History - Barbara Lynn Seibel

March 22, 2026March 21, 2026

Responding to Fire from Heaven

At first glance, the title above probably sounds scary.

Fire is a powerful energy that is often used for cooking and warmth.

It is also something that can destroy everything in its path when not properly contained.

Biblically, the passage we’re studying together today is talking about a different fire.

It is a fire that represents and reveals the Lord to us.

As we study together, keep in mind how we should respond to the Lord today, considering the Israelites’ way of responding to fire from heaven.

March 8, 2026March 7, 2026

Learning Who God Is in Evil Times

No matter where you live in the world, there are bound to be moments, seasons, or even years when evil appears to have the upper hand.

Wars and other atrocities have peppered the globe and will continue to do so.

Knowing this sobering reality, how can we learn who God is in these evil times?

Join me in a study of the life of Manasseh, a king of Judah from the Old Testament, with the biblical reputation of being the evilest king ever.

February 15, 2026February 14, 2026

Who’s Really in Charge?

Consider for a moment the stories that get the most attention in our local, national, and international news outlets or social media.

How often are the headlines positive versus negative?

Why do you think this is the case?

Do you know who’s really in charge, regardless of the story garnering the headlines of our day?

Now consider how your family or friends talk about the situations they are experiencing in their personal lives.

How do they portray their situations? Positively? Negatively?

What helps you know whether they are aware of who’s really in charge of their situation?

February 8, 2026February 3, 2026

The Best Response to Trouble

A Study of 2 Kings 19:1-19

How do you respond to trouble when it arrives on your doorstep?

Are you quick to crumble or stand firm?

Does it depend on the type of trouble?

Why do you think you are prone either way?

Today we will study King Hezekiah’s response to the psychological warfare he and the residents of Jerusalem experienced from the King of Assyria.

I believe King Hezekiah’s response is the best response to trouble.

February 1, 2026January 31, 2026

Have You Experienced Psychological Warfare?

Merriam-Webster.com defines psychological warfare as things that are done to make some (such as an enemy or opponent) become less confident or to feel hopeless, afraid, etc.

This type of behavior can be overt or subtle.

Have you ever experienced psychological warfare?

How did you respond to it?

Have you ever practiced psychological warfare on another person?

How did they respond to you?

Today we will study a passage that provides an example of psychological warfare as practiced by the military officers of the King of Assyria against King Hezekiah of Jerusalem, even though Hezekiah had already paid him a financial tribute.

January 25, 2026January 24, 2026

Are You Ready for Reformation?

At the beginning of the new year, many of us set new goals for ourselves.

Often those goals involve reforming previous habits or goals that we succumbed to over the previous year(s). Examples include changing our diet, starting or revising our exercise routine, and saving more finances.

Many start strong at the beginning of a new year but quickly fall away from their goals before the month is even over.

But one doesn’t have to set these goals only at the beginning of the year.

These types of goals are useful any time of year.

The key is to think less about the year and focus on each day’s habits.

I believe this is especially true with our spiritual reformation goals.

Are you ready for reformation in a spiritual sense?

Join me as we study 2 Kings 18:1-16, where Hezekiah takes sweeping reformative actions when he becomes king of Judah.

January 11, 2026January 10, 2026

Are You Experiencing Exile?

A Study of 2 Kings 17:6-23

The literal definition of the word exile is a state or period of forced or voluntary absence from one’s country or home.

I’ve never experienced this literal sense of exile from an earthly point of view.

But news headlines help me know this happens around the world, often because of wars.

The passage we’re studying today describes a literal exile that the northern tribes of Israel experienced in 722 B.C.

What can we learn from this that will help us today, even if we’re not experiencing a literal exile ourselves?

Are there other types of exile we can experience beyond the literal sense?

November 9, 2025November 8, 2025

Are You a Person of Integrity?

Integrity.

How do you define integrity?

Merriaum-Webster.com has three definitions for integrity.

Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values: incorruptibility
An unimpaired condition: soundness
The quality or state of being complete or undivided: completeness

Do any of these definitions align with your own?

Who has taught you the most about the definition of integrity?

If you were to measure yourself on a scale of one to ten, with one being least and ten being greatest, how strong is your personal integrity?

We’ll come back to these questions after considering a narrative about the reign of Jehu from 2 Kings.

November 2, 2025November 1, 2025

The Power of Simple Obedience to Transform a Heart

I’ve shared in other posts that I’ve been reading the Bible through yearly for some time.

No one told me to do this.

It isn’t a rule or obligation.

Instead, it is a simple act of personal obedience to make sure I am staying connected to the Lord God I say I worship.

When I first began this habit, I struggled with understanding who God truly is.

Before I share more about this, join me in a study of a Syrian commander who also struggled to understand God.

October 26, 2025October 25, 2025

Learning about God through Ahaziah and Elijah | Part Two

Who do you lean on when overwhelmed or uncertain about your future or a decision on a course of action?

A parent?
A sibling?
A spouse?
A friend?
A colleague?
Other?

Several years ago, my employer asked me to accept a role change I knew was wrong for me. I was so distraught when I saw the initial rough draft of the job description that I fell to my knees in tears.

Instead of getting ready for work, I kept following my now-late husband around the house.

Just as he was about to step out the front door, he realized he needed to pray for me regarding this challenge. As he embraced and prayed for me, I felt a sense of peace blossom. Afterwards, he also told me that, although it would be better if I had another job lined up, he would support me if I quit rather than accept the role change.

Before I share more about this, let’s continue our study Learning About God Through Ahaziah and Elijah | Part Two.