Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

 

January 18, 2024

On January 9, 2024, I had a dream in the early morning hours. The Holy Spirit began to speak to me in my dream and he said, “Do you not hear the wind in the mulberry trees? I will come at a time you think not!”

I woke myself up praying in the tongues.

I lay there and listened to a mighty rushing wind blowing as debris hit the roof of our house. Through my curtains I could see lightning flashing off and on, like a camera flashing one after the other. I prayed softly, “Winds be calm! Peace be still!” And surprisingly the winds died down. But the storm continued. There had been tornado warnings all around us.

Later that day I told Bob about the dream. He said, he was having his zoom bible sturdy meeting with his friend Bob Eatman and that Bob was reading this book called The Great Disappearance, by Dr. David Jeremiah. I looked on my kindle and saw I had purchased it a while back, so I started reading it.

It talks about 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; John 14:3 and 1 Corinthians 15:52.

Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

Over the last several weeks, God has been showing me through different sources scriptures, books and people talking about Jesus’ return.

On January 7, 2024, my precious Aunt Rose at 89, went home to be with Jesus.

Bob and I attended her Celebration of Life on January 16. Karen, my cousin Randy’s wife, youngest son of Aunt Rose, asked if I would say a few words at the funeral along with Daphne, Aunt Rose’s granddaughter and Pastor Leon Jackson. Pastor Jackson used the very same scriptures in his sermon at the funeral that I read in the book. He has no knowledge of what God has been showing me.

Today, January 18, 2024, I was going through one of my mom’s journals and she had written, “We need the fresh wind of God to awaken us.”

There is a Wind blowing, it’s moving over the land, the mulberry trees are beginning to move…in order to hear the wind, we have to be tuned to the Spirit of God. He will come at a time we think not. Brothers, sisters are you AWAKE? Or are you sleeping? Are you READY? Or are you caught up in your own life and you don’t even think about Jesus’ Return!

WAKE UP! BE ALERT! The enemy has lulled you to sleep, causes distractions and all kinds of disturbances to keep you trapped in his web.

Don’t let Jesus’ return take you by surprise…

This life is fleeting, it will not last. Be on fire for God! Keep your lamps lit with fresh oil and fresh fire! Shake yourself and come alive!!

You don’t hear many sermons about Christ’s Return much anymore. God has not changed His mind concerning Jesus’ return. It is a living FACT HE IS COMING…

Look to the fig tree. There are signs everywhere…

The more Israel is seen in the news, know, the time is close at hand…

You may go the way of the grave before he returns, or you may be alive when he does…

One way or the other we who are Born again in the family of the Lord Jesus Christ will be resurrected with him.

Don’t miss it!

Ask Jesus to come into your heart and be born again.

One saying I read in the book, The Great Disappearance. “If you are born twice, you die once. But if you are born once, you will die twice.”

You do not want to be left behind in this world. It’s going to be a horrific time on the earth. Right now, while there is time ask Jesus to save you…

The wind is beginning to blow…the wind is in the mulberry trees…when you least expect it, Jesus will return and call the dead in Christ first and then the living who are His own will be caught up into heaven with him, far from the chaos that will be upon the earth.

It will be just as the days of Noah.

I’m not saying this to cause fear, although I hope it makes you afraid, afraid enough to believe and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior not out of fear, but of Love! Don’t think, “Oh, this has been said for two thousand years.” That’s true, it has, so don’t delay, time is getting closer and closer. Certain things need to be in place. But regardless of that. Death is certain. You will die. Where you spend eternity depends on the choice you make while living.

I’m pleading with you right now, in fact I’m begging you, for your sake and the sake of your children, don’t put off asking Jesus to come into your heart and make him the Lord and savior of your life. It’s because I love you so much, I’m sharing this with you. Most of all Jesus loves you!

But you can only get to heaven through one door and that door is Jesus Christ, the son of the Living God!

Do you sense that still small voice within you? That tugging in your heart? That is Holy Spirit gently tugging at you to come to Jesus while there is still time. Don’t delay or put it off…tomorrow may be too late!

Simply say, “Lord Jesus I’m sorry for my sins, come into my life, save me. I believe you are the son of God; you died for me and rose again. Be the Lord and Savior of my life and I will follow you all the days of my life. Amen!”

