Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Artist: Kristyn Brown

Let me tell you my story…

I was a young girl barely past my childhood days…when I had a visitation from an angel…

Now, you may think this strange…

It was strange to me too…

He told me I would bare a son, and that he’d be the savior of the world…

It was as he said.

I held him as a baby, I rocked him to sleep, sang lullabies and kissed him on his cheek…

I watched him grow through his teenage years and saw him become a man…

Knowing all along what was to come, I prayed and trusted God.

So, at a wedding in Cana when the wine ran out, I knew without a doubt what Jesus could do and I asked him to help. He hesitated knowing it wasn’t time but in love for me he did as I requested.

I heard the stories of how he healed blind eyes, gave hearing to the deaf. He cast out demons and raised some from the dead. He forgave sins and told parables. Stories to point people to God. And later I witnessed it with my own eyes. It was no surprise. He was God’s son too.

There were many trips to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover lamb…

I knew that Jesus was chosen and that He was the true Lamb!

So, I waited and watched and prayed for the strength to obey what I had promised God on that long-ago day.

I pondered all these things in my heart!

I watched them beat my son and humiliate him in front of the religious rulers. Roman armies and onlookers who had once followed him abandoned him.

I saw his blood run down his back as they scourged him. I did not speak because I knew it was his time. What he was going through was going to change the world forever. God gave me grace.

I stood at a distance as John held me up. I heard my son’s cries, “I thirst.”

Here was the living water, being deprived of drink. Given bitterness to sip on. I waited in agony my heart could hardly contain the pain. It was just as Simeon had prophesied at Jesus’s dedication to the Lord. My heart was pierced through it was more than I could bear. Seeing my precious son nailed to a cursed tree. The betrayal. The disgrace. But I also knew he had to go through all this to conquer hell, death and the grave.

As I stood near the cross, I heard him say, “Woman, behold your son. And as John held me, Jesus said to him, behold your mother.” All the agony and pain he was in, still, he considered me.

Then a chill more horrifying than anything I’d ever felt in my life, ran through me…I heard him cry out in a loud voice, “My God! My God why have you forsaken me?”

Then he said, “It is finished!” I collapsed in Johns arms as Jesus took his last breath, he hung his head. He was dead!

Three days we mourned him. I knew what He had said, that He would rise again! But was it really true? I had my times of doubts, I was human!

Everyone scattered and hid, afraid we would all be taken and crucified.

But on the third day our doubts and fears were totally wiped away as we heard the news; He is alive!!!

He’s alive! We saw him. He came to us and Thomas put his hand into his side where they had pierced him. He spoke to us and said, “You believe because you have seen me, but I tell you, more blessed are those who will believe that have not seen me.”

For forty days he ministered to many people. We ate with him and he showed us and told us many things.

I cannot tell you the joy that filled our hearts. All was realized. All was brought into being. We knew, that we knew, that we knew, all that he had said and done was true!! I have to admit it was worth all the pain and sorrow. You see, my son, truly is the Son of God!!

Then it was time for him to leave and go into Heaven. We stood and watched as he went into a cloud.

Two men in white robes appeared and said, “Galileans, why are you standing here staring into the sky? Jesus is going away but one day just as you saw him go, he will come again!”

I wrote this little story in response to the song, ‘Mary did you know?’ It made me think about how Mary might have felt. You can read it in the Bible.

Mary knew her baby boy. She knew who he was and what he would do!

Now, here’s a question for you…Do you know Jesus? Will you follow him? Will you be one of his disciples?

He’s calling you! Don’t put it off! If you’re answer is yes, and you say, I want to know him but I don’t know how?

All you have to do, is say, “Lord Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart, forgive me. I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart, that You are the son of God. Fill me with Your love so that I can love others through you. Help me live for you all the days of my life. Amen.

If you just prayed that prayer, Welcome to the family. Find a Christ centered Church. Become a student of the Bible. The Holy Spirit will help you on your journey. God bless you.

