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Artist: David Bowman
Let me tell you a story.
It begins with a heart that is lonely and seeking for his very own love.
He has the greatest integrity. He’s the wealthiest, the most compassionate; loving man ever to exist.
He’s suffered many trials. He’s given everything to pursue the bride he seeks. He’s written love songs and letters to woo his lady-fair. He’s traveled through the portals of time, given up everything and endured the most excruciating pain imaginable. Even death could not stop him from finding his greatest love.
He’s seen her in the distance skipping over hills and bathing in the river of still waters. He’s watched as she drank from the wells of Jacob and gazed at her beauty as she danced in fields of light. He sees her napping in the mid-afternoon sun. Glowing with the radiance of pure delight. Her fragrance is of spikenard (light) and cinnamon (odor of holiness to the Lord). Her hair, is her crown of glory. It shines and sparkles like the north star. She throws back her head and laughs, music fills the air. He scans the night stars, when the moon is hidden from sight hoping to see just one glimpse of her beauty. When he scans the oceans, they remind him of the blue in her eyes. It calms his soul and gives him rest. When a tempest rises, they flash with strength and valor. She is a formidable warrior. He keeps searching for a sign that it’s time to go to her. No, not yet.
Enemies have tried to subdue her and take her will. But she is steadfast and immovable. Waiting for her Bridegroom to come. She laughs in the face of defeat, for she knows victory will be sweet. Her heart is ever ready as she runs the race without fear. She’s found peace in the valley and on the mountaintop. She waits patiently, knowing he only tarries to make her strong. She knows who her heart belongs to and will not take anyone less than Him. Her heart is pure. She’s without spot or wrinkle and when the time is ready, He will come for her.
Oh, how his heart burns within him. His love grows deeper and deeper seeing her faithful. It will be all the sweeter when they are united. They will soar as the eagles, high above their wounds. And celebrate, new life!
Dare he approach her now? Is she ready? What will her answer be?
He seeks her out. “Listen my dearest darling it is you I have chosen. I have loved you and waited for you a very long time. I’ve seen your faithfulness. I’ve seen your longing. I have come for you; will you be mine?”
Her chest rises and falls with great joy and her smile answers him even before she utters the words. “Oh, my sweetest love, “Yes! I will be your bride!”
~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 8, 2020
Song of Songs 4
The Passion Translation
4 Listen, my dearest darling,
you are so beautiful—you are beauty itself to me! Your eyes glisten with love, like gentle doves behind your veil. What devotion I see each time I gaze upon you. You are like a sacrifice ready to be offered.[a] 2 When I look at you, I see how you have taken my fruit and tasted my word. Your life has become clean and pure, like a lamb washed and newly shorn. You now show grace and balance with truth on display. 3 Your lips are as lovely as Rahab’s scarlet ribbon,[b] speaking mercy, speaking grace. The words of your mouth are as refreshing as an oasis. What pleasure you bring to me! I see your blushing cheeks opened like the halves of a pomegranate,[c] showing through your veil of tender meekness. 4 When I look at you, I see your inner strength, so stately and strong. You are as secure as David’s fortress. Your virtues and grace cause a thousand famous soldiers to surrender to your beauty. 5 Your pure faith and love rest over your heart as you nurture those who are yet infants.
The Shulamite
6 I’ve made up my mind. Until the darkness disappears and the dawn has fully come, in spite of shadows and fears, I will go to the mountaintop with you— the mountain of suffering love[d] and the hill of burning incense. Yes, I will be your bride.[e]
The Bridegroom-King
7 Every part of you is so beautiful, my darling. Perfect is your beauty, without flaw within. 8 Now you are ready, my bride, to come with me as we climb the highest peaks together. Come with me through the archway of trust.[f] We will look down[g] from the crest of the glistening mounts and from the summit of our sublime sanctuary. Together we will wage war
in the lion’s den and the leopard’s lair as they watch nightly for their prey. 9 For you reach into my heart. With one flash of your eyes I am undone by your love, my beloved, my equal, my bride. You leave me breathless— I am overcome by merely a glance from your worshiping eyes, for you have stolen my heart.[h] I am held hostage by your love and by the graces of righteousness shining upon you.[i] 10 How satisfying to me, my equal, my bride. Your love is my finest wine—intoxicating and thrilling. And your sweet, perfumed praises—so exotic, so pleasing. 11Your loving words are like the honeycomb to me; your tongue releases milk and honey, for I find the Promised Land flowing within you.[j] The fragrance of your worshiping love surrounds you with scented robes of white.[k] 12 My darling bride, my private paradise, fastened to my heart. A secret spring are you that no one else can have— my bubbling fountain hidden from public view. What a perfect partner to me now that I have you.
