I think for too often we are content with a surface level understanding of the Bible. If we truly understood the importance of the Bible we would not be content with just the surface level understanding that comes from simply reading it (although this too is very important). In my Berean classes I have been learning the importance of digging deeper into the Word of God and it has proven to be beneficial to learn different methods in studying scripture. The book gives a series of simple questions that require some "digging" to answer.
The first set of questions pertain to the author.
1) Who was he?
2) When did he write the book?
3) What setting was he in?
4) What relationship did he have with those to whom he wrote?
5) What was his purpose?
The second set of questions pertain to those who received the book.
1) Who were they?
2) What was their city or town like?
3) What was their social status?
The final set of questions pertain to the passage.
1) How does the specific passage relate to the author's purpose?
2) Are there any specific historical details to explain?
3) Are there any specific cultural details to explain (social roles, values or customs/economic concerns/political matters/religious beliefs or practices)?
Answering these questions not only help us understand what we are reading but they also help us accurately understand what we are reading. If we interpret the Bible based on how we feel or what we think there is much room for error. Our applications of the Word must be rooted in a correct understanding of the Word.
Paul the Freeman
Why Are We Content With Less?
Faithful to the End.
As I was praying today I was freshly reminded of the nearness of God.
I was having a hard time focusing and struggling to enter the presence of God when He suddenly brought to mind a person that I met about a year ago. I do now know this person well because I have only met them once but it is someone I will never forget.
Dustin and I were witnessing at UTPB one day when we crossed paths with a soon to be Psychologist. As we began to talk with Him about God he began telling us his view on life, religion and God. Lewis B told us how he believed in God and shared with us how he felt it was important to somehow believe in God no matter which god one believed in or which way one believed in that God. He had some great ideas, some not far from the truth, but struggled to see the importance of believing in the independent and divine God. As we walked away from the conversation, Dustin and I discussed the distortion we felt were in his views. Not long after Dustin ran into him again and went to his house. He found out that our friend, who had remained in our prayers after just one meeting, was living in homosexuality. In his drunkenness, he discussed God with Dustin. Despite his willingness to remain in sin and his twisted views, Dustin and I realized that Lewis B was close to receiving to Jesus.
As I prayed for Lewis I was thought about how far I used to be from God. When I was living in sin and running from God, He was so near to me. Despite the distance I had put in between us, God had stayed close to me. I remember a conversation Stephen and I had not long before we gave our lives to God. We were in the Odessa mall and were talking about whether or not we were going to ever live for God again. We came to the conclusion that despite our slight desire to live for God again, we would never be ready to accept Him.
My friends this is what is beautiful, no matter how far we run from God we CANNOT escape His nearness! One word can take this distance:
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and turn it into this distance:
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Regardless of how far we have put ourselves from God, regardless of what walls we have built and what barriers we have set up, GOD REMAINS NEAR TO US. And when we mention the name of Jesus that distance we have put between us vanishes! The walls we have set up crumble! You don't have to be ready. You don't have to be fully convinced that it's worth it. You just have to do it.
I want to challenge you to pray for the lost knowing the fact that despite how far one is lost, they cannot escape God. When you pray for your brother or sister or friend, when you pray for President Obama or your boss or your children, know that God is only one word away. Nothing is impossible for my God!
Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms
Psalm 139 - 1O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
3You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
5You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
7Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
11If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,"
12Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day
Darkness and light are alike to You.
13For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
14I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
17How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand
When I awake, I am still with You.
19O that You would slay the wicked, O God;
Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.
20For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
21Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
Kenya feel the love tonight....
It has been a busy month. Several weeks ago I was privileged to go to the wonderful island of Zanzibar with Nick Stuva and the team that he had and Steve and his bro. We spent the week hanging out with the team and painting a TAG school. We had great food, fruit and snorkeling!
The next week Roger and I were at the CASFETA (Christ Ambassador Fellowship of Tanzania) conference in which 1500 students were in attendance. They were educated on the Holy Spirit and how to use it to reach their schools for Jesus. They left fired up and ready to go be witnesses.
Christmas week I spent with the Kuykendalls just hanging out and eating food! We had a great Christmas day and a great Christmas service at The Ocean.
