Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

It is wonderful to celebrate and have fun but this morning as I was going about my tasks I sensed in my spirit, that the Holy Spirit was saying… “Get back to the task at hand. Don’t be distracted. Distractions are a tactic of the enemy to keep you earthbound and while you are distracted he is focused on your destruction, and he sits back and laughs as he and his evil demons attack families, communities, cities, countries, and nations…pulling out all the stops and warring in the heavenly realms that bombs natural realms as he takes control of lives and governments that otherwise would not be taken if we had not left our posts…Good Soldier be alert…leave, is over…take up your weaponry and fight…

Using prayer as your number one weapon…interceding on behalf of mankind…

Pick up your sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and use it so that it severs both bone and marrow the things that allow the enemy access to the soul…do not fear and do not back down…press forward and fight in the Spirit to discern and destroy the chains of wickedness the enemy has devised. Only by my Spirit can you fight…only by my word can you achieve what I have called you to do.

Call unto me and I will answer…keep yourself clean and aware…lay down everything that would take you away from my presence. I am your helmet of salvation, I am your girdle of truth, I am your breast plate of righteousness and when you know this you will walk in my shoes of good news with peace and victory…”

This is a new year but the enemy remains the same…it is a new day but don’t be fooled…he does not play…he means to kill you, destroy you and steal everything from you…
But Jesus the Savior, the Redeemer, the Victorious One has come to help us in our fight…the battle is his but we must be aware and do not give up…do not give in…we win if we don’t get weary and give up…

TODAY is the Day of salvation…open your eyes and ears and hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying…

Set your face as stone…and look to the Lord the author and finisher of our faith…For it is He who is, and was, and is to come!

Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 4, 2020 ~ By My Spirit, says the Lord

Zechariah 4:1-14 The Message (MSG)

The Messenger-Angel again called me to attention. It was like being wakened out of deep sleep.
He said, “What do you see?”
I answered, “I see a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top. Seven lamps, each with seven spouts, are set on the bowl. And there are two olive trees, one on either side of the bowl.”
Then I asked the Messenger-Angel, “What does this mean, sir?”
The Messenger-Angel said, “Can’t you tell?”
“No, sir,” I said.
Then he said, “This is GOD’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies. ‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you’re nothing but a molehill. He’ll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!’”
After that, the Word of GOD came to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!”
Going back to the vision, the Messenger-Angel said, “The seven lamps are the eyes of GOD probing the dark corners of the world like searchlights.”
And the two olive trees on either side of the lampstand?” I asked. “What’s the meaning of them? And while you’re at it, the two branches of the olive trees that feed oil to the lamps—what do they mean?”
He said, “You haven’t figured that out?”
I said, “No, sir.”
He said, “These are the two who stand beside the Master of the whole earth and supply golden lamp oil worldwide.”

Artist: Meg Cheug

Passing by a tiny house, evening-stars came out to shine, my heart was touched by what I heard as I listened to these compelling words…
Such conviction hit my soul
They were calm and reassuring, yet courageous and bold
I stopped and I listened to this heart whose words were powerful and carefree…
If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was praying for me…

“Holy God and Holy Ghost show me Jesus, in him there is no fear
He lives and moves and intercedes and wipes away all tears…
Let me live in such a way that others want to know
Who and why I love and preach and where I need to go,
To hear about the one who came, lived and died and rose; the one I’ve come to realize O how he loves me so…
Make me a house of prayer, Lord, let your presence dwell in me
To seek you with all my heart, so that you will always be…
All I ever want and all I’ll ever need…
Teach me to love as you love, to be gracious and kind, open my understanding, open my heart and mind
To see and live in such a way that will draw others to the divine…
May my motivation be, to see others come to thee…to let go of all the thrills and frills this ole world tries to fill yet leaves us, lost and empty…
I pray for guidance and peace, for all humanity…that only comes from knowing you, Lord Jesus, I pray for all to be set free…
Draw, by your Holy Spirit, each person you’ve designed, to come into your kingdom, open the eyes that are blind…
Open the deaf ears, so they can hear, your Spirit compelling them to come,
And drink of the living waters, Holy Father don’t let them succumb
To the enemy of their souls…burn up all the dross, with your Holy Ghost and fire…this is my prayer O God give us a supernatural desire…
A house of prayer I want to be, Lord here my cry and answer me…
Give them a heart of flesh, take the stone and roll it away…
By your holy power, open their hearts today
Send your light and flood their tomb
So that darkness cannot stay…
Make me a house of prayer, O God…where your presence securely dwells
Where goodness and mercy and love and grace spring up from your living well…
To taste and see that you are good in this house of prayer we’ll be fed…
From your heavenly table, Lord, give us our daily bread…
Come, all ye who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest…leave all your burdens at the door come now and be blessed… come to this house of prayer I implore you, knock upon the door, for the one who lives within this house, is waiting patiently for you there.
Lord, make this house, a house of prayer!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 1, 2020

