Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Your love, is a three-strand cord that binds us together

Your peace, is like a river gently moving, never ending

Like a waterfall that overflows, traveling on the journey of life

Your breath keeps us living, circulating in motion with a pause in between.

Like bread, baked in the oven of life, a sweet aroma fills the air

Mouthwatering and comforting to the soul

We are yours and you, are ours…

Our pathway is illuminated with your light

We will not stumble in the dark; we will not fall, for we will keep our feet planted in the gospel of peace.

We are always hopeful, because hope gives us a reason to keep on going

Your joy bubbles up within the spirit and gives us new strength day by day.

Faith is the steel that causes us to wait patiently in your presence knowing it pleases you.

We will not be moved…

Not by fear, nor death, nor life, for things hoped for nor things seen, nor unseen, for You O YHWH never change, never doubt, never leave, never lie. You are ever present, all knowing, forgiving, loving, kind, generous, our help in times of trouble. You are life sustaining, life giving, life making, truth, wisdom, just, etc.

Of all the words that have ever existed in every language known, and unknown, nothing can express who You are…but this much I know…I am totally and completely loved by you. All who know you and love you, know, we can’t out-give, or out-love you, only you can save us, deliver us, protect us, give us eternal live…Thank you Jesus, thank you Papa, Thank you Holy Spirit! Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 24, 2022

Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible

¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? ¹² And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. 

Isaiah 66:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible

¹² For this is what the Lord says: I will make peace flow to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flood; you will nurse and be carried on her hip and bounced on her lap. 

Genesis 2:7 King James Version

⁷ And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 

John 20:21-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible

²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² After saying this, He breathed on them and ^{said, [a]} “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

2 Corinthians 2:15 King James Version

¹⁵ For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

Psalm 119:105 King James Version

¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 33:20-22 New Living Translation

²⁰ We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. ²¹ In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ²² Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

 

You know, we read and write about the Lord preparing a table before us in the presence of our enemies, and it’s true, but think about this.

We have the Lord, our best friend, right beside us all the time. We seem to forget that, though, and our focus is on the wrong person, either ourselves or the enemy, and so often we take the Lord for granted.

We should welcome the Lord to our table at each meal and when we are gathering together with friends or family, it’s the Lord we should invite into the conversation, to be aware of His, presence.

This morning I was convicted about how I responded to some things discussed recently. There was good food, good fellowship, but our conversation was more about our troubles than our blessings. I mean, it’s OK to discuss challenges in our lives. But I feel like the focus was more on what was going wrong than giving God glory. No condemnation or criticism just sharing my heart and what the Lord was showing me this morning.

I asked myself these questions. “Where was my heart? What am I complaining about? Are my words speaking life? Am I recognizing that the King of Heaven is present, listening to every word I speak? Did I set a Godly example?” I had to repent.

Each day is a gift from the Lord. Yes, there will be many things to overcome in a day. But we must remember and be aware that Jesus is in every challenge with us. We can face anything; any foe, any decision, any heartache, or sickness, or lack of funds, any setbacks or delays, if we simply remember we’re not going through it alone.

Jesus is standing in our very presence. His Holy Spirit is in us and if we give him our undivided attention, He certainly will do the same.

For just a moment, take a minute and stop all the fretting, all the complaining and look up! Jesus is waiting patiently for us to recognize He is present.

“Jesus, I didn’t see you standing there. I’m so sorry Lord. Forgive me for ignoring you.”

Jesus smiles, holds out his hand to take yours and says, “It’s going to be OK child. Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s do this together.”

“Ok Lord!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 23, 2022

Mark 4:38-40 Easy-to-Read Version

³⁸ 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!”

³⁹ 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.

⁴⁰ He said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Isaiah 43:1 New King James Version The Redeemer of Israel

43 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

 

Psalm 19:14 King James Version

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

 

The 23^rd Psalm shows us a picture of who the Good Shepherd is and how he cares for his flock. It doesn’t say he’s the “Good Shepherd” but, we can see in the passage how he leads the sheep and that he is not an evil shepherd. He’s kind and loving; good to his sheep.

