Inspirational

The Wadi

Posted on by Marla

 Dry, crusty, empty, riverbed, where only lizards and snakes survive.
Unrelenting heat; stirs the dust…thirsty…barely alive…
A season~
Parched from lack of rain, no grass, no flowers, no trees.
Squirming to find a bit of shade…squinting in the sun’s hot rays…eyes glazed over with a cloudy haze…
How long? How long before the rain?
Dreams of the mountains
Where living waters flow
Drinking full and long, that’s where you’ll know…
The Wadi is a test we all must go!
The rains are coming, hold on and stay true.
The Wadi was made to buffet you.
Passing the test, times of refreshing you’ll see.
Waiting and trusting, if you will be…
In the Wadi of life, you learn to repent, giving back to God the things he has lent
Obedience is learned through suffering we’re told~
Found in the Wadi there’s nothing to hold~
Sweat and want is what we find; a better place we covet!
Learning the lesson and then we’ll be sent…
Up to the mountain the cool breezes we desire…
Out of the Wadi; out of the mire~
A season is long in the dry desert place.
No water, no rest, no one wants to be in this test…
Even the animals live in protest…
Out of the Wadi when the rains begin to fall.
Dancing and singing, rejoicing all…
So be content in the place where you are called.
Summer, winter, spring and fall~
Only a season, you can make it my friend…
The Wadi won’t last; it will certainly end~
Take heart and rejoice wherever you are!
The omniscience of God, he’s never far…
He hears and sees, only believe…
He put you in the Wadi, to see if you’d be…
Faithful and obedient!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 22, 2018

Job 6:15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow
Jeremiah 47:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) This is what the Lord says:
Look, waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing wadi. They will overflow the land and everything in it, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and every inhabitant of the land will wail.
2 Kings 3:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) For the Lord says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the wadi will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’
Wadi is the Arabic and Hebrew term traditionally referring to a valley. In some instances, it may refer to a dry (ephemeral) riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain.
Inspirational

House of Prayer

Posted on by Marla

When loneliness comes calling
And sickness makes you lame…
When life is all but gracious
Pray in Jesus name
When trials come to test you
Think it not strange
Suffering and sorrow, will come to cause you pain
Remember, always, to pray in Jesus name…
My house shall be called, A House of Prayer
And when you raise your voice and cry…
God knows every heart ache, your burdens he bears…
Remember you are His,
His house shall be called, a house of prayer.
Humbled and surrendered
Contrite and pure of heart…
Each morning you will hear,
As Goodness and Mercy draw near
On the altar in the temple, Child, give me all your care…
God and the angels are listening,
Oh make me a house of prayer
Have faith; and believe…
Pray, without ceasing, keep yourself clean
No place for robbers and thieves…
Your heart is where I’ll be seen…
Then, you’ll be, a house of prayer
My chosen, my redeemed!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 21, 2018
Isaiah 56:7 King James Version (KJV) Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Matthew 21:12-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer, But you are making it a den of thieves!”
Inspirational

On Our Way to Forever

Posted on by Marla

Yeshua,
It’s me. I’m here…
I love you Lord…
I know that you love me…
Exhaling, I breathe…I simply breathe…
The stillness, the quiet…gentle Spirit sweep over my soul; I am refreshed…
I am at peace…
You are my peace…my Prince…my sustenance…
In you there is no fear, no worry, no anxiety…
I feel your embrace…
Lord…that’s all I need at this moment…
Knowing that even though I am alone…you are with me…
Where would I go? What would I do? Where would I be if I’d never known you?
Thank you. Oh thank you for pursuing me!!!
Tears fall like rolling drops of rain…running down my face
The face you see as you say,
Child, you are mine
There is no need to hurry or trouble your heart and mind…
This moment is ours…
Rest in me…just lay your head upon my chest and breathe…
Don’t think….Listen to the silence, and know, you’re sailing on the calm open sea, gliding to depths unknown
Knowing, that I, your Captain, have set a course. I know exactly where I’m going…
I know exactly where I am taking you…the journey at this moment is calm and sweet…
A cool breeze caresses the waters; you are safe…because I am at the helm…
There is no distress, no turbulence, no hurry…
Just you and Me …on our way to forever…
At the journey’s end…you will see…life is full and complete…
So lay back, rest, be content…and know, you are with Me… 
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 15, 2018
John 14 New International Version (NIV) Jesus Comforts His Disciples “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message (MSG) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Mark 4:39 The Message (MSG) Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.
Inspirational

