Get Used To Reading

Reading is being able to study a subject or a matter. According to one typical dictionary, reading is being able to discover or find out about something or somebody. The wider you read, the deeper the level of your knowledge. Through reading you ascertain the contents of something. I define reading as the ability to use one's eyes and hands and or eyes and brain with effort to acquire knowledge and gain understanding. You as an individual must develop the habit of reading extensively. Reading introduces you to information and enables you garner knowledge. The knowledge obtained is power which fosters progress. Get information and acquire knowledge. Through reading, you discover the truth and know it. Reading will furthermore mentally update you by keeping you abreast of current developments, ideas and news. Read your books especially the holy bible. Research and consult so that what you realise and know through your efforts will liberate or set you free from the wrath of ignorance and also be of benefit to you as well as the nation now and in the future. If you can't read, go back to school and learn. It is never too late. 

Extensive reading disperses a whirlwind of unsubstantiated rumours and ignorance of information because it helps you seek out the truth and learn the facts. The world as it is now requires that you are able to read. Reading requires mental power or physical strength in order to carry it out. Simply said, reading is work. It demands commitment, consistence, focus and effort. The bible declares in Proverbs 14:23 that all hard work brings a profit. It further says in Proverbs 28:19 and I quote,' he who works his land shall have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies will have his or her fill of poverty. The same principle can apply to reading. To the students, let me say this that he who works his books shall have more than enough good grades or marks, but he who chases fantasies and plays out only words will have his fill of failure. If success in examinations is your target, then one fundamental objective of yours must be to study hard. The bible says you reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7). If you sow careful hard work by way of schoolwork, you will harvest success in your schoolwork. But if you sow sheer playfulness or laziness, then you will yield failure. You see lack of knowledge will deter your progress and even destroy you. There are things that have not been able to come to you because you simply did not read or notice. For example, a job advert may have by passed you. Reading gives clearance to your judgement when you are able to read (i.e. read the situation or instructions) and understand and it may just keep you from the folly of venturing into making haste decisions and committing harmful acts. Train yourself also to read, to interact and mingle with those who read.  

Nothing plus nothing is equal to nothing (zero). You cannot reap what or where you did not sow as there is no such thing as nothing for something or something from nothing. It is about putting in something. Hard-working and meticulous hands will raise you to the top, but indolent (lazy or slothful) and careless hands will make a tail of you and keep you trailing (see Proverbs 12:24). Your friends end up knowing more than you because of the effort they make to acquire knowledge. Put in effort as well and stay on the course to progress.  When it is time to read or study, firmly fix your mind on it (Be focused). Ensure that whatever you set out to do in addition to reading must be done with your entire mind in a state of significant concentration. Avoid distractions such as sleep and friends who aimlessly meander about and go where the wind blows (Proverbs 6:4). If anyone desires to properly and rightfully handle and articulate the Word of God, the key is to learn to study or to read the Holy bible thoughtfully and sincerely. Be careful what you see and read. If you swallow rubbish through your eyes, then it is rubbish that you expect to come out through your deeds.

The Lord Jesus Christ himself being human like us when on earth, used to read and search the scriptures. When he said in Mathew 4:4, that it is written, he simply was quoting what is written in Deuteronomy 8:3. This means that he definitely had set his eyes and mind on the scrolls of the time. He did not dream or depend on the Holy Spirit to read the scriptures for him. He in his human form did what he could, i.e. pick up the scroll, read and then seek for more revelation from the Holy Spirit who came in to do that which Jesus in his human form could not do i.e. provide revelation. Whatever you do in life, you've got to enjoy doing it. People rarely succeed at anything unless they have fun doing it. Though reading is hard work, it should be cool and something you should take great delight in doing. When you enjoy something, you will do it more often and focus less on the hitches. A student, whose goal is to get a better grade, must put in his/her doable best. He/She surely will obtain success. Be assured that the Lord will support the works of your hands including reading. You have to do all the feasible (possible) no matter how difficult and God will do the unattainable-that which you cannot do. When Jesus Christ turned water into wine as narrated by the book of John in chapter 2:7, he deliberately ordered the people at the scene to fill the jars with water. Jesus had the power to order the water to fill the jars by itself, but he realised this was something the people were capable of doing. It was a possibility to be done by the people. He did what they could not do, that is, turn water into wine. Do not pray expecting God to read for you and to do any other possible thing that could be done by you. God has given you legs, hands, and five senses including the sense of sight. Use these gifts to do the possible and let God do the impractical. If you can't see but have hands, you can still read with your mind, thanks to technology. And God can still heal you if need be.

Though every one is encouraged to read widely for the purpose of progress and knowledge may I take the pleasure of emphasising reading mainly to the students because I am certain that they are the ones who need it the most.  Let people be assured that God is able to do that which they in their limited power and wisdom could not. In this regard, students should also be assured that the things they cannot determine, God will do and he is very much able. A student may be unable to put a stop to a teacher or lecturer from dozing off while marking his answer script, because he is not physically there, but God can. He is everywhere at the same time and he is all-powerful. He may not be able to determine what the teacher will deliver for the examinations or tests, but God can, and he can guide the student in his study. By her own strength, a student cannot prevent acts of Satanism among fellow students from upsetting her study, but God can, because he sees in the spirit and acts in the spirit. God will do and go beyond the student's limitations. Develop a culture of reading. Read hard and wide, consult and discuss as far as possible and as best as you can. Proverbs 21:31 declares, ‘the horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord'. Do what you can and may victory be your portion.