Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Artist: Shawn Costello

In the wee hours of the morning, I woke up and had many things racing through my mind! Thoughts of yesterdays and things long ago forgotten. Present things and things to come…I placed my hand on my forehead and said to myself, “Peace. Be still!” All was calm and quiet!

Sometimes the storm isn’t just in the elements. Peter was in a boat in the middle of a severe storm. Then he saw Jesus walking on the water in the middle of a raging storm. Now think about this. Lightning flashing all around, thunder roaring, winds blowing so fierce the waters were turbulent and crashing all around them. Would you step out of the safety of a boat and try to walk on the water? What was he thinking? The other disciples pulling him back and begging him not to do it!

But something compelled him to do just that! (That something is Jesus!)

He climbed out of the boat and began to walk on the water, to Jesus. As long as he kept his eyes on him and not on the raging storm he was walking just fine. If you’ve attended Sunday School and Church at all, you’ve more than likely heard the story. Peter looked at his circumstances and realized he was in over his head, literally. So, what did he do? He cried out, “Jesus! Save me!”

And of course, Jesus did, save him. Although Jesus said to all of them, “Oh ye of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Another time Jesus was sleeping in a boat. A great storm came up and the disciples, afraid, woke him and said, “Teacher don’t you care that we perish?” Jesus woke up and rebuked the winds and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!”

Jesus, in the boat spoke to the elements and said, “Peace! Be Still!” The winds died down. The lightning and thunder ceased. The sea obeyed and all was quiet and calm. Again, Jesus rebuked them, and asked, ““Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Are you in a raging storm? Are you numb and fearful with thoughts of how you’ll ever get out of the storm. Afraid, alone, surrounded by the darkest night and knowing there is no way out? Tired and frightened of losing your very life? Jesus will ask you, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

If you are a child of the living God, and I say this without condemnation. You know that Faith pleases God! For we walk by faith and not by sight! Stop looking at the circumstances. Stop listening to the lies of the enemy. And Start, Praising God! Remember all the times he has saved you and delivered you and brought you out of many dire circumstances. He will do it again!

PEACE! BE STILL! PEACE! BESTILL! PEACE! BE STILL!

It is by faith we overcome. Look full into the face of Jesus today and receive His Peace. Breathe it in! Feel the refreshing? His arms are wide-open for you, all you have to do is accept it!

The storm is raging but you don’t have to join in! You can rise above the storm by soaring on the wings of Peace!! Jesus, Is, The Prince of Peace! Nothing broken, nothing shattered! Totally and completely made whole!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 21, 2023

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:38-40 New King James Version

 Jesus Walks on the Sea

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

So, He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:22-31 New King James Version

Be encouraged today…believe me I know what it’s like, but Jesus says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled and don’t let it be afraid… For I have overcome the world!”

 The enemy will try everything in his power to take you out. It is his very nature and reason for his existence, to destroy…and he will use every tactic he can to do just that!

BUT GOD!!!! GOD IS GREATER!!!

You may feel like giving up! You may feel like, what’s the use of going on! You hear the voice in your head telling you, “I’m no good, no one cares, no one listens or even sees me, so what’s the use? Why should I care if no one else does?”

Those are lies…lies of the enemy of your soul! He is the enemy of YHWH!

DO NOT LISTEN TO HIM!

He’s defeated! Already judged! He knows he has no future and he wants to make sure you believe you don’t have one either!

But…Jesus says, I have given you Authority over Satan and his emps…Authority to Cast out demons in Jesus Name…To lay hands on the sick and see them recover and to even raise the dead in Jesus’ Name! He gave His Life so you could live!

Jesus offers Peace!

Satan offers chaos!

Jesus offers Love!

Satan offers hate!

Jesus offers Life!

Satan offers death!

Which do you prefer? Who will you believe? What are you going to do about it?

Accept Jesus and live!!

You are a chosen people and a royal priesthood; when you acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead You are born into the Family of God! A brand-new person! The old passes away and behold, all things become new! That makes you God’s kid! And no demon in heaven, or hell, or the earth, can take that from you!!!

