Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

He took the cup, blessed it, and said, drink for this is my blood that will be poured out for you…

Hours later he was found in the garden, betrayed by a friend, who gave him a kiss…

They beat him and humiliated him and spat upon him and mocked him, then they nailed him to a tree, yes, he, endured all this

Why?

He knew the joy that awaited him would be worth, every nail, every stripe, every ridicule, and every thorn and piercing of his side…

Joy, unspeakable, joy!

His joy would be our strength and power, and Spirit filled with tongues of fire, He would bring salvation to every generation; the joy of the Cross was never loss…it was the beginning of new life, it was worth the cost…

He endured a body of death, rejection, hate and religious curses…WHY? Because he knew Joy would come in the morning!!!

Through the darkest night, and deepest pain, Joy waits on the other side…

Don’t give up, hold on dear friends…

In the end, God wins!

Jesus is coming…look to him!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 10, 2020

Hebrews 12:2-3 The Message (MSG)

Discipline in a Long-Distance Race

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Psalm 30:5 The Message (MSG)

All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.

Psalm 30:5 The Passion Translation (TPT)

I’ve learned that his anger lasts for a moment, but his loving favor lasts a lifetime!^[a] We may weep through the night, but at daybreak it will turn into shouts of ecstatic joy.

Footnotes:

• Psalm 30:5 The Septuagint says, “There is wrath in his anger but life in his will [promise].”

Your breath O God has awakened me, to live and move and breathe,
From the dust you’ve created, I’m alive, I’m free…
There is joy for the morning, there’s no need to grieve…
Awakened with a new song, I sing and shout with glee
Your breath oh God is living inside of me…
Sitting around your table, in holy communion I wait,
Breaking bread and taking the cup, we eat and drink as we lift up
Thanksgiving, then you breathe the Anointed breath of God…
Eyes meet, and we nod…

Your breath is breathed upon us, we are filled with the Holy Ghost
Holy Spirit, grateful; hear our jubilant decree…
It’s You O God who has set us free
It’s You O God who liberates and brings creativity
Into our very lives so that we will SHOUT, to all who will believe…
Breathe in me your life’s breath, make me move, and live, and give
Every last breath I take, may it be in Praise to Thee!!!
Through every trial and every test, God may I always give my best…
Fill my lungs to capacity, to sing and shout, and to bring about…
FREEDOM from all adversity…

No hurricane force, or tornado winds, no plague that’s ever been sent…
Can destroy the life you’ve given me, in you there is no torment
Breath of God, breathe new life in me, and I will blow upon your Shofar
Bringing forth the VICTORY!

God you’re back on your throne, we are fully awakened, a rededication of our nation, hear the voice of your prophets awaken, God-breath bring them alive…release signs and wonders and miracles let your gifts come forth, the sounds of tears rebuilding Jerusalem, sacrifice accepted, our Awesome God stands true, for nothing can come against me, or you…for God is for us…O hear the trump of God as it shakes our very core…for God’s people will forever stand loyal before the LORD…we are a great nation founded by Jesus Christ, united by Jew and Gentile we are one new man, this is our choice, blow your breath into the shofar and hear the glorious SHOUT, and be a liberated nation called by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 9, 2020

This post is dedicated to April Wall, a beautiful Christian sister/friend who asked if I would write a poem for this picture! Perfect timing for this season!

Standing looking out at Jerusalem, crucifixion passed…
An empty tomb behind me, Alive at last!
My heavenly home awaits me, the hosts of heaven waits…
I’ve conquered death, hell and the grave, now opened, are heavens gates…
But there are still some tasks, that I must tend to first
This is why I came; this is the reason for my birth…
First-fruits of the resurrection
I’m a brand-new creation…designed divinely, by my father’s hand
The family of God, standing, for my final command…
We must wait a little longer…there is much work here still to do
My Church will rise victorious to be my witnesses, Oh, so glorious
Of my Father’s love and plan…
For God’s design was man…
And all who abide in me, I raise my voice to thee and sing of grace, given to you eternally!
From the cross of Calvary…to the tomb where they buried me
To the rising in the air…child, our home will forever be…
I am, the resurrection and the life…all who believe in me will never die!
I raise my hands to thee, L’Chaim
To LIFE!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 8, 2020

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Order of Resurrection

20 But now [as things really are] Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, [and He became] the first fruits [that is, the first to be resurrected with an incorruptible, immortal body, foreshadowing the resurrection] of those who have fallen asleep [in death]. 21 For since [it was] by a man that death came [into the world], it is also by a Man that the resurrection of the dead has come. 22 For just as [a]in Adam all die, so also [b]in Christ all will be made alive.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 15:22 Because of our physical nature as descendants of Adam.
b. 1 Corinthians 15:22 Because of our spiritual nature as born-again believers in Christ.

