Jesus the Passerby
Called to be a fisherman, my livelihood I spend
Many days out on the sea, casting my net for a catch
Sometimes empty-handed, so I row back to shore
No time to think of wealth or fame, this is my lot, nothing more…
As is my custom I ready my wares, I swab the deck, and mend my nets; sails set…
The words of the passerby say, “Come, follow me…”
Without hesitation and without regret, I lay down my net, and follow…
A fisherman you’ve been called to be, catching fish out on the sea…
Night after night, waters calm, or, stormy…
Now, you’ll become a fisher-of-men, so cast your net and welcome in, souls, for the kingdom…
Filled to more than you can count, souls come pouring in, using nets not made by human hands, you make your cast and then begin… for the Passerby has called you to His side…
Like waves upon the shore-line, He comes riding on the tide…
He seeks you out and calls you,
Fishers-of-men and women, come, follow the Master Fisherman…
Without hesitation and no regret, I drop my net, and follow, Him…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 5, 2019
Matthew 4:19-20 Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.
Jesus~ His Eyes are Full of Hope and Love
As I look deep within the eyes of Him
Sorrow, sickness, unbelief, cannot stay~
Eyes with light and grace, chase all the shadows away
Eyes that see my heart’s dark secrets hidden from my view, things I dare not see;
Old stains, locked away without a key…
Jesus looks on with compassion and whispers, “My grace is sufficient for thee!”
His gentle eyes penetrate my heart, revealing my unknown sins so that I will confess and be set free, and live with Him!
His eyes full of hope are loving; His heart full and complete;
They take inventory of my story and wipe my tears as I weep~
I see within my blemished heart…
One glimpse from Him is all it takes…
And so today, through repentant heart, I surrender and obey…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 4, 2019
Jeremiah 16:17 New International Version (NIV) My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.
2 Corinthians 12: 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Day 11 of Prayer and Fasting; New Wind and Holy Fire
Empty yourself of self
Cry out and seek God’s face…
Empty yourself of self
Grab hold of His cross and embrace
See the given Lamb, and count the cost…
God paid for your salvation, none of His will be lost…
Rip out old traditions, which leave you in a weakened condition
Let go of the self and embrace the cross…
The cross leads to the other side
Where lies and doubt and pride…
Are left nailed, to the strong, old, tree…
Jesus, live inside of me…
Let me see, your, glory…
Papa…set my spirit free…
Oh, how my heart longs for more of thee!
Let me embrace the cross of Calvary…
Where your body was torn, and your blood ran free,
Your head bowed, in Victory…
God, hold onto me….hold onto me…
Until your reflection is all I see.
Holy Ghost Fire, consume my being
Let me be poured out for others, needing…
Salvation and redeeming…
And as I look into your face
Holy Savior, full of grace…
I will, embrace,
The cross…
Fresh Wind and Holy Fire
Burn up all the dross…
When I arise from these ashes now formed
Let me rise new born, from holy seed…
God my father now complete…
I rise a new child, born and formed from thee!
Self is crucified
The old-self has died…
Now, a new creation…
A celebration, in heaven-country…
All rejoice…
A God being, is born!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 24, 2019
John 3:30-36 New International Version (NIV)
He must become greater; I must become less.”
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Stay the Course… Day 8
With age, comes a different perspective, which the youth has not yet acquired. Experience is a great teacher if we are willing to learn. In the early morning hours just before daybreak my mind woke to the Holy Spirit praying for people. Our Church is doing a 21 day prayer and fasting and we learned yesterday that over 1200 people have signed up to fast and pray. You know God is going to honor his children because we are willing to do what he has said to do…we’ve heard of some attacks, people are going through, and that is ongoing because the enemy of our soul never stops…but we have also heard how God is moving in mighty ways through this time of prayer and fasting, too…God is greater!!!!
The message yesterday was powerful…as I entered the lobby of our church there was a stillness it was as if everyone’s attention was fully engaged in what was being said by our Pastor…the message was captivating and intense…we heard that when you fast and pray, God honors his word, by giving us power to overcome the enemy. It takes fasting and prayer…these are powerful weapons to defeat the devil.
