History - Barbara Lynn Seibel

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.

July 5, 2026July 3, 2026

Are We Doing What is Good and Right?

Today’s study continues the story of King Hezekiah’s leadership in restoring spiritual faithfulness to the Lord.

His concern was not about his own success but doing what is good and right in the eyes of God.

This intention spills over into the hearts of all who took part in the restoring of the temple, the celebration of the Passover, and the organization of providing for the ongoing worship practices thereafter.

Studying King Hezekiah’s heart for the Lord and how the people responded to his actions prompts me to ask, “Are we doing what is good and right?”

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026

Celebrating Our Return to the Lord

Today’s study continues our study of King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles that we did on May 24, 2026.

We pick up the story after King Hezekiah has completed restoring the temple grounds so that the Israelites could resume regular worship of the Lord.

King Hezekiah understood the power of celebrating their return to the Lord.

Enjoy.

May 24, 2026May 17, 2026

How Do We Rededicate Ourselves to Worshiping God?

How Do We Rededicate Ourselves to Worship God?

The definition of the word rededicate, according to merriamwebster.com, is: to commit (oneself, one’s life, etc.) anew to a cause, enterprise, or activity.

This act reveals that we have drifted away from whatever we are now committed anew.

An example of this is rededicating ourselves to living a healthy lifestyle with how we eat and the amount of activity we get.

But today’s study is not about physical fitness.

It is about spiritual fitness.

Join me in studying a passage from 2 Chronicles 29 as well as some verses from the book of Hebrews to get a fully rounded concept of how we can rededicate ourselves to worshiping God.

May 10, 2026May 9, 2026

How Do We Know God Is At Work?

On the one hand, the question for this post seems silly to ask.

Especially for those of us who believe the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments.

But sometimes the world gets so bleak that even the most stoic believer might find this question in their thoughts, even if ever so briefly.

When this happens to us, it is important that we turn to the Bible to find encouragement from our Creator.

2 Chronicles 29:1-19 provides just such encouragement.

May 3, 2026May 2, 2026

The Strength Needed to Bear Our Burdens

Have you ever had to build a wall from a pile of rubble?

I certainly haven’t.

Do you feel you have the strength to do that type of work?

I would need to secure help from others to do this type of work.

How would you go about the process if you oversaw that the work was done?

Do you find hope in the picture above or discouragement?

I see both.

The piles of stones reveal to me that someone labored to stack them, but that something has turned the structure into rubble.

I also see that to rebuild will take hard and exhausting labor, which can lead to discouragement.

But the eagle overseeing the site and the rays of sunshine signal evidence of strength and encouragement, i.e. hope for me.

What does this have to do with the study of Nehemiah 4:6-15?

April 26, 2026April 25, 2026

Are We Truly Listening to God?

Truly listening to another person involves much more than just hearing their words.

It involves understanding their words.

When we do not listen for understanding, we are easily prone to making wrong conclusions.

Worse, we can spend more time focusing on what we want to say or our own desires than truly being aware of the other person.

How do you know when someone has truly listened to you?

Now imagine how God, the creator of all that exists, responds to us when we truly listen to Him?

Our study today reveals how important it is to truly listen to God.

April 19, 2026April 18, 2026

A Believer’s Response to Success

What comes to your mind when you hear or read the word success?

Is success simply a favorable or desired outcome to you?

Or is it tied more to attaining wealth, favor, or eminence?

I found these definitions of the word success on Merriam-Webster.com.

How might these definitions change when we add the qualifier found in the title above, “A Believer”?

In 2 Chronicles 20:1-19, we learn that King Jehoshaphat learned three people groups were advancing to attack Jerusalem. His immediate response to this threat was to call the tribe of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to fast and pray to the Lord.

The Lord responded through a prophecy by Jahaziel with encouragement and assurance that He would handle the threat.

Yet they were still told to show up for the battle the next day.

We join the narrative at this point.

April 12, 2026April 11, 2026

A Believer’s Response to Threats

What leaps to your mind when you think of threats?

Merriam-Webster.com defines a threat as an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury or damage.

How does this definition of a threat change your response to the first question?

When you describe someone as a believer, what do you mean by it?

Merriam-Webster.com defines a believer as one who professes a religious faith.

A response is something that constitutes a reply or a reaction.

Today’s study looks closely at a believer’s response to threats from multiple people groups.