5. How to Read the Bible & Trust It: Manuscripts, Credibility, Misconceptions, and Growing Closer to God

5. How to Read the Bible & Trust It: Manuscripts, Credibility, Misconceptions, and Growing Closer to God

There’s no shortage of voices telling you what to think—podcasts, social media, AI—yet clarity around God feels harder than ever. At some point, you have to decide what you’re actually going to trust. This episode breaks down how to read the Bible in a way that leads to understanding, not overwhelm. It walks through why Scripture has credibility—from manuscript evidence to consistency across time—and clears up common misconceptions, especially around “missing books” and whether anything has been changed. But the real tension isn’t just intellectual. It’s personal. Because if the Bible is true, it doesn’t just inform your life—it confronts it. There’s a simple, practical way to approach Scripture without getting lost in translations, opinions, or endless content. It requires slowing down, paying attention, and letting it speak for itself instead of filtering it through everything else. This is about moving from consuming more information… to actually knowing what’s true—and letting it shape how you live. At some point, the question shifts. Not “can I understand this?” But “am I willing to be changed by it?” WHAT WE COVER * How to read the Bible in a way that actually leads to clarity and growth * Why Scripture is considered reliable (manuscripts, historical consistency, and evidence) * The truth about “missing books” and why that conversation often distracts from what matters * How the canon of Scripture was formed—and why certain books were rejected * Common misconceptions that keep people confused, skeptical, or stuck * Why the Bible can feel hard to understand (and what’s really behind that) * A simple framework for reading Scripture without overwhelm * How to navigate Bible translations without losing the meaning * The subtle ways distraction, doubt, and distortion pull you away from truth * The deeper question most people avoid: what would actually need to change if this is true? * How to move from just reading the Bible… to genuinely growing closer to God through it Connect with me here [https://www.instagram.com/natashakredl/] Check out Be The Church 624 [https://www.bethechurch624.com/]

4. New Age Lies That Sound Empowering… But Aren’t

In this episode of the Restored Podcast, I share my journey from years in New Age practices to finding truth in Jesus Christ. I break down 4 common New Age beliefs—like “you are the creator,” following your emotions, manifestation, and “you deserve it all”—and explain why they kept me stuck instead of free. Backed by scripture and real-life experience, this conversation dives into surrender, identity, healing, and what it truly means to be restored by God. Whether you’re curious, questioning, or growing in your faith, this episode will challenge what you’ve been told and offer a deeper truth. Connect with me on instagram @natashakredl

3. Feeling Called to Jesus but Resisting Him? This Is For You.

What does it mean when I feel drawn to Jesus—but something in me resists fully saying yes? In this episode of Embers of Grace, I’m speaking directly to the person who feels the call of Christ but also carries confusion, hesitation, or resistance—often rooted in church hurt, religious performance, or past spiritual experiences. I share parts of my own story and what I keep hearing in conversations lately: “I feel called to Jesus, but I don’t understand it—and I have resistance. What do I do?” I open up about my background with Catholicism (and the “performance” feeling I carried), and I speak specifically to the person who didn’t experience intimacy with Jesus through religion—only pressure, shame, or confusion. I also share how, in my own journey, I didn’t understand at first that “God” in New Age spirituality and the one true God of the Bible are not the same. This episode is for you if: * You feel spiritually exhausted by self-help or New Age practices * You’ve experienced church hurt and don’t want religion—but you do want God * You’re afraid of surrender because control has felt like safety * You feel Jesus tugging at your heart, but you don’t know where to begin I talk about how Jesus doesn’t ask me to clean myself up first. He invites me to come as I am—without condemnation—and then He transforms me over time. I also explain why grace produces repentance (not the other way around), and how God often leads us gently, step by step, into freedom. KEY TOPICS COVERED * Why resistance often shows up when I’m being called closer to Jesus * Religion vs. relationship: what intimacy with Christ actually looks like * Why I couldn’t follow both New Age spirituality and Jesus * How conviction and transformation can happen gradually * Why I don’t have to “fix myself” before I come to Jesus * Grace produces repentance: what repentance really means * Submission as relief (not loss) when I’m tired of carrying my life alone * How God changes desires, appetites, and attachments over time * Why peace and order are signs of alignment with the God of the Bible SCRIPTURE REFERENCED * John 8:11 – “Neither do I condemn you… go and sin no more.” * Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” * Romans 2:4 – “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” REFLECTION QUESTIONS * Where do I feel drawn to Jesus—but still resistant? * What am I afraid will happen if I fully surrender control? * Are there practices, beliefs, or identities I’m holding onto that compete with Christ? * What would it look like to simply come to Jesus honestly—without pretending I’m fine? PRAYER (FROM THE EPISODE) “Lord, I surrender. Reveal Yourself to me. I don’t know what this looks like, but I know I want You in my life. Help me trust You. Help me with my unbelief. Help me with my resistance. Show me Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.” If this episode resonated, message me on Instagram @NatashaKrel and tell me what stood out. And if someone came to mind while listening, share this episode with them—be the person who helps them take one step closer to Jesus. If you enjoyed this conversation, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more people find Embers of Grace as this podcast grows.

2. Who Is Jesus and Why Does He Matter?

If you believe in God, feel spiritually connected, or have explored New Age spirituality—but still sense something missing—this episode is for you. In this episode of Embers of Grace, I share the Gospel as I understand it so far, directly through Scripture, in a way that’s simple, honest, and grounded. I’m not a theologian or pastor—I’m someone who spent years in spiritual seeking, personal growth, and New Age belief systems… and eventually had to wrestle with one unavoidable question: Who is Jesus—and why does He matter if we want to be close to God? This episode walks through the core story of the Bible using Scripture (NLT), explaining: * why humanity’s problem isn’t just behavior, but separation from God * what sin actually is and why it matters * why being a “good person” or spiritually awakened isn’t enough * who Jesus Christ truly is according to the Bible * why Jesus is the only way back into relationship with God * how salvation works—believing in your heart, confessing with your mouth, and receiving Jesus as Lord * what repentance really means (and what it doesn’t) * and how anyone, from any background, can begin following Jesus today I also address common questions many spiritually curious people ask: * If I already feel connected to God, why do I need Jesus? * If my life is good, why would I need salvation? * Can the Bible actually be trusted? If you’re coming from a New Age, spiritual-but-not-religious, or deconstruction background—I get it. I’ve been there. This isn’t about fear, performance, or religion. It’s about truth, relationship, and coming home. This episode is not meant to answer everything. It’s meant to open the door.

1. New Age Deceived Me & Why I Chose to Follow Christ.

This episode is a quiet beginning. In this first conversation, I share my personal journey of being drawn out of New Age spirituality and into a living, relational faith with Jesus Christ—not through pressure, performance, or fear, but through grace that met me exactly where I was. This isn’t a how-to, a debate, or a call to “do more.” It’s a testimony. A slow unfolding of questions I carried, resistance I felt, misconceptions I believed, and the moments where the Word of God began to come alive—not as information, but as breath. The Bible speaks of the breath of God giving life to dry bones. In the same way, this episode reflects on how even the smallest embers of grace within us—curiosity, longing, doubt, hunger—can be stirred into living fire when met with truth. Wherever you find yourself on your journey—skeptical, searching, returning, or simply listening—you are welcome here. You don’t need to have it figured out. You don’t need the right language. You don’t need to arrive polished or certain. Sometimes all that’s needed is an ember… and the breath of God. You can email me at natasha.mkredl@gmail.com or on instagram @natashakredl.