Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

In the quietness of the room

Where no one else sees

You feel totally alone, unwanted, wallowing in disbelief.

There He, is, waiting and watching.

In the busy workplace where no else sees

You’re consumed by chaos, as disaster looms

You feel totally alone, overwhelmed and frantic.

There He, is, waiting and watching.

On the congested highway cars speeding by, horns blowing

You curse and sigh…

Tormented soul you ask yourself why?

Is this the life I chose? Crying each night, heart stone-cold…

There He, is, waiting and watching.

Remembering a time long, long, ago

A verse memorized goes through your head…

Sunday school flashes before your eyes

Something happens as you repeat what it said,

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV

Hope is realized as you wipe your eyes…you do something you haven’t done in some time…

You get down beside your bed, bow your head, and pray…

There He, is, waiting and watching.

Lord, forgive me I need you. Take my life and make it what you want it to be. God I can’t do this by myself anymore. I’ve let loneliness, and chaos be my god…and it’s not worked out so well. I am asking you to be my LORD and SAVIOR! Thank you, Jesus, for loving me and for dying for me and for giving me eternal life. Amen! 

Suddenly, you feel as light as a feather. Peace enters your heart and, in your spirit, you hear…

Child, I’ve been waiting and watching you all of your life. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I just needed you to invite me in. I will always be waiting and watching, all you had to do was ask! 

Do you see yourself in this person? Are you struggling in life? Are you full of doubt and fear? Does your life appear hopeless and without purpose? Are you only going through the motions?

Jesus said in this world there will be problems, there will be persecutions, there will be trouble…but be of good cheer for He has overcome the world.

It may seem insignificant and simplistic but Jesus made it so that even a little child could understand. Instead of crying yourself to sleep at night, instead of wanting to bash everyone in your path, find a quiet place and talk to the only one who can change it all. Talk to Jesus. He is there, waiting and watching. Simply ask!

There is a way that seems right to a man but the ends thereof are the ways of death… 

When you accept the gift of Jesus Christ, you gain eternal life here and now! 

~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 20, 2019 

John 16:33 King James Version (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Proverbs 14:12 The Passion Translation (TPT) You can rationalize it all you want and justify the path of error you have chosen, but you’ll find out in the end that you took the road to destruction. 

Proverbs 14:12 Living Bible (TLB) Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road that seems right but ends in death. 

Romans 6:23 King James Version (KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Artist unknown

There is a place where only spirit dwells with Spirit
In this place we become one…
Total rhapsody I’m engulfed in this space
Free to bask in His presence abounding in His Grace…
No worries, no distractions, no pain or will, no fight…
On angel wings I’m lifted to heights unknown, as we take flight…
A flow that transcends the heavens and brings sheer delight…
This is the God place…this is the Presence where I dwell
With out fear of demon or hell…
The God place is experienced…
Pure and undefiled, consumed by His love and His peace
Bound by the Spirit of Holiness, The God place is where I’m found
No want of escape…no desire, but, for Him…
In His presence I am completely sound…
Holy wind and Holy fire, heart surrendered and free…
The God place is the place where I will be!
In an instant I am there…spirit intertwined with Spirit
Here and now I see thee!
Silence in the atmosphere; His heartbeat I hear
Serenity and trust, as I lay my head upon His chest…
Child, be blessed…
The God place is where I’m content and I rest…
With God face to face, we embrace!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 19, 2019

Psalm 16:10-11 The Message (MSG) I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell— that’s not my destination!

Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.

Psalm 16:10-11 The Passion Translation (TPT) For you will not abandon me to the realm of death, nor will you allow your Holy One to experience corruption.[a] For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life, the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.[b]

Footnotes:
a. Psalm 16:10 Or “the pit.” This is likely a metaphor for Sheol.
b. Psalm 16:11 There is no Hebrew word for “presence.” When the Psalmist wanted to speak of God’s presence, he used the Hebrew word for “face.”