Who Are You Following

Posted on by Marla

I’m willing to take a risk right now…I have to share this with you so that you can’t say no one told you…I’m telling you…
I am telling you this in love because I love you too much not to say something…everything in moderation…
Are you a talker…? Are you a listener…? Are you a doer…?
Does your life speak LOUD words of faith and hope to the non-believer?
Is Jesus, showing on your face?
Is His Love displayed in your daily living so that others see His reflection in everything you do and say?
Do you have a heart like Jesus? If you do, than you will understand what I’m about to say.
Jesus, is, the Good News…
Jesus Christ (Yeshua), and Him crucified…He is the message for all times…
His life! His glory! His Story!! THE GREATEST STORY EVERY TOLD!!!
With so many distractions in our lives today…it seems there’s hardly enough time to eat, sleep, work and don’t even think about time for play!!
With social media at our finger tips, well, everything and everyone stares us right in the face…we scroll, we text, we read, we write, we covet and complain… in just seconds our little 3×6 device allows us instant access to the world…
We take it with us to work, to school, at home, to the bathroom, when we are shopping, the little pint size cell is never out of our reach and we are mesmerized and paralyzed and dramatized and amazed with every swipe we make…
And we wonder why we don’t have “time” for anything else…
We are addicted to the screens…
Who’s sharing what, and whose friend request will we accept or deny…
What did they make for dinner and who’s having medical issues…
Meme’s what’s in a meme…funny, sad, crude, rude socially unacceptable…and we scroll on…and on… and on…
It’s worldwide…there’s an epidemic…and no one wants a cure…because we don’t even know we are sick…
I was one of the biggest users…until our Church announced a 21 day fast and prayer time I was all in…because of a medical issue I knew I couldn’t fast food…so I prayed and was lead to fast social media for the 21 days. It has been an eye opener to say the least and to say the most; I know I won’t be taken in to the degree I was before the fast. I have had more time to read my Bible and spend time with the Lord in prayer. I’m not as anxious about hitting my -icon, to see what’s going on with whom in the world. The world is going on just fine without me fixating on it every second…
I feel a freedom that I didn’t realize I had given up…
I’m not saying to give up social media completely, all I’m saying is that for me a huge burden has lifted and I am not tied to the tiny screen anymore. I’m liberated and happier, because my time is not being stolen from me. I can live again and do the things that I had been putting off…the stress of not having more time is lifted and I actually talk to people and take walks and enjoy my life, it is fuller and I am content.
Be careful and beware…life is short…you have to make a conscience decision who you are giving your mind over too and what you’re subjecting yourself to.
Don’t follow the crowds…follow Jesus…He is the Good News…He will show you the path to a full, happy, healthy life.
When’s the last time you had a real face to face conversation with your spouse, your kids, your neighbors? When is the last time you went to a restaurant and didn’t take your cell phone, checking it every other minute? Every place you look people have their faces in their cell phones…
We’ve watched Sci-Fi movies about mind control and robots taking over the world…it might even sound to you like, I’ve lost my mind…but I’m telling you, I have found my mind…
Please be wise and take charge of your time and your life…don’t be sucked into the vortex…
The enemy of your soul is extremely shrewd and manipulating…
He knows the heart of man and he uses every tactic to deceive, destroy, steal and kill…
Where is your heart Child-of-God? Where is your treasure? For where your treasure is your heart will be also…don’t give your heart and mind away so easily…try to stop using social media for just one whole day…see how it affects you…then make your decision…I promise you, it will not be easy to give it up…it’s like any other addiction…you’ll make excuses; you want it, you crave it…you enjoy it…you must have it…that’s how you’ll know it has you!!!
This is a wakeup call!!! WAKE UP!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 14, 2018
Matthew 6:21 The Message (MSG) A Life of God-Worship “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
1 John 2:15-16 New International Version (NIV) On Not Loving the World Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
Romans 12:2 New International Version (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Colossians 3:2 New International Version (NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Proverbs 25:16-17 New International Version (NIV) If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and they will hate you.
Inspirational

