Watercolor by artist: Marybeth Stafford
Explosion of Praise to the King of kings
Millions upon millions, standing in applause,
The atmosphere exploding
With roars of praise to God
The King is approaching, scepter in His hand
The light of His glory, kings, understand…
Lord’s bow in humility, kneeling at His throne
Crowns are cast before Him…
Worshipers we belong…
In majestic ovation, roars pierce the air…
The King is exalted for this is where…
Father, Son and Holy Ghost bring celebration to share…
All the host of angels and His children declare…
He is The King of kings, and LORD of lords…
We shout a holy roar…
To Christ our redeemer, on eagle’s wings we soar…
Souls made new, creation restored…
Come, children, and dance before the LORD!!
Let timbrel and harp and trumpet, blast…
Forever in His presence; death is past…
A jubilant expression fills our hearts as joyfully we sing…
Throughout eternity we celebrate the King…
We are kings of His kingdom
So rejoice and let us bring…
A Holy Roar to Jesus, our, triumphant King!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 28, 2019
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9
So the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11
Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” Revelation 19:5-7
Keep your Eyes on Me
The enemy of our soul is real. He will lie, cheat, kill, destroy your hope, your dreams, your life, if he can. But we have been given Life through the blood of Jesus Christ the anointed Son of God. What we focus on…and what our minds tell us can be so real that we actually have symptoms and if not dealt with can even bring death. It’s so important to know who you belong too…God’s word gives life…His Spirit speaks to us in truth…so when fear comes and doubts overtake you…speak the word of God and receive His life…let His word be so loud in you that nothing the devil says can be heard…I have a story to tell and it will be told…but for now just know that Jesus is saying…Keep your eyes on Him!!!
Through this trial one of the tremendous things I learned was to listen to that still small voice of my Jesus and one night, in the heat of the battle I heard Him say, “Come walk on the water with me child. Keep your eyes on me!”
I had come across this picture of Jesus walking on the water by Abraham Hunter…I printed it and every time, doubt tried to take over, I remembered His words and I’d look at the picture…and receive peace! Today I wrote this poem.
‘Keep Your Eyes On Me’
How long O God, how long?
Will you leave me in this dark place?
A place where only dark shadows and creeping things slither and bring me to disgrace…
I’ve known your deep compassion and your never-ending love
I’ve tasted and seen the gentleness of your spirit, light as a dove
And yet in this trial Lord, I thirst and cannot see…the light of your face
Giving grace to me…
I know it’s there…because you cannot lie
How long God, will I carry this thorn and in this trial, cry?
In the stillness of midnight, lying on my bed, I hear your loving voice reminding me to lift my head…
Come walk with me on the water, child, and keep your eyes on me…
I have never, and will never, ever, abandon thee…
You see,
The demons tremble at the mention of my name
They run away in terror for they can never proclaim
Freedom from the darkness or the resurrected life…
All they can do, is, try to steal, kill and destroy…
But they have no power over you…they cannot take your joy…
My blood is the cure for the sin filled life…
One time, for all time, accepting it ends all strife…
Of pride, and confusion, yes, my blood cuts like a knife…
Through bone and marrow, sharp and precise…
Open your eyes child and realize…that my blood gives new life…
You ask how long…Let me tell you
The moment you lift your head and decide
That I am by your side…
The moment you pray believing that’s when you’ll see the tide…
Turn and watch it rush out to the sea, trial over, there’s Victory…
Speak words of life and then you’ll be totally, completely, set free!
Do not look at the storm child; Keep your eyes on Me!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 26, 2019
Matthew 14:27-29 But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!” Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
I Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Last Friday Bob took me to one of my favorite stores, Hobby Lobby because I wanted to get some picture frames to display my grandbabies. So I went to the frame section 50% off by the way…I looked at different ones. Bob went to another section, he knows how I love to look and look and look until I find exactly what it is that speaks to me. So I chose the ones I wanted and put them in my buggy. Then I proceeded to browse down some other aisles…I came to the one where there were displays of different crosses, some had scripture verses and different familiar quotes and cute sayings like, Be still…and The Lord is my Shepherd, God bless our home, etc., all of them were very nice and it gave me a sense of peace as I read them. Then a young woman with a buggy who had a little boy riding, came around the corner…the boy was maybe six years old and he said, “Look mommy, God made these just for us! I like the one with the heart on it.” The mother didn’t say anything. I don’t think she realized what her son had said. He was trying to tell her that God had written those words just for them! She didn’t get it. But I did!
Then I took my time and strolled up and down the aisle reading each word that God had made just for me. I would have missed the Holy Spirit’s message had I not listened to a little boy talking to his mommy. God uses so many opportunities to speak to us, if we will just open our ears and eyes and hearts to His voice no matter what the source.
He used a little boy to feed five thousand. He used a little girl to show his glory by raising her back to life. He used a storm to teach his disciples to have faith. In each trial we go through he uses it to teach us to depend on Him. And he will use everything around us to let us know, He is with us and His grace is enough.
You reading this right now, look!
God made all this just for you!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 18, 2019
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd
I shall not want
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
He leadeth me beside still waters
He restoreth my soul
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Through the Trial
I was there at the beginning…
Known as the Word…
I’m the breath of life…
Where dust and soul unite
I threw the stars across galaxies, shining the light for all to see
I formed the sun and the moon so that the day would bloom
And the night would swoon, as true love meets, bride and groom
I blew upon the waters and designed oceans and seas
Where tides roll and creatures of the deep
Run and play unafraid, laughing, no need to weep
While water-colors swirl, and all living things are sweet
Heaven is my throne-room, and one day we’ll meet.
