Zechariah 14 (NIV)

Zechariah 14 (New International Version)

Zechariah 14

The LORD Comes and Reigns

1 A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.
2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake [a] in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

6 On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. 7 It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime—a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light.

8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea [b] and half to the western sea, [c] in summer and in winter.

9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

10 The whole land, from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses. 11 It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.

12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. 13 On that day men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other. 14 Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected—great quantities of gold and silver and clothing. 15 A similar plague will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.

16 Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain. 18 If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD [d] will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

20 On that dayHOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the LORD's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. 21 Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite [e] in the house of the LORD Almighty.

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Proverbs 16 (NIV)

Proverbs 16 (New International Version)

Proverbs 16

1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.

2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice.

11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.

13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.

14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.

15 When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. [a]

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. [b]

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.

27 A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

30 He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.

32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

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Psalm 126 NIV

Psalm 126 (New International Version)

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the LORD brought back the captives to [a] Zion, we were like men who dreamed. [b]
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, [c] O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Angola - Africa

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Feb 15: Angola

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Feb 15: Angola

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Angola

Republic of Angola

Africa

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Geography

Area: 1,246,700 sq km
Large coastal state on the South Atlantic coast. Cabinda is an oil-rich coastal enclave to the north of the Congo River.
Population: 18,992,707    Annual Growth: 2.71%
Capital: Luanda
Urbanites: 58.5%
HDI Rank: 143 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 60 (3% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Portuguese    Languages: 41 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	17,870,238	94.09	3.0
Evangelicals	4,277,143	22.5	4.4

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Challenges for Prayer

The foreign missionary presence was a good testimony during the years of suffering. The nature of their ministries will most likely shift from aid/relief to development, and from evangelism to discipleship and training. The nation’s crippled infrastructure and young Church will need generous and loving partnerships between foreign agencies and Angolan ministries to lead the way forward. Mission agencies include YWAM, REMAR, Brazilian Baptists, OM, MAF, BCB, Christ Community Church. Pray for the following aspects of ministry:
a) Humanitarian ministries, such as WVI, Samaritan’s Purse and most of the traditional sending agencies, focus on primary health care, education, vocational training and disease prevention as well as provision of the supplies needed to continue such programmes.
b) Support ministries such as MAF are strategic, given the disastrous state of the transport infrastructure.
c) “Traditional” mission agencies find themselves surrounded by need and requiring wisdom and resources. Most missions work holistically, ministering to both physical and spiritual needs of Angolans. There are many and diverse ways to serve in God’s Kingdom here; pray for more workers.
Media and support ministries:
a) The Bible Society is developing Scriptures in nine languages and new translations in Chokwe, Kikongo, Kimbundu, Luchazi and Umbundu. Scripture is needed in 12 languages. A great demand for Bibles persists, but deep poverty limits sales. The Gideons actively distribute Bibles.
b) Christian literature is scarce, and little is available in Portuguese and even less in indigenous languages. Low literacy rates hamper the usefulness of printed matter; pray for programmes that will enable many Angolans to read the Word of Life. There is a tremendous hunger for good Christian literature, but it is usually quite expensive for most Angolans. There are now around 20 evangelical libraries slowly adding materials, first in Luanda and now in some other provinces.
c) GRN has recordings in 30 languages and dialects. These audio resources are crucial in an oral and low-literacy nation such as Angola.
d) Radio broadcasts, through TWR, reach the land in 10 indigenous languages and in Portuguese. Pray for more programmes for these languages and a wider listening audience.
e) The JESUS film is available in at least Portuguese, Kongo, Kwangali and Kwanyama, but 40 more languages need translation. Pray for completion and effective use of these.
     For an additional 6 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Angola.

Zechariah 13 (NIV)

Zechariah 13 (New International Version)

Zechariah 13

Cleansing From Sin

1 "On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
2 "On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more," declares the LORD Almighty. "I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. 3 And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother, to whom he was born, will say to him, 'You must die, because you have told lies in the LORD's name.' When he prophesies, his own parents will stab him.

4 "On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his prophetic vision. He will not put on a prophet's garment of hair in order to deceive. 5 He will say, 'I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth. [a] ' 6 If someone asks him, 'What are these wounds on your body [b] ?' he will answer, 'The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.'

The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered

7 "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
8 In the whole land," declares the LORD, "two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.

9 This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "

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Proverbs 15 (NIV)

Proverbs 15 (New International Version)

Proverbs 15

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

11 Death and Destruction [a] lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men!

12 A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. [b]

25 The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact.

26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.

