Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

  

The children of Israel were trapped at the Red Sea. There was no human escape. They were cut- off. The Egyptians were about to attack and then God with a BLAST OF HIS NOSTRILS, opened the sea, and they passed through on dry ground. So great was their gratitude to God that they could not contain themselves. Moses and the children of Israel broke out into song. (Exodus 15).

 It was the song of redemption~

The song of the soul set free~

 The world can make a noise but only those who have experienced God’s Grace in Salvation can truly Sing a Song of Deliverance!

 October 31, 2001, my mama wrote those words in one of her journals. It has been Twenty-three years. God is faithful! Mom didn’t know I’d read those words when she wrote them, but God is still using her even to this day to encourage. Words are eternal. Thank you, Jesus, that I had a mother that walked, talked and lived her life for Jesus. She wasn’t perfect, she made a lot of mistakes, but the latter part of her life was lived, to edify Jesus and to encourage as many souls as she could to come to Jesus.

Today I was singing and praying about something, that is a Red Sea in front of me. I poured my heart out, to my Papa God; he is the only one who can move this, Sea. I opened my eyes and saw the journal sitting there and read what was written on the page. I knew God would do it again!

Life is full of trials, sickness, setbacks, disappointments, heartache and trouble. But Jesus said, In the world you will have trouble, but be of Good Cheer, For I have overcome the world!

We have a choice, when the enemy is at our back, and there’s no way of escape going forward, and we cry out to God, Save Us! He opens the seas with a mighty wind and does the impossible for us. Why? Because He loves us and wants the very best for His children! “Do Not Fear, and do not be afraid, for the Lord your God in the midst of you is Mighty and He will Save!”

He will either remove the sea, so you can walk through on dry land, or he’ll cause you to walk on the water! Have faith in God!

With man it is impossible. But with God All things are impossible!

Amen!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 13, 2024

Habakkuk 3:17-19 New King James Version – A Hymn of Faith Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

 Isaiah 41:10 New International Version – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 16:33 New International Version – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 Matthew 19:26 King James Version – But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 

Like the colors of the rainbow, God’s promise to us, He’ll keep us near, if we will simply trust.

God painted the skies blue, tranquil and sublime, giving stars, the moon and sun, a gracious place to shine.

Green, covers the earth with grass and trees and herbs of every kind, knowing life is precious He keeps us on His mind.

Splashing the earth with yellow like sunflowers following the sun, when we see their glory, we too must follow the Son.

With red in the sunsets, the clay and in the blood…the perfect sacrifice our Lord Jesus Christ.

Purple found on mountain tops, orange, in fruit that blooms, rainbows arch the sky, where you and I abide.

There are signs all around us, if we’ll open up our eyes…

Animals great and small, their fur fluffy and brown, beneath the rainbow frolic round and round.

We see Love, in the face of a child. Peace, in a nearby stream. Joy, in the light that shines, flowing through a sunbeam.

Hope, for each new day, singing as raindrops fall.

Like happy little children we laugh with glee and play…

Underneath the rainbow, we kneel down to pray…

Remembering God’s promise for tomorrow…

Listen! You’ll hear God say, “Always!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 9, 2024

Genesis 9:16-17 New Living Translation When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

 

 

Running through darkness with nowhere to go

Year after year chased by grief, shame, guilt and woe…

The mask of a smile is worn, through each and every mile…

Pain and hurt are buried, deep within your broken heart, cloaked by silence, you weep!

Shattered pieces of shame and guilt,

Lies continue in the house you’ve built, inside, where no one sees.

You think you’re safe, but actions tell all…

And so, you run away to avoid the wrecking ball…

Saved by grace, you know better, but still…

The hurt persists and cannot be healed…

Until…

Forgiveness flows from the shattered, battered soul…

Freedom can only come, as you surrender, and let it go!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 31, 2024

Matthew 6:14 New King James Version “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

 Psalm 34:18 New International Version – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

A little girl was standing on her porch one afternoon.

Her mommy called to her through the window, “Honey it’ll be lunchtime soon.”

Bobby-Jean said, “Ok mommy.” As she came running into the room.

“Mommy, I heard the birds singing, it filled me with such joy, I joined right in, and sang my own little tune.”

“Sing it for me, Bobby-Jean.” Her mommy said with pride.

