Tuesday's Bible Study, August 17, 2021 - Kingdom Principle - Poor in Spirit

 Hello Spiritual Family,  

 The world would have us to believe that being needy is not a great quality to possess.  However, God calls this person blessed if their neediness leads then to Him.  Below is a look into one of God's Kingdom principle of being poor in spirit.

God Bless

Scripture References & Highlights

Prayer for 2021:  This year will be a year of Light; that Light will shine and darkness will not dispel it. 

In Jesus' Name

Message Scriptures

• Background Scriptures:  Matthew 5;1-12
• Focus:  vs. 3
• Jesus launches an attack on self-centeredness
• drawing us closer to Him living a lifestyle that bears fruit
• Matthew 19:21-27
• it's not about possessing riches but it is the condition of the heart
• Jesus sharing a higher call to righteousness
• man's self-sufficiency - no longer is man to exalt themselves any longer
• a lifestyle relying upon humility
• denouncing anything that competes for God's affection or place in our heart
• not grabbing hold of things that take His placer (poor in spirit)
• Matthew 15:21-28
• vs. 26-27
• this woman's act of faith received her miracler
• she identified herself as "poor in spirit"
• she was not put off by Jesus' characterization of beingh a "dog"
• she recognized her condition, she was not deterred

 Nuggets for the Week

• poor definition -  lacking material possessions, less than adequate, inferior in quality or value, lacking a normal or adequate supply or something specific
• Paul exhorts us to not think more highly then we ought - Romans 12:3
• we ask for more of Jesus and when He comes, He finds something there in His place
• can come as gentle warnings, not taking the time to be still before the Lord
• must see ourselves as stewards willing to give to others
• poor and needy, rich and full...where is your focus

Reflections

• Can you put things to death when asked to?
• Let the purging take place for those that have not seen themselves as poor in spirit.  Only then will the Kingdom be made available.  There's only one King

 Key Takeaway for the Body

• the key is to remain poor in spirit aware that there is a trap waiting to ensnare our heart again
• keeping our gaze on Jesus
• stop and take inventory with God of things that have hold of our heart, where there are idols, where is our heart vulnerable
• it can be very subtle, self-centeredness, selfish, justifying, self-protecting things that have hold of our heart
• anything that we won't easily let go of when God says let it go
• being unable to help one's self, a neediness - God calls them blessed
• being "needy" when it comes to dependence upon God for life, is not a bad thing
• you don't want to let Him go
• God says blessed are those who know that they need His mercy, grace, their every need...theirs is the Kingdom
• it is this person (poor in spirit) that will sell everything to obtain the Kingdom because the King says so - whose heart is only His
• blessed are those in need of God's Presence
• preparation and Presence are key

Prayer Time

In your times of prayer this week (9am,12noon, and 6pm) we encourage you to include the following scriptures located below and in the article 7 Verses and 7 Prayers for your Pastor/

Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:16-17

Philippians 1:9-11

Colossians 1:10-12

Worship Highlight