Do You Know the Author

For the last few days, I’ve had this thought on my heart and mind. But first let me say this. Throughout my life, as far back as I can remember I have loved reading books. I’m a bit old fashioned coming from a generation of the 1950’s to current times, so you will understand where I’m “coming” from. “In those days,” life was different. We had black and white television, a phone that either sat on a table or one attached to the wall that you’d have to dial for outgoing calls. The cordless phones came later as well as cell phones, those were not even imagined when I was growing up. In my earlier life books were entertainment for me. I could take a novel, go into my room that I shared with my sister and read for hours. I loved mysteries, the ones where a governess was sent to teach children in faraway places. The wife had died, and the master of the house was unavailable, and there was always a mysterious death that had to be solved, etc…

In high school I took a creative writing class. I wrote poems and little stories. I guess I’ve always been a teller of tails. In my later adult life, I actually wrote and self-published a few books. But my passion has been the inspirational poems the Lord has given me to write and post on my blog, becourageousbebold.com.

The majority of the genre I read today are Christian nonfiction books about real-life applications of integrating Christian faith into everyday routine and I love biblical fiction. Authors like, Max Lucado, Bodie Thoene, Mario Murillo, Larry Huch, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lisa Bevere, Che’ Ahn, John G. Lake, Robert Morris, John Hagee, to name just a few…

I’ve read books by these authors, but I have never met them. Some are still living; some have long sensed passed from this earth.

With all that being said, here is the thought I’ve been having. I read the Holy Bible. I’ve heard the stories time and time again over the years and I never tire of them. The words in the Holy Bible give life, truth and wisdom. There are mysteries, love stories, wars, miracles, ghost stories, how to applications, etc., But I’ve never met the author of the Bible in bodily form. I can say I’ve met him in Spirit. By faith and grace, I’ve come to know him. I know him in a deep and personal way. I’ve felt his presence and his touch. No, I’ve never seen him face to face, but I know him through the Holy Spirit and his word. He speaks to me and guides me and loves me like no one else ever has.

Here’s my thoughts, and questions. Do you, know the author of “The Book?”

Is he a fantasy to you? Is he just wishful thinking? Is he really, really real to you? We read the book, quote the book, study the book. Buy the book and give the book away. But is it “just a book?” Have you met the author? More importantly than having the book on the shelf is to know the author and have a deep personal relationship with him.

You may say, but he’s invisible and intangible. How can I possibly know him the way you are describing? Well, let me tell you. The author is God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. God sent his son, Jesus, to die for us. Resurrected for us. So that He could send the Holy Spirit, the breath of life, who is the teacher, guide, counselor, helper and revealer of who God is, so that we can know, know God, in a concrete, more-than-real-way, through the blood of Jesus Christ. He is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, (He is ever present, has unlimited power and knows everything) he makes it possible to know the author and finisher of our faith. With God, All things are possible! God is love and he is longing for you to know Him.

All you have to do, is say, Lord Jesus, I want to know you, take away my sin, forgive me, come into my heart, save me, so I can know you in a personal and profound way to make you the Lord and savior of my life! Amen (so be it) if you asked this…then…

Your book has just been signed and sealed by the Author, ~Papa God!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, August 8, 2022

Hebrews 12:2 King James Version ² 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 John 14:18 New International Version ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

 John 24-30 Jesus Appears to Thomas

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus^[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.

John 14:26 New Living Translation ²⁶ But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

 John 7:37-39 New Living Translation Jesus Promises Living Water ³⁷ On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! ³⁸ Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” ³⁹ (When he said, “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)