Isaiah 56:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Even those I will bring to My holy mountain
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar;
For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”

Matthew 21:13 New International Version (NIV) “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Artist: Rik Berry

This year is coming to a close and as it does, I’m reminded of many things that happened this year.

I don’t remember exactly the order in which things happened but I do remember the emotion and events.

Our beautiful Isabella Pearl was born she was prayed for, for two years before her arrival and what a blessing she is to her parents and her brother Carlos and sister Olivia, and to her grandparents. Thank you, Jesus, for sending her to us.

Abram and Mary moved into their new home with three beautiful babies.

Mark and Angelica and Esperanza came through some rough waters but overcame them all. Thank you, Jesus.

Jonathan became a husband with a beautiful bride Qing we welcome her to our family with open arms of love and happiness.

Rob Brazell came through a crisis and made it through, thank God you made it!

For me, at one point I didn’t think I’d see the end of the year. A heart issue gave me great concern and my heart even stopped on the table as they were doing a heart Cath…but Jesus was faithful…and hear I am to tell you the story. Weeks leading up to that point I fought tremendous fear and anxiety, I couldn’t walk from my couch to my kitchen about ten feet without my heart beating out of my chest and shortness of breath. Sleep would not come and the tormenter was having a hay day with my mind, body and spirit…until one night it seemed I could not take another minute and I cried out to God…The Holy Spirit spoke so gently to me, “Have you considered Jesus?” I saw in my minds eye, Jesus walking on the water and I cried, “Lord help me!” Peace settled over me and I slept.

I went to the doctor; I had the heart Cath and spent two days in the hospital that was an ordeal in itself. Many people were praying for me, perhaps you were one of those who prayed and God answered…I recovered, praise God.

Jesus never said that we wouldn’t go through trials, or heartache, on the contrary he said we would, but he also said, he would be with us THROUGH every trial…and he’s proven to be faithful every single time.

Life is hard and messy to say the least and it is never fair…but we aren’t put here on this earth to sit around and eat, bon bons and drink coca colas and get fat and sassy, oh no. Because there will always be problems…we are put here to come to the knowledge of who Jesus is and accept him as our Lord and savior so that we can help others find him too.

Are you facing something in your life so big that you can’t do anything about? Is your world spinning out of control and fear has you by the throat and is squeezing the life out of you? Christian or not …is there some news you received and everything seems hopeless and your scared to death? Let me ask you this, “Have you considered Jesus?”

Stop panicking, stop wringing your hands, stop worrying and fretting, and look up! Jesus is here…he’s holding out his hand to you waiting for you to ask him to help you.

Cry out to Him and I promise you, he will in an instant tell you He’s with you and will make a way…don’t doubt, don’t fear, have faith in Him and just like he said to Peter, he will say to you, “Come!”

Some have lost loved ones in 2019, some have faced divorce and financial ruin, some have even taken their own lives…it breaks the heart of God to see his children suffer…

I can’t promise what he will do, but I can promise, that he has promised he will be with you every step of the way through every crisis, heartache, sickness, trial…and when you realize that your “Big Brother” is with you, he will not let you fall… you will have a peace and a joy and a confidence that the enemy of your soul can not take away…let him have all of you, rest in his embrace and as the year is closing…let go of the fear and hurt of 2019, and have faith and a hope that in 2020, you will see clearly just who Jesus is and that he is with you and will be with you in your darkest hour. He gives life and light and grace to everyone who will believe and hold onto him.

