Tuesday, February 11, 2014
AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer For the Republic of Albania - Europe
Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Feb 11: Albania
Albania
Republic of Albania
Europe
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 28,748 sq kmA mountainous Balkan state on the Adriatic Sea.
Population: 3,169,087 Annual Growth: 0.37%
Capital: Tirana
Urbanites: 48%
HDI Rank: 70 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 13 (15% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Albanian Languages: 7 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Muslim| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 965,621 | 30.47 | 0.5 |
| Evangelicals | 14,466 | 0.5 | 4.6 |
| Muslim | 1,977,510 | 62.40 |
Answer to Prayer
The number of evangelicals has grown in just a few years from nearly zero to several thousand. While not a huge proportion of the population, indications are that many more, while uncommitted to local fellowships, certainly identify with evangelical beliefs.For an additional 2 Answers to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
Challenge for Prayer
Islam is the largest religion in Albania (some say up to 70% Muslim), but this normally extends to an inherited cultural affiliation and little more. Moderate Sunni and the Bektashi Sufi sect are the largest groups. Despite widespread Islamization efforts from abroad spending many millions of dollars, most Albanians resist religious entrenchment. Superstition and folk Islam prosper. Pray for Albanian Muslims to encounter the living Christ.For an additional 7 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Albania.1 Corinthians 4 Geneva Study Bible
1 Corinthians 4
Chapter 4
4:1 Let 1 a a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
(1) He concludes the duty of the hearers towards their ministers: that they do not esteem them as lords. Yet nonetheless they are to give ear to them, as to those that are sent from Christ. Sent I say to this end and purpose, that they may receive as it were at their hands the treasure of salvation which is drawn out of the secrets of God.4:2 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
(a) Every man.
(2) Last of all, he warns the ministers that they also do not behave themselves as lords, but as faithful servants, because they must render an account of their stewardship to God.4:3 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, 4 or of mans b judgment: yea, 5 I judge not mine own self.
(3) In reprehending others, he sets himself for an example, and anticipates an objection. Using the gravity of an apostle, he shows that he does not care for the contrary judgments that those have of him, in that they esteemed him as a vile person, because he did not set forth himself as they did. And he brings good reasons why he was not moved with the judgments which they had of him. (4) First, because that which men judge in these cases of their own brains is not to be considered any more than when the unlearned judge of wisdom.4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the c Lord.
(b) Literally, "day", after the manner of Cilician speech. (5) Secondly, he says, how can you judge how much or how little I am to be made responsible for, seeing that I myself who know myself better than you do, and who dare profess that I have walked in my calling with a good conscience, dare not yet nonetheless claim anything to myself. Nonetheless, I know that I am not blameless: much less therefore should I flatter myself as you do.
(c) I submit myself to the Lords judgment.4:5 6 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have d praise of God.
(6) A third reason proceeding from a conclusion, as it were, out of the former reasons. It is Gods office to esteem every man according to his value, because he knows the secrets of the heart, which men for the most part are ignorant of. Therefore this judgment does not pertain to you.4:6 7 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn e in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
(d) One could not be praised above the rest, without the others being blamed: and he mentions praise rather than lack of praise, because the beginning of this dispute was this, that they gave more to some men than was appropriate.
(7) Having rejected their judgment, he sets forth himself again as a singular example of modesty, as one who concealed in this epistle those factious teachers names, did not hesitate to put down his own name and Apollos in their place, and took upon him as it were their shame. And this shows how far was he from preferring himself to any.4:7 8 For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if f thou hadst not received [it]?
(e) By our example, who choose rather to take other mens faults upon us, than to find fault with any by name.
(8) He shows a good way to bridle pride. First, if you consider how it is wrong for you to exclude yourself from the number of others, seeing you are a man yourself. Second, if you consider that even though you have something more than other men have, yet you only have it by Gods bountifulness. And what wise man is he that will brag of anothers goodness, and that against God?4:8 9 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
(f) There is nothing then in us by nature that is worthy of commendation: but all that we have, we have it of grace, which the Pelegians and semi-Pelegians will not confess.
(9) He descends to a most grave mockery, to cause those glory-seeking men to blush, even though they did not want to.4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a g spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
(g) He that thinks that Paul and the pope are alike, who lyingly boasts that he is his successor, let him compare the delicacies of the popish court with Pauls state as we see it here.4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the h filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.
(h) Such as is gathered together by sweeping.4:14 10 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn [you].
4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my i ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
(10) Moderating the sharpness of his mockery, he puts them in mind to remember of whom they were begotten in Christ, and that they should not doubt to follow him for an example. Even though he seems vile according to the outward show in respect of others, yet he is mighty by the efficacy of Gods Spirit, as had been shown among themselves.
(i) What way and rule I follow everywhere in teaching the churches.4:18 11 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the k speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
(11) Last of all he descends also to apostolic threatenings, but yet chiding them as a father, lest by their disorder he was forced to come to punish some among them.
(k) By words, he means their fancy and elaborate type of eloquence, which he contrasts with the power of the Holy Spirit.4:21 12 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the l spirit of meekness?
(12) A passing over to another part of this epistle, in which he reprehends most sharply a very odious offence, showing the use of ecclesiastical correction.
(l) Acting meekly towards you.
Zechariah 9 (NIV)
Zechariah 9 (New International Version)
Zechariah 9
Judgment on Israel's Enemies
An Oracle
1 The word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach and will rest upon Damascus— for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD—[a]
2 and upon Hamath too, which borders on it, and upon Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.
3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4 But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
5 Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.
6 Foreigners will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7 I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God and become leaders in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.
8 But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.
The Coming of Zion's King
9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king [b] comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River [c] to the ends of the earth. [d]
11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
12 Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
13 I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior's sword.
The LORD Will Appear
14 Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south,
15 and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling [e] the corners of the altar.
16 The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.
17 How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.
Zechariah 9
Judgment on Israel's Enemies
An Oracle
1 The word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach and will rest upon Damascus— for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD—[a]
2 and upon Hamath too, which borders on it, and upon Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.
3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4 But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
5 Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.
6 Foreigners will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7 I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God and become leaders in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.
8 But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.
The Coming of Zion's King
9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king [b] comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River [c] to the ends of the earth. [d]
11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
12 Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
13 I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior's sword.
The LORD Will Appear
14 Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south,
15 and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling [e] the corners of the altar.
16 The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.
17 How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.
Category
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Standard YouTube License
Proverbs 11 (NIV)
Proverbs 11 (New International Version)
Proverbs 11
1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.
9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.
20 The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.
27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
29 He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
Proverbs 11
1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.
9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.
20 The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
26 People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.
27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
29 He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
Category
License
Standard YouTube License
Psalm 121 (NIV)
Psalm 121 (New International Version)
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Category
License
Standard YouTube License
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