Pastor spoke about how that Daniel, the prophet of God, was fasting and praying for 21 days but he didn’t get an answer on the first day, or, the second, or, the third… it wasn’t until after the 21st day that an angel of the Lord showed up, he was a powerful magnificent being which caused Daniel to fall to the ground in fear and trembling. (Daniel 10) The angel told Daniel that God heard his prayer on the first day he fasted and prayed but that he was delayed in the heavenly realm by the King of Persia…Satan…but he was able to break through after 21 days and bring Daniel God’s answer…
We must not give up on the first day we start… we must stay the course and remain faithful and stedfast…and don’t give up, the answer is on the way…we must keep on praying, keep on fasting…because God has already given us the victory through Jesus his son….don’t become weary…don’t give into temptations to quit…You Will have your answer… God is a faithful God…He sends His angel army to fight for you…Be strong and diligent, not in your own strength but in the strength of the LORD!! When you fast and pray, you empty out selfishness, and things, you, desire. God sees humility and He will honor a humble heart every time.
Like our Pastor said yesterday…Satan and 1/3 of the angels fell from God’s grace and was cast out of heaven…but there were still 2/3’s of the angels who remained faithful to God and He uses them to help us…we don’t worship angel’s they are messengers of God they are strong and powerful beings. So when we pray, God will send them to assist us with a message and to even help fight the enemy.
You have an angel army at God’s command to help you in the fight….It reminds me of a little child putting on his daddy’s big shoes he doesn’t fill the shoes because his feet are tiny…but God size shoes are worn when we empty ourselves and let him do the walking through us…Put on God’s shoes and walk victorious. Not only that, but we have the Holy Spirit living right inside of us he is our helper just ask him and he will help you. He’s given us His armor, His word, to defeat the devil…when we praise the Lord and draw close to him…the devil will flee…he can’t stay where the Spirit of the Lord is…Praise the Lord!!
When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane after he prayed…an angel came and ministered to him. (Luke 22:43) When you go through your Garden of Gethsemane, He will send an angel to minister to you too…
When you fast and pray and have faith in the Living God, He will, answer! Amen! (So be it!)
He will satisfy your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…
Psalm 103:1-6 Modern English Version (MEV)
A Psalm of David.
“He has given thee true pleasure: He satisfies thy mouth with good things” (Ps. 103:5); it is only the favour and grace of God that can give satisfaction to a soul, can suit its capacities, supply its needs, and answer to its desires. Nothing but divine wisdom can undertake to fill its treasures (Prov. 8:21); other things will surfeit, but not satiate, Eccl. 6:7; Isa. 55:2. (3.) “He has given thee a prospect and pledge of long life: Thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” The eagle is long-lived, and, as naturalists say, when she is nearly 100 years old, casts all her feathers (as indeed she changes them in a great measure every year at molting time), and fresh ones come, so that she becomes young again. When God, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, recovers his people from their decays, and fills them with new life and joy, which is to them an earnest of eternal life and joy, then they may be said to return to the days of their youth, Job 33:23.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:5
Day Four of the 21-Day Daniel Fasting and Prayer
I will be posting for some of the days of the fasting and prayer on my blog; days that I believe the Lord is directing me. Like today my sister and friend in the Lord, Avis, came over to walk with me…five minutes out, and five minutes back, that’s ten minutes and for someone who doesn’t even walk to the mailbox and back that is huge…I came so close to calling her and saying, “Can we do this another day?” She told me she would have come anyway…that’s just how she is, and I love her for it.
You see we can tell ourselves I want to eat better, exercise, rest, play, start something new to be in better health. I want to read my bible more, pray and fast. But so many times we talk ourselves out of it by saying, I don’t feeellll like it….I’ll just do this some other time….I’ve got to many other things to do….I’ve got kids or a job….or, I don’t feel good right now…whatever the excuse is, sometimes we don’t even need an excuse we just don’t do, “it.” Avis is in her seventies, I’m only six-five lol…but she said, “Girl, now I’ve got to go to work. I’m so proud of you for doing this today, it’s a start; so, same time next Thursday?”
I said, “Yes, and thank you so much. You’re an answer to a prayer I’ve been praying for over five years.”
“All it takes is a made up mind and then start…” That was Avis’s words to me this morning…
A made up mind, and then, start. No more procrastination… Just Do It!
