SAM HONIBALL BLOG

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I will show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’ (Matthew 11:28–30 Message). These words, spoken by Jesus, resonate across time and space. They invite weary souls to find solace, to step away from the burdens that weigh them down, and to discover a different way of living—a way marked by grace, rest, and freedom. The Invitation to Rest "Are you tired?" Jesus begins. It's a question that pierces through the noise of our busy lives. We carry fatigue like a heavy cloak, our shoulders sagging under the weight of responsibilities, expectations, and the relentless pursuit of success. But Jesus extends an invitation: "Come to me." He beckons us to a place of refuge, wh

  Introduction: The book of Proverbs is a treasure trove of practical wisdom, offering guidance on various aspects of life. In Proverbs 13:3, we encounter a straightforward yet profound truth: "Keep what you know to yourself, and you will be safe; talk too much, and you are done for." Body: 1. Guarding Our Words:    - The verse begins with the admonition to keep what we know to ourselves. This implies discretion and discernment. Sometimes, sharing certain information can lead to harm or unintended consequences.    - Wise individuals recognize the value of silence. They weigh their words carefully, understanding that not everything needs to be spoken aloud.    - By guarding our tongues, we protect ourselves from unnecessary trouble and maintain a sense of safety. 2. The Perils of Excessive Talk:    - On the other hand, the second part of the verse warns against talking too much. When we become overly verbose, we risk several pitfalls:      - Reputation Damage: Excessi

  John 13:14 CEV‬ And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. In this passage, Jesus demonstrates a powerful lesson through a humble act: washing His disciples' feet. Before the Passover meal, Jesus knew that His time in this world was coming to an end, and He wanted to leave a lasting example for His followers. 1. The Context:    - It was before Passover, and Jesus loved His disciples deeply.    - Even before the meal began, Judas had already decided to betray Jesus.    - Jesus knew His divine origin and ultimate return to God. 2. The Act of Foot-Washing:    - During the meal, Jesus took off His outer garment, wrapped a towel around His waist, and washed His disciples' feet.    - When He reached Simon Peter, Peter was taken aback and questioned Jesus.    - Jesus explained that unless He washed Peter's feet, Peter wouldn't truly belong to Him. 3. The Profound Message:    - Jesus emphasized that He was their Teac

  Psalms 62:8 CEV‬ Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety. Let's delve deeper into Psalm 62:8: 1. Trust God: This phrase emphasizes the importance of faith and reliance on God. Trusting God means acknowledging His sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness. It involves surrendering our worries and fears to Him, knowing that He is in control. 2. Always tell Him each of your concerns: God invites us to share our hearts with Him openly. We can pour out our worries, anxieties, and joys before Him. Prayer becomes a powerful way to communicate with God, expressing our deepest feelings and seeking His guidance. 3. God is our place of safety: Here, God is portrayed as our refuge, a safe haven where we find protection, comfort, and peace. When life feels chaotic or uncertain, we can run to Him for shelter. He shields us from harm and provides security. In summary, Psalm 62:8 encourages us to trust God wholeheartedly, communicate with Him h

Psalms 57:10-11 CEV‬ Your love reaches higher than the heavens; your loyalty extends beyond the clouds. 1. Know you are loved by God. Worship Him steadfastly: God uses you because He loves you greatly, as David says "For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies" (Psalm 57:10). Worship Him steadfastly with your gifts publicly and privately, in good times and bad (Psalm 57:7-9). 2. Honor God in your life. Desire His glory: Make it your ultimate desire to exalt God and let His glory be over all the earth (Psalm 57:11), just as Jesus taught to pray "hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9). 3. Do what the Father is doing, not your own plans: Like Jesus who could do nothing by Himself but only what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19), try to discern God's plans and join in rather than initiating your own.  4. Do good works as evidence of faith, but don't earn salvation by them: Those who have done good will rise to

  Judges 5:31 CEV‬ Our Lord, we pray ... let everyone who loves you shine brightly like the sun at dawn.  In Judges 5, we find a poetic song of victory sung by Deborah and Barak after their triumph over the Canaanite general Sisera. This chapter celebrates God's deliverance and the courage of those who stood with Him. Here's a closer look at verse 31: "Our Lord, we pray that all your enemies will die like Sisera. But let everyone who loves you shine brightly like the sun at dawn." 1. Defeat of Sisera: Sisera was a powerful enemy commander who oppressed Israel. Deborah and Barak led the Israelite forces against him, and God granted them victory. The prayer here expresses a desire for the enemies of God to meet a similar fate as Sisera. 2. Shining Brightly: The imagery of shining like the sun at dawn symbolizes strength, radiance, and victory. Those who love God are called to be like the rising sun—bold, unwavering, and illuminating the darkness. 3. Spiritual Appl

  Psalms 56:8 CEV‬ You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them. In this psalm, David is facing adversity and persecution. He pleads to God for mercy and protection from his enemies. Despite the challenges he faces, David maintains his trust in God. Here are some key points from Psalm 56:8: 1. God's Care and Compassion: The imagery of God collecting tears in a bottle highlights His deep concern for His people. Tears represent our pain, sorrow, and vulnerability. God not only sees our tears but also treasures them. He doesn't ignore our suffering; instead, He collects and remembers every tear shed. 2. Days of Wandering: David acknowledges that life can be like wandering—a journey filled with uncertainty, trials, and hardships. Yet, even during these wandering days, God is attentive to our struggles. He keeps a record of our experiences, both joyful and painful. 3. Counting Each Tear: The idea that God counts

  Proverbs 11:12b-13 CEV‬ If you are sensible, you will keep quiet. A gossip tells everything, but a true friend will keep a secret. This passage highlights several essential principles: 1. Sensible Silence: When we encounter negative information about our neighbors or others, it's wise to remain silent rather than spreading gossip. Speaking ill of others can harm relationships and create unnecessary conflict. Sensible individuals choose their words carefully and avoid contributing to negativity. 2. Gossip's Trap: Gossip is like a snare that ensnares both the speaker and the listener. When we engage in gossip, we risk damaging our own reputation and relationships. Instead, we should strive to be trustworthy and discreet. 3. True Friendship: A true friend doesn't betray confidences. They honor trust by keeping secrets and supporting one another. Such friendships are built on integrity and loyalty. In summary, this Proverb encourages us to be thoughtful in our speech, g

  John 3:16 CEV‬ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. The verse begins with a powerful declaration: "God loved the people of this world so much." This love is not ordinary; it's extraordinary, boundless, and all-encompassing. Let's explore the essence of this love. 1. The Sacrificial Gift: God's love moved Him to action. He "gave his only Son." Imagine the depth of this sacrifice—the Father willingly offering His beloved Son for the sake of humanity. Jesus, the Son, became the ultimate expression of God's love. 2. The Invitation to Faith: The purpose of this divine gift was clear: "so that everyone who has faith in him." Faith is the key that unlocks eternal life. It's not about mere intellectual assent but a wholehearted trust in Jesus as the Savior. 3. Eternal Life and True Death: The promise follows: "will