By: Pastor Rick Smith

Deuteronomy 11:13-17

“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them… (Deuteronomy 11:16).”

God set forth the pattern for heavenly blessings: obedience.  Again and again the scriptures teach us that there’s blessings for obedience.  Obey God and He will bless you.  Even in the most dire of circumstances, if we remain obedient to God, He will bless us and stand in defense of us.  Daniel is just one example of this.  When Judah had finally gone so far from God and Daniel, along with thousands of others, had been carried off to captivity in Babylon, God blessed Daniel and his friends who were faithful to Him.  He rescued them from the enemy and saved them though they had to go through fire and the lion’s den. 

So heed God’s stern warning and take heed to yourself.  I cannot do much about the actions of others, but I can remain true to God myself.  I can stay close to God and avoid all that is contrary to Him and His will.  Our hearts are so easily decieved, so pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  That is a prayer that God hears.  Avoid every temptation to go after the gods of this age. 

If we have departed from God then listen to the call:  “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7).”

If you have any questions, we invite you to visit with us this Sunday.   Worship at 10:50 A.M.  We are located at 711 West Washington Ave.  Check our sermon videos on Youtube @ricksmith2541.  Send comments and prayer requests to prayerlinecmbc@gmail.com.

Rick Smith is the Pastor at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Artesia.