Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Three times within the last hour I’ve come across I Corinthians 13:1-13; Love is…

So, God is saying…

The most important thing is, The Way of Love

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

² If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

^3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

^8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

¹¹ When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

¹² We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

¹³ But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 The Message Bible

Marla Shaw O’Neill, BCBB, September 9, 2022

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.)

 

This book is very old

Like grandma its spine is bent and weak

Its pages yellow with age, when opened it creeks!

It smells different too, because time has made it so

Stacked on dusty bookshelves often forgotten and left to itself…

Frayed, thin pages, make them difficult to turn

Be gentle with it, for it’s quite fragile and old

Weathered many tests and traveled many roads

The words may be different than what you’re used to reading

But make no mistake the story is worth receiving…

It has passed through many hands

Found itself in a number of lands

Like grandma, it has a story to tell, so hold onto it and become the best of friends

Open the first page see the copywrite date of its birth

Like grandma it spent a long time here living on this earth~

And like grandma this old book is tender and dear

Hold onto it, read it with the greatest of care

For books and grandma’s, old or new tell amazing stories to inspire you.

The old book will fade one day, it’ll be gone without a trace…

But like the lines on the pages and furrows on grandma’s face

Memories will always be there molded in your heart to share…

The old book and grandma, though tattered and torn, will never fade away!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 5, 2022

Malachi 3:16-18

The Message

¹⁶ Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name.

^17-18 God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, “They’re mine, all mine. They’ll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you’ll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn’t, between serving God and not serving him.”

 

I was the woman caught in adultery

Sentenced, judged and condemned…

My accusers dragged me through the streets

Then threw me before Him~ the rabbi from Jerusalem!

Ashamed, ridiculed, I lay shattered at his feet

I dare not look at him, broken, I began to weep!

“This woman was caught in the very act of adultery,

What say you Rabbi she’s filthy and weak.”

Jesus bends down and begins writing in the dirt…

Then, he begins to speak~

I could not believe what I was hearing His words so gentle and meek

Powerful, defying these pious judgmental priests~~

Jesus knew their hearts were deceitful, wanting only to set a trap to capture him!

The Rabbi was no fool, when he spoke, I held my breath,

Then I breathed again as he spoke to them~

“Let he who is without sin throw the first stone…”

I was shocked, I thought surely, I’d die this day, but one, by one, they dropped their stones and slowly walked away~

Trembling and shaken I knelt before Him~

“Woman, where are your accusers?”

“Nowhere my Lord!”

“Neither do I condemn you, go, and sin no more!”

Tears of joy spilled from my eyes; I had been redeemed; I will not die…

My life forever changed!

New name, I now proclaim, “I’m a daughter of the King!!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 5, 2022

John 8:3-11

King James Version

³ And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

⁴ They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

⁵ Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

⁶ This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

⁷ So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

⁸ And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹ And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

¹⁰ When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

¹¹ She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Picture by: Yongsung Kim

Take me back to the Holy of Holies

Let me bask in your infinite grace

Let me see, I am found in your light and love,

Seen in the features of your face.

Do not leave me in my sin

Let your blood wash me clean, Oh Father, restore me again!

There’s no hurt too deep, no pain I can keep when in your presence

Your sweet Spirit recues me.

In the Holy of Holies where it’s only you and me, Lord,

May your Holy-Oil-of-Joy pour over me in peace and harmony.

Time no longer matters; I’m found in the, I Am’s, domain

Jesus; Jesus; Jesus; you and I remain~

Strength, Healing and Hope, these are what I gain, surrendering to your will

Quiet and still in Jesus’ name,

Completely saturated waiting patiently, here, in the Holy of Holies

My spirit, heart and mind they are no longer bound

It’s here, right Now, I am eternally found…

Forever embraced and crowned

With the King of kings and Lord of Lords, in Your Holy Place…

Take me back to the Holy of Holies, Papa God we embrace!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, August 1, 2022 

Hebrews 10:19-25

New International Version A Call to Persevere in Faith

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Sunday school lessons taught year after year, bringing “Good News” for all to hear…

Men and women of unrenowned birth, not much to talk about, not much worth…

To the eyes of the elite, they were poor and unclean

But Jesus called them, “Come follow me. I’ll teach things others have never seen.