Under Your Wings I am Safe

Posted on by Marla

In the shelter of your wings, hide me…
In the place where angels sing, guide me
In hope and strength let your Spirit lead me, to where you abide…
Within my heart your word sustains me
And in your arms my soul doth rest…
Cradled in the Rock of ages…I am hidden in the cleft
Though storms rage and lighting is fierce
I will not be afraid
Your love is greater than any foe
God in your grace, I will surely go…
Upon my knees in humility
That’s where I find stability
Without you, I cannot live or breathe
So rock me until your face I see
And life becomes clear again…
In prayer and fasting I will stay
‘til I can stand in the rain…
Lord, hide me under the shadow of your wings…
Until I can sing…and begin again!!!
Take my heart and raise me up to boldly proclaim…
Jesus Christ is Lord and King!!!
Beneath your wings, where shadow falls
I hear my name as you gently call…
“Child, I am with thee, through it all!”
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 13, 2018
Psalm 17:8 New International Version (NIV) Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
Exodus 33:22 New International Version (NIV) When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
John 12:15 New International Version (NIV) “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
Writings By Aunt Rose

Shifting Sand

Posted on by Marla

Search your heart, see what lies inside.
Is God’s love there, where it should abide?
Has the hour glass drained, to seal your fate?
Seek His Face, don’t be too late.
Christ gave His life for me and you…
Nothing else will see us through~
Say good-bye to this world of sin;
For He alone can set you free…
Victory was won, on Calvary.
When your “heart is fixed” on the solid “Rock,”
Be bold; be strong; in Him you’ll stand…
No longer will you walk, on, Shifting Sand…
Christ paid the price; will you Believe?
It’s only through Him that we receive;
No one knows about tomorrow, or
If tomorrow will ever come~
Be assured of that “Sound foundation:
There’ll be no need to roam.
Have faith in God’s sovereign command;
On that solid Rock, we’ll stand,
There’ll be no more, Shifting Sand!
~Rosa L. Gandy July 22, 2018
Matthew 7:24-27 English Standard Version (ESV)
Build Your House on the Rock “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

1 Corinthians 13 New International Version (NIV) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

Writings By Aunt Rose

For Such A Time As This

Posted on by Marla
I received this from my Aunt Rose August 3, 2018
We all would like to live in a fantasy world where everything goes our way and nothing intrudes on our plans and we’re always in control; that is not the real world, the realistic world is where Jesus walked. He suffered by the very ones who should have loved Him. He walked victoriously because He knew who He was, whose command He was under, saying, “(I can do nothing but what My Father tells Me.”) and he knew His final reward was to return and sit on the right hand of His Father on the Throne and be the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Jesus Christ is our example and asks nothing less of us. To accept Him and Believe and have Faith in Him and Him crucified; to save us from our sin and give us Eternal Life. We must follow Him through obedience and Faith. He was persecuted due to others ignorance.
He said, “I have overcome the world. You can do more than I did. I pray for you, to the Father, when you ask Me for things you are in need of.” When adversities come against you, remember My Promises—Stay focused on Me. When the world thinks it has the upper-hand, know that it’s not so. Instantly the flesh says to be in control, but as a believer, the Holy Spirit guides you into what to do.
“Let me be in control, lean on Me, use wisdom, stay in My favor.” “Let me lead you into all truth for your sake, otherwise Satan will rob you of the Peace I give you.” “Listen to Me. I have called you to do a good work, My work. You do not need to fight your own battles. Let go, I am here. I suffered and died for you; that you may have love, peace and joy—when your mind is stayed on Me, I will give you strength. The things that have come against you will not prosper and does not equal the Peace I have for you.” Be still and know I am God.” Be like the tree I spoke of, that is planted by the water. The roots go deep into my word of truth. I am the way, the truth and the life; don’t let your faith waver!” Do not forget My promises. I am Faithful and True. They (the world) persecuted me and they’ll persecute you…I overcame the world. You are my chosen one. Don’t let Satan whisper defeat in your ear. Have Mercy on those who need mercy and you will be given mercy. Let your light so shine so others may see Me in you. You must not live your life according to the flesh. Live as the Spirit that dwells within you, always. All of the Gifts of the Spirit are my character and I’ve put them in your heart. Begin to think, walk, and live like me. Ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” “Believe, I am the solution to every sin and problem trust me.” “When you are believers, I made you a new creature, in me. You are to be separate from this world. You will have your reward and they will have their reward, those who do not believe in me and my Word. “Be still,” I say.
“You will never regret your love for me, and the wisdom I give you. I tell you to pray for those who persecute you. Satan is the king of this world, for now, for a season.” The real King will soon come and cause all kings to bow down at My feet.” Do not be dismayed and have no fear. Fear is of Satan. Stay strong in me and my Word. Hear my words. Abide by my word. There’s no defeat when I am by your side. Neither waver, I am your God. Be at Peace. Put up your shield of faith. Honor me and my word, so others may see the Glory of the Lord within you. Be faithful to me until the end.” Amen!
Eternally,
Jesus
Rose L. Gandy 5/30/2007
Aunt Rose wrote this in 2007, not knowing that in 2018, I would need to hear a word from the Lord, For Such a Time as This…but God knew I would need to be encouraged and stand firm that I would not have breast cancer. God is awesome! I didn’t say a word to her about what I was facing… she sent this to me out of the blue. And God knows what you are facing right now too…be encouraged…do not fear and do not doubt…God has sent His word to you today, For Such a Time as This!!! 8/9/2018 MSO
Esther 4:14 King James Version (KJV)  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall their enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
For A Time Such as This
You’ve no time to be discouraged,
God’s forever by your side.
His Words make you stronger,
If in him you abide.
He speaks through the thunder
As sin rages through the mist,
A stronger voice is needed
For a Time such as this.
Faith is what He asks for,
As He shares your heavy load,
He walked this land before you,
Down each rocky, dusty road~
All the world was against Him,
His scars you can’t miss
All sins were forgiven,
For a time such as this.
You may be lost and weary;
In search of a better way~
Come give your heart to the Savior,
Why not come today?
All this world has to offer
You will never miss…
He came to save, not condemn,
For a time such as this!
Poem Written 7/31/2018, ~Rosa L. Gandy