Monday-Wednesday of the next week I was privileged to go on safari in Kenya with the Kuerts. I saw my first leopard Tuesday morning! It was in a tree hanging out and was absolutely beautiful! The next morning we saw another leopard. However, he wasn't in the trees but was walking down around and in between the land cruisers. He came within about 10 ft of us, it was a site to see!
After the safari I joined the Kuykendalls in Nairobi where we saw some of the new movies that were out and enjoyed some nice western influenced meals! It was refreshing to get to taste a burger that was almost real!
That Saturday we headed up to Brackenhurst for the much anticipated Mission Meeting in which all of the A/G missionaries (some 200) of East Africa were in attendance. God poured out His Spirit among us and sent refreshing to all in need. Several of the MK's were filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time and began to speak in other tongues. They spent hours this week crying to God to be filled and made a witness. It was beautiful to witness the moving of the Spirit on the our kids. Our mornings were spent in prayer and intercession for East Africa. Sometimes the Spirit was so strong that words or tongues wouldn't suffice and only groans were heard as tears flooded the throne room of God. We believe God heard our groanings and believe it is time for revival to spread throughout East Africa.
As I was pondering the conference and trying to wrap my mind around how quickly 2010 has sprung upon us, I asked God what He would have me do these next few weeks in Africa. I began to pray for Issa and began to believe God for his salvation. This Sunday Issa came to church for the 3rd or 4th time as Steve preached "I am the one, now is the time, and this is place!" After the service I asked Issa what his plans were for the new year and he said,"I want to change a lot. Especially my view on religion and Jesus." I shared with Issa "today is the day of salvation" and shared the ABC's of salvation with him. He has openly admitted that Jesus is the Son of God and the way to heaven but has not prayed the prayer of salvation. I told him I would pray with him if he was ready or that he could do it by himself when he is ready. He said that he wants to wait but he will let me know when he prays and that he understands it will change his whole life. God is moving in Issa and I am thankful for crossing paths with him. Continue to pray with me for Issa as he is at the threshold of a new relationship with Jesus Christ! Blessings to you all in 2010. May we never lose focus of our purpose here on earth, 'to know God and to make Him known'. It is time for us to rise up in words, actions and prayers. Thank you for your prayers and support for me.
Blessings,
Paul Freeman
It's time time for the tide to turn
Time for our hearts to burn with a desperation
It's time it's time for a sacrifice
It's time that we paid the price for our generation
I can hear the calling
I can hear the sound of rain
Over the cities and all through the nations
I hear the calling it's time
Kenya feel the love tonight....
It has been a busy month. Several weeks ago I was privileged to go to the wonderful island of Zanzibar with Nick Stuva and the team that he had and Steve and his bro. We spent the week hanging out with the team and painting a TAG school. We had great food, fruit and snorkeling!
The next week Roger and I were at the CASFETA (Christ Ambassador Fellowship of Tanzania) conference in which 1500 students were in attendance. They were educated on the Holy Spirit and how to use it to reach their schools for Jesus. They left fired up and ready to go be witnesses.
Christmas week I spent with the Kuykendalls just hanging out and eating food! We had a great Christmas day and a great Christmas service at The Ocean.
Monday-Wednesday of the next week I was privileged to go on safari in Kenya with the Kuerts. I saw my first leopard Tuesday morning! It was in a tree hanging out and was absolutely beautiful! The next morning we saw another leopard. However, he wasn't in the trees but was walking down around and in between the land cruisers. He came within about 10 ft of us, it was a site to see!
After the safari I joined the Kuykendalls in Nairobi where we saw some of the new movies that were out and enjoyed some nice western influenced meals! It was refreshing to get to taste a burger that was almost real!
That Saturday we headed up to Brackenhurst for the much anticipated Mission Meeting in which all of the A/G missionaries (some 200) of East Africa were in attendance. God poured out His Spirit among us and sent refreshing to all in need. Several of the MK's were filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time and began to speak in other tongues. They spent hours this week crying to God to be filled and made a witness. It was beautiful to witness the moving of the Spirit on the our kids. Our mornings were spent in prayer and intercession for East Africa. Sometimes the Spirit was so strong that words or tongues wouldn't suffice and only groans were heard as tears flooded the throne room of God. We believe God heard our groanings and believe it is time for revival to spread throughout East Africa.
