Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Those little moments when Joys become burdens

We are focused on what comes next

Instead of the here and now

Feeling trapped in a sea of littleness

Wanting something else, we give up bliss…

Frustrated and impatient, wondering about all this…

Grab hold of the right now…and never let it go

For when it’s gone you’ll understand and wish it back even though

Those moments have gone, and so…

The loss you feel will be greater than the letting go…

Take each moment that you live and live it to the full

For those Joys will be grown, and one day will leave your home

Empty, wishing they had not gone…

Words to the wise…Capture each sigh

And turn it into life…embrace the Joys that are at your side…

Little Joys, of moments, spent side by side…

Add up to a lifetime ago…

Grab hold of them and never let them go…

And when you’re old; and body bent…

You’ll be thankful for, each little Joy; sent

To make your life content!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 31, 2018

Dedicated to my children and grandchildren!

 From head to feet, His body torn

Disciples watched.

His mother mourned…

Taking our sins; Jesus the Lord!

Hanging from the tree that day…

It is finished! They heard Him say…

The earth shook and rocks were split

Soldiers were shocked because of it…

Thunder roared and in the Temple sent

Holy Spirit finally ripped

Top to bottom the veil was torn…

As the holy Angels sounded their horn

Souls were free and for joy they cried

God no longer had to hide; for Jesus His son

Had bled and died…

Three days in the grave and then revived…

How could this be? What does it mean?

The veil was torn in two

Five sets of blue, purple and scarlet cloth

A miracle of grace and mercy brought…

Where once a bull had to atone for our sin

The veil was torn which let man in

Now God and man would speak again…

Not in shadow, or, a go between…

God was free to live His dream…

Restored mankind and set men free

Jesus did this for you and, for me…

No veil to separate the Holy place

Now we can see Jesus, face to face…

And God is glorified, by the human race…

Holy Spirit now resides…

Within our hearts is where He abides

When Jesus Christ, God’s son, suffered and died…

From top to bottom

The veil was torn in two.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 30, 2018

Matthew 27:51 New International Version (NIV) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split

Hebrews 9:1-9 New International Version (NIV) Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered Ark of the Covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.

Isaiah 59:1-2 New International Version (NIV) Sin, Confession and Redemption

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Exodus 30:10 New International Version (NIV) Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.”

 Photo by: Marla O’Neill

There’s darkness, so dark; that the light cannot be seen

Lean in closer, let me tell you what I mean…

We are born into this earth empty and void…

Living, not knowing the reason why, we only survive

Physically our minds are in-tacked and our bodies they comply

Thinking we are living, but never asking why…

God’s Spirit hovers over us, “Step into the light!”

Fear and unbelief hold us tight…

But God said, “Let, there, be, LIGHT!”

A light so bright that it separates the darkness from the night

Where once we stumbled and fumbled about

The light reveals a marvelous sight…

New breath breathed, filling every molecule of our soul

Eyes wide open what majesty we behold…

Songs of praise and gratitude fill every darkened room

We’ve stepped into the light and now we are consumed…

Where once all we could see, was darkness, hopelessness and doom

Light has come and given us new hope, new life, we’re renewed…

Darkness is the dwelling place where nothing thrives or grows

Over the deep, bottomless pit, darkness screams to keep our soul…

Holy Spirit hovers near, he gently whispers in our ear…

“Come on dear child, step into the light!”

Abraham, Jacob, and Mary too, John, Mark and Bartholomew

Matthew, Peter, Stephen and Paul, along with others, yes, they all, stepped into the light!

And God saw that it was good!

When you step into the light you’ll fully understand…

Darkness is dark…But Light is life!!!

Step into the Light!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 29, 2018

Genesis 1:2-4 New International Version (NIV) The Beginning

…Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

About a week ago I experienced something I had not experienced before…my sugar went extremely low and all I could see was this bright light it blocked out everything. Bob was at work and I was alone, so I had to force myself to walk to the kitchen for some orange juice…I could see forms around the light but not the center of the object…I knew what it must be like to be blind; only instead of darkness there was bright light. I found the OJ and I knew where the glasses were so I reached for a glass not being able to see it…I used my finger as a guide to pour into the glass, shaking the whole time because of the low…I drank a few sips, not panicking and drinking to much…and in a little while my sight came back and my sugar came up and life was calm again. Yesterday morning…God used that experience to say to me… “Marla tell them to Step into the Light!” He is the Light and he is the one who guides us and directs us even when we cannot see…He helps us to find the way!!! In him there is no darkness…we don’t have to be afraid just walk in the light!

When darkness is all you can see

When pain and doubt fills the room…

When all you can do is lay there and suffer…

What will you do?

When there is no cure; feels like all hope is gone

You’ve prayed and prayed but you still can’t see the dawn

What will you do?

