The Word for Today in Asia and the Pacific

‘With many similar parables Jesus spoke the Word to them, as much as they could understand.’ Mark 4:33 NIV

If you’re serious about reaching and teaching people, there are two things you must try to do:

(1) Talk to them, not above them. A preschooler was eating an apple. ‘Daddy,’ he asked, ‘why is my apple turning brown?’ His father explained: ‘Because after you assimilated the skin on the exterior, the core structure of the apple came into contact with the atmosphere, which caused it to oxidise, thus changing its molecular structure and transforming it into a different colour.’ After a long silence, the little boy replied, ‘Daddy, are you talking to me?’ Can the listener understand and apply what you’re saying?

Paul told the church at Corinth, ‘I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.’ (1 Corinthians 3:2 NIV) Jesus made a point of tailoring His remarks so the people listening could grasp the message. The Bible says, ‘With many similar parables Jesus spoke the Word to them, as much as they could understand.’ (Mark 4:33 NIV) Think about it: Jesus was God, and He could easily have awed us with His knowledge. But because His desire was to change our lives for the better, He stayed on our level and spoke in a language we understand. And you must learn to do the same.

(2) Say it over and over again. The fundamental law of learning is repetition. It’s been said that people have to hear something sixteen times before they believe it and really ‘get it.’ The question that should concern you isn’t, ‘What will I say?’ but, ‘What will people take away from it?’

SoulFood: 2 Chr 12–15, Mark 5:31–43, Ps 119:57–64, Pro 21:7–9

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026

‘You will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.’ 1 Peter 5:4 NKJV

The fifth crown is the crown of glory. Peter wrote: ‘The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.’ (1 Peter 5:1–4 NKJV) This crown seems especially designed for pastors and Christian leaders. That doesn’t mean you have to be an official pastor or a member of a church staff.

As David Jeremiah explains: ‘You might be the shepherd of a small group. Your flock might be your family… It might be your Sunday school class… The Lord often gives us responsibility for the spiritual well-being and maturing of others, and what an opportunity to serve Him!’ This raises an interesting question: What are we going to do with these crowns? Revelation 4:10–11 NKJV describes a great worship service that will occur when we arrive in Heaven: ‘The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power.”’ Imagine kneeling before the Lord and laying your crown at His feet, overwhelmed with gratitude for all that He has done for you.

SoulFood: 2 Chr 8–11, Mark 5:21–30, Ps 119:49–56, Pro 21:4–6

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026

‘Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.’ Revelation 2:10 NKJV

The fourth crown is the crown of life. Two different verses depict it for us. ‘Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.’ (James 1:12 NKJV) ‘Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.’ (Revelation 2:10 NKJV) David Jeremiah explains it this way: ‘The Crown of Life is given in recognition of enduring and triumphing over temptations and trials, even to the point of martyrdom. Motivated by our love for Christ, we persevere and never quit until He takes us home … Almost every New Testament book was written to believers who lived in danger of martyrdom. The apostles counselled them to persevere so they could inherit the Crown of Life.’

Today we are living in one of the most intense periods of persecution in the history of the church. Open Doors, an organisation that monitors persecution, reports on the top 50 nations where Christians face the most severe persecution. In 2017, they said trends are getting worse every year, and that ‘100% of Christians in 21 countries around the world experience persecution for their faith in Christ, and more than 215 million Christians face “high levels” of persecution. Nearly one in every 12 Christians today lives in an area or culture in which Christianity is illegal, forbidden, or punished.’ The Bible says, ‘Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.’ (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV) But the good news is that it gives each of us a marvellous opportunity to lay claim to the crown of life.

SoulFood: 2 Chr 5–7, Mark 5:11–20, Ps 119:41–48, Pro 21:1–3

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026

‘Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness’ 2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

The third crown mentioned in Scripture is the crown of righteousness. Paul writes: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and… also to all who have loved His appearing.’ (2 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV) David Jeremiah amplifies this: ‘The book of 2 Timothy represents the last known writing of the apostle Paul, and we have reason to believe he was beheaded shortly after writing these words. But rather than dreading death, he was looking forward to the Second Coming. He was… content with his record of service for the Master. Paul’s use of the athletic metaphor here is especially descriptive of the life of the believer because it describes struggle, endurance, discipline, and final victory. The Crown of Righteousness is reserved for those who have a longing for the Lord Jesus and who watch for Jesus to come back.’

Writing to Titus, Paul speaks of ‘looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ (Titus 2:13 NKJV) David Jeremiah continues: ‘Psychologists tell us that anticipation… is an emotion with marvellous healing powers. People who are snowbound sustain their spirits by anticipating the longer days of spring and summer. Couples… separated by military deployment stay sane by anticipating their reunion… Brides and grooms are eager for their wedding day.’ As a Christian, your best days are ahead of you, and you can anticipate all the glories of Heaven and eternity. It should motivate you to be faithful to Jesus as you wait for His return.

SoulFood: 2 Chr 1–4, Mark 5:1–10, Ps 119:33–40, Pro 20:28–30

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026

‘For what is our… crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?’ 1 Thessalonians 2:19 NKJV

The second crown mentioned in Scripture is the crown of rejoicing. It’s given to those who take part in leading others to Christ. The background for this passage is written about in Acts 17, which tells the story of Paul arriving in the city of Thessalonica. He went into the synagogue, ‘and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining… that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”’ (Acts 17:2–3 NKJV) Some of his hearers were converted, including a great multitude of devout Greeks and a number of prominent women. As a result, a church was built there. Writing to them later, Paul said that they would be his crown when Christ returned.

We should all follow evangelist Bill Bright’s example; he was one of the best soulwinners of the twentieth century. And he once disclosed his secret: ‘Although I have shared Christ personally with many thousands of people through the years, I am a rather reserved person, and I do not always find it easy to witness. But I have made this my practice, and I urge you to do the same: Assume that whenever you are alone with another person for more than a few moments, you are there by divine appointment to explain… the love and forgiveness he or she can know through faith in Jesus Christ.’ When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone? Whenever you do, the Lord is fitting you for a crown of rejoicing.

SoulFood: Gen 22:14, Ps 37:25, John 3:16–17

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026