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October 18th, 2026: An Unlikely Deliverer | Judges 3:15-23, 30
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3). The Promised Land had been mostly conquered. The twelve tribes of Israel have been assigned their land. Joshua died. All the leaders around Joshua have also passed away. The next generation will step into the leadership role. As with each new generation there is much to learn. They will, as many new generations often do, forget
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
6 days ago8 min read
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October 18th, 2026: An Unlikely Deliverer | Judges 3:15-23, 30
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3). The Promised Land had been mostly conquered. The twelve tribes of Israel have been assigned their land. Joshua died. All the leaders around Joshua have also passed away. The next generation will step into the leadership role. As with each new generation there is much to learn. They will, as many new generations often do, forget
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
6 days ago8 min read
October 11th, 2026: A Faithless Generation | Judges 2:6-15
There are people who lived lives of faith and courage in front of us who are an inspiration to us. It isn’t a natural impulse to seek God or follow His ways; our vision has to be opened. Thankfully, God places people in our paths to help bring us into our own personal relationship with Him. There comes a time for every believer, when we have to stand on our own two feet and decide for ourselves what we believe and to whom we belong. We won’t be able to piggyback our way
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Oct 95 min read
October 4th, 2026: A Renewed Covenant | Joshua 24:18-27
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? (Galatians 4: 7-9). Ever heard of a pie crust promise - easily made, easily broken? It is called that because these are promise
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Sep 306 min read
September 27th, 2026: Rahab Welcomes Spies | Joshua 2: 8-13, 6:16-17
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. (James 5:8-9). It was called the City of Palm trees. And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. (Deuteronomy 34:3). The destruction of Jericho was Israel's first battle after crossing into the Promised Land. Unlike Moses had done 40 yea
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Sep 265 min read
September 20th, 2026: Joshua Fights for God | Joshua 11:6-9, 16-23
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. (Psalm 108: 13). Have you ever heard of a man named Paul Harvey? He was an American radio newsman from 1951-2008. In his news programs he would deep dive into information and ended each broadcast with the tag line “now you know the rest of the story.” “The Rest of the Story” became its own stand alone radio series in 1976. Paul liked to dig deeper into his topics and find the obscure facts,
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Sep 177 min read
September 13th, 2026: Israel Remembers God's Deeds | Joshua 4:14-24
There is a stone, across from my church, which bears the name of my lifetime hero, my dad. On the stone is recorded his name and the span of his earthly life, but on the back, a promise. While I can’t bear to think of what we surrendered there, I rejoice to remember what we look forward to seeing when the resurrection power of God is revealed. As Paul said, “sown in weakness, raised in power.” Jesus’s words from John 14 testify from that stone, “In my father’s house are
Laura Neal
Sep 95 min read
September 6, 2026: Joshua Leads Courageously | Joshua 1:1-11
In Genesis we see the call of Abraham and the promise of a great people. By the book of Exodus we see Abraham’s family captive, slaves to another authority. They have grown as a people and it is time to leave the incubation of Egypt. They are sent a deliverer. A man named Moses sent to bring them out from the powers of the world and the spiritual wickedness around them. They are a newly born nation. God has called them out to represent Him. The people around them take noti
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Sep 57 min read
August 30, 2026: Lydia, The Generous Hostess | Acts 16:11-15, 40
Have you ever made plans only to have them changed at the last minute? Paul and Silas meet up with Timothy and eventually Luke, to travel through Asia Minor. It is between 49-52 AD- which takes some doing, so changing plans is not necessarily easy. This is Paul’s second missionary trip. He wants to check on established churches and start up more. God, however, changes the plan! It is good to remember that God, in His wisdom, knows His better plans and purposes. God’s pla
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Aug 275 min read
August 23, 2026: A Leader With A Legacy | 2 Timothy 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 2:14-15
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6: 11-12). Imagine you are imprisoned and sentenced to death. You know your time left on earth is short. The keepers of the prison pay you little attention; you won’t be alive long. You are cold.
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Aug 236 min read
August 16th, 2026: Saul of Tarsus, The Unlikely Apostle | Acts 22: 3-15
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5: 16) What does “letting our light shine” actually mean ? People, as a rule, are not interested in a true theological debate. Most simply need to hear about Jesus and understand how having a relationship with Him changes lives. As followers, students, disciples of Jesus, we all have our own and varied stories to tell. We have experienced the love
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Aug 136 min read
August 9th, 2026: The Unwavering Martyr | Acts 6:7-10, Acts 7:54-60
Before the wonders and miracles came service and sanctification. Stephen was chosen to serve tables for the growing church and to settle disputes among the widows, which allowed the disciples to preach, pray, and study unhindered. He was chosen and set aside, using specific criteria: honesty, wisdom, and fullness of the Spirit of God. I doubt it was a position he sought out, but only with 6 other good men he did the job he was asked to do. The word deacon is used today for
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Aug 55 min read
August 2, 2026: Thomas the Hesitant Disciple | John 11:14-16, John 14:5-8, John 20:24-29, John 21:1-2
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:7-9). He picked twelve men, specifically chosen for a job they individual
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Jul 298 min read
July 26th, 2026: Mary, the Loyal Mother | Luke 2:15-19, John 2:1-5, John 19:25-27
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14). Luke 2: 15-19 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Shepherds weren’t high on the list of society’s power players. They put their own lives
olivianeal00
Jul 296 min read
July 19th, 2026: Zacchaeus the Repentant Tax Collector | Luke 19:1-10
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24). We have all heard the story. In fact, we know the song by heart. We may not be able to s
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Jul 156 min read
July 12th, 2026: The Restored Disciple | Mark 8:27-29, Luke 22:31-34, John 18:25-27, John 21:15-17
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19). There is a phrase used in Israel that “God created the seven seas but he created the Sea of Galilee for his delight*” Although the Sea of Galilee is a Lake (often referred to as Lake Kinneret), God’s delight was to choose his disciples from this area. Peter, well known to all of us for his boldness, quick answers, denial, and restoration, was a fisherman living near the Sea of Galilee.
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Jul 126 min read
July 5th, 2026: The Believing Centurion | Matthew 8:5-13
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus had just finished the Sermon on the Mount. People continued to gather around Him. Whether you are new to church or have been around church a long time, you know that the words “faith” and “believing” are frequently interchangeable. The book of Hebrews defines faith for us: Now faith is the subs
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Jul 46 min read
June 28th, 2026: Amos the Courageous Prophet | Amos 1:1, Amos 2:11-12, Amos 3:7-8, Amos 7:10-15
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1John 1: 8-10). How many times as a child did you hear the phrase “You can learn this the easy way or the hard way!” As human beings, we tend to default to the “hard” way! Pridefully, we value our o
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Jun 258 min read
June 21st, 2026: Jonathan and David Resolute Friends | 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 1 Samuel 20:16-17, 2 Samuel 1:6-17, 21:7
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (John 15:13-16) The Bible mentions friendship and being a friend often. Abraham was a friend of God. God spoke to Moses face to face as one does a friend.
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Jun 179 min read
June 14th, 2026: Hannah the Faithful Supplicant | 1 Samuel 1:9-20, 25
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. (Isaiah 49:13-15). Our lesson today is about Hannah, the mother of Samuel the prophet. Her sto
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Jun 1010 min read
June 7th, 2026: Deborah the Dutiful Judge | Judges 4:4-10, 21, 22
For ye are all the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you has have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, There is neither bond nor free, There is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3: 26-28). People today feel like the Bible discriminates or is somehow against women. This is simply not so. Just as with the men in scripture, there are many accounts recorded of women who faile
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
Jun 35 min read
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