Will all your problems go away? No! But now you’ll have someone to help you on your journey through life! He’ll be with you and in you and will teach you how to conquer the enemy on God’s terms! And guess what, We win!! Even if we suffer and die…we will never die!

Shake yourself! Stop the self-pity talk! Stop believing the lies! GET UP and begin Giving God Praise for all the mighty works He has done!

He, the Creator of the Universe, the one who formed all living things, who speaks to the raging winds, and they cease from blowing…who tells the stars to shine and to stay in the skies…the one who rides the storms and walks on water, the one who says, “This one is Mine, hands off!” The one who brings life to newborn babies and with one thought can split the seas, molds mountains, bends time and space so that we have oxygen to breathe and gives us an abundant life… Our God is bigger, greater, smarter, faithful, loyal, we have covenant with Him and He cannot fail this God is the one who says, I AM WITH YOU! DO NOT FEAR NOR BE AFRAID!! IT IS I WHO FIGHTS FOR YOU!

GET UP! IT’S TIME TO TAKE UP THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD AND FIGHT! Fight as never before! The time is now! Because NOW FAITH IS~ the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen!!

Hebrews 11:1-6 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

You are not defeated! You are not alone! You are not worthless! YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE LIVING GOD!

He says…When you’ve done all you can do to stand…Stand therefore…

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17 New Living Translation

 So, let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 The Message

 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 Holman Christian Standard Bible

 So, stop wallowing in the pig pin! Stand up and take a glory bath. Get in the streams of living water and be washed in the blood of the lamb! Then, you will be a sweet-smelling savor to the LORD! Watch as he turns everything around and makes all things good just for you! Why? Because you’re His precious treasure! And he loves you more than you could think or imagine!!

I know, because I just did!!

Be God’s Warrior!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 7, 2023

 

Faded flowers stood in a vintage vase.

One by one, petals fell upon the tattered case.

Placed inside was an ancient book~

Where time stood still.

Nimble fingers, opened the book, to take a look inside.

She saw within its pages the mirror of her soul.

Peering back at her was a young girl, confident and bold…

A face she barely remembered, eyes kind and wise…

She folded the book, then closed her eyes…

Memories~

As petals fell and died!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 31, 2023

So, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 New King James Version

The darkness moves at a sloth’s pace, it seems it will never end~

Then, you see a tiny speck of light and you smile~

There’s hope and you have the faith to live one more day.

Holding onto that light your soul is restored, the darkness isn’t so dark anymore~

The light dispels the darkness~

The sloth fades away as the darkness is overcome by the light of day.

Life, renewed!

And even though, the sloth may return, hold onto what you’ve learned~

Stay anchored in the Light!

I Dedicate this to Garry Wilder (The speed of dark)

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 21, 2023

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Dedicated to my brother, Regan Shaw July 18, 2023

I felt the wind as I heard their wings, stirring, all around me…

The sound was like tinkling glass, notes of a heavenly kind,

Vibrating into a cathedral of a great thundering blast!

Then, silence.

I waited in the stillness…

Ready to try…

Then stepped off the mountain-top and began to fly!

High above the mountains, air cold and dry.

The heavens opened, full of stars, I gasped, Oh my!

Faster and faster my flight’s delight.

As my day turned into darkest night.

I flew the expanse of a thousand years~

‘til eternity became infinity, I had no fear…

I felt the wind,

And heard their wings!

Traveling beside me there was no end…

Millions they were!

Angels, my friends!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, 2007, (edited 7/18/2023)

2 Kings 6:15-20 New International Version When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

 

I have to pray!

I need to talk to my Jesus!

Prayer is the highway, it’s the airway, that takes us into the place where He, lives…

My friend, Holy Spirit is saying,

Come on, let’s go to the house!

Let’s sit down at the table and have a cool refreshing drink of water with the Living Water…

You can be yourself, take your shoes off, let down your guard and just be real…

A face-to-face talk with your brother, Jesus and your Papa God…

Open up and have a heart-to-heart conversation with Them!

I’m here to help you. What’s on your mind?

