Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Surrounded on every side, in the thick of the battle, swords swinging, bodies falling, the enemy raging…I hear God calling…
Men fighting for their lives…nowhere to run and nowhere to hide…
Mindless and tireless, adrenaline carrying us, God, we will abide…
A thousand falling at my side, ten thousand at my right hand
I am unhurt, for God is with me…

Standing strong and fighting hard the battle is the LORD’S…
My shield of faith holds true, and with the Spirit as my sword…
I am a conqueror a faithful child of the Lord…

No time for panic, no time to fear…
Holy Spirit draw me near…
A thousand falling at my side, ten thousand at my right hand…
Praise God you’ve given me this land…
To live and breathe and have my being, in the Spirit I am seeing…
The battle won; victory sung…
This evil is defeated
You see child, God is all I needed!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 17, 2020

Psalm 91:7-16 New King James Version (NKJV) A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.

Stand in faith not fear…God is fighting for you!! (Praying for everyone to be well and safe! Love you!)

In light of the events that have taken place over the last month I just want to say that God is Still Faithful. God is a God of love, not hate, peace not fear, grace and mercy, not condemnation. He is a God who delivers, heals, forgives, and who has already won the battle. He’s the one who stands with you and for you and is interceding for you every second of every day!

In the raging storm he says, “Peace be still!” The storm surrenders to His voice!”

Panic, paralyzes! Praise to God, brings peace!

Be a Mighty Warrior of Prayer, Praise Worshipper, Peacemaker, Problem Solver, Wave Surfer, Mountain Climber, Valley Planter, Grace Giver, Heart Lover, Running after Jesus Champion, living in the here and now with all your mind, body, soul and spirit…because Jesus is greater than your fear!

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS FOR GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Mark 4:39 King James Version (KJV) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Artist: Daniel Gerhartz

Head bowed low with shame and regret
No hope, defeated the woman wept…
Each tear that drops to his feet as she cries
Using her hair, his feet she dries…
Others in the room smell the expensive perfume
They criticize her, and judge her, their hearts are consumed
With ridicule and disgust they watch in unbelief, thinking, she could have used the money to feed the poor, they do not realize that He, is the LORD!
Then turning her eyes upward, she looks full into His face, what love, what compassion there is no disgrace…
She sees contentment and joy shining through his eyes…peace that calms her soul, she’s not afraid…she’s no longer without hope, all shame disappears as she washes his feet with compassion and tears…
Those doubts that hounded her for years and years…they’re all gone…it’s, as if, she’s new-born…
He speaks and his words are like a healing ointment poured upon her new heart…
She’s clean, no longer dirty or ashamed…she hears him speak her new name…
Meshali…beloved…forgiven…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, March 12, 2020

John 7:50 (NCV) ^_ Jesus said to the woman, “Because you believed, you are saved from your sins. Go in peace.”

We look, but we do not see, for what is seen is only the outer shell

What is unseen is a mystery of bone, organs and cells…

Looking deeper, pulling back layer upon layer,

We begin to see the soul…

The place where Jesus dwells…

Holy Spirit, three in one

God of creation, and Jesus the Son…

Intricate beings we’re seen in new light

Going higher and higher we take our flight

Love revealed, we soar to new heights…

Look deeper when you meet someone

They’re carrying the Spirit of God’s Holy Son

Waiting to be seen the mystery unfolds…

Not just skin, bone and blood to behold…

The person you’re looking at is so much more than that

And as you look, you’ll see God staring back…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 21, 2020

Psalm 139:14-16 The Message (MSG)

^13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
    you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day.

Saturated with love in his presence

Drenched in holy rain…

Of the old self, nothing remains

Made new, hear the reframe…

Again, and again….

A new creation, a new destination

Running hard and running free…

Prison bars, cannot restrain me…

Darkness, cannot over-take me…

Death, no longer holds me…

For I am born again…

Second birth, first in line

Contained in the resurrected design

Where darkness gives way to light

With strength and beauty, as an eagle in flight…

I’m all in…

Worshipping Him…

My savior, my deliverer, my friend.

Born in death, but now I live

New life beginning; there is no end…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 10, 2020

Psalm 103:5 The Passion Translation (TPT)

You satisfy my every desire with good things.^[a]
You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again^[b]
like a flying eagle in the sky!

Footnotes:

• Psalm 103:5 The Hebrew text is somewhat difficult to understand. It is literally “who satisfies with good ornaments.”

• Psalm 103:5 Or “your youth [implying both strength and beauty] he restores.”

