Through the Bible for Skeptics and Seekers

Jesus goes to the pool of Bethesda which the people thought had healing powers. Jesus sees a man who had never been able to walk and asks him: “Do you want to get well?” The man makes excuses and blames others including Jesus after he was healed. The religious leaders are more concerned that he is carrying his mat on the Sabbath than amazed that he can walk! Sometimes we don’t get well because we...

Just after promising that anyone who believes will receive eternal life, Jesus goes to a region considered beyond redemption by the most religious Jews. He goes into Samaria and Jesus stops at a well. While the disciples are getting some food, he has a conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and offers her “the living water.” Through word-of-mouth, many Samaritans believe! #newtestam...

In the dark, Nicodemus comes to talk to Jesus. As a member of the ruling council he has a great deal to lose if he’s seen with Jesus, but he has to talk to him because of the miracles. Jesus tells him to experience the Kingdom of God requires being “born again.” The problem is that people choose darkness over the light. Too often, we choose to hold on to our power and our ways rather than to surre...

A wedding celebration runs out of wine, and Mary asks Jesus to get involved. He turns the water into the most delicious wine. The first sign shows Jesus brings quality to life. Jesus goes to the Temple courts and clears out the corrupt money changers who create barriers for people to experience God. #newtestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #postchristian #postchristianworld #deconstructing #recon...

“In the beginning was the Word….” John declares that Jesus was there at creation and was God with us. Some began to follow Jesus including Nathaniel who Jesus knew had been praying under a fig tree before they ever met in person. #newtestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #postchristian #postchristianworld #deconstructing #reconstructing #christianity #christian

What if there is something more to life? What if we can find the peace, joy, and love we’ve been searching for in the midst of the busy and crazy world in which we live? Whether you are skeptical about God, searching for God, or already following God, I want to invite you to join me in reading through an eyewitness account of the life of Jesus starting on April 9th - on Easter! Just 1 chapter a da...

If people who saw Jesus alive, after his crucifixion struggled with doubts, there’s no need to worry when we have doubts! There is a great deal of proof concerning the resurrection of Jesus. Even still, with all the evidence out there, following Jesus still requires a step of faith! All relationships require a step of faith. For me, the greatest evidence has been my own experience with Jesus. If y...

After being betrayed, arrested, and beaten, Jesus faces the religious leaders and government officials. Even as most religious leaders, most soldiers, most of the crowd, and one of the criminals oppose Jesus there is one religious leader (Joseph of Arimathea), one soldier, some of the crowd, and one of the criminals who believe in Him. To understand who Jesus is, simply start with praying somethin...

The men closest to Jesus betray Him, deny Him, fall asleep on Him, and abandon Him. One even resorts to violence. Jesus even pray that Peter’s faith would not fail, yet he gives into the temptation. We shouldn’t view the disciples so harshly when their faith fails. We also shouldn’t worry about our faith failing because we have access to the Holy Spirit and God is quick to forgive when we confess....

Jesus predicts that destruction is coming. Prophecy can be difficult to understand because sometimes Jesus or the prophet is talking about the immediate future and sometimes about the very end of times and sometimes both all in the same paragraph. “But this passage, though vital in its specific reference to that first generation, has a good deal to say to the subsequent church as well….” N.T. Wrig...

In Luke 20 there were several religious leaders and others on their side trying to trap Jesus with their questions rather than sincerely wanting to learn from Him. Time after time Jesus knew exactly how to respond. He would often respond with a question. Sometimes he would respond with a parable. Other times he spoke with boldness and directly to them. We need to ask questions, are we trying to ge...

What seemed impossible in the previous chapter now happens in Luke 19 as a wealthy man named Zaccheus chooses to follow Jesus. Jesus tells a parable about being trustworthy with a few things in order to gain more responsibility. Jesus enters Jerusalem and is hailed as the King and the One who will bring peace. He clears out the money changers in the Temple courts because they were getting in the w...