I was praying yesterday, and this understanding came to me.

He leads us in paths of righteousness, but along the way evil lurks. Like for instance, even though we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death and into places where our enemy dwells we don’t need to fear. He doesn’t leave us unprotected. He’s always right there. He uses a rod and a staff. They are extensions of him, he uses them as a weapon, or, for comfort.

Perhaps you’ve been harassed at work. Maybe you’ve been bullied at school. Maybe an illness has taken your strength and you feel helpless and hopeless. The Shepherd is right there with you. Even if, he’s out of your sight, you are never out of his. He will prepare a table for you to sit at in the very presence of your enemies, they may be there, but so is he.

The Lord is your shepherd. He anoints your head with oil. When those tormenting thoughts come, to rob you of your peace, Holy oil is poured into your mind by His Spirit and the word. The anointing oil cleanse’s your soul and causes the enemy to slide off into oblivion. The Yahweh Roi (my Shepherd) restores your soul. The heart runs over with love, like a cup being filled, overflowing with gratitude and grace.

Maybe you have a decision to make but you’re not sure which way to go. He leads you in paths of righteousness. He will guide you on the right path. Follow him, he won’t lead you into darkness, His pathway is lit up every step of the way.

You may ask, “How can I follow what I can’t see?” It is called walking by faith. He gives you peace in your heart and mind that’s how you know he’s leading you and that you’re on the right path.

There will definitely be roadblocks along your journey. Detours. Rocky roads. Challenges to overcome. Setbacks and discouragement. But if you are following the Good Shepherd, He knows the way. The roadblocks will become smooth pavements. The detours will become peaceful shortcuts to your destination. The challenges will become thankful learning opportunities. The setbacks will become waiting-times so that you can grow, heal, and receive His joy for strength and patience to make intelligent decisions. Discouragement will turn into encouragement you’ll become bold and courageous. When you’re following the Good Shepherd, He knows all the best roads and pathways, like green pastures and still waters.

Life is not meant to stay the same. It’s like a mighty river always flowing, always moving. It takes the wind, and the rain along with twists and turns.

The wind is sometimes gentle and sometimes it’s a powerful force. The rain washes away the dirt and keeps everything fresh and clean it hydrates the earth.

Twists and turns cause us to trust, even in the midst of chaos, the only one who knows the way.

Change is a constant reminder that we are not in control, just when we think we have everything figured out, life happens and throws us for a loop. If we rebel and try to make our own way, if we are unrulily and cause others to fall. If we are self-willed and want everything our own way, we soon realize we are on the wrong path, and nothing goes our way. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep. He watches them, calls to them, feeds them, loves and cares for them. He fights for them, sleeps with them, anoints them with healing oil to keep them healthy and out of trouble. He knows when they are hurt and when they are at ease. Just like a parent who disciplines their child, the Good Shepherd also disciplines the disobedient sheep. He must or the whole flock will become infected, sick and die.

Again, this morning as I listened to the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit, and I have to say I can’t think this stuff up, not with my aged brain, lol! He began telling me that each person is a ripple. I visualized the ripple effect in water and how it starts with one drop and expands bigger and bigger it appears to stop. But the Lord said, it goes on even into eternity. Our ripple reaches to infinity. How cool is that? We influence others and they in turn influence us for either goodness or for evil forever.

Where does my help come from? It comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth!!

Even if you had the greatest mind that every existed, and you were physically the strongest and most brilliant with all the talents and the wealthiest to ever live. Without the Lord, the Good Shepherd, you’d be crushed in life. Because without Him, there are things in this life you would not be able to survive. It’s just too impossible without Him!!

With Him even in sickness, and heartache and death you have Hope that Goodness and Mercy will follow you all the days of your life and you will dwell in the House of the Lord forever! Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 16, 2022

Psalm 23 A psalm of David.

¹The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ²He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, ³he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. ⁴Even 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.

 ⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 Psalm 121 New International Version – A song of ascents.