 

When asking for directions, many times, people will use, north, south, east and west, which is helpful but if you’re like me, I get confused with north, south, east and west and so I’ll ask if they can please give me a landmark. A store on the corner, or a street sign, or something that stands out along the way, so that I know I’m heading in the right direction.

As I often do in the early morning hours, I was awakened to the thought that there are specific landmarks in life.

Our birth is a beginning landmark. It’s a pivotal moment in our lives that we remember throughout our life every time we celebrate a birthday.

First day of school, is a landmark. Then there’s middle school and high school and graduation those are landmarks.

The birth of a sibling, becoming a mother, father, grandparent. There are other landmarks that are not as happy like the death of a loved one, we never forget those landmarks they stay with us for life.

Major decisions like moving to an unfamiliar place; career change; marriage; divorce these are all landmarks.

But the most important landmark of all is when you meet the Lord Jesus Christ for the very first time and your life is changed forever.

In that one distinct moment when your spirit-born, into a whole new family. God’s family. That’s when all the other landmarks in your life diminish and you become a brand-new soul.

This landmark for me, took place in 1960. I was six years old that was fifty years ago. Five years later when I was eleven, I was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and received my prayer language. That was fifty-five years ago.

I’m now 66 years old. I can look back and see all the landmarks since my salvation and the story I lived was pretty amazing, intense, difficult and at times I wondered if I would survive. Every life is filled with brokenness and unfulfilled dreams but we don’t have to stay in that condition. With Jesus, there is hope. Hope for a future. I think about divine moments where God allowed people to speak anointed words into my life. These are landmarks too.

Every life has a story, some are longer than others because some die before their story can ever be lived, it’s a short story but there is a reason and a purpose even then because they touch the lives of the people they come in contact with.

Throughout my story, I can see, at this time and place God’s hand leading me, guiding me, directing me. The struggles, the trials, the heartaches, the victories, the defeats. The joys and the tears have all brought me to this time and place in my life.

Landmarks, I can know and understand, that as I fully surrender to the LORD’s plan, I see him moving in a great and mighty way.

Marrying Bob was a landmark in my life. Before my mom passed away, she’d say, “Marla, your later years will be greater than your former years.” That was prophetic because it has come to pass.

I’ve had to lay my former life on God’s altar and let him cover it in his precious blood. Many times, I’ve cried and regretted many things in my life. But as I remember my mom’s words now, I can see God has been with me through everything that has happened and his peace fills me with contentment and joy.

In our lives we will make many choices but when we learn to take the decisions we make to the Lord in prayer, he is ever faithful to give us wise instruction. If we will follow what his word says and do what he says to do…our life will be a landmark for him. He’ll give us beauty for ashes. He’ll give back what the cankerworm has eaten, (what the devil has stolen) …he’ll make our enemies to be at peace with us. He’ll give us favor with God and man. He’ll take the broken, lifeless, destructive lives we lived and heal us and bring us to wholeness. All God asks is for our heart. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

I am leaving this landmark when my life is fulfilled here on this earth.

It’s that Jesus Christ the son of the living God resides within me. When you see me, I want you see Him. He, Is, The Landmark! Follow him and he’ll make your latter years, greater than your former years.

Be the landmark for others, so that when they go looking for directions, they will see Jesus clearly.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 5, 2020

Isaiah 61:1-3 New International Version (NIV) The Year of the Lord’s Favor The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Joel 2:25 King James Version (KJV) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Proverbs 16:6-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

1 Samuel 16:7 English Standard Version (ESV) But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

He’s coming on the wind…exploding with might and power

A fire shut up in my bones…

Lighting each heart…

Those seekers standing firm

From the Holy Spirit they learn

God, send the fire…

Hearts of flesh burning with supernatural desire,

For mysteries and secrets to unfold, for those who are brave and bold…

They will sing and shout and praise the Ancient of days…as tongues of fire

Set them ablaze…

The journey will be long, it will be difficult, walking in Your ways…but this we pray

God, send the fire…send the fire… send the fire…

Though storms rage and trials come to beat upon my body, mind, and soul

Though I struggle with doubt and unending pain…

Trekking over mountains and rivers and limitless miles, God, let faith remain…

I’ve this one focus; to be consumed by your holy fire…

Waiting in the upper room obedient and surrendered

Humble and contrite I remember, your words,

“Wait until you are empowered from on high, I’m sending another comforter, I’ve heard your hearts cry…

I’ve seen your tears and have known your fear…

Dear one, you will not die…I’m sending you

The Holy Spirit and Fire!”

God, thank you for hearing my heart’s desire, thank you for sending your holy fire!

Through darkest night and demon sneers, though breakthrough seems but a dream, through sickness and disease, through heartache and lamenting screams, LORD, I’m holding on until you,

Send your holy fire!