13–14 Your inward life is now sprouting, bringing forth fruit. What a beautiful paradise unfolds within you.[l] When I’m near you, I smell aromas of the finest spice, for many clusters of my exquisite fruit now grow within your inner garden. Here are the nine: pomegranates of passion,[m] henna from heaven,[n] spikenard so sweet,[o] saffron shining,[p] fragrant calamus from the cross,[q] sacred cinnamon,[r] branches of scented woods,[s] myrrh, like tears from a tree,[t] and aloe as eagles ascending.[u] 15 Your life flows into mine, pure as a garden spring. A well of living water springs up from within you, like a mountain brook flowing into my heart![v]
The Shulamite Bride
4:16–5:1 Then may your awakening breath blow upon my life until I am fully yours. Breathe upon me with your Spirit wind. Stir up the sweet spice of your life within me. Spare nothing as you make me your fruitful garden. Hold nothing back until I release your fragrance. Come walk with me as you walked with Adam in your paradise garden.[w] Come taste the fruits of your life in me.
The Bridegroom-King
I have come to you, my darling bride, for you are my paradise garden!
The Shulamite Bride
Come walk with me until I am fully yours. Come taste the fruits of your life in me.
Footnotes
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Song of Songs 4:1 The Hebrew text literally means “Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.” There is great symbolism in this verse. Hair is a symbol of our devotion to Christ. Mount Gilead (“hill of testimony”) is where the sacrificial animals were kept in preparation for temple sacrifices. So, a goat coming down Mount Gilead was a sacrifice ready to be offered.
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Song of Songs 4:3 The “scarlet ribbon” in the text is a comparison to the ribbon Rahab placed at her dwelling to show the place where mercy would spare her life. The color scarlet points us to the blood of mercy, Christ’s sacrifice that has spared us. See Josh. 2.
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Song of Songs 4:3 Pomegranates were engraved on the tops of the pillars of Solomon’s temple and were also sewn into the hem of the robes of the high priest. They speak of our open hearts of love, filled with passion for him. The Hebrew word for “pomegranate” is ramam, a homonym that means “to rise up.” Pomegranates were also placed on the hem of the robe of the high priest, interspersed with golden bells.
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Song of Songs 4:6 Literally “the mountain of myrrh”—the emblem of suffering love. To become the bride, she must experience Calvary, as did her Lord. We must be his co-crucified partner who will embrace the fellowship of his sufferings. See Gal. 2:20 and Phil. 3:10.
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Song of Songs 4:6 Implied in the context, affirmed by the bridegroom in v. 8. This is the first mention of the Shulamite as the bride.
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Song of Songs 4:8 Translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “the crest of Amana.” Amana comes from a Hebrew root word from which we get the English word amen. This is also one of the Hebrew words for “faith.” The crest of Amana is the realm where all God’s promises are kept and realized. Amana can also be translated “a place of settled security.” Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names by J. B. Jackson.
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Song of Songs 4:8 The word for “look” is “survey, inspect, look all around, observe.” The bride of Christ is seated on high with Jesus and is encouraged to survey all the blessings heaven contains in our co-exaltation with Christ.
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Song of Songs 4:9 Or “You have ravished my heart.” This is the Hebrew word libabthini, which is taken from a Semitic root word that means “to tear bark off of a tree.” He is saying that your loving eyes of worship have uncovered his heart and laid it bare, making him vulnerable to you. What a description of what happens to Jesus when he looks into your eyes. Your worship brings to him such an ecstasy and delight that it becomes hard to even imagine. Yet God has placed inside of you the ability to ravish the heart of your King—not someday in heaven, but now, even when you feel incomplete and weak.
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Song of Songs 4:9 Or “the jewels of your neck [necklace].” These divine jewels are the beautifying graces that the Holy Spirit gives to us. They are the graces of righteousness given to the redeemed bride of Christ.
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Song of Songs 4:11 Both the Promised Land and your heart flow with milk and honey. You have become the Promised Land of Jesus Christ.
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Song of Songs 4:13 Or “Your shoots are a paradise of pomegranates.”
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Song of Songs 4:13 “Pomegranate” is taken from a word that means “exalted.” The temple pillars were adorned with pomegranates.
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Song of Songs 4:13 “Henna” comes from a root word for “ransom price” or “redemption.” The fruit of mercy is seen in his maturing bride.
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Song of Songs 4:13 The Hebrew root word for “spikenard” means “light.” She is walking in the light as he is the Light.
