SAM HONIBALL BLOG

  I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer. Psalms‬ ‭18:6‬ ‭CEV‬‬ "Have you ever felt like you were in terrible trouble, and no one could help you? Have you ever cried out to God in your distress, and wondered if He heard you or cared about you?" The verse is part of a psalm that David wrote after God delivered him from his enemies, especially King Saul, who tried to kill him many times. David expresses his love, gratitude, and praise to God for saving him from danger and death. The verse shows David's honesty and humility in admitting his trouble and his need for God's help. He does not pretend to be strong or self-sufficient, but he acknowledges his weakness and dependence on God. He also shows his faith and trust in God's power and presence, as he calls out to Him and expects Him to hear and answer.     - The verse also reveals God's grace and mercy in hearing and answering David'

  I am innocent, Lord, and I will see your face! When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are. Psalms‬ ‭17:15‬ ‭CEV‬‬ The verse Psalms 17:15 is part of a prayer of David, who was persecuted by his enemies and appealed to God for justice and protection. In contrast to the wicked who were satisfied with the pleasures and riches of this world, David expressed his longing for God and his hope of seeing him in the future. The verse begins with a declaration of innocence: "I am innocent, Lord". David claimed that he had kept himself from sin and violence, and that he had followed God's ways faithfully. He also asked God to examine his heart and prove his integrity (Psalms 17:3). He was confident that God would vindicate him and deliver him from his troubles. The verse then continues with a statement of expectation: "and I will see your face!" David looked forward to the day when he would behold God's face in righteousness. This means that he would enjoy

  Protect Me as You Would Your Very Own Eyes; Hide Me in the Shadow of Your Wings Psalms‬ ‭17:8‬ ‭CEV‬‬ The verse Psalms 17:8 from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) of the Bible reads as follows: "Protect me as you would your very own eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings." This verse is part of a prayer by David, who asks God to protect him from his enemies and deliver him from injustice. In this essay, I will explore the meaning and significance of the two metaphors in the verse: "protect me as you would your very own eyes" and "hide me in the shadow of your wings". The first metaphor of "protect me as you would your very own eyes" expresses David's desire to be close to God and to be valued by him as the most precious part of his body. The Hebrew phrase literally means "the little man of the eye", referring to the reflection of oneself in the pupil of another person's eye¹. This implies that David wants to see hi

But if you are as humble as this child, you are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew‬ ‭18:4‬ ‭CEV‬‬ What does it mean to be humble like a child? To know that I am nothing without God's grace To have no pride or greed that makes me wild To trust and obey his will in every place Why is humility the way to heaven's gate? Because God opposes those who are haughty but gives his favor to those who are lowly Because Jesus came to serve, not to be great but died and rose to save us from our folly How can I practice humility each day? By confessing my sins and asking for help By valuing others and serving with love By listening and learning from those who pray By giving thanks and praise to God above Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love and grace. Help me to be humble like a child, not seeking my own glory or honor, but trusting in you and serving others. You are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and you invite me to share in your joy. Teach me to fo

I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth. But he will not allow anything you don't allow. Matthew‬ ‭16:19‬ ‭CEV‬‬ The verse Matthew 16:19 is part of Jesus' response to Peter's confession that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus praises Peter for his faith and declares that he will build his church on the rock of this truth. He then gives Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and the power to bind and loose on earth what is in heaven. The keys of the kingdom of heaven represent the authority and responsibility that Jesus entrusts to Peter and his successors, the apostles and the church, to proclaim the gospel. The keys also symbolize the access and privilege that believers have to enter into the presence and blessings of God through faith in Christ. The power to bind and loose on earth what is in heaven refers to the ability and duty that Jesus grants to Peter and his successors, the

  But the words that come out of your mouth come from your heart. And they are what make you unfit to worship God. Matthew‬ ‭15:18‬ ‭CEV‬‬ In this verse, Jesus teaches that the true source of defilement and sin is not external, but internal. It is not what we eat or touch that makes us unclean, but what we think and say. Our words reveal the condition of our hearts, and they have the power to hurt or heal, to bless or curse, to honor or dishonor God. Jesus said this in response to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who criticized his disciples for not following the traditions of their ancestors, such as washing their hands before eating. Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and showed that they were more concerned about human rules than God's commands. They neglected to love and respect their parents, and they taught false doctrines that contradicted God's word. They praised God with their lips, but their hearts were far from him. Jesus also explained this to his disciples,

