Former Atheist – Page 7 – Teach What is Good

When Not Seeing is Believing – 2025 Day 20 (John 20)

Published on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 20, John 20

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.”

But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

– John 20:24-31 ESV

When I was a teenage atheist, I refused to believe in anything I couldn’t see with my eyes, but now I see the many contradictions in my own worldview. Why did I believe my world history teacher when she taught about things that happened hundreds or even thousands of years ago? Why did I believe my chemistry teacher when he taught about how chemical elements worked?

At the time, my faith in an unseen, unknown event creating the universe seemed so intellectual and reasonable to me because I thought that the images of fossils and ape men I’d seen on TV and in my school textbooks were “scientific proof” of evolution. Now I’m astonished by the irony of my “faith” in evolution, which was just as much (if not more!) “a leap of faith” as my faith in Jesus now is. As a Christian, I’m believing the eyewitness testimonies of credible witnesses like John (John 19:35), but where are the eyewitnesses for evolutionary events?

Reading John 20, I noticed how John and Peter and Mary and Thomas believed because they saw.

I have such empathy for Thomas when I think about how much he had just been through. He just couldn’t fully trust his friends’ testimonies when they said, “We have seen the Lord.”

Judas, a fellow apostle, had just betrayed Jesus. Jesus, their messiah, had just been publicly beaten and executed on a Roman cross. And now Thomas has to figure out what is next for his life. How can you be a full-time disciple of someone who’s dead? Is this whole “Jesus is risen from the dead” thing real or just a hoax?

So Thomas demands, “Unless I see in his hands, the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Strong words. Strong demands. It’s not enough just to see the mark of the nails on Jesus’s hands. He has to place his own finger in those nail-pierced hands and place his own hand on His spear-pierced side. Merely seeing, apparently, is not believing, either.

And to think that Jesus then appeared to the disciples again when Thomas was there … And went directly to Thomas and gave him what he had requested. What a display of God’s grace and mercy and love!

And, even more so, what a blessing to have my own eyes opened, though I am among those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Will you pray with me?

Jesus, we are not worthy. I am not worthy. Thomas was not worthy.

With Thomas, we cry out, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus, You are not only our Messiah and Savior and Lord, but You are God. This is indeed the gift of faith, the precious, priceless gift to those who have not seen and yet believed.

Remembering the words of Hebrews 11:1, that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, we ask that You will open our eyes to have faith to be sure of what we hope for and fully convinced of the things that we have not seen, yet have read in Your Word. Help us to believe those eyewitness testimonies that have been passed down and preserved for us. Help us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that by believing we may have eternal life in His name.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

I Believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God – 2025 Day 11 (John 11)

Published on January 8, 2025January 7, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 11; John 11

“But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

– John 11:4

Like the man born blind in John 9:3, Lazarus’s illness was for the glory of God that the Son of God may be glorified in it.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”

– John 11:5-6

Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus… So he stayed away two days longer. God’s ways are not like ours. His timing is not like ours. He has bigger purposes than our ease and comfort. We must fix our eyes on him rather than our circumstances. Paul learned the secret of being content in all circumstances, that he could do all things through Christ who gave him strength. We can live likewise, and as we do Christ will be glorified in our lives.

“… for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe….”

– John 11:15

Lazarus’s life and death and healing aren’t just about him or even just about his own family. Jesus wants his disciples’ faith to be grown through this tragedy. We need to remember that our brothers and sisters in Christ are watching us and being either encouraged or discouraged by how we live.

“So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

– John 11:16

Thomas often has a reputation as the unbelieving disciple, the doubter, but here you see that he was willing to die for Jesus. We, too, as disciples of Christ have our ups and downs, our good moments and are bad moments. Praise the Lord that He knows our hearts, and that He is a just and righteous and all-knowing God who sees us through the cleansing blood of His Son.

“So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.”

– John 11:20

Martha, too, has a bad rap, known for complaining to Jesus for her sister to help her, yet she’s the one who ran out to meet Jesus while Mary stayed in the house. In fact, Martha is who Jesus was speaking to in John 11:25-27, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'” Mary and Martha each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and God can use both of them for His glory. Martha can learn from Mary, and Mary can learn from Martha, and we can learn from both of them!

I am so thankful God gave me an older sister who is both very different and very similar to me. We were both created in the image of God, but with very unique gifts and purposes.

“… I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”

– John 11:42

Jesus has purpose not only for Lazarus and his sisters, not only for His disciples, but also for the people standing around watching. My life isn’t just for myself, it’s not just for my family and friends, it’s not just for my brothers and sisters in Christ, it is also for those who are just standing around watching, my neighbors, the people at the grocery store, the people in the park, the people driving next to me on the street. Lord, be glorified in me!

Heavenly Father,

We pray that we will treasure up Your words in our hearts, calling out for insight and understanding, seeking wisdom like silver and searching for understanding as hidden treasure, that we will fear You and know You, that we might believe in You and trust You with all of our hearts.

Thank You for the truth that those who KNOW Your name put their trust in You for You, oh Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Help us to be wise, being careful who we listen to, and being careful how we live. Help us, Father, to remember that people are watching us – our children, our husbands, our parents, our brothers and sisters in Christ, those who are far away from you are watching us. We pray that our lives would testify to the truth of the gospel. We pray that people will see our good deeds and give glory to You, our Father in heaven.

Help us to have faith as a mustard seed that grows and multiplies and fills our cities and nations.