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Song of Songs 4:13 Saffron is the crocus, the lover’s perfume, costly and fragrant.
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Song of Songs 4:13 Calamus is taken from a marsh plant known as “sweet flag,” which produces fragrant oil. The Hebrew word for this spice means “purchased” or “redeemed.”
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Song of Songs 4:13 Cinnamon emits a fragrance that is representative of an odor of holiness to the Lord. It was used in the sacred anointing oil of the priests and the tabernacle.
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Song of Songs 4:13 This is the incense that would be burned on the golden altar in the Holy Place.
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Song of Songs 4:13 Known as “tears from a tree,” myrrh was a resin spice formed by cutting a tree. It is a picture of the suffering love of Christ dripping down from Calvary’s tree.
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Song of Songs 4:13 Aloe is considered by many as a healing balm. The presence of the Lord within her is released as a healing balm to those she touches. Jesus’ robes smelled of aloe (Ps. 45:8). One of the names used by some for aloe is “eagle wood.” Like eagles, we fly above our wounds, free from the past as we walk in intimacy with him.
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Song of Songs 4:15 Or “like the flowing streams of Lebanon.”
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Song of Songs 4:15 The scene of a garden and the breath of God point us back to Eden. Now this paradise is found in his bride. This is the reason the reference of Adam is given: to help the reader connect with the mystery of this scene. See also Jer. 31:12 and John 15:1-2.
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So, there were these ten girls, (ladies-in-waiting,) waiting for the bridegroom to come and get his bride. Five were wise and five were foolish. Let me explain.
Five of the girls go on their merry way living life burning the midnight oil and taking no thought about anything other than doing what they love to do. Have fun. Shop. Sleep-in. Eat. Watch movies. Relax and enjoy life. They don’t think they’re hurting anyone. They aren’t evil. They just don’t take anything serious. After all, the bridegroom will come, but they don’t know when and there’s no telling how long he will take, so, why not just do their own thing. They go about their lives in a que sera-sera, attitude. And besides they can always rely on their friends to help them out. There’s no reason to worry. I mean, really, why shouldn’t they have fun; they’ve got all the time in the world. Right? Or, do they?
There are five other young maidens who are more conscientious. They keep watch for the bridegroom, he could return at any time. They have trimmed their lamps; they even keep extra oil so they don’t run out. There’s no telling when he will arrive but they want to be ready when he does. They go about doing their work. Their hearts are constantly expecting his return. They don’t want to be caught unaware. They live their lives with compassion and gratitude making sure their thoughts and actions line up with what would please the bridegroom even though he takes a long time coming.
But even in their best efforts they all fall asleep and at midnight a cry wakes them. “The bridegroom is coming come out to meet him.” The five who are wise, wake up, their lamps are trimmed and they have extra oil. The five who are foolish trim their lamps but realize they are running low on oil. “Hey, wise girls, can you help us out our oil is low and we won’t have enough to make it to meet the bridegroom?”
“We’re sorry, but we don’t have any extra oil to give to you, if we do, we won’t have enough. Go to the store and buy some.”
They look at each other, mouths a gap, exasperation on their faces. “What! We thought we could rely on you for our oil supply; now we must hurry to buy oil because our lamps are going out.” They rush to the store to shop for more oil.
While they are gone the bridegroom returns. He welcomes the five wise girls into the wedding feast and the door is shut and locked. No one else can enter. The five foolish girls come knocking on the door. “Lord, open the door, it’s us. Our lamps are full we’re here for the party. Let us in!”
“I’m sorry girls I don’t know you. The party is going on and I you cannot come in!”
Remember, if you are wise you will keep watch, your lamps will be trimmed and you will keep extra oil for your lamp so you won’t run out. The bridegroom is coming! We just don’t know when he will appear. So, be prepared at all times. Even if you fall asleep, if you’re prepared when you hear the call, “Come out to meet the bridegroom!” You will be welcomed into the wedding feast and not be locked out.
Matthew 25:1-13
The Passion Translation
A Parable about Ten Virgins
25 “At the time my coming draws near, heaven’s kingdom realm can be compared to ten maidens who took their oil lamps and went outside to meet the bridegroom and his bride.[a] 2–4 Five of them were foolish and ill-prepared, for they took no extra oil[b] for their lamps. Five of them were wise and sensible, for they took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. 5 When the bridegroom didn’t come when they expected, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. 6 Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, they were awakened by the shout ‘Get up! The bridegroom is here! Come out and have an encounter with him!’[c] 7 So all the girls got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish ones were running out of oil, so they said to the five wise ones, ‘Share your oil with us, because our lamps are going out!’
