TEACH the WORD

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* SHOW THEM YOU CARE

*TEXT:* “To empathize with our weaknesses.” Hebrews 4:15 NIV

ALTHOUGH THE Native Americans had no formal written alphabet before they met Europeans, their language was anything but primitive. The vocabulary of many native languages was as large as that of their French and English conquerors, and often their expressions were far more eloquent.

In one tongue, for example, the concept of the word friend is beautifully stated as “one who carries my sorrows on his or her back.” What a great definition! When someone comes to you for solace, or even claiming to seek advice, very often they want nothing more than your presence, a listening ear, and a willingness to share in their sorrow. And when your answer sounds like a “quick fix,” they sometimes conclude that you have no time for them.

One of the most beautiful things ever said about Jesus in the Bible is that He is able “to empathize with our weaknesses.” Sometimes what a person wants most from you is simply to know that you understand what they’re going through, and that you care. So here’s how you can help:

(1) Listen with an open heart, instead of trying to talk away their problem.

(2) If they’re crying, share their tears. If they’re silent, share their silence.

(3) Let them know you’re available, ready to help, and that you will always have time for them.

(4) Remind them that human beings can only do so much, but God can do the impossible.

(5) If they will allow you to, pray for them and with them. That way, you help lift the burden off their shoulders and place it on God’s (See Psalm 55:22).

*Soul Food Reading:* Gen 14:18-24, Ps 110, Heb 5:5-10

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* MONDAY 09 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* FORGIVE THEM

*TEXT:* “Love your enemies! Do good to them…you will truly be acting as children of the Most High.” Luke 6:35 NLT

IN HIS book Beneath the Cross of Jesus, A. Leonard Griffith tells the story of a young Korean exchange student who was a leader in Christian circles at the University of Pennsylvania. He left his apartment on the evening of April 25, 1958, to mail a letter to his parents. As he turned from the mailbox, he was met by eleven leather-jacketed teenage boys. Without a word, they beat him with a blackjack, a lead pipe, their boots and fists—and left him lying dead in the gutter. The population of Philadelphia cried out for vengeance, and the district attorney announced on television that he was going to seek the death penalty.

Then the following letter arrived, signed by the boy’s parents and twenty other relatives in Korea:

“Our family has met together and we have decided to petition that the most generous treatment possible within the laws of your government be given to those who have committed this criminal action…In order to give evidence of our sincere hope contained in this petition, we have decided to save money to start a fund to be used for the religious, educational, vocational, and social guidance of the boys when they are released…We have dared to express our hope with a spirit received from the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins.”

This story takes forgiveness to a whole new level, doesn’t it? It also teaches that when you forgive, you relinquish the seat of the victim and sit in the seat of the victor. And that’s what Jesus has in mind for you today!

*Soul Food Reading:* 1 Chr 23:21 – 26:19, John 10:1-10, Ps 99, Pro 26:1-6

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* SUNDAY 08 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* RULES FOR BEING A GOOD GUEST

*TEXT:* “Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.” Proverbs 25:17 NLT

SOMETIMES AS Christians, we fall into the trap of focusing exclusively on big stuff like world evangelism, spiritual gifts, and the second coming of Christ. As a result, we end up neglecting the seemingly small things like common courtesy. But the Bible speaks about courtesy—and if it’s in there, it’s important!

Someone quipped, “Fish and company stink after three days.” This may explain why Solomon said,

*“Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.”*

When your host yawns for the tenth time, looks at his wife and says, “Well, darling, let’s go to bed so these nice folks can go home,” you know you’ve outworn your welcome. “Surely everybody knows that!” you say. No, they don’t; that’s why God addresses it in His Word. Here are ten rules for being a good guest:

(1) Be considerate of the other person’s time.
(2) Don’t interrupt when someone else is talking.
(3) Don’t dominate the conversation. (4) Don’t arrive too early or stay too late.
(5) Set appointed times for visits. (Even good friends like advance notice).
(6) Be courteous and congenial without being patronizing.
(7) Be honest about time limits for your visits, and make sure it coincides with other people’s schedules.
(8) Help your host or hostess clean up after the meal.
(9) For visits lasting more than a day, take your hosts out to eat at least one meal.
(10) Send a thank-you note or email expressing your appreciation for the gift of their time and kindness. If you want to make friends and keep them—abide by these rules.

