Come to The Well of Refreshing
Lowly traveler, how far you’ve come, how far you’ve yet to go
Thirsty and hot, tired and abandoned, your journey of innumerable steps, as you trek, here below…
You pitch your tent in the middle of the night as you gaze upon a trillion stars and you wonder where you are…
Without family or friend, you hope for an end, but none is in sight…
Crying out, you spread your body upon the desert sand…reaching up for just a hand, but no one can…reach you.
You’re alone…with no home…the desert becomes your place of refuge…and you refuse to hope…
‘Where are you God when I need you most…why am I living this way?’
I hear the night wind, begin to blow…
One tiny star glows…brighter than the rest…a hush covers my soul…
In the stillness I hear a heavenly host begin to sing a song of deliverance…
Come, come to the well of refreshing…
Then a remembrance engulfs my thoughts, as a gentle wind lifts me to the sky…
Am I dead? Am I alive? Where am I? A voice like thunder rocks my being, I can hardly believe what I am seeing…and then I hear…
I AM here Child; I’ve been with you all along…but you refused to hear me speak and as you grew weak, I waited, for I knew that you would seek me once again…
You had a better plan, but not by my design.
Come, come to the well of refreshing
The desert is a quiet place, where I take my lowly ones to face, their fears and shed a million tears that will bring them to my well…
The well is deep, the water is sweet, oh taste and see that I am good…
Life is hard and misunderstood…unless you drink the living waters, I provide… then you’ll run and not become weary; you’ll never have to hide…when you drink from my well of grace…
Forgiveness never runs out…love, peace and joy will flood your soul when you drink the waters that I supply… then child, you’ll live and never die…
Come, come to the well of refreshing…I am the living water…you will find rest for your soul…
Drink and you’ll never thirst again…
Pouring my cup, I take a sip, then drink ‘til I am full…
Come, come to the well of refreshing…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 26, 2019
Psalm 34:8 New International Version (NIV) Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
John 4:13-14 NIV Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The Battle is the Lord’s Hold on
Dedicated to Grace Nealis!
When you’re standing in the heat of the battle, strength almost gone
Hold on…Hold on…
It’s God who fights for you.
When your facing giants and it seems, you stand alone…
Hold on…Hold on…
God is fighting for you.
He’s there in the trenches, when your down on your knees
Swords swinging at the enemy, it’s God who sees
He gives the victory…
He never tires, never gives up, is undefeated…
When you’re fighting the battle, He stands, He’s not seated…
Hold on…Hold on…you’re stronger than you think
He’ll give you the strength…
Warrior, you will not sink
For God fights for you!
The Lord Rebuke you, demon-fear
The Lord of Host He stands right here
Beside me and fights the beatable foe…
With every bit of strength, I have, God I will follow…
If hell, is where I must go, while on this earth to set men free
Then God, I take up my holy weaponry and I fight this foe with thee
Demons have to flee…
I will not become weary…
I will not succumb to weakness nor its futility…
God, it is you, who fights for me…
My strength comes from Your Power, Your Love, Your discipline; You sustain me;
I believe…
With every ounce of this cup I drink, I will not falter, slip nor shrink
For in the twinkling of an eye I’ll see my God who fights for me.
Stand bold and be fierce in the battle you face
Surrounded by an Angel race…they too fight for you…
The battle is not yours but the Lords…
And by His Grace and steadfast love…the God who is above…
It is He, who Fights for you!
When you are weakest, He is strongest, be encouraged the battle, begun, is, won!
For God said, “It is done!”
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 21, 2019
2 Chronicles 20:15 New International Version (NIV) He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Holy Smile
Rachel is on our prayer team at Journey Church. Our team meets before the third service and we pray together.
Rachel’s in a wheel chair. She’s intelligent and beautiful but she can’t talk or do things without assistance. She communicates with her eyes to let us know when she is finished praying.