The enemy comes to us through our mind. He makes one tiny suggestion and then sits back and laughs as we fall into his trap…
But when we turn our minds over to the Holy Spirit…fast and pray…we won’t listen to the devils lies…we’ll hear the voice of our Shepherd and we will follow Him…He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His namesake…He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemy…He makes us to lie down in green pastures and He restores our soul…
Let this mind be in you…whose mind…the mind of Christ…He will not lead us to destruction…He speaks good things to our mind…He says, surely…absolutely…Goodness and Mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the HOUSE of THE LORD…FOREVER amen…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 17, 2019
Philippians 2:1-11 The Message (MSG) He Took on the Status of a Slave
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
Psalm 23 New King James Version (NKJV) The Lord the Shepherd of His People A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Do What you Say You’ll Do
I’m sharing my heart with you today…
Yesterday was day one, of our church community participating in a 21-Day-Daniel Prayer and Fasting. Over 1000 people signed up to pray and fast. How amazing is that!
Because of health challenges instead of fasting food I am fasting social media. I absolutely love the interaction I have with people all over the world and to interact with friends and family I wouldn’t see otherwise. Many people contact me for prayer and I am honored to pray for them and to hear how God has moved in their lives. Prayer is my passion along with writing and I thank God he put that desire within me.
There comes a time as a child of God, that he calls us to a deeper calling…deep calls to deep…and when we are obedient to his call…God meets us right where we are…and honors us by showing us his heart and his desires…
It takes prayer, and fasting. A time that we willingly, make a sacrifice, showing God just how serious we are to follow him…He said, “This kind, come not out but by prayer and fasting….What kind?
This kind: deliverance from powerful demons; deliverance from addictions and habits that will kill our body, soul and spirit. Prayer and fasting will increase our faith to cast this kind of demon out…
Prayer and fasting brings us closer to God face to face, it reveals to us our sin and weakness and it purges us from this kind of deep hidden sin so that we flow with the Spirit of God. Not focusing on the food or the sacrifice we give up…but all our being is focused on the Spirit of God and what He wants…
Prayer and fasting humbles us before the Lord…our heart and mind and soul becomes awakened by the Holy Spirit and we see into the heart of God…
Yes we still have to function in the world…go to work, take care of our family, do the mundane day to day things…but when we set aside special time to seek God and let go of all the distractions…we are illuminated with grace and mercy…
It’s not about feelings or diets or pride…you may not encounter a great vision or visitation of miraculous encounters…but you will encounter the Spirit of the Living God by faith…faith is a knowing and a certainty it is the revelation of Jesus Christ and who He is and that he has called us into his glorious light.
Yesterday I read some scripture, and did some reading from an inspirational book keeping my heart and mind on the Lord. I prayed and listened for the voice of the Holy Spirit. I went about my tasks…then late last night I watched a TV program on Pure Flix. (And by the way, I don’t consider that social media, if it is then I repent.) The movie was called the Prayer Box. In the first few minutes of the movie I burst into tears because conviction hit me full force as I saw this young man, (he was thirteen) knell at his church altar. Everyone prayed a few minutes then one by one they went back to their seat so the minister could continue the service…the boy stayed at the altar praying…the minister wanted to go on with the service so he knelt by the boy and said, son why don’t you write your prayer request down and put it in the prayer box. So he did. After the service the boy left but he forgot his jacket so he went around the side of the building and as he looked he saw the minister cleaning up, he took the prayer box and emptied it into the trash…the boy waited until he was gone he went over and took the request out of the trash there were about four requests…there are four parts to the movie, you’ll have to watch the rest of the story to see what happened…God really spoke through this to me.
How many times do we tell people, “I’ll pray for you, or I’ll be praying for you?” But do we pray? Are we praying for them? This is the part that hit me hard…even though I am a prayer warrior and have a passion for praying and I pray for many people…there have been times when I said, I’ll pray and walk away and I forget…I try very hard to do what I say because I don’t want to dishonor the Lord… I don’t want to bring condemnation. The Holy Spirit doesn’t do that. He brings conviction. Conviction brings repentance and God gives the victory!
I guess what the Holy Spirit is saying is, “Are you doing, what you say, you’re going to do?”
Let our yes, be yes, and our no, be no! We are human and we do forget but let us become more aware of what we say and do it. Let us be people of integrity, honor and truth so that we are doing right before God and man. Let the purpose and calling of God be carried out so that he can trust us with his plan.
