SAM HONIBALL BLOG

  Instead, they find happiness in the Teaching of the Lord, and they think about it day and night. Psalms 1:2 CEV‬‬ The essence of this verse lies in the contrast between two paths: one that leads to blessing and happiness, and another that leads to sin and scorn. Let's break it down: 1. Refusing Evil Advice: Those who choose the path of blessing are described as people who reject harmful counsel. They don't follow the advice of those who lead them away from God. 2. Delighting in the Teaching of the Lord: Instead, they find joy and fulfillment in the Law of the Lord (God's teachings). This isn't mere intellectual knowledge; it's about meditating on God's Word day and night. It becomes a source of comfort, guidance, and wisdom. In summary, this verse encourages us to prioritize God's teachings, seek His ways, and find true happiness by aligning our lives with His wisdom and love. In verse 3 ends with: Those people succeed in everything they do. Praye

  You, Lord, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears. Psalms 27:1 CEV‬‬ The verse beautifully expresses trust, courage, and unwavering faith. Let's break down its essence and takeaways: 1. Divine Light and Safety:    - "You, Lord, are the light that keeps me safe." This line acknowledges God as a guiding light, illuminating the path and providing protection.    - It reminds us that even in darkness or challenging times, God's presence brings safety and reassurance. 2. Fearlessness:    - "I am not afraid of anyone." The verse emphasizes fearlessness. When we trust in God's protection, fear loses its grip on us.    - It encourages us to face life's trials with confidence, knowing that God is our shield. 3. Divine Protection:    - "You protect me." This phrase underscores God's active role in safeguarding us.    - It's a powerful reminder that we are not alone; God wa

Jesus replied, “Why do you say ‘if you can’? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” Mark 9:23 CEV‬‬ The essence and takeaways from this verse are: - Jesus challenges the father of the demon-possessed boy to examine his own faith and trust in God's power. The father had said to Jesus, "If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us" (Mark 9:22). Jesus responds by repeating his words, "If you can?" and then declares that "Anything is possible for someone who has faith!" - Jesus teaches that faith is the key to experiencing God's miracles and interventions. Faith is not a mere wish or hope, but a confident assurance and conviction that God is able and willing to do what He has promised. Faith is not based on our feelings or circumstances, but on God's character and word. Faith is not passive or fatalistic, but active and obedient. Faith is not a condition for God's power, but a response to God's grace. - Jesus

The Lord sees everything, and he watches us closely. Proverbs 5:21 CEV‬‬ This verse is part of a warning against adultery and the consequences of sin. The essence of this verse is that God is aware of everything we do, and nothing can be hidden from Him. The practical takeaways from this verse are: - We should be careful and faithful in our relationships, and avoid any temptation that may lead us astray from God's will. - We should be honest and transparent with God, and confess our sins to Him, knowing that He is merciful and forgiving. - We should remember that God is watching over us, and He cares for us, and He will reward us for our obedience and faithfulness. Prayer: Lord, You are the all-seeing and all-knowing God. You see everything I do, and You watch me closely. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, and to avoid any sin that may harm me or others. Forgive me for the times I have failed You, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank You for Your gra

  Who may climb the Lord's hill or stand in his holy temple? Only those who do right for the right reasons, and don't worship idols or tell lies under oath. Psalms 24:3-4 CEV‬‬ The essence of this verse is that God is holy and he expects his people to be holy too. He sets the standards for who can enter his presence and enjoy his blessings. Some practical takeaways are: - We should examine our lives and see if we are doing right, having the right motives, avoiding idolatry, and being truthful. - We should confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ, who is the only way to God. - We should worship God with reverence and gratitude, and seek to grow in holiness and obedience to his will. Prayer: Lord, you are holy and awesome Your name is above every name You dwell in the highest heaven But you also call us your children. Who can come near your presence? Who can stand in your holy place? Only those who love you and obey you, those who s