Read your Bible and pray often.  Attend a Church that teaches the word of God and follows Jesus Christ so that you will grow in the Lord! Be watchful for the Lord’s return. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your strength and with all your might! And love your neighbor as yourself. God bless you!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, January 18, 2024

Matthew 24:37-44 The Message “The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.

“The Son of Man’s Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So, stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.

Titus 3:5-Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Ephesians 2:8-9-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 10:9-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Ephesians 2:8-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

John 14:6-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12-Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 6:44-No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

2 Samuel 5:24 New King James Version – And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly.

 

My Dear Precious Aunt Rose,

Last night, January 5, 2024, when I prayed for you, I had a vision of you in a beautiful, long white, bridal gown, the veil was not covering your face.

The Bride Groom greeted you and took your hand. It was a glorious scene. Holy Spirit began to give me these words.

My precious love, how I’ve waited for this moment all your life.

I worked each day through the years building you the perfect place where there would be no worries and no strife…

As time went by, I watched you day by day, I was with you in Spirit even though sometimes to you, it didn’t feel that way…

I watched your birth and saw you grow into a beautiful child of mine…

Reaching out to others, Rose, you are one of a kind…

I was with you in each and every trial I never left your side…

The letters you wrote, encouraging others, was me, telling them to abide…

Your love for me grew continuously making my heart swell with joy and holy pride, while all the time, colors of the rainbow, the stars that shined…met Holy worship in a coli descope of brilliance and the sublime…

Finally, my sweet Rose, it’s time…

Your home here is ending, but my dear precious bride, I’ve built you a brand-new home where we will forever reside.

So, do not be weary about leaving loved ones behind…

Your example of my love for them will bring them home sometime.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for a crown of jewels shall adorn your head, do not be sad…

You’ll see me in all of my splendor! You’ll see your mom and your dad!

Your daughter Maria is waiting and Dan and Jeannette and Pete, Sallie and Book and all those who have come ahead…

When you enter through the gates of heaven, Holy Angels will sing you a brand-new song…there’s a host, a cloud of witnesses cheering and making such a fuss. Oh daughter, you’ll be with all of us…

Take my hand my lovely bride…and walk with me to the other side…

No fear, no sorrow, peace for all the tomorrows…

The party is just getting started and it’ll seem just a few moments have passed when all the others will come, at last…

May I have the first dance…and with just one glance…

Home, sweet home at last!

Home: January 7, 2024

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 6, 2024

John 3:29-30 King James Version He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

The End of Year 2023, WOW!

Living through the fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties I never even thought about the twenties, to me that was way to futuristic…when I was a kid, we certainly didn’t have all the technology we have today…and when I thought about the future, I pictured flying cars and being beamed from place to place like, well, like Star Trek…I guess to some degree the future has immerged into a place I never imagined…still some things remain the same…

We still have conflicts and problems that never seem to change. But all in all, as much as things have changed, many things remain the same.

Which brings me to the close of 2023, and the start of a brand-new year 2024, in just a few short hours…what will the New Year bring? That’s a question many contemplate as we watch the clock ticking.

That being said, for me, here’s what is on my heart at this time in history.

Starting around 2016, the Lord began to impress on me a Word, he had for me for the New Year. This year I thought about what that word would be but I didn’t really concentrate on it, it was more of a ponder. But I believe it was, day before yesterday, the Holy Spirit impressed a word to my spirit and confirmed it in several ways.

What was the word? The Word is HOPE!

When I’ve heard and thought about the word hope throughout the years, I had this image of a wish or a dream. I didn’t really understand what Hope was all about until a day ago. Holy Spirit began to reveal to me Hope.

Hope is an expectancy…something you long for but haven’t yet acquired. He reminded me of how when a mother is expecting a child to be born. It’s there, you can’t see it, but you can feel it and you know it’s alive because you can hear its heartbeat, through technology. You can even see an image and know the sex again because of technology. But the child is hidden. Therefore, the mom and family wait in anticipation, for what they are hoping for and when it is born her hope is realized and manifested.

