Today you should read: Deuteronomy 11:1-7
The Blessings of Obedience is again the theme of today. This is an overriding principle in the book of Deuteronomy. That’s OK – because we – like the Children of Israel – are slow learners.
We see the command that Jesus says is the main thing quoted again in verse 13. Love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and soul. Is this starting to get through? It’s quoted time and again throughout scripture.
The main verse I want us to focus on today is verse 16…
But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the LORD and serve and worship other gods.
We must guard our hearts!
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23
Day 6 in my book, The Change of Life, talks about three very dangerous conditions of the heart:
- Your heart can become HARD
This is a condition that happens when you continue to allow evil to live in your heart. When you first experience evil as a Christ-follower, you’re convicted. But if you continue to allow it to stay eventually you become hardened to it. Much like our hands are tender – when we continue to do manual labor like digging a hole – they hurt and become red. If we don’t stop digging we’ll get a blister and if we don’t stop then – our hands will get calloused. Same with our hearts:
In Exodus 7:13 – God gave Pharoah a hard heart. What’s a hard heart look like? Ever had one? Have one now?
- Your heart can be DECEIVED
This is what our chapter today mentions. If you continue to lie to yourself, you will eventually believe the lies and fight for them. You often see this in an addict. They will lie and believe their own lies. Many Christians have fallen into this trap.
In James 1:26 the Bible talks about a deceived heart. How can you deceive your heart? Ever done that? Living that way now in some area of your life?
- Your heart can HARBOR EVIL
You know what a harbor is – it’s a safe place for ships to spend the winter. A place closed in by 3 sides. To harbor something means to hold onto it. To keep it safely in your heart. This is a good thing if the thing you’re harboring is good – but when you harbor evil it’s deadly. It will eventually destroy your heart like cancer.
In James 3:14 and 1 Corinthians 14:25 the Bible talks about this principle. What does harboring evil in your heart look like? Ever do that? Doing it now?
How can I avoid these conditions of the heart?
- Commit yourself to reading, studying, memorizing, and obeying God’s Word (11:1)
- Teach these principles to your children (11:19)
Look how God commands parents to disciple their children in verse 19-20. It’s not an option parents. Not to is to disobey God.
- Obey God’s Word (11:22)
God ends this chapter by laying it on the line for us:
Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn away from Him and worship gods you have not known before. (v.26-28)
What is God saying to you today? Post a comment and let us know.
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
Obedience is a fundamental part of the Christian journey. It’s difficult because it means denying myself and looking to and obeying God. I struggle with it – you struggle with it. Let’s pray for each other today, that we will decide to obey God in everything. It’s how we show we love Him and it’s the secret for a great life.
We are to discipline our children because they have not yet seen the miracles or the destruction from the Lord. We can prevent them from
destruction by telling them and talking to them and disciplining them.
In parenting, I find I am more frustrated and act wrongly when I discipline too late….let the backtalk go, the whining, and so on. I tell myself it is hard to be consistent in this when you have different kid personalities and ages but it should be more of a continuum, a way of life, as opposed to reactionary.
No one is shy of words in this household, so today, I will attempt to direct our words towards blessings and the good things we have from God.
Thanks Molly. I know that’s difficult. I will be praying for you.