* Did you know that you can “provoke” God? (Psalms 106:29)

* Provoking involves emotion.

* Emotion presupposes power - that other people have the power to make us feel something we can’t feel on our own.

* God has emotion - this means we can make Him feel things that He wouldn’t have felt if we didn’t do something.

* He gave us this power because we are made in His image!

* We can change God’s emotional state by our actions.

* EX: A person from Russia who hates me and spews venom at me because of my stand for truth does not affect me at all.

* But if my wife did that to me it would rip my heart out. Why?

* Because I’ve given myself to her.

* God has given His Son for us, paid the ultimate price, so how we treat Him can truly hurt Him.

* BACKSTORY - God was provoked to anger by the Israelites, so He delivered a tough message through Jeremiah.

* Vs 7-8 - Jeremiah provoked the people!

* Vs 12-13 - Jeremiah reminded them that they can change God’s mind by their actions!

* When they repented, God would repent.

* Repent means “to change your mind” which causes a change of direction.

* Exodus 32:14 - “God ‘repented’ from the disaster that He had spoken of bringing on His people.”

* How good is God that He gives us the ability to change His mind??

* God is rebuking the Israelites for their lack of faith along with their deliberate disobedience.

* Vs 5 - You’re “cursed” if you trust in yourself or others and not God.

* Vs 7-8 - You’re “blessed” if you trust in God - like a “tree planted by a stream,” constantly nourished, lacking nothing.

* Vs 9 - You can’t trust your own heart.

* Vs 10 - You can trust God to search your heart and mind. How? By listening to Him!

* Then God turns His rebuke toward their pursuit of money.

* Money represents security, so God talks about it a lot!

* Money is a magnifier - it magnifies who you are.

* If you’re a giver, you’ll give more.

* If you’re selfish, you’ll hoard more.

* If you find your identity in it, you’ll wear it as a badge of honor.

* If you’re stingy, you’ll become even more stingy (Todd Tucker).

* Vs 11a - Those who go after riches are like a bird that sits on top of eggs it didn’t lay, only to be exposed as a fraud when the new bird hatches.

* A partridge (brown bird) can sit on top of a dove egg (white bird) and the common passerby sees a loving mother protecting her young.

* Until the egg hatches, at which point the partridge is revealed a fraud.

* Those who pursue riches look great …for a while.

* But there comes a time when they’ll be revealed for the frauds they are.

* Vs 11b - God lets them build and grow half their lives until it comes crashing down.

* EX: Tower of Babel

* So what do we do?

* Don’t focus on money, focus on value.

* Monetary value follows tangible value.

* When you bring value to others then money will chase you down.

* Money then becomes:

* A carrot that gets you moving in the right direction.

* A measuring stick that keeps you moving in the right direction.

* And your work will be worship.

* Jeremiah had grown really discouraged.

* He had been faithful to do all God wanted him to do yet nobody listened.

* And his friends and family abandoned him.

* So he took his plea to God.

* Vs 1-4 - It’s ok to question God in private - don’t do it in public.

* When we go through hardships, the proper question is not “HOW” can I get out of this, but “WHAT” can I get out of this?

* God’s answer (vs 5) - “I’m training you!”

* Three truths about your Christian life:

* 1) It’s not supposed to be easy - it’s hard work to stay on the narrow path.

* Running a race is always hard.

* 2) It gradually gets harder - your convictions go deeper the more mature you are in your faith.

* 3) It gradually gets better - we experience peace and rest in the middle of trials and tribulations.

* EX: Getting in shape - it’s hard, and it gets harder the longer you go, but life gets way better!

* TRUTH - If you’re faithful in little, you’ll be faithful in much.

* That’s how we know if we’ll stand strong when the going gets tough.

* When you’ve lost your way, God has a plan to get you back on track.

* Backstory - God had just rebuked Israel for her sins and said His wrath was coming.

* Vs 13-14 - Their spiritual leaders couldn’t be trusted.

* They were “greedy for “gain.”

* This isn’t just money - it’s a thirst for influence and powerful positions.

* They “dressed the wound” - they recognized a problem but gave the wrong prescription. Why?

* Because ambition blinds you - you focus on what you don’t want to lose in the physical rather than what you will gain in the spiritual.

* So what were they supposed to do?

* Vs 16 - 17 - Five components to getting back on track:

* 1) Stand at the Crossroads and look - the crossroads represent a time when you have to make a decision.

* Don’t blindly move forward - stop and consider where you are and where you’re going (which path will get you where you want to be?).

* Look at those on both paths - who do you want to join?

* 2) Ask - this puts you in the place of humility and aligns you in proper authority.

* Asking implies you need something and don’t have it - this keeps you humble.

* When you “ask God” it aligns you under His authority because it presupposes He is your superior.

* 3) Ask where the “ancient” path is - the path that’s proven over and over to work.

* It’s the “well worn” path.

* EX: all fad diets bow to the ancient path - eat fewer calories than you burn.

* God’s path - trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!

* The Bible gives us the ancient path.

* 4) Walk in it - don’t just ask, DO! Follow the advice you asked for.

* Action precedes motivation.