When all your friends have left you alone

In grief and sorrow your wounds, your own…

You’ve prayed but the answer is still delayed

What will you do?

Turn your eyes to the Master…

Rest in His tender embrace

It’s only through Jesus’ love and His amazing grace

Only His touch that can take the place

Of the pain and despair streaked across your face

Lord, I can’t do this alone

I can’t endure the loss

I can’t end the suffering

But you did through the cross…

Your blood was shed through suffering

The nails in your hands and feet

The stripes that ripped your body

In this place we will meet

The crown that crushed your brow

The spear that pierced your side

Where blood and water poured, this is where you died…

It’s you Jesus, I will call on, and it’s in your name I cry…

Touch me Jesus

Take away my pride…

Forgive my doubt and fear

I surrender Jesus draw me near

I’ll praise you in the torment

This hell upon my bed…

You are the Good Shepherd,

Upon your shoulder, I lay my head

No one here to comfort

No one here to see

Only you Jesus are here with me…

Out of the darkness a light comes shining through

Yes child, I am here, I am here with you…

Touching my hand, Jesus heals my soul

My body relaxes and now I can go…

What will you do when darkness comes to you?

Hold onto Jesus, He will carry you!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 25, 2018

John 6:20 New Living Translation (NLT) but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” (Jesus)

Since the beginning of time when man did evil in the eyes of the Lord, everything crumbled. There was death, war, famine, disease, idol worship, dishonoring parents, the murder of children, greed, gossip, men against women, and, women against men, parents against children, and, children against parents, disrespect, cursing God, forgetting the Sabbath to keep it holy, adultery, coveting, nation against nation…, “and they did evil in the eyes of the Lord!”

Reading I and II Samuel and I and II Kings this week something kept jumping out at me about God’s people, how that with each new king the majority, did evil in the eyes of the Lord. They forgot the ways of the Lord and they served other gods. They did not follow YHWH/God at all. God is holy, He has No sin. When people choose their own ways and forget God, death and destruction follow.

As I thought about that last night I cried and I prayed. God, am I doing evil in your eyes? Am I serving other gods? Am I critical self-centered, prideful, arrogant? Am I slandering and causing pain? Or Am I giving you all praise and honor with my life. Am I showing respect for you and for others? Am I showing Jesus in my actions and loving the way you love Lord?

It grieved my heart to think that after all God did for his children, they would not listen they chose the ways of the world over the ways of a loving, giving, gracious God. He delivered them from slavery. He brought them into a good land. He caused their crops to flourish, and their herds to thrive. He multiplied them with children and health and prosperity. But still the majority walked away and lived the way of the pagan, (those who didn’t know God). They constantly complained and murmured. Why?

Only a handful of Kings did what was good in the eyes of the Lord! I am praying today for our country that our leaders will do what is good in the eyes of the Lord! I’m praying that as Christians our influence will righteous before the Lord. I’m praying that our lives will be for goodness and that it will be seen and carried on by our children to future generations. Are we doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord?

Are we setting the example of what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord? Are we calling evil good and good evil? Are we teaching our children to pray to the God of all creation the One true God who loves us so much and sent his son to die for us? Are we keeping the Sabbath day Holy? Are we loving God first and loving our neighbor as our self? Are we honoring our parents? Are we coveting what does not belong to us? Are we giving to God what belongs to him? If not this is why marriages are broken and devastated, there is jealousy, lust and lies? Unfaithful and unforgiveness flows throughout our homes, cities, nation and world. What are we doing? My heart cries out to the living God…have mercy…have mercy save us!!

Look around, open your eyes? Can you see the world we are living in? Are we caught up in the hate and lies? Are we running like a frenzied crowd? Are we slinging mud and shouting contempt? Murder in hearts, this is why prisons are being filled. Our world is sad and broken. Children want to follow Hollywood, war games, making heroes of TV stars and watch movies about the occult and try to carry out blood sacrifices. They pay more attention to evil than good. We are failing miserably. Is this the kind of world you want your children to grow up in?

My heart is heavy today…I’m interceding and asking for prayer-warriors to pray with me for a change. I’m asking that Jesus will hear our prayers, and turn the hearts of people toward Him, and that the family of God will seek God’s face so that healing will begin in lives today and we will see salvation and repentance all across America!

There is only one remedy! Tear down the idols in our hearts. The idols of pride and prejudice! Come before the Lord with a broken and contrite heart. Humility will soften the heart of God. Repentance will bring revival. Walk in the Spirit, pray in the Spirit. Be a person of influence for good not evil.

If we don’t rewrite the story, our history books, if we tarry will read…and they did evil in the sight of the Lord!

The handwriting is on the wall…but we can change it…we can make the world better…but only if we turn back to the one who created all things…return to our first love…our beloved…His name is Yeshua…Jesus…Messiah…He, who did good in the eyes of the Lord! He who brought salvation and victory if we will accept it!