For over a week this line has been going over and over in my mind, “If My people, who are called by My name…

And it occurred to me, that God, was talking about His People…those who are the called, those who proclaim to be God’s people…the saved ones…

Now, I know that God was talking to Solomon concerning the house he had built for God. A place for God to dwell among His people, Israel. But since Jesus came and redeemed us from sin and death…and we’ve asked him to live in our hearts and to be the Lord of our lives, we are now, the house of God…therefore, all who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, are God’s people…

He’s saying to us, “the Church,” those who profess to know him and follow him…those who are his people:

“If My People who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

If you read Chapter 6 of 2 Chronicles, Solomon had prayed to God…and in chapter 7 God answered Solomon’s prayer…. God loves his children and is a wise and compassionate Father, He knows what is best…

I know it’s a lot to read but this was put on my heart this morning and I feel compelled to write it and share it with you. Pray, seek God’s face, turn from evil, (whatever God say’s is evil) then he will hear us and forgive our sin and heal our land.) This is not about condemnation. This is about obedience to our heavenly Father! This is about deep, soul searching, repentance, a turning to God not excuses or guilt…The only way for deliverance is to truly seek God with all of our heart, mind, body and soul. When God sees, we are serious, then, he will hear us when we pray! Amen!

I’m no Bible scholar but I am filled with the Holy Spirit and this is what he has spoken to my heart…God, help us as we humble ourselves and turn to you and seek you with all our might! Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 6, 2020

2 Chronicles 6 English Standard Version (ESV)
Solomon Blesses the People
6 Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. 2 But I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.” 3 Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. 4 And he said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying, 5 ‘Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel; 6 but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ 7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8 But the LORD said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. 9 Nevertheless, it is not you who shall build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.’ 10 Now the LORD has fulfilled his promise that he made. For I have risen in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and I have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 11 And there I have set the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits[a] long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the court, and he stood on it. Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, 14 and said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, 15 who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. 16 Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’ 17 Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David.

18 “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! 19 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O LORD my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you, 20 that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. 21 And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

22 “If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your altar in this house, 23 then hear from heaven and act and judge your servants, repaying the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

24 “If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, 25 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to them and to their fathers.

26 “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict[b] them, 27 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way[c] in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.

28 “If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is,

29 whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing his own affliction and his own sorrow and stretching out his hands toward this house, 30 then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind, 31 that they may fear you and walk in your ways all the days that they live in the land that you gave to our fathers.

32 “Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when he comes and prays toward this house, 33 hear from heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.

34 “If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause.
36 “If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to a land far or near, 37 yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ 38 if they repent with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 39 then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you. 40 Now, O my God, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place.

41 “And now arise, O LORD God, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
Let your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation,
and let your saints rejoice in your goodness.
42 O LORD God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one!
Remember your steadfast love for David your servant.”

2 Chronicles 7 English Standard Version (ESV)
Fire from Heaven
7 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’s house. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

The Dedication of the Temple 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the LORD. 5 King Solomon offered as a sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 6 The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the instruments for music to the LORD that King David had made for giving thanks to the LORD—for his steadfast love endures forever—whenever David offered praises by their ministry;[a] opposite them the priests sounded trumpets, and all Israel stood.

7 And Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD, for there he offered the burnt offering and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar Solomon had made could not hold the burnt offering and the grain offering and the fat.
8 At that time Solomon held the feast for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt. 9 And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they had kept the dedication of the altar seven days and the feast seven days. 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the prosperity[b] that the LORD had granted to David and to Solomon and to Israel his people.

If My People Pray
11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king’s house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the LORD and in his own house he successfully accomplished. 12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. 17 And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules, 18 then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to rule Israel.’

19 “But if you[c] turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will pluck you[d] up from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’ 22 Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore, he has brought all this disaster on them.’”

Wednesday, April 2, 2020

We are entering a season of Passover where life is renewed. We are reminded of the resurrection power of Jesus, where he came up-out-of-that-grave and is the very first fruit of the resurrection. Praise God!

Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand when he was taken from them in the garden. They didn’t understand when he told them that he was going away. They didn’t understand what Jesus was telling them…until…they saw him alive, and saw the nail prints and saw Thomas touch his pierced side. They didn’t fully understand what he meant when he told them to go and wait in Jerusalem until they received power from on high, that he was going to send another comforter. They were hidden away in an upper room, praying.

The 120, waited and prayed not knowing what was coming…then like a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire lit on them and they began speaking in unknown tongues. The Holy Spirit filled them with power…

Power to preach the good news in the streets. Power to lay hands on the sick and watched them recover. Power to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. Power to be beaten and imprisoned and many were killed for their faith in the living God! Nothing stopped them for they over came the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the words of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death~~

In Exodus 12:13, God said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you!”

Today we are hidden away in our homes waiting, and Jesus, our Passover Lamb, gave his blood and his blood covers us, those who are his, and when the death angel comes, he will not touch us because God sees the blood! I proclaim in the physical as well as the spiritual we will live. Amen.

The enemy tried to put a spirit of fear on me last night, he keeps trying, but praise God, greater is he who is in me, than he, who is in the world. God’s perfect love casts out fear!

He tried to tell me you’re too old your time has passed, but God reminded me, that he, God renews my youth like the eagle! Moses was 80 when God called him to go and set His people free. Joshua was 85 when he prayed, “God give me this mountain!”

There’s Noah and Elijah and Elisha and Samuel. There’s Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and Paul and right now there is Marla, Amye, Robin, Barbara, Sheila, Kathy, Dee, Sharon, Scott, Chad, Josh, Bob, Jr., Doug just to name a few, you know who you are… all of us who are the called according to God’s purpose those who love God and will not give in nor give up…because Jesus is with us and has given us his Power through the Holy Spirit and the Name of Jesus. Amen! We have put on our Armor of God, we are intercessors with Christ, warriors of prayer, crying out for mercy and grace for our families, the body of Christ, our city, state, nation and world…God hears our cry!!

God is saying, “WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU!

No CV-19 can touch my anointed for I am God, the creator of all things…trust in me, says the Lord! Stand and see my salvation! Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. Be at peace and keep your hearts and minds on me…trust me then you will have peace!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 3, 2020

Ephesians 6:11-20 New International Version (NIV)

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Revelation 12:11 Good News Translation (GNT)
They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die.

Joshua 14:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
Now therefore give me this mountain,

Matthew 10:16 Good News Translation (GNT)
“Listen! I am sending you out just like sheep to a pack of wolves. You must be as cautious as snakes and as gentle as doves.

Broken hearted he sits and waits, hoping you will return.
Where are you my love, it’s getting late, he cries with longing for his lost soul-mate.
He listens to the night owl, knowing you are on the prowl. Tears flowing as he wonders why you will not come.
Turning out the lights, he groans in the night.
Why do you not listen when I call your name?
You say you love me, but it’s just a game…a deadly game, where in the end, you lose.
What has caused your heart to become like stone? I hear your sighs, you’re all alone.
But still you refuse to come home.
The worldly life has captured your attention, with ungodly things, I cannot mention. Wake up you’re going the wrong way…
Oh, hear me, this, I pray…
Come back to your first love…
Oh, please stop running away…
The world has stolen your affection, sin has filled your life with no direction. Living the life on easy street, is not, so easy, and yet, you will not return to me.
Open your eyes and see me, open your ears and hear me,
Your love has grown cold. There are chains that hold, you bound, to the invisible foe…there is only one way to freedom, my dove…
And that’s to return, to your first love!
How can I return, I’ve run to far, I search in the night, for your true North star, hoping it will lead me back to you, maybe tomorrow, but all I find is sorrow, I wish I knew…how to come home!
I want to return but my life’s upside down, to many things now have me bound, you could never forgive me for all that I have done…I’ve fallen, and, the enemy has won!
Look up and face true North, I am nearer than your heartbeat…
Humble yourself and we will meet, beneath the light of the stars, twill be sweet…
Turning around I see his smiling face;
You’re the first love I’ve ever known…
Running to his outstretched arms…his love for me runs deep
Embracing him, I cover my face, surrendering to him, I weep…
With tears of rejoicing in him I’m now complete…
First love renewed, as under the stars, we meet!
We are one, life’s begun…First love, won!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 27, 2020

Revelation 2:1-7 Good News Translation (GNT)
The Message to Ephesus

2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
“This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands. 2 I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars. 3 You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up. 4 But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. 5 Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don’t turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place. 6 But this is what you have in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I do. 7 “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches! “To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of God.