* The ancient path has fewer people walking on it.

* Principle - do the harder thing.

* RESULT - you will find rest for your soul!

* Mind, Will, Emotions will line up with God and you’ll experience peace.

* FACT - you won’t do it (none of these steps are natural).

* So what does God do? He appoints “watchmen!”

* vs 17 - Those who see what’s going on in culture and are willing to blow the trumpet to warn you.

* They were commanded to “listen” because it would be natural for them to tune it out.

* What does a watchman do? (Spot, startle, stop, shift)

* Spot the enemy - they watch while you work.

* Startle you to attention - blowing a trumpet will tap into your brain power and produce adrenaline and cortisol.

* Stop your normal routine - they get you outside yourself.

* Shift your perspective - they give you a glimpse of what the enemy is up to and show you how to respond.

* A few weeks ago we talked about the spiritual / physical connection.

* God - Church - People - World (Institutions, governments, etc). 

* Our bodies are made the same way. 

* Brain - Glands - Hormones - Body (Organs, tissues, etc).  

* Just as people are the messengers in the world, hormones are the messengers of our bodies. 

* They tell our organs and tissues what to do and how to function. 


* Dopamine is a hormone that’s purpose is to help us with movement & motivation.

* It’s the “feel good” chemical - gives us a sense of fulfillment & satisfaction. It’s also called a “reward” chemical that’s tied to accomplishment.

* produce it thru nutrition, exercise, good music, meditation - but the best way to produce it is through PURSUIT!

* RESEARCH:

* Dopamine is a molecule in your brain and body that makes you look outside yourself, pursue things outside yourself, and to crave things outside yourself.

* It is a universal currency inside all mammals that helps us accomplish goals. It’s the way you track success and whether you are fulfilled.

* Low dopamine means you are not very motivated, and high dopamine means you are very motivated.

* It is released in two different brain pathways, and one of those pathways is tied to your pursuit of a goal. When you pursue a finish line, a potential partner, a degree, or anything, it releases dopamine in your body.

* Addictive drugs disrupt this pathway, and that is why those caught in addiction don’t want to accomplish anything (video games for boys).

* This brain science shows us the power of vision long before we ever knew that our brain chemicals are tied to it.

* Proverbs 29:18 - “Without a vision the people perish.”

* Personal vision - what do you want for yourself?

* Professional vision - what do you want for your work?

* Prophetic vision - what is God doing in the world?

* Habakkuk 2:2 - “Write down the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so that the one who reads it may RUN!”

* Andy Stanley - “The clearer the vision, the fewer the options, the easier the decision.”

* Two Keys to Vision:

* 1) Sight (vs 1-4) - He saw the Lord (reverence).

* Vs 4 points back to Moses on the mountain.

* You know you’ve seen God when you respond like Isaiah (vs 5).

* 2) Insight (vs 5) - He saw himself (humility).

* Before he pronounced “woe” on others, he had to say “woe” is me!

* It was his mouth - his greatest strength was also his greatest weakness.

* Process - conviction / confession / cleansing (vs 6-7).

* A coal from the altar of sacrifice - it is hot and can hurt your lips.

* God’s hurt always brings God’s healing!

* He had sinned with his mouth in the past, but it no longer defined him.

* Vision (vs 8) - He saw the need (it wasn’t about him).

* Isaiah volunteered for the job - he didn’t wait for it to become a passion.

* Bible Knowledge - “The prophet knew that the entire nation needed the same kind of awareness of God and cleansing of sin he had received. So he responded that he would willingly serve the Lord (Here am I).”

* God had delivered some hard words to His people.

* They would be punished for their sins.

* This would cause discouragement.

* So God gave them words of “encouragement.”

* Courage means “to make courageous.”

* Vs 27 - they felt alone.

* Vs 28 - don’t focus on your problem, focus on PERSON.

* Focus magnetizes and intensifies.

* Vs 29 - He gives “strength” to the weary. How?

* Vs 30-31 - by waiting on God!

* Waiting is “hoping.”

* You won’t wait if you don’t have hope.

* Waiting on a person for dinner (if they don’t show you give up hope and leave).

* You get their presence when you wait!

* When you put your hope is God He “renews” your strength.

* You already have strength in you, it just needs to be reignited!

* Two facets of waiting:

* The state of waiting - your disposition of patience in the midst of problems.

* The service of waiting - watching and listening for God in all things while you’re busy about your work.

* The result of waiting? Soar, run, walk - there’s a time for all three!

* Soar like an eagle (not like a hummingbird).

* Run and not grow weary (like Elijah in 1 Kings 18 - he outran a chariot 14 miles).

* Walk and not be faint - you just don’t wear out.

* God reminded them in Exodus 19:4 - “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”

* It took 430 years for God to get the people out of Egypt - but when He did it was INCREDIBLE!

* The ultimate result of waiting - you get God’s presence!

* And when you have His presence you have His power!

* The Men of Issachar “understood the times” and knew what Israel should do.

* In a time of crisis, the person who knows what to do will emerge the leader.

* EX: Maintenance guy on 911

* Backstory - God sent prophets to warn His people to stay in line.

