Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Traveling through the mountains over steep and jagged rocks, battered by icy, stinging, rain while stumbling over slippery, muddy terrain, and wanting to give up…
I press on with this one thought, Grace will lead me home.

Down through the valley of despair, where, I’ve, crossed many rivers and faced trials to numerous to tell, if I didn’t know this was earth, I’d think that it was hell…and when my body was broken and torn, feeling desolate; too distraught to mourn…this one thought kept me strong, Grace will lead me home.

Oh, I’ve lived in busy cities where the lights blind the night, and visited unknown towns, where the people shout get out… just a vagabond with no place to call my own…I’m a weary traveler, on my way to a place called home…

I’ve seen brokenness and waste; I’ve seen death looked him straight in the face. I’ve been sick and afraid…but one thing remains in my heart…Grace will lead me home.

Yes, life is full of challenges, always catches us off-guard…if we don’t know who’s leading us the devil will keep us barred…he blinds us with glitter and glitz just enough to try to kill our soul…steals our dreams and destroys our hope…supplies the addict with his dope…but there is this one thing I want you to know…Grace will lead me home!

Who is this Grace? you ask.

Grace is a way of life…God’s unmerited favor, leads us when we pray.

You see, God knows the trails and troubles that we face, so he gives us His great love and His unfailing Grace!

When your tried and weary and feeling all alone…remember this, discouraged traveler…Grace will lead you home!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 15, 2019

Ephesians 1:7 New King James Version (NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

***Artist James Nesbitt***

Silence…

Listen…

Can you hear the sound of the rustling in the bush…?

There, see him stride, protecting his pride

The cry of a King is among us…

The lion has no fear, he’s confident and regal…

He is powerful and strong…

He is King!

His heart will not fail him in battle

His roar breaks the sound barrier

All who hear him, tremble in terror, they freeze in his presence…

His enemy runs to hide…

The lion lies in quiet serenity

His lair, peaceful at his side…

And when he rises, his kingdom takes notice of his greatness…

He’s bold and brave; one look at His Majesty; and every creature surrenders in humility

There is none more majestic than he…

When he runs the ground quakes

He is single minded in pursuit of his foe…

They will fall under his mighty jaw…and crumble with one swipe of his paw…

The heart of a lion is courageous,

He who carries this heart

Has the heart of a King!

Served, to serve…grace, to embrace…

Created to live in complete authority!

He is crowned in glory, loves beyond measure

Lies down in peaceful rest…

But if provoked, or his family is threatened

He will show no mercy…

The heart of a lion is loyal, steadfast and true!

His spirit cannot be broken…it will not be compromised…

The light of his soul is in his eyes…

Piercing, with a fire that will not be quenched.

All in the heart of a lion!

All Hail to the King…All Hail to the King…

Jesus, the Lion of Judah is King!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill

Revelation 5:5 The Message (MSG) I wept and wept and wept that no one was found able to open the scroll, able to read it. One of the Elders said, “Don’t weep. Look—the Lion from Tribe Judah, the Root of David’s Tree, has conquered. He can open the scroll, can rip through the seven seals.”

Numbers 23:21-22 New International Version (NIV) “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The Lord their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them. God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox.

Drawing by: Fourar Amira

Staring at people in a masquerade, living secret lives, hidden, as in unmarked graves
They move and walk in circles, made by unseen forces, with chattering voices, that no one hears…

Shrouded with blank faces, smeared with mystery, full of fear and dark history, but do not dare, show their river of tears…

What would others think if they saw behind the façade?
Deception keeps them from knowing the true and living God…
So, they live lives of deep, silent sorrow…with no hope for tomorrow
While they steal and borrow what they think is love…

Full of flesh and full of pride, only death walks by their side
Eyes have they but they cannot see…ears to hear but cannot be heard
Speaking, but utter no words…broken, wingless, birds…

There’s the man living in his mansion who has no food to eat…
There’s the business woman in fine attire, living on the street…
There’s the fine, respectable couple, but each night they weep, and cannot sleep…
Screams of hatred as he beats, the woman who lies, lifeless on the sheets…

Men and women without identities…looking for answers but cannot believe anything; unbelief drives them to despair…
Walking in midair…among the crowed streets…

Could be a neighbor, or the stranger that you meet…
Could be the bartender, or fallen woman that you greet…
In the church, or, doctor’s office, who stood while you took their seat…

It could even be, your family…

How do you treat…the people that you meet?