Our Hope is in the expectancy of Jesus. We can’t see him, but we know by faith he is there. We can feel him by the power of the Holy Spirit by God’s Holy word, and we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt He is alive because of faith.

I know some are thinking, “We’ve been waiting forever…to see Jesus’ return.” We do not give up though, why? Because of Hope!

Hope is not a wish or a dream. When you truly grasp who that Hope is, your expectancy grows, it becomes a reality because, even though it has not manifested in the natural, in the supernatural by faith it’s already ours!

We don’t know what 2024, holds for the world, but we know who holds each and every day in the palm of His hand…brothers and sisters remain in Hope…be steadfast, immovable, knowing that our Hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ and even though hope deferred makes the heart sick…when that hope is manifested it brings forth a tree of life! (Proverbs 13:12)

Maybe God has impressed a word for you, for 2024…Hold on to Him…Hold on to Jesus…Hold on to Hope by Faith knowing God keeps his promises. He does not lie!

When will He return? Only He knows that. But keep expecting…because even if it isn’t in our lifetime…He will come again! He is coming again! That is our Hope!

When he comes, will you be ready? If you go before that time, are you ready to meet Him? Only you can answer those questions…

I know I’m ready…

Faith, HOPE and Love…the greatest of these is Love! Think about this…if Love is the greatest of these three…imagine how great Faith and Hope must be!

God bless you and may you have a New Year filled with Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen! So be it!

Your sister in Christ Jesus, Marla Shaw O’Neill December 31, 2023

Psalm 42:11 King James Version – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Twas the day after Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse, the gifts were all opened, the turkey put away, as grandma and grandpa were still hitting the hay, while visions of white beaches danced in their head, Susie and Tommy jumped out of bed…the sky is now opened they joyfully said…then rushed out to see all the clutter they had.

“Now Tommy! Now Susie, stop that fighting you, two…clean up that mess, yes, I’m talking to you,” When all of a sudden, Rover ran through, barking and jumping he needed to go out…Christmas is over until next year, Whew! Mom sighs, “Can’t wait for my kids to go back to school!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 26, 2023

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three gifts of Gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four Hosts of Angels singing, three gifts of, gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five… loaves of bread…four hosts of angels singing, three gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the nineth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine stars a shining, eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten lepers healed, nine stars a shining eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven parables given, ten lepers healed, nine stars a shining, eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve disciples preaching, eleven parables given, ten lepers healed, nine stars a shining, eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God, for everyone, to, love.…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 20, 2023

Luke 2 The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Welcome, I’m so glad you came!

Family’s always welcome, I know you, by name!

I’ve been expecting you all day long…

Before we begin, let’s sing our traditional song…

Oh, come let us adore him…

Oh, come let us adore him…

Oh, come let us adore him…

Christ, the, Lord!

There is Joe, and Mary and Steven and Grace, Mike and Terry, oh just wait ‘til you taste…

The good things I’ve prepared with all of you in mind…

Gifts of Love, Joy and Peace, you’ve all been so kind.

Peter, James and John’s sitting on my right…

Waiting diligently the candles to light…

Now we’ll say a blessing, before we take one bite…

You, being here is my greatest delight.

A knock comes at the door…one last person to enter our feast…

Come on in Son and take your seat!

Eyes all follow as he sits down to eat.

Dinner begins, now that all is complete!

The guest of honor lifts his glass in a toast…

To Father, Son and Holy Ghost…

And to all the family, we gladly host…

Let the banquet begin, there will be no end…

Seated in, the Holy of holies…

Everyone rejoices as the party begins!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 12, 2023

Luke 14:15 New International Version – When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

 

The Presence of God…

When someone is away from you on a trip, at work, simply in another room…and they come into your presence, there is no longer a distance between you…but they are with you, and you’re together.

You are aware of their presence…especially if it’s someone you love, cherish and long to be with on a consistent basis…and when they go to heaven you may sense them, but their presence is no longer there, and you miss them.

As children of God, we learn about God, we talk about him, sing about him, we even pray to him but, it’s, as if, he is in a faraway place. We paint pictures of him, write stories about him, think about him, we love him but act like he’s not really there. He’s up in heaven sitting on his throne, he’s too busy with more important things to do than to be bothered by our insignificant lives. But that’s not what He wants.