‭ My son, if you listen closely to my wisdom and good sense, you will have sound judgment, and you will always know the right thing to say. Proverbs 5:1-2 CEV‬‬ The key essence and takeaways of these two verses are: Essence: - Wisdom and good judgment are developed through focused, attentive listening and instruction, especially from fathers to sons. Takeaways: - Listening intently to wisdom provides the foundation for sound judgment. - Applying wisdom leads to knowing the right responses and words for various situations. - Fathers play a vital role in imparting wisdom and discernment to their children. Some practical applications could include: - Fathers should prioritize sharing their life experiences and Biblical insights to help develop their children's discernment. - Children should be quick to listen and learn when parents offer wisdom and guidance. - Believers should seek out wise mentors and influencers who can speak truth into their lives. - When facing diffic

  God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus! Philippians 4:19 CEV Philippians 4:19 is a powerful verse that reminds us of God's provision and care. The apostle Paul writes this letter to the church in Philippi from prison, yet he overflows with joy and hope in Christ. Even in the midst of his dire circumstances, Paul is confident that God will supply all of the Philippian believers' needs. The key phrase in this verse is "according to his riches in glory." This indicates that God can meet their needs abundantly because of the infinite spiritual riches believers have in Christ. Jesus' death and resurrection secured believers' salvation, forgiveness, and inheritance in God's kingdom. So out of his lavish spiritual blessings, God will take care of the Philippians' practical, physical needs like food, shelter, and clothing. Paul's prayer reflects his trust in God's faithful character. Even

  ... God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him... Romans 8:28 CEV This is  a verse that has encouraged many Christians in times of suffering and hardship. But what does it mean that God works all things together for good? And who are those who love him and are called according to his purpose? First, we need to understand that God's work for good does not mean that everything that happens in this world is good. There is evil, pain, injustice, and death in this fallen world, and God does not approve of them or cause them. Rather, God's work for good means that he is able to use even the bad things that happen to accomplish his ultimate plan of salvation and glory for his people. God is sovereign over all things, and nothing can stop him from fulfilling his promises. He is able to turn the worst situations into opportunities for his grace and power to be displayed. Second, we need to realize that God's work for good is not always visible or understa

He asked to live a long time, and you promised him life that never ends. Psalms‬ ‭21:4‬ ‭CEV‬‬ In this passage we see some of the many blessings that salvation includes: 1. Answered prayer You have given him  his heart’s desire  and have not withheld  the request of his lips ’ (v.2, AMP). 2. Unending blessings ‘You send  blessings  of good things… You set a crown of pure gold on his head… You make him  to be blessed  and  a blessing  forever’ (vv.3,6a, AMP). 3. Eternal life ‘He asked life of you, and you gave it to him –  long life forever and evermore ’ (v.4, AMP). 4. Victorious living ‘Through the  victories you gave , his  glory is great ; you have bestowed on him  splendour  and  majesty’  (v.5). 5. Joy and gladness ‘You make him  exceedingly glad  with the  joy of your presence’  (v.6b, AMP). Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you saved me. Thank you for your unfailing love and many blessings. I put my trust in you today. Amen ***

  So tell them that the Lord, whose name is “I Am,” has sent you. Exodus‬ ‭3:14 ‭CEV‬‬ In this passage, Moses finds himself in the presence of God at the burning bush on Mount Horeb. God speaks to Moses, commissioning him to go to the Israelites and lead them out of their bondage in Egypt. However, Moses hesitates and questions his ability to fulfill this monumental task. He asks God what he should tell the Israelites if they ask for the name of the One who sent him. In response, God reveals His name to Moses as "I Am." The name "I Am" signifies the self-existence and eternal nature of God. It highlights God's unchanging and ever-present character. This divine name also conveys the idea that God is the source of all existence and the ultimate authority over all creation. Furthermore, by revealing His name as "I Am," God establishes a personal connection with Moses and the Israelites. It demonstrates that God is involved in their lives and that He i

After Job had prayed for his three friends, the Lord made Job twice as rich as he had been before. Job‬ ‭42:10 ‭CEV‬‬ Job was a righteous man who suffered greatly because of a wager between God and Satan.  He lost his wealth, his children, his health, and his reputation. His three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, came to comfort him, but they ended up accusing him of sinning and deserving his misery.  Job defended his innocence and questioned God's justice, but he never cursed God or renounced his faith. At the end of the book, God spoke to Job out of a whirlwind and challenged his wisdom and understanding.  He showed Job his sovereignty and majesty over all creation and asked him to trust him even when he does not explain his ways.  Job humbly repented of his complaints and acknowledged God's greatness. He also prayed for his three friends, who had angered God by speaking falsely about him. The book concludes with a happy ending for Job. After he had prayed for his t

