Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

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

The earth was formless and empty…

Darkness was over the surface of the deep…

Then came the Spirit of God and he hovered over the waters…

God said, LET THERE BE LIGHT…And there, was, light. It was good. He separated the Light from the Darkness…

Step into the Light…

A life that is void of light is formless and empty there is no life…

A life filled with darkness is without hope, without peace and without love there is no joy, no purpose…

It is blind, deaf and cannot speak…

The Spirit of God hovers over the darkness and says, LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Child, come out of the darkness, step into the light…

Lungs are filled for the first time with new breath. A brand-new heart is formed as stone becomes flesh beating in perfect rhythm as the blood washes and cleanses all impurities…renewed mind with graciousness and worth…

Shadows flee, light fills the soul, the earthen vessel is made whole!

A new beginning, I’ve stepped into the light, and it is good!

In the beginning God created…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 5, 2022

The Beginning

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

³ And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1 NIV

He was a quiet man. Gentle and compassionate. He was interested in others needs more than his own. People were his delight especially children. He never tired of listening to the story’s others would share with him. Eating, laughing, talking, visiting with everyone he met. He shared the very first Facebook social network. Only he actually did it face to face. He was a teller of parables and knew the scriptures well. A gifted orator. A man of truth and light. Yet he was a quiet man. He was a teacher and a mentor to twelve very odd men. He loved them all. What was it that drew people to him? Made them either love him or hate him.

I am the God who sees

I am the God who hears

I am the God who speaks

I am the God who delivers

I am the God who saves

I am the God who serves

I am the God who lives

I am the God who sings

I am the God who gives

I am the God who cares

I am the God who prays

I am the God who liberates

I am the God who listens

I am the God who works

I am the God who shakes

I am the God who creates

I am the God who frees

I am the God who heals

I am the God who intervenes

I am the God who corrects

I am the God who connects

I am the God who understands

I am the God who wins

I am the God of mercy

I am the God of kindness

I am the God of peace

I am the God of love

I am the God of forgiveness

I am longsuffering

I am steadfast, immovable, impenetrable, undefeated, soul-saving, Spirit-breathing, life-giving, never ending, eternal, omnipotent, embracing, YHWH.

I AM all that you will ever need!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2020

Exodus 3:14 New Living Translation (NLT)

14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.[a] Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”

Footnotes:

1. 3:14 Or I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.

After the rain, comes the rainbow

Before the storm, comes the calm

After the pain and sorrow, comes relief for a brighter tomorrow.

Each moment is an eternity of time making years

And in that eternity God wipes away our tears…

From birth to aged time we live

In hope, knowing, life never ends…

Closing our eyes our souls return to where it all begins.

His Kingdom come; His will be done,

in earth as it is in Heaven.

Amen.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2021

Woman, at the Feet of Jesus

April 17, 2010

 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so, she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

Do you have a younger sister? I do. There have been so many perspectives written about this I’d like to share mine.

I have a birth sister, a half-sister, a stepsister and sisters in the Lord. I am the oldest. And I can tell you if I was doing all the cooking, and cleaning and my sister was sitting listening to this wonderful teacher and in my heart, I knew he was the Messiah, I would want to be sitting right there too. But knowing, if I didn’t get dinner done, we wouldn’t have anything to eat that night, I’d say the same thing Martha said. “Jesus, tell Mary to help me!”

But in reading this story and the story of Lazarus’s death I think Jesus was preparing the two sisters for what was going to happen to their brother. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” In other words, “No Martha, I am not going to tell her to help you. You should be listening too!”

Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to die he waited four days to go to him. He knew that he would raise him from the dead. He also knew what their reactions would be. But these were his friends and as the story unfolds, they come to realize just who Jesus, really is.

In John 11:2 Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair.

(Emotional tears contain more beta-endorphins, some of our bodies’ natural pain relievers, and protein.) Taken from the article HAVE A GOOD CRY By Victor M. Parachin

She remembered what he said to her in Martha’s kitchen, and she knows what will be coming to her friend. So, with all the love and care she has for him, she gives to him freely an act of respect and kindness for the Messiah, he is her savior and so she anoints him.

Do you ever put yourself in these stories? Do you ever wonder what your response would be? I’m sure I can see me, as Martha but then after doing a bit of soul searching, I have a change of heart sigh and say, “OK, Lord, I hear you. I’ll take a little while and sit at your feet.” Oh, what a refreshing, what peace fills my soul there really is nothing that can compare to being in his presence.

Why do we let the cares and distractions of this world prevent us from sitting at Jesus’ feet?

Stop what you are doing right now…sit at his feet…look into his face by faith … and praise Him.

Put your name in this space “______________, __________ choose the better part.” Jesus is speaking are you listening?

©Written by: Marla O’Neill

Yesterday I had a wonderful conversation with a dear sister in the Lord and friend. There had been no activity over the weekend on our home for sale and it was getting a little discouraging. Then April called and said we have four different people who want to come and see the house. Then she said, you know it reminds me of where Jesus told Peter to, cast his net on the right side of the boat… Peter was conflicted and tired, but he had heard Jesus preach and so he did as Jesus asked. A leap of the faith, sometimes, is all it takes. All you have to do is obey.

Worked all night, the sun is coming up. There’s got to be a better way to make a living, cause fishing won’t pay the taxes we owe. Won’t feed our hungry souls. Tired, exhausted, no hope can I see, laboring for a day’s wage I won’t be paid today.

Then in the distance a man I’ve never met, said cast your net on the other side.

I can’t believe my ears or my eyes…what is he asking me to do? I’m tired and weary from the long hard night. Did I hear him correctly? What can this possibly accomplish? But it’s the master, so he does as Jesus asks.