Jesus shares a parable about a persistent widow. If an injust judge will listen, how much more will God bring justice when we come to Him day and night? We discover those who are humble and willing to follow Jesus are made with God like the tax collector and those willing to leave their family and unlike the religious leader and the wealthy man. A blind man persists in asking Jesus for healing, an...

Jesus describes how those who follow Him should maker personal sacrifices to avoid causing others to stumble. They should be known for their humility and willingness to forgive. Jesus healed some people instantly, but others had to go on a journey. Faith the size of a mustard seed is all we need to change the world. The Kingdom of God is within our grasp! We can partner with God to bring more of h...

Jesus tells a parable about a Rich Man and Lazarus in which the Rich Man ends up in Hades and Lazarus ends up in the presence of God. Interestingly the Rich Man doesn’t want to leave but wants Lazarus to come to him to ease his suffering even though the Rich Man never tried to ease Lazarus’ suffering. We experience glimpses of heaven and hell on earth all the time. God has a plan to end all suffer...

God pursues those who do not know Him like the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to find the one lost one. He’s like the woman who searches everywhere in her house to find the lost coin. He’s like the father of the prodigal son who comes home. We can be found and have the home we have always longed to have. #NewTestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #deconstructing #reconstructing #deconstructingchr...

Jesus shares a parable about a great banquet where many of the people invited make excuses so they don’t come. How often do we miss out on something great because we hold onto an excuse? Too often we would rather stay with what we know rather than step out in faith into the unknown. #NewTestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #deconstructing #reconstructing #deconstructingchristianity #reconstructin...

Jesus reframes the misconception that bad things only happen to bad people. Bad things happen because there is evil in this broken world. Even faith the size of a tiny mustard seed can grow and spread beyond what we can imagine! Faith requires the humility of acknowledging we need God’s help, His forgiveness, and His leadership. #NewTestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #deconstructing #reconstruc...

We have no reason to fear or worry in this life because God will provide for us much like he cares for the lilies of the field and birds of the air. Our money and resources are gifts from God. We are invited to trust Him with what we’ve been given - being rich with God and generous with others rather than selfish with our money. #NewTestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #deconstructing #reconstruc...

Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. It’s a very simple yet potent prayer. We can come to God with our needs and grow our relationship with Him. A model for prayer is A.C.T.S. - Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Solicitation #NewTestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #deconstructing #reconstructing #deconstructingchristianity #reconstructingfaith #postchristianworld #postchristian

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” All followers of Jesus are invited to bring more of heaven to earth! We don’t need to try to convert anyone that’s not interested, but instead look for “persons of peace” – those who are searching, and they are all around us. We need to focus on God rather than the evil all around us. We need to be more like the good Samaritan, who offered mercy...

Following Jesus means He is our highest priority. All other parts of our lives flow from that level of surrender and devotion. We are willing to die to self every day. Ironically, if you learn to become more like Jesus you will be a more loving, devoted, and selfless family member, friend, and neighbor. #NewTestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #deconstructing #reconstructing #deconstructingchrist...

Jesus explains that some have access to the knowledge of the secrets of this new Kingdom but many don’t have eyes to see or ears to hear. In other words, they do not have an open heart or an open mind. We can have access to the secrets of the Kingdom of God as part of His family, those who hear God’s Word and put into practice! Free assessment and overview of Fruitful: Becoming Who God Created You...

Jesus heals a Roman Centurion’s servant and brings back to life a young man who had died! John the Baptist wants this miracle worker to get him out of jail. Jesus reminds the crowd that John prepared the way for the Messiah. An immoral woman demonstrates tremendous gratitude to Jesus by washing his feet with her tears and perfume. The people were offended by her whereas Jesus offers her hope and f...

Jesus gets pushback from the religious leaders for not following the man-made rules associated with the Sabbath. Instead he heals a man with a shriveled hand! Jesus chooses 12 apostles among his many disciples and then describes life as part of the New Israel, the New Kingdom! #NewTestament #Jesus #faith #spirituality #deconstructing #reconstructing #deconstructingchristianity #reconstructingfaith...