SAM HONIBALL BLOG

  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants. Psalms 89:14 NLT The verse from Psalm 89:14 states that "righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants." This verse is a declaration of God's character and how He rules over His creation. Righteousness is doing what is right, according to God's standards. Justice is giving everyone what they deserve, whether good or bad. When these two qualities are the foundation of a ruler's throne, it means that they are ruling in a way that is fair and just. The second part of the verse says that "unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants." This means that God's love and truth are always present with Him, guiding His decisions and actions. Love is His motivation for ruling, and truth is the standard by which He judges. When a ruler is motivated by love and guid

  So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him. Hosea 12:6 NLT This verse is a call to repentance and a reminder of the importance of love and justice. The prophet Hosea is speaking to the people of Israel, who have been unfaithful to God. He calls them to return to God and to live lives of love and justice. The first part of the verse, "So now, come back to your God," is a simple but powerful command. It is a reminder that God is always waiting for us to return to him. No matter how far we have strayed, God is always there, ready to forgive and restore us. The second part of the verse, "Act with love and justice," is a description of how we should live our lives if we want to be in God's will. Love and justice are two of the most important qualities that God desires in us. When we love others and treat them with fairness, we are reflecting the character of God. The final part of the verse, "and always depend on hi

  "What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?       If God is for us, who can          ever be against us?" Romans 8:31 This verse is a powerful reminder of God's love and protection for his people. The word "wonderful" in this verse can be translated as "exceedingly great" or "superlative." This means that the things that God has done for us are beyond our comprehension. He has sent his Son to die for us, adopted us into his family, and given us the Holy Spirit to guide us. These are all amazing gifts that we could never deserve. The phrase "if God is for us" means that God is on our side. He is our advocate and protector. He will never abandon us or forsake us. No matter what challenges we face, we can know that God is with us. The question "who can ever be against us?" is rhetorical. The answer is no one. God is all-powerful and all-knowing. He is greater than anything that we could ever face. This ve

"A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered" (Proverbs 17:27 NLT) This proverb teaches us that wisdom and understanding are closely related to our words and our temperament. A wise person knows that words have power. They can be used to build up or tear down, to heal or hurt, to create or destroy. A wise person therefore chooses their words carefully, speaking only when they have something meaningful to say. They avoid gossip, slander, and harsh words. They speak the truth in love, and they are always mindful of the impact their words will have on others. A person with understanding is also even-tempered. They do not easily get angry or upset. They are able to control their emotions and respond to difficult situations in a calm and rational manner. They are not easily provoked, and they do not say things they will later regret. The proverb teaches us that wisdom and understanding are essential qualities for living a good and fulfillin

  In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Hosea 6:2‭  NLT This verse is a promise from God that He will restore us to Himself. This restoration is not just about forgiveness of our sins, but also about healing our brokenness and bringing us into a closer relationship with Him. The phrase "in just a short time" can be interpreted in different ways. Some people believe that it refers to the literal two days mentioned in the verse, which would be a reference to Jesus' resurrection. Others believe that it is a more general statement about God's timing, which is often different from our own. Regardless of how we interpret the phrase, the promise of restoration is still the same. God is faithful to His promises, and He will restore us to Himself in His own time. This restoration is not something that we earn or deserve. It is a gift of God's grace. We can receive this gift by turning to Him in repentance and faith, and by asking

  Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. Proverbs 17:14 NLT The proverb is a warning against the destructive power of conflict. A quarrel is a disagreement that is marked by anger and hostility. It can quickly escalate into a full-blown dispute, which can damage relationships, hurt feelings, and even lead to violence. The proverb compares a quarrel to a floodgate that has been opened. Once the floodgate is open, the water can't be stopped. It will flow out and cause damage to everything in its path. In the same way, once a quarrel starts, it can be difficult to stop. It can quickly spiral out of control and cause a lot of harm. That's why the proverb warns us to stop before a dispute breaks out. It's better to walk away from a disagreement than to let it escalate into a quarrel. It's also important to be mindful of our words and actions. If we say or do something that could trigger a quarrel, we should take steps to apol