He said, draw near to him…he said come unto me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest. He said, to enter his courts with praise and thanksgiving. He calls to us, “Where are you?” He says, “You are mine; I’ve called you by name.”

He even sent His son so that he could be closer to us. He gave us His Spirit to be in us so we could be with him all the time. We are the ones who are too busy, too consumed with our own agenda’s. Living complicated lives that could not stop for a moment to inquire of Him!

He waits patiently and lovingly for us to acknowledge Him; he wants us to know him in a deep intimate way so that we dwell (be aware of him) in His Presence. Oh, but when we learn to do that, it’s a time of such peace that you never want to leave. That’s when we begin to be transformed into His image. Here’s some guidelines I found that may help…

How to Cultivate a Sense of God’s Presence

1. Meditate on God’s Word. Don’t just read it; reflect on it. …

2. Confess and forsake any known sin. Sin creates a gap between us and God (Isa. …

3. Pray in the Holy Spirit. …

4. Fast to the Lord. …

5. Sing to the Lord. …

6. Go to church. …

7. Be a generous giver. …

8. Tell others about Jesus.

God’s presence can be felt in different ways. If you’ve ever been in a group of people who are praying, sometimes it feels like there is a large, comforting, presence in the room, other than that of the people you are with. Sometimes you sense that same presence in church, as I said above.

We lie down and sleep in peace because we are always in His presence. When the Lord God Almighty is your dwelling place, you possess peace. You have guidance, protection, deliverance, spiritual blessings and eternal security. You will never be separated from His love. What does it mean to walk in the presence of God?

Secondly, it dispels our fear because wherever we are His presence is with us and we will not lose our way. Thirdly, walking in the light of God’s presence ensures His blessing because it is the way of obedience. In Scripture obedience and blessing go hand in hand.

How do I get closer to God and feel his presence?

Here are some things each of us can do to foster a greater relationship with our creator.

1. Pray. This is how we talk with God. …

2. Read the Bible. …He speaks to us…

3. Give thanks. …

4. Practice humility. …

5. Memorize scripture. …

6. Honor God with your body. …

7. Start and End your day with God. …

8. Take thoughts captive.

What does the tangible presence of God feel like?

I compare a touch from the Holy Spirit to a butterfly who has alighted on my arm; some say it is like a dove on the shoulder. It is tender, precious and easy to miss if we are not looking for it.

What is God’s presence called?

God’s omnipresence means He is always there—even when the awareness is not. His Holy Spirit indwells believers at all times. God’s manifest presence, however, is something that occurs in our lives as He chooses to reveal Himself. It is something that is sometimes experienced and other times not.

God’s presence is an awareness, a smell, a knowing of total and complete peace, tranquility, engulfed in Him. There’s no time, no space just a place of being still and you don’t want to leave… ~MO.

(David Hernandez Ministries) The Power of the Holy Spirit is what He does. The Presence of the Holy Spirit is Himself. God’s message is endorsed by the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s people are endorsed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit can change your circumstance, but the presence of the Holy Spirit can change your heart. The Power of the Holy Spirit comes upon you. The Presence of the Holy Spirit dwells within you.

The Power is for service.

The Presence is for salvation.

The Power helps you to do.

The Presence helps you to become.

Here is the presence within you:

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. (Acts 1:8, NLT)

The power stirs you.

The presence stills you.

The power activates the gifts.

The presence is the glory.

The power inspires praise.

The presence inspires worship.

The key to the power of the Holy Spirit is the presence of the Holy Spirit.  ~David Hernandez Ministries.

References: Exodus 3:2-6, 1 Kings 19:9–13, (Luke 1:26-38), Psalm 16:11, James 4:8, Hebrews 10:19-22,

Exodus 33 :13-14

Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people. And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave or forsake You.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Being in the Presence of God changes your perspective for the better…and your purpose will automatically, show up!

Without the Presence of God, your Purpose won’t matter.

Find a quiet place and worship Him until you are engulfed (surrounded, amerced, saturated) in His presence…there is nothing like being in the Presence of the Living God…you won’t, want, to leave. I promise it will change your life. In His presence if fullness of Joy and at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore!!