 

Inspirational

Lift a Shout of Praise To The Living God

Posted on by Marla

Here we go…
The week of July 31, 2018, I found something in my right breast it felt like a pea size lump. Bob felt it too. It was there for three days. On the day before I called my doctor I prayed and fearing the worst I said, “Lord, you know I’d really like to stay here a little longer. I’d like to see my grandkids grow up and there are things for me to write for your glory and I don’t want to leave Bob and, and, and…but…Lord, if you want me to come home I’m ready.” I heard my father’s voice, the one I’ve come to trust and know that it is his voice, because he has confirmed to me each time that he has spoken to me. His sheep know his voice and a stranger they will not follow… I heard him say, “Not yet! Praise Me!” So then I messaged my friend and sister in the Lord Kathy Langley. She came over that afternoon, we used anointing oil (representing the Holy Spirit) and we prayed. I have to tell you I was flooded by waves of HIS presence…I don’t know if you know what that feels like, or not, but some of you know about the Holy Chill bumps…well this wasn’t just a little thrill up and down the spine…it was like oil being poured over my entire body…I was saturated with the touch of my heavenly father it was like I had been dunked under a water spout…later that afternoon I called Kathy and I asked her if she had felt anything when we were praying, She said, “Yessss it was powerful.” Even as I write this I’m getting touched with His Presence. So later that day I felt for the lump and it was gone. But I kept my appointment with my doctor. The mind is difficult to control especially if we focus on the circumstances…fear tried to grab me…doubt tried to tell me lies…but I kept hearing the Lord’s voice say, Praise Me!!! So I pressed in and I praised my Hashem…
We began our 21 days of Prayer and Fasting at Journey Church…I am fasting Facebook and praying and spending time with the Lord it has been intense…and through this…I have not freaked out…there have been tiny thoughts but I take them back to the Praise Room of my heart and I hold onto what God said, “Not yet! Praise Me!”
The doctor did the examination and he didn’t feel anything. But there was a tender spot in another area. I asked him if they can move. He said yes and that is a good thing. Then I told him it felt like the size of a pea and it didn’t move and that Bob felt it too. He said those are the ones they look for like the size of a pea and it’s frozen it doesn’t move. Mine was gone!!!
My mom died three years ago with cancer of the tongue and cancer has taken members of my family as I know it has some of yours too. It is nothing to play around with. It is serious.
So the doctor said he wanted me to have an ultrasound and a mammogram and then see a surgeon because sometimes things can be over looked and he wanted to be sure that nothing was there. In the mean time I asked my son Abram and Robin St. Pierre and a few others of my sister’s in the Lord (Darlene, Karen, Diane) to Praise God with me for a good report.
Yesterday I went for the tests. About an hour ago I got the phone call the tests were all negative, No lumps!!! But the doctor still wants me to see the surgeon so he can go over the tests to confirm and reconfirm that all is well.
But I know God took it…I am giving Him all the praise and all the glory…I know it was Him who touched me and I know it was Him that spoke to me…I don’t know why he does what He does, all I know is that He is God…He is a good, good, father and He loves us more than we can imagine. One day I will go home…we will all be leaving this earth one day. But for Now as I live and breathe ….I will Praise The Lord! He is my Healer! My Redeemer! My Loving Papa God!!! Let All that Is Within Me, PRAISE THE LORD!!!
I am praying and fasting for this 21 days for you! Lift a shout of PRAISE in the earth that the demons will tremble and run at the sound of your voice as you stand in the Presence of the Living God!!! You may be facing cancer…heart disease, MS, diabetes, bankruptcy, whatever the sickness or disease or turmoil you are dealing with…You are not alone…God is with you…Jesus still heals, still delivers, still sets free…
Praise Him In All Things…
Open your mouth and Praise The LORD!!!!!!!!!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 9, 2018
Psalm 103 New International Version (NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
Inspirational