God bless you today, and in the coming days, as we face whatever the new year brings…let it be that we considered Jesus for there is no one better to depend on than the loving, caring, Son of the Most-High-God. After all, Jesus is, the Savior…and when you feel as if you can’t take another step, cry out to him and he will carry you.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 27, 2019

1 Peter 5:7 Good News Translation (GNT)
Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

John 14:1-3 The Passion Translation (TPT) Jesus Comforts His Disciples
“Don’t worry or surrender to your fear.[a] For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also.[b] 2 My Father’s house has many dwelling places.[c] If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go[d] to prepare a place for you to rest. 3 And when everything is ready, I will come back and take[e] you to myself so that you will be where I am.

Footnotes:
a. John 14:1 Or “Don’t let your hearts be distressed.” The Aramaic is translated “Let not your heart flutter.”
b. John 14:1 Or “Believe in God and believe in me.”
c. John 14:2 Or “There are many resting places on the way to my Father’s house.” Or “There are many homes in my Father’s household.” The Father’s house is also mentioned by Jesus in John 2:16, where it is his temple on earth, his dwelling place. This is not just heaven, but the dwelling place of God among men. There is ample room for people from every nation and ethnicity, room to spare, for the church, the body of Christ, is now the house of God. See 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 3:6; 1 Peter 2:5. Every believer is now one of the many dwelling places that make up God’s house (temple). See also v. 23.
d. John 14:2 Jesus’ “going” was to go through death and resurrection in order to make us ready to be his dwelling place. He had to “go,” not to heaven, but to the cross and pass through resurrection.
e. John 14:3 The Greek verb used here, paralambano, is the word used for a bridegroom coming to take his bride. He “takes” us as his bride through his death and resurrection. His “coming back” can also refer to his “coming” to live within believers.

It was there sitting on the mantel, painted in muted hues of browns, the tattered linen of a poor family huddled together for all to admire. A representation of the Christ child and family that we bring out each year to gaze upon and reminisce about Christmas’s of yesteryears and worry about Christmas, present.

Is it just a symbol, has it become a relic of all the different decorations we bring out and store away when the celebration is over? Will Christmas stay?

These are things I think about in the early morning hours…the time when no one is rushing about…the house is quiet and I’m awake.

I hear the soft whisper of the Holy Spirit…say, “Now that you can hear me come away with me and pray…”

Do you seek out and listen to his still small voice in the horrific, mind boggling, frenzy of the season? Is life so busy that you can’t seem to catch a moments breath to stop and be still and talk to the ones in your life who really matter?

Are you frantically searching for those perfect gifts so that everyone will be thrilled to open on Christmas morning…? Has the season become a hurricane of do this, get that, did you remember to do…do I have enough time to buy and bake and wrap…blah, blah, blah…has all the joy of what’s important become a debt-infecting, rat-race…? When the storm settles and it’s all over will you be crying because you now have a mountain of debt to pay back…?

Where is Christmas?

The Christmas I grew up knowing no longer exists…like the painted figures on the mantel, it’s only a representation of what once was. It’s the new and improved Christmas. There are apps and high-tech fiber trees, store bought candy and toys, toys, toys for all good little girls and boys.

My how the world progresses…and yet…

There is still hunger in the world. There is still poverty and war and incurable disease. I suppose for a little while the “magic” of Christmas makes us forget…but the day after Christmas reality sets in, then, what?

Oh, yes…the New Year, St. Valentine, St. Patrick, Easter and the treadmill continues rolling around and around we go…it has no end…

So, in that case…stop for a moment…listen to the Holy Spirit in the stillness of the morning and listen to him say… “Now that you can hear me, come away with me and pray.”

Remember and think about this when you look at the figures on the mantel…

Luke 2:10-11 King James Version (KJV) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 23, 2019

The tree was bare, and lifeless, the dead limbs just about to fall

Standing all alone in a place deserted it was not wanted at all…

Me in my bare feet, missing my two front teeth…I stared in wonder,

When all of a sudden, I heard someone call…

“Joe, come home now…it’s time to come in…”

Then right before my eyes, the sun shining bright, there stood, two men…

Their eyes were bluer than the sky, and their clothes were brighter than the sunshine…

They smiled and said, “Don’t be afraid? We’re here to give life to that old dead tree.”