 ¹I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? ²My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. ³He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; ⁴indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; ⁶the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. ⁷The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; ⁸the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I’m sharing this with you because I believe someone may benefit from the conversation.

In my prayer time this morning I had a heart to heart with Jesus. It was about some things that I was feeling and that have been bothering me lately. I got very real with him. You know what? He got very real right back at me, and this is what He said.

“When you’re not doing what you’re called to do, out of a heart of love, you get out of sorts. Besides you don’t walk by feelings, you walk by faith! Faith pleases me. It shows me you trust me and believe me. It shows the devil he doesn’t have a hold on you. Prayer puts you in a position of surrender and is not selfish. It takes your focus off yourself and puts it on me. After all that’s what it’s supposed to do.

You worship out of a heart of love and gratitude, not obligation or duty. And not because I demand it. I didn’t do what I did to manipulate praise. I had no selfish motivation. I did what I did because, one, I love my Father and two, I love you. Mankind.

My motivation was inspired because of love. Not because I am King. Not because I am Lord and Creator. Not because I have All Power. When you are the very essence of Love, the only thing you can, do, is love. And because of my love for you, and you accept that love, you will do the same. Not selfishly or enviously or greedily or in pride. It comes from a place of peace. A place of hope. Love, is, that place. It’s a place where you’d give everything for the one you love.

Those stripes I took, the rejection, persecution, mocking’s, the beating and verbal abuse. The crown of thorns pushed into my head, each nail, one by one, hammered into my hands and feet, the nakedness, the suffocation, a torturous death, the abandonment I felt by my father and the world, the betrayal of friends, the tears, the gasps for air as my lungs filled and collapsed. My spirit leaving my body as I hung upon a pole. My blood and water pouring from my side.

All of that was done from a place of deep, eternal love for all. I did it willingly because, I love you!

Check your heart, your own motivation. Why are you, doing what you’re doing? If it’s not totally because of love, my love, then you need to repent. Forgive yourself and others, regardless of what they do. Ask yourself, “Who do I love?”

Only an unselfish heart of holy love, will be accepted in my kingdom.

Love, unconditionally. No strings attached. No jealously. No flesh. No hate. No judgment or prejudice, love without wanting anything in return. Then you will begin to know who I am and how to love in Spirit and in Truth.

If you read my words, honestly and with an open heart, you’ll see this is what I’ve been saying from the beginning. Everything I’ve done, created, said, lived and died for, was from a heart of Love. All of it!

Check your heart!”

~Love, Papa God

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 10, 2022

1 Corinthians 13

English Standard Version

The Way of Love

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or ^{resentful; [b] 6} it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. ¹² For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

¹³ So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes

1. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts deliver up my body [to death] that I may boast

2. 1 Corinthians 13:5 Greek irritable and does not count up wrongdoing

A doctor on why “blood and water” gushed from Jesus’ heart (aleteia.org)

 

No wishful thinking

No, a bra-ca-dab-rah…

No genie in a bottle…

No three wishes and you’re granted your request…

Faith is knowing the Holy One, He is not a guess…

Drawn by the Holy Spirit to the Savior of your soul

His solemn word, a breath, a whisper; you’re totally and completely whole…

His Shalom given, once lost, now found,

Your spirit has come home…

He is radiant and holy

He is perfection with no shadow of turning,

No accusations of any kind

His love is burning, only for you!

My heart yearns for Him, the one who gave his all

He stands upon the mountain; I hear Him call…

Come now my beloved…I’ve been waiting for so long…

Listen to the music while I sing a brand-new song…

You are the Redeemed, my wife, married to the great I Am…

Blood poured freely from the Holy Lamb…

Ever waiting and watching to bring you to my throne…

Holy and purified never to be alone…

Cradled and protected, now bone of my bone…

One together, sweet darl’n, welcome home!