It’s not then, it’s Now
It’s not when, it’s how
We live our lives each and every day…
We glorify Jesus by what we do and say
It’s not then, it’s now…
We live and move and breathe
It’s Jesus who set us free…
Stop looking for a place, or, a time in the future, for your WOW!
It’s the living God in us that teaches, faith is Now…
We cry and beg and plead and hope; broken and diseased and grope
For just a little peace-of-mind and love-divine but it’s only found in one place and one kind
The first fruit of the resurrection where Jesus said, Because I live, you live, child, you are now mine…
Live now, not then, for He’s given us His Holy Ghost,
He dwells in these bodies he made of clay
Stop looking for the pie-in-the-sky and live, today!
Knowing, our hope, our future, our life, is here and now; abide in His presence
That is how…
We overcome and defeat our foe
His joy is our strength, right now, here below…
Now, this very moment in time…we are whole, we are His masterpiece, be bold…
It’s not down the road, it’s not when we’re dead and gone…
Right now, His grace is…sufficient…for this day, you are called and chosen…you are royalty
Stop living in defeat…and fear…take this moment and know…YOU ARE FREE of all anxiety
All doubt all wanderings…all abuse…all shame…You are complete in Jesus Name…
You don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to live the God-life
The God-life is here and Now…
For who the son sets FREE IS FREE INDEED!!
Set your feet to dancing…raise your song in praise…
So, lift up your head weary child of God and reap the harvest of God’s love, His provision, His blessing is right now!
The Kingdom of God is within you!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 18, 2019

Hebrews 11:1-2 The Message (MSG) Faith in What We Don’t See ~ The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

Luke 17:20-21 King James Version (KJV) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The root of joy is gratefulness

Its flower is love divine.

Its fragrance is laughter…

Growing in the garden of time.

Birds are forever singing

Busy bees are buzzing happily

Frogs croak,

Ducks float, paddling merrily

When you are planting seeds of gratefulness

Your garden of hope will be…

Full of Joy, may your roots grow deep!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill (MO) September 12, 2019

1 Thessalonians 5:18 The Passion Translation (TPT) ¹⁸ And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.^[a]

Footnotes:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Verses 16–18 identify three areas our lives we must focus on: (1) unbounded joy, (2) praying continually, and (3) giving thanks to God no matter happens in our lives. These three virtues combine to form the wonderful expression of Christ’s life within us.

(Picture taken from the internet)

I have written this story with you in mind
Words of life to last through out time…
Not on slates of stone but hearts of flesh
Each time I write, the words are fresh…
There is no distance from beginning to end
I’ve carved out love letters; to you I send…
All I have and all I am,
Birth is only a pin-point of what your life is worth…
Babes in living cocoons, spinning through cosmic space…
I gave you your first breath, and it, is, I, who will take it again…
I’m writing this story so that you will understand
Your life is more than food or drink, more than what you do, or think
Your life is written in my book, and with each stroke of my pen, I look, and there you are
On the pages I designed and took…one tiny dot, just a speck in time…child, you are mine…
I formed the atmosphere and then I shook; and the earth was formed and the stars were shaped…I am the Author of Life, make no mistake…
You have a purpose; I’ve written the plan…
I’m the Author of Life; I created man…
But it’s up to you to finish the tale…will you choose heaven or will you choose hell?
Your story is being written as you read these words…
Like the waves of the ocean or the songs of birds…
I Am never ending, forever writing, to tell you, you are loved…
The Author of Life; is heard!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 9, 2019

Hebrews 12:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We met a man today on our journey to Emmaus
There was something about him, a stranger, but none-the-less
We have to get this off our chests…

We talked to him and walked with him; for quite a while…
And in those seven miles…these questions he asked…
“Why are you cast down? Why are you so sad?”

Surprised at his questions we said, “Are you not from these parts? Have you not heard the news?
Our teacher was arrested, tried and killed upon Golgotha’s hill…
He was to arise from the grave on the third day…

Some women, we’re told, went to the tomb to attend to his body, but they said, “Christ wasn’t lying upon the stone-cold bed and instead. We saw angels, they spoke and said, “He’s not here, he’s alive!””

Stunned they ran to testify. They told our companions what they had seen so they ran to the tomb and found an empty room…it was just as the women had said, ‘Jesus was not dead…’

This stranger told us how foolish we were, slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken.

We stood there in awe, this could not have been any ordinary man…

Coming to our village, the stranger started to walk on as, if, to leave us there, but we begged him to stay with us for evening was coming, day almost gone, we welcomed him to stay in our home. The journey had been long. So, he stayed.

Sitting at our table He took bread, and then he prayed…he broke it, handed it to us, and as we drew near, there before our eyes, He disappeared…

Surprised and bewildered we realized it was Him…

Oh, how our hearts burned within us, when he opened the scriptures to us, on our way to Emmaus.

This was Jesus!

