READ! READ! READ!
Someone said, “There is not any difference in the person who can’t read and the person who doesn’t read.” How true! Reading exercises the mind and opens doors that otherwise would never be opened. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 2:13). Jesus proclaimed, “…Did you never read in the scriptures…” (Matt. 21:42)? The writer John in Revelation wrote, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy…” (Rev. 1:3).
One of the saddest things is to see people who can’t read. They are missing one of the great blessings of life. If necessary go back to school, get a tutor, get someone who can help you and learn to read, regardless of your age.
What should you read?
FIRST OF ALL READ THE BIBLE. David said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). John said a man would be blessed by reading the word of God (Rev. 1:3). The most plentiful and perhaps least read of all books is the Bible. It will strengthen and encourage you. One little boy asked his friend why his grandmother read the Bible so much? His reply, “I think she’s cramming for finals.” Don’t wait, start now.
SECONDLY, READ GOOD BOOKS ABOUT THE BIBLE. There is no shortage of well written books. They are not difficult and they provide help for all stages of the Christian maturity. We have two outstanding writers in our area. Bro. J.J. Turner, preacher for the McDonough Church of Christ and Bro. Aubrey Johnson, preacher for The Peachtree City Church of Christ. Commentaries are an excellent place to begin and we have sets in our library.
THIRDLY, READ GOOD “CHRISTIAN” PUBLICATIONS. Each quarter we provide The Spiritual Sword for those who desire to read it. It is excellent. Another is The Gospel Journal now edited by Bro. Johnnie Scaggs of Jacksonville, FL. The Gospel Advocate is a very sound publication that you can rely upon.
FOURTH, READ GOOD BOOKS OF A GENERAL NATURE. I personally like biographies. It inspires me to read about the lives of others.
There is much we can learn so READ! READ! READ!
Larry