I turned to look and what did I see? The tree was alive, the limbs were full of dark-green leaves, the trunk of the tree was full and strong and before long, birds had made a home…

I couldn’t believe it, so I sang this little song…

A miracle happened today, to me,

I saw two men give life to a tree…

Angels, they were, and they spoke right to me…

Giving life to an old dead tree…

Then I asked them this question as calm as could be…

“Angels, why’d you bring life to that old tree?”

“Son,” they said, “listen to this story…open your eyes so you will see,

That old tree was almost dead, we were walking by and shook our heads

Reminded of a time, long, ago…when a man we knew was hung on a tree…

He came from a place called Galilee…

He, gives, life, for he is the tree…

So, we gave life to this old dead tree…

Just so you would see, and live your life under the shade of the Living Tree…

When you grow up and remember us here…you’ll tell this story for others to hear

A testimony of how Jesus is the living tree…”

Waving good-bye, to these two strangers I met, I ran to tell grandma, at the table she’d set…

With eyes wide open she put me on her knee, and said, “Joe, I’d like to see that new living tree!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 18, 2019

Revelation 22:2 King James Version (KJV) ² In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

 

Proverbs 3:13-18 New International Version (NIV) 

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.

 

Who the son sets free, is free indeed!

Today, the word, Freedom, has been impressed upon my mind.

This past weekend I attended a conference called, Freedom.

I’m not going to go into all the details about the conference but I will say it was phenomenal. Jam packed with God’s Spirit, prayer and worship. Making declarations to declare we are no longer bound and sealing it by the power of the Holy Spirit, Praise God.

Freedom is a choice but without the power to overcome our captor, we are left in chains, unable to free ourselves, we live bound in a tomb of despair. Brother, sister, there is so much more!

Our forefathers knew what freedom was not…because they lived as indentured servants. Slaves knew what freedom wasn’t…because freedom was never to be theirs unless…their master decided to free them.

As I watch the world around me become more and more steeped in bondage and chained with shackles of mistrust and fear, rejection, abuse, lies and hate. I realize that you can live in a country that proclaims freedom but slowly and discreetly it can be taken away. Like the story of the frogs put in a pot of water and the heat is being turned up slowly, they don’t realize they are being boiled alive. Freedom is and has never been free…it comes with great cost. Who paid for our freedom?

Protesters, protest. There have been many grueling hours of planning and strategies of war, to fight for freedom and the cost is high. For freedom to remain it takes blood and great sacrifice and even death to maintain what’s been paid for. The cost of freedom is priceless. Are we truly free? Are we really walking in Freedom? Do we even know what Freedom means? Has Freedom lost its meaning? Do we take our Freedom for granted? The Freedom I’m talking about goes beyond the physical, mental and emotional. Our Freedom in this life can be taken from us in an instant, so, it isn’t really ours. It will be a constant fight with determination of body, mind and spirit to keep our freedom. Not only in the place we call home. But in our communities, the market place, work place, in our cities, towns, and country…Evil does not fight fair…

Today I’m talking about our spiritual freedom. That freedom was paid for long ago by a man who was born a slave. He had no rights, no wealth. He had no place to call his own and yet, he had everything. He is, Freedom!

The only true freedom is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. “They” can take our land, our bank accounts, our homes, cars, and even our lives…but when we are set free by the Lord Jesus, we are totally and completely free! Free to love and live and laugh and pray and sing and preach and be children of the living God…even if they take our lives…they cannot take the freedom we have in Him…our prayer has to be like the one Jesus prayed on the cross…”Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing!” Forgive…another thought I had this morning. People often say, “I can forgive, but I can never forget.” God forgets. We’ve sinned against him, done terrible things and yet when we come to him and confess our sin, he cast it as far as the east is from the west and remembers it no more.