9 “‘We can’t,’ they replied. ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. You’ll have to go and buy some for yourselves!’
10 “While the five girls were out buying oil, the bridegroom appeared. Those who were ready and waiting were escorted inside with him and the wedding party to enjoy the feast. And then the door was locked. 11 Later, the five foolish girls came running up to the door and pleaded, ‘Lord, Lord, let us come in!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Go away! Do I know you? I can assure you, I don’t even know you!’
13 “That is the reason you should always stay awake and be alert, because you don’t know the day or hour when the Bridegroom will appear.”[d]
Footnotes
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Matthew 25:1 As translated from the Hebrew Matthew and a few Greek manuscripts. Most Greek manuscripts have only “bridegroom.” This would mean the ten virgins were going to marry one man, a doubtful teaching from Jesus. The ten virgins were bridesmaids, ladies-in-waiting. This was not Jesus condoning polygamy. It is possible that the parable hints of Zech. 8:23.
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Matthew 25:2 See v. 8. Oil in the Scriptures is a metaphor of the Holy Spirit, who brings us revelation of the Word of God and power for ministry.
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Matthew 25:6 This is not simply “meet him,” for it is a rare Greek noun that means to “have a meeting” or “an encounter.” See also 1 Thess. 4:17.
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Matthew 25:13 As translated from the Hebrew Matthew.
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Oh God, what have I done? These men, mean to humiliate me, in front of the whole town
I’m caught in my own sin, it has me tormented and bound
There will be no mercy, no compassion found
For the law is clearly written and it is profound…
“Stone her!” This is the only thing they can do. So, I mustn’t make a sound.
No defense will be given for one such as I…
Today, dear God, they want me to die!
Ashamed and devastated in the dirt I lie.
Shouts of accusations are spewed forth from these men…
“What say you teacher? Shall we shout it again?”
Silence from the teacher as he bends down, writing on the ground.
Not a word does he speak.
Certain death will be my gain today…I’m ready, for whatever the teacher may say…
I’m sorry for my sin. What else could I have done…I’m just a poor, haggard, woman.
These are my thoughts as I crouch in the dirt…dirty and sweaty, not of much worth. Eyes bowed low. I’m numb, but I’m not afraid anymore…I’ve heard of this teacher, they say He’s the Lord!
I hear Him stand and then he speaks these words…
“Let the man who has never sinned, throw the first stone at her” …
He stoops again and writes in the dust…
One by one, they drop their stones,
knowing their own hearts are full of lusts…
Not one of them could throw a stone, hanging their heads they walk on…
“Dear woman? Where are those who condemned you?”
Looking around I’m left alone with only the teacher… “They’re all gone.”
“I do not condemn you either. Go and live your life free from sin.”
Standing there I’m elated and surprised, today I will not die. Today I have new life!
I will live my life for Him!!
I am not condemned!!
Condemnation is a lie from the enemy, we all fight it at some time. Satan will lie to us over and over and over again. That’s his job. But Jesus does not lie and He says, “Where are your accusers?” Look around you, they are gone! Jesus has set us free! He is the freedom giver! Don’t let the devil condemn you not for one instant. Because Jesus does not condemn you, but he does say, “Go, and sin no more!!!” Praise the Lord!! Who the son sets free is free indeed! Simply ask the Lord to forgive you for condemning yourself and then walk in that freedom!! We are in a constant battle, but you know what, we are not fighting it by ourselves…We have the Spirit of the Living God, His Holy Spirit, living right inside of us. Listen to Him and you will never go wrong, not ever!!!! The Spirit and the word bear witness to the truth!!! Live in Freedom!!! Amen!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill, August 31, 2020
John 3:17 TPT – “God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!
John 8:1-11 The Passion Translation Jesus walked up the Mount of Olives near the city where he spent the night. Then at dawn Jesus appeared in the temple courts again, and soon all the people gathered around to listen to his words, so he sat down and taught them. Then in the middle of his teaching, the religious scholars and the Pharisees broke through the crowd and brought a woman who had been caught in the act of committing adultery and made her stand in the middle of everyone.
Then they said to Jesus, – “Teacher, we caught this woman in the very act of adultery. Doesn’t Moses’ law command us to stone to death a woman like this? Tell us, what do you say we should do with her?” They were only testing Jesus because they hoped to trap him with his own words and accuse him of breaking the laws of Moses.
But Jesus didn’t answer them. Instead he simply bent down and wrote in the dust with his finger. Angry, they kept insisting that he answer their question, so Jesus stood up and looked at them and said, “Let’s have the man who has never had a sinful desire throw the first stone at her.” And then he bent over again and wrote some more words in the dust.
