Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

People come and people go, from all around the world

They live their lives, in desperation, with great heartache and hidden sorrow…

Some with integrity, some, not having a clue

How, or where, or what, they were put on this earth to do.

They look to their own imagination; never seeing who, they should look too…

A simple plan is all it takes for anyone to understand…

Jesus said, “become like a little child.”

Come on, take me by the hand.

Little children carefree and strong, run along in the Kingdom of God~

In heaven and here on earth. A childlike spirit is truly worth

More than any material gain.

There’s a little child in each of us, but many have lost their way

You’ve forgotten how to look at the butterfly, or dance in the rain,

To sing twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Oh please, come out and play, you’ve come this far…

Restore the little child inside. Climb trees and skip, rope.

Seek what’s lost, and do not hide,

While living, there’s always hope…

Stand on the sea shore…

Watch the waves come and go,

Build sandcastles in the sand…

And when you’re old and remembering…

How life was hard and cold…

Take the hand of a little child and never, ever, let go~

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 3, 2021

Matthew 18:3-5 The Message

^2-5 For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.

Arms spread wide upon the cross,

Like the wings of an eagle in flight…

Soaring in the heavenlies, God is seen

Wings spread wide for the world to see…

What mystery He brings…

Impaled upon a wooden cross…

The song of forgiveness He sings

Over the valley of the shadow of Death

He fears no evil, as He takes His last breath…

Majestically His wings spread wide…

He hung His head and died.

Loved ones in the distance, broken, crushed, they cry.

Watching from, a place on high, the eagle does not wait

His work is done, He has overcome,

With unconditional love not hate…

Demons laughing at the sight, thinking they have won…

Victorious, the eagle in flight, sings His glorious song

Risen from the grave He soars…as heaven’s angels stand and roar…

HE, IS, ALIVE!

Demon’s scatter; fleeing at the sight; realize they are doomed.

Arms spread wide, Jesus suffered and died, but now, He is, the Bridegroom!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 21/22, 2021

Deuteronomy 32:11 New King James Version

¹¹ As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings,

 Psalm 23:4 New King James Version

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;

Luke 23:28-34 Holman Christian Standard Bible

²⁸ But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children. ²⁹ Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!’ ³⁰ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’^[a] 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Crucified between Two Criminals

³² Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with Him. ³³ When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. ³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided His clothes and cast lots.

 In the garden where I prayed, Father, help me to be brave

This cup I’ve been given, is more than I can bear…

How can I, the son of man, carry all their cares?

The pain, the sorrow, the transgressions of man-kind

Has made them heartless, perverted and blind…

Shrouded in darkness, help me to be strong.

 For this purpose, I have come,

like the nightingale’s lonely song…

I pray, Father, your will be done…

 The horror of the crucifixion, our people’s hatred and rejection

Is not what hurts me most…

I pray that I will not fail thee, nor grieve the Holy Ghost…

This blood, I sweat, and the anguish I feel, this suffering is but for a little while

It’s real…as the Evil one strikes at my heel…

 The joy that is on the other side, where Spirit and Life collide

For every false accusation, every stripe, struck, upon my back, every vile and evil thrashing, is worth asking, Not my will, but thine be done.

To fulfill your purpose, and redeem lost souls, from beginning to ending,

I will be the sacrifice…

 Father, I will drink this cup of suffering and bring new life!

 The words you spoke to the woman in another garden, He will crush the serpents head…

And all will be restored…just as you said.

 ~Beloved son of God! Yeshua, The Messiah

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 15, 2021

 Genesis 3:15 New King James Version

¹⁵ And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

 Matthew 26:36-56

English Standard Version Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch^[a] with me.” ³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 

Precious dove, of gentleness, calmly descending

Love, in its purest form, no need of defending…

From Ark, tossed upon the sea, with olive branch from dry-land’s tree,

Over centuries…

To Jordan’s river-bed, being seen as lighting above the head

Of the promised Messiah…

God said, This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased…

Holy Spirit, received not grieved…

Holy Spirit, given only believe!

Waiting in an upper room, not gentle but with sounding boom…

A mighty-rushing-wind and fire, light the tongues of men…

Now centuries passed, Holy Spirit lasts…

Children of God, be filled to overflowing,

In Jesus name, he’s given, to all who ask…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, April 14, 2021

Luke 3:22 New King James Version

²² And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

In the heat of the battle where perseverance and endurance are met

Resolved within your heart, see it through without regret

There will be no call of retreat

Warrior of prayer, humbled at His feet…

There will be losses but never defeat!

The weapons of your warfare are not flesh and bone…

They’ve been fashioned, in the furnace, by God, at His throne.

Blood is shed, the lamb is slain

To give you authority in Jesus’ name…

For you have been chosen and bought with the price

Anointed by the King, Jesus Christ!

