Can AI SPEED UP My Discoveries from Scripture?

Mark Virkler's picture

Yes, but prayerful meditation will still be required to receive Spirit REVELATION (Lk. 24:36-49). This is so cool and helpful I wanted to share it with you. Example: I was doing a bit of research today on “gift” in the New Testament...


Introduction to the three-step process I used

  1. I took an e-Sword search I had done on the word "gift"; e-Sword provides you an electronic list of written-out Scriptures.
  2. I fed that list of Scriptures into Grok, along with my question.
  3. I take Grok's answer, and ponder and pray over it (See this blog - Video: 7 Step Bible Meditation Process Explored)

Summary: Computers did the initial research and the Holy Spirit guided the entire process, by providing a) the word I should research with e-Sword, b) the question I should ask Grok 3, c) and then prayerful reflection on the outline of verses, where I ask God to grant me revelation concerning how these apply to my life and what He would like to speak to me through them.

Scan down through the example below of the above steps

Step 1 - the e-sword search

I typed in my e-sword search “gift." I set the search for the New Testament, and when I searched for the "exact word" I received a listing of 28 uses of the word. However, when I set the search for "regular expressions" e-sword then gave me any word which contained "gift" within the word (i.e. gift, gifts, and ungifted). This search gave me 58 uses. The list below contains all 58 uses and was instantly generated by e-sword.

Verses compiled by e-Sword

  1. Mat_7:11  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! 
  2. Luk_11:13  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" 
  3. Luk_21:1  And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 
  4. Luk_21:5  And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, 
  5. Joh_4:10  Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 
  6. Act_2:38  Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 
  7. Act_8:20  But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 
  8. Act_10:45  All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 
  9. Act_11:17  "Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" 
  10. Rom_1:11  For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 
  11. Rom_3:24  being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 
  12. Rom_5:15  But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 
  13. Rom_5:16  The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free giftarose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 
  14. Rom_5:17  For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 
  15. Rom_6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
  16. Rom_11:29  for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 
  17. Rom_12:6  Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 
  18. 1Co_1:7  so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
  19. 1Co_7:7  Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. 
  20. 1Co_12:1  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 
  21. 1Co_12:4  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 
  22. 1Co_12:9  to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 
  23. 1Co_12:28  And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 
  24. 1Co_12:30  All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 
  25. 1Co_12:31  But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. 
  26. 1Co_13:2  If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 
  27. 1Co_13:8  Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 
  28. 1Co_14:1  Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 
  29. 1Co_14:12  So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 
  30. 1Co_14:16  Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 
  31. 1Co_14:23  Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 
  32. 1Co_14:24  But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 
  33. 1Co_16:3  When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; 
  34. 2Co_8:20  taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; 
  35. 2Co_9:5  So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful giftand not affected by covetousness. 
  36. 2Co_9:15  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 
  37. Eph_2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 
  38. Eph_3:7  of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 
  39. Eph_4:7  But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 
  40. Php_4:16  for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 
  41. Php_4:17  Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 
  42. 1Ti_4:14  Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 
  43. 2Ti_1:6  For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 
  44. Heb_2:4  God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. 
  45. Heb_5:1  For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 
  46. Heb_6:4  For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly giftand have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 
  47. Heb_8:3  For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 
  48. Heb_8:4  Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 
  49. Heb_9:9  which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 
  50. Heb_11:4  By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 
  51. Jas_1:17  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 
  52. 1Pe_4:10  As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 
  53. Rev_11:10  And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 

Step 2 - I uploaded to Grok the above 53 verses and asked Grok 3 a question

  • Question: "What the Bible Teaches About the Gifts God Gives to Us"
  • Grok 3 provided the answer below

1. God is the Source of All Good Gifts

  • Teaching: Every beneficial and perfect gift originates from God, reflecting His unchanging goodness. 
  • Evidence: 
    • James 1:17: "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." 
    • Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13: God, as a loving Father, gives good gifts—ultimately the Holy Spirit—to those who ask, surpassing human generosity.
  • Implication: God’s gifts are expressions of His character and love, freely given without human merit.

2. Material and Temporal Gifts

  • Teaching: God provides physical blessings as part of His care and favor. 
  • Examples: 
    • Psalm 127:3: "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." 
    • Ecclesiastes 3:13 and 5:19: The ability to enjoy labor, food, drink, riches, and wealth is a divine gift. 
    • Genesis 30:20: Leah sees her children as a "good gift" from God, enhancing her life.
  • Purpose: These gifts sustain life, bring joy, and demonstrate God’s provision, often tied to gratitude and stewardship.