Bobby-Jean opened her heart and poured out her song that came flowing from deep inside.

I’ve never heard an angel sing, but the birdies with sweet melodies bring, joy that makes my little heart sing, all the way to heaven.

Jesus he, will join right in, singing over me.

Every day I’ll listen to, the birds’ sweet songs and sing along, hoping the angels know the song and then they too will sing along.

Jesus he, will join right in, singing over me.

“Bobby-Jean, what a lovely song. To think that Jesus sings with you and wondering if the angels too, sing along with you.”

“I’ve never heard an angel sing.” Mommy said with love.

“But baby, I know that if I did, they’d sound just like you.”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 26, 2024

Zephaniah 3:17 English Standard Version – The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

 

January 18, 2024

On January 9, 2024, I had a dream in the early morning hours. The Holy Spirit began to speak to me in my dream and he said, “Do you not hear the wind in the mulberry trees? I will come at a time you think not!”

I woke myself up praying in the tongues.

I lay there and listened to a mighty rushing wind blowing as debris hit the roof of our house. Through my curtains I could see lightning flashing off and on, like a camera flashing one after the other. I prayed softly, “Winds be calm! Peace be still!” And surprisingly the winds died down. But the storm continued. There had been tornado warnings all around us.

Later that day I told Bob about the dream. He said, he was having his zoom bible sturdy meeting with his friend Bob Eatman and that Bob was reading this book called The Great Disappearance, by Dr. David Jeremiah. I looked on my kindle and saw I had purchased it a while back, so I started reading it.

It talks about 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; John 14:3 and 1 Corinthians 15:52.

Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

Over the last several weeks, God has been showing me through different sources scriptures, books and people talking about Jesus’ return.

On January 7, 2024, my precious Aunt Rose at 89, went home to be with Jesus.

Bob and I attended her Celebration of Life on January 16. Karen, my cousin Randy’s wife, youngest son of Aunt Rose, asked if I would say a few words at the funeral along with Daphne, Aunt Rose’s granddaughter and Pastor Leon Jackson. Pastor Jackson used the very same scriptures in his sermon at the funeral that I read in the book. He has no knowledge of what God has been showing me.

Today, January 18, 2024, I was going through one of my mom’s journals and she had written, “We need the fresh wind of God to awaken us.”

There is a Wind blowing, it’s moving over the land, the mulberry trees are beginning to move…in order to hear the wind, we have to be tuned to the Spirit of God. He will come at a time we think not. Brothers, sisters are you AWAKE? Or are you sleeping? Are you READY? Or are you caught up in your own life and you don’t even think about Jesus’ Return!

WAKE UP! BE ALERT! The enemy has lulled you to sleep, causes distractions and all kinds of disturbances to keep you trapped in his web.

Don’t let Jesus’ return take you by surprise…

This life is fleeting, it will not last. Be on fire for God! Keep your lamps lit with fresh oil and fresh fire! Shake yourself and come alive!!

You don’t hear many sermons about Christ’s Return much anymore. God has not changed His mind concerning Jesus’ return. It is a living FACT HE IS COMING…

Look to the fig tree. There are signs everywhere…

The more Israel is seen in the news, know, the time is close at hand…

You may go the way of the grave before he returns, or you may be alive when he does…

One way or the other we who are Born again in the family of the Lord Jesus Christ will be resurrected with him.

Don’t miss it!

Ask Jesus to come into your heart and be born again.

One saying I read in the book, The Great Disappearance. “If you are born twice, you die once. But if you are born once, you will die twice.”

You do not want to be left behind in this world. It’s going to be a horrific time on the earth. Right now, while there is time ask Jesus to save you…

The wind is beginning to blow…the wind is in the mulberry trees…when you least expect it, Jesus will return and call the dead in Christ first and then the living who are His own will be caught up into heaven with him, far from the chaos that will be upon the earth.

It will be just as the days of Noah.

I’m not saying this to cause fear, although I hope it makes you afraid, afraid enough to believe and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior not out of fear, but of Love! Don’t think, “Oh, this has been said for two thousand years.” That’s true, it has, so don’t delay, time is getting closer and closer. Certain things need to be in place. But regardless of that. Death is certain. You will die. Where you spend eternity depends on the choice you make while living.