Sin is aggressive. It is like a cancer. It is indiscriminate. The blood of Jesus is the cure!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 25, 2018

1 Kings 15:26 New International Version (NIV) He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the ways of his father and committing the same sin his father had caused Israel to commit.

1 Samuel 8 New International Version (NIV)

Israel Asks for a King

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

By: Marla O’Neill-Written on 11/10/2000

Timmy sat on the floor in front of his mother looking up at her with a questioning look on his face. His mother looked at him and said, “What is it Timmy?” “Mommy, where does the rainbow hide? Timmy’s mother looked at him and said, “Well, I’ve never really thought about it before.” She thought about giving him an explanation but didn’t really know how to explain it to her six-year-old son. So she did what any smart mother would do. She said, “Why don’t you go ask your father?”

It was a warm Saturday afternoon and Timmy’s dad was working in the back yard. He was bending over the lawn mower pulling the rope several times to get it started but it was not working. Timmy came running out of the house, slammed the back door and called to his dad. “Daddy, Daddy!” Timmy’s dad looked up a little startled and a little frustrated about the mower. “What is it Timmy?” “Where do rainbows hide, and why are rain drops see-through, and what makes the stars twinkle?” Timmy’s dad looked at him with a puzzled look on his face, stood there for a few seconds, scratched his head and said, “Well, let me think about this for a moment. Which question would you like answered first?”

Looking at his dad with rosy red cheeks and bright blue eyes he knew his dad could solve these mysteries for him. He took a deep breath and said, “Where do rainbows hide? I see them sometimes and then they disappear, where do they go?”

Timmy’s dad looked at the lawn mower, then at Timmy. He walked over to a lawn chair and sat down. Climbing up on his dad’s lap, Timmy waited patiently for his dad to explain.

“Long, long ago in a far distant land lived a man whose name was Noah. In Noah’s time rain had never fallen from the sky, the earth was watered by a mist that came up from the ground. People had never seen rain or a rainbow before.

God told Noah to build an ark, which is a very large boat, big enough to carry two of every kind of the animals and seven of other kinds. God said, “Noah, I am going to send rain from heaven and cause a great flood to destroy the wicked and evil that is going on in the world.”

Timmy’s eyes got real wide as he listened to the story. He asked, “But daddy why would God do that?”

“Timmy, God loved his creation, he loved humankind, mommies and daddies and the children. Just like you and I are sitting together and we are talking to each other, God wanted to do that with his children too. But they did not want to talk to God anymore, they wanted to do very bad things that hurt God and hurt each other. God tried to tell them not to do those things, that if they did he would have to correct them, but they would not listen. He tried for many years hoping they would change but they did not. They got worse and worse and so God had to clean up the world and he did that with a flood. Noah was the only one who would listen to God and God loved him with all his heart. So he told Noah to build the ark.”

“This makes me very sad daddy, but I’m glad Noah and his family were safe. But daddy, what does this have to do with the rainbow hiding?”

“Yes, well I’m getting to that.” His dad said.

“After forty days and forty nights of being on the ark, the rain stopped. So Noah sent out a raven to see if there was any dry land, but the raven came back. So he waited a few more days, then he sent out a dove, it came back with an olive branch. He finally sent out another dove and it didn’t come back. So Noah knew the water was going down and it would be safe for them to come out of the ark.”

“What happened, what happened?” asked Timmy.

“I’m getting to that. So Noah opened the door of the ark and all the animals came walking and crawling and slithering out. The elephant’s raised their huge trunks and let out a great ERRRRRRRR. The lions stretched and opened their mouths wide and roared, ROARRRR. Ducks waddled and quacked, turkeys gobbled, snakes slithered, and monkeys ran and jumped in the nearest trees they could find.”

“OK, OK daddy, but what about the rainbow?”

“Be still and listen.”

“The sky with its hues of blue and gray was clear. Noah, his wife, their sons and their wives, walked out into the sunlight and there stretched from one horizon to the other was a vibrant colored bow. They stood in awe as they beheld the beautiful colors displayed. Forty days and forty nights was a very long time to be in a dark, damp boat. It took a few minutes for their eyes to adjust.”

God spoke to Noah and said, “This is a sign to you and a promise that when I see my bow in the sky I will remember the tragedy of what happened to humankind and I will never destroy the world with water again.”

“So you see Timmy, when you see the rainbow it is a reminder that God loves us very much, it only comes out after it rains.”

Timmy said, “Oh, I understand now. God likes to play hide and seek. I’m going over to Billy’s house now, see ya later dad.” Timmy jumped off his dad’s lap and ran, skipping and jumping. He looked back at his dad and yelled, “I love you daddy! Thanks for telling me that story!”