As I was pondering the conference and trying to wrap my mind around how quickly 2010 has sprung upon us, I asked God what He would have me do these next few weeks in Africa. I began to pray for Issa and began to believe God for his salvation. This Sunday Issa came to church for the 3rd or 4th time as Steve preached "I am the one, now is the time, and this is place!" After the service I asked Issa what his plans were for the new year and he said,"I want to change a lot. Especially my view on religion and Jesus." I shared with Issa "today is the day of salvation" and shared the ABC's of salvation with him. He has openly admitted that Jesus is the Son of God and the way to heaven but has not prayed the prayer of salvation. I told him I would pray with him if he was ready or that he could do it by himself when he is ready. He said that he wants to wait but he will let me know when he prays and that he understands it will change his whole life. God is moving in Issa and I am thankful for crossing paths with him. Continue to pray with me for Issa as he is at the threshold of a new relationship with Jesus Christ! Blessings to you all in 2010. May we never lose focus of our purpose here on earth, 'to know God and to make Him known'. It is time for us to rise up in words, actions and prayers. Thank you for your prayers and support for me.
Blessings,
Paul Freeman
It's time time for the tide to turn
Time for our hearts to burn with a desperation
It's time it's time for a sacrifice
It's time that we paid the price for our generation
I can hear the calling
I can hear the sound of rain
Over the cities and all through the nations
I hear the calling it's time
Looking
I have not posted in a while and I want to keep you guys updated so although things are slow right now I decided to write about the past few weeks. Since it is not summer teams haven't been coming down so there has been nothing as far as teams or safaris go. The past several weeks I have been working on building a database and organizing all the music for The Ocean (the international church im involved with). This took a couple of weeks to get up-to-date and from here out won't be much work. I have also been working on putting together a picture directory for the church. This includes taking pictures and finding out to somehow make sure we have correct information for all the members and then finding the best program to use to do this (which i havent found yet). When get the information one of the things we plan on doing is putting together a map so we can find out where the church is spread out and more effectively organize small group things so we can avoid being just a Sunday gathering. Traffic in Dar is ridiculous and going anywhere in the evening is almost pointless so with small groups in each area we will be able to grow and be more effective throughout the week. That is one of the main struggles with the church right now. We are a Sunday gathering. However, people are wanting more and we are wanting more. In my spare time I have been working on Photoshop and photography. Doing different design things for the church and just learning as much as I can about it.
We have just recently had our second Prayer, Praise & Pilau which is on Thursdays and is a time for people to come eat Pilau (rice with ginger and various spices) and enter into the throne room of God. We pretty much just spend an hour seeking God and then hear a short message and fellowship with one another. God has really been moving at P3. We have three prayer meetings throughout the week. Sunday morning before the service and Tuesday and Thursday me, Steve, Joshua, Paul and Dan (the pastor and 3 of the leaders) get together and just seek God on behalf of The Ocean. It is always a powerful time and God shows up and moves during our time of prayer. Yesterday we began to pray for the church and then started praying for that those who aren't Spirit filled would have a hunger for it and get filled. We also began praying for the millions of unreached in Dar Es Salaam alone. As we prayed I really felt like God wanted us to hear that He is searching. I just kept hearing it over and over, "I am searching Paul. I'm looking. Just as in Isaiah I looked for someone to send and just as in Ezekiel I looked for someone to stand in the gap and build up the hedge. My eyes are going to and fro and I'm searching." So I feel led to take this time (as I sit in the office of our house/church and listen to the rain, that we so desperately need in Dar, pour down outside) to just simply remind you, whoever you may be reading this, of who is looking and searching for you as you carry on with work, school, your hobbies, your freetime, your sleep...whatever it is.
1. Satan is searching. Job 1:6,7; 1 Peter 5:8. These verses let us know that satan is going about like a lion seeking someone to devour. He is roaming around the earth, searching, looking for someone that he can destroy. Peter warns us, "Be of sober spirt, be on the alert."
2. God is searching. Ezekiel 22:30; Isaiah 6:8. These verses show us the God is searching. He is looking for someone to send. Someone to go. Someone to pray. Someone to get a heart for their nation and their people and pray for them like their lives depended on it.