*Soul Food Reading:* 1 Chr 19:1 – 23:20, John 9:24-41, Ps 115, Pro 25:26-28

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* SATURDAY 07 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* LAUGHTER-GOD’S PRESCRIPTION FOR STRESS!

*TEXT:* 'A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing.’ Proverbs 17:22 AMPC

AUTHOR BARBARA Johnson said, ‘Laughter is like changing a baby’s diaper. It doesn’t permanently solve the problem, but it makes things more acceptable for a while.’

One day, comedian David Brenner was signing books. A young man handed him a newly purchased copy to be signed and said, ‘I want to thank you for saving my life.’

Without giving it much thought, Brenner replied flippantly, ‘That’s okay.’

But the young man stood his ground and said, ‘No, I really mean it!’ Brenner stopped signing and looked at him. The young man continued: ‘My father died. He was my best friend. I loved him and couldn’t stop crying for weeks, so I decided to take my own life. The night I was going to do it, I happened to have the television on and you were hosting The Tonight Show. I listened to your opening monologue, and the next thing I knew I was laughing hysterically. I realised then that if I was able to laugh, I was able to live. So I want to thank you for saving my life.’

Humbled and grateful, Brenner shook his hand and said, ‘No, I thank you.’

The Bible says, *‘A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing.’*

Experts confirm that laughter boosts your immune system, enhances your memory and learning abilities, relieves tension, slows your pulse rate and blood pressure, releases endorphins that reduce pain, decreases anxiety and stress, puts people at ease, and brings unity. Furthermore, the effect lasts for eight to twelve hours. It promotes emotional healing, and best of all—it’s fun. That’s why laughter is God’s prescription for stress!

*SoulFood:* 1 Chr 3–5, John 9:1–12, Ps 15, Pro 25:21–22

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* FRIDAY 06 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* HAVE YOU BEEN BORN AGAIN?

*TEXT:* “You must be born again.” John 3:7 NKJV

THE ANGLICAN clergyman George Whitefield was as much responsible for the transformation of England and the Great Awakening in America as John and Charles Wesley. In a letter to Benjamin Franklin, who delighted in coming to hear Whitefield speak, he said: “As I find you growing more and more famous in the learned world, I would recommend to your diligent and unprejudiced study the mystery of the new birth. It is a most important study, and when mastered, will richly answer all your pains. I bid you, my friend, remember that One at whose bar we shall both presently appear, hath solemnly declared that without it we shall in no wise see His Kingdom.”

That was a very wise recommendation to a man who is noted in the history of the world as being wise. Jesus said, *“You must be born again,”* and there has never been a person who earnestly sought the new birth and didn’t find it. Even our seeking is created by the Spirit of God (See John 6:44).

Are you tired of the emptiness and purposelessness of your life? Are you tired of the filthy rags of your own righteousness? Are you willing to trust someone other than yourself? Then look to the cross of Christ. Place your trust in Him and ask Him to come in and be born in you today. You can be born once and die twice, but if you’re born twice, you will only die once. Jesus said,

*“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life”* (John 3:36 NKJV).

*Soul Food Reading:* 1 Chr 12:23 – 15:29, John 9:1-12, Ps 68, Pro 25:21-22

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* THURSDAY 05 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* MYTHS ABOUT CHILD-REARING (2)

*TEXT:* “Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV

IN HIS book Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong, William Kilpatrick identifies two more child-rearing myths that parents mistakenly fall for:

(1) The myth that all moral problems are psychological in nature. In this view, behavioral problems are seen as issues related to self-esteem or unmet psychological needs. The old-fashioned idea that behavioral problems can be the result of “willfulness” on the part of children doesn’t seem to occur to the average child-raising expert. If you look in the index of a typical child-rearing book you will find a great many pages devoted to “self-esteem,” but you’re not likely to find the word “character” very often.