I’m pleading with you right now, in fact I’m begging you, for your sake and the sake of your children, don’t put off asking Jesus to come into your heart and make him the Lord and savior of your life. It’s because I love you so much, I’m sharing this with you. Most of all Jesus loves you!

But you can only get to heaven through one door and that door is Jesus Christ, the son of the Living God!

Do you sense that still small voice within you? That tugging in your heart? That is Holy Spirit gently tugging at you to come to Jesus while there is still time. Don’t delay or put it off…tomorrow may be too late!

Simply say, “Lord Jesus I’m sorry for my sins, come into my life, save me. I believe you are the son of God; you died for me and rose again. Be the Lord and Savior of my life and I will follow you all the days of my life. Amen!”

Read your Bible and pray often.  Attend a Church that teaches the word of God and follows Jesus Christ so that you will grow in the Lord! Be watchful for the Lord’s return. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your strength and with all your might! And love your neighbor as yourself. God bless you!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, January 18, 2024

Matthew 24:37-44 The Message “The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.

“The Son of Man’s Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So, stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.

Titus 3:5-Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Ephesians 2:8-9-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 10:9-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Ephesians 2:8-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

John 14:6-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12-Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 6:44-No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

2 Samuel 5:24 New King James Version – And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly.

 

My Dear Precious Aunt Rose,

Last night, January 5, 2024, when I prayed for you, I had a vision of you in a beautiful, long white, bridal gown, the veil was not covering your face.

The Bride Groom greeted you and took your hand. It was a glorious scene. Holy Spirit began to give me these words.

My precious love, how I’ve waited for this moment all your life.

I worked each day through the years building you the perfect place where there would be no worries and no strife…

As time went by, I watched you day by day, I was with you in Spirit even though sometimes to you, it didn’t feel that way…

I watched your birth and saw you grow into a beautiful child of mine…

Reaching out to others, Rose, you are one of a kind…

I was with you in each and every trial I never left your side…

The letters you wrote, encouraging others, was me, telling them to abide…

Your love for me grew continuously making my heart swell with joy and holy pride, while all the time, colors of the rainbow, the stars that shined…met Holy worship in a coli descope of brilliance and the sublime…

Finally, my sweet Rose, it’s time…

Your home here is ending, but my dear precious bride, I’ve built you a brand-new home where we will forever reside.

So, do not be weary about leaving loved ones behind…

Your example of my love for them will bring them home sometime.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for a crown of jewels shall adorn your head, do not be sad…

You’ll see me in all of my splendor! You’ll see your mom and your dad!

Your daughter Maria is waiting and Dan and Jeannette and Pete, Sallie and Book and all those who have come ahead…

When you enter through the gates of heaven, Holy Angels will sing you a brand-new song…there’s a host, a cloud of witnesses cheering and making such a fuss. Oh daughter, you’ll be with all of us…

Take my hand my lovely bride…and walk with me to the other side…

No fear, no sorrow, peace for all the tomorrows…

The party is just getting started and it’ll seem just a few moments have passed when all the others will come, at last…

May I have the first dance…and with just one glance…

Home, sweet home at last!

Home: January 7, 2024

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 6, 2024

John 3:29-30 King James Version He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

The End of Year 2023, WOW!

Living through the fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties I never even thought about the twenties, to me that was way to futuristic…when I was a kid, we certainly didn’t have all the technology we have today…and when I thought about the future, I pictured flying cars and being beamed from place to place like, well, like Star Trek…I guess to some degree the future has immerged into a place I never imagined…still some things remain the same…

We still have conflicts and problems that never seem to change. But all in all, as much as things have changed, many things remain the same.

Which brings me to the close of 2023, and the start of a brand-new year 2024, in just a few short hours…what will the New Year bring? That’s a question many contemplate as we watch the clock ticking.

That being said, for me, here’s what is on my heart at this time in history.

Starting around 2016, the Lord began to impress on me a Word, he had for me for the New Year. This year I thought about what that word would be but I didn’t really concentrate on it, it was more of a ponder. But I believe it was, day before yesterday, the Holy Spirit impressed a word to my spirit and confirmed it in several ways.

What was the word? The Word is HOPE!

When I’ve heard and thought about the word hope throughout the years, I had this image of a wish or a dream. I didn’t really understand what Hope was all about until a day ago. Holy Spirit began to reveal to me Hope.