I’m the architect of heaven and earth
Hurling mountains; telling them to stay
Scooping out valleys, where still-waters obey.
The birds, and beasts of the field, draw near when I say…
Be fruitful and multiply…what a glorious display
I’m the musician; where my melody is heard
Deep within the soul; without speaking a word…
I talked with Adam, ‘Twas our delight…
No unbelief was in him, he was intelligent and bright…
Made in my image, this was good, this was right!
Yes, I was there in the beginning, and I am in the here and now…
I’ll hold you in your sorrow, in each new dawn, on the morrow…
And you will see, I am here for thee, my perfect love cast out fright!
I provided the ram for Abraham; his faith made him my friend…
I closed the mouths of lions; I was there, setting Daniel free in the end…
I was in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
There was no smell of smoke on them when they were let go.
I walked with Moses through the desert of woe
I instructed Samuel when he anointed David as king…
I am here right now, are you listening?
You see, going through these tests, brings about your very best
And sets the captives free…
Will you walk with me?
Will you abide and not flee?
Will you believe when you walk through your trials?
No matter how long, or, how many miles?
Will you trust me in the desert?
Will you believe me crossing the red sea?
Will you take up your cross and follow me?
Will you believe I am with you when the night is long?
Will you be strong, when everything looks completely wrong?
Will you raise a war-cry of praise and sing a worship song?
I am past, present and future…the beginning and the end
You see, even in the desert, in the ocean and the fire
Even in the heavens you are my desire…
I’ve loved you then and I love you still…
Trust me child, I always will…
My word is steadfast; my word is true…
Have faith today and see your trial through
I’m here right now; I’m waiting for you…
Don’t look to the left; don’t look to the right…
Stay focused on me, get ready to fly…
I’ve got you child, in the raging storm
Peace, be still, oh do not mourn…
No need for tears, no need to cry…
All who believe in me will never die!!!
~In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit…Amen!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill – March 13, 2019
Daniel 3:16-28
Genesis 2:8
Jesus Be Glorified!!
Break forth in an explosion of Praise
Tears streaming
Loud and unrestrained cheers, faces beaming
In an exuberant display
Stars giving way to a brand new day
Light filling the earth with Praise
Good morning child, you’ve found the Way…
I don’t move, in the when,
I move, in the Now…so suddenly is How…
You perceive my answer to be…
Waiting patiently, this is a virtue for you
My word is true…
Live in the now where I exist
And healing and deliverance, you will have this…
Because, Now, Faith is
The substance of things hoped for
The evidence of things not seen…
For human eyes and humanness
Cannot explain all that exists…
For I am Spirit and I am Now
Break forth in pure Praise…
Now, is the day of salvation!
Now, is your healing seen!
Now, is faith believing, that,
I Am!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 12, 2019
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 KJV
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV
Jesus Brings the Rain
In a dry, hard, and dusty land, in the middle of a drought
Nothing but tumble weeds blows about…
So dry, and parched, the tongue sticks to your mouth…
This is the way of the transgressor…as the dead-life takes its toll.
Then out of the East, dark clouds appear as lighting and thunder rolls…
Riding on the wind, this ragged soul, sees, a mighty host…
Wait! He cries…Save me from this terror…
Afraid, the transgressor beholds…
Confessing his sins, he repents for his life’s role…
I’ve been a fool and wasted the life that you, Oh God, bestowed…
Have mercy on my soul!
Kneeling on the cracked, gray dirt…ashamed and weary but fully alert…
Raising his head he sees victory not dread, for Jesus brings the rain…
Instead of death for the tortured soul, the blood of Jesus restores, makes whole…
Refreshing rain pours forth on the soul, for Jesus brought the rain…
Jesus brings the rain, to wash away our sins…
Jesus brings the rain so that we can begin again…
Jesus brings the rain to soften our hearts…
He gives us new beginnings and brand new starts…
Let the rain of Jesus pour on your hard, darkened, hearts…
Instead of hurt and pain…let Jesus bring the rain!!!
Refreshing rain pour over me, that even my wounds, are healed by thee…
Jesus, thank you for the rain!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 8, 2019
For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord, Jeremiah 30:17
The Valley of Despair
There is a valley called, the Valley of Despair.
While walking through this valley you will be aware…
That this is where lots of thorns and thistles grow…
Jackals laugh and snakes hiss causing great woe…
The valley flows with dark shadows; it brings fear and unbelief…
And walking through the valley there will be heartache and grief…
Take one step at a time and hold onto the Master’s hand…
He will not lead you into death; He will bring you through…
Darkness will try to woo you into its blackest night…
But remember, Jesus is with you, He’ll make everything alright…
You’ll have a rod and staff to comfort you
Holy weapons that will protect you, too…
You won’t camp out in the Valley of despair…you’ll keep on moving
For this is where…
You’ll be proven and tested and guided by the light…
Your heart will want to run, through this valley of fright…
It will seem as if it will never end, that life is over and you’ve been done in…
Hold on tighter to the Master’s loving hand…
For He’s leading you into His perfect, divine plan…
And when you see you’ve traveled through…the valley of despair…
And you’re on the other side…
You’ll recognize…
It wasn’t your courage, or your bravery that led you through
It was trusting in the God above, for it is Him, who…
Held you when you were frightened, gave you grace to carry on; it was His love that kept you from wanting to give up and just die…It is Him who held you, He was right there by your side…
So, let a mighty, roar of praise come forth, and in Him abide!
And after coming through the valley of despair you will understand
That your trial is over for the night, child, and God’s made everything alright!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 6, 2019
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
The Angel Song
