Learning by Reading

“My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.” Proverbs 4:20 (NKJV) I always did like to read, especially since I became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Before that, while in residential school, the only reading I did outside of class was comic books and boxing magazines. Needless to say, they were not of much profit. Reading is one of the three main ways that we learn. One is by observation, another is by listening, but reading is the way that most of us obtain the greater part of what we know. A while back a pastor came up with this statement, “Never underestimate the power of the printed page.” In a 40-50 minute message that is spoken, it is said that we retain about 15% of what we hear. However, the printed page remains to be read again, to refresh our minds of the content. I believe God wanted man to read and write, so writing was invented. Everyone should learn to read. I do not know the history of the first writings, but I do know it was in ancient times. Eventually God’s Word was in written form. God’s will for mankind was written on animal skins, not just for the pleasure of reading, but for learning what the writing is all about. It took 1600 years to complete our Bible. God’s communicating by script has come a long way since then. Today people can read it on cell phones, the internet, and even on TV. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (KJV). 1 Timothy 4:13 says, “Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (NKJV). Lord, please help us to be faithful in reading Your Word. — Bill Jackson   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org