Michael Carruthers’ Post

Week 34 Transformational Challenge Scripture Reading 1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Reflection God knows that not everything that is said is worth listening to. People love to give their opinions while having no understanding of the situation. Now, it doesn’t mean not to listen but make sure that what is being said lines up with what God has said in His word. The Bible says that a wise man listens to advice (Proverbs 12:15). And in Proverbs 11:14 we’re told, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” And so, we can and should listen to others. but we must be discerning about what we hear. To discern means we need to ask if what we’re hearing seems right, helpful and fully consistent with God’s word. If not, then toss it out, because 99 percent truth is still a lie. Prayer and Contemplation Consider what Bible is saying, meditate upon it, and listen to what God is saying to you.  And then let the Holy Spirit help you to follow and walk in it. 

Tips for Understanding the Bible 1. The Bible is About God Not Just Us The Idea of reading the Bible is not just so you can read it, but so you can fall in love with the Author. 2. Read the Bible Regularly Reading a Bible verse every once in a while is fine if you also take the time to read the Bible more in depth other times.Charles Spurgeon once said, "The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.” 3. Understand what you read Sometimes, the solution to this can be as simple as changing the translation of the Bible you choose to use. The best Bible translation to choose is the one you'll read. 4. Read With the Holy Spirit Before you begin reading, invite the Holy Spirit to open your understanding of the Word and to bring greater clarity of what He meant. 5. Use the Right Bible Techniques What you are reading is always determined by the Author and it has to be discovered by you. Tools like study Bibles and commentaries can help, but our main desire is that the Scripture interprets Scripture (Acts 17:11). 6. Get Rid of Spiritual Blockages If you feel spiritual resistance, I would encourage you to talk to a pastor or mentor who knows how to do deliverance and begin to resist spiritual attacks.

The Bible: God’s Voice Today If you long for God to speak to you, make time in His Word a habit. December 28, 2024 2 Timothy 3:16-17 In biblical times, God spoke in many dramatic ways. Although He still speaks today, some of His methods have changed. He doesn’t speak with an audible voice or send an angel every time He has something to say to us. The primary way our Father speaks to us today is through His written Word. His Holy Spirit breathed divine truth upon the minds of certain men and inspired them perfectly to write it down (2 Tim. 3:16). Not a single thing is missing. The Bible is God’s way of speaking to our pressing needs, concerns, heartaches, and worries. So often when trouble strikes, we turn to other sources, perhaps talking to a friend or counselor. All of that is well and good, and the Father does indeed speak through godly men and women. But the first resource we should consult is His Word. If you pick up the Bible only when you have a question or emergency in your life, you’ll never get the big picture of what God wants to say to you. Scripture is a treasure trove of God’s thoughts. Spend time there every day—starting today—mining it for new truths and insights. Bible in One Year: Revelation 5-8

THE PILGRIMS GUIDE THURSDAY APRIL 11, 2024 TAKING A TEXT OUT OF CONTEXT A WORD FROM THE WORD: "But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God." Matthew 22:29 ESV. To understand the context of a Bible verse, you will need to read the surrounding verses, considering historical and cultural backgrounds, and bringing these in alignment with the rest of the Scripture. This, by and large makes it less likely for you to misunderstand the intended message and teachings of God's word. Taking a text taken out of context is capable of becoming a pretext for a distorted message or a jaundiced personal agenda. It can be a source of confusion, doubt, or spiritual harm. Let us therefore maintain vigilance and remain responsible in handling and interpreting Scripture. A humble and teachable heart is essential to laying hold of God's word. We must approach the Bible with reverence and enthusiasm, opening ourselves to the Holy Spirit to make brighter our understanding.  As we study diligently, God reveals His truth, giving us wisdom, guidance, and transforming our lives. Remember that the goal of studying the Scriptures is not to merely gain intellectual knowledge but to encounter the Living God, who is revealed in the pages. It is through genuine understanding that we grow closer to God, develop a deeper relationship with Him, and fulfil His purposes in our lives. PRAYER BULLETS: ABBA Father, grant me wisdom as I study the Scriptures, to humbly seek Your guidance and illumination of the Holy Spirit. Grant that I may be diligent in seeking proper understanding, not for the sake of pride or knowledge but to grow closer to You and be transformed by Your word. FURTHER READING: 2 Timothy 2:15; Philippians 4:11-13. __________________________________________ © Amaobi Nwachukwu 2024. If you are blessed by this, please, do share with others. #PilgrimsGuide

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God: Part 1 -- a Bill's Bible Basics video Article Title: Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God: Part 1 Written by: Bill Kochman Published by: Bill's Bible Basics First Published on: August 10, 2000 https://lnkd.in/gEwKmueg Through an examination of the Scriptures, this two-part article teaches us that we must seek first the Kingdom of God, and not be sidetracked by the temptations of filthy lucre, materialism and worldliness. https://lnkd.in/g9ynWwy5