  He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. Romans 4:21‭-‬22 NLT This means that Abraham believed God without a doubt, even when it seemed impossible for God to keep his promise. For example, God promised Abraham that he would have a son, even though Abraham and his wife Sarah were both very old and past the age of childbearing (Genesis 17:15-16). But Abraham believed God, and he was eventually rewarded for his faith when Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Paul goes on to say that "because of Abraham's faith, God counted him as righteous" (v. 22). This means that God accepted Abraham as his own, even though he was not perfect. God did this because Abraham had faith in him, and because he believed that God would keep his promises. This passage teaches us that our faith in God is essential for our salvation. When we believe in God and trust him, he will count us as righteous. This does not

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  Romans 5:3 This verse is often quoted by Christians as a reminder that even in the midst of suffering, we can find hope and joy. There are a few reasons why Paul says that we can rejoice in our problems. First, he believes that problems can help us develop endurance. Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship and difficulty without giving up. It is a quality that is essential for anyone who wants to live a life of faith. When we face problems and trials, we are forced to dig deep and find strength that we never knew we had. We learn to persevere, even when things are tough. Second, Paul believes that problems can help us develop character. Character is the foundation of our moral compass. It is what determines how we behave in difficult situations. When we face problems, we are forced to make choices about how we will respond. We can choose to give up, to lash out, or to gro

  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones Proverbs 17:22 NLT This is a powerful reminder of the importance of having a positive outlook on life. When we are happy and content, it has a positive impact on our physical and mental health. On the other hand, when we are sad or depressed, it can take a toll on our bodies and minds. There is a growing body of scientific evidence to support the link between mental and physical health. For example, studies have shown that people who are depressed are more likely to get sick, have chronic health conditions, and die prematurely. They are also more likely to have problems with their sleep, appetite, and energy levels. On the other hand, people who have a positive outlook on life are more likely to have a strong immune system, heal from injuries more quickly, and live longer. They are also more likely to be productive and successful in their careers. So, what can we do to boost our cheerfulness and avoid a br

  We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  Romans 5:3 This verse is often quoted by Christians as a reminder that even in the midst of suffering, there is hope. There are a few reasons why Paul says that we can rejoice in our problems and trials. First, he believes that suffering can help us develop endurance. Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship without giving up. It is a quality that is essential for living a Christian life, as we will inevitably face challenges and obstacles along the way. Second, Paul believes that suffering can help us develop character. Character is the inner strength and moral fiber that allows us to do what is right even when it is difficult. When we face trials, we are forced to make choices about how we will respond. By choosing to trust God and persevere, we can develop the character that we need to live a godly life. Finally, Paul believes that suffering can help us strengthen

The Bible verse Romans 4:3  is one of the most important passages in the Bible, as it teaches us about the importance of faith in our relationship with God. The story of Abraham is a story of faith. When God called Abraham to leave his home and family and go to a land that he had never seen, Abraham believed God. He didn't know where he was going or what would happen, but he trusted God to take care of him. Abraham's faith was rewarded. God gave him a son, Isaac, even though Abraham and his wife Sarah were both old and past the age of childbearing. Isaac was the promised child, through whom God would bless all the nations of the earth. The Bible teaches us that we are saved by grace through faith. This means that we are not saved by our own works or efforts, but by the grace of God and our faith in him. Just as Abraham was saved by faith, so we are saved by faith. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are declared righteous by God. This means that we are forgiven of our

  For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. Amos 4:13: This verse is a reminder of the power and majesty of God. He is the creator of all things, from the smallest insect to the tallest mountain. He controls the forces of nature, such as the wind and the rain. And he is able to communicate with his creation, revealing his thoughts and plans to those who are willing to listen. This verse is also a warning to those who would disobey God. He is not to be taken lightly. Those who ignore his commands will face his judgment. In the context of the book of Amos, this verse is particularly relevant to the people of Israel. They had been worshiping idols and living in disobedience to God. Amos was sent to warn them of their sin and to call them to repentance. The verse from Amos 4:13 is a reminder that God is sovereign over all things. He is the one who controls the universe, and he is the one who will ultimately judge our acti