Praise Ye the Lord

Posted on by Marla

 When the doldrums, ho-hums, oh-my’s and the oh-why’s come calling~
Send in the new-drums, the Ah-ha’s and the victory cry’s and lift your eyes, to the one who see’s and there abide!
When we praise God, He will raise a standard against the enemy…
When we worship Him, He turns our ship around to face True North…
The place where He dwells where nothing and no one can touch us…
Our defeat turns to repeat
Thank you Jesus for life
Thank you Jesus for help
Thank you Jesus for health
Thank you Jesus for relief
Thank you God for you,
Thank you Jesus for you and for your Holy Spirit
I’ll Praise you in the storm
I’ll praise you in the Sunshine
I’ll praise you in the what if’s
I’ll praise you in the I cans and
I’ll praise you in the I cants’
I’ll praise you when I’m happy
I’ll praise you when I’m sad
I’ll praise you, Oh God, until I become glad
Because God you are, the, I AM!
Praise Ye the Lord!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 7, 2018
Psalm 150:1-6 King James Version (KJV)
Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals.
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
Inspirational

Friend-Aramaic-Racham

Posted on by Marla

As I was talking to my Papa God this morning and praising Him for Who He is…

Not only is He my Heavenly Father and the creator of ALL things in heaven and earth…

Not only is He my savior, redeemer, healer, hope, peace and more…

He pointed something out to me…

He showed me that in the word Friend; is the word end…His friendship with me Will Never End…BFF’s always…

He is faithful and kind and gentle…He is Love and He is good…He is powerful and bold make no mistake…He calls gently to us to follow Him… not to hurt us but to complete us…

Praise God…not only is He King…but He is my friend…and I am His friend!

He’s not some far off relation or President I will never meet or ever be able to talk to…

He isn’t a famous person who has to run from the paparazzi and doesn’t let anyone close…Although He is famous…

He doesn’t hide from us…

He isn’t a diplomat or political figure…but he governs all the earth…His motives are pure and righteous…

He isn’t some rich and famous person who is surrounded by guards protecting him from the crowds…but He is, surrounded by angel armies whose wealth is limitless…

Jesus goes out of his way to be known to us personally…

He wants to know us…and He wants us to know Him…

He is a “fri’end” whose relationship with us will never end!

In the New Testament…there isn’t a word in the Greek for friend…however Jesus spoke Aramaic and uses the word racham, so in John 15:15 when Jesus called them friends (racham)… it is agape (love) on steroids!!!

And this is what God was saying to me this morning about friend… (Jesus) He says: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you my dearest cherished beloved who has captured my heart.” (Chaim Bentorah)

I can say with all my heart that Jesus is MY RACHAM…DEAREST CHERISHED BELOVED WHO HAS CAPTURED MY HEART!!!

We are His racham…dearest cherished beloved who has captured His heart!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 3, 2018

John 15:15 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

ARAMAIC WORD STUDY – FRIEND – RACHAM – רחס 

To be fair the Greek uses the word phileous which means a friend; it is a lesser love than agape.  But then are we to say that agape is the word in John 3:16, but he only phileous his disciples?   Jesus spoke Aramaic and the word used in the Aramaic Bible is racham.  In its Semitic root, it means the womb or more specifically the love a mother has for a child in her womb.  A child in the mother’s womb is little more than a friend.  There is not a word in the Greek for racham; it is agape love on steroids.

Let me put it into context.  Imagine getting a notification from your local politician who instead of calling you “my friend” starts with: “My dearest cherished beloved who has captured my heart.”   We would say that is a bit pretentious.  Yet that is racham and what Jesus is saying when He says: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you my dearest cherished beloved who has captured my heart.” (~Chaim Bentorah)