Maybe it’s you, with secret hurts and wounds, who stagger on weary feet…
Singing happy songs and little tunes to cover up your defeat…
Disguising torment, behind your seeking eyes…

So, here’s the thing I want to say…
We’re not perfect, we’re forgiven along our way…
We’re no better than any other…each person is a sister, or, a brother…
Love is the only cure, for this sin, sick, world we’re living in…
And in the end, of a long hard day…
Turn around, and walk the other way…
Open the door and let in the light, then the darkness cannot stay…

Jesus is the Light!

In him there is no judgement, no self-righteousness, no condemnation, walk in His divine love…

The grave will only house the body…your spirit will live forever…choose life!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 11, 2019

Proverbs 14:12 The Passion Translation (TPT) You can rationalize it all you want
and justify the path of error you have chosen, but you’ll find out in the end that you took the road to destruction.

Romans 6:20-23 The Passion Translation (TPT) For when you were bound as servants to sin, you lived your lives free from any obligation to righteousness.

So, tell me, what benefit ensued from doing those things that you’re now ashamed of? It left you with nothing but a legacy of shame and death.

But now, as God’s loving servants, you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So, consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holiness that ends with eternal life!

For sin’s meager wages is death,[a] but God’s lavish gift is life eternal, found in your union with our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.

Footnotes:
a. Romans 6:23 The Greek word translated “meager wages” actually means “the wages of a foot soldier.” This Greek word, opsonion, is taken from the word used for a piece of dried fish: opsarion. The Aramaic can be translated “The business of sin is death.”
John 14:6 The Passion Translation (TPT) Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth,[a] and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father[b] except through union with me.[c] To know me is to know my Father too. 

There is only one word that gives you access to the holy place

No other word will do…

No secret handshake or encryption, oh hear me, for this is true…

No renewing at any time, no one can steal this word divine…

There is only one of its kind…

A word that cannot be hacked…

A word, that promises no lack…

It is not coded doesn’t need to be cracked, but unless you are known

Your access is denied, you can’t go before the throne

It’s actually a name.

The software is priceless…

It starts with forgiveness…

Only one will unlock the secret place

Where treasures are forever incased, but cannot be traced,

For they are not of this world…

No eye has ever seen, no ear has heard, what awaits, for those who love him

And will go to this glorious place.

Tell me, you say…tell me the password, I’ll keep it safe…

That is where you go wrong…for this password is to be shared

As many times as you dare…

Lean in closer, open your heart and mind and spirit, hear the word I give…

It can’t be bought or sold or stolen…it can’t be mistaken, or discarded or taken

It can only be given for it’s a name that all of heaven…has received…

Will you accept this truth?

Will you log in, to have full access to what is offered?

I’ll whisper it, oh so clear…listen, draw near…no special characters, only six letters,

The password is: Yeshua!

Call on his name and you will gain…access to the King of kings

Only through him can you enter into the holy place…

Will you enter the password and gain heaven?

Or be denied your inheritance because of arrogance

And lose your soul?

Entering the password…Yeshua…

Full Access! Redeemed! Saved!

Now no one can erase your name from the Book of Life!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 4, 2019

Acts 4:12 Good News Translation (GNT) Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.”

