Blog – Barbara Lynn Seibel

September 20, 2026

Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Three

What jumps to your mind when you hear the words cultural or social influence?

Where would you place yourself on a scale of cultural or social influence?

With the tools of social media and AI, influence is a rapidly and swiftly changing landscape today.

But even with all this technological innovation that is sweeping across our collective cultures, we still need to consider our personal interactions with people, whether physically or digitally. This makes us a culture maker, not just an influencer.

Today’s passage reveals that we can get things terribly wrong, but if we listen to Christ’s words and hold fast to Him, we can be conquerors for His glory in every area.

September 13, 2026September 14, 2026

Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Two

As a child, who encouraged you the most?

A parent? Sibling? Friend?

Why did you need their encouragement at the time?

How about as an adult?

Is there someone in your life who encourages you more than anyone else?

Why do you find that person so encouraging?

When do you find you need the most encouragement?

Today’s study passage shares Christ’s encouraging words to his followers in Smyrna (modern Izmir).

Christ’s words reveal his presence, God’s control, and a reminder of our eternal reward as His followers.

August 30, 2026September 12, 2026

Responding to Christ’s Review | Part One

Responding to Christ's Review A Study of Revelation 2:1-7

Have you ever heard of SMART goals?

Many workplaces use SMART goals to assist their employees in setting goals for the coming year and to assess the previous one.

Meeting these SMART goals often leads to a raise percentage following one’s annual review.

Here is what the acronym SMART stands for:

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T= Timely

As you study today’s passage, keep these goals in mind.

August 23, 2026September 12, 2026

Seeing Through John’s Vision

My home church currently has an art exhibit featuring the works of illustrator Tim Davis, who created over 600 images for the beloved Hidden Pictures feature in Highlights magazine from 1994 to 2014.

Some illustrations are quite complex in the imagery.

But it is fun for kids and adults alike to find the artist’s hidden images as one studies each work.

If you’re in the area, I encourage you to come by and see for yourself. The exhibit is up through September.

Our study passage today is also full of interesting imagery that brings great comfort and awe as one looks for the connections throughout the rest of scripture.

I pray you too will find great illumination from this study of Revelation 1:9-20.

August 16, 2026September 12, 2026

What God Chose to Reveal

Revelation.

When you hear that word, what comes immediately to mind?

Is it something positive or negative?

Does the word make you feel hopeful or skeptical?

In Christian circles, this word often recalls the Book of Revelation.

This book often stirs controversy, frustration, and even obsession with predicting the return of Christ.

But if we take time to study the first eight verses, I believe we learn God chose to reveal something other than controversy, frustration, or even obsession.

August 9, 2026August 9, 2026

How Do We Learn About God?

My teaching philosophy is that to help another person learn, I must be able to communicate the subject in a variety of ways.

Why is this important to me when I teach something?

Because I recognize that some of us learn in different ways.

Some prefer to learn by reading.

Others learn best by listening.

Still others learn best by doing.

And there are more ways than this to learn.

But the question before us today is: how do we learn about God?

Join me in a study of Psalm 19 to discover how King David answered this question.

August 2, 2026August 4, 2026

How Do We Benefit from God?

Merriam-Webster.com defines a benefit as something that produces good or helpful results, effects, or promotes well-being.

What benefit comes to your mind first, given that definition?

Perhaps your mind leaps first to the financial or medical benefits one receives from an employer.

Or are you thinking about healthy lifestyle activities that benefit you physically, mentally, and emotionally?

Maybe a strong network of friends and family struck you first.

What else would you list as a benefit based on the definition above?

King David from the Old Testament reveals his perspective on the greatest benefit of all.

Join me in studying Psalm 16 today.

July 26, 2026July 25, 2026

Brazen Rebellion, Consequences and Humility

At one point when I was in high school, I refused to attend worship services with my parents.

I claimed all I saw was hypocrisy and argued that there was nothing at these worship services for me.

After a period, my mother asked if I would at least play through some hymns while they were at church.

I agreed to do this, not because my heart was humbled towards the Lord, but because I knew that playing four-part hymns would improve my sightreading skills as a pianist.

God drew me back to attending worship with my parents through the words of the hymns I played.

During a time of silent prayer, the first time I was back at corporate worship, I distinctly heard His still small voice say, “You belong here.”

A single tear fell down my cheek at that moment.

I will never forget that day.

Today’s study looks at the journey of a king of Judah whose heart also needed humbling.

July 19, 2026July 18, 2026

Pride, Humility, and Consequences

What is pride?

It can be seen as reasonable self-esteem or confidence and satisfaction in oneself. In other words, self-respect.

Another positive trait of pride can be a pleasure that comes from some relationship, association, achievement, or possession that is seen as a source of honor, respect, etc.

But when it turns into exaggerated self-esteem or conceit, pride is definitely negative.

What is humility?

Merriam-Webster.com defines humility as freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble.

The opposite of the negative definition of pride.

What are consequences?

Consequences are something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions.

Today’s study looks at an example of pride, humility, and the consequences of both in the life of Hezekiah.

July 12, 2026July 11, 2026

Human Armies versus a Single Angel

In our natural state, it is easy to be overwhelmed by what looks like an intimidating display of strength and power.

Today, we are looking at a passage that is a review of events also found in 2 Kings 18-19.

Both passages report how a massive human army was overpowered and conquered by a single angel sent by the Lord.

Read on for insights that will encourage your own faith journey as you and others encounter challenges in your own lives.