Why do you talk so much when you know so little? Job‬ ‭38:2‬ ‭CEV‬‬ The question above is not a rhetorical one, but a direct challenge from God to Job, a righteous man who suffered greatly and complained about his fate. In the book of Job, chapter 38, God speaks to Job from out of a storm and confronts him with a series of questions that reveal his ignorance and insignificance in comparison to the Creator of the universe¹. God asks Job if he knows how the earth was founded, how the sun rises, how the stars are arranged, how the weather works, how the animals live, and many other mysteries of nature that are beyond human understanding. God's purpose is not to humiliate Job, but to remind him of his limited perspective and his need to trust in God's wisdom and justice. The question that God poses to Job can also be applied to ourselves. • Why do we talk so much when we know so little? • Why do we presume to have the answers to everything, when we are often ignorant of th

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  Love others as much as you love yourself. Matthew‬ ‭22:37‭-‬39‬ ‭CEV‬‬ Love is the essence of the Christian faith. Jesus summarized the whole law and the prophets in two commandments: to love God and to love others. These two commandments are inseparable, for one cannot truly love God without loving others, and one cannot truly love others without loving God. To love God with all your heart, soul, and mind means to devote your whole being to him. • It means to worship him, to obey him, to trust him, and to serve him. • It means to put him first in everything, and to seek his will above your own. • It means to love him with passion, with sincerity, and with intelligence. To love others as much as you love yourself means to treat them as you would want to be treated. • It means to respect them, to care for them, to forgive them, and to help them. • It means to share their joys and sorrows, to bear their burdens and to

  I promised myself never to stare with desire at a young woman. God All-Powerful punishes men who do that. Job‬ ‭31:1‭-‬2‬ ‭CEV‬‬ The Problem of Lust Lust is a common and powerful temptation that many people struggle with. Lust is defined as a strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature, that is directed toward someone or something that is not rightfully ours. Lust is sinful because it violates God's design for sexuality, which is meant to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. Lust also dishonors God, who created us in his image and gave us the ability to love and respect others. Lust is selfish, greedy, and destructive, and it can lead to many harmful consequences, such as adultery, divorce, addiction, violence, and disease. The Bible warns us about the dangers of lust and the judgment of God that awaits those who indulge in it. In Job 31:1-2, Job declares his innocence before God and his friends, and he says, "I promised m

Darkness was your robe; thunderclouds filled the sky, hiding you from sight. Psalms‬ ‭18:11‬ ‭CEV‬‬ This verse from describes the awe-inspiring appearance of God as He came to deliver David from his enemies. It portrays God as a majestic and powerful King, who conceals His glory in a veil of darkness and rides on the storm clouds. Let  us  explore the meaning and significance of this verse, and how it relates to the theme of God's deliverance in the psalm. The context of Psalms 18 is that David is praising God for rescuing him from his foes, especially from Saul, who had pursued him for many years. David attributes his victory to God's intervention, and describes how God responded to his cry for help. He uses vivid imagery and poetic language to depict God's appearance and actions, drawing from the natural phenomena of thunder, lightning, earthquake, and fire. He also compares God to a warrior, a rock, a shield, and a horn of salvation. One of the most striking im

  If you have faith when you pray, you will be given whatever you ask for.” Matthew‬ ‭21:22‬ ‭CEV‬‬ This is a possible piece on the verse Matthew 21:22 CEV: What does it mean to have faith when we pray? How can we be sure that God will give us whatever we ask for? These are questions that many Christians struggle with, especially when they face difficulties or disappointments in life. Sometimes we may wonder if God is listening to our prayers, or if He cares about our needs and desires. The verse Matthew 21:22 CEV gives us a remarkable promise from Jesus: "If you have faith when you pray, you will be given whatever you ask for." This verse is part of a larger story, where Jesus curses a fig tree that had no fruit, and then tells his disciples that they can do the same, or even greater things, if they have faith and do not doubt. He also says that they can tell a mountain to move, and it will obey them. This may sound incredible, or even impossible, to us. How can we