Carpenters and fishermen of the lowest means…what they had wasn’t much of material gain…

But what they gave would last and would forever remain…

They left it all as each heard the call…

Students, then they all became!

Are you willing to follow to leave all behind…?

To inherit life of the supernatural kind.

Jesus is asking, can you hear his voice? Follow me, will you make the wise choice?

The ancients followed without a thought

Changing history, they were caught

Preaching and teaching from the “Master’s” hand…

Left it all, and now they stand…

In heavenly places, priests, prophets, kings…

Hear him calling, are you ready to bring?

The lost to the Savior, healing to the sick, mercy to the seeking, Peace to the weak?

Turning now, and leaving all, no thought of tomorrow, life here and now…

Come follow me!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 17, 2022

Matthew 4:19-20 New King James Version ¹⁹ Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

July 4, 2022, what a time to be alive. I wonder if the men and women who lived more than 200 years ago ever thought about what the future would look like. We can look back over history and see what they went through, where they came from and the brave and courageous ones who fought to make their county free and safe from tyranny, safe from oppression, freedom to worship and live out their lives in peace and security. Making laws that would protect them from bullies in governments, giving them rights to live and serve, believing, future generations would have a better life.

We’re still brave, still living out the vision and dreams of our ancestors, even in the face of those who try to snuff out the victory and peace we’ve fought for, died for and live for…we will not be silenced, we will not retreat, we will not give in to defeat!

We are Victors and Leaders who fight each and every day to keep intact our freedom and our dreams for better days that will last. We will not be denied our God or our country. In these United States of America there are still men and women who will continue the legacy of our forefathers and foremothers to more than survive and thrive. “Give me liberty or give me death,” as Patrick Henry is quoted saying on March 23, 1775. Freedom is an attitude it is forged in blood and kept by independent men and women who will not give up no matter what. It is passed from generation to generation. To those who endure and persevere and do not give up, freedom will continue and will not be forfeited for where there is truth and justice, evil will be conquered and good will overcome. God is our refuge and our hope! In God do we trust! So, help me God!!

So, people of the way the truth and the life, keep praying, keep fighting, keep looking up for if God is for us, who can be against us? In God we live and breathe and have our being. Keep the faith. Live in victory. God is not dead, He is Alive!

Thank you, Jesus, for freedom and liberty. For whom the “Son” sets free is free indeed!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 17, 2022

This post is written by my husband, Bob O’Neill. Listening to an online message last week by Pastor, Jonathan McQuitty, Bob remembered something he had learned in a small group while attending Journey Church. He wrote this today; I hope it ministers to your heart as much as it did mine.

 

Journey Church will always be home to us. God has sent us out to reach others on our journey, so read on my friends and remember…when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.

In my faith journey I’ve met many unique people. The story is very long but for now, let me describe one event. Then I’ll expand on that.

When Marla and I moved to south Florida we searched for a church we could call home. We found it in Journey Church. It was there that I met a group of guys at a men’s group meeting. We were studying… I don’t remember exactly as there have been so many but before we started the actual discussion that evening, we were chatting.

The topic came up ‘What is your go to bible verse?’. I thought about that and realized I didn’t have one. Later that week, I was listening to the bible.

Then one morning I heard Jesus say to Peter… ‘…So, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.’ Luke 22:32 NLT

I thought, that’s it. Jesus is talking to me! As I heard that statement over and over in my head it struck me that this is spoken to me, now, and every day. So, I began to think about this.