Artist Unknown

God, how can I bear this heartache it rips at my broken soul
Turns my nights to bitter tears and leaves an endless hole…
Days have no meaning, for my heart is shattered beyond repair
Grief; my constant companion, leaves me desolate and bear.
If it had not been for your great love, I would surly despair, for I cannot see…
How, God, how can I bear this loss, like the albatross, it haunts me…
Lifting my head, I see a beam of light, shining through the air…
A warmth fills my being and I sense a presence and stare…
I breathe in and listen as Holy Spirit shares…

Let me tell you a story, child, come walk with me awhile,
You see each person that I call, won’t always respond to my voice
I’ve given each and every one, free will, to make their own choice
Trials come to make you strong, to seek, and to search out, what is right and what is wrong
Life isn’t easy, it was not meant to be…but in every trial, I am with thee
You know this to be true, for it is I who,
Counted the cost, and carried the cross so that you would not have to.
I’ve already made the way of escape if you’ll put your trust in me
The pain that you’re feeling in time will ease…
And in its place, you’ll remember the sweet memories…
I’ve called you to prepare those, who do not yet understand,
Grieve for a time…it’s ok to cry…I too wept for mankind…
This trial is not forever, it’s just a stepping stone, to guide you, and lead you home…
You can only see thus far, on this earth from which you trod…
There is so much more awaiting, you, when you enter the gate to God!
For every trial and every test, is working out in you what’s best
When you lay your head upon my chest…there you’ll find your escape and rest
As you enter into this blessed place
That’s been wrought through my amazing grace…
This test is not more than you can bear
For every hurt and every pain, in this life you’ll gain
Strength for the journey
Your trials are never ever in vain…
When you overcome in Jesus’ name…
You’ll soon realize, your spirit never dies
I Am the burden bearer, let me dry your eyes…
Child, it will only be for a little while…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 1, 2019

1 Corinthians 10:13 The Passion Translation (TPT)
The Way of Escape
13 We all experience[a] times of testing,[b] which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face[c] so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape[d] that will bring you out of it victoriously.[e]
Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Or “which has fastened onto you.”
b. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Or “temptation.”
c. 1 Corinthians 10:13 That is, God’s faithfulness and grace will limit the severity of every test and prevent you from being tested beyond your ability to cope. Unlimited grace is available for every believer who faces hardship, temptations, and seasons of difficulty.
d. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Or “an exodus.” Trust in God’s faithfulness is the way of escape that empowers us to overcome every difficulty we may experience. We are not told that every difficulty will be removed from our lives, but that God’s grace provides an exit path.
e. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Or “God bears up under you to take you out of danger” (Gr. hupophero) or “God provides a way of escape so that you may be empowered to endure it.” God’s faithfulness gives us both a way of escape and the power to endure.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC.
Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com

I can’t read the name of the artist.

Sleeping quietly in the sheep pen, with others at my side

I hear him calling, intently…

Jonny, Susie, Mary; Bella, Bubba and Clyde

It’s time to rise and shine…

He knows our names, for he named us,

There is even little Gus…

But when he calls my, name, my heart begins to pant

I lift my head and follow, there is no one to say I can’t

I know him by the sound of his voice

My shepherd, my comfort, my guide…

Living in assurance with him is where I’ll abide

He knows my name and calls me,

No strangers voice will do

Come morning, noon, and evening too

It’s feeding time, so we graze, upon the due

Storms may rise and enemies try

To destroy us on every turn

But when He calls my name

I surrender all and follow, his voice is always the same

I never have to wonder, be frightened or afraid

The voice of the Shepherd alerts me to be brave

He knows my name for he named me

Seritzah, come with me now

Immediately I follow,

And that’s how, I will forever remain…

Treasured of the LORD MOST HIGH

And there, forever, abide!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 30, 2019 

The name Seritzah is a name the Holy Spirit gave me years ago, it means treasure! You won’t find it on Google because it was given by the Holy Spirit it is my heavenly name.

Thank you Martha Jane Orlando for inspiring me to write this poem. You can find her on:

https://marthaorlando.blogspot.com/2019/10/known-by-name.html

John 10 The Message (MSG) He Calls His Sheep by Name

10 ^1-5 “Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”

Drawing by Marla Shaw O’Neill

For three days this tiny, three letter word has been jumping out at me. From a necklace that someone made that says, ‘yes,’ to a ‘Yes’ in each line of a sinner’s prayer, to words I read in a text or a book…what are you trying to show me LORD?