Well, I don’t really know where to start.

Can I just pray in my prayer language first?

Of course, you can. I’ll help!

… ….. ….. …. ….. ….. … .. . . . . . . . . ……… .. ……. . …. .. . …!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From your lips to my lips, Oh God.

From your heart to my heart precious Holy King.

From your ear to my ears let me hear, what the Spirit is saying~

From your life to my life let me walk.

From your house to my house Papa God.

Let me live and share your salvation to all those souls that are lost…

Let not one be lost,

All those you have entrusted to my care, bring them to the cross.

Let your light, shine upon my life, to give sight to those in darkness…

May the time you’ve given me, be spent continuously abiding in you

and praying that all will be fulfilled and that nothing will be wasted.

Right now, is all I have, let me bring you my highest praise,

to give you glory and honor, Oh God!

Forgiving and believing that nothing is impossible with you!

Pouring grace into the wounded!

Giving hope to the hopeless!

Extending mercy and peace to the hurting!

Showing who you, are, by the way I live!

That your truth is the only way to live life!

I give freely to you, all that I am and all that I will ever be!

You are my best friend, my savior, my life-guard,

my perfect peace, my strength, my joy, my reason to live…

Obedience is better than sacrifice…

May I never bring you shame…

To live is Christ Jesus and to die is gain!

So, while I’m still breathing, in the here and now,

let my life be known as one who walks with Jesus, friends always!

Amen!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 14, 2023

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things, I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. John 15:15 The Message

This is written with the thoughts of a lost soul who has lived a very difficult life but who responds to Jesus’ call because someone prayed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tormented and shattered, life has no meaning.

Year after year you wonder why your heart even keeps beating…

Thoughts of ending your existence flood every waking minute.

No one cares that you’re even in it…

Family detests you for the choices you’ve made.

No do-overs, no takebacks, emotionless and numb,

Go ahead, do it, you’re just a ridiculous bum!  The enemy hisses at every turn.

But why? They never even asked why, you turned out the way you did…

Now it doesn’t matter, your life has slid straight into a pit of despair…and so, you’ve come to this place where, there’s no turning back, it’s too heavy to bear~

One last glimpse, one final task…and all will be ended. No one will ask, where you went…you’re nothing, a nobody…a useless life just taking up time and space, a person without a face!

Tattered woman. Hair matted and diseased. No one wants you, not one of these…

But someone, was praying, that somehow, He’d come, and dispel the darkness that was pulling you into the abyss~

Jesus calls your name; you try to resist~

NO! OH NO! I’m not worthy of this…

Standing still, he gently speaks…Miriam, little one, come unto me…

Turning around you gasp at His words…

How did you know my name? I am nothing but scum!

I knit you together in your mother’s womb, YOU ARE MINE!

I’ve redeemed you; don’t you know you are one of a kind?

The atmosphere changes, all the darkness becomes light as the love that you feel, lights up the night…

Forgiven! Restored! A new name I’ve been given!

Embraced by Him, the Savior of heaven!

No longer unclean, nor diseased I am healed!

Delivered from death, my life has been sealed…

Redeemed, by Jesus, the only true King!

Broken one, addicted, tormented and undone…

Do not run away…

I have prayed for you, surrender your life today.

The Prince of Peace is calling your name…

Stop! Listen! Turn around and come to Him!

Insert your name, everyone, all over the world…He is calling…

No matter the hurt, or pain, or addiction, whatever has you bound,

Jesus wants to redeem you and give you a brand-new life~

Why? Because Jesus loves you!

He is the blood sacrifice that bought you back from sin and death~

And if you will open your heart and say, Yes to Him,

I promise everything in your life will change and it will be good!

