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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: The Reader (04/15/10)
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. (Luke 4:16 NAS)
"The best way to know me is to know my heart, and my heart is in my devotional writings."

This was what I said to my online friends not too long ago. Over the past two years since I began writing devotionals, several people have told me they were able to read my heart through my writings. Although this may sound like a vulnerable position to be in, it is the way I hope my readers will get to know me and understand my thoughts.

Like the readers of my devotionals, I also frequently read stories written by others, to learn from them and at the same time give constructive feedback to push them on to greater heights. Once in a while, however, I would be lost for words to give any useful feedback to certain writers whose pieces were too beautifully written that I found myself inadequate to give any constructive comment.

In a sense, all of us are readers. We read different kinds of writings every day. Some of us may read news, stories, and poems, while others may read devotionals and other text on paper or on the worldwide web. Few of us, however, will ever get the chance to read writings about ourselves written by other people, except maybe our biography or news about our accomplishments.

The Bible mentioned about One who, unlike us, is able to read writings about Himself which were written even before He was born. Jesus, while He was in the synagogue at His hometown, read from the book of the prophet Isaiah concerning Himself (Luke 4:14-24). He then said to all who were present, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

All throughout history and in this present day, and even in the future, there can only be One who is able to read writings written about Himself from ancient days to the day the world comes to an end. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 23:13). Jesus is the ultimate Reader, the One and only who is able to read our minds and hearts, and all that we write about Him (Matthew 9:4; 12:25; Luke 9:47; 11:17; 24:38; Psalm 94:11). He alone has the authority to affirm the things written about Him.

Unlike Jesus our Lord, we will never get a chance to read writings about ourselves before we were born. Neither will we be able to read the minds of other people. We can, however, read the mind of God and understand His thoughts and heart through reading His word, just as my readers were able to read my heart through my writings.

Like our Lord who was able to read from the Scriptures the book of Isaiah while in the synagogue, we can also read the Old and New Testament to understand God intimately. We can know His will for our lives and discover many great truths in His word so as to understand ourselves better and find answers to the many issues we face in our daily lives.

Once in a while, however, there will be days when we may be lost for words while reading the word of God because of the overwhelming and piercing truth of the Scriptures. In days such as these, all we need to do is to remain silent and listen to what the Spirit of God has to say to us, and receive from Him the 'constructive feedback’, wherein is the lesson we need to learn to push us on to greater heights.

Instead of reading the many bad news from the news daily, therefore, let us make time each day to read the word of God and discover the bountiful blessings that come with it. Let us understand God’s mind and know His will for us by reading His word regularly and claiming the promises written within.

Open our eyes dear Lord that we may behold wondrous things out of Your word. Move in our hearts Lord as we read Your word each day. Grow in us O Lord an understanding of Your heart and mind. Renew and overflow us that we may in Your word read and hear by Your Spirit the things we need to know in order to walk rightly before You.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 1438 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/24/10
You made some excellent points. The prayer is beautiful
Beth LaBuff 
04/26/10
I appreciate your challenge to your reader with this, "Let us understand God’s mind and know His will for us by reading His word regularly and claiming the promises written within." You gave me much to think about. Thank you!
Gerald Shuler
04/28/10
This is inspirational when I REALLY needed to be inspired. Thank you.
AnneRene' Capp
04/28/10
I love your God inspired and God given talent for bringing The Word to life in our modern day lives. Also enjoyed your unique take on "The Reader" and especially your comment about how we can read the mind of God through His Word. As always, great job and well done!
harvestgal Ndaguba
04/28/10
Nice devotional reminder. Loved the beautiful prayer at the end.
Mona Purvis
04/28/10
I'm never disappointed in your entries. How could I be? They are stock-full of truths. I appreciate the work you do for the One you do it.

Mona
Verna Cole Mitchell 
04/28/10
You have an excellent devotional here. (Interesting that you and I chose the same Scripture passage to write about for this challenge!)
R Quist
04/29/10
I especially liked your point about Jesus being the only One who could read about Himself in ancient writings, and your other insights about the uniqueness of His reading compared to ours. That's the point that most moved me personally.
Helen Dowd
04/30/10
Good teaching here, and very well presented. I like the place where you reminded us that when we are reading God's Word, and we are overwhelmed, just sit back and listen with our hearts. (My rendition of what you said.) Lots of times that happens..."Listen to the still small voice of God."...Thanks...Helen