(2) The myth that parents don’t have a right to instill their values in their children. Once again, the standard dogma is that children must create their own values. But children have precious little chance to do that, since the rest of the culture has no qualms about imposing its values on them. Does it make sense for parents to remain neutral bystanders when everyone else from scriptwriters to entertainers, and advertisers to s*x educators, insist on selling their values to our children? When it comes to child-raising, this is what God told His people:

*“Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”*

Parent, when it comes to instilling spiritual values into your children, ask yourself this: If not you, then who? If not now, then when?

*Soul Food Reading:* 1 Chr 10:1 – 12:22, John 8:42-59, Ps 49, Pro 25:18-20

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* WEDNESDAY 04 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* MYTHS ABOUT CHILD-REARING (1)

TEXT: “Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn.” Deuteronomy 31:13 NIV

IN HIS book, Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong, author William Kilpatrick identifies some child-rearing myths that parents buy into:

(1) The myth of the “good bad boy.” American literature and films often portray “bad boys” as charming and attractive. Tom Sawyer and Buster Brown are examples from the past; various other lovable brats featured in film and on television are contemporary examples. This strand in the American tradition has such a powerful hold on the imagination that the word “obedience” is very nearly a dirty word.

(2) The myth of natural goodness. This is the idea that virtue will take care of itself if children are just allowed to grow in their own way.

(3) The myth of expert knowledge.
In recent decades, parents have deferred to professional authority in the matter of raising children. Unfortunately, the vast majority of child-rearing “experts” subscribe to the myth of natural goodness. So much emphasis has been placed on the unique, creative, and spontaneous nature of children, that parents have come to feel child-rearing means adjusting themselves to their children, rather than having children learn to adjust to the requirements of family life.

Let’s take a moment and observe what God said to the children of Israel about child-rearing:

*“Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear (reverence and respect) the Lord your God as long as you live.”*

Note the phrase “must hear it and learn.” That’s not a suggestion for parents—it’s a commandment God has called you to obey if you want your family to be blessed.

*Soul Food Reading:* 1 Chr 7:20 – 9:44, John 8:31-41, Ps 30, Pro 25:13-17

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* TUESDAY 03 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT MONOGAMY

*TEXT:* ‘Drink water from your own cistern.’ Proverbs 5:15 NIV

HERE’S SOME straight talk about monogamy from one of the wisest men who ever lived, Solomon:

*‘Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.’* (Proverbs 5:15–23 NIV)

In Solomon’s day, a well or cistern was considered to be as valuable as gold. Clean water was a very precious commodity, so what Solomon is saying is this: ‘Why drink the polluted water that comes from the sewer of promiscuity when, if you wait, you can drink the clean water that comes from the well of a devoted spouse?’

Here are two truths you should always keep in mind:

(1) True love waits.

(2) True love is worth the wait.

When tempted to go astray by a fast-living friend, a young Christian woman replied, ‘Any time I want to become like you, I can. But I can never again become the person I was before I made that decision.’

*SoulFood:* Ezra 9–10, John 8:1–20, Ps 96, Pro 25:1–7

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER, 2020.

*THEME:* MAKE YOUR WORDS COUNT

*TEXT:* “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.” Proverbs 18:4 NKJV

WHEN SOLOMON speaks of “deep waters,” he’s referring to the water at the bottom of the well that’s the cleanest and coolest. If you want to know what kind of water a well has, go down to the bottom. And if you want to know what’s in a person’s heart, listen to his or her words. An old country farmer put it this way: “What’s down in the well always comes up in the bucket!”

One of the surest signs of wisdom and maturity is the ability to say the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, to the right person—or to say nothing at all. Indeed, as you become wiser, you’ll talk less and say more. In the U.S. legal system, when someone is arrested, the police are required to read them their Miranda Rights: _“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”_

So unless your words are intended to build someone up rather than tear them down, silence is a “right” you should exercise every day. Sometimes the wisest words are the ones never spoken. Someone said, “A wise man is someone who thinks twice before saying nothing.” Again, Solomon weighs in:

*“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent”* (Proverbs 17:27-28 NIV).