I would like to… unpack it? I’m not exactly sure what that means other than to say that this one statement speaks volumes and it’s the volumes that I hope to relate, as I see it.

First, let’s look at the statement itself one part at a time. So, when you have repented…

Jesus was speaking to Peter, and He knew that Peter was a misfit to say the least. Peter’s past, though forgiven stuck with him. Jesus also knew what Peter would do in the future, both the bad and the good. Remember the rooster crowing three times? Peter ran off and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62.

So, Peter not only did what he said he would never do because he was weak at that moment, he regretted it and repented.

But was it all Peter’s fault? I don’t think so. I think that Satan knew how strong Peter would be in the creation of the church and wanted to ‘nip it in the bud’ so to speak. Little did Satan know… well he should have known; he’ll never win the war.

Before we go too deep in this one statement, we should look at it in the context of the complete verse starting with the verse before it.

Verse 31 reads…31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. Luke 22:31 NLT

Jesus was not only talking about Peter but all of the disciples at the time, but I believe this applies to anyone who has become a follower of Jesus. As I said, Peter would turn out to be a key factor in the creation of the church. Satan knew this and wanted to keep this from happening. Satan also knew that he can’t ‘sift’ without permission. Jesus knew this and stepped in on behalf of Peter. Jesus prayed for protection for each of His disciples including Peter, protection from this attack from Satan.

32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. Luke 22:32 NLT

It doesn’t hurt to have the King of Kings in your corner. Still, it was up to each of the disciples to step up, strengthen their faith and resist Satan’s attacks.

Let’s now look again at the last part of this verse… ‘…So, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.’ Luke 22:32 NLT

Jesus knew that Peter would be attacked and would fail. But he also believed that Peter would return. I say that Jesus believed this rather than knew it because we all have free will and, well it could have gone totally wrong. Well, Jesus had a very STRONG belief that Peter would return. After all, he did say that ‘when’ you repent and turned to me again… Did he say ‘when’ to encourage Peter or because he knew rather than believed that Peter would repent and turn to Him again. This may be debated but that’s not the point of this.

So many people don’t even know Jesus or what he did to save us ‘ALL’. For those who don’t know him, does Jesus still care about them? Of course, he does. He didn’t die on the cross only for those who knew him at the time but for everyone, then and now. Consider Saul who later became Paul. Not only did he persecute the new believers but killed some as well just for believing in Jesus. Then on his trip to do more damage in Damascus, Jesus came to him on the road and… well… in Acts Chapter 9, Saul got the traumatic conversion we all should have. He was blessed in one respect. That is, that he was singled out for a face to face with Jesus. Not on the road, Saul was summoned into the third heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Many of us don’t get that face to face until after we believe and have asked Jesus to come into our life, if then. Mush less a glimpse of what Heaven is like. Does that make us any less? No, I think it makes us even more. Saul was convinced by his traumatic experience. Those who know Jesus and have asked him into their hearts, believe yet have not seen.

How does the verse ‘…So, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.’ apply to us? When we have repented and turned to Jesus as when we accept him as our Lord and Savior, he commands that we strengthen each other. Do we need to repent? Of course, we do, of anything we do, think or say which may keep us in sin. Even if we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and savior, do we never again sin? Turning away from those things which keeps in sin is to repent. When we repent and turn back to Him strengthening others helps us stay that way. Woah what an interesting thought! How is that you ask? Well think about it… by working daily to strengthen others in their faith can only strengthen our own faith. If you have stronger faith by following Jesus’ command to strengthen our brothers, then the prayer Jesus prayed for Peter is answered in us as well.

Who should we strengthen? We identify those who need strengthening and offer our help. This help can take the form of many things. Sometimes it’s simply a kind word and a discussion that will help our ‘brothers and sisters’ out of a spiritual battle. Sometimes it’s simply praying for someone or with someone.

There are many ways to accomplish the ‘strengthen your brothers’ part of this command. We must use our imagination and perhaps, think outside the box.

