Page 27 - Prophetic Word Newsletters Archive 2006 by Pastor Randy Shupe

“LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU…” Eph. 5:6 “LET NO ONE DECEIVE HIMSELF…” 1 Cor. 3:18

“APPLICATION OF THE MIND STUDY “CHEW THE CUD- A PRIVATE
TO THE ACQUIREMENT OF DEVOTION OF SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
KNOWLEDGE..
A STATE OF ABSORBED MEDITATE CONSISTING IN DEEP CONTINUED
CONCENTRATION... REFLECTION ON A RELIGIOUS
THEME…TO MUSE OVER, PONDER,
GIVEN TO STUDY, SCRUTINIZE, CONTEMPLATE, REFLECT
ANALYZE…DETAILED STUDY OF UPON…INTROSPECTION,
A SUBJECT WITH THE INTENT TO SELF-EXAMINATION OF ONE’S LIFE
MASTER, ABLE TO ARTICULATE, IN LIGHT OF THE PATTERN OF
THE SCRIPTURES…”
MASTERFUL, SKILLFUL” Webster
Webster

BALANCE
This is the need of the hour for God’s people, even when it comes to how we approach the Word of God.

The information age in which we live reminds me of the warning Solomon issued to God’s people:

“AND FURTHER, MY SON, BE ADMONISHED BY THESE. OF THE MAKING OF MANY
BOOKS THERE IS NO END, AND MUCH STUDY IS WEARISOME TO THE FLESH. LET US

HEAR THE CONCLUSION TO THE WHOLE MATTER: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS
COMMANDMENTS, FOR THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. FOR GOD WILL BRING EVERY

WORK INTO JUDGMENT, INCLUDING EVERY SECRET THING,
WHETHER IT IS GOOD OR WHETHER IT IS EVIL. Ecc. 12:12-14

Certainly over the years of my ministry I have contributed my share in fulfilling the saying,”of the making
of many books, there is no end.” I do not apologize for being prolific, a teacher must teach. Solomon is
not condemning books or studying. He is merely pointing out that it is possible to overdose in either of
these two areas. What is needed is balance. I think of the Pharisees and the Sadducees whom Jesus
condemned as being those who were “Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel” (Mat.
23:24). He charged them with having “…neglected the weightier matters of law; justice and mercy and
faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” (Mat. 23:23). What was their
deficiency? They lacked a proper emphasis and balance pertaining to the Word of God. This danger
exists for us as well. Paul warns the last days would be marked by a people, “always learning and never
able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). It is important WHAT we study and HOW we study.
It is important as to WHAT we meditate in and HOW we meditate. It is my conviction that the Christian life
is SIMPLISTIC. We must avoid the trap of intellectualism by which the Christian life grows more difficult
due to following an elaborate system of learning that appeals to the intellect. Hear Solomon well when he
stresses what is the simplistic conclusion to the dual dilemma of “many books” and “much study.” Just
focus your attention on the two objectives that Solomon states simplistically as the whole duty of man:

1. FEAR GOD
2. KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS

Direct all your study and all your meditation toward achieving these two objectives.
Keep in mind your day in court with the Righteous Judge in which He will
“…bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing,
whether it is good or evil” (Ecc. 12:12-14)

Moses reminds us also of a simplistic response to God and His Word:

“FOR THIS COMMANDMENT WHICH I COMMAND YOU TODAY, IT IS NOT TOO MYSTERIOUS FOR YOU,
NOR IS IT FAR OFF. IT IS NOT IN HEAVEN, THAT YOU SHOULD SAY, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN
FOR US AND BRING IT TO US, THAT WE MAY HEAR IT AND DO IT?’…BUT THE WORD IS VERY NEAR YOU,
IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART, THAT YOU MAY DO IT…I COMMAND YOU TODAY TO LOVE THE
LORD YOUR GOD, TO WALK IN HIS WAYS, AND TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS…THAT YOU MAY LIVE

AND MULTIPLY; AND THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BLESS YOU…” Deut. 30:11-16

Follow the sanctified “KISS” principle! ( Keep It Simple Saints”) Pastor Randy Shupe