John 3:16 New King James Version ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 19, 2020

John 19:26-27 King James Version When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Acts 1:1-11

The Passion Translation

1 To Theophilus,^[a] the lover of God.

I write to you again, my dear friend, to give you further details^[b] about the life of our Lord Jesus and all the things that he did and taught.^[c]

² Just before he ascended into heaven, he left instructions^[d] for the apostles he had chosen by the Holy Spirit.^[e] 3 After the sufferings of his cross, Jesus appeared alive many times^[f] to these same apostles over a forty-day period.^[g] Jesus proved to them with many convincing signs that he had been resurrected.^[h]

During these encounters, he taught them the truths of God’s kingdom realm ⁴ and shared meals with them.^[i]

Jesus instructed them, “Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the gift, I told you about, the gift the Father has promised. ⁵ For John baptized you in water, but in a few days from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit!”^[j]

⁶ Every time they were gathered together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is it the time now for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

⁷ He answered, “The Father is the one who sets the fixed dates and the times of their fulfillment. You are not permitted to know the timing of all that he has prepared by his own authority. ⁸ But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be filled with power.^[k] And you will be my messengers^[l] to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces^[m]—even to the remotest places on earth!”^[n]

⁹ Right after he spoke those words, the disciples saw Jesus lifted into the sky and disappear into a cloud!^[o] 10 As they stared into the sky, watching Jesus ascend, two men in white robes suddenly appeared beside them. ¹¹ They told the startled disciples, “Galileans, why are you staring up into the sky? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but he will come back the same way that you saw him ascend.”

Footnotes

1. Acts 1:1 Some scholars believe that Theophilus could be a symbolic name and not necessarily one individual. This is most likely not written to one individual. When the meaning of his name is translated, the sentence reads, “I wrote to you before, O lover of God.” Both Luke and Acts were written to every lover of God.

2. Acts 1:1 This account was written by Luke, the human author of the Gospel of Luke. The title Lord Jesus is found only in the Aramaic. The Greek is simply “Jesus.”

3. Acts 1:1 Although Jesus’ work of redemption has been completed for us, there is still the unfinished work of preparing and beautifying his eternal partner, the bride of Christ. With gifts of power his church is continuing what Jesus began to do and teach through evangelism and discipleship. See Matt. 28:19-20; John 21:25; Eph. 4:11-13.

4. Acts 1:2 Or “commands.”

5. Acts 1:2 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek implies that the “instructions” (commands) he gave them were “by the Holy Spirit.”

6. Acts 1:3 Jesus appeared to his followers at least eleven times and taught them the mysteries of God’s kingdom realm. See also Matt. 13:11.

7. Acts 1:3 The number forty is significant, for it speaks of transformation and completeness through testing. Jesus was tempted for forty days, the deluge during Noah’s day lasted forty days and nights, Moses met with God for forty days on Sinai, Israel wandered for forty years, and Elijah fasted for forty days. Jesus spent forty days appearing to his disciples to teach them that a day of completeness and transformation had arrived. It took them forty days to comprehend that Christ’s kingdom was spiritual, not political.

8. Acts 1:3 The world is still waiting to see “many convincing signs” from our lives signifying that we too have been raised from the dead. Spiritual fruit and spiritual power provide these signs.

9. Acts 1:4 As translated from the Aramaic.

10. Acts 1:5 The Aramaic implies that they would be the ones who would do the baptizing: “John baptized you in water, but you will baptize [others] in the Holy Spirit.”

11. Acts 1:8 Or “You will seize power,” or “You will be seized with power.”

12. Acts 1:8 Or “witnesses.” The Greek word can also be translated “martyrs.”

13. Acts 1:8 Or “Samaria,” a term used for a distant province populated by another people group.

14. Acts 1:8 See Matt. 24:14.

15. Acts 1:9 Or “A cloud came under him and took him up from their sight.” The Aramaic is “A cloud accepted him and covered him from their eyes.” He did not start from a cloud and ascend to outer space. He started from their visible presence, and disappeared from view in a cloud, ascending by that means into heaven. And when he returns it will be a reverse order. We will see him appearing from out of a cloud and descending back into our visible presence where we can see him and be with him.

 

God is the needle, Holy Spirit is the thread

Woven into the material where I am led…

Jesus is the frame when all is complete

Joy for the journey, praying life will be sweet!

Tiny stitches, forming my life, giving me hope to face each day

Allowing Jesus to have his way…

Each color a design, created through God’s hand…

Surrendering as he gives each command.

Traces of footprints, and stained with tears, giving me courage

To overcome my fears…

Creating love, so there’s no place for hate…

Bringing joy as He weaves, while I surrender and wait,

What will the tapestry reveal?

Each thread that’s given forms the scene

Of a life where only the artist can see what it means

To be a tapestry made by God’s hands.

Yes! Is my answer when he asks of me…

Will you be still? Will you stay true,

When all is finished while I’m creating you?