No weapon formed against you will be able to take you out…

You’re more than a conqueror, Praise God with a Holy Shout…

The demons tremble when you bow before the Lord…

They know they can’t win, for the curtain has been torn…

Now, Holy Spirit is in you, and there is nothing more…

Than to stand and fight, by the Spirit of the Lord…

Not in your own strength, nor in your own might…

Take up God’s armor, Warrior of Prayer, FIGHT!

Fight for the souls still in darkness

Fight for those who are lost

Fight for salvation Warrior, at any cost…

Once you, were without hope, once you, could not see…

But now Warrior of Prayer, speak in Authority!

Send the demons running, send them to the abyss…

You are a Warrior of Prayer by God’s Holiness…

Humility is the entrance to the presence of our God

By Faith washed in the Blood of Jesus, you will prevail…

Warrior of Prayer; you cannot fail!

For Jesus is our Commander, he conquered death, the grave and Hell!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 6, 2021

Ephesians 6:18 New King James Version ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 English Standard Version ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 8:26-27 The Passion Translation ²⁶ And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede^[a] on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs^[b] too deep for words. ²⁷ God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings,^[c] yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny.

 Footnotes

1. 8:26 The Greek word hupererentugkhano is best translated “super [or hyper]-intercede for us.” We can only imagine how many blessings have poured into our lives because of the hyper-intercession of the Holy Spirit for us!

2. 8:26 Or “groanings.” We find three groanings in this chapter. Creation groans for the glorious freedom of God’s children (v. 22), we groan to experience the fullness of our status as God’s children (v. 23), and the Holy Spirit groans for our complete destiny to be fulfilled (here).

3. 8:27 Or “God, the heart-searcher.” God searches our hearts not just to uncover what is wrong, but to fulfill the true desire of our hearts to be fully his. Grace triumphs over judgment.

When the walls tumble down around you, let it be the Jericho walls.

When an open sea is before you and the enemy is at your back,

You’re in the place for a miracle, you’ll walk safely there will be no lack.

When the heat is turned up seven times hotter, you are not alone, for the one who created all things is walking with you, you will not be overcome. He’s delivered you from the evil one.

When you’re lost in the desert with no water, and you feel like you can’t go on, speak to the rock he’s the living water, an oasis, a well spring for your soul. Drink and you’ll never thirst again for it’s in the desert you’ll meet Him.

When the waves of life surround you and you begin to sink, cry out, Lord, save me. Then let faith be your drink.

Do not doubt and do not fear…Peace be still, his voice you’ll hear.

When you’re surrounded by a den of lions, do not be overcome with fright…you’ll lie down in perfect sleep for they’ll keep you warm at night.

Let faith be your constant companion and Holy Spirit, your guide…

In all of life’s difficulties, Remember, Jesus is by your side.

Trust the one you cannot see.

Take heart dear one and simply believe.

Your work is not finished, life is only a test…

Walk in the spirit and let me do the rest! ~Jesus.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 2, 2021

1 Peter 1:6-7 New King James Version

⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Twelve men he chose to follow him; they followed without question or hesitation

He taught them in the desert and in towns with no set destination…

Within the camp they became friends, brothers…

Leaving home, and all others, to be taught and serve, wherever their teacher would lead them.

But one he chose, was a thief and a liar, a keeper of the books, but he was a crook…

And with each scornful look, Judas complained…

“Why waste that costly perfume to anoint your feet, when it could be sold and given to the poor?”

His heart was wicked standing before the Lord.

Jesus said, “The poor you have with you always.”

Knowing Judas’s heart, he left him in his own deceit.

Drinking wine and eating bread, at the table Jesus said,

One of you will betray me…all gasped and wondered, “Is it me? I would never…”

“The one who dips his bread into the bowl this night, is he who will betray me.

Judas what you do, go and do quickly.”

Thirty pieces of silver paid.

In the garden, Judas came to the Lord, kissed his face, and the contract was made, Satan entered Judas’s heart. And on this dark, frightful night, where Jesus had prayed, soldiers came and took Him away.

Crucified, and in a tomb, they laid the blessed Savior.

Judas consumed with guilt and shame, threw the money at the self-righteous men; they were repulsed by the traitor, no longer known as Jesus’s friend. He realized what he had done.

To late to change, too late for regret, Judas went to the place called “the Valley of Hinnom (the field of blood) overcome with torment and grief, he hung himself and died.

Without true repentance, confession and turning away from your sin, the soul is most tormented. It’s not that Jesus would not forgive him; Judas could not forgive himself.

The heart is exceedingly wicked who can know it? Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse and set us free…

If you are constantly complaining and critical…

If you are greedy and self-seeking with your own agenda

A word of exhortation…

Your heart is sick and needs healing, turn away from the accuser and give Jesus your heart completely…

Do not betray the Lord as Judas did with a kiss.