Will looked up into the sky and said, “Thank you God for your promises, for loving us so much, and for my son. Amen!”

©11/10/2000

Pray means to ask…and that’s what we should, do. Pray without ceasing…

But the second part is to seek and knock…that means, you, have to do something…it’s great to ask, but we also have to put action to our prayers…

There was a conversation I heard recently and the person said they were praying and asking God to help them to get out of debt. Another person told them the story about the rowboat, the motorboat, and the helicopter…

A man was on a roof because of a flood the waters were getting higher and higher. The man prayed, “God save me.” So a rowboat came by, but the man said, “Its ok God is going to save me.”

Then a motorboat came by. “The man said, “Its ok God is going to save me.”

The water was climbing and was up to the roof… “God save me.”

So a helicopter came by, the man shouted, “Its ok, God is going to save me.”

The man drowns. He gets to heaven and says “God why didn’t you save me?” God said, “I sent a rowboat, a motorboat and a helicopter!”

So the guy I heard telling this story, said the guy that wanted to get out of debt said, “That story is not biblical!”

This guy is surely going to drown, get to heaven and God is going to say… “I answered your prayer but you said it wasn’t biblical; you should have listened to the story?”

Is being in debt biblical?

We are constantly learning life lessons. Some lessons are more severe than others. We want to have a stress-free life; have lots of money and “stuff.” We want the best ministry, the biggest church, and the best home. We want the smartest, brightest and most attractive kids. We want to be praised and be famous and liked by everyone…we want all of our prayers to be answered now, not later…is it biblical?

Jesus did say he came to give us life, an abundant life. He came to give us peace and joy and love and hope and faith. But not so we could flaunt it or be prideful! It’s not about being poor or rich…in debt or debt-free! It’s all about the heart!

Pride is sin, so is greed and lust and coveting…

I believe that the sin of coveting is what drives people into debt. We want the best, biggest, shiniest, most expensive, name brand what-cha-ma-call-its we can get and if we don’t have the cash we go into debt!!!

There’s nothing wrong about getting a loan or using a charge card as long as you can pay the bill when it comes. But when it becomes obsessive and you owe more than you could ever repay then you’re in a deep pit!

If we followed the biblical then we wouldn’t be in the despair of debt to begin with. I’m not saying this to cause condemnation. I’m saying this to make a point! We are human and we fail miserably many times but when we ask, then seek and knock for an answer and God sends the answer, then we are foolish and blind if we don’t pay attention and do what needs to be done.

So…

God has sent a rowboat; a motorboat; and a helicopter, today. Don’t delay, it may not be biblical but it’s the smart thing to do! Get in and get to safety!

When Jesus is the in the boat you have nothing to fear but you do have to have faith!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 24, 2018

John 10:9-13 The Message (MSG) Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.

Mark 4:38-40 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”

Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.

He said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Matthew 7:7-12 New International Version (NIV) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

I have been called to intercede!

It may seem odd to post this to a blog but I am praying this prayer in obedience to the Lord! God told prophets of old, not that I’m a prophet, to write and publish what he was saying…Cancer is a demon and it needs to be confronted without fear or doubt! People of every age, race, and gender have had or knows someone battling it. It is a battle! But it is not bigger than God! Jesus healed in ancient times and He heals today! Literally heals.

If we fast and pray and do not give up asking, if we will believe, and don’t get weary, never give up hope, God hears and he will answer. The only cure is through the blood of Jesus Christ! God gives doctors knowledge and He uses that many times for our good! But doctor’s can not heal, they can only suggest and practice. Jesus is the healer! There are many people praying for my friend Taff we are believing for a miracle! We are praying for our families and friends. Thank you for joining in to pray!

We will fight the good fight of faith! You may say, “I’ve prayed but nothing happens, I’m still sick.” All I know is that Jesus is willing to heal you and I know He can heal!

Have faith…in God! Ask, seek, knock. Keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking! Amen!! God, if you don’t do it, it can’t be done! We are asking you to intervene and send healing to our loved ones today!

Where you see Taff’s name, insert your loved one’s name or, your friend’s name, or, your neighbor’s name…

God I thank you for being with Taff today!

Touch him! Heal him! Add years to his life…so that he can bring praise, honor and glory to you in the name of Jesus!!

I speak to that cancer and disease, and command it to lose, him, let him go, in the name of Jesus! 

Jesus, you have given us power and authority in your name to cast out demons…to heal the sick…and raise the dead…I take that authority right now and I thank you Jesus for hearing and answering!! (Matthew 10:8)

Just as you added 15 more years to King Hezekiah, Jesus I am asking that you do the same for Taff!! With God All Things are Possible!!

Jesus your be glorified through our lives! Amen!

2 Kings 20:4-6  Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ^“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.”

Psalm 23 A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.