You are Chosen for A Higher Calling
Broken man lying at the beautiful gate…reminded daily of a life once full and whole… Begging for bread, a place to lay his head, death waiting, disease taking its toll…until…
Blind from birth, street person with no worth. To humanity he seems absurd…but to him it only takes one word…from the one who gave him life…no more worries…no more strife
Silly woman thrown in the dirt; relating it, to what she’s worth…stoning will come soon enough…but a man called Jesus writes in that dirt and saves her and forgives her, showing her there’s a reason for her birth…
You there, struggling day and night, hopeless, broken, no one sees you crying in the early morning light…or the one fighting for your life on distant shores, begging, just to survive one more day and night…
Young man, young woman, fearing what the next hour may bring…addictions and abuse leaving you homeless and confused…Where are you God? Do you even exist? Feelings of, “I’m no good, no use!”
Souls broken and dying…evil consuming their lives…they are the reason Jesus came and died…
We are born with a purpose and a high calling, one that is often overlooked because of selfishness…the self… becomes the god…I learned something today. I was reading about God being a consuming fire and came across a profound truth…I read that the first sin was not Adam eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…it was the LIE that the snake told Eve… “lason hara (evil words) “Has God said…?” Gen. 3:5
How many times has Satan come to us with his lies and we believe his evil words…We are quicker to believe the lie than the truth…why is that?
We believe the sickness more than we believe the healing…we believe the slander more than we believe the truth…we believe what we see, taste, touch, smell, feel, hear…because that is what is natural…we can’t see the invisible world…a world that is just on the-other-side-of-forever…
Our senses tell us this temporal world is where we long to be…to live forever in this fallen place…that this is home…our soul is blinded by the lie… “Has God said?”
God has said…
You are more than a conqueror.
You’ve been saved by grace.
If you ask anything in my name Jesus said, you shall have it, if you believe and don’t doubt in your heart.
Speak to this mountain and it shall be cast into the sea.
Your sins are forgiven…
Receive the Holy Ghost and Fire
I came that you would have a full, joyful life…
My grace is sufficient for you
You will live and not die
Cast all your care on me for I care for you
I love you with an everlasting love…
Life is hard. Life is messy. We can either live this life in misery and fear and anxiety and hopelessness and despair…OR…we can choose to live this life in hope, courageous, fearless, in faith, knowing and trusting in the Living God and what he says is the truth…even in our deepest, darkest moments of weakness and sickness it is so much better believing the truth than the lie…and in the end…you will have the beginning of a life without pain, without suffering you will gain everything when you live your life with the truth…
There’s a higher calling for your life…God didn’t give us sickness and death…God gave us Jesus who is life…
Satan comes to destroy everything that God created…He hates you and not only wants your soul…he wants the soul of your children for generations to come…it is so vitally important that you get this…and understand…the High calling that is on your life…it is a fight of battles…but God has given us the power through the blood of Jesus to overcome the evil…in Jesus’ name…he has given us the Holy Spirit and Holy Fire not in our own strength or might…but by His Spirit…
Our High call is to glorify God!
Even in our dis ease…even in our weakness…even in our deepest darkest hour…we must keep our focus on Jesus knowing we have already won!!!
Get self out of the way…Look full in His face and know…WE ARE VICTORIOUS, COURAGEOUS WARRIORS OF PEACE, LOVE AND JOY! FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE! FIGHTING A FOE THAT IS ALREADY BEEN BEATEN! WE ARE GOD PLEASERS…GOD WALKERS…GOD TALKERS…AND WE WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!!!
ACCEPT YOUR HIGH CALLING!!!
Jesus said, “ And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me…” John 12:32 KJV
~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 9, 2018
Exodus 14:14 New International Version (NIV) The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 20:12 New International Version (NIV) “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Isaiah 40:29 New International Version (NIV) He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:31 New International Version (NIV) but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 41:10 New International Version (NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
James 4:7 New International Version (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jeremiah 29:11 Good News Translation (GNT) I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.