Upon hearing that, her accusers slowly left the crowd one at a time, beginning with the oldest to the youngest, with a convicted conscience. Until finally, Jesus was left alone with the woman still standing there in front of him. So, he stood back up and said to her, “Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?”
Looking around, she replied, “I see no one, Lord.”
Jesus said, “Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.”
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Jesus took dirt, and His own spittle to make clay
For the blindman, who was born that way
He stood before the Maker of heaven and earth…
It didn’t matter his birth.
New eyes to see were worth, creating new sight, that day!
The God who formed man in his own image
And breathed the breath of life into his lungs…
New life was sung…
By the witnesses of creation and heavenly beings,
What they were seeing, came to light.
The blindman washed in the pool of Siloam and was given sight…
New eyes, to see the Son of Man…
Scribes and Pharisees; they were the blind…they grope in darkness
The blind leading the blind…they both fall in the ditch.
Thinking they are wise, they are fools…
Would, that they, could wash in the pool…
But they have no eyes to see what Heaven’s gifts could be…
They are blinded by the enemy!
The God who makes clay…will give new sight…
If you are willing to see, that Jesus, is, the light!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 20, 2020
John 9:6-7 KJV When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Luke 6:39 KJV And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
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Bread in the Desert
Manna… ‘What is it?’
A mystery,
Bread from heaven…
I was hungry and you fed me…
I was thirsty and you gave me living water…
I was wandering in the desert and you led me
Day and night with a cloud and with fire…
Holy desire…
You called to me, ‘Come follow me,’
I Am, the Bread of Life…
Gather the manna every morning and let me sustain you as you journey in the desert…
What is it?
It is, I Am!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 19, 2020
“You provided bread from heaven for them for their hunger, You brought forth water from a rock for them for their thirst, And You told them to enter in order to possess The land which You swore to give them. Nehemiah 9:15 NAS
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Morning, just before the sun peeps over the horizon, I take a walk.
All is quiet and serene.
The wind, wisps through me, as if I am not here…
Holy breath exhaling upon me. They are near…
On seashore pathway, the sand is cool and soft
I look out and see the final twinkling of light, in the distant sky, I hear a seagull cry,
And I know, I, AM not alone!
I walk out into the water, my feet on solid ground as waves gently kiss my toes
In wonder, as step by step I take, I am walking on the water…
There in the distance I see them in the boat, the wind picking up, one of them cries out, “A GHOST!”
I shout back to them, “It is I!”
Bold and brave Peter shouts, “If it’s you Lord, may I come out to you?”
“Come!”
Heart pounding, mind racing, as over the side Peter goes…
“I’m doing it Lord; I’m walking on top of the water!”
A force of wind pushes in on Peter, the waves begin to rise…
And before he realized,
He began to sink. He cries, “Lord Save Me!”
Why do we take our eyes off of Jesus in the crisis?
When we are in the most miraculous, supernatural, experience of our lives we look at the circumstances and we begin to fall…why do we doubt when we’re hit with the unexpected. Fear causes us to put our focus on the storm. It’s then, we need to keep our focus on the Lord more than ever! He’s right there before us, in hands-reach. He has said to us to come. We’ve spoken to him and are even amazed at the miracle before us…but suddenly, the waves and the wind hit us, and we begin to sink…we’re afraid…and cry in desperation…”LORD, SAVE ME!”
Jesus asks, “Why did you doubt?”
Did you not know that I would not let you down? I will not let you die. Have faith, even when the storm is raging. Even when the doctor says, there’s no hope! Even when you are down to your last dollar and you’ve lost your job! Have faith and do not doubt!! I will save you! I have saved you many times…I am always with you and I will never leave you!! Don’t look at the waves. Don’t look at the storm. Keep your eyes on me, for it’s in me, your help will be found. I will take you to safety, the storms will cease and I will give you peace!
Love, Jesus
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 18, 2020
Matthew 14:25-33 The Passion Translation
25 At about four o’clock in the morning,[a] Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! 26 When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, “A ghost!”
27 Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!”[b]
28 Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!”
29 “Come and join me,”[c] Jesus replied.
So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. 30 But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out.
31 Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?”
32 And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. 33 Then all the disciples crouched down before him and worshiped Jesus.[d] They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!”
Footnotes
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Matthew 14:25 Or “during the fourth watch of the night” (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.).
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Matthew 14:27 Or “I AM,” which was the name of God used in Ex. 3:14.
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Matthew 14:33 The Greek word used for “worship,” proskuneo, includes three concepts: to bow, to kiss, and to pay homage (worship). All three are included here.
