Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

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

In a time and place of ancient times, there lived a man they called the Nazarene…

He did many things, we’ve never seen…

Some called him Rabbi, others called him friend…

Some called him the son of Beelzebub…

But others called him Savior, Lord of All, God’s love…

Humble of spirit, but courageous and bold…

They killed the son of God tis told…

And out of a sepulcher he arose…

Death could not stop this man

Hell had no hold on him,

And through all time and space since then…

He lives! He lives! He lives!

He is High Priest! Mighty Warrior, He is Holy.

He is beginning and in him there is on end…

Open your heart and let him in…

The scales are removed from their eyes…truth overcomes the lies…

The new creation sings and all of heaven brings…

New beginnings…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 19, 2021

Acts 9:18-21

The Message

^17-19 So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, “Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.

Hebrews 4:14-16

New King James Version

Our Compassionate High Priest

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Standing at the crossroad…

With shattering news…

Your first response… what will you choose?

Torn with pain and heartache so great, you can’t speak

You can’t walk, you can’t move…you can’t think…

Shocked beyond belief…

This is not the time to crumble…

It’s not the time to run, or shake your fist at God…

And scream, WHY???

It is, the time, to praise and trust, and do, or die

It is a must…

To continue in faith child, mere mortal and dust…

Punched in the stomach…

Gasping, and straining, for one more breath

Longing to live, but staring at death…

Do not give in, to doubt and fear…

Don’t let guilt, or unbelief, fill your heart,

Draw near…

To His sacred side…

This is the test…this is the trial…

And in each and every horrifying mile…

Each tear, each agonizing sweat,

Poured out like drops of blood…

God, will see you through!!!

Fall, into his unfailing arms…and let Him carry you!!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 7, 2021

Matthew 26:36-46

New American Standard Bible

The Garden of Gethsemane

³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called ^[a]Gethsemane, and told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. ³⁸ Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

³⁹ And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” ⁴⁰ And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is ^[b]willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” ⁴³ Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. ⁴⁵ Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “^[c]Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour ^[d]is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”

Footnotes

1. Matthew 26:36 I.e., oil press

2. Matthew 26:41 Or eager

3. Matthew 26:45 Or Keep on sleeping for the time remaining and

4. Matthew 26:45 Or has approached

Seeing, you have no sight

Hearing, without in-site…

Speaking, makes no sense

Touching, but not feeling…

For there is no light!

Living as if you’re alive…

Corpse that has not died…

Drawn to His Holy side…

His blood, gives life!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 5, 2021

Hebrews 9:14-15 The Passion Translation

¹⁴ Yet how much more will the sacred blood of the Messiah thoroughly cleanse our consciences! For by the power of the eternal Spirit he has offered himself to God as the perfect^[a] Sacrifice that now frees^[b] us from our dead works^[c] to worship and serve the living God.

¹⁵ So Jesus is the One who has enacted a new covenant with a new relationship with God so that those who accept the invitation^[d] will receive the eternal inheritance he has promised to his heirs. For he died to release us from the guilt of the violations committed under the first covenant.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. 9:14 Or “unblemished.”

2. 9:14 Or “purifies.”

3. 9:14 Or “what we did when we were corpses.”

4. 9:15 Or “those who are called.”

I turned to see a little bird, hopping in a tree, and as I was watching him, he was watching me…

What do you see little bird hopping up that tree?

Perhaps an unsuspecting bug, breakfast for thee.

Joy comes in many disguises sometimes we don’t see

While we are watching something, we are what they see…

A baby playing, a woman walking, a child singing with all his might…

The world is turning, children learning, to do and say what’s right…

Setting an example our lives will always be…

Shining in the darkness for many an eye to see.

What will they see when they look at me?

Complaining, criticizing, happy or honesty?

Am I someone they want around, or do they run from me?

Lessons from the little bird, hopping up a tree…

While I am seeing him, what does he see?

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 24, 2021

Ecclesiastes 10:19-20 The Message

¹⁹Laughter and bread go together, And wine gives sparkle to life— But it’s money that makes the world go around.

²⁰Don’t bad-mouth your leaders, not even under your breath, And don’t abuse your betters, even in the privacy of your home. Loose talk has a way of getting picked up and spread around. Little birds drop the crumbs of your gossip far and wide.

Artist unknown

Beneath our Majestic, Father God, are wings of cherubim, they were created in heaven to worship Him…

And here we sit under the shadow of Shaddai, protected and loved, cared for with them…

We endure as the eagle passing the night on the high cliffs…

No fear of lions, or snakes, or dragons…they cannot touch us there…

For this is where, the Most High resides…

Soaring among angels and stars…Messiah, that’s where you are…

Leaving this worldly realm while body doth remain

Our souls are captivated and without restrain…we are safe in Jesus name!

Shaddai, God of the Mountain, God the Destroyer of Enemies, God the Self-Sufficient One, God the Nurturer of Babies, God the Almighty.

Give us this mountain!

For this mountain we claim!!

Hear the cries of angel armies and saints of Adonai… “We proclaim His domain!”

Your kingdom come; Your will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Amen!

Your will be done in us, as we live under the shadow, of El Shaddai!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 16, 2021

Inspired by Psalm 91

Matthew 6:9-13 King James Version

⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

There are many Bible verses that talk about the cherubim:

Numbers 7:89

English Standard Version

⁸⁹ And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.