  At once, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don't have much faith. Why do you doubt?” Matthew‬ ‭14:31‬ ‭CEV‬‬ The verse Matthew 14:31 is part of the story of Jesus walking on the water and inviting Peter to join him. This story shows both the power and the compassion of Jesus, as well as the faith and the doubt of Peter. Jesus had just fed a large crowd with five loaves and two fish, and then he sent his disciples away in a boat while he went to pray on a mountain. Later that night, he came to them walking on the sea, which terrified them. He told them not to be afraid, and identified himself as their Lord. Peter, who was always eager and impulsive, asked Jesus to command him to come to him on the water. Jesus said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me!" At once, Jesus reached out

  After everyone had eaten all they wanted, Jesus' disciples picked up twelve large baskets of leftovers. Matthew‬ ‭14:20‬ ‭CEV‬‬ This verse describes the miraculous event of Jesus feeding a large crowd of people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. The verse emphasizes the abundance and generosity of God's provision, as well as the responsibility and stewardship of the disciples. The context of the verse is that Jesus had just heard the news of John the Baptist's death, and he wanted to withdraw to a solitary place to mourn. However, when he saw the crowds following him, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples suggested that Jesus send the people away to buy food for themselves. But Jesus said, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:16) The disciples were astonished and said, "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish." (Matthew 14:17) Jesus asked

  2 Timothy 2:22 CEV Run from temptations that capture young people. Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure. The apostle Paul wrote the second letter to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith, to encourage him and instruct him in his ministry. In chapter 2, Paul exhorts Timothy to be a faithful and diligent servant of God, who rightly handles the word of truth and avoids worldly and empty chatter. In verse 22, Paul gives Timothy a concise and practical summary of how to live a godly life as a young Christian. He says, "Run from temptations that capture young people. Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure." (CEV) In this essay, I will explain and apply these four principles to our lives today. First, Paul tells Timothy to run from temptations that capture young people. Temptations are anything that entices us to sin a

  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). Private purity is the quality of being free from sin, corruption, or anything that defiles or dishonors God. It is a personal and inward commitment to obey God's commands and follow His will. Public power is the ability to influence others, to lead them, to serve them, and to glorify God through one's words and actions. It is an outward and visible manifestation of God's grace and authority. The relationship between private purity and public power is one of cause and effect. Private purity is the source of public power, because it enables one to have a close and intimate relationship with God, who is the ultimate source of all power. When one is pure in heart, one can see God, hear His voice, and receive His guidance and blessing. When one is pure in motive, one can act with integrity, honesty, and humility, and avoid the pitfalls of pride, greed, and selfishness. When one is pure in condu

  But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants produced 100 or 60 or 30 times as much as was scattered. Matthew‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭CEV‬‬ This verse is part of the parable of the sower, which Jesus told to illustrate how different people respond to the gospel message (Matthew 13:1-23). It describes the outcome of the seed that fell on good soil, which represents those who hear, understand, and accept the word of God.     The main point of the verse is to show the fruitfulness and abundance of the kingdom of heaven for those who belong to it. It reveals the generosity and grace of God, who gives more than we deserve or expect. The harvest is not proportional to the amount of seed sown, but exceeds it by many times.     The verse implies the diversity and variety of the kingdom of heaven, which includes people from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. The harvest is not uniform, but varies from a hundredfold to thirtyfold, depending on the condition and capacity of

  I promise you on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew‬ ‭12:36‬ ‭CEV‬‬ Words are powerful tools that can be used for good or evil. They can inspire, encourage, comfort, and heal, or they can hurt, offend, curse, and destroy.  Jesus taught that words are not only expressions of our thoughts and feelings, but also indicators of our spiritual condition.  He said, "A good person brings good out of the treasure of good things in his heart; a bad person brings bad out of his treasure of bad things. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." (Luke 6:45 CEV) Jesus also warned that words have consequences, both in this life and in the life to come.  He said, "I promise you on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken." (Matthew 12:36 CEV)  This means that we cannot take our words lightly, or use them recklessly, without facing the judgment of God. Every

  Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:29: "Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest." This verse, from the Sermon on the Mount, presents a paradox: a yoke, usually a symbol of labor and bondage, as a source of rest. To understand this paradox, we need to explore the meaning of the yoke and Jesus' teachings. A yoke was a wooden frame that joined two oxen to pull plows or carts. It represented shared work, burden, and even slavery. But Jesus' yoke is different. He offers not a burden, but a partnership. His yoke is a call to join him in his work, to align ourselves with his purpose. This work is not about outward struggle, but about gentleness and humility. Gentleness, in Greek, means "meekness," a kind of controlled strength. It's not weakness, but a conscious decision to act with kindness and understanding. Humility means a lack of pride and self-importance. It's the realizatio