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God is so good! As I woke up this morning the Holy Spirit began to speak to me in that still small voice and He said, “Stop your struggling, and wondering and just know I am with you and in you and all around you. I, restore your soul. And though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, don’t be afraid, I, Am, with you. My, rod and My, staff comfort you. Just relax and rest in me. You bless me by being who you are. Stop making everything so complicated.” Praise God.
I thought that’s right it’s so simple. All we have to do is keep our hearts and minds stayed on Jesus. Amen.
God is saying keep it simple and follow him. Just be. He’s taking care of everything. ❤ Be a Mary.
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In the low place…
The place, where darkness dwells and endless tears fall like tiny diamonds in the rough
Where the heart falters, and hope, is but a distant glimmer, a dream through misty fog…
Have you been to the low place?
Have you been pressed and crushed so deeply that even your cries cannot be uttered? Groans chocked in unspeakable sounds, suppressed down into the pit of the low place…
Where being numb is all you feel. Trying to pray but there are no words …
Child, that’s where I met you on that hill so long ago…
You see I’ve been to the low place and I’ve seen your face…
You have only to look up…
It’s in the low place where surrender is all you have to give…
It’s in the low place where fear must give way to faith…
Mountains tremble and shake…fires are extinguished and waters make flowers bloom in the desert, it’s a place where time and space collide…and even though you want to hide
Behind the shadow of darkness, I, am, there!
For I conquered Hell, Death and the Grave…
Precious one, be brave…You are not alone…
For it’s in the low place you will gain
New Joy, New Strength, a New name…
Life, everlasting life, was born on the low place of that cross I bore for you…
Do not despair, and don’t give up!
Look up, and give a sacrifice of praise…
Open your mouth and SING, let my Angels bring…
Refreshing and restoration out of the low place
And in this spring, living waters will fill you with a glorious renewal for your soul…
Be Bold! Step into the light…
Open the windows of your heart; come out of the night…
Little one, you’re going to be alright…
Laughter and rejoicing will flood the low place
With my all sufficient amazing Grace…
I want to see you face to face…
The night is over and the dawn is breaking…
Rejoice! Rejoice! And again, I say rejoice!
Sorrow is for the night, but JOY comes in the morning!!
Child, it’s morning!!! Get up!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 28, 2020
Psalm 30:1-12 The Living Bible
I will praise you, Lord, for you have saved me from my enemies. You refuse to let them triumph over me. O Lord my God, I pleaded with you, and you gave me my health again. You brought me back from the brink of the grave, from death itself, and here I am alive!
Oh, sing to him you saints of his; give thanks to his holy name. His anger lasts a moment; his favor lasts for life! Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning, there is joy.
In my prosperity I said, “This is forever; nothing can stop me now! The Lord has shown me his favor. He has made me steady as a mountain.” Then, Lord, you turned your face away from me and cut off your river of blessings. Suddenly my courage was gone; I was terrified and panic-stricken. I cried to you, O Lord; oh, how I pled: “What will you gain, O Lord, from killing me? How can I praise you then to all my friends? How can my dust in the grave speak out and tell the world about your faithfulness? Hear me, Lord; oh, have pity and help me.” Then he turned my sorrow into joy! He took away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy so that I might sing glad praises to the Lord instead of lying in silence in the grave. O Lord my God, I will keep on thanking you forever!
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Sunday July 19, 2020
Early Sunday morning, I had a dream/vision, even though I was sleeping it was like I was awake, and I was very much aware of what was happening around me. In the dream, there was a bride dressed in a beautiful, white, traditional wedding gown with lots of delicate lace and a long flowing veil. She had her back to me and when she turned around, she was a decaying, dead corpse. Then I woke up.
The day before I had watched a live conference. There was prophecy which was right on target. The music was electrifying, chill bumps ran over me as I worshiped along with them. I’m not saying they are not of God, but I am saying something didn’t sit well in my spirit at the end. Maybe this prompted the dream.
As I’ve sought the Lord over these past months and prayed with others we’ve lamented and travailed in the Spirit for our nation, the President, and all the craziness that’s been going on around us. We interceded for the whole world.
Everything is different now. We no longer can just decide to go some where and enjoy life as we did before. Before Covid-19. There are limitations because of a silent yet deadly, unseen enemy which goes so much deeper than a virus. Principalities and rules in high places have turned up the heat so to speak.
I don’t claim to know why all this is happening, I’m just a person, like you. I do know the Lord Jesus as a personal Lord and Savior. I do hear Him speak by the Holy Spirit and His word; I know because he confirms it to me in various ways.