One last stitch and you will see,

You’re a masterpiece formed by me…

Child, you are now complete!

Framed by the one, who made me, you see,

Jesus, I am your tapestry!!!

~ Marla Shaw O’Neill November 19, 2020

I dedicate this poem to Lisset Sanchez. Your post about unity inspired me.

Definition of Tapestry: a piece of thick textile fabric with pictures or designs formed by weaving colored weft threads or by embroidering on canvas, used as a wall hanging or furniture covering.

“paneled walls hung with old tapestries”

• used in reference to an intricate or complex combination of things or sequence of events.

“a tapestry of cultures, races, and customs”

This morning before getting out of bed I had been praying over many things, people, church, our nation along with other things.

I had a vision. It looked like an old black and white movie clip. I saw the White House. The whole front of the building was built like a skull wearing sunglasses. It began to speak. The mouth was a huge black whole but no sound was coming out it was just a black hole moving where the mouth would have been. Then the entire building began to shrink. It got smaller and smaller until all that was left was a white, back-ground, leaving a tiny black cube where the White House had been.

The next clip was a battleship. The frame was still there but it was totally broken apart with shards sticking out of it on all sides. Like a bomb had gone off and left it shattered.

That’s all I saw.

I asked the Lord what it all meant. The understanding I received was that the skull represented, his (not God’s) thoughts and plans had been dashed. (I don’t know who he’s talking about in regards to the ‘his’). The battleship represented a battle that had come against the Kingdom of God, and the Church, but the enemy had not won. God is the power and the authority over all things. The frame was still there but it would have to be rebuilt.

Judges 9:52-53. Judges 9:52-53

New International Version

⁵² Abimelek went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, ⁵³ a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.

Acts 27:14-18; Acts 27:14-17

New International Version

¹⁴ Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. ¹⁵ The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶ As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, ¹⁷ so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.

Matthew 8:25-26; Matthew 8:25-26

New International Version

²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Acts 27:28-31

New International Version

²⁸ They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. ²⁹ Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. ³⁰ In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. ³¹ Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.”

Ephesians 1:20-23 Ephesians 1:20-23

New International Version

²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Now, I don’t know exactly what it all means so you can take it to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding. All I’m doing is giving you what I saw and what I understood.

Praise the Lord! Pray, in Jesus name and do not fear! God is for us, who can be against us!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 16, 2020

I was praying and I remembered Abraham’s prayer, “God if you find ten righteous will you spare the city?” We all know the outcome of that account…but my prayer this morning is, “God, remember your covenant with your people, and Father, I know there are hundreds of your righteous children who have been crying out to you for Victory! You said, IF MY PEOPLE, your people God…I believe we have humbled ourselves under your mighty hand. We have repented and prayed and turned from our wicked ways…those who are your people, Lord…yes, there are many who have not repented…but you hear the prayer of the righteous. Your people…and the covenant you have made is with them. You keep your, promises! Lord, I’m asking you to expose the enemy and his cohorts…I’m asking you to reveal and let be seen the lies, the deceit, the treason towards you and this country. You are the founder of this land and it belongs to you God…bring to light all that has been hidden and let us live in your statutes and promises. That we will live peaceable lives now and for future generations.

David had a few stones but more than that, He had the favor of His God and he knew who His God was and he didn’t run away. He ran towards the giant! Be a David!

Daniel knew who his God was and even though he was put into a den and slept with lions, God kept the lion’s mouths shut and they could not eat him. Be a Daniel!

Three, Hebrew, young men, were put into a fiery furnace made seven times hotter, but there was a fourth man in there with them. They didn’t even smell of smoke when they were released. Be a Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego!

John the revelator was boiled in oil. Exiled to the Isle of Patmos but he didn’t die at that time. He gave us the revelation of Jesus. Mysteries for our world, that are still to come. Be a John!

Most of all be like Jesus!!

We have faced almost a whole year of challenges. A world lockdown by an unseen villain of death. Chaos in the streets. Unjustifiable murder! Businesses closed and no longer exist. Loved one’s lives cut short by a demon called Covid19.

Even now…our country is divided because of fear and lawlessness. So much unrest and turmoil. Just as we have masked our faces to try to protect ourselves…there is a mask that is hiding a danger more terrifying than anything we’ve seen. Only God can remove the mask and expose what’s done in secret…!! Jesus, I ask you to remove the masks and show the world the true enemy!