With my eyes wide open I step inside the gate

How far, and long, I’ve had to wait

The waiting is now over,

In my wildest dreams I could not comprehend

The glory and the splendor, the magnificence of Him…

The world so cruel, the suffering and the pain

All worth it just to have His name…

My eyes now see, my ears now hear the roar of Heavens gain…

Worth every trial, every test, every heartache along the way,

Thank you, Yeshua, that for me you gave, life and forgiveness…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 8, 2022

Revelation 22:17

King James Version ¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

1 Corinthians 2:9

King James Version ⁹ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 

Open my eyes Lord, so that I might see, Angel-Armies surrounding the enemy…

All mighty, all powerful, You, Oh God, will rescue me.

Darkness and trouble come to destroy. Enemy forces in multitude. With weapons of hate they stand and wait, their army ready to advance.

Open my eyes Lord, they stand no chance.

With eyes wide open and heart full of faith, looking to Jesus, I see…

Ten thousands of ten thousand, a Holy-Angel-Army, waiting for the war cry, given at His command.

No fear of the unknown! No running in retreat! God and Angel-Army standing to their feet…

I see, fire thrown from heaven as demon’s scream and flee…

For God has opened my spiritual eyes and this is what I see!

Child of God, you may feel defeated and worthless and unloved.

But these are weapon-lies, they do not come from God above.

Take courage! Be bold!

Lord, open their eyes to see…

There is a massive Holy-Army fighting and have already won the Victory!

Shake off complacency. Chase away doubt and unbelief. By opening your faith-eyes

Give the devil grief!!!!

You do not fight this battle alone. You have no reason to be afraid

Your weapons are faith-grenades…you have faith eyes and faith ears…

Look, listen and see…

It is God and his mighty warriors; fighting for thee!!!

He’s got your back! Begin rejoicing and watch the enemy flee!!!

We fight with Holy-Armor in realms of supernatural and invisible degree…

But God already won this battle fought on life’s tree…

Pierced through hands and feet and side, His blood shed upon the battlefield and there he died…

Jesus declared; It Is Finished! Open your eyes to see…

God’s Holy Commander and Chief sounding the war-cry!!

Open your eyes, look and see. We fight from a place of victory!!!

Lord, Open our eyes so that we may see…

You and the Holy Angel Army!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 24, 2022

2 Kings 6:16-17

New International Version ¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

¹⁷ 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.

 

Have I not said, he who drinks of me shall never thirst, he who hungers after my righteousness will be filled?

I hear you daughter and I understand. The earth is in travail, it’s crying out for life.

I am that life. I am that truth and yes, I am that way.

Life is who I am. Truth is who I am. The Way is who I am.

But many have chosen death. They’re still eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

They’re believing the lies, thinking it is the truth.

They’re walking in the way that is taking them in the opposite direction I have set for them.

They are blind leading the blind and they will both fall in the ditch.

There is only One Way. No other way will be found. It’s straight and narrow, but they do not want this way. They think the way they have chosen is the best way, but it is the way of destruction and death.

I have spoken through my prophets. I’ve left them my Word and My Spirit but they seek another way. They say my way is too difficult it’s archaic and primitive. But my mercies are new every morning and My Way is lit by my Light.

Being blind they cannot see and being deaf they cannot hear.

So, I sent my Son, My Spirit but they mocked him, killed him and went their own way.

This world is crumbling it will not last, but My word is eternal. Walk in my Spirit live in me, and I will show you the pathway to life.

Do not be discouraged, do not give up. Love one another. Do good to one another. This is My way.

The way to life is my Son.

The way to Truth is my Son.

The Way is my Son.

While you are in this life keep your heart tuned to My Spirit. Keep your eyes opened to My Truth. See with Spiritual eyes. The heavenly places where I dwell, you may dwell also.

Right now, this moment, you are in a heavenly place with me. It is My Spirit telling you these words to encourage you and lift you on High. I love you, daughter. You are not alone. There is a heavenly host listening, watching and cheering you on. Rejoice in Me. I have called you and I am holding you in my hands. Even now My Peace is upon you. My Joy is filling you with New Strength and New Life. Share my life with others. You have nothing to fear. I AM with you.

Thank you, Papa. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Amen!

