Did you ever used to melt crayons on paper with a magnifying glass? The perfect example of the power of focus came when we were young, and melting things with the sun. Spiritually you to can gain more power by gathering slightly more light and focusing that light into one small location. One way you can do this is by studying the scriptures the same time each day, however even better would be to plan out that time to make sure it stays in focus.
For Example, pick some time to study topically before reading sequentially. Or look up the answer to questions you’ve jotted down from previous study sessions. The point is to change gears before you get bored. Everyone I know gets stagnant, and usually in 5-10 min. So in a 15 min scripture study be sure to plan how you will vary your searching techniques not just what you will study.
I usually pick 3 different methods to use in a 15-20 min study and then hold my self to a timer to change those, but find what works for you and your attention. Be creative, a method can be anything that causes you to focus on the scriptures in some way. I present a bunch of ways in my how to study the holy scriptures dvd, but your mind is free to create methods that will work for you. I like to make sure that I use contrasting methods back to back so for example I wouldn’t get much change if I went from a topical study to one where I look up answers to questions I’ve jotted down. They both are looking topically. So I might go from a verse based to a application based to a ponder based type.
The key is for you to be able to put all your focus into this for a short amount of time and then before you get bored change the way you are studying. If you are daydreaming or thinking of anything besides what you are looking for in the scriptures, change methods, and make it a violent change, like going from the hot shower to a cold house, or from a dark room into the bright light of the outside. This contrast will not only keep you awake, it will help you to focus, and we have all seen what those combined rays of sun can do.