Help us to share the good news of the gospel, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world, that all might believe in Him and receive the gift of eternal life.

It is in the good and holy name of Jesus our Savior and Lord that we pray. Amen

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

The Way of Wisdom – 2025 Day 8 (John 8)

Published on January 5, 2025January 5, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 8, John 8

“”I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.

By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.”

– Proverbs 8:12-21 ESV

As an atheist, following my own ideas, all my ways were pride. I made my own rules based on what seemed right to me. And all it got me was misery. I was lost in my own sin and couldn’t find a way of escape. But God offers a way out through His Words of wisdom.

After reading Proverbs 8, I was reminded again of this truth while reading the story of the adulterous woman in John 8. God is simultaneously wise and gracious and merciful and holy and righteous. As His children and followers, He says “go, and from now on sin no more,” (John 8:11).

The older I get, the more I recognize my own sin. As a young adult, I thought I was so grown-up and good. God had changed me so much and brought me out of darkness and into light, but I still had so much to learn, so I found it particularly interesting to read John 8:7, 9, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her… and they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones.” The older we get, the more we should be able to see our own sin. The better we know the Word, the better we should recognize what terrible sinners we are! So many of my obvious, external sins are gone (by God’s grace!) but those more “respectable,” hidden sins of pride, malice, and covetousness lurk just beneath the surface.

Heavenly Father, You are God alone. You are the truth. Indeed, every word of God proves true and You are a shield to those who take refuge in You.

Hide us in the shelter of your wings. Help us to “go and sin no more.” Help us to hear You and follow You. We pray that we would come into the light that our works would be exposed, and we would be laid bare before you, so that we would repent, turning away from our sins and turning to Jesus, eternal God in human flesh.

Help us to recognize our own sin and our own need for a Savior. Help us to be among those who do not throw stones at our fellow sinners, but instead point them to the One who came that we would have life to the full.

Truly, Satan is a liar. He came to steal and kill and destroy. He is the prince of this world, the king of darkness. Help us to rescue those who are held in his snare. We pray that the eyes of many would be opened so that they would see You, the author and creator of our faith.

It is in the matchless name of Jesus our Lord and Savior that we pray. Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Believing from a Testimony … Believing from the Word – 2025 Day 3 (John 3:1-4:45)

Published on December 31, 2024January 4, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 3; John 3:1-4:45

“Many Samaritans from that town believed in him (Jesus) because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.'”
John 4:39-42 ESV

Heavenly Father,

Please make me truly wise. I don’t want to merely read Your Word to grow in knowledge about You like someone researching the life and times of C.S. Lewis or Albert Einstein. I want to know You – personally, deeply, mightily. I want to sit at Your feet and drink deeply of Your lifegiving Word. I want to worship what I know, who I know.

I need insight and understanding and instruction. I need my mind renewed. Here I am. I want to see and taste that You are indeed good.

I want Your springs of living water to flow in me and through me. Help me to decrease, and You to increase, in my life. I want to be about my Father’s business. Make me a true worshiper, worshiping you in spirit and truth and helping other to know You, too.

Help me to be one who welcomes in the outcast, who notices the forgotten and neglected, who has to go through Samaria because there’s someone there that You want me to meet. I pray that my eyes will be open to the people in front of me, and that my ears will be open to Your voice prompting me, “This is the way, walk in it. This is the one, talk to her. These are the words, say them.”

Lord, I’m asking You to encourage my Chinese brothers and sisters. Help them to know that you see them and hear them and know them. Help them to dig into Your Word and find pearls of great worth, gold of great price, and diamonds of great value. We want You to be our greatest joy.

Father, help me to help others to sit at Your feet day after day and be transformed by the reading of Your Word. May my food be to do Your will. Send me to accomplish Your Work to the glory of Your Name.

In the Name of Jesus Christ who is my only Lord and Savior. Amen.

Click here for more on “Reading through the Bible in Two Years”.

Resurrection Sunday – Preaching a Gospel of Repentance and Forgiveness

Published on March 31, 2024March 31, 2024 by kendraskeLeave a comment

He’s Alive – Don Francisco

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”

Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Matthew 3:1-12 ESV

As he [Jesus] said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.“
Luke 11:27-32 ESV

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him [Jesus] both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Acts 2:36-39 ESV

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.

Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Acts 17:24-31 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
Romans 2:4-8 ESV

Mark 16: God’s Word is Trustworthy and True

Published on March 19, 2024March 27, 2024 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 16

When Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome arrive at Jesus’s tomb, they were alarmed to see the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. They discovered an angel sitting in the tomb who said to them,

“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
Mark 16:6-7 ESV

This week in my study of Joshua for Community Bible Study, I’ve been thinking a lot about telling the truth. That led me to thinking about God and His Word being 100% true and trustworthy. And like my March 17 post, here we have it again, Jesus tells the truth. He is trustworthy. He isn’t like Lucy with Charlie Brown and a football, saying one thing, only to change His mind a minute later. If God said it, you can believe it.

“Every word of God proves true.” (Proverbs 30:5a)

If you want to have your faith strengthened, take a little time today to watch this video titled “Jericho Unearthed” from Expedition Bible about the archaeological findings at Jericho.

Heavenly Father, You have told us what is true. You have given us Your Word that we might know You and follow You by faith, being fully convinced of what we cannot see. You are trustworthy and Your Word is true. Strengthen us to believe You and obey You, even when it’s hard and even when it’s scary. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ who is the truth, the life, and the only way to You. Amen.

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