* EX: Dad at men’s event - “would you mind talking to my boys?”

* God sent a host of prophets who not only warned of judgment (Babylon) but gave them words of encouragement as well.

* A prophet’s role:

* They gave insight on what was coming and instruction on what to do.

* Different times called for different messages.

* The key was “understanding your times!”

* In Joel 3:10 God was summoning the nations to battle - “Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears.”

* The instruments of peace are made into implements of war.

* The tools of the trade become weapons for the deliverance.

* The lessons we learn and the skills we acquire by being in the workplace are what God uses as tools to extend His kingdom and weapons to defend His kingdom here on this earth.

* Jesus recruited “workplace” guys to be His disciples.

* Peter fished for fish to prepare him to fish for men (lights, not lures).

* EX: Painter at men’s event.

* In Isaiah 2:1-4 God sent a different message (referring to life in his Millenial kingdom).

* We take comfort in the fact that this day is coming, where we no longer have to battle anymore but all we do is build!

* But that’s not the case today!!!

* Today is a day for NEHEMIAH!

* In the time of Nehemiah, he arose a leader who equipped people with two things:

* A trowel to work with.

* A sword to fight with.

* They were to BUILD and BATTLE!

* Taking the time to stop and consider is one of the most powerful things you can do.

* To stop and “take it in” gives you energy to keep going.

* Solomon (the wisest man who ever lived) shows us its power.

* Ecclesiastes was written from a worldly perspective.

* God is not involved.

* There is no eternity - this is all there is.

* When God IS NOT considered, nothing has meaning (not even the biggest thing).

* When God IS considered, everything has meaning (even the smallest thing).

* This is why Ecclesiastes was read at the Feast of Tabernacles where people thanked God for His abundant provision.

* It reminded them to stop and consider God’s involvement.

* Vs 10 - Solomon enjoyed the fruit of his labor, which is a good thing.

* We should stop and consider our work and enjoy it’s completion.

* This recharges you and gives you strength for the next thing.

* By rewarding yourself in the moment, your brain elicits positive emotions. By doing this continuously, your brain will start to link pleasure to accomplishing the task or objective and move towards it in the future.

* Cycle - Do Something Hard / Reward Yourself

* EX: Matinee movie after a book is done.

* Key - God wants you to ENJOY your life, but not find your ultimate “meaning” in the here and now.

* Vs 11 - But he stopped to consider!

* It’s a good practice to stop and consider. How?

* 1) STOP what you’re doing (schedule in time to pause).

* 2) LOOK up - take God into consideration.

* 3) LOOK around - take in your present moment.

* 4) LOOK back - look at your work and what you’ve accomplished.

* 5) LOOK in - how do you feel?

* ** Solomon skipped step two, and it caused despair.

* True fulfillment is directly tied to your core relationships.

* You can have all the fame and fortune in the world, but if your key relationships aren’t in tact, you’re not fulfilled.

* God made us this way on purpose.

* Our core relationships - God, Spouse, Family …

* Relationships are all about CONNECTION.

* The question is, how do you stay connected?

* One word - PRIORITY!

* Ephesians 5:33 - men, love your wife … women, respect your husbands.

* What are you going after? That shows your priority.

* You prioritize that in which you pursue.

* The “Pursue - Response” cycle.

* SoS 7:10 - she knew she was his priority.

* What was her response?

* Vs 11-12 - Intimacy!

* Intimacy is to be fully know and fully accepted.

* When you have relationships laced with intimacy you will feel fulfilled!

* Vs 5 - Rebuking someone you love is the greatest sign of friendship.

* If you can’t rebuke someone who’s out of line, it points to two things:

* Either an insecurity in them that they can’t take the rebuke.

* Or an insecurity in you that you can’t give a rebuke.

* Both are a desire for approval laced with the fear of rejection.

* But if you truly love someone you’ll say the hard thing.

* Why? Because you want them to thrive in life - and you know that God’s blessings are found inside God’s boundaries.

* Love is compassion with standards - you can’t have one without the other.

* If you “conceal your love” (you’re not willing to say the hard thing) because you don’t want to hurt them, then you are actually hurting them worse.

* Vs 6 - A true friend will “hurt” you but not “harm” you.

* Hurt - temporary pain for permanent gain (getting cavity removed).

* Harm - temporary gain for permanent pain (eating sugar).

* TWIST - Love that is hidden (concealed) in this context is just as bad as in the context of not expressing the love that you feel.

* The Message says, “A spoken reprimand is better than approval that’s never expressed.”

* When you feel for someone but you don’t express it, it “disheartens” them.

* Consider the Love Loop.

* Expressing your love to someone (via gratitude or approval, etc) opens a relational loop (but it’s only half a loop).

* The loop is completed by the persons’ response.

* If they respond favorably, it closes the loop and creates connection.

* If they don’t respond or they’re unfavorable, it keeps the loop open and disconnection is the result.

* KEY - Unexpressed gratitude / approval is received as rejection.

* So what do we do?

* If you feel it, say it!

* If you don’t feel it, repent and ask God why you don’t (concentration leads to captivation).

* Start paying attention!