beencouraged - Barbara Lynn Seibel

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.

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.

June 21, 2026June 18, 2026

Seeing Opportunities in Our Circumstances

Our circumstances ebb and flow between easy and difficult.

Some circumstances arise from choices we make. But sometimes the circumstances we’re experiencing come from choices others make.

Regardless of our circumstances, we always have a choice regarding our attitude.

We can be miserable curmudgeons when things go poorly.

Or we can be exuberant when things go well.

What is striking, though, is when we or others find ourselves in challenging circumstances, yet still experience peace and joy.

How is this possible?

The Apostle Paul has valuable insight to share on how this is possible in Philippians 1:12-21.

June 7, 2026June 6, 2026

Does Jesus Walk with You?

Last week I also talked about walking with my post Are You Walking Worthy.

That post considered how we can pray for fellow believers and ourselves to be strengthened in our faith walk.

Today, though, we are looking at how Jesus comes alongside us when we are feeling discouraged about circumstances that have crushed our hopes.

Are you able to recognize when Jesus walks alongside you?

Join me as we study an example of Jesus doing exactly this for two of his disciples who expressed disappointment about what they had just experienced.

May 31, 2026May 30, 2026

Are You Walking Worthy?

Walking has been a topic on my mind since February of this year.

Why?

Because I’ve been recovering from a torn meniscus, a large baker’s cyst, and an osteoarthritis flare-up in my left knee. I’m also struggling with a bone spur on my left big toe that makes it feel like I’m walking on a pebble.

Doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and plenty of rest have altered my routine for the last several months.

But this is physical, literal walking.

The question of this post is about our spiritual walk and how we live our daily lives with one another.

Most importantly, what does it mean to walk worthily in God’s eyes?

And how should this impact our daily lives?

Join me in a study of Colossians 1:9-14.