I was reading through Deuteronomy, the fifth of Moses'' books, and at chapter 4, I noticed that the phrase ''take heed to yourself'' appeared 3 times in one chapter. The emphasis seems to mean that there is more to the phrase than meets the eye. It also means that a weight is attached to the phrase in the mind of God. I intend to dig out some of the meaning and apply it to my life and to all who read us with the mind of application. I will like to give a summary of the insights we got from the ''GRASSHOPPER COMPLEX STUDY'' before we go on. This study might as well be part of the solution to the grasshopper mentality.

Transference of a spirit of unbelief caused a whole generation to miss their promised land. The spies, their leaders, influenced the people against the Word of God. They allowed fear to cause them to disobey God. Satan uses fear as a master tool in attacking God’s plans in the lives of people. God's Word was all they needed. Our life should be focused on God not ourselves if we are to obey God. They saw themselves as grasshoppers. Everything around you will treat you the way you see yourself. The Lord performs the Words of His servant.. As they said it, so shall it be done, He says. We need to have a different spirit. A spirit of faith that follows God fully like Caleb. It is usually those who are in good relationship with Godly leaders that have a better response to God's commands than those who are selfish, suspicious or offended at leaders. Watch your heart against offences.

Now to the message: Before things go wrong externally they usually have gone wrong internally. Before things change permanently externally- internal changes must place by the spirit of God inside us. Deut.4: 9,15, 23 Joshua 23:11, 22:5 Take heed unto your souls. Take heed diligently to keep His word. 1 Timothy 4:10-16 Acts 20: 28 To avoid forgetting, idolizing and to prevent disobedience to God - we need to take heed to ourselves. Proverb 4:20-23, Keep thy heart with all diligence - Diligence implies steady effort.

Our minds are capable of manufacturing things by them- selves. Whatever you are allowing to go on inside you right now will have untold impact on your future. Do not forget: Keep things on your mind. Philippians 4: 8 Keep things out! All lusts have then placed in the mind. 1 John 2:15. The wholeness on depravity in our lives can be traced to the effects on strongholds built by past experiences. Because these must be selective retaining - effort - diligence is required. Let this mind be in you- Philippians: 2 allow this to be your mindset. Our value-system is in our minds- Mark 4:24-25 Take heed what you hear Take heed to how you hear.

Doing What God Says Is OBEDIENCE
Our obedience is not for our sake alone. God is at work in us too. Cain offered what he liked not what God wanted. Whatever attitude hinders obedience must be dealt with. Idolatry:- Even God’s creation can be our idols! Anything that takes the place of God in our lives becomes an Idol. E.g. Idols - Knowledge (Rigid, cold and lifeless) People - husbands, children. Wives etc. When they take the place of heartfelt devotion to God. We can no longer uphold the principles of the word because we do not want to offend them. Comfort/Convenience - when no demand from God can be allowed to bring discomfort to us. Watch over your heart/mind to secure that wrong things are not built there but nurture good things - the word, Godly virtue, and revelation of purpose - nurture these in your heart. 2 Peter 1: 16-19 Pay close attention to the word as to a lamp - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. The prophetic word of God is to receive our attention. This is a light in us that we need to pay attention to- the peace, Joy and promptings of the spirit- will direct us into the fullness of His purposes for our lives.

Rev. Kola Ewuosho