Sunday, November 11
Your loyal ones will praise you. They will proclaim the glory of your kingship and speak about your mightiness, to make known to men . . . the glorious splendor of your kingship.—Ps. 145:10-12.
Those words surely express the sentiments of all loyal Witnesses of Jehovah. But what if illness or advanced age somewhat limits your ministry? Always remember that as you share the good news with caregivers and others, your sacred service glorifies our wonderful God. If you are imprisoned because of your faith, you likely speak about the truth as circumstances permit, and that makes Jehovah’s heart rejoice. (Prov. 27:11) The same is true if you are in a religiously divided household but stick to your spiritual routine. (1 Pet. 3:1-4) Even under adverse circumstances, you can praise Jehovah and make spiritual progress. Jehovah will certainly bless you as you share God’s precious truth with those who are in need of hope. w16.08 3:19, 20
Monday, November 12
Let wives be in subjection to their husbands as to the Lord, because a husband is head of his wife just as the Christ is head of the congregation.—Eph. 5:22, 23.
This arrangement does not make a wife inferior to her husband. It actually helps her to fulfill the role God had in mind for a wife when he said: “It is not good for the man [Adam] to continue to be alone. I am going to make a helper for him, as a complement of him.” (Gen. 2:18) Just as Christ, the “head of the congregation,” displays love, a Christian husband is to exercise loving headship. When he does so, his wife feels secure and finds satisfaction in being respectful, supportive, and submissive. Imitating Jesus’ example requires that his followers love one another just as he loved them. (John 13:34, 35; 15:12, 13; Eph. 5:25) Marital love shown by Christians should therefore be so strong that either mate would be willing, if necessary, to die for the other. w16.08 2:3, 4
Tuesday, November 13
A word spoken at the right time—how good it is!—Prov. 15:23.
Your positive words can deeply affect others. You can thus help them to serve Jehovah more fully. And at the meetings, never overlook the powerful effect you can have on others by raising your hand and offering upbuilding comments. With Jehovah’s backing, Nehemiah and those with him strengthened their hands for the work. They then completed Jerusalem’s walls in just 52 days! (Neh. 2:18, ftn.; 6:15, 16) Nehemiah did not simply oversee the work. He was personally involved in rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. (Neh. 5:16) Similarly, many loving elders have been able to imitate Nehemiah by assisting on theocratic construction projects or by cleaning and maintaining their local Kingdom Hall. By working along with fellow publishers in the ministry and by making shepherding visits, they also strengthen the weak hands of those who are anxious at heart.—Isa. 35:3, 4. w16.09 1:15, 16