Monday, February 17, 2014
AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the British Dependency of Anguilla and Antigua and Barbuda - Caribbean
Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Feb 17: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda
Anguilla
British Dependency of Anguilla
Caribbean
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 91 sq kmThe most northerly of the Leeward Islands.
Population: 15,465 Annual Growth: 2.50%
Capital: The Valley
Urbanites: 100%
Peoples
Official language: English, English Creole Languages: 3 All languagesReligion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 13,917 | 89.99 | 2.4 |
| Evangelicals | 2,662 | 17.2 | 4.0 |
Challenge for Prayer
Interdenominational cooperation needs further improvement despite the island’s small size. Pray that Christ’s followers may function effectively as a united body.For an additional 2 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 Anguilla.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Caribbean
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 442 sq kmThree islands; Antigua is volcanic, Barbuda coralline.
Population: 88,550 Annual Growth: 1.17%
Capital: St. John's
Urbanites: 30.3%
HDI Rank: 47 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Official language: English, English Creole Languages: 4 All languagesReligion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 81,918 | 92.51 | 1.0 |
| Evangelicals | 17,595 | 19.9 | 3.2 |
Challenge for Prayer
Unity among the churches is essential. Pray for effective cooperation between the constituent congregations and agencies of the United Evangelical Association.For an additional 3 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 Antigua and Barbuda.1 Corinthians 7 Geneva Study Bible
1 Corinthians 7 Geneva Study Bible
Chapter 7
7:1 Now 1 concerning the things a whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] b good for a man not to touch a woman.
(1) He teaches concerning marriage that although a single life has its advantages, which he will declare afterwards, yet that marriage is necessary for the avoiding of fornication. But so that neither one man may have many wives, nor any wife many husbands.7:3 2 Let the husband render unto the wife c due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
(a) Concerning those matters about which you wrote to me.
(b) Commodious, and (as we say) expedient. For marriage brings many griefs with it, and that by reason of the corruption of our first estate.
(2) Secondly, he shows that the parties married must with singular affection entirely love one another.7:4 3 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
(c) The word "due" contains all types of benevolence, though he speaks more of one sort than of the other, in that which follows.
(3) Thirdly, he warns them, that they are in each others power, with regard to the body, so that they may not defraud one another.7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, 4 except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may d give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
(4) He adds an exception: unless the one abstain from the other by mutual consent, that they may the better give themselves to prayer, in which nonetheless he warns them to consider what is expedient, lest by this long breaking off as it were from marriage, they are stirred up to incontinency.7:6 5 But I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment.
(d) Do nothing else.
(5) Fifthly he teaches that marriage is not necessary for all men, but for those who do not have the gift of continency, and this gift is by a special grace of God.7:7 For I e would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
(e) I wish.7:8 6 I say therefore to the f unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
(6) Sixthly, he gives the very same admonition touching the second marriage, that is, that a single life is to be allowed, but for those who have the gift of continency. Otherwise they ought to marry again, so that their conscience may be at peace.7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to g burn.
(f) This whole passage is completely against those who condemn second marriages.
(g) So to burn with lust, that either the will yields to the temptation, or else we cannot call upon God with a peaceful conscience.7:10 7 And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:
(7) Seventhly, he forbids contentions and the granting of divorces (for he speaks not here of the fault of whoredom, which was then death even by the law of the Romans also) by which he affirms that the band of marriage is not dissolved, and that from Christs mouth.7:12 8 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
(8) Eighthly, he affirms that those marriages which are already contracted between a faithful and an unfaithful or infidel, are firm: so that the faithful may not forsake the unfaithful.7:14 9 For the unbelieving husband is h sanctified by the i wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the k husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they l holy.
(9) He answers an objection: but the faithful is defiled by the company of the unfaithful. The apostle denies that, and proves that the faithful man with good conscience may use the vessel of his unfaithful wife, by this, that their children which are born of them are considered holy or legitimate (that is, contained within the promise): for it is said to all the faithful, "I will be your God, and the God of your seed."7:15 10 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in m such [cases]: 11 but God hath called us to peace.
(h) The godliness of the wife is of more force to cause their marriage to be considered holy, than the infidelity of the husband is to profane the marriage.
(i) The infidel is not sanctified or made holy in his own person, but in respect of his wife, he is sanctified to her.
(k) To the faithful husband.
(l) The children are holy in the same sense that their parents are; that is they are sanctified, or lawfully espoused together, so the children born of them were in a civil and legal sense holy, that is, legitimate. (Ed.)
7:17 12 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath n called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
(10) He answers a question: what if the unfaithful forsake the faithful? Then the faithful is free, he says, because he is forsaken by the unfaithful.
(m) When any such thing happens.
(11) Lest any man upon pretence of this liberty should give an occasion to the unfaithful to depart, he shows that marriage contracted with an infidel ought to be kept peaceably, that if it is possible the infidel may be won to the faith.
7:18 13 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not o become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
(12) Taking occasion by that which he said of the bondage and liberty of matrimony, he digresses to a general doctrine concerning the outward state and condition of mans life, as circumcision and uncircumcision, servitude and liberty. And he warns every man generally to live with a contented mind in the Lord, whatever state or condition he is in, because those outward things, as to be circumcised or uncircumcised, to be bond or free, are not of the substance (as they call it) of the kingdom of heaven.
(n) Has bound him to a certain type of life.
7:21 Art thou called [being] a servant? p care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.
(13) Nonetheless he shows us that in these examples all are not of the same type: because circumcision is not simply of itself to be desired, but such as are bound may desire to be free. Therefore herein only they are equal that the kingdom of God consists not in them, and therefore these are no hindrance to obey God.
(o) He is said to become uncircumcised, who by the help of a surgeon, recovers an upper skin. And this is done by drawing the skin with an instrument, to make it to cover the head. Celsus in book 7, chapter 25.
