Wednesday, 1st November 2023
Bible Reading: John 5:39
Memory Verse: Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP)
I celebrate the grace of God upon Evangelist Benjamin Odagbon. In 2009, the University of Sussex carried out a study and found that there is a 68% reduction in stress levels by reading for only six minutes. A study carried out in 2013 by Rush University Medical Centre revealed that people who regularly engage in mentally stimulating activities are less likely to develop brain lesions and plaque build-ups linked to dementia.
The National Institute on Aging highly recommends keeping your mind active by reading books, magazines, and articles, as you age. Reading also decreases heart problems and blood pressures. It relieves muscle tension apart from the fact that it reduces stress.
Paul the Apostle wrote to Evangelist Timothy to: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). Reading should be a daily ritual for anyone who aspires to be a great leader. The knowledge you gain from reading can never be taken away from you. Your money, car and house can be taken away, but your knowledge will stay with you till you die. Knowledge is power!
Many don’t know that reading stimulates the brain. Infact, studies have shown that reading helps to keep the brain very active and slows down dementia. It is a pity that leaders with analog brains are still leading us in this digital era. John Maxwell once said, “Readers are leaders”.
The former Microsoft CEO has attested to reading about 50 books a year, or roughly one book a week. In 2015, Facebook CEO wrote on his page that he would read one book every other week with emphasis on learning about different cultures, beliefs, histories and technologies.
Above all, the Bible is the Book of all books. John 5:39 encourages us to search the scriptures. In the scriptures is wisdom. In the scriptures is life. In the scriptures is gold. In the scriptures is bread. Dig deep into the scriptures. Reading your Bible is a compulsory daily routine.
Be warned: Books are gateways to the spirit world. Be careful of what you read. Not all books are good books.
Quote: How true? Readers are leaders, but not all leaders are readers.
Prophetic Decree: Receive an unquenchable thirst for relevant knowledge, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Lord, please forgive me for not prioritizing my Bible above all other books daily.
2. I receive fresh impactation for the Spirit of knowledge, in Jesus name.
3. I break the inertia of laziness pulling me back from reading in Jesus name.
4. I receive divine illumination that it may be said, “I have more understanding than my teachers, for their testimonies are my meditations.
5. I receive grace to live and practice what I read, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 20-21