SAM HONIBALL BLOG

  Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! Proverbs 15:23‭ NLT The proverb teaches us the importance of speaking the right words at the right time. This can be a difficult task, but it is one that is worth striving for. There are many benefits to speaking the right words at the right time. First, it can help to build relationships. When we say the right things, we make others feel valued and respected. This can lead to stronger friendships, better communication, and a more positive atmosphere in general. Second, speaking the right words can help to resolve conflict. When we are able to say the right thing at the right time, we can diffuse tension and help people to see each other's perspectives. This can lead to a more peaceful and harmonious environment. Third, speaking the right words can encourage and inspire others. When we say the right things, we can lift people up and give them hope. This can help them to overcome challeng

  We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. Psalms 78:4 NLT Psalm 78:4 is a powerful verse that reminds us of the importance of passing on the stories of God's faithfulness to the next generation. The psalmist writes that we should not "hide these truths from our children," but rather we should "tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders." There are many reasons why it is important to do this. First, it is a way of honoring God. When we tell the stories of his mighty works, we are reminding ourselves and others of his greatness. We are also showing our children that we believe in God and that we trust him. Second, it is a way of teaching our children about their heritage. The stories of God's faithfulness are a part of our Jewish and Christian heritage, and they help to shape our

  They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. Psalms 77:12 NLT This verse is a powerful reminder of the importance of meditating on God's works. When we meditate on God's works, we are reminded of His power, His faithfulness, and His love. This can help us to trust Him even when we are facing difficult times. The psalmist in this passage is clearly going through a difficult time. He is feeling lost and confused, and he is questioning God's goodness. However, even in his darkest moments, he cannot stop thinking about God's mighty works. He remembers how God has delivered His people in the past, and he knows that God is still faithful today. This verse can be a source of comfort and strength for us when we are facing our own challenges. When we are tempted to doubt God, we can remember His mighty works and be reminded of His love for us. We can also find comfort in the fact that we are not alone in our struggles. The psalmist was

We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 15:11 NLT In Acts 15:11, we find the apostle Paul declaring that salvation is by the "undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus." This statement is a powerful reminder that we are saved by God's grace, not by our own works or merits. The word "grace" means "unmerited favor." In other words, grace is something that we do not deserve. We cannot earn salvation by our own good works or by following the law. Salvation is a gift from God, and it is received by faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that all people are sinners, and that we deserve to be punished for our sins. But God, in his love, sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross in our place. Jesus' death paid the penalty for our sins, and his resurrection from the dead guarantees our eternal life. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are saved by his grace. We are not saved by our own works or meri

  And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! - Acts 10:4 NLT In Acts 10:4, an angel tells Cornelius that his prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering. This verse teaches us several important truths about prayer and giving. First, it teaches us that God hears our prayers. When we pray, we are not just talking to ourselves. We are speaking to a real and living God who hears our every word. The angel's words to Cornelius remind us that God takes our prayers seriously and that he honors those who pray to him. Second, it teaches us that God is pleased with our giving. When we give to the poor, we are not just helping those in need. We are also honoring God and showing him that we trust him to provide for our needs. The angel's words to Cornelius remind us that God sees our giving and that he is pleased with those who give generously. Third, it teaches us that our prayers and giving can be a me

  A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.. ; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Proverbs 15:13 & 15 NLT A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. This proverb from the book of Proverbs teaches us that our inner state of being has a profound impact on our outward appearance and our overall well-being. A glad heart, or a cheerful spirit, is reflected in a happy face. On the other hand, a broken heart, or a spirit that is crushed, can lead to sadness, depression, and even illness. The proverb also tells us that a happy heart can make life a continual feast. This doesn't mean that people with happy hearts never experience challenges or difficulties. However, they are able to find joy in the midst of those challenges, and they see life as an adventure to be enjoyed. There are many things that can contribute to a glad heart. Some of these things include: • Having a positive attitude. People with a positive attit