3. Spiritual Gifts for Salvation and Service

  • Teaching: God’s most profound gifts are spiritual, aimed at redemption and equipping believers. 
  • Key Gifts: 
    • Salvation and Grace: 
      • Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." 
      • Romans 3:24, 5:15-17, 6:23: Justification, righteousness, and eternal life are free gifts through Christ, contrasting with the wages of sin (death).
    • The Holy Spirit: 
      • Acts 2:38, 10:45, 11:17: The Holy Spirit is a gift given to all who repent and believe, uniting Jews and Gentiles. 
      • Luke 11:13: God willingly gives the Spirit to those who ask.
    • Diverse Spiritual Gifts: 
      • Romans 12:6: "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly." 
      • 1 Corinthians 12:4-31: Varieties of gifts (e.g., prophecy, healing, tongues) come from the same Spirit for the church’s edification. 
      • Ephesians 4:7: Each believer receives grace according to Christ’s gift.
  • Purpose: These gifts reconcile humanity to God, empower believers for ministry, and build up the body of Christ.

4. Gifts Are Irrevocable and Personal

  • Teaching: God’s gifts are enduring and tailored to individuals. 
  • Evidence: 
    • Romans 11:29: "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." 
    • 1 Corinthians 7:7: "Each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that." 
    • 1 Peter 4:10: "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
  • Implication: God’s gifts are permanent and purposeful, requiring faithful use for His glory and others’ benefit.

5. Gifts Require Stewardship and Responsibility

  • Teaching: Recipients must use God’s gifts wisely, not neglect them, and employ them for divine purposes. 
  • Evidence: 
    • 1 Timothy 4:14: "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you." 
    • 2 Timothy 1:6: "Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you." 
    • 1 Corinthians 14:12: "Seek to abound [in spiritual gifts] for the edification of the church."
  • Warning: Misuse or rejection of gifts (e.g., trying to buy them, Acts 8:20) is condemned. 
  • Purpose: Gifts are tools for service, not personal gain, and their effectiveness grows with love (1 Corinthians 13:2).

6. Gifts Are Given Through Christ and the Spirit

  • Teaching: Jesus and the Holy Spirit mediate God’s gifts to humanity. 
  • Evidence: 
    • John 4:10: Jesus offers "the gift of God"—living water (salvation). 
    • Ephesians 4:7: Grace is given "according to the measure of Christ’s gift." 
    • Hebrews 2:4: Gifts of the Holy Spirit (signs, wonders, miracles) confirm God’s will.
  • Implication: Christ’s redemptive work and the Spirit’s empowerment are central to receiving and distributing God’s gifts.

7. Ultimate Purpose: Edification and Glory

  • Teaching: God’s gifts aim to strengthen believers, unify the church, and glorify Him. 
  • Evidence: 
    • 1 Corinthians 12:7 (implied context): Gifts are for the common good. 
    • 2 Corinthians 9:15: "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (Christ). 
    • Psalm 68:18: Gifts among men enable God to dwell with them.
  • Outcome: Gifts draw people closer to God and one another, reflecting His generosity.

Grok provided this summary 

The Bible teaches that God’s gifts to us are diverse—ranging from children and wealth to salvation, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual abilities. They originate from His unchanging goodness, are freely given through Christ and the Spirit, and are irrevocable. These gifts come with a call to stewardship, aiming to bless individuals, edify the church, and glorify God. Whether material or spiritual, they reflect His love and purpose for humanity, culminating in the "indescribable gift" of Jesus (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Step 3 - I utilize Bible Meditation

I take Grok's answer, and ponder and pray over it. I use two-way journaling allowing God to speak to me directly about what He wants me to see in the verses. I utilize steps found in this blog - Video: 7 Step Bible Meditation Process Explored)

Response I received from Pastor Peg Yarbrough when I sent the above to her

Thanks. I’ve been using Grok for a few months now and have come to the same conclusion.

What a phenomenal resource to lay things out in an outline fashion and even offer new insights. 

Grok comes from one of my favorite Sci-Fi books, Stranger in a Strange Land, about a “Jesus” figure coming to Earth.

"Stranger in a Strange Land" is a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, and "grok" is a word invented within the book that means to understand something deeply and intuitively, essentially to fully empathize and become one with the subject matter; it has become a widely used term in English due to the book's popularity

Mark Virkler: Pastor Peg's comment intreged me so ....

Pastor Peg’s second email to me…

Good morning! Even before my morning meditation/journaling, I started off reading your whole “Gifts” study.

It was like a honeycomb for the soul. I savored every insight. This research was so God inspired, and for me, in God’s timing.  It brought tears to my eyes and JOY to my soul. Living water. I don’t think I have ever seen the generosity, and goodness of God laid out in a simpler, more cogent format.

This whole study is SO antithetical to manmade RELIGION, rules, and regulations. And an amazing expression of the DEPTH and the RICHES of God’s love for His Children. I noticed how often children were mentioned as gifts. I suppose most folks think of their own children, which is beautiful. But as someone who has no physical offspring to raise, I also took in this to emphasize what a GIFT WE ARE to GodOur Father!  We are a gift He gave to Himself before He created the world! Wow!

So much Truth, simplified in this piece of research. It is feasting at Our Father’s table of Love!

Going deeper – combining the Bible and the Spirit through biblical meditation

  1. Video: 7 Step Bible Meditation Process Explored
  2. Hearing God Through Biblical Meditation
  3. My training module on: "The Art of Bible Meditation"
  4. E-Sword – "World’s Most Popular Bible Software" and It’s Free!

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