27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, [c] and humility comes before honor.

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Psalm 125

Psalm 125 (New International Version)

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.

4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.

5 But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.

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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for American Samoa - Pacific and the Principalty of Andorra - Europe

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Feb 14: American Samoa, Andorra

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Feb 14: American Samoa, Andorra

American Samoa, Andorra

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American Samoa

American Samoa

Pacific

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Geography

Area: 199 sq km
Archipelago in the Polynesian Pacific.
Population: 68,505    Annual Growth: 1.76%
Capital: Pago Pago
Urbanites: 93%

Peoples

Peoples: 10 (10% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Samoan, English    Languages: 6 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	65,148	95.10	1.7
Evangelicals	14,597	21.3	1.8

Challenge for Prayer

Remarkable growth among cults (especially Mormons) exposes the nominalism, too-long entrenched, in the mainline churches. Pray for awakening and renewal in these rapidly declining churches.
     For an additional 2 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of American Samoa.

Join the Prayer Movement

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Andorra

Principalty of Andorra

Europe

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Geography

Area: 468 sq km
In the heart of the Pyrenean mountains between France and Spain.
Population: 86,685    Annual Growth: 1.68%
Capital: Andorra la Vella
Urbanites: 88%
HDI Rank: 28 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 11 (27% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Catalan    Languages: 5 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	78,693	90.78	1.4
Evangelicals	310	0.4	5.9

Prayercast

Challenge for Prayer

Biblical Christianity struggles to retain a foothold. Catholicism has lost much of its zeal, and the handful of other congregations where evangelicals worship grow very slowly. Praise God for committed expatriate believers and for the few indigenous Andorran believers. Pray that all faithful disciples of Christ might have the passion and discernment that will enable them to effectively share their faith.
     For an additional 2 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

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The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Andorra.

Chapter 7 Geneva Study Bible

 

      Chapter 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.
(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.

7:3 ² Let the husband render unto the wife ^c due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

(2) Secondly, he shows that the parties married must with singular affection entirely love one another.
(c) The word "due" contains all types of benevolence, though he speaks more of one sort than of the other, in that which follows.

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.

(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.
(d) Do nothing else.

7:6 ⁵ But I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment.

(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.
(f) This whole passage is completely against those who condemn second marriages.

7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to ^g burn.

(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."
(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.)

7:15 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.

(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.

7:17 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.

(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.

7:18 ¹³ Is any man called being circumcised? let him not ^o become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

(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.

7:21 Art thou called [being] a servant? ^p care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.

(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.

(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.

7:24 ¹⁵ Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with ^r God.

(15) A repetition of the general doctrine.
(r) So purely and from the heart, that your doings may be approved before God.

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.

(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.

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.

(u) To remain a virgin.
(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.

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.

(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.
(z) I would your weakness were provided for.

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;

(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.
(d) The guise, and shape, and fashion: by which he shows us that there is nothing in this world that continues.

7:33 But he that is married ^e careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please [his] wife.

(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.

(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 ).

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.

(i) Resolved himself.
(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.

7:38 So then he that giveth [her] in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth [her] not in marriage doeth ^l better.

(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.

Zechariah 12 (NIV)

Zechariah 12 (New International Version)

Zechariah 12

Jerusalem's Enemies to Be Destroyed

An Oracle

1 This is the word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares: 2 "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. 3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. 4 On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness," declares the LORD. "I will keep a watchful eye over the house of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. 5 Then the leaders of Judah will say in their hearts, 'The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD Almighty is their God.'
6 "On that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume right and left all the surrounding peoples, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.

7 "The LORD will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem's inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. 8 On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them. 9 On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

Mourning for the One They Pierced

10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit [a] of grace and supplication. They will look on [b] me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great, like the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, 13 the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, 14 and all the rest of the clans and their wives.

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Proverbs 14 (NIV)

Proverbs 14 (New International Version)

Proverbs 14

1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

2 He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.

3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

5 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.

6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7 Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.

15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find [a] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.

26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

28 A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.

29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. [b]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.

