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...