Repentance brings freedom…and freedom brings liberty…not to return to our old sinful ways…but to live in the freedom of His love and with the peace that passes all understanding…

Freedom is not a bird…it’s not a place, or, a feeling, although when we are free, we feel exuberant and jubilant, free as a bird in flight…free to see with new sight…

It doesn’t matter if we are in a prison cell, ruled by a dictator, persecuted, tortured, have broken relationships, or a dead-end job…it doesn’t matter if we are held by a chair that imprisons us, a disability, or captured by a terrible disease, or living on the street. When our freedom is evident and complete, no tyrant, no abuse, no lie, no rejection or pride, no sickness, no fear, or status; nothing can take our freedom from us…because we are free indeed, paid for by the blood of Jesus, his blood that ran red and poured from his mangled body to buy us our freedom. God’s word, in the flesh, was sacrificed for us so that we could be free. All we have to do is surrender, let go of pride and have faith to receive His gift of Freedom. This freedom comes from the Freedom-Giver, Freedom-Fighter, the Freedom-Sustainer, THE FREEDOM VICTOR! Release the past, take hold of the present, believe for a grace filled future and embrace God’s love.

You may say that isn’t logical, it’s not reality…but oh, my friend when you’ve been forgiven and the burdens you’ve carried around for so long are lifted, along with the prison bars removed, and you’re pardoned from sin and death…then you truly know Real Freedom. The sun shines brighter, you sing louder, your feet begin to dance and you jump for joy…when you’ve been oppressed, depressed, confused, sick, and tired, cried and begged, but it was hopeless…and you gave up. All you could see was doom and gloom with no way out…but, suddenly, someone offered you freedom…dear one, you do not hesitate; you grab hold of it with all you’ve got and you scream, “YES! I’M FREE.…” There is nothing in the world that can keep you from shouting, “FREEDOM!”

The Freedom I’m talking about is not a word, it’s not a feeling, it’s not a program, it’s not here today and gone tomorrow…this Freedom is forever…no government can take it from you…no army can conquer you, no tyrant torture it out of you, because freedom-bearer, it is your choice, hold onto your blood-bought-freedom and never let go!!!!

“Who the son, sets free, is free indeed!”

This is your time…live in FREEDOM!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 12, 2019

John 8:34-36 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin. Now a slave does not remain in a household permanently (forever); the son [of the house] does remain forever. So, if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.

Artist unknown

Shh. Listen…

It was a still moonlit night

Stars sparkling in the grand expanse, Wisemen see the light…

Traveling to find the promised God-man…

There in the stillness I looked and saw

What seemed to be human but he wasn’t at all…

His voice was like thunder, clothes so bright, I had to shield my eyes…

Light encompassed the darkness; I’d never seen such a sight…

Do not be afraid, lowly shepherds for I’ve come to bring you good news…

Heaven’s king has come to earth, to bring,

Great joy and peace to mankind this night…

You’ll find him wrapped in strips of cloth, a sign given By God’s own design, lying in an animals trough… Messiah, the promised lamb of God…

Catching my breath, I listened to what this jubilant being had to say. Then I watched as he went away, taking flight…into the sky, on this starry night.

Rushing to Bethlehem with fellow shepherd’s we saw everything the being had described…

Excited beyond words we were lowly shepherds tending our herd…

With full delight, we ran to tell all our fellow towns people what we’d seen, then we went back to celebrate the new birth…

Truly this is a Holy Night, filled with peace and joy not fright…

The Holy-babe-of-heaven was born on this hallowed glorious night.

Within this tiny barn, we witness, the promise of God’s new life!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 4, 2019

Isaiah 9:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Luke 2:10-11 The Passion Translation (TPT)

¹⁰ But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! ¹¹ For today in Bethlehem^[a] a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah.^[b] 12 You will recognize him by this miracle sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough!”^[c]

Footnotes:

• Luke 2:11 The Greek text says, “the city of David.”

• Luke 2:11 Translated literally from the Aramaic text. This is one of the most amazing statements found in the Gospels declaring the deity of Jesus Christ.

• Luke 2:11 A baby lying in a feeding trough where animals were kept nearby, wrapped in strips of cloths, became a sign of the Man-Savior’s life on earth. He entered the world as a lowly baby, and though he is the mighty God, he lived his life on earth in gentleness before all. The shepherds that night were possibly near Bethlehem at Migdal Eder, “the [watch] tower of the flock.” This would fulfill both the prophecies of Mic. 5:2 and Mic. 4:8, which say, “to you it [he] will come, your dominion [kingdom] from old will arrive.” It was at the lower floor of the watchtower (Migdal Eder) that the birthing of the Passover lambs would take place. Selected ewes that were about to give birth would be brought there. After the birth of the lambs, the priestly shepherds would wrap the lambs in cloth and lay them in a manger lined with soft hay to prevent them from hurting themselves, for Passover lambs must be unblemished with no bruise or broken bone. The miracle sign for these priestly shepherds would be a baby boy lying where the Passover lamb should be—in a manger, wrapped in strips of cloth. It was at the cradle of Jesus Christ that the kingdom from ancient times arrived on earth.