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Psalm 124 (NIV)

Psalm 124 (New International Version)

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel say-
2 if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,

3 when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive;

4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us,

5 the raging waters would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

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AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria - Africa

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Feb 13: Algeria

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Feb 13: Algeria

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Algeria

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Africa

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 2,381,741 sq km
Agriculture is possible on the Mediterranean coast, in the Atlas Mountains and at oases; 80% is desert.
Population: 35,422,589    Annual Growth: 1.52%
Capital: Algiers
Urbanites: 66.5%
HDI Rank: 104 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 41 (85% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Arabic and Berber. French and English are widely used, and 25% speak one of the Berber languages    Languages: 22 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	99,183	0.28	7.5
Evangelicals	84,081	0.2	8.1
Muslim	34,462,637	97.29

Answer to Prayer

The Church is a very indigenous, truly Algerian expression of faith. Scriptures and study materials, worship styles and, increasingly, training and leadership are all expressed in culturally relevant ways. The resources available to believers in their own languages and forms, once scarce, are multiplying.
     For an additional 2 Answers to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

Challenge for Prayer

Pray for the active mission force. Pray that God would raise up more workers to help strengthen the local church. Work is under way in many areas. Especially pray for these:
a) Relief work remains very much an urgent priority, but one that requires sensitivity.
b) Christian music. Much is being written in Kabyle, less so in other languages. Pray for increased production quality and wider dissemination of this valuable tool for witness and discipleship.
c) Work among the children of Christians. There is no ministry specifically geared for children. Pray for strong discipleship of Christian children at home; at school they are bombarded with Quranic teaching.
d) The leadership of the Algerian Church in Europe, and for missionary calls to their homeland. There are over 3,000 Algerian Christians in Europe, many of whom fled the violence or persecution back home. Pray for many to be raised up as apostles to their own people.
     For an additional 9 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 Algeria.

1 Corinthians 6 Geneva Study Bible

1 Corinthians 6 Geneva Study Bible

Chapter 6
6:1 Dare ^{1 a} any of you, having a matter against another, go to law ^b before the unjust, ² and not before the saints?

(1) The third question is of civil judgments. Whether it is lawful for one of the faithful to draw another of the faithful before the judgment seat of an infidel? He answers that is not lawful because it is an offence for the faithful to do this, for it is not evil in itself that a matter be brought before the judgment seat, even of an infidel.
(a) As if he said, "Have you become so impudent, that you are not ashamed to make the Gospel a laughing stock to profane men?"
(b) Before the unjust. (2) He adds that he does not forbid that one neighbour may go to law with another, if need so require, but yet under holy judges.

6:2 ³ Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

(3) He gathers by a comparison that the faithful cannot seek to be judged by infidels, without great injury done to the saints, seeing that God himself will make the saints judges of the world, and of the devils, with his Son Christ. Much more ought they to judge these light and final causes which may be by equity, and good conscience determined.

6:4 ⁴ If then ye have ^c judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are ^d least esteemed in the church.

(4) The conclusion, in which he prescribes a remedy for this wrong: that is, if they end their private affairs between themselves by chosen arbiters out of the Church: for which matter and purpose, the least of you, he says, is sufficient. Therefore he does not condemn judgment seats, but shows what is expedient for the circumstance of the time, and that without any diminishing of the right of the magistrate. For he does not speak of judgments, which are practised between the faithful and the infidels, neither of public judgments, but of controversies which may be ended by private arbiters.
(c) Courts and places of judgments.
(d) Even the most abject among you.

6:5 ⁵ I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

(5) He applies the general proposition to a particular, always calling them back to this, to take away from them the false opinion of their own excellency from where all these evils sprang.

6:7 ⁶ Now therefore there is utterly a ^e fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. ⁷ Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded?

(6) Now he goes further also, and even though by granting them private arbiters out of the congregation of the faithful, he does not simply condemn, but rather establishes private judgments, so that they are exercise without offence. Yet he shows that if they were such as they ought to be, and as it were to be wished, they should not need to use that remedy either.
(e) A weakness of mind which is said to be in those that allow themselves to be overcome by their lusts, and it is a fault that differs greatly from temperance and moderation: so that he nips those who could not endure an injury done to them. (7) This pertains chiefly to the other part of the reprehension, that is, that they went to law even under infidels, whereas they should rather have suffered any loss, than to have given that offence. But yet this is generally true, that we ought rather to depart from our right, than try the uttermost of the law hastily, and upon an affection to revenge an injury. But the Corinthians cared for neither, and therefore he says that they must repent, unless they will be shut out of the inheritance of God.

