Nuggets of Truth

2017-08-16T19:25:00.001-07:00

Poor in Spirit – breakdown of meaning, followed by detailed analysis

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed: G3107

μακάριος

makarios

mak-ar'-ee-os

A prolonged form of the poetical μάκαρ makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension fortunate, well off: - blessed, happy (X -ier).

Poor: G4434

πτωχός

ptōchos

pto-khos'

From πτώσσω ptōssō (to crouch; akin to G4422 and the alternate of G4098); a beggar (as cringing), that is, pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas G3993 properly means only straitened circumstances in private), literally (often as noun) or figuratively (distressed): - beggar (-ly), poor.

Spirit: G4151

πνεῦμα

pneuma

pnyoo'-mah

From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit: - ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Compare G5590.

Kingdom: G932

βασιλεία

basileia

bas-il-i'-ah

From G935; properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively): - kingdom, + reign.

Heaven: G3772

οὐρανός

ouranos

oo-ran-os'

Perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness, power, eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity): - air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.

Looking at the very real meaning of this verse, we can read more clearly, more in depth – from the very meaning of each word, that (in a nutshell) those people are well off and fortunate who beg and hunger for His Holy Spirit, for they inherit the realm and kingdom of where God dwells, in happiness and power. To be poor in spirit is to rely on God, and not on our own power. It’s not arrogant or self centered, but rather is God centered. As we hunger after His Spirit and hunger for a relationship with our Father and Creator, our eternal destination is with Him, in His power, and with real and true happiness.

2017-07-26T15:31:00.001-07:00

July 26, 2017

Special note - today's reading deals specifically with spiritual warfare.

Mark Chapter 9

Mar 9:17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
Mar 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

The multitudes - a very large group of people - were following Jesus just to hear him speak, to see him in person. Many areas of the four gospels describe these groups were so large Jesus, at times, sought moments of personal quiet time with his disciples. Imagine the pressure of always being followed everywhere you go? Too many times we overlook the basics. Jesus, being fully God and also man, had to deal with these issues.

One of the men following Jesus brought to Him his child tormented with an unclean spirit, or demon (interchangeable, not to confuse with a fallen angel). The man brought the child to Jesus' disciples for help, but they could not cast the spirit out. This was, as the bible classifies, a "dumb spirit." Certainly not dumb in intelligence, but causing the child/victim to be speechless.

This type of demon will, at time of possession:

Tears at victim physically, causing the host to harm himself
Act out animistic - in this example, foaming at the mouth and baring teeth
Faint as if dead - so believable people around think the host has died.
Also has such a violent temper, will seek - at times - to kill the host, acting out in rage

To continue in the chapter...

Mar 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
Mar 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
Mar 9:21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
Mar 9:22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
Mar 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mar 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mar 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
Mar 9:26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
Mar 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

The abused host when exorcised often has a violent reaction - the spiritual is warring with the physical.
Can be traumatic. As we see in verse 26, there was one last violent episode, then the host passes out, appearing dead.
When exorcising, as you feel he spirit leave, use the authority you have in Jesus and command the person to rise.

These types of demonic spirits are strong, and take more than a basic exorcism. Prayer and fasting beforehand, when possible, are what it takes to break through the spiritual bondage to help set those victims free.

More on this principle at a later date - to be added to an up-coming spiritual warfare handbook.

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Also, reading in Mark chapter 9, we have a clue as to where hell is located. In verses 44, 46, and 48 the bible repeats itself; one way God uses His word to get an important point across to His people.

Mar 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Hell, in this context, is:

G1067
γέεννα
geenna
gheh'-en-nah
Of Hebrew origin ([H1516] and [H2011]); valley of (the son of) Hinnom; gehenna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment: - hell.

Where is hell located? Deep in the earth...

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God bless...

2017-07-24T13:52:00.004-07:00

July 24, 2017 - Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1

Reading in the gospel of Mark, right away it's clear the wilderness is where sin is. John the baptist preached in the wilderness. Jesus was driven into the wilderness and was tempted. In simple terms, the wilderness is where sin lives, and where we learn forgiveness, repentance, and how to overcome.

As soon as Jesus was baptized - as soon as He came out of the water, He saw Heaven opened, and the Spirit descended down upon Him. He then went into the wilderness immediately.

Mar 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Mar 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mar 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mar 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

When we see that Jesus was driven into the wilderness, it wasn't some stroll through the woods. Jesus was thrown into the wilderness. When we look at the meaning for driveth in verse 12, we see:

G1544
ἐκβάλλω
ekballō
ek-bal'-lo
From G1537 and G906; to eject (literally or figuratively): - bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out).

One note - in verse 13, we see a term "wild beats." This can be an inference for physical animals, but likely also has a dual meaning for demonic spirits. Jesus was tempted by Satan, with demonic spirits seeking to do the work of the enemy - and afterwards was ministered/tended to by God's holy angels.

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Spiritual Warfare Note: Know the enemy - the enemy wants to harm mankind.

Mar 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mar 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

As the demon, or unclean spirit left the host, the demon caused the host one last moment of physical torment - caused the host to physically tear at himself as the spirit departed.

Daily quiet time, away from all distractions, spending time with God is vital!

Mar 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

2017-07-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to "Nuggets of Truth!"

The dictionary defines NUGGET as "a small lump of gold or other precious metal found ready-formed in the earth." The word Truth is defined as "that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality."

This site is designed to provide small precious (valuable) facts, in light of biblical studies. These are personal to me, discovered in daily scripture reading. Hopefully they will become nuggets of truth for you as well.

Future entries may revolve around scripture studies, themes, or a series centered around topics dealing with bible prophecy. The goal is to update 2-3 times a week, depending on how busy life is at the moment.