “wicked”?

- their delight is in INDEPENDENCE

- Jeremiah 2:5

God’s desire is to give our lives

SUBSTANCE and

MEANING

What did the people of Jeremiah get?

- Exactly what they asked for