Just like being with family and enjoying their fellowship…God desires us to fellowship with him…it’s so sweet, so good, fulfilling it’s a peace that is indescribable…

Lord, I come into your presence with praise and thanksgiving, I love you Papa God because you first loved me! Amen! Oh, father how good and pleasant it is to dwell with you in heavenly places…I will come often and stay late…

“Come on child…I can’t wait!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 12, 2023

For a while now, quite a while…I have been weary, in a spiritual battle. We are all in the battle. Some are more aware than others. If you are breathing, whether you know it or not, you’re in the struggle of your lives. It’s a battle for the lives of your children and children’s children. It’s a battle for one another. We’re all in this together. That’ s why it is so vital for those of us who are of the household faith, to pray. Prayer is communion with God. When we pray, we are talking to our creator the one who is the only one, who can save us, help us, deliver us! He hears our prayers and he answers. He answers with, Yes, No, or Not yet! He sees the whole picture. He sees all lives, in all places, and how it affects eternity. It’s a ripple effect. So, it’s not just what we want, it’s about what He wants.

In this battle…we have an enemy and that enemy is shrewd and strategic, more cunning than all other beings. He’s a master liar, a putrid deceiver, a constant destroyer of anything and anyone living and of those to come. It doesn’t matter who you are, your status, your race, your religion, your creed. Everyone is the same to him. He sees all mankind as an enemy and he is determined to wipe us all out. He is forever lost and wants to take as many as he can with him.

But know this, Jesus has already defeated him and if you are in the family of God, you have an advocate with Jesus the son of God. Jesus is praying for you!

Last Sunday before the service, we have time set aside to pray before the service begins. Many people were visiting with each other which was totally fine. The fellowship was sweet. Gathering together after a week of hard work it’s a nice time to see one another. But I had a heaviness in my spirit and I needed to pray. So, I went down front, I think there was one other person praying at that time. I sat in a seat and silently began to pour my heart out to the Lord. It was as if every sound, all the voices around me became quiet and I was engulfed in the Presence of the Lord. In other words, I didn’t hear anything going on around me. I had an audience with the Lord and it was powerful. Tears ran down my face as I prayed. I prayed that God would forgive me for my faults. I prayed that He would be glorified. I prayed for souls to have a deeper relationship with Him. I prayed more of him and less of me. I prayed for families and for the Church. I prayed he would show me what he wanted me to pray for, that His Heart would be my prayer. Then I heard him say these words, “It’s about people.”

After I heard those words, I felt peace settle within me but those words stayed with me. As Pastor Perry brought the message he began to expound on how, it is all about People. I was elated, he had confirmed that what I heard was from the Lord.

I’m going to get very real right here, right now…we all have challenges we deal with on a daily basis. Sickness, conflicts, jobs, homelessness, finances, Christmas, unsurmountable tasks, wars and rumors of wars, hopelessness, discouragement, endless life struggles, news that shatters your resolve, you know what I’m talking about. Life is hard. But God is good! We as individuals face many, many issues in our lives. From the very young to the very not so young, the time-worn ones. This battle we’re in never ends. It is ongoing, from conception to the passing from this life we are in a fight. We fight physically, spiritually, and mentally. The battle never ends. But as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, we’ve been given weapons of; Prayer (seeking God), Power (the Holy Spirit), Love (God’s love) and a Sound Mind (the mind of Christ, the anointed) we’ve been given the Armor of God, to fight in this battle we will overcome fear (false evidence of appearing real). We are not alone. Jesus, Is, With us!

I needed encouragement as my flesh and my spirit battled it out. I’ve been down, discouraged, and I couldn’t seem to find my footing. I’ve prayed, asked all the questions, talked to my heavenly father about all the “stuff” and He listened patiently, waiting for me to be in a position to receive from Him, when he did speak. Oh, there has been encouragement from others as they shared with me their insights, not knowing Papa God was speaking to me through them. They didn’t know I was in the middle of a battle. God was speaking through them trying to get my attention.