But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NKJV Isaiah 40:31 is a passage of scripture that promises strength and renewal to those who wait on the Lord. The passage begins by contrasting the everlasting God with the weary and fainting people of Israel. The Lord is described as the "Creator of the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 40:28), who "does not grow faint or grow weary" (Isaiah 40:29). In contrast, the people of Israel are described as "fainting and weary" (Isaiah 40:30). The passage then goes on to promise that those who wait on the Lord will be renewed. They will "mount up with wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31), which is a metaphor for soaring above their problems and difficulties. They will "run and not be weary" (Isaiah 40:31), which is a metaphor for having the strength to persevere through chal

Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence! Psalms 74:20 NLT In Psalm 74:20, the psalmist cries out to God, asking Him to remember His covenant promises. The psalmist is lamenting the current state of the land, which is full of darkness and violence. He is asking God to intervene and bring justice to the downtrodden. The psalmist's words are still relevant today. The world is still a place of darkness and violence. There are people who are suffering and oppressed. We can all cry out to God, asking Him to remember His covenant promises and to bring justice to the world. The covenant that the psalmist is referring to is the covenant that God made with the people of Israel. This covenant was a promise that God would be their God and that He would protect them. The psalmist is asking God to remember this promise and to fulfill it. The psalmist also asks God to remember the downtrodden. These are the people who are suffering and oppressed. The psa

  A gentle answer deflects anger,... Gentle words are a tree of life;... The lips of the wise give good advice;... Proverbs 15:1‭, ‬4‭, ‬7 NLT The proverbs in Proverbs 15:1, 4, and 7 offer some wise advice about the power of words. • A gentle answer deflects anger. When someone is angry, it can be tempting to respond in kind. However, this will only make the situation worse. Instead, a gentle answer can help to defuse the situation and calm the person down. • Gentle words are a tree of life. Words have the power to either build up or tear down. Gentle words can encourage, comfort, and inspire. They can also help to heal relationships that have been damaged by conflict. • The lips of the wise give good advice. Wise people know the power of words. They use their words wisely, speaking with kindness, compassion, and understanding. They also know when to speak and when to listen. These proverbs remind us that our words have the power to either build up or tear down. If we want to

You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth. Psalms 74:12 NLT Psalm 74:12 is a powerful statement of faith in God's eternal kingship and his power to bring salvation to the earth. The psalmist, Asaph, is writing in the aftermath of the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians, and he is struggling to understand why God would allow such a thing to happen. But even in his grief, Asaph can't help but remember all the ways that God has been faithful to his people in the past. He remembers how God delivered them from Egypt, how he parted the Red Sea, and how he led them to the Promised Land. And he knows that God is still the same God today. The phrase "You, O God, are my king from ages past" is a reminder that God is not a new god, but a God who has been faithful to his people for generations. He is the God who brought salvation to the earth in the past, and he is the God who will bring salvation to the earth in the future. The phrase

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. 2 Samuel 22:31 NLT The passage from 2 Samuel 22:31 is a powerful statement of faith in God. David, the author of the passage, is reflecting on God's faithfulness to him throughout his life. He has experienced God's protection, provision, and guidance, and he knows that God's way is perfect. The first part of the passage, "God's way is perfect," affirms God's goodness and righteousness. God's ways are always right, even when they seem difficult or confusing to us. We can trust that God's plans for us are good, even if we don't understand them all. The second part of the passage, "All the Lord's promises prove true," speaks to God's faithfulness. God has made many promises to his people, and he has always kept his word. We can trust that God will keep his promises to us, no matter what. The final part of the pass

  Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27‭ NLT This proverb is a powerful reminder of the importance of fearing God. But what does it mean to fear God? In the Bible, the word "fear" is often used in a positive sense, meaning to reverence, respect, or worship. When we fear God, we acknowledge his power and authority, and we live our lives in accordance with his will. This kind of fear leads to life, not death. There are many reasons why fearing God is a life-giving fountain. First, it leads to wisdom. When we fear God, we are more likely to obey his commands, which are designed to protect us from harm. We are also more likely to seek his guidance, which leads to wisdom and understanding. Second, fearing God leads to freedom from sin. When we fear God, we are less likely to give in to temptation, because we know that he sees everything we do. We also know that he will punish sin, so we are motivated to live a ho