At seventeen all seems lost as I struggle in these bonds placed on my hands and feet…

Gone is the life that was treasured and sweet…

Betrayed by my brothers; how could this be

Sold into slavery, I travel in defeat…

I only wanted them to see…

The dreams I had were not to boast

There were told to them because I loved them most…

Love was not returned; only hate…

Now I’m forced to live behind an iron gate…

How long O God must I suffer and wait?

Years I’ve served, being faithful to my God, mostly though,

It is He who’s been faithful, my heart is tender and Oh so grateful…

At least I’m still alive…

Years come and years go and I will never ever know the homeland of my birth…

Baker dies, Cupbearer set free, please dear Cupbearer remember me…

Forgotten again by human man…

But my faithful God will let me rise again…

By God’s design my family is restored, now I sit here with my father for a blessing from the Lord.

Jacob speaks, he’s now quite old but with my two sons I now am told…

You were never forgotten, son divine, you see your sons they are considered mine…

A two-fold blessing is given today, Redeemed by God hear me as I say…

Not only is your inheritance intact, you’re restored and blessed by our sovereign Lord…

I never thought I’d ever see your face; and all because of God’s loving grace…I’ve seen you and your sons, who I take as my own… Now I can rest in my eternal home…

And you will live and forever be known…

As Joseph redeemed you will never be alone…

Double blessings come from Faithful God’s throne!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2020

I wrote this poem because our Church, at Journey, the ladies, have been doing the Bible study, Finding God Faithful, the life of Joseph. Last night as I listened to the video I burst into tears as I heard the part about Jacob blessing Joseph’s two sons.

Joseph had been living in Egypt because his brothers had sold him into slavery when he was just 17 years old. It was thirteen years before he saw his brothers again. It is an amazing story you can read about it in Genesis start in the 12^th chapter to get all the background.

But last night it was said he thought his life’s inheritance was lost to him and that he’d never see his family again. But when Jacob blessed his two sons, he told him God had been with him the whole time and not only would there be one tribe there would be two tribes because Jacob took Joseph’s sons to be his own. It’s a custom.

I cried because in my own life I thought I would never rise above all the trials and mess I had made of my life by making wrong choices. I tried so hard but it seemed the harder I tried the more trouble would find me. I can’t begin to tell you all the heartache and hurt and suffering that was in my life and the hurt I caused; I didn’t try to hurt people but I did. I could not get free…until one day, God delivered me and totally and completely changed me. I was taken out of the place I grew up and placed in a foreign land… (Lake Worth) for over five years I was in a place of solitude, alone with God. Yes, I was around people and he brought me to a Church that would heal me and I could grow and thrive. And only by the grace of God was I restored. He has REDEEMED Me and I am blessed more than I could ever tell. He restored me to my family and gave me even more family. Church family and new grandbabies. This life I am now living is all because God saw in me a broken, beaten, defeated, unworthy, prodigal child who on her own could not make it. But by the grace of God and loving children of God I was redeemed!!

This is why this story ministers to my heart more than I could write about.

And if God can do it for me…He can certainly do it for anyone who will surrender to him, love him and give him your full devotion. It is worth more than all the “stuff” or wealth, or earthly gain you could ask for…He said, but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness and all these other things will be added to you.

Don’t put it off…I’m talking to YOU…you reading this…God wants to Redeem your life…Let Him!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2020

I am the God who sees
I am the God who hears
I am the God who speaks
I am the God who delivers
I am the God who saves
I am the God who serves
I am the God who lives
I am the God who sings
I am the God who gives
I am the God who cares
I am the God who prays
I am the God who liberates
I am the God who listens
I am the God who works
I am the God who shakes
I am the God who creates
I am the God who frees
I am the God who heals
I am the God who intervenes
I am the God who corrects
I am the God who connects
I am the God who understands
I am the God who wins
I am the God of mercy
I am the God of kindness
I am the God of peace
I am the God of love
I am the God of forgiveness
I am longsuffering
I am steadfast, immovable, impenetrable, undefeated, soul-saving, Spirit-breathing, life-giving, never ending, eternal, omnipotent, embracing, YHWH.
I AM all that you will ever need!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2020

Exodus 3:14 New Living Translation (NLT)
14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.[a] Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”
Footnotes:
a. 3:14 Or I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.