Throwing the net on the other side not knowing why… I obey! Fish! Thousands of glorious, beautiful, stinky fish come pouring into the boat so full the nets begin to break…

Astonished, bewildered, amazed, surprised…I didn’t believe, but acting on this man’s words…Cast your net…cast your net on the other side and you will receive…

Laughing, crying, then panic as the boat begins to sink, thrilled I couldn’t even think…

Are you feeling defeated today? Are you at the end of your rope? Disgusted, beaten down by life without hope?

Cast your net on the right side of the boat…then watch as “the man,” Jesus, shows you what He can do. You may not even have the faith to believe but I believe. I believe in the God who can do more than we can imagine, or even ask, or think! I’m telling you today, cast your net on the other side and watch as Jesus multiplies all you need!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 10, 2022

John 21:6

New King James Version

⁶ And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So, they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

Lowly stranger down and out, where are you going?

Head hanging low, conflicted and alone, you’ve traveled so very far from home.

City to city, town to town, nowhere is the place, I’m bound.

No destination when I set out, broken and shattered, headed to nowhere, whispers on the wind

Beginnings of sorrow and woe…

This is what I’ve found.

Blank stares with unhappy faces. Plans made on sand, in wasted places.

Bridges broken, words unspoken, empty souls approach toll roads, without a token.

Treadmill spinning out of control, busy highways, with many a lost soul.

World in turmoil, they can’t see the troll’s making decisions while innocent heads roll…

Into the abyss, as the devil insists…everyone is suffering, betrayed by a kiss.

Are you listening?

Listen to this!

Only one way for life to turn out, if you miss it, there is no doubt…

Wishing you’d paid more attention, because something is amiss,

Rumors of war no longer a threat…brothers, sisters this is no bet, it’s staring us straight in the face, be aware it’s coming, so let’s…

Pray like your house is on fire! Get real, with a holy desire…we are in the fight of our lives…

Make no mistake, I’m just a lowly stranger in a foreign land, but I’ve seen what’s coming, I’ve seen it first-hand.

Do not fear nor be afraid, you, who call on the name of the Lord stay true

For the Angel of the Lord has taken the seal and broken it in two…

It’s the heavenly host who is fighting for you.

Stand in the gap and make up the hedge…

Shout out to God! Make a pledge!!

No weapon formed against you will prosper, every lying tongue will be stopped. God of angel armies drive back the deluge. Saints of God, march on into the night, keeping vigil until the light, is seen and Victory is won!

Jesus Christ the Holy son, is coming with a vengeance…

Make no mistake, it’s not too late, to turn to Him and win this fight.

This is what I’ve found! Arise and shine for the glory of the Lord is upon thee! Today is the day of salvation. Do not put off the stirring that is within you. Fall on your knees, cry out to the God who sees and let him have your heart!

Do not mock and do not laugh; difficult times are among us!!

Where does our help come from? It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Put your hope in Jesus!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 8, 2022

Isaiah 54:17 New King James Version

¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

Isaiah 35:4 New International Version

⁴ say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

Isaiah 60 King James Version

60 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. ² For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

In fields of clover I stop, look and wait…It’s been a long difficult journey…

Just there in the distance I see him…

He’s running towards me with arms held out, face shining in the sunlight…a smile as big as the sky…

I drop everything I’m carrying and with every ounce of energy I possess I break into a full run…

Papa! Papa! Two hearts collide as he picks me up and swings me around, we embrace and tears of pure joy flow…

It’s been too long, too long since I saw you last…but Papa, I promise, I’m never leaving home again. I’m here to stay with you forever!

The greatest love I’ve ever known was holding me in His arms…

Child, I’ve missed you, welcome home!!

Have you ever known a love like this? My birth dad wasn’t in my life growing up. It was complicated. I had a stepdad though he was a good man. I can’t say I’ve ever known the closeness of a loving Father. But I can say that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the love of my heavenly father is more real, more genuine, more faithful, than any an earthly father could have given me. I was listening to the song, “The Goodness of God.” And I saw the image I wrote above. It kind of reminded me of the prodigal son. But my feeling was of a child who had lived far away from her dad and upon coming back home she spots him in the distance. He had been anticipating her return. He would go every day to that field and watch. He knew that one day she’d return. And on this day fifteen years later she was there. Spiritually speaking.

I had run from God for fifteen long grueling years. My papa God knew I’d come home one day, and I did. The life I’ve lived in the last nine years have been more blessed than I can tell you. But I will tell you this, God is faithful no matter what.

You are never too far away that you can’t turn around and in an instant be in the arms of your heavenly Papa.

I would cry and beg God to help me. But I was in no condition to help myself. So, I ran and ran and ran. Until finally I ran into the arms of my heavenly father. He didn’t reject me. He welcomed me with all the love he has in his great big heart.

March 13, 2013, Bob and I were married. This was a true turning point in my life and I’ve never been the same since. God knew what I needed. He knew I needed love. Bob says, he didn’t pray for a wife, he prayed that God would give him greater faith. I guess we both got what we needed. It’s been an amazing nine years and with God’s help we will continue to grow and love each other. We’ll do whatever it is or go wherever God takes us until one day we run into His arms and are finally in our heavenly home.

If you’re hurting and searching, if you’re running from something that has caused you to fear and be full of guilt and shame. I’m here to tell you stop running away and run into the arms of your loving heavenly father. He’s waiting every single day for you to come home. He wants to give you an abundant, glorious, victorious, love filled, life.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 7, 2022

Luke 15:13-24

English Standard Version

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. ¹⁴ And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to^[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ ²⁰ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³ And bring the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.