Hurrying back to Jerusalem we heard the others say, “Jesus is alive…”

“We know, we’ve seen him, with our very eyes…we cannot deny, that what he did when he broke the bread, then disappeared, it took all our fear away…on that fateful day…

Oh, how our hearts burned within us… knowing…what he said is true…
Seeing him on our way to Emmaus, and others seeing him too…
For generations to come, God’s one true son died and rose again…

Perhaps you too will have a visit on your way to Emmaus…

Friend, Jesus, is alive!!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 29, 2019

Found in the Bible in Luke 24:13-35 New King James Version (NKJV) 

The Road to Emmaus

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was [a]seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

And He said to them, “What things?”

So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”

Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

The Disciples’ Eyes Opened

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He [d]indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Accept the summons of the High King…

Embrace the call! It’s His design made especially for you…

Do not let fierce-fear distract you, defeat you, mislead you or deceive you…

You are on a mission; and now that you’ve been commissioned

Go into the market place, the streets, the highways, the byways and speak authentically with His Authority and by His all sufficient Grace…

You have been purposefully placed, in this time and space, to be bold and courageous without want or waste…

There is no turning back to the old ways…for that time has passed…

This, is, a new day! A new hour!

God has given you the Power, to Go in Love and Soundness of Mind, and Spirit, simply obey…
See the signs of the times…and pray!

Pray for strength, to build up and not tear down, pray for hearts to be unbound by the coffins where they lay…

The walking dead will be raised to life…as you spread, the message where God has said…
Jesus, is, the High King!

He is offering, life, to all who break free from death, hell and the grave, Child of God be brave…
For it is He who is greater within you, than he who is in the world.

God will save, He’ll make new, all those He is calling through you…

No one can imprison the message of God, it can’t be bought or sold, destroyed or wiped out, I’m not talking about a book made by man’s hands…

I’m talking about the one who commands; angel armies, destroys darkness, builds universes, He is the creator of all things, He holds thousands in reserve who will not bow, to the god of this world…

There is no doubt… He can raise up stones to shout…. “All Hail to the High King, Let His praises ring…Glory to Hashem in, the, Highest, let us sing…Yeshua you are everything…”

I will Go!

My life is my offering, to the High King!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 28, 2019

1 Kings 19:18-20 New International Version (NIV) Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Isaiah 6:8 New International Version (NIV) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Lowly traveler, how far you’ve come, how far you’ve yet to go

Thirsty and hot, tired and abandoned, your journey of innumerable steps, as you trek, here below…

You pitch your tent in the middle of the night as you gaze upon a trillion stars and you wonder where you are…

Without family or friend, you hope for an end, but none is in sight…

Crying out, you spread your body upon the desert sand…reaching up for just a hand, but no one can…reach you.

You’re alone…with no home…the desert becomes your place of refuge…and you refuse to hope…

‘Where are you God when I need you most…why am I living this way?’

I hear the night wind, begin to blow…

One tiny star glows…brighter than the rest…a hush covers my soul…

In the stillness I hear a heavenly host begin to sing a song of deliverance…

Come, come to the well of refreshing…

Then a remembrance engulfs my thoughts, as a gentle wind lifts me to the sky…

Am I dead? Am I alive? Where am I? A voice like thunder rocks my being, I can hardly believe what I am seeing…and then I hear…

I AM here Child; I’ve been with you all along…but you refused to hear me speak and as you grew weak, I waited, for I knew that you would seek me once again…

You had a better plan, but not by my design.

Come, come to the well of refreshing

The desert is a quiet place, where I take my lowly ones to face, their fears and shed a million tears that will bring them to my well…

The well is deep, the water is sweet, oh taste and see that I am good…

Life is hard and misunderstood…unless you drink the living waters, I provide… then you’ll run and not become weary; you’ll never have to hide…when you drink from my well of grace…

Forgiveness never runs out…love, peace and joy will flood your soul when you drink the waters that I supply… then child, you’ll live and never die…

Come, come to the well of refreshing…I am the living water…you will find rest for your soul…

Drink and you’ll never thirst again…

Pouring my cup, I take a sip, then drink ‘til I am full…

Come, come to the well of refreshing… 

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 26, 2019 

Psalm 34:8 New International Version (NIV) Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

John 4:13-14 NIV Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Dedicated to Grace Nealis!