Hope is an expectancy…something you long for but haven’t yet acquired. He reminded me of how when a mother is expecting a child to be born. It’s there, you can’t see it, but you can feel it and you know it’s alive because you can hear its heartbeat, through technology. You can even see an image and know the sex again because of technology. But the child is hidden. Therefore, the mom and family wait in anticipation, for what they are hoping for and when it is born her hope is realized and manifested.

Our Hope is in the expectancy of Jesus. We can’t see him, but we know by faith he is there. We can feel him by the power of the Holy Spirit by God’s Holy word, and we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt He is alive because of faith.

I know some are thinking, “We’ve been waiting forever…to see Jesus’ return.” We do not give up though, why? Because of Hope!

Hope is not a wish or a dream. When you truly grasp who that Hope is, your expectancy grows, it becomes a reality because, even though it has not manifested in the natural, in the supernatural by faith it’s already ours!

We don’t know what 2024, holds for the world, but we know who holds each and every day in the palm of His hand…brothers and sisters remain in Hope…be steadfast, immovable, knowing that our Hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ and even though hope deferred makes the heart sick…when that hope is manifested it brings forth a tree of life! (Proverbs 13:12)

Maybe God has impressed a word for you, for 2024…Hold on to Him…Hold on to Jesus…Hold on to Hope by Faith knowing God keeps his promises. He does not lie!

When will He return? Only He knows that. But keep expecting…because even if it isn’t in our lifetime…He will come again! He is coming again! That is our Hope!

When he comes, will you be ready? If you go before that time, are you ready to meet Him? Only you can answer those questions…

I know I’m ready…

Faith, HOPE and Love…the greatest of these is Love! Think about this…if Love is the greatest of these three…imagine how great Faith and Hope must be!

God bless you and may you have a New Year filled with Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen! So be it!

Your sister in Christ Jesus, Marla Shaw O’Neill December 31, 2023

Psalm 42:11 King James Version – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Twas the day after Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse, the gifts were all opened, the turkey put away, as grandma and grandpa were still hitting the hay, while visions of white beaches danced in their head, Susie and Tommy jumped out of bed…the sky is now opened they joyfully said…then rushed out to see all the clutter they had.

“Now Tommy! Now Susie, stop that fighting you, two…clean up that mess, yes, I’m talking to you,” When all of a sudden, Rover ran through, barking and jumping he needed to go out…Christmas is over until next year, Whew! Mom sighs, “Can’t wait for my kids to go back to school!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 26, 2023

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three gifts of Gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four Hosts of Angels singing, three gifts of, gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five… loaves of bread…four hosts of angels singing, three gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the nineth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine stars a shining, eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten lepers healed, nine stars a shining eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven parables given, ten lepers healed, nine stars a shining, eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God for everyone to love.…

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve disciples preaching, eleven parables given, ten lepers healed, nine stars a shining, eight hallelujahs, seven shepherd’s watching, six sheep a baying, five… loaves of bread, four host of angels singing, three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, two glory-in-the-highest and the Son of God, for everyone, to, love.…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 20, 2023

Luke 2 The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Welcome, I’m so glad you came!

Family’s always welcome, I know you, by name!

I’ve been expecting you all day long…

Before we begin, let’s sing our traditional song…

Oh, come let us adore him…

Oh, come let us adore him…

Oh, come let us adore him…

Christ, the, Lord!

There is Joe, and Mary and Steven and Grace, Mike and Terry, oh just wait ‘til you taste…

The good things I’ve prepared with all of you in mind…

Gifts of Love, Joy and Peace, you’ve all been so kind.

Peter, James and John’s sitting on my right…

Waiting diligently the candles to light…

Now we’ll say a blessing, before we take one bite…

You, being here is my greatest delight.

A knock comes at the door…one last person to enter our feast…

Come on in Son and take your seat!

Eyes all follow as he sits down to eat.

Dinner begins, now that all is complete!

The guest of honor lifts his glass in a toast…

To Father, Son and Holy Ghost…

And to all the family, we gladly host…

Let the banquet begin, there will be no end…

Seated in, the Holy of holies…

Everyone rejoices as the party begins!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 12, 2023

Luke 14:15 New International Version – When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”