Often times obeying God goes against the norm, we get weird looks and are ostracized from even our closest friends.

And sometimes - we have to quit something good to make room for something that's even better.

Join us this week as we look at Noah's story and take a few glimpses into our own lives.

We'll chat about what to do in the waiting and learn how to handle the AWKWARD moments.

By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God. Hebrews 11:7

Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

This is one of the most challenging actions Jesus calls us to take. It requires a lot of grace, humility, empathy, and love. We know we can pull it off with God, but what does that look like in reality and our everyday lives?

AAANNNDDDD...drum roll please...

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Evie Jane | Writer, Speaker, Warrior for Women

3 ways to tell if you healing, 3 ways to tell if you aren't and 3 ways to get started or keep going!

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:2 (MSG)

Lie - God is always angry with me ~ Truth - 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8

Lie - God only loves me when I'm good or do the right thing ~ Truth - Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 8:38-39

Lie - God only helps those who help themselves ~ Truth - Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lie - God is removed and not involved in my life ~ Truth - James 4:8, Matthew 28:20

Lie - God punishes me when I sin ~ Truth - Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:9

Lie - God will never give me more than I can handle ~ Truth - 1 Cor. 10:13, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Lie - God doesn't care about my everyday life, just my spiritual life ~ Truth - Colossians 3:23-24, Matthew 6:33

Lie - God will never be able to forgive me for all I've done ~ Truth - 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 1:18

Lie - God doesn't care about my questions or my doubts ~ Truth - James 1:5, Psalm 34:18

Lie - God's will for my life is too hard to figure out. I'll never know what it is ~ Truth - Jeremiah 29:11-13, Proverbs 3:5-6

This episode proves scripture is always teaching us, never grows old or goes out of date, journals are excellent tools and the Spirit opens our eyes to new wisdom if we sit and listen.

I know! I know! We just had a podcast on this scripture a few weeks ago, but there's more. Why am I so surprised?

Mark 2:1-5 - After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”

Questions to Consider:

1. What is distracting you and making you take your eyes off of Jesus?

2. In what situations/relationships in your life do you need to stop talking/teaching and simply listen, wait, and pray?

Jesus has two temple clearings in the Gospels.

John 2:13-17 (earlier in His ministry) and

Mark 21:12-14 - Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.

So how do we create an atmosphere that's welcoming to others.

Jonah 1:15-17 - They took Jonah and threw him overboard. Immediately the sea was quieted down. The sailors were impressed, no longer terrified by the sea, but in awe of God. They worshiped God, offered a sacrifice, and made vows. Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish’s belly three days and nights.

What happened to Jonah and Asa that weakened their faith? How do we respond is tough times? How do we keep our faith strong and our eye on God and not ourselves?

1- Listen to those speaking truth to us.

2- Seek God first and before people every time

3 - Remember and recount all God has done for you

2 Chronicles 16:7-9 - Just after that, Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said, “Because you went for help to the king of Aram and didn’t ask God for help, you’ve lost a victory over the army of the king of Aram. Didn’t the Ethiopians and Libyans come against you with superior forces, completely outclassing you with their chariots and cavalry? But you asked God for help and he gave you the victory. God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God’s help. Now you’re in trouble—one round of war after another.”

Matthew 10:21-23 “When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.

Jesus has some incredible advice for His Disciples and it's just as meaningful for us!

Verses 24-39 - be pleased when you get the same treatment I do, don't be intimidated, don't be silent because of threats, stand up for ME, don't think I came to make like easy, and forget about yourself and look to Me!

Don't forget to take a look at the entire chapter because Jesus also shares some great advice from verses 1-20 as well.