Marla Shaw O’Neill 1/11/2022

John 14:6 New International Version ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 5:6 King James Version ⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 John 4:14 The Passion Translation ¹⁴ but if anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never be thirsty again. For when you drink the water I give you, it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit, flooding you with endless life!” ^[a]

Footnotes

1. 4:14 The Greek verb for “springing up” is hallomenou, and is never used for inanimate objects (water). It is a verb used for people (living things) and means “jumping” or “leaping up.” The Septuagint translates this verb elsewhere as an activity of the Holy Spirit.

Are you struggling to fit in? Do you question your worth? Is your life at a standstill? Do you wonder why you were ever born? These questions do pop up from time to time. We may all have had or are having these kinds of thoughts but let me tell you this, it may help, I hope so.

People come from all walks of life. Different backgrounds, different areas of the world. We’re all different even if born in the same family, no two people are the same. It’s God’s design, he made us all unique even animals and snowflakes, stars and planets even the air we breathe is different. We may be similar in many ways but we are all individuals with a particular set of molecules designed to be different and since God doesn’t make junk, we are all precious and a masterpiece made in His image to be unique for a distinct purpose.

Stop the struggle to fit in and stand out. You are worth more than fine gold or jewels. If you’re standing still right now, then stand still and know that God is God. He’s got you right where he wants you.

(Paraphrased)* God says, “Be still and know that I am God.” “Call unto me and I will show you great and mighty things that you’ve never seen.” “Cast all your cares, frustrations, questions on me, for I, care for you.” Come to me and I will not reject you. I will give you rest. When you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. Put me first in your life and I’ll turn everything around for you. I long to bless you and give you good things. But because of your pity parties and self-indulgence you can’t hear me, you can’t see me. You’re blind, deaf and dumb. Self blinds you to my truth. It keeps you bound in a self-made prison, and you become lost and afraid.

These are the tactics of the enemy of your soul. But, when, you take your eyes off yourself, what you want, what you desire, what you lack and put them on me. The cloud of despair and depression lifts and the Son begins to shine. I said S O N, because it’s only through my Son that you can be freed from your self-made prison, Freed from bondage. Freed from sin that separates you from the truth.

You start with Praise! Praise takes your mind off of yourself and puts it on me the only one who can help you out of the Mulley grubs. Your self-thoughts can keep your trapped in a pit that gets deeper and deeper the longer you linger in that atmosphere. But Praise is the wind that will cause you to soar in the heavenly places where I am, and I come into your heart and mind and free you. I break every chain; I extinguish every fireball that is hurled at you by the enemy. You are no longer caught in a whirlwind of destruction. No longer bound by fear and lack. Your mind becomes free and whole to bring true worship to your creator and you know beyond a shadow of a doubt who I AM! Joy infiltrates your being. Faith comes alive. Hope is restored. Life is full of promise and new horizons.

Put on your Praise Garments and see with new vision who you are, where you are going and what you are created to do. The how will manifest because you are no longer walking by sight you are walking in the Spirit…The Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you into right thinking, right living and will position you to gain what you could not obtain in yourself. Without me (Jesus) you can do nothing, but with me, you can do all things because I give you, my strength. The Joy of the Lord is your strength.

Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.

Your crucifixion^[a] with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ. And as Christ himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory! Colossians 3:2-4 The Passion Translation

Footnotes 3:3 The Aramaic could be translated “Your death and your life are both hidden with the Messiah in God.”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 8, 2022

Acts 16:25-26

King James Version ²⁵ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. ²⁶ And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

*Scripture references:

Psalm 46:10

1 Peter 5:7

Jeremiah 33:3

Matthew 11:28-30

Jeremiah 29:13

Psalm 103:5

Matthew 15:14

Isaiah 61:3

2 Corinthians 5:7

Philippians 4:13

Nehemiah 8:10

Love is the fruit of the Spirit. In that fruit we will find sections of…

Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control…

You will find all of these characteristics included within God’s love.