Lord, help us take action and do what we say we’ll do. Not so that we gain praise for ourselves, but that always, what we do will be to glorify you. Amen.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 15, 2019
Matthew 5:37 The Message (MSG) Empty Promises
“And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
Matthew 17:20-22 Amplified Bible (AMP) He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.[But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]”
Follow Jesus
As I prayed this morning I received this from the Holy Spirit. I hope as your read this that you will be encouraged and that as you seek the Lord that he will confirm in your heart that he is speaking. I pray that your spirit bears witness to the Holy Spirit and that Jesus is lifted up…Amen.
~I am and forever will be. I have called but many will not respond to my call because their hearts and minds are far from me. But you responded and I have called you to me, to be a blessing to me and to others.
I am calling out~
I am compelling all who will listen, will see a great harvest. A harvest that is greater than any since the beginning of time…
A harvest of souls that will be planters of seeds…people of great faith and warriors of praise, teachers, evangelist, prophets, people of grace, courageous and fierce in the face of great opposition…they will not conform to this world but will be transformed into my image, and they will help transform souls for my Kingdom. Their character will be my character…they will walk in righteousness and peace and hope…
Many will say no and walk away because the world is to powerful a force for them to let it go. But those who say YES will become sons and daughters of God.
Persecutions are coming, there have always been persecutions but it will become more blatant…Do Not be afraid for I am with you.
The time of ease has passed…
The time of complacency is over…
For those who are for me will receive insight and strength, wisdom and grace on a fresh new level…
Open your heart to receive my plans, my ideas, my ways, to walk in purity and truth!
Don’t be deceived by the smooth talkers those who say I am here to help you, those who promise you everything will be Okay…
DO NOT trust in the arms of flesh…for the enemy promises great wealth and prosperity in the earthly realm…but he is lying it is a trap…the powers of darkness are at work…
The pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, has been his tools from the beginning of time… a third of the angels fell because of his lies…
Eve fell because she believed his lies and death entered the soul of mankind and every living thing…
All throughout history men and women have fallen because they listened and believed his lies…
But I have put my Spirit of Truth within you to know and to follow my voice~
You are mine because you hear and follow my voice…
Stay in an attitude of faith and pray, so that you will not fall from my grace…
Wait for my confirmation…seek me with your whole heart…wait on me, do not run ahead of my Spirit…this is wisdom…
Know my word…study it…speak it…for it is life know it and you will not be deceived.
You will know who are mine by my love, pour it out to one another…
My love is the greatest gift of all!
People brag about their spiritual gifts they only want to use them for their praise… their hearts are full of arrogance and pride…this will not bring my righteousness…
More than any other gift seek the gift of my Love, my love gives; it does not take…
Receive my love today…I impart it to you even now…
For I Am Love
Do not follow the stranger
Do not follow the tale bearer
Do not follow the mocker who claims he has all the answers…he will lead you to destruction and death
Follow the Holy Spirit; he doesn’t talk about himself…He talks about my Son, the one you know as Jesus/Yeshua…
He is the one who gave his life for you and it is my Son who brings you before me…He intercedes for you…He has all the authority; pray in His name…
Keep your eyes and your heart and your mind on Him
Follow Jesus not man!
~January 9, 2019 – mso
The Cup of Suffering
Painted originally by: Carl Gutherz
Will you drink this cup of suffering?
Poured out for you to sup…
Where your life is given completely
It’s the price you must offer up…
The blood of my son is the sacrifice
Not to bargain or entice…
But an act of true surrender
What will your answer be…?
Then finally, after much grief and agony
Pleading for, reprieve…
Jesus prays,
If it be your will take this cup from me
It’s more than I can bear…
Abba, suffering brings obedience
I will surrender my will to thee…
For you, have chosen this cup for me…
God answers,
Son, it is I, who cannot bear giving this cup to thee
But if you do not drink from it; mankind will not go free…
I chose this cup, because I knew, you would do this for humanity…
For all the ones, who drink from this cup, will live eternally…
Abba is looking straight into your heart today…
He is pleading with you…
Will you, drink the cup of suffering?
Will you obey, or, walk away?
~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 8, 2019
Luke 22:42 New International Version “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Hebrews 5:7-8 New International Version (NIV) During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered
Enter Into His Rest