  "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward" Matthew 10:42 (NIV). This verse teaches us the impact of simple kindness, especially to the marginalized. Jesus values giving "a cup of cold water" to "one of these little ones who is my disciple." True compassion grows in small offerings, given sincerely and humbly. Giving water, a symbol of life, shows compassionate action. It transcends differences and speaks care and support. In a selfish and conflicted world, this verse says: even small kindnesses, inspired by empathy and respect, can create connection and humanity. The "reward" is not about riches or benefits; it's about the joy of serving a higher purpose. The reward is in the peace of offering comfort, the connection of compassion, and the impact on another's life. This verse encourages us to see the needs around

And anyone who gives one of my most humble followers a cup of cool water, just because that person is my follower, will surely be rewarded. Matthew 10:42 CEV In the midst of Jesus' teachings, a seemingly ordinary verse reveals a deep truth: "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward" (Matthew 10:42 NIV). This verse goes beyond its historical setting, offering a timeless insight on the impact of simple acts of kindness, especially towards those who are marginalized by society. The verse begins with a touching detail: "one of these little ones who is my disciple." By highlighting those who are often ignored, Jesus gives importance to the act of giving "a cup of cold water" to them. It's a reminder that true compassion doesn't need big gestures, but can grow in the smallest offerings, given with sincere hearts and without seekin

  Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice. Proverbs 1:7 CEV The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that teach us how to live according to God's will and wisdom. The first chapter introduces the main theme of the book: the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. To fear the LORD means to respect and obey him, to acknowledge his authority and power, and to worship him with reverence and awe. The fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom, because it leads us to follow his commands and instructions, which are for our own good and happiness. However, not everyone fears the LORD or seeks his wisdom. The verse contrasts the wise with the fool, who rejects wisdom and good advice. The fool is someone who ignores or despises God's word, who trusts in his own understanding and opinions, and who does not care about the consequences of his actions. The fool is arrogant and stubborn, and he

  New wine must be put into new wineskins. Both the skins and the wine will then be safe. Matthew 9:17 CEV Among the words of Jesus, a seemingly obscure verse reveals a surprisingly powerful metaphor for growth and change: "New wine must be stored in new wineskins. That way both the wine and the wineskins are preserved. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins" (Matthew 9:17 NLT). The verse goes beyond its historical context, which contrasts Jesus' radical teachings with the rigid religious traditions of his time, and delivers a timeless message about fostering new ideas and undergoing personal transformation. The contrast between old and new wineskins serves as a striking symbol. Old wineskins, stiffened by previous uses, were likely to break when exposed to the powerful fermentation of new wine. This inherent conflict illustrates the opposition of fixed structures and inflex

  But Jesus replied, "Why are you so afraid? You surely don't have much faith." Then he got up and ordered the wind and the waves to calm down. And everything was calm. Matthew 8:26 CEV This verse in Matthew's Gospel, seems simple, but has a deep meaning. The verse shows a dramatic picture of Jesus making a stormy sea calm, but it also explores the complex connection between faith, fear, and the power of stillness. The verse happens in a stormy situation, both in reality and metaphorically. The disciples, trapped in a violent storm, struggle with fear and doubt. Their shaky faith reflects the rough waves, showing the weakness of human bravery when facing difficulties. Jesus' question, "Why are you so afraid? You surely don't have much faith," is not a harsh criticism, but a gentle push towards awareness. It asks the disciples to recognize their fear, not as a personal flaw, but as a natural human reaction to the unexpected. By recognizing their

  Run from temptations that capture young people. Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure. 2 Timothy 2:22 CEV Paul's letter to Timothy contains a verse that gives us a clear direction for finding our way through the turbulent waters of life. This powerful passage is more than a moral code; it is a practical guide for creating a life of joy and purpose in the midst of temptation and social pressure. The verse begins with a strong command: "Run from temptations" calling us not to be complacent, but to be alert. It is a metaphor for caution, reminding us that temptations do not disappear unless we actively avoid their influence. But staying away from temptation is only the beginning. The verse then points us to "pursue what is right and good." This is not about obeying a strict set of rules, but about matching our actions with our values: honesty, kindness, and fairness. It is about