In the early morning hours that’s when I hear Him most clearly. Holy Spirit said, “I’ve called you to serve.” The Way he said it, was so reassuring not burdensome. It was light and joyful. It was no longer a thing of, what I was going through, or how I felt, or what I wanted. It wasn’t, what is my purpose? Why am I here? It was what, He said, “I’ve called you to serve.” He turned everything around and put it in a perspective so profound that I understood it was about helping others… “It’s about People!”

The struggle ended. I was no longer the spotlight. It was about “They, Them, He, She, Young, the Time-Worn Ones! The focus changed. Serving, not being served. Giving, not wanting for selfish reasons. He turned the whole battle around and it was no longer a drudge, it was a privileged.

The battle only becomes overwhelming when we focus on the “Me, Myself and I.”

So, battle, weary, soldiers, pick up your sword, the word of God! Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, doing what is right in God’s eyes not our own! Take the Helmet of Salvation and place it on your head, Jesus didn’t die in vain! He, is the savior of the world! Let the Belt of Truth be worn as a mantra to do what God says is true, a good report, steadfast, immovable, standing in His strength! Walk with your feet prepared with the Gospel (Good News) of Peace, His Shalom! Allowing His peace, to carry you to others! Above all, do this, hold the Shield of Faith in front of you, ever ready to deflect all the fiery darts of the evil one! Pray, being thankful and with all supplication (plead humbly) pray in the Spirit, He knows what is needed most and what to ask for! Watch and be prepared with perseverance for the saints, we are all in this battle together!

Come on Servants of the Highest, we’ve got a battle to run toward and not to retreat! Build up the body of Christ by serving one another. Don’t look back, if you do, you’ll get stuck in the rearview mirror of time. Stop complaining! What you say is powerful let your words be life provoking. God is listening and he is waiting for you to put on your uniform and serve with gladness. A merry heart does good like a medicine. Laugh, love, serve Him by serving others. Amen!!!

After all God’s got you! No matter what happens we have already won. This place is not our final home, we are all just passing through. What we do here on this journey will determine who and where we are when it’s all said and done!

You are in service of the King of Glory! I salute you! Go in Peace! Fight the Good Fight of Faith! Don’t fight each other, Serve each other! In Jesus Name, Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 6, 2023

Ephesians 6 The Message

6 ^1-3 Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life.”

⁴ Fathers, don’t frustrate your children with no-win scenarios. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.

^5-8 Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.

⁹ Masters, it’s the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.

A Fight to the Finish

^10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

^13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

^19-20 And don’t forget to pray for me. Pray that I’ll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.

^21-22 Tychicus, my good friend here, will tell you what I’m doing and how things are going with me. He is certainly a dependable servant of the Master! I’ve sent him not only to tell you about us but to cheer you on in your faith.

^23-24 Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.

In the early morning in that in-between-time right before fully awake, I hear the familiar whisper of my heavenly father speaking…

“Turn around you’re looking the wrong way…I’m trying to give you the promised land, but you are still living in the desert…and you keep looking back to Egypt! There is nothing for you back there. It is a fantasy. It no longer exists…”

Ouch…

Oh, Abba how well you see and know me.

Throughout my life I’ve longed for the fairy tale…the home with the white-picket-fence where loved ones gather for family dinners and birthdays and just day-days…to be together. Laugh, cry, go through all the life-things, together. But I never achieved the fairy-tale, because it doesn’t exist. The prince and the princess with a life of happily-ever-after. TV families like; Leave it to Beaver, My three sons, the Walton’s, to name a few…that’s Hollywood feel-good, make-believe-stuff…where in TV land, everything has a happy ending. At least back then it did.

Reality is a hard taskmaster…but in all of life’s struggles there are moments where life is good…it’s joyful and we find moments of contentment…My mom would say, “Life never runs smooth.”

What I’ve come to learn over the sixty-nine years I’ve lived this life, is that we are all still just little kids trying to figure it all out. With experience, comes wisdom, at least it should. I suppose some never learn the lesson.

I was young once believe it or not…I had silly little dreams but as life unfolded, I didn’t have the how to, to accomplish, and looking back at now would have been completely different. Age gives you a certain perspective you don’t have when you are young. “Hindsight is 20/20 they say.” Whoever they are.

I’m not complaining though, because even with the “stupid” mistakes (unwise choices) I made they brought me to this amazing time in my life where I’ve made life-long friends, great memories. I’ve learned to leave the bad memories buried and forgiven. That’s what Papa God told me one time. “Stop digging up dead things!” It’s a process.