When you’re standing in the heat of the battle, strength almost gone
Hold on…Hold on…
It’s God who fights for you.
When your facing giants and it seems, you stand alone…
Hold on…Hold on…
God is fighting for you.
He’s there in the trenches, when your down on your knees
Swords swinging at the enemy, it’s God who sees
He gives the victory…
He never tires, never gives up, is undefeated…
When you’re fighting the battle, He stands, He’s not seated…
Hold on…Hold on…you’re stronger than you think
He’ll give you the strength…
Warrior, you will not sink
For God fights for you!
The Lord Rebuke you, demon-fear
The Lord of Host He stands right here
Beside me and fights the beatable foe…
With every bit of strength, I have, God I will follow…
If hell, is where I must go, while on this earth to set men free
Then God, I take up my holy weaponry and I fight this foe with thee
Demons have to flee…
I will not become weary…
I will not succumb to weakness nor its futility…
God, it is you, who fights for me…
My strength comes from Your Power, Your Love, Your discipline; You sustain me;
I believe…
With every ounce of this cup I drink, I will not falter, slip nor shrink
For in the twinkling of an eye I’ll see my God who fights for me.
Stand bold and be fierce in the battle you face
Surrounded by an Angel race…they too fight for you…
The battle is not yours but the Lords…
And by His Grace and steadfast love…the God who is above…
It is He, who Fights for you!
When you are weakest, He is strongest, be encouraged the battle, begun, is, won!
For God said, “It is done!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 21, 2019

2 Chronicles 20:15 New International Version (NIV) He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Rachel is on our prayer team at Journey Church. Our team meets before the third service and we pray together.

Rachel’s in a wheel chair. She’s intelligent and beautiful but she can’t talk or do things without assistance. She communicates with her eyes to let us know when she is finished praying.

After each person prays, I call on Rachel to pray and we wait. I watch her face to see when she opens and shuts her eyes to let me know she has finished. Today as I watched her it was like the Holy Spirit was allowing me to understand what she was praying and feeling. Her smile was over-powering, chill bumps ran up and down my body as I felt the presence of God and saw Him on her face…it was so beautiful. So, I wrote the following poem. I hope it touches you in a profound way. To know that God can use anyone if we are willing.
She was in an auto accident as a young girl, she has an amazing story. She lives with her mother, Darlene who takes amazing care of her. Please keep them in your prayers.

 Praying in the prayer room

Children of God proclaim

Taking authority, praying in Jesus Name…

Lord, set souls free, bring salvation and victory

As we boldly come into your presence and believe

For healings and deliverance,

We will sing and dance entering heaven’s thrown-room yes, we will take this chance…

To storm the enemies camp and there, we’ll, advance

The Kingdom of heaven…

We can’t see heaven with our natural eyes

But as our flesh-man surrenders; our own will dies…

Holy Spirit and fire, consume us with your desire…

To do, and be, what you’ve called us to be, thank you Jesus, for setting us free…

We are praising the King of kings…Oh, hear your warriors pray…

Come Lord Jesus and have your way…

We’re praying for miracles, in our community today.

Looking at a precious soul, she’s trapped in a body, that isn’t whole

And yet, her smile of pure joy, saturates her soul…

I watch and I’m engulfed in your Holy Presence…

Holy God; shivers running up and done my spine,

Her smile reaching into eternity to touch the heart of God…

I’m undone…

To know and see what you’ve begun…in people’s lives today…

It’s as, if, she had a glance on heaven’s highway, talking with you face to face,

Oh, Father what you did in this room, as your warrior prayed; what mercy, what grace…

Words not spoken verbally, for she cannot…but words from the heart touched your heart…

It shook me at my core…her faith opening heaven’s doors…when she prayed…

A perception I saw, as I watched her face and a smile, I can’t explain…

Heaven’s smile from this young girl’s heart…has lit a fire, a holy spark

Joy, unspeakable, joy, is pouring out from this holy reservoir…my soul soars far beyond this universe…

This was not rehearsed…out of my heart praises burst, as I sense Your Holy Worth…

There is no doubt…Jesus you smiled on her today…

Souls, made new, because of you, Jesus

It was Your smile, reflected in this anointed child…that brought about a brand-new light…

Rachel, smiling with the angels as her spirit took flight, into heavens glorious portals today!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 18, 2019

Psalm 126:2 “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Numbers 6:25-27 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) May the Lord smile down on you and show you is kindness. May the Lord answer your prayers and give you peace.’