After each person prays, I call on Rachel to pray and we wait. I watch her face to see when she opens and shuts her eyes to let me know she has finished. Today as I watched her it was like the Holy Spirit was allowing me to understand what she was praying and feeling. Her smile was over-powering, chill bumps ran up and down my body as I felt the presence of God and saw Him on her face…it was so beautiful. So, I wrote the following poem. I hope it touches you in a profound way. To know that God can use anyone if we are willing.
She was in an auto accident as a young girl, she has an amazing story. She lives with her mother, Darlene who takes amazing care of her. Please keep them in your prayers.
Praying in the prayer room
Children of God proclaim
Taking authority, praying in Jesus Name…
Lord, set souls free, bring salvation and victory
As we boldly come into your presence and believe
For healings and deliverance,
We will sing and dance entering heaven’s thrown-room yes, we will take this chance…
To storm the enemies camp and there, we’ll, advance
The Kingdom of heaven…
We can’t see heaven with our natural eyes
But as our flesh-man surrenders; our own will dies…
Holy Spirit and fire, consume us with your desire…
To do, and be, what you’ve called us to be, thank you Jesus, for setting us free…
We are praising the King of kings…Oh, hear your warriors pray…
Come Lord Jesus and have your way…
We’re praying for miracles, in our community today.
Looking at a precious soul, she’s trapped in a body, that isn’t whole
And yet, her smile of pure joy, saturates her soul…
I watch and I’m engulfed in your Holy Presence…
Holy God; shivers running up and done my spine,
Her smile reaching into eternity to touch the heart of God…
I’m undone…
To know and see what you’ve begun…in people’s lives today…
It’s as, if, she had a glance on heaven’s highway, talking with you face to face,
Oh, Father what you did in this room, as your warrior prayed; what mercy, what grace…
Words not spoken verbally, for she cannot…but words from the heart touched your heart…
It shook me at my core…her faith opening heaven’s doors…when she prayed…
A perception I saw, as I watched her face and a smile, I can’t explain…
Heaven’s smile from this young girl’s heart…has lit a fire, a holy spark
Joy, unspeakable, joy, is pouring out from this holy reservoir…my soul soars far beyond this universe…
This was not rehearsed…out of my heart praises burst, as I sense Your Holy Worth…
There is no doubt…Jesus you smiled on her today…
Souls, made new, because of you, Jesus
It was Your smile, reflected in this anointed child…that brought about a brand-new light…
Rachel, smiling with the angels as her spirit took flight, into heavens glorious portals today!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 18, 2019
Psalm 126:2 “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
Numbers 6:25-27 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) May the Lord smile down on you and show you is kindness. May the Lord answer your prayers and give you peace.’
The Father Asks, Where Are You?
Artist Shawna Erback
I search far and wide waiting for you to come
I catch a glimpse, a quick look but it’s only from
A distance and you’re gone…
Day after day, I go to our secret place
Hoping to see your precious face…
But I wait in vain…
Have you even forgotten my name?
Where are you? I long for your embrace
To share your life, your accomplishments, some trace
Of times long gone, I wait, but you aren’t there…
Tragedy comes into your life and now you cry for me…
And hurriedly I come at your beckoning…
You offer your regrets for not coming sooner,
You’re sorry for neglecting our relationship
Waiting in the place where we met…
And yet…I accept your lament…
Just to be with you, I’m content…
Repentant heart and loving child…we’ve walked many miles
Through heartache and disappointments…brokenness and unforgiveness
I see you now, as you wait for me…where once it was I, who waited for thee…
Oh, Papa my soul is free, as I sit here upon this battered tree
Waiting expectantly, just to be with thee…
No longer running to and fro, chasing dreams where there’s only woe…
Enemy forces, my darkest foe…
Jesus, I’ll follow you wherever you go.
For I have learned that in the secret place, I can speak with you face to face…
Still and calm in this sacred sanctuary I have found rest for my soul…
And so, I wait for thee!