(p) As though this calling were too unworthy a calling for Christ.7:22 For he that is called in the q Lord, [being] a servant, is the Lords freeman: likewise also he that is called, [being] free, is Christs servant.
(q) He that is in the state of a servant, and is called to be a Christian.7:23 14 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
7:24 15 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with r God.
(14) He shows the reason of the unlikeness, because he that desired to be circumcised makes himself subject to mans tradition and not to God. And this may be much more understood of superstitions, which some do foolishly consider to as things indifferent.
7:25 16 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my s judgment, as t one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
(15) A repetition of the general doctrine.
(r) So purely and from the heart, that your doings may be approved before God.
7:26 I suppose therefore that u this is good for the x present distress, [I say], that [it is] good for a man so to be.
(16) He commands virginity to no man, yet he persuades and praised it for another reason, that is, both for the necessity of the present time, because the faithful could scarce abide in any place, and use the commodities of this present life because of persecution. And therefore those who were not troubled with families, might be the readier, and also for the cares of this life, which marriage necessarily draws with it, so that they cannot but have their minds distracted: and this has place in women especially.
(s) The circumstances considered, this I counsel you.
(t) It is I that speak this which I am minded to speak: and the truth is I am a man, but yet of worthy credit, for I have obtained from the Lord to be such a one.
(u) To remain a virgin.7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the y flesh: but I z spare you.
(x) For the necessity which the saints are daily subject to, who are continually tossed up and down, so that their estate may seem most unfit for marriage, were it not that the weakness of the flesh forced them to it.
(y) By the "flesh" he understands whatever things belong to this present life, for marriage brings with it many problems. So that he leans more to a single life, not because it is a service more agreeable to God than marriage is, but for those problems which (if it were possible) he would wish all men to be avoid, so that they might give themselves to God alone.7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time [is] a short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
(z) I would your weakness were provided for.
(a) For we are now in the latter end of the world.7:30 And they that b weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
(b) By "weeping" the Hebrews understand all adversity, and by "joy", all prosperity.7:31 And they that use this c world, as not abusing [it]: for the d fashion of this world passeth away.
(c) Those things which God gives us here.7:33 But he that is married e careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please [his] wife.
(d) The guise, and shape, and fashion: by which he shows us that there is nothing in this world that continues.
(e) Those that are married have their minds drawn here and there, and therefore if any man has the gift of continency, it is more advantageous for him to live alone. But those who are married may care for the things of the Lord also. Clement, Strom. 3.7:34 There is difference [also] between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in f spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please [her] husband.
(f) Mind.7:35 And this I speak for your own g profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
(g) He means that he will force no man either to marry or not to marry, but to show them plainly what type of life is most advantageous.7:36 17 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of [her] age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he h sinneth not: let them marry.
7:37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his i heart, having no k necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
(17) Now he turns himself to the parents, in whose power and authority their children are, warning them that according to the former doctrine they consider what is proper and convenient for their children. That they neither deprive them of the necessary remedy against incontinency, nor force them to marry, if neither their will does lead them, nor any necessity urges them. And again he praises virginity, but of itself, and not in all.
(h) He does well: for so he expounds it in ( 1 Corinthians 7:38 ).
(i) Resolved himself.7:38 So then he that giveth [her] in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth [her] not in marriage doeth l better.
(k) That the weakness of his daughter does not force him, or any other matter, that that he may safely still keep her a virgin.
(l) Provides better for his children, and that not in just any way, but by reason of such conditions as are mentioned before.7:39 18 The wife is bound by the m law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the n Lord.
(18) That which he spoke of a widower, he speaks now of a widow, that is, that she may marry again, but that she does it in the fear of God. And yet he does not hide the fact that if she still remains a widow, she will be free of many cares.
(m) By the law of marriage.
(n) Religiously, and in the fear of God.
Malachi 1 (NIV)
Malachi 1 (New International Version)
Malachi 1
1 An oracle: The word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi. [a]
Jacob Loved, Esau Hated
2 "I have loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" the LORD says. "Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals."
4 Edom may say, "Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins." But this is what the LORD Almighty says: "They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the LORD. 5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, 'Great is the LORD -even beyond the borders of Israel!'
Blemished Sacrifices
6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
7 "You place defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. 8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
9 "Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?"-says the LORD Almighty.
10 "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands. 11 My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty.
12 "But you profane it by saying of the Lord's table, 'It is defiled,' and of its food, 'It is contemptible.' 13 And you say, 'What a burden!' and you sniff at it contemptuously," says the LORD Almighty. "When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?" says the LORD. 14 "Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations.
Malachi 1
1 An oracle: The word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi. [a]
Jacob Loved, Esau Hated
2 "I have loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" the LORD says. "Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals."
4 Edom may say, "Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins." But this is what the LORD Almighty says: "They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the LORD. 5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, 'Great is the LORD -even beyond the borders of Israel!'
Blemished Sacrifices
6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
7 "You place defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. 8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
9 "Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?"-says the LORD Almighty.
10 "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands. 11 My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty.
12 "But you profane it by saying of the Lord's table, 'It is defiled,' and of its food, 'It is contemptible.' 13 And you say, 'What a burden!' and you sniff at it contemptuously," says the LORD Almighty. "When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?" says the LORD. 14 "Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations.
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Proverbs 17 (NIV)
Proverbs 17 (New International Version)
Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, [a] with strife.
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Arrogant [b] lips are unsuited to a fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both.
16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.
26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, [a] with strife.
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.
4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Arrogant [b] lips are unsuited to a fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both.
16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.
26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
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Psalm 127 (NIV)
Psalm 127 (New International Version)
Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to [a] those he loves.
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to [a] those he loves.
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
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