Yes, Jesus, I will be your bride
Take all of me and leave my pride
Out side the gate, that’s opened wide…
Yes, yes, yes…I will abide!
Yes, to the call that you’ve asked of me…
Yes, to the life where you I see…
Yes, to all you want me to be…
Yes, yes, yes, Jesus…I say yes to thee!
Yes, to trials and tests that will come…
Yes, to the joy and peace as I run…
Yes, to the race that has begun…
Yes, Yes, Yes, Jesus, I know you are God’s son…
Yes, to heartache, to live surrendered and free…
Yes, Jesus take all of me…
Without your Holy Spirit I cannot see…
So Yes, Jesus, open my heart to your life-giving tree…
Alive in your garden I shall run free…
Free from death and free from loss
All because of you, dying on a cross…
You said Yes…and I agree…
Yes Jesus, Yes, your bride I’ll be!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 23, 2019

Revelation 22:17 The Passion Translation (TPT) “Come,”[a] says the Holy Spirit and the Bride in divine duet. Let everyone who hears this duet join them in saying, “Come.” Let everyone gripped with spiritual thirst say, “Come.” And let everyone who craves the gift of living water[b] come and drink it freely. “It is my gift to you! Come.”
Footnotes:
a. Revelation 22:17 Or “be continuously coming”; also in each instance of the word come in this verse and v. 20.

Over the many years I’ve spent in the LORD’s presence
I’ve come to know his very essence…
Like a summer’s rain, a cool breeze comes,
Filling the atmosphere with a sweet-smelling fragrance,
He smells like the rain…
A smile bursts from the inside out; spilling over my whole being…
Even without seeing, I know him, I love him and he loves me…
I know his laugh, and his walk, I know his voice as we talk…
I know he carry’s all my woes and protects me wherever I go…
I know him…because…I live with him…
He’s good and kind and loving all the time…
And when I get out of line…
He is not harsh, he is not mean, he gently speaks and is seen…
In his word, I’ve heard, and sometimes reluctantly I obey…
When I sense I’ve grieved the Holy One, I fall upon my knees and pray…
“I’m sorry, Lord, wash me and cleanse me today.
His eyes are fierce but loving.
His heartbeat I hear, because, he draws me near and there I long to stay.
His songs thrill my soul as he restores me.
I never walk alone. I hear him whisper as he prays…
You are mine always.
The rain is beginning to fall…

Psalm 72:6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill

Dedicated to: Martha Jane Orlando https://www.facebook.com/groups/Godscalltoaction/permalink/2474903092603936/

 

Painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau completed in 1889

She walked among a rocky path, wandering and alone

No place among the community to call home…

Tattered clothes and worn out shoes

Abandoned and abused…

This girl of twenty-two

Then she heard the good news…

A woman, called, the Good Shepherdess

Came to her and dressed her wounds…

Taking her into her flock of more than the girl could count…

99 she mused…

She was called to be a Good Shepherdess, by the Good Shepherd, who showed her the truth…

For she too, had once been lost and abused…

The Good Shepherdess lead her to a place of peace and rest…

Where she was fed and her soul restored…now fully blessed…

Once shadows of death hovered over her head…now no evil can come nigh her bed…

A rod and staff they comfort, giving strength wherever she is led…

The Good Shepherdess said, “I am only a person just like you, but I learned a lesson and this is true, only the Good Shepherd can truly save you. For he saved me and he gave me a new name, to follow…Him!”

And he said, “Goodness and Mercy will be your guide will you always stay close to His pierced, loving, side, to live in His presence and there abide? Will you follow the Good Shepherd and listen to his voice, be wise, child, will you make the right choice?”

Yes, Good Shepherdess, always and forever!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill Oct. 16, 2019

Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want…