Lay down your flesh and resist…

The devil will not give you peace, no, he will sell your soul at the highest price, he’ll take your soul and your life…

Repent and cling to Jesus Christ. You have a choice. Instead of a dishonorable vessel be a vessel of honor!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 31, 2021

John 13:26-27 New International Version ²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So, Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

 Matthew 26:14-16 New International Version Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus ¹⁴ Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So, they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶ From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

 John 12:4-5 New International Version ⁴ But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

 Zechariah 11:12-14 New International Version ¹² I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So, they paid me thirty pieces of silver. ¹³ And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So, I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord. ¹⁴ Then I broke my second staff called Union, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel.

 Psalm 41:9 New International Version ⁹ Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

I prayed for you today and God said, I hear you.

So, I said, Papa God, we need you more than we’ve ever needed you before.

Lord,

It seems as though the whole world is broken and sick. Confused and lost and quick, to let anger and mistrust rule in all they do and speak.

Full of indifference and discouraged they meet, but no mercy is given upon the streets. Even those who have walked with you for years hide their continuous tears. What’s going on?

How can we encourage people to go to the only source who can help them when they no longer hold you within their hearts?

They’ve turned your words into cliché. And words of praise, are only habit. Where is grace?

To them the blood of Jesus has no power, because in this dark hour…people don’t believe in the Savior, so they cower in the seclusion of their own minds, where they’ve built their ivory towers with disguise, by wearing masks, they hide their lies…

They wring their hands and wipe their brow while anxiety consumes every waking hour.

Tear down the ivory towers

Send Your Holy Angels of conviction and let them speak

To the hearts of those who weep

And let them bow in humility and seek,

Your presence once again.

Let the Holy Spirit and fire, set ablaze your amazing grace and let revival explode in these trying days.

For you are the same, yesterday, today and forever! This is what I pray.

Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. Tear your hearts and not your clothes. Cry out, “GOD, SAVE ME!”

Remember His blood! Remember the Cross! Remember the Tomb is an empty room…

Remember…

He is not a movie, or a song. He’s not a meme, or a story.

He is the King of Glory!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 30, 2021

1 Corinthians 11:24-25 New King James Version

²⁴ and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ^[a]“Take, eat; this is My body which is ^[b]broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁵ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 

Each breath I take I give back to thee

Your gift to all mankind.

A living soul, created from dust,

Divine craftsman,

T’was your plan and your design.

Perpetual life, but the seed must die

To live within your domain.

Blood poured out, Holy sacrifice

Hung from the cursed tree

Accepted by eternal God

This seed had to be…

Buried in an earthen tomb

Risen, to give life eternally.

So, drink the cup and eat the bread,

For the one who died, has said,

I am the resurrection and the life, all who believe in me, will never die.

He is alive! He is not dead!

Each breath I take, I give back to thee.

A living soul, no longer dead,

I’m alive eternally.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 29, 2021

John 11:25 The Passion Translation

²⁵ “Martha,” Jesus said, “You don’t have to wait until then. I am^[a] the Resurrection,^[b] and I am Life Eternal. Anyone who clings to me in faith, even though he dies, will live forever.

Footnotes

1. 11:25 The words I am in the Aramaic are a clear statement of Christ’s deity: “I am the living God, the Resurrection and the Life!”

2. 11:25 The Aramaic uses a word that is related linguistically to the name Noah, who was symbolically “resurrected” from the flood as the life-giver to those who repopulated the earth. Resurrection is superior to life, for life can be defeated and ended. But resurrection overcomes. Life is the power to exist, but resurrection is the power to conquer all, even death itself. Believers must learn to live in Christ our Life, but also, Christ our Resurrection to conquer all things. See Phil. 3:10.

John 12:24 The Passion Translation

²⁴ Let me make this clear:^[a] A single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces^[b] a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain^[c] died.^[d]

Footnotes

1. 12:24 The Aramaic is translated “Timeless truth I say to you.”

2. 12:24 The Aramaic has an interesting word play with “it dies” (myta) and “it produces” (mytya).

3. 12:24 The “one grain” is Jesus Christ, who will within days be offered as the sacrifice for sin on Calvary’s cross. He will “drop” into the ground as “a grain of wheat” and bring forth a great “harvest” of “seeds.” This parable given to Philip and Andrew was meant to be Jesus’ reply to the request by the non-Jewish seekers to see Jesus. Christ’s answer? “They will see me through you. As you follow me, you will also experience the dying and birthing experience.” The harvest among the nations will come when we follow Jesus where he goes.

4. 12:24 The Aramaic is translated “if it dies, it will bring forth a great rebirth.”

 

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