... the Tabernacle... was constructed according to the plan God had shown to Moses. Acts 7:44 NLT In Acts 7:44, Stephen is speaking to the Jewish leaders about the history of Israel. He mentions the Tabernacle, which was a portable temple that the Israelites carried with them through the wilderness. Stephen says that the Tabernacle was constructed according to the plan God had shown to Moses. This statement is significant because it shows that God was the architect of the Tabernacle. He didn't just give Moses general instructions; he gave him a detailed plan for how the Tabernacle should be built. This shows that God had a specific purpose in mind for the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a place where the Israelites could come to meet with God. It was a symbol of God's presence among his people. The fact that God was the architect of the Tabernacle shows that he was intimately involved in the Israelites' worship. He wanted them to have a place where they could come to him

  Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen! Psalms 72:19 NLT Psalm 72:19 is a beautiful and powerful verse that expresses the psalmist's praise for God's glory. The verse begins with a call to praise God's glorious name forever. This is a reminder that God's glory is eternal and unchanging. It is also a call to never stop praising God, no matter what circumstances we face. The second part of the verse says, "Let the whole earth be filled with his glory." This is a prayer that God's glory would be known and experienced by all people everywhere. It is a reminder that God's glory is not something that is hidden or exclusive. It is something that is meant to be shared with everyone. The verse ends with the words "Amen and amen." This is a Hebrew expression that means "so be it" or "it is certain." It is a way of affirming the truth of what has been said. In summary, Psa

  Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? Psalms 71:19 NLT Psalm 71:19 is a powerful declaration of God's greatness and goodness. The psalmist, who is facing difficult times, expresses his awe and wonder at God's righteousness, which "reaches to the highest heavens." He also praises God for his "wonderful things," which are beyond compare. The word "righteousness" in this verse refers to God's perfect justice and moral purity. It is what makes God who he is, and it is the foundation of his relationship with his people. God's righteousness is not just an abstract concept, however. It is also something that is lived out in the world, through his actions on behalf of his people. The psalmist points to several examples of God's wonderful things. He mentions God's deliverance of his people from Egypt, his provision for them in the wilderness, and

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS INTERESTED IN YOUR SUCCESS? JESUS IS INFINITELY interested in your TOTAL WELL-BEING – In your family, career, marriage, ministry, fulfillment in life, and so the list just keeps on and on! Some think He has got the whole universe to run and is not interested in their miniscule problems and concerns. Remember IF IT BOTHERS YOU IT BOTHERS HIM! DO YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT YOU ARE TO JESUS? He knows you perfectly, and yet accepts and loves you perfectly. That is truly undeserved favor from Jesus. Jesus' undeserved favor will protect, provide, prosper, deliver and bring restoration to you. PSALMS 35:27 “  LET THE LORD BE MAGNIFIED, WHO HAS PLEASURE IN THE PROSPERITY OF HIS SERVANT. ” GOD'S UNMERITED FAVOR IS NOT A SUBJECT, IT'S A PERSON AND HIS NAME IS JESUS. The more you increase in the knowledge of our loving Savior Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross, the more GOD'S UNMERITED FAVOR will manifest itself in your life. It will

The Art of Waiting  on God  But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. ISAIAH 40:31 In the passage from Isaiah 40:31, we are reminded that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. But what does it truly mean to wait on God? Waiting on God is more than just saying prayers or going through the motions of religious rituals. It is an attitude of oneness and union with the Creator of the universe. In fact, waiting on God is an ancient lost art, which was lost when Adam sinned and hid from God. Before the fall, Adam, as a son of God, always waited for God to come and commune with him. But after he sinned, his waiting for God ceased. However, through the obedience and waiting of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, this lost art was restored. To wait on God means to come before Him, to know Him, talk with Him, see Him, and