Written by~Marla Shaw O’Neill, August 13, 2019
GOD called to the Man: “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 The Message (MSG)
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
The High King
Artist Unknown
King of kings and Lord of lords…
Love him, praise him, worship and Adore…
He is the High King…
A crown of glory adorns his head
Glorious light to all is spread
When we accept our daily bread
By his words our hearts are fed…
Sitting upon the mercy seat
Earth, his footstool, resting his feet…
Interceding on our behalf
Full of joy our Redeemer laughs…
He laughs at the enemy who tries to steal
Our souls and God’s perfect will…
But the enemy cannot, for Jesus defeated him and fulfilled
All when he died on Golgotha’s hill
Three days he spent conquering death and hell
Taking the keys, the story tells…
First fruits of the resurrection, ringing the bell…
All hail, the High King his promises true
Tarry in Jerusalem until you, be endued…
With Power by the Holy Ghost and Fire
Then Go to all nations, to them inspire…
Salvation has come, if you’ll only receive
Ask Jesus to save you and then believe…
By faith and grace, you’re a child of the High King…
Embrace His Love for He is everything!
Then you will be one of His anointed kings…
To rule and reign in His Kingdom, sing…
He is Lord, of lords,
He is, the High King!
My praises, LORD, to thee I bring
Nothing less, but all of me
Before your throne
Majestic High King!
Poem Written by~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 13, 2019
1 Timothy 6:15 King James Version (KJV) Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
Luke 24:49 King James Version (KJV) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Unseen Wind
Artist Unknown
The wind blows and gently caresses the atmosphere…
A mighty-rushing-wind, tears through cities, towns, over mountains and through valleys, it can be a tender breeze or a terrifying force…it goes where it delights; nothing can stop the wind…
You can’t see the wind, but you can see its effects… it’s here and there and everywhere…
It is still…it is calm…it is fierce…the wind is…a breath…it is…
Sometimes cold and sometimes hot. It can be a cool, refreshing wind. It travels on quiet seas…moves among the trees…
The wind is in snow drifts, it lifts me, on airways and highways far beyond my grip…to worlds unknown, goes to places, seeing faces, of colors and designs not of our own…
If I were the wind, I would send, love to all mankind…
Hoping they would understand why God created them…
And so, the wind blows…and no one knows, where the wind will end…
It travels far and wide…Oh do not hide from the wind that blows…
Embrace the wind and grow!
Come north, south, east and west wind, and sow your grace upon us here, below!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 12, 2019
Ecclesiastes 1:6 New International Version (NIV) The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
I’m Free
Saved, forgiven, changed and set free…
But really? Open my eyes, open my ears, Lord help me believe…
I’ve carried, shame and guilt like a ball and chain
Hidden so no one could see…
Unaware of the roots that grew deep
I’ve wondered why I so often would weep…
Tossed and turned many nights couldn’t sleep…
Why Lord? Why do I repeat…
Behavior that is not like you, I bow now in surrender at your feet…
Holy Spirit purify my heart so I may heal…
Holy fire purge me now to do your will
Help me overcome
So that I will be free and live in the victory you’ve already won
Fire, fall, and purify this heart that belongs to your Son
Uproot guilt and shame, this I pray in Jesus name…
Healing flow within my soul over Mountains and over plains
Through valley’s dark and dreary, God your love I will proclaim…
I’ve seen heartache, and walked through torment and unending pain
But today I received my healing and I will never be the same…
I’m healed, set free and delivered…Freedom has come at last…
Letting go of every heartache, I will no longer live in the past….
Holy Spirit, you set me free today
Holy Father, how long I’ve prayed…
Shame is gone, guilt is too
Thank you, Jesus, today, I’m brand new…
Free to laugh and sing and dance…
This deliverance is not by chance
Overflowing with amazing grace, yes, I’ve seen my Jesus face to face…
FREEDOM!
Living in God’s Kingdom, here and now, in this beautiful place…
I’m free…I’m free…Thank you Jesus, I am free!!!
And when the enemy tries to remind me
I’ll point him to the cross of Calvary…for it was there you set me free!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 10, 2019
Journey Church Freedom Conference
If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free. John 8:36 Good News Translation (GNT)
They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony; for they did not love their lives but laid them down for him. Revelation 12:11 Living Bible (TLB)
Are you Smoke or are you Fire?
