"In the midst of any revival time, there is always a hunger for the Word. The Holy Spirit, by the power of God's Word, is giving gentle direction to those who seek Him. It moves us away from confusion and establishes our lives on solid ground. Unless there is a constant desire and longing for sound truth as opposed to unsound talk, it is easy to be misled and distracted.
If you study the Word with any consistency, you'll find yourself drifting from periods of joy and rejoicing, to conviction and repentance; from bleeding due to the surgery of the Word, to the soothing, healing virtue of God that comes through obedience to His Word. I've found that, in my study, the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. It's frustrating to try and measure up to the demands of the Word without the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26). The Word reveals our scriptural position on virtually every area of experience. I've heard so many people lately claim this and that, not realizing it's already theirs. Below are several things I hope will be helpful in your personal approach to God's Word.
PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR STUDY:
A. Look for Simplicity:
1. 'Love your neighbor' means love your neighbor, nothing else
2. 'Jesus loves you' means Jesus loves you.
3. Don't try to make it mean something else.
B. Look for Practicality
1. Avoid trying to read between the lines
2. Avoid searching for deep truths
3. Rather than reading between the lines, read the lines.
C. Look for Commandments to be Obeyed
1. 'Honor thy father and mother' - Deuteronomy 5:16
2. 'Thou shalt not steal' - Deuteronomy 5:19
3. 'Thou shalt have no other gods before Me' - Deuteronomy 5:7
D. Look for Fact to be Known
1. We are blessed with all the spiritual blessings in Christ - Ephesians 1:3
2. We are justified by faith - Romans 5:1
3. Satan has been defeated - Hebrews 2:14
E. Look for Promises to be Enjoyed
1. Promise of forgiveness and cleansing - I John 1:9
2. Promise of healing secured for us - Isaiah 53:5
3. Promise of liberal blessing for givers - Malachi 3:10
F. Look for Examples to be Followed
1. Follow the faith of those who have the rule over you - Hebrews 13:7
2. Follow the prophets' example of suffering and patience - James 5:10
3. Follow Paul's example as he follows Christ - I Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17
Pastor Ron Mehl"