3. People are searching. 2 Corinthians 3:2 lets us know that we are a letter read by all men. A letter of Christ, written by the Holy Spirit. So I just want to put out a reminder that your co-worker, your friend, your enemy, the person in the village who has never heard of God, the Muslim, the Buddhist, the backslider, the one running from his/her calling. They are watching you. They are searching. "Is this the one that's going to be different?" "Is this the one that's going to forget about everything for a minute and come talk to me? Even though I look like I want nothing to do with God?"
This is obviously nothing new but is in my heart and is definitely something we haven't perfected yet.
Prayer requests
-Prayer for the village of Mkoko that we went to a while back. Pray God would supernaturally get a hold of them through dreams and visions and would bring growth to the seeds we planted.
-Pray God would pour out His Spirit on The Ocean. We want more than just a Sunday gathering. We want God to radically change lives and use The Ocean to bring about a revival to the youth and business people of Tanzania.
-Pray God would use me on the campus of the university. School starts next week. Pray that I be bold and that I speak everything God would have me speak to everyone He would put in my path and that lives would be change.
-Pray for my friend Issa. He is a young Muslim guy we met on the campus. We have been ministering to him and let him watch the Passion. He now wants to read the bible. Pray we present Jesus to him in such a way that it grips his heart.
-Pray for your missionaries. Pray God would let us be hungrier and hungrier for Him and more and more dependent on Him.
Thanks. I love you all and miss you.
Paul
A Call to Prayer
My friends, as some of you may know we are in the month of Ramadan and being in an area is approximately 50% Muslim I am surrounded by several people who are practicing the Sawm and for 30 days sacrifice their source of strength and hydration for the day in order to draw near to the being they call 'God'. Being that Islam is not as big in the states as it is in the rest of the world I feel led to share with you what goes on where Islam is more prevalent. There are many Muslims where I am staying and therefore many people dressed as they believe fit. When I walk down the street or into a store there are several men wearing robes and caps (don't remember the specs, ha). Likewise, the women wear their robes and cover their heads (sometimes leaving only their eyes visible). The majority of stores, tea rooms, restaurants, etc are owned/managed by Muslims. The call to prayer can be heard from nearly every area in every city, it seems like, 5 times each day. During this time of fasting their is more eating (only at night) than usual. Each evening when the fasts are broken large amounts of alcohol are consumed along with various sorts of other wicked activities. Worst of all there is much spiritual activity going on in which Satan is at work. They defend this by simply calling it 'tradition'.
Why do I tell you this? As most of you probably know, one week from today, on September 25, the call to prayer (Adhan) will be heard in your, and my, nations capital. As quoted from the site of those who organized this, "On this day The Athan will be chanted on Capitol Hill, echoing off of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and other great edifices that surround Capitol Hill...The peace, beauty and solidarity of Islam will shine through America's capitol." Also quoting, "IN THE NAME OF ALLAH....We intend to manifest Islam's majestic spiritual principals as revealed by Allah to our beloved prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) of Arabia. Likewise; we intend to inspire a new generation of Muslim to work for the greater good of all people." All over the site the words, "OUR TIME HAS COME" are written. There are expecting 50,000+ Muslims from all over the nation to come and pray between 4am and 7pm.
This is a call to prayer. My friends I have seen firsthand the results of Islam and it is important that we be in prayer for our nation this week. The time has come that you know longer have to go oversees to minister to Muslims because more and more are rising up in your neighborhood. I challenge you this next week and especially September 25th to be in prayer. Pray. Pray. Fast. Intercede. BECOME ACTIVE! As Jesus said in John 13: 27 whatever you do, do it quickly. May we once again gain a sense of urgency and gain a burden to see our nations come to Jesus. It is our job to reach them, but if we don't the Muslims would be more than happy to do so themselves. I leave you with an excerpt from Carmen's America Again lyrics. Below is a link to the website. In the next few days I hope to add a video on this blog of a young man who is a former Muslim but has come to know Jesus as his Savior! Muslims are being reached for Jesus but the opposite is true as well. Please be in prayer and may the urgency this was written in overcome you as you read and watch the video (if i can upload it).
"If there's ever been a time to rise up Church, it's now
And as the blood bought saints of the living God proclaim
That it's time to send the alarm from the Church house to The White House
And say, "We want God in America again"
I believe it's time America to stand up and proclaim
That one nation under God is our demand
And send this evil lifestyle back to Satan where it came from
And let the Word of God revive our dying land
For Jesus Christ is coming back again in all His glory
And every eye shall see Him on that day
That's why a new anointing of God's power's coming on us
To boldly tell the world you must be saved!"