6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? ⁸ Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

(8) Now he prepares himself to pass over to the fourth treatise of this epistle, which concerns other matters, concerning this matter first, how men may well use a woman or not. And this question has three parts: fornication, matrimony, and a single life. As for fornication, he utterly condemns it. And marriage he commands to some, as a good and necessary remedy for them: to others he leaves is free. And others he dissuades from it, not as unlawful, but as inconvenient, and that not without exception. As for singleness of life (under which also I comprehend virginity) he enjoins it to no man: yet he persuades men to it, but not for itself, but for another respect, neither to all men, nor without exception. And being about to speak against fornication, he begins with a general reprehension of those vices, with which that rich and riotous city most abounded: warning and teaching them earnestly, that repentance is inseparable joined with forgiveness of sins, and sanctification with justification.

6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the ^f name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

(f) In Jesus.

6:12 ^{9 g} All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the ^h power of any.

(9) Secondly, he shows that the Corinthians offend in small matters. First, because they abused them. Next, because they used indifferent things, without any discretion, seeing the use of them ought to be brought to the rule of charity. And that he does not use them correctly, who immoderately abuses them, and so becomes a slave to them.
(g) Whatever: but this general word must be restrained to things that are indifferent.
(h) He is in subjection to things that are indifferent, whoever he is that thinks he may not be without them. And this is a flattering type of slavery under a pretence of liberty, which seizes upon such men.

6:13 ¹⁰ Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

(10) Secondly, because they counted many things as indifferent which were of themselves unlawful, as fornication, which they numbered among mere natural and lawful desires, as well as food and drink. Therefore the apostle shows that they are utterly unlike: for foods, he says, were made for the necessary use of mans life which is not perpetual: for both foods, and all this manner of nourishing, are quickly abolished. But we must not so think of the uncleanness of fornication, for which the body is not made, but on the other hand is ordained to purity, as appears by this, that is consecrated to Christ, even as Christ also is given us by his Father to enliven our bodies with that power with which he also rose again.

6:15 ¹¹ Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid.

(11) A declaration of the former argument by opposites, and the application of it.

6:16 ¹² What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for ⁱ two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

(12) A proof of the same argument: a harlot and Christ are completely contrary, so are the flesh and the Spirit. Therefore he that is one with a harlot (which is done by sexual intercourse with their bodies) cannot be one with Christ, which unity is pure and spiritual.
(i) Moses does not speak these words about fornication, but about marriage: but seeing that fornication is the corruption of marriage, and both of them are a carnal and fleshly copulation, we cannot say that the apostle abuses his testimony. Again, Moses does not have this word "two", but it is very well expressed both here and in ( Matthew 19:5 ), because he speaks only of man and wife: whereupon the opinion of those that vouch it to be lawful to have many wives is overthrown: for he that companies with many, is broken as it were into many parts.

6:18 ¹³ Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

(13) Another argument why fornication is to be avoided, because it defiles the body with a peculiar type of filthiness.

6:19 ¹⁴ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ¹⁵ ye are not your own?

(14) The third argument: because a fornicator is sacrilegious, because our bodies are consecrated to God.
(15) The fourth argument: because we are not our own men, to give ourselves to any other, much less to Satan and the flesh, seeing that God himself has bought us, and that with a great price, to the end that both in body and soul, we should serve to his glory.

Zechariah 11 (NIV)

Zechariah 11 (New International Version)

Zechariah 11

1 Open your doors, O Lebanon, so that fire may devour your cedars!

2 Wail, O pine tree, for the cedar has fallen; the stately trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan; the dense forest has been cut down!

3 Listen to the wail of the shepherds; their rich pastures are destroyed! Listen to the roar of the lions; the lush thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

Two Shepherds

4 This is what the LORD my God says: "Pasture the flock marked for slaughter. 5 Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, 'Praise the LORD, I am rich!' Their own shepherds do not spare them. 6 For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land," declares the LORD. "I will hand everyone over to his neighbor and his king. They will oppress the land, and I will not rescue them from their hands."
7 So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock. 8 In one month I got rid of the three shepherds. The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them 9 and said, "I will not be your shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another's flesh."

10 Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. 11 It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew it was the word of the LORD.

12 I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.

13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"-the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter.

14 Then I broke my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

15 Then the LORD said to me, "Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16 For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs.

17 "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!"

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Proverbs 1 (NIV)

Proverbs 1 (New International Version)

Proverbs 1

Prologue: Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;

3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;

4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-

6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.

Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against Enticement

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;

12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, [b] and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;

14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"-

15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;

16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.

17 How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!

18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!

19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;
21 at the head of the noisy streets [c] she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:

22 "How long will you simple ones [d] love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.

24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.

29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,

30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,

31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

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