A refiner’s fire…that burns to purify, but not destroy, taking me higher and higher

Into the heavenlies where you are…past galaxies and eons of stars

My one desire is to see Your reflection in my face… holy savior, I implore you to make hast…

God, send the fire!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 26, 2020

Luke 24:48-50 Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.” 

Matthew 3:11 The Passion Translation (TPT)

¹¹ Those who repent I baptize with water, but there is coming a Man after me who is more powerful than I am. In fact, I’m not even worthy enough to pick up his sandals. He will submerge you into union with the Spirit of Holiness and with a raging fire!^[a]

Footnotes:

• Matthew 3:11 The text is somewhat ambiguous as to what fire is spoken of. Some see it as the fire of judgment, yet Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit, who baptized his church in fire at Pentecost. This last clause is a hendiadys and could be translated “He will baptize you in the raging fire of the Holy Spirit!”

Last night I went to our church we were having a Livingroom worship night, it’s a smaller, intimate group gathering coming together to worship the LORD and for prayer. As the worship team led us in worship, singing this new song it’s called Communion, I sang and listened to the words…and when we sang the word “garden” the Holy Spirit brought to my attention how that four days ago during this 21 day fast, he said to me, “For the next 3 days all I want you to read is the book of Genesis.” I thought really, Lord, you want me to read Genesis? I’ve read that story more than a hundred times over my life time, it’s all about how you created the world, the sun, moon and stars…how you made plants and animals, rivers, seas, oceans, sky etc., but I was obedient. I read about how the world was formed and how that God created a garden for Adam and Eve to live in and how he walked with them in this garden, in the cool of the day…but one day he couldn’t find Adam and he called, “Adam, where are you?” Oh, how that must have hurt the heart of God. Adam no longer ran with expectation to be with his heavenly father…no, he hid himself. God knew why…but he called all the same…

So, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart as we sang the song and he said, “Do you know why I wanted you to read Genesis?” I said, “No Lord, why?” He said, “Because I wanted to spend time with you in my garden. I long to be with you and listen to your voice and then speak to you in turn. I long to know that you want me as much as I want you and I wanted you to be less distracted so that you would give me your full attention and you’d see me in the garden, calling out to you.” “Marla, where are you, and I’d realize you were right there with me.””

I lost it and begin crying and thanking God because he made himself real to me by using his word and by using this amazing song…and then speaking to me in that moment letting me know just why he wanted me to be there. It wasn’t about reading Genesis; it was about being with my heavenly father. He longs to meet with you too. Where are you? Are you hidden away by life’s distractions? Are you running so hard and fast that you can’t hear His voice? Are other things so much more important? Listen to the song below…God wants to meet you in the garden…you see there is no longer cherubim with flaming swords, blocking the entrance. Jesus made it possible for us to come into the very presence of God when he died and rose from the dead. He gives us full access wherever we are so that by faith we can enter the Holy of Holies…and spend time with Him in the garden! Let God speak to you, listen for his still small voice, he’s calling out your name… “Where are you?”

“I’m right here Papa, and I’m not letting anything interfere with our time together.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91hHw1YPqxE

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, January 21, 2020

Genesis 2:8 New Life Version (NLV)

The Lord God planted a garden to the east in Eden. He put the man there whom He had made.

Lyrics:

[Intro: Steffany Gretzinger]
We are returning
To the place we’ve always belonged
Righted here with You

[Verse 1: Steffany Gretzinger]
Take me back to the garden
Lead me be back to moment I heard Your voice
Take me back to communion
Lead me back to the moment I saw Your face

[Pre-Chorus: Steffany Gretzinger]
And it was all so simple
It was easy to love
No space between us
It was easy to trust

[Chorus: Steffany Gretzinger]
‘Cause You are closer, closer than my skin
And You are in the air I’m breathing in (Yes, You are)
And here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
Feels so good to know You are my friend

[Verse 2: Brandon Lake]
And this is the garden
Here in the place I find You close
This is communion
Here in the place I’m fully known

[Pre-Chorus: Brandon Lake]
And it was all so simple
You’re so easy to love
And no space between us
You’re so easy to trust

[Chorus: Brandon Lake & Steffany Gretzinger]
You are closer, closer than my skin (Yes, You are)
And You are in the air I’m breathing in
And here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
Feels so good to know You are my friend