Artist Kerolos Safwat. “This is my VERY fave pic of seeing Jesus for the first time! Most pics are sweet and humbling. I get it. But this! This is exactly how I want to run into His arms and say “it’s YOU! it’s really YOU! Oh how I LOVE YOU!” This totally captures how I picture my first few moments in Heaven! Whoo hoo!!”
I chose this amazing art work because it spoke to my heart and is exactly how I feel! This artist gets it…I thought it would go perfectly with what I wrote. God bless you Kerolos…
Friday, August 9, 2019
Coming before the Lord this morning…all I could do was say, “Here I am Lord, I have no agenda, no pre-conceived ideas. I don’t want to declare anything or ask you for anything…Lord I’m just here…I’m here Lord…I’m here.”
Then in my spirit I began to hear…. “That’s all I wanted. I just wanted you to sit with me, be with me have some quiet time together.”
My mind went to how when children want something, they come rushing into the room, there’s no, “Hi mom/dad, how are you? Can I do anything for you?” They just start demanding, “Can I have some money? So, and so, is going here or there and I want to go too. I need a new outfit, shoes etc., can I go? Can I? They get what they want, “See ya later.” And off they go. They rush out of the room without a hug or a thank you.
It was, as if, God was saying to me, “Can I just have a hug?”
And so, I sat still and listened…everything was quiet. There were no demands. It’s just me and God. “Yes God.” And spiritually speaking, I gave him a hug.
After a few minutes I began to have this thought, ‘Are you smoke or are you fire?’
Sometimes we are simply smoldering…there is smoke but the fire has diminished and we realize we are not as hot for the things of God, as we once were. Where is the FIRE?
Oh, we attend church…sing loudly, praise boisterously, pray without ceasing…but something is not quite right…we are rushing in and out of God’s presence without being aware of Him…and we begin to notice the fire has gone out…
Humbly and repentantly we realize we are only smoke…and smoke chokes out the light…it smells and accomplishes nothing…
Holy Fire purifies… it sets us apart from the rest of the world…when we are on fire for God, we are bold and brave and courageous…cry out for the Holy Spirit and Fire ask him to fall afresh on you…walk in newness every single day…fresh fire! Let it Fall…you have to keep it burning by rekindling it every single day…
Don’t just rush in and out of God’s presence give God a great big HUG…tarry there until you are filled with Fresh Fire and the Power to glorify the Living God! Amen!!!
Piece written by~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 10, 2019
Matthew 3:11-12 The Message (MSG) “I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.”
Revelation 3:15-17 New International Version (NIV) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Romans 8:38-39 New King James Version (NKJV) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Going Deeper
At my granddaughter, Lydia’s third birthday party, I watched as little children played on a water slide. They played and laughed, slid down the slide landing in water that came up to their ankles. Climbing high above the water, then sliding down again. Then, Lydia, wanted to get into the big people’s pool…she came running to me saying, “Grandma I want to get in the pool!” So, I told her we had to put her floaties on…it’s been a while since I put floaties on a child and they were different than what I remembered so we asked someone with experience, Jessica, a young mommy, to help her with them. Lydia had no fear, nothing was holding her back she went into the deep water…because she knew she had the help of her floaties to keep her afloat. Splashing and swimming all over the pool. Total abandonment of any danger, complete trust. That’s how our loving heavenly Father wants us to be. He wants us to go deeper with him knowing the Holy Spirit is like our floaties and we have nothing to fear! We can trust Him completely. This is my hearts cry… “Lord take me deeper. Take me to the place where you dwell. Let me bask in your presence in the Holy of holies. Let me live by your example of love toward others. No judgement…no prejudice…no fear…forgive my shortcomings and let me live out loud and show others who you are…my King! My Savior! Help me walk in obedience to your word. And Jesus, let me always, reverence your Holy Name! Amen!