It is your choice…choose faith over fear, trust over guilt, life over death…

Just take a breath…

Jesus says, I have called you by name, You are Mine!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 12, 2023

Isaiah 43:1-4 The Message

When You’re Between a Rock and a Hard Place

But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! that’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

Stand your Ground solider of God…

We have an enemy…

He is strategic and powerful…

Ancient in years…

Destroyer of all that is good and pure and true

Kills all in his path

And steals everything and anything in his grasp…

He is the prince of the air…

If not for the hand of God…

He would annihilate every living thing…

Do not think you can out-smart, out-shoot, out-live, or conquer this foe…

On your own…

He is not one you want to do combat with…you will not win…

But…

By the authority of God and the Name of Jesus and by the Power of the Holy Spirit when we stand with Them…all demons tremble…all hell freezes…and God by his Majestic, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscient…we WIN!!

When He said to put on the FULL armor of God…that is exactly what we must do…it’s God’s armor, not ours that will keep us safe…

So, Stand…

Wearing the girdle of Truth, speak God’s words, the devil is a liar…

The breastplate of righteousness, To protect your heart the place where Jesus lives…

Having your feet fitted with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, where you walk by faith and not by sight…

Take up the Shield of Faith, it protects you from the enemy’s lying darts…

Put on the Helmet of Salvation, Have the mind of Christ…

Using the Sword of the Spirit, it cuts through bone and marrow and sets captives free…

And Pray in the Spirit…A Holy language known only to God and His angels. Because it is Holy Spirit praying for unknown things, people, places in earth and heavenly places…and builds us up in our most Holy Faith!!

These are the weapons of our warfare…

You have the Holy Spirit within you; he gives wisdom and discernment and is more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, more powerful than Superman…He is the Superman…He is more strategic than any demon or any foe…

So, be Filled with the Holy Spirit and let him lead and guide your thoughts, your body, your soul to walk you through the minefields that the enemy has hidden before you…that’s where your feet must have on the gospel of peace…

He has night-vision so he doesn’t walk blind in the darkness…and he has artillery to shoot the enemy using the Word of God…

And the shield of Faith protects you from all the fiery darts of Satan…

Soldier, stay alert…be watchful…be diligent…and fight standing in prayer and fasting…with the power of the Holy Ghost…

He goes where no one has gone before…

He Is The Only True, Superhero…

This is how we win the war, by keeping in close contact with, God the Father, Jesus the Son and Holy Spirit and fire…

God is for you, no one or nothing can stand against you with Him by your side…

Because, He, is In You!!!!

Activate your Faith!

Be fully clothed in God’s Holy Armor…

We fight in the Spirit realm by the Power of the Spirit of God!

No fear! No retreat! Face like flint…FULLY ARMED! IN THE NAME OF JESUS!

WE FIGHT! AMEN!!!

~ Marla Shaw O’Neill June 8, 2017

Edited July 12, 2023

Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, and above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 Modern English Version (MEV) The Battle Against Evil

Check out my new book of 40 poems available on Amazon.com and Kindle now. I hope you will enjoy it.

Thank you,

Marla Shaw O’Neill

There is a flower that grows in the plains of Shar’on in Israel.

Some call it the Rose of Sharon. Some say it is a tulip or lily of the field.

Whatever it is, we know this, that where it grows there are thorns…

Protected from the elements, more beautiful than the robes of kings…

Saturated in waters that flow straight from Emanuel’s veins…

Soil so fertile, the flowers sing, as it is nourished by holy angel’s wings…

Gently it blows and refreshes the air…

Bowing, it kisses the ground that’s found there…

Bees tastes its nectar; butterflies futter within the airstreams…

Love is its gift, here’s what it means…

The beautiful Rose of Sharon appears,

When hearts on fire bring Spirit tears

To wash away every doubt and fear…

As the Rose is crushed to bring us here…

Giving new life in this atmosphere…

Who is this Rose of Sharon?

Jesus, the King of Heaven…

The flower is not as plentiful as it used to be…

Never-the-less it still stands in glorious beauty,

For all eternity…

For Jesus, is, the Rose of Sharon

All who believe in Him will never die.

The Holy Breath beckons you even now,

Come, hear his hearts cry…

Precious daughter, precious son

Today your life has finally begun!

In the fields of Sharon, the flower still grows…

Let me show you it’s beauty and become one of those…

Who chooses Jesus and will always follow… 

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 9, 2023

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.  As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. Song of Solomon 2:1-2 King James Version