Here are some ways.

· Serve at your church

o If your church doesn’t have serve teams, start one

· Lead a small group

o People who want more will flock to your group

· Encourage everyone you meet

· Love more deeply, especially those closest to you

~Bob O’Neill, June 23, 2022

Shawn K. Carson Artwork

 

Sitting in the thick of the forest with a bubbling brook nearby…

I looked to see a sunbeam streaming through the trees.

I’d been seeking him for so long I knelt upon my knees

Papa God where are you? I know you’re the God who sees.

I knelt there quietly and then I heard the voice, melodious and sweet

Gently, flowing on the breeze.

He spoke with tenderness, he was not harsh, I could barely believe his words, for in that moment

I quickly seized; his holy presence as it surrounded me.

Heart pounding, I took a look and this is what I found.

His piercing, smiling eyes, met mine and I began to cry.

He turned his face towards me I was awe struck and bowed before the King.

I’ve never known such peace and love, God turned his face to me, more gracious than anything in this realm, had I ever seen, and in that moment, I had no need.

No need of identity, no need of material gain, no need of wanting any earthly thing.

For I was seeking God’s good pleasure and his face is what I found. Flesh set free, unbounding love had been given unselfishly to me.

His smile was more radiant than the sun. His eyes like fire but didn’t burn. The ancient of age was not old, he was meek, childlike and calm. I reached to touch his face, he waited with tenderness and grace. And when I touched his skin, it was translucent like a cloud that gave a mirror image of who I was only it was not me it was Him.

And then he said, “Child of mine, I love you so, it is I who gave you life. Choose to use it for my good, choose to love not hate.”

Sitting in the thick of the forest, God turned his face to me…

Now all I see is Jesus everywhere I go and in everyone I meet.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 6, 2022

Numbers 6:24-26

King James Version The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11 King James Version

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 New International Version

 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 King James Version

 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 New International Version

I was talking to a very dear friend of mine this morning and I was telling her about the message we heard last night at Encounter Night, Journey Church. It was powerful. Pastor Jonathan spoke on how we have a new name. Like Jacob, became Israel. Abram became Abraham. Saul became Paul. For our, new name, when we accept Jesus, we are called Saints. The message was packed with insightful wisdom and encouragement. He explained how the enemy, the devil, speaks to our minds and attacks our identity in Christ. So, as I was telling my friend about the message, I said, “You know, the enemy uses words too. He perverts God’s word and before we know it, we are listening to his lies instead of what God says. God’s words are truth. That’s why it is so important to know the word of God. God’s word is life and power and love and peace it comforts and protects. It builds up, it does not tear down. God is the word!

Our thoughts are words and words are how we communicate. We have to renew our minds constantly, by transforming our minds. To think on good things, things that are pure and good and of a good report.

We have two enemies…the devil and ourselves…but there is a remedy…

The devil uses the same tactics every time. Why? Because it works. We don’t have to be smarter than him, all we have to do is know God as the Word and if anything does not line up with what He has said, it is not of Him, don’t think it.

What are you letting your mind get away with? What thoughts are you entertaining? Take every thought captive unto Christ. Know the Word, speak the word, think the word, live the word of God. Then you will have peace of mind. You will have victory. You will live by faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!

In the verse “Take the helmet of salvation AND the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” It never occurred to me that the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit together is the word of God. I always thought that it was only the sword of the Spirit that was the word of God. Something to ponder.

We have to discipline our mind and thoughts to think on the Word of God.

That old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Is totally wrong. Words can hurt. There is life and death in the power of the tongue. Words can wound and kill even in our thoughts. Be safe and be aware of the words you are thinking.

Be mindful of your thoughts are they God thoughts? If not, then capture them and dispose of them. Replace them with God words. Your thoughts will become words and your words will become actions. Make sure they are good!

I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:12

 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. John 6:63

 ~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 7, 2022