The Passion Translation (TPT)

This is the season where most people, acknowledge “Christmas.” We are caught up in the frenzy of decorating with trees and garland and special ornaments that we’ve collected over the years and buying new ones to hang on our trees and windows and yards. It’s festive and fun and glorious…songs of Christmas, past, is sung. New songs for Christmas, present, fill the air as they are played over computers, cell phones, radios and televisions. It’s a wonderland of colored lights, mistletoe, bright colors of every shade, greens, reds, purple, pink, blue and it goes on and on. Will Christmas, future, stand the test of time?

Happy holidays replace, Merry Christmas…traditions change and the long-ago days we grew up with, as baby boomers, fade…what will our world look like forty years from now?
I ponder these things as I write this letter because in forty years a lot of us will be gone. Our children will be where the 65-year-olds are now…and our grandchildren will be in their twenties and thirties, what traditions will they hold dear? Will the earth still be spinning?

Yes, Christmas means different things to different people. To me it means that love came down to meet us and give us, hope, joy and peace. Coming through the Jewish people the ones God called his chosen. It was ordained from the beginning. It’s time to believe and rejoice even if we are all alone. Even if we don’t have a tree and all the trimmings. Even if we are broken and shattered by life’s circumstances. It’s a time to believe the story that Luke spoke of in chapter two of the Bible and understand that it is true. Here is what it says:

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. Luke 2:1-21 NIV

Now I don’t know about you but if I had been minding my own business watching my sheep doing what I’ve always done and out of nowhere these beings come out of the clouds, tell me not to be afraid, and begin singing in a heavenly choir and telling me the son of God has been born, I’d have to go investigate. That is exactly what the shepherds did…it says that after they saw the baby and Mary and Joseph, they ran to tell the good news to everyone, what they had seen and witnessed…

This is an extraordinary story…there are angels, a whole host of them singing, and shepherds in a field…and most importantly it goes on to say, that in a lowly place…no decorated tree, no fancy food or tons of presents…no regifting, no refunds or long lines…but there was a bright light, a star that shown in heaven where the tiny king lay in a manger…He was the best present anyone could ever want or need. God had given his son for you and for me…and there was a holy Christmas choir, the carolers were God’s best. Angels of heaven whose voices split the silent night with melodies that serenaded these shepherd’s and their sheep…there was a mother and an earthly dad, family, to love and nurture the child…and of all God’s creatures, he chose even animals to witness this amazing birth…and last but not least there were the shepherds from a nearby field, God honored by giving them the announcement of his own son’s birth. A privilege for them to see and to go and tell of this glorious time in history…The very first Christmas displayed by Holy birth…in a holy night…in Bethlehem…baby Jesus was born.

Do you believe? Will you believe? He’s no longer in that manger oh no, but he was born, he lived, he died, he rose from the grave, he ascended into heaven and he sits at the right hand of God…praying for you and for me! One day in Christmas future…he will return…but until then…open your heart and believe!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 4, 2019