So, it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you’re a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

*Soul Food Reading:* 1 Chr 6:1 – 7:19, John 8:21-30, Ps 86, Pro 25:8-12

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2020

*THEME:* HARD WORK - THE PRICE OF SUCCESS

*TEXT:* ‘Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.’ Proverbs 14:23 NIV

ONE DAY a grandfather told his grandchildren the story of how he went to live in America. He told about the trains and ship that took him from his home in Eastern Europe. He told of being processed along with other immigrants at Ellis Island, and how he’d gone to a cafeteria in Lower Manhattan to get something to eat. He sat down at an empty table and waited a long time for someone to take his order, but nobody came.

Finally a woman with a tray full of food sat down opposite him and explained how a cafeteria works. ‘You start at the end,’ she said, pointing towards a stack of trays. ‘Then you go along the food line and pick out what you want. At the other end they’ll tell you how much you have to pay.’

The grandfather reflected for a moment and said, ‘I soon learned that’s how everything works in America. Life is a cafeteria here. You can get anything you want—even very great success—if you’re willing to pay the price. But you’ll never get what you want if you wait for someone to bring it to you. You have to get up and get it yourself.’ The difference between where you are right now and where you want to be can be summed up in two words _*—hard work!*_

‘Does God want me to succeed?’ you ask. Yes, but He won’t drop success into your lap. He promised to ‘bless all the work of your hands.’ (Deuteronomy 28:12 NIV) Countless hours, persistent effort, and constant improvement make the difference between ambition and success.

*SoulFood:* Deut 18:9–18, Isa 47:5–15, Acts 16:16–34, Dan 2

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2020

*THEME:* SAYING THE RIGHT THING

*TEXT:* “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!” Proverbs 15:23 NLT


WILLIAM PENN, founder of the British colony of Pennsylvania in 1677 (the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is named in his honor), formulated six principles for conversation:

“(1) Avoid company where it is not profitable or necessary, and on those occasions, speak little, and last.

(2) Silence is wisdom, where speaking is folly; and always safe.

(3) Some are so foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer, which is uncivil, as well as silly.

(4) If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it.

(5) Better to say nothing, than not to the purpose. And to speak pertinently, consider both what is fit, and when it is fit to speak.

(6) In all debates, let truth be your aim, not victory or unjust interest; endeavor to gain, rather than to expose your critic.”

In short: Never speak without thinking! Give yourself time to incorporate wisdom into your words, avoiding those that make others feel intimidated or inferior. One of the best ways to persuade others is by listening to them. A gossip talks about others and a bore talks about himself, but a good conversationalist talks about what interests you, and listens attentively to what you have to say. The truth is, sometimes the more you speak, the less people remember. And they’re more likely to remember your words if they feel like you care enough to listen to their thoughts and concerns.

The Bible says, *“Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”*

*Soul Food Reading:* 1 Chr 3-5, John 8:1-20, Ps 6, Pro 25:1-7

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤

🎓 *THE WORD FOR TODAY* 📚

*DATE:* THURSSDAY 29 OCTOBER 2020

*THEME:* “THE HIGHER THINGS”!

*TEXT:* “Set your minds and keep them set.” Colossians 3:2 AMPC


THE BIBLE says,

*“Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.”*

There are many things that happen in this world which can easily affect our mind and emotions, and we need to learn how to rise above them. When negative thoughts are building up and trying to take control of our emotions, we need to take a few minutes to *“set our minds and keep them set” on “the higher things.”*

It often helps to speak positively about whatever is bothering you. For example, have a chat with yourself that goes something like this: “My family may not be everything I’d like it to be, but I’m thankful I have a family. My house may not be as nice as I’d like it to be, but it’s still a good place to live. I might be going through a difficult time right now, but Jesus is with me and He’s going to get me through it.”

The Devil knows which of your buttons to push to get an emotional reaction. So what should you do? Stand on God’s Word:

*“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline…instruct…and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity”* (Psalm 94:12-13 AMPC).

The more you discipline yourself to say no to your feelings and yes to the wisdom of God, the easier it becomes to defeat the Enemy in a spiritual tug-of-war. So decide today that you won’t arrange your life around unreliable emotions, and focus instead on “the higher things”!

*Soul Food Reading:* 1 Chr 1-2, John 7:45-53, Ps 9, Pro 24:30-34

*COURTESY:* TEACH THE WORD MINISTRIES 🎤