I’m not here to talk about condemnation or judgement but I do want to address something. In the old testament there is a scripture many Christians, love to quote and it’s a great scripture, but there are 6 conditions listed before God says he will hear from heaven and heal our land.
1. If my people,
2. which are called by my name,
3. shall humble themselves,
4. and pray,
5. and seek my face,
6. and turn from their wicked ways;
Then I (God) will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
The “Church” not all of them, but a good majority, is wearing the wedding garment, saying all the right words, prophesying, thinking they are living for God, but they are full of dead men’s bones…
Now if the shoe fits wear it and repent, turn around and begin to seek God’s face for the Truth…if this is not you, praise God, but pray for your brothers and sisters to recognize what the Holy Spirit is saying and that their ears and hearts will be opened to receive what the Spirit of the Lord is saying and that they will return to the Living God! Not the made-up God that has been masquerading around as the authentic creator God!
God doesn’t beg. Jesus said, take no purse or script when you go…
God Gave, his only begotten son…
We, as the true children of God, are to give and not take. And my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians 4:19)
In Mark 11:17 it says, Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Mark 11:17 NKJV)
The Bride represents the “Church” (the called-out ones) in my dream. We are to holy, consecrated, set apart for God’s purpose and without spot or wrinkle. The “Church” is to be pure and undefiled. The enemy tries as he will to discredit the “Church,” to drag her through the mud, to cause her to be an adulteress and perverting the Word of God. But HE CAN NOT… Jesus has already conquered Satan. Jesus’ “Church” has the armor of God to protect her. She has the Holy Spirit living within her and she will not be unfaithful! She is Saved by the crucifixion, burial and resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our God Lives. God is for her.
The Bride I saw in my dream is the hypocritical fake dead church which the enemy wants to parade around as the “Church” of God. …
Satan is a liar and the father of lies. His plan has worked so far…whited sepulchers, pretty on the outside but full of deceit and perversions on the inside. Having a form of godliness but denying the power of God. The truth is coming forth!!!
Children of the Living God do not look with your natural eyes. Do not listen with your natural ears. Do not follow the masses or the media. Follow the Lord Jesus Christ. His word is your sword, pick it up and use it! His Spirit is your comfort and your guide do what He says and your confirmation will come through the Word of the Lord, and by the Spirit of Truth.
Guard your Heart…put no evil thing before your eyes…Listen with your spiritual ears what God is saying not what the world system is saying. Keep your eyes and ears on the Lord Jesus! He said, “If I be lifted up, I’ll draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32).
There is a counterfeit Jesus in the world…you’ll know it by the fruit it bears… Where there is envy and strife there is every evil work.
Perfect love, that’s God’s love is the only perfect love…will cast out fear! God’s perfect love will bring peace, health and unity. God’s perfect love set’s people free from fear. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free, it comes through His love. Not the fleshy, sensual stuff called love. God’s love is peaceable, it’s giving and kind, his love is authentic and will not cast you away. It doesn’t bare false witness, is not going to stab you in the back. It does not gossip or murder. His love brings grace and healing.
Child of God…don’t look with your natural eyes of what’s going on around you…keep your heart and spiritual eyes glued to Yeshua, the One and Only Son of YHWH!!
We are going to see the world turned upside down, more than what we’ve seen already, BUT, DO NOT BE AFRAID AND DO NOT LET FEAR CONTROL YOU! Keep your eyes and ears on Jesus. Turn off the news if you have too. Get your Bible and open it and begin to read it. Let the Holy Spirit show you how you are protected and safe through the blood of Jesus Christ!!!
Saturate yourself with God’s word and prayer! Be brave and courageous for He is fighting on your behalf!! We are coming through this! God is greater than any lie, scheme, perversion, He is greater than any sickness, enemy weapon; He is greater than any demon, rebellion, tradition, God is Greater than anything and He loves you too much to see you destroyed!
God’s Grace is sufficient for you… And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV))
Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord!!! Amen!!!!! He did it then and he will do it again!!!!
Then Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.” (Exodus 14:13-14 AMP)
~Marla Shaw O’Neill, Competed today Monday, July 20, 2020
Do you remember at the beginning of the year when all those Prophet’s and Prophetess’s were saying what 2020 meant? Go back and listen to them…
The corpse in the bride dress is dead and decaying she cannot hurt us, she’s dead.…But our God is alive and thriving…
God is uncovering secrets of men’s deceptions so that His Truth will be revealed! Stand still children of God and watch our God beat their butts…Praise the Living God!
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I was asked a two-part question, 1. “Do you believe God is for you and loves you despite your circumstances? And, 2. Do you believe that God will never leave you?