But through it all…if we as the Church, God’s people, will stop looking at the circumstances and begin looking at the Living God. Not the fake god’s parading around in sheepskins of an unnatural kind, if the true worshipers of God continue to cry out, “Praise God for His Mercy endures forever.” The Enemy cannot stand. Goliath will fall. The fiery furnace will be shut down. We will see the promised land restored. And the enemy, the real enemy, Satan and His demons will be exposed and will run with their tails between their legs and Victory will be obtained! Because God is on The Throne of Heaven and the Kingdom of heaven is within us!

Don’t run away…run forward in Love, Peace, Joy, Faith, be brave and courageous…for Our God is not weak…he does not lie…he is greater than any enemy flesh or spirit! GOD IS GOD!! And He will prevail!!!

Stand true and strong. Walk in the Spirit so you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh and we will be restored to, One Nation Under God!

Amen and Amen!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 11, 2020

John 17:20-23

New International Version

Jesus Prays for All Believers

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

 

The Ancient of Age, gave instructions to the sage

Write plain what I will tell you.

That all who read will know and understand

My word, is my command!

Now in my book, I’ve written down

The names of those who are mine.

Rejoice in this that my little black book

Is where I write and continually look

To see citizens of my Country…

Prophets, priests and kings are they

Those who seek me and obey

Inherit eternal life!

The demons are subject to my authority by my name

This is serious it is no game…

But read my little black book and you’ll find

A world of a totally different kind…

Where up is down and down is up

Come drink the bitter-sweet over-flowing cup

And when your time is finally up…

Rejoice! Your name is written in my little black book…

Not made by human hands…

It’s in a place, where no one can steal it, and it will never ever depart…

It’s sealed, until that day,

You see; it is written upon the heart!

 ~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 7, 2020 TYHS!!!

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven! Luke 10:20 KJV

Malachi 3:16, NIV: “Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.” Malachi 3:16, ESV: “Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another.

Roots of this amazing tree, are planted by the one…

Who looks, and beholds, a glorious spot, to plant inside of me

It’s watered by the rain that falls, by my Heavenly Father’s loving hand

Sustained by the sun-that-shines throughout this promised land…

Leaves, full, that overflow with the deepest green, more lovely than I’ve ever seen

This tree is treasured, its fruit is sweet…

Just one bite and I’m complete…

A fragrant flower that buds in spring… produces a fruit only He can bring…

The fruit of the Joy-Tree is a gift from God to me!

It sustains me in sickness

Gives life to a withered soul…

Takes away my sadness and leaves me content and whole…

The world can’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away…

So, let the love that God gives, plant the Joy-Tree in you today!

Joy, everlasting joy, is a fruit of the Spirit…

It’s contagious when you are near it…

Come, taste and see that it is good!

Paid in full, one Joy-Tree for anyone who will believe!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 4, 2020

John 15:5-11 New International Version

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

⁹“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 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 told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Beautiful are the feet of Him,

The Son of God, who would lead them…

Disciples, he called, brothers…

Loved and adored by His humble, mother.

Born, as a wee babe, she counted each of His toes

Every mama knows…the sweetness of those…

Beginning his ministry, He walked the dusty roads

From Galilee to Jericho, then down the Via Delarosa

Feet, so beautiful, took him on His way,

Walking on the water, over mountains and valleys…

And carried him to pray

Teaching others, Our Father who art in heaven…

Proclaiming the good news, while spreading the Gospel

Some believed, but others were deceived by their own pride and greed.

They took the man, who was King from another land

And they nailed his feet to an old weathered tree…

But the story doesn’t end there, oh no, listen and believe…

He walked out from a darkened tomb; feet scared but soon

Was seen walking with His disciples…

Stepping into heaven…

And walking streets of pure gold…

Behold!

Beautiful are the feet of those, who carry, the Good News…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 21, 2020

Like autumn leaves falling to the ground

The wind blows them all around…

To far off places, where they are found, in heaps of colors

With rustling sounds…

Our lives similar, for we are bound…

To earth’s seasons, we too, go round and round!

Cycles of life, in a span’s length of time…

Here for a while and then gone…

Leaving memories in scattered heaps…

Embedded in loved ones hearts they keep…

A remembrance like leaves, blown upon the wind…

Watching as new life begins…

Again, and again!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill – October 14, 2020

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 New King James Version

Everything Has Its Time

3 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time ^]to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; ³ A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; ⁴ A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; ⁵ A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶ A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; ⁷ A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; ⁸ A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.