[Spontaneous: Brandon Lake]
My friend, my friend yeah
It’s where I’m meant to be

[Bridge: Brandon Lake, Brandon Lake & Steffany Gretzinger]
This is where I’m meant to be (Right here)
Me in You and You in me
And I don’t have to prove a thing
You’ve already approved of me
This is where I’m meant to be
Me in You and You in me
And I don’t have to prove a thing (I don’t, I don’t)
You’ve already approved of me
‘Cause this is where I’m meant to be
Me in You and You in me
(And I don’t have) And I don’t have to prove a thing
You’ve already approved of me
(This is where) This is where I’m meant to be
Me in You and You in me
And I don’t have to prove a thing
You’ve already approved of me

[Chorus: Brandon Lake & Steffany Gretzinger]
‘Cause You are closer, closer than my skin
And You are in the air I’m breathing in
And here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
It feels so good to know You are my friend

[Spontaneous: Steffany Gretzinger]
There’s nothing like Your friendship
There’s nothing like this friendship with You, with You, with You
We are returning
We are returning
To the desire of Your heart
We are returning
We are returning
We are returning
To the desire of Your heart
Yes, we are
We are returning, ohh
We are returning, we’re coming back home
We are returning, ohh
We are returning
Oh, we are returning
Oh, we’re coming after You
We are returning (Here’s my heart, God)
We are returning
Oh, and we’ll never look back
We are returning, ohhh
We are returning (Oh)
We’re coming back to You
We are returning (Here’s my heart, God)
We are returning
We are returning (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

[Tag: Steffany Gretzinger & Brandon Lake]
(Here’s where the dead things) ‘Cause here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
(Here’s where the dead things) Here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
Here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
It feels so good to know You are my friend

[Spontaneous: Brandon Lake]
Mm-mm
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I didn’t know I could have a friend like You
Mm-mm, I didn’t know I could have a friend like You
So good, You’re so good
I didn’t know I could have a friend like You
Closer than a brother, close than a brother
I didn’t know that I could have a friend like You
I didn’t think that I deserved it
I didn’t know I could have a friend like You
You keep blowing me away
I didn’t know I could have a friend like You
Just the voices, one more time
I didn’t know that I could have a friend like You

[Chorus: Brandon Lake]
‘Cause You are closer, closer than my skin
And You are in the air I’m breathing in
And here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
It feels so good to know You are my friend

[Interlude]

[Verse 3: Chandler Moore]
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
O what peace we often forfeit
And O what needless pains we bear
It’s all because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

[Spontaneous: Chandler Moore]
I didn’t know that I could have a friend like You
I didn’t know that I could have a friend like You
One who holds me close in shame
I didn’t know that I could have a friend like You
One who’s a better friend than I could ever be
I didn’t know that I could have a friend like You

[Outro: Chandler Moore]
(Here’s where) Here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again (It’s coming alive now)
Here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again (I’m not numb anymore)
Here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
(Here’s where) Here’s where the dead things come back to living
I feel my heart beating again
(It feels so good) It feels so good to know You are my friend

She’s so little, not bigger than a minute…

But her heart, is as big as the ocean, and all that is in it…

Placing the crown upon her head, my princess, my love,

By grace she’s led…

In protest, she says…

“But this crown is too big for me, it sparkles and glitters, but gives me the jitters, when I run and jump and play.”

“Don’t worry young one, for you will grow and one day you will know…

The mysteries I bestow, placed in a crown, that fits perfectly, around your precious head…”

For you are a princess of royal birth…more precious than rubies, finer than gold

Darl’n little one, be courageous; be bold…

Your worth is priceless and can never be sold…

Guided by the ancients, your life they mold…

Wear the crown and when you are old…

Wisdom, will be the crown you wear…

Truth, your heart will always bear…

Faithfulness and loyalty will also be there…

Worn with dignity your life you’ll share…

With all who will follow and all who dare…

To bow in the presence of the princess fair…

Sitting, she lifts her head to the crowd and stares

She’s dressed in elegance, by the crown she wears…

Placed on her head by the King of kings…

She stands in obedience and begins to sing…

I’m my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, his banner over me is love…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 20, 2020

Song of Solomon 6:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, He who feeds his flock among the lilies.”

James 1:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

Sometimes the only prayer we can offer, is silence, in the presence of the LORD

You open your mouth to speak, you search for the words but only offer empty gestures, nothing more…

Searching your heart, you find only silence and you think…what is this Lord…?

Then He reminds you, to be still…listen…be quiet and embrace the Holy Spirit

Calming my mind, my heart speaks…

Hear my prayer of silence Lord,

Nothing less and nothing more

Then simply sitting still obeying your holy will

Hear my prayer of silence…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 17, 2020

Psalm 46:10 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Surrender your anxiety!^[a]
Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God.
I am the God above all the nations,
and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.

Footnotes:

• Psalm 46:10 The Septuagint reads “relax.”