We are all going to leave this life one day. But the good news, is, if we are of the family of God through the Lord Jesus Christ, we will not die. We are here for a purpose and that is to serve the Lord with all of our heart, mind, body, soul. With all of our might. Not when we feel like it. Not when everything is going great. Not when we get that dream job, have success or when life is a bowl of cherries. Because life never runs smooth.
I received a video today that scared the daylights out of me. I felt fear begin to grip me and I was shaken. Until I remembered Who Jesus is and what He said. What I’m about to write is in response to all of that.
It’s difficult to wrap our minds around what’s happening today in our world, our country, our city and our very own personal lives. Of course, we want to be happy. We want to live the best life we can. See our children and grandchildren grow up and have happy successful lives. We want to think they will have a wonderful future full of hope, with a long and prosperous life. We want them to accomplish great things, even if it’s just to live a simple, peaceful life without drama or war or sickness or hurt and pain. We want to think that we all will remain free and without tyranny. That the system, we grew up in, while it had its flaws was still a better place than anywhere else in the world. After all, many of our countrymen and women gave their lives so that we could have freedom.
God said, he will never leave us nor forsake us and he gave us his son to prove it. He sent his Holy Spirit to live, in, us. We are never alone. God does not lie. Paul, the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ said in Romans 8:38-39 The Message (MSG)
So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us! — is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
I found that I’ve been focused on the wrong thing. Maybe you feel this way too! This life is going to end. Everyone of us is going to give up the ghost one day. Some sooner, some later but we are going to go. It’s how we live this life we’ve been given that’s going to matter when we do leave. If you have said, yes to Jesus you really have nothing to fear. Accepting Jesus is the most important thing you will ever do.
Jesus himself said, and I’m paraphrasing it. “In this life you are going to suffer. You’ll be imprisoned, and have tribulations, and trouble. But, and that’s a big but, BE OF “GOOD CHEER” (means Courage) for I have overcome the world!”
Our focus is to tell and to show others the way to Jesus. Our focus is to have faith in God no matter if we lose loved ones. No matter if sickness comes, or disease, or wars and rumors of wars, famine, natural disasters; no matter if governments fail us and tyrants rise against us. We are to stay focused on Jesus and the life after this life.
Peter didn’t get it. Jesus was a whole new concept. God had arrived on the scene in a new way. The religious world didn’t even recognize God and he was walking and living right in front of them. Even though the prophets of old had told them what to expect, their expectation was totally different from God’s. He was not coming to build his kingdom on the earth at this time. He was coming to build his kingdom with those who would obey him and accept his son by faith who would live in a heavenly kingdom. God’s own people rejected him and missed his plan and they didn’t even know it.
So, Jesus revealed himself to a few men and women who were nobody’s until the day of Pentecost and even then, they didn’t fully understand.
Jesus went to plan B and met Saul on the road to Damascus, a man who had killed Christians. A religious man, well educated but blind to the truth. Saul encountered Jesus and was literally blinded then healed by a Jesus follower and his name was changed to Paul.
Paul’s life was turned completely around and he learned and taught that Jesus wasn’t talking about this earthly life. He was talking about the life to come and it would be for ALL who would say, yes to Jesus and follow him. Jesus wanted people’s hearts.
Don’t focus on this life in the sense of it being where you’re going to be forever. This world is going to come to an end one day and there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
Until that day comes live your life in a way that glorifies God, and leads others to Jesus. Have no fear of anything, because from all that is taking place in the earth right now are the happenings of a greater plan.
Live your life the best you can. Don’t focus on all the fear talk. Keep your heart, your eyes, your ears open to the Holy Spirit and walk by faith and not by sight. Keep your mouth shut and speak when the Holy Spirit gives you something to say. This is wisdom.
Your time on earth is in God’s hands. It’s a whole new adventure. Read God’s word but see it through God eyes…
Have faith in God! Love with God’s love! Be courageous! Stand firm in the Lord! Encourage others in the Lord! A new day has come! We are not defeated! We’ve already won!
When you find yourself in despair …recognize that is not the Lord. Draw close to the Lord, resist the devil and he will run! Pick yourself up…pray…sing and rejoice for you’re on your way to a better place~
Open your ear and hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying, “this is the way walk in it!!!”
~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 13, 2020
John 16:33 The Passion Translation (TPT) And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”)
Isaiah 41:10 King James Version (KJV) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Psalm 56:3 King James Version (KJV) What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Philippians 4:6-7 The Passion Translation (TPT) Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7 The Passion Translation (TPT) For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.
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