ONE YEAR PRAYING THROUGH THE BIBLE MAY 24 Treasuring Your Truth Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law. I am but a foreigner here on earth; I need the guidance of your commands. Don’t hide them from me! I am overwhelmed continually with a desire for your laws. Psalm 119:17-20 Have you ever found yourself skimming rapidly over your daily portion of Bible reading to get that task mentally checked off your list? In contrast, the psalmist longed to know the wonderful truths in God’s laws and to obey them. He understood his need for God’s commands and was consumed with a desire for them. We may not always share the psalmist’s hunger and enthusiasm, but we have Psalm 119, where almost every verse describes the greatness of God’s Word. It instructs us, encourages us, and shows us the path of life. Much more than just an intellectual challenge, the living words of Scripture are our foundation for prayer and lead us to the Father’s heart. If God’s Word seems dry and less than “wonderful,” maybe it’s because you’re leaving the Holy Spirit out of your reading time. Ask him to open your spiritual eyes to perceive and understand the wonderful truths in the Word of God. He won’t disappoint you! PRAYER: LORD, Christian brothers and sisters all over the world long to have your Word to read but do not have it. What a privilege to be able to read it anytime I like. Open my eyes, and grant me wisdom to see and understand the wonderful truths in your law! Let me never take your Word for granted. Help me to treasure it and meditate on it day and night. IF WE WISH TO PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE AND GLADNESS, THEN THE WORDS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE WILL HAVE TO BE THE SOLID BASIS OF OUR PRAYER. THE WORDS WHICH COME FROM GOD BECOME, THEN, THE STEPS ON WHICH WE FIND OUR WAY TO GOD. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) The One Year Bible Readings for today are 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23; John 13:31-14:14; Psalm 119:17-32; and Proverbs 15:31-32.

The next time someone tells you that the Bible is just a book written by man, show them this. This is a graph of all cross references in the Bible. A total of 63,779 cross references. If one man wrote a book that articulate, he would be considered the greatest composer the world has ever known. But the Bible wasn’t written by one man. It was written by 40 men, most of whom never met each other. It was written in 3 different languages. On three different continents. Over a period of 1,500 years. Without divine inspiration that’s absolutely impossible. The Bible isn’t just a book. It’s 66 books that men wrote under the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s the living Word of God! Read it, study it, and apply it! 🔥🔥🔥#CHANGEYOURPERSPECTIVE AND #TRUST IN #YESHUA.🔥🔥🔥 🔥#TRUTHFUL (STEP 1) 🔥#RELATIONAL (STEP 2) 🔥#UNASHAMED (STEP 3) 🔥#SERVITUDE (STEP 4) 🔥#TRANSPARENCY (STEP 5) @highlight @everyone @followers

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God: Part 1 -- a Bill's Bible Basics video Article Title: Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God: Part 1 Written by: Bill Kochman Published by: Bill's Bible Basics First Published on: August 10, 2000 https://lnkd.in/gEwKmueg Through an examination of the Scriptures, this two-part article teaches us that we must seek first the Kingdom of God, and not be sidetracked by the temptations of filthy lucre, materialism and worldliness. https://lnkd.in/gCKgsCXs

Week 28 Transformational Challenge Scripture Reading (Proverbs 18:15) “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Reflection Knowledge is having information to be able to then apply wisdom, that is, knowing what to do with the information at hand. It means to have the ability to discern the signs of the times and to then judge between what is true and what is false. So, wisdom comes from learning the truth and then applying it to our present and future. Where does such truth lie? God! He is the source of all truth, and then through His word gives us the wisdom to know what to do with it. And a wise and prudent person will constantly seek to know the truth, and by that truth be set free. So, let’s take the advice of Proverbs 23:23 that says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Prayer and Contemplation Consider that Jesus says, meditate upon it, and listen to what He is saying to you and in the cross He has called us to bear.  And then let the Holy Spirit help you to follow and walk in it. 

Metaphysical Bible Dictionary (the Revealing Word) A abate--To lessen; to moderate. In making a demonstration, when we reach the point where the mind changes from the negative to the positive state the troubled thoughts begin to abate. A certain set of negative ideas has run its course, and the restorative thought forces are in evidence. Abba--A word of endearment signifying father. It is only as we come to know our sonship, our true relation to God, that we enter into the consciousness of love and tender affiliation with Spirit, signified by the word Abba. (see Mark 14:36) abdicate--To let go; to relinquish; to renounce. The ability to abdicate is twofold in action: it eliminates the error, and it expands the good. When the ego consciously lets go and willingly gives up its personal ideas and loves, it has fulfilled the law of denial and is restored to the Father's house. abide--To continue in a fixed thought of God, the All-Good; to dwell in the Christ consciousness. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). #BookRecommendation #GoodReads #Books #ReadingList #BookCommunity #BookLovers #Bookworm #NowReading #BookClub #Inspiration #Motivation #GrowthMindset #LifelongLearning #ThoughtProvoking #MustRead #BookOfTheDay #WeekendReads #PageTurner #TopPicks https://lnkd.in/gc-ksMJt