If you have the love of God within you, you will also have joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

It’s not different fruits. It is One. And that fruit is called LOVE. God’s love. In his love all the other sections are found.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit by accepting the Lord Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior we are filled with God’s love, his joy, his peace, his patience, and kindness and generosity, his faithfulness, gentleness and his self-control.

His love has to be cultivated and practiced so that all the other qualities will also emerge within us. As we mature in Him all of his attributes will also mature within us.

God is love.

When we are sad, we can still have his joy. When everything around us is in chaos we can still have his peace that passes all understanding. When there is stress and uncertainty and we are stretched beyond human limits, his patience will sustain us. The world can be so mean and hateful, but being filled with God’s love we can still be filled with his kindness. Greed and selfishness are all around us but we don’t have to participate we can be full of God’s generosity because of His love. With commitments being broken in marriages, employments, friendships, partnerships, we can remain faithful because of God’s love within us. People can be rough around the edges and hateful, offendable and in a rage but God’s love will display his gentleness in the way we interact toward others, even, if they do not behave the same way. And last but not least, God’s love helps us to practice his self-control so that we are a power-house under his control, anointed by him to serve and honor him. Self, has to die, because of the Love of God so that he can live, in us.

It begins and ends with the love of God. His love in us gives us Holy Spirit power to live this life in obedience to the one who created all things. The one who came to earth, died and resurrected so that we could be renewed and live forever in Him and He in us!

Let God’s love rule our hearts and all the rest of God’s attributes will manifest in every area of our lives.

The fruit you want to be produced in you is Love. From there all the rest will follow.

Do you want Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control? Then eat the fruit of the Spirit which is Love. God’s love!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 6, 2022

Galatians 5:22-23 New Living Translation ²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

 

Art by Floyd Cooper

Joy is such a tiny word, three letters to express

Delight, exuberance, strength and happiness…

Like an apple or a strawberry, fruit so sweet and good…

Joy, given from heaven, sometimes misunderstood.

Joy is more than an emotion, more than feeling glee

Why it’s produced by the Spirit, where Jesus sets us free

To live totally in grace, with songs of victory!

Rejoicing with the angels, even when hard times call

Girded with truth and peace and hope, surrounded by these walls

Fire cannot penetrate, floods parted in the wake, mountains moved

When the earthquakes…Joy will be mine to take

Through all of life’s heartaches…

Joy, a constant in the battle that conquerors every fear, every doubt, every torment

Joy will shout, in silent resilience to the foe that comes to defeat…

Joy is concrete, Joy makes us complete…

In the Spirit where God meets…

Our saddest moments and deepest longings…

Joy will be sweet…

As morning gives way to joy…we will not weep

Nothing will steal our joy; it is ours to keep!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 5, 2022

John 15:10-12

Holman Christian Standard Bible ¹⁰ If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.

¹¹ “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. ¹² This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.

Psalm 30:4-6 King James Version ⁴ Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. ⁵ For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. ⁶ And in my prosperity, I said, I shall never be moved.

Galatians 5:22-23 The Passion Translation ^22–23 But the fruit^[a] produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:^[b]

joy that overflows,^[c] peace that subdues, patience^[d] that endures, kindness^[e] in action, a life full of virtue,^[f] faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit.^[g] Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.^[h]

Footnotes

1. 5:22–23 The Greek word here can be translated “harvest.”

2. 5:22–23 There is clear textual inference that the “fruit” (singular) of the Holy Spirit is love, with the other virtues displaying aspects of the greatest quality of Spirit-life, agape love.

3. 5:22–23 This translation has chosen to supply action to these virtues, for they are not meant to be abstract virtues, but made visible with actions.

4. 5:22–23 The Greek word for patience is taken from a verb that means “ever tapping” or “never quitting.”

5. 5:22–23 The Aramaic word can be translated “sweetness.”

6. 5:22–23 Or “goodness.”

7. 5:22–23 The word self is not found in this verse; however, most translations render this as “self-control.” The word is actually “lordship,” or by implication “spirit-strength.”

8. 5:22–23 Literally “there is no law set against these things” or “there is no conflict with Jewish laws.”