Jesus - Barbara Lynn Seibel

October 5, 2025October 4, 2025

God Rescues a Rebellious People

A Study of Isaiah 53:4-6

For many months I have wondered if there was something wrong with my refrigerator that was purchased in June 2024.

It seemed louder than I recalled, but it was still working fine.

The internet research basically said refrigerators can make loud noises randomly and that if it was working properly otherwise, there was nothing wrong with the appliance.

But I still felt something was wrong.

So, I asked the opinion of every person who came to my home who I knew was mechanically minded about it.

None of them seemed overly concerned about it since it was such a new appliance.

In July 2025, my in-laws vacuumed the coils for me and agreed it might be wise to have it checked out if it continued to sound loud to me. But they too felt it wasn’t an urgent issue.

What does this have to do with a study of Isaiah 53:4-6 and God rescuing a rebellious people?

I’ll explain after we review the passage.

September 7, 2025September 6, 2025

Responding to an Unexpected Question

A few days ago, I received an unexpected question in an email from a coworker.

This question caused me to pick up the phone and share my reaction with my coworker.

Now, it’s not uncommon for me to get lots of questions during my workday.

In fact, one time, as I was preparing to leave for vacation, I emailed all employees with the following subject line: Ask Barbara Not an Option.

I then explained in the email’s body that I would be away from the office with little access to the internet. Thus, “Ask Barbara” was not workable during the time I planned to be away.

This email generated a mixture of responses ranging from “good for you” to “what will we do while you’re gone?” comments.

But before I share the unexpected question I recently received and how I responded to it, I want to look at John 18:19-19:11.

After all, this is a Bible study blog.

June 22, 2025June 21, 2025

Trials, Tests, and Insults are to be Expected

I literally walked away from the computer after deciding on the title for this post.

Why, you ask?

Because it makes me uncomfortable.

Yet, when I reflect on all I have experienced in my life, I know it is true.

I can’t run away from it.

Neither can you.

I don’t enjoy thinking that trials, tests and insults are a normal part of our lives.

Some are small and better described as inconveniences or annoyances.

But I’m not thinking about ordinary trials, tests or insults today.

Rather, I’m reflecting on the trials, tests, and insults that come because of my faith in Christ.

And that makes me even more uncomfortable.

Yet, Peter provides encouragement about this in his first epistle.

June 8, 2025June 8, 2025

Reminders of What to Focus On

Focus.

Back in my undergraduate days as a music student, I can say I was focused.

I was required to practice two hours daily per instrument as a double major in piano and flute performance.

My practice routine, however, was ten hours per day. Six hours on the piano and four hours on the flute.

I wasn’t just focused; I was obsessed.

Years and two shoulder surgeries later, this hyper-focused obsession with over practicing took a significant toll on my upper body stamina.

Today, I make sure I take frequent breaks and regular stretching, working as I do at a computer both for my day job and for my writing pursuits.

If I fail to focus on taking care of my upper body, I pay the price with significant physical pain.

Finding the peaceful balance of the right amount of activity for my upper body was a learning process that required maturity and time.

What does this have to do with reminding us of our spiritual focus?

May 11, 2025May 12, 2025

How Do We Know God Cares?

In September 2024, a hurricane affected the area where I live.

As I was watching the rain, I saw a tree fall that just barely missed hitting my balcony and fence in the back of my home.

Once the rain had cleared, I discovered that five trees had fallen, and another one was leaning against my neighbor’s home.

Given the amount of devastation that this hurricane caused throughout the area, it wasn’t until late April 2025 that the trees behind my and my neighbor’s homes were finally cleared.

This past week, as I was surveying the tree stumps that remain, I realized that the trees going down were a provision of God’s care for me in a way that I truly needed last fall.

And yes, it has something to do with the kittens in the picture above.

I’ll explain this as we study 1 Peter 1:3-9.

April 27, 2025April 26, 2025

Why Did Jesus Walk to Emmaus?

In the immediate days following a tragedy, we are at first in shock.

Bewilderment is a common expression along with questions of why and how this tragedy could have happened.

The followers of Jesus experienced all of this after his crucifixion on a cross. (Luke 23:26-49)

But then something remarkable happened that caused even more bewilderment.

The women who went to anoint his body with spices according to their burial customs discovered an open and empty tomb. (Luke 24:1-3)

Angels appeared and informed the women that Jesus was alive, so they went and told the disciples and others. (Luke 24:4-10)

But the apostles did not believe the women. (Luke 24:11).

Peter, investigating their report, discovered things just as they said, but no angels appeared to him at the tomb. Thus, he then went home marveling at what this meant. (Luke 24:12)

Luke then turns his attention to two followers of Jesus, who left Jerusalem for Emmaus, sharing that Jesus joined them on their journey. Neither of these two were part of the lead apostles.

The question is, why did Jesus walk to Emmaus with these two followers?

April 13, 2025April 13, 2025

Have You Ridden a Donkey?

I am sure I have been around a donkey or two at a zoo or other wildlife preserve.

But I have never ridden one. Nor have I had to lead one anywhere.

In the last year of my earthly father’s life, he shared a story with me I had never heard before about a time he handled two donkeys.

He shared he was responsible for getting these two donkeys from one location to where his father was waiting for him.

At one point, the donkey he was riding stopped and refused to move forward. The other donkey also stopped. My dad said he did everything he could think of to get those donkeys moving again.

Donkeys have a reputation for being stubborn, which my father experienced firsthand.

What does this have to do with Matthew 21:1-11?

May 26, 2024April 28, 2024

Leading Hearts to Worship | Dt 30:15-20

Who would you say is the most effective leader of our day?

What makes that person stand out from other leaders?

Centuries ago, God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and traverse the desert for forty years to prepare for entering the land promised to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Moses was not a perfect leader.

Yet, with the help of the LORD, Moses transformed into a leader whom both Jews and Christians revere.

What does this have to do with leading hearts to worship?

May 5, 2024June 22, 2024

Communal Responsibility in Worship

How would you define communal responsibility in worship?

According to Merriam-Webster.com,

A community is defined as a unified body of individuals.
Responsibility involves answering for one’s conduct or obligations.
To worship is to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion a divine being.

So, a communal responsibility in worship could be described as a unified body of individuals answering for each other’s conduct to show great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion to a divine being.

But what does that look like in actual practice for the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy? And us today?

February 25, 2024February 24, 2024

How Teachable Are You?

Merriam-Webster.com defines teachable as apt and willing to learn.

If you were to make a list of everything you enjoyed learning from childhood to the present day, what would you include?

What would you list as things you didn’t enjoy learning?

Which list is longer for you?

Did you include things outside of formal school subjects?

In Matthew 11:25 and Luke 10:21, Jesus thanks the Lord of heaven and earth for hiding things from the wise and understanding while revealing them to little children.

What does this have to do with being teachable?