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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
2 days ago6 min read
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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
2 days ago6 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
5 days ago6 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
May 31st, 2026: Living in a Christian Community | Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 10:22-25
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10: 37-39). Tis the season for family reunions and weekend cook-outs with friends. Who doesn’t love the togetherness of the summer season? What a joy to share our abundance and blessings
Debbie Barcus & Laura Neal
May 286 min read
May 24th, 2026: The Christian Rhythms of Life | Mark 2:18-28
When I was young, I once believed that if I were more beautiful, then everything would work out right. But now I’ve become friends with many lovely-looking people who struggle as I do, and sometimes even worse. As a young mother, I believed that if I were smarter and more efficient, then my young family would be so much happier. But I know a host of smart and efficient women who still get the blues and deal with disobedient children and disorderly households. Perhaps many
Laura Neal
May 216 min read
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