Chapter 9- What Makes God Smile?

It sounds so simple. What makes you smile? A memory? a pet? a song? a hug? a kiss? It only takes a tiny little thing to make us smile, right? Well, it's the same with God. All it takes to make him smile is one simple thing- just do what he tells you to do, wholeheartedly.

Hummm, simple... but not necessarily easy; don't be discouraged though, it can be done! Look at Noah, he did it. Do you think it was easy for him to build an ark? No, I can't imagine anyone would consider that an easy task. He simply did what God told him to do. I can't help but think that Noah did find it "simple" to do what God told him though. Think about it, he worked on this day in and day out for 120 years. How much procrastinating can you do in 120 years? Apparently he didn't put it off even one day. He just did what he was told.

The book went through Noah's story pretty well and it talked about more specifics on how we can make God smile. Things like following the first commandment ('to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength'), trusting God completely (like Noah did when he 'built an ark' in his front yard), obeying him wholeheartedly (partial obedience is disobedience), praising and thanking God continually, and using our God-given abilities. I imagine that Noah was using abilities that he didn't realize he had. How proud God must have been as he watched Noah following each and every detail exactly as he was instructed- every day for 120 years.

There really is so much to be learned from Noah. Debbie K has an awesome devotional teaching (and song) called "Noah's Rainbow" that she's been sharing with women's ministry groups. It covers the entire story of Noah and how his obedience and faith saved not only his family, but the entire human race. God was so disgusted with the world that he was just going to wipe everybody out...but there was Noah, and he "found favor in the eyes of the Lord". (Genesis 6:8) What a relief that is! See otherwise, we'd all be martians...and I don't know about you, but green does not look good on me!

Here's a video clip of Deb in action- for those of you who haven't seen it on her myspace page yet. After you watch, be sure to email her and ask how her newest devotional (on Jochebed) is coming along. You can visit Deb's website, myspace, or email us if you'd like more information on booking her to speak at your event.

Glimpse of "Noah's Rainbow"