Artist Elizabeth Wang

Oh, how He loves us…
He loves us even when we reject him
He loves us even while we spit on him, mock him, drag him through the streets naked,
And kill him…
He loves us even though we kill each other in times of peace and in times of war
He loves us when we worship other gods committing adultery against him
He loves us while we murder babies, destroy animals and live in perversion and hate
He loves us even though we praise him with our lips but our hearts are far from him…
Oh, how he loves us…even to this day and time…he loves us still…
He loves us when we slander each other and take each other to court, thriving on revenge
While we torture one another and force all kinds of debauchery and death…
God still loves us…
He loves us when we call evil good and good evil
He loves us when we lie and accuse one another…He loves us when we cheat and steal and forget him…
He loves us when we say he doesn’t exist…
He loves us when we are greedy and lazy…
When we sell our bodies and when we sell our souls to the highest bidder…for fame and fortune
God loves us…
When we cheat on business deals…when we curse and live in filth…when we abuse our bodies with drugs and persuade others to follow us into the cesspool of darkness…He loves us when guilt and shame keep us bound chained to despair and succumb to murder…
He loves us when we beg in the streets and use children in all kinds of perversion…
He even loves us when we use His name in vain…
When we disrespect parents and complain unceasingly …
He loves us too much to leave us in these conditions…
But will we Love Him?
He doesn’t love that we do all these things but he loves us in spite of our sin and recklessness…he loves us so much that he gives us a way out…
That way is his Son…who came to this earth…and is with us even today…
Right where you are this very minute…
God the Holy Spirit, is telling you right now, that He loves you…it’s not to late to come to him no matter where you are or what you’ve done…he’s asking you to let go of pride and love him…by accepting him as the person who will take you just as you are…he’ll clean you up…and wash you…and bring you into His family and call you son, daughter. He’ll give you his signet ring, wrap you in a royal robe…He’ll prepare a feast for you and dance with joy that his child has come home. The angels will sing and celebrate like crazy just for you…maybe you’ve never been loved and don’t know what love is…I’m telling you He loves you…OH HOW HE LOVES YOU!
God will wipe away every atrocity and it will be remembered no more…All because He loves You!!! Because God is Love!
God is holy and just…he is merciful and kind…He loves us so much that he gave us a free will…he will not force us to love him back…it’s our choice…
There will always be trials in this life…there will be wars and rumors of war…there will be pestilence and plagues. There will be hate and abuse. We will go through deep sorrow and tragedy. God never intended life to be this way…God has an enemy…he’s been there from the very beginning and he is ruthless, strategic, a liar and cannot love…
We have two choices there is no middle ground…
We are either for the LORD or against him…
He will love us no matter what…but there is only one way to Him…
And that is through his Son Jesus Christ the anointed son of God! (Yeshua)
We will either choose life or death…
Love or hate…
I pray we choose love!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 22, 2019

John 3:16-18 The Message (MSG) “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

I’ve never seen God face to face, held his hand or felt his tender embrace
Never seen him smile…but I know his joy…
I wasn’t there when he created the human race…
But he’s always been here, and I can trace…
All the marks he’s made on this earthly place…
Behold!!!
Beautiful sunsets over land and sea
God painted rainbows for you and for me
Shouted to the winds in colors of these
Blue, pink and purple skies,
Silvery moon, the stars, grass, flowers and trees…
Majestic mountains they humble me…
I know him for he lives inside of me, you see…
His spoken words materialized; and right before all the angel’s eyes…
God the Father, Jesus the Son, and Holy Spirit they were one…
Creating a world of glory and grace…
His smile is on each human face
His love is seen when we help one another
Holding our hand when we honor father and mother
And when a sweet melodious song is sung
Oh, how the music fills our lungs and peace is heard and felt all among
The ones who know his amazing song of grace…
No, you won’t see God’s glorious face…
But from the very beginning of time, Jesus was God’s greatest plan…
He was given flesh and bones; God became a man…
He walked the earth some 2000 years ago, and brother, sister, I want you to know
He’s still with us to this day…
He’s in the wind and in the fields…he’s at the work place and in homes and he plays
Among the little children all around the world, he stays…closer than a brother…
Open your heart, open your eyes…
See the rain coming down…hear the peaceful sound…
Squish the mud between your toes…
Smell the fresh cut grass and know…
There is a place where we can go…a supernatural place to grow…
Faith is the key that opens the door for more and more and more…
Of Jesus, Christ the LORD!
His is a face of love, strength, kindness, hope and faith…
His eyes are on fire for the love of you…
Man, woman, boy, girl…you won’t see him face to face…but you can know him…and be known by him…
Look… and see…he’s here, waiting for thee…
You’ll know him when you welcome him in…
Then,
You’ll know him face to face!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 19, 2019

Isaiah 55:12-13 The Message (MSG) “So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thorn bushes, but stately pines— Monuments to me, to GOD, living and lasting evidence of GOD.”