But I find myself, if I’m not alert to it, I dwell in the desert and try to figure out why things are the way they are. Dumb I know. Thus, the Spirit of Papa God, telling me to stop it.

I think about many things, and that may be part of my challenge…but that’s me, a thinker of deep things…I guess that is the artist in me…to create…but sometimes those creations are not for the better…thank goodness for Holy Spirit…he tells us to think on good things, praiseworthy things.

This is who I am. I was once someone else, but Jesus changed all of that. I continue to be transformed into His likeness day by day, moment by moment, and for that I am grateful.

I am saying all of this to tell you…Do not look back! There’s nothing there for you. Live in the present! Live in His presence because in Him you’ll have the Promised Land…where milk and honey flow continuously. But if we look back, if we listen to the evil one, he will trap us in a place of despondency, regret, unhappiness, defeat, unforgiveness and death.

Turn around, live in the now!

You may ask, “But how do you do it?”

Have you ever been in love? That euphoric feeling of all you think about, all you care about, all you talk about, and all you want is to be with that person. Well, it’s kind of like that.

Fall so in love with Jesus that he is all that matters. When you do that, your heart is made new and all you want to do is love. Read His love letters. Get to know him better and better. Learn of him, see how he acted, what he’d say, what he’d do and follow His example.

Hate is an extremely damaging emotion. It doesn’t just kill the spirit of the person you hate; it kills you. Just like eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil it kills you spiritually and damages your whole life. When Steven, one of the early disciples was being stoned to death, he said, “Forgive them father for they don’t know what they are doing.” He followed Jesus’ example. Jesus stood up…if Steven had not prayed, forgive them…Oh my! (Someone gave me this insight the other day.) (Todd)

When Jesus was dying on the cross, He said, “Forgive them father, they don’t know what they are doing.” Had he not prayed that prayer, this is just a personal thought, God would have destroyed mankind right then, for what they were doing to his son, it hurt him to the depths of his soul that he had to turn his head…but Jesus loved us so much, he gave up His life for us. You and me and for all generations to come. All he asks is that we ask him too, he doesn’t force anyone.

A very good friend of mine (Amye Still) says this, “Hurting people, hurt people. Freed people, free people!”

Simply ask Jesus to come into your life, your heart, and show you how to love him. I promise you he will Love you right back…

Jesus loves you so, so much…when you love him, it makes you love everyone even your worst enemies…even those who hurt you, abused you, abandoned, betrayed you, crushed you. But with the love Jesus gives you, you can forgive. Not that you continue in those relationships. Sometimes you have to love people from a distance. You will be freed!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 27 & 28, 2023

1 Corinthians 13 New Living Translation

Love Is the Greatest

13 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about ^{it; [a]} but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

⁸ Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages^[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! ⁹ Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! ¹⁰ But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. ¹² Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect ^{clarity. [c]} All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes

1. 13:3 Some manuscripts read sacrificed my body to be burned.

2. 13:8 Or in tongues.

 

Adam was created to tend God’s Garden…

Adam was not the master; he was created to serve…

We are not the masters of the earth, there is only one Master…

We’re here to serve him!

In the beautiful garden where life began, where streams of living waters ran…

Trees gently waved, touched, by the wind…

Flowers grew abundantly, their fragrance sent…

Sweet smelling savors to the nostrils of Him…

As He blessed the two of them.

Whole and complete, no sorrow, no sin…

Joy and pleasures experienced there, living in the garden.

Serving was a pleasure. There was no thought of days end…

Life was fulfilling, true peace came from within

No secret desires, their hearts were content…

Serving in the garden wherever they went.

Mountains and valleys, fields and forests, found, in the garden of life…

Thousands of years went by…

Serving was their hearts cry…

Eagle’s soar and Lion’s roar, revealing God’s presence is so much more…

As the two serve the sovereign Lord…nothing broken or shaken

While serving in the garden!

Life was good, where the two stood.

In the garden where they abide…

Forever, loving and serving the master, side by side!

Until…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 17, 2023

Genesis 2:15 King James Version-And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.