Islam on Capitol Hill
Maasai, Sonjo and Flamingos
I am finally writing about the trip we took the 6-18 of this month. The trip was divided into sections. The first part of our trip (6-9) we spent in Moshi at the Tanzania Field Missions Meeting. All of the A/G Missionaries in Tanzania made it out and the first two days were spent fellowshiping, playing CTF with the MK's and some of the missionaries, and most importantly, playing HALO!!! Walker and I were happy to get our fix since his Xbox broke. Friday I also renewed my passport. Tim (a missionary in Mwanza) took me through the Kenyan border and we went what turned out to be a game drive. It was definitely not a bad waste of an hour. Saturday and Sunday we had our meetings and I was able to sit in. At the meeting they discuss business, upcoming projects, and give family updates. Sunday we also had a church service and the missionary I will be living with gave the Word. He spoke about seizing opportunities. Saturday and Sunday Mt. Kilimanjaro uncovered herself for us and we were blessed to be able to look upon her beauty for two days! Monday we headed out to a Maasai area and camped out at Lake Natron. The land was hideous and desolate and many of the cattle are dying due to drought and famine. Monday we saw one of the famous volcanoes of the area and went to the lake to see the flamingos. There were literally thousands and thousands of them within a very close distance to us. On the way in Roger got his vehicle stuck but fortunately was able to get it unstuck. However, on the way out we got both of our vehicles stuck in the mud and spent several hours digging on our hands and knees. We jacked the vehicles up and put rocks under the tires and their path to make sure we could escape. Several hours, a sunset, and clothes and face covered in mud later we returned to camp where Laurie and Kandle were sending people to go find us. That night I "slept" in the one man mini tent that had no screens or zippers and was not able to fall asleep until about 5 am. I spent the night hitting bugs that were biting me and watching snakes look in my tent. When we awoke we went on a hike to a waterfall. When we finally made it to the waterfall we spent hours playing in this freshwater river. We were awed that such a spring could exist in such a dry, dusty place. Wednesday we packed up and left and so did my health. I began feeling very sick and stayed awake just long enough to enjoy a special treat provided for us by the Sonjo pastor that hosted us, goat liver. I have never been a big fan of liver, especially goat liver, especially when I am sick. After I ate I went to sleep and slept from noon to about 6 am, waking up only to take medicine. Wednesday night the pastors prayed for me and I woke up feeling better Thursday morning and only continued to feel better as the day went on. Thursday We spent the day in Maasai territory where we were fed goat jerky type food and some goat with a greenish sauce to go with it. The latter of the two was pretty good but I was glad to leave lunch and head to a boma. A boma is the area where a family lives. It usually contains a few houses built around a pen where they keep their goats and cows at night. We were able to enter a house (built with sticks plastered with mud and straw for the roofs). As I entered I had to duck and was surprised (not sure why since they don't have windows) to find that it was pitch black in the house. The 10' X 10' house was divided by "walls" and had a storage room, kitchen (which kept the house extremely hot) and a bedroom that had enough room for a cot type thing. Once we left the boma we headed for our gesti and i bought a bow and arrow (the arrows have poison on the end) set off of one of the Maasai warriors I met. The next day was spent driving through the Serengeti where we saw thousands and thousands of Wildebeest, tons of Zebras, and several kinds of Antelope (pictures will be on Myspace or Facebook soon). Saturday we headed to a town called Tarime where Laurie saw a doctor for her foot. She had burned her foot Monday by stepping on a hidden fire pit. The burn became infected and began to spread up her leg. She was not able to walk or sleep for a few nights but has received medical treatment and is on the way to recovery. She has spent the past week and a half laying down, not fun for an independent person. Anyhoo, Sunday and Monday we stayed in Mwanza with the missionaries there (Timandjoycejarvis.com) We weren't the healthiest bunch by the end of the trip (my stomach and back hurt, rogers back hurt, and lauries foot was hurt badly) but we enjoyed being in civilization again. Tuesday I headed out at 4 am and spent 17 hours on a bus (enjoying an Arnold Movie Marathon along the way! gotta love African buses). I arrived in Dar at 11 pm and started language school the next morning. I have the joy of going through language frustrations =) it has not been easy but I intend on working on it.