Psalm 23:4 Good News Translation (GNT) Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.
Proverbs 22:6 The Message (MSG) Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.
Revelation 3:5 The Message (MSG) “Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels.”
Joshua 1:9 New International Version (NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Philippians 4:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 41:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) For I, Yahweh your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you.
John 3:16-18 The Message (MSG) “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
My favorite:
Isaiah 61:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
Good News for the Oppressed
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
Natural Hugs and Kisses to Supernatural Hugs and Kisses
Our Grand-Babies
The biggest thrill of my life is when my three-year old grandson, Elias came running into my arms to welcome me with a big hug, Friday afternoon. “Grandma, he yelled… It’s a good thing I was sitting on the couch because we both fell backward as I felt the embrace…I was delighted and a little surprised…but thrilled beyond words…Abram, my son, helped me sit up, but Elias did not let go…in fact he stayed in my arms for quite some time…there is no greater love than the love between a grandchild and grandparent…except God’s love…
Then my granddaughter Lydia, being a little shy also welcomed me with a big smile and hug…she’s two and was a little more reserved but the love was just as thrilling.
Then there is Ezra, the nine month old. I held him and would say, “I’m gonna get your sugar” and nuzzled his neck with kisses on each side and he would respond by giving me a great big open mouth smile begging for more…
And of course my beautiful Granddaughter Esperanza, she’s sweet sixteen and all grown up, but her smile and hug was like winning the billion dollar lottery…and even that doesn’t compare…Love is the most valuable gift in the Universe…it is worth living for and dying for…and that brings me to this…
When we connect with Jesus through the Holy Spirit and welcome him with hugs and kisses, running and jumping into his arms he is thrilled beyond words and he loves us right back…If you’ve never experienced that before…let me just say you are missing out on the only thing that matters in this life…Nothing compares to his love, his kisses and his hugs…if you have experienced him than you know exactly what I’m talking about…when He touches you, you are healed in body mind and spirit…you are delivered from bondage and chains…your heart sings a new song and you dance as David danced without restraint or inhibitions…and it doesn’t’ matter who’s watching or not…It doesn’t matter is someone makes fun of you or mocks you…all that matters is that it’s you and Jesus…
He’s real…he is really, really real…if you want to know him…if you feel that tugging at your heart…run, don’t walk, jump into His arms and stay there until you are changed, transformed and let him Hug you and kiss you until a big smile covers your face and you know beyond a doubt you are totally and completely loved by Him…
He’s waiting…he has come to your house today…he’s sitting on your couch and he wants to show you how very much He loves you.
(We love and miss you Olivia and Carlos and Bryan and Braden)
~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 8, 2018
Song of Solomon 1:1-3 King James Version (KJV) The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
You Make A Difference
My cousin Maria.
When I was nine months old my cousin Rosa Maria Gandy was born. I don’t know why she was given the name Rosa Maria I’ll have to ask my Aunt Rose when I talk to her again. But we all called the little girl, Maria. One of the tales I grew up with was that I bit Maria’s finger and she knocked me down some steps. We became the best of friends. We lived three houses apart on Patsy St., and we both learned to whistle without using our fingers…very loud, ear-piercing really. And we would communicate from one house to the other by sending that whistle out into the neighborhood…we were saying, “Hey. I know you are there.”
When I was about nine years old, my family and I, moved about ten miles from Rocky Creek, but Maria and I stayed connected. We were kindred spirits and we loved each other dearly. In fact later on in life after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and she had married and had a little girl and I had, four sons…I in my house and she in her house…without knowing what the other was seeking the Lord about, we would call each other and discover we had been talking to God about the very same thing…same scriptures, same thoughts, our spirits were one.
My best friend and cousin left this world when she was only 38 years old. I was devastated by the loss and I was extremely angry that she had to leave me at such a young age. As humans we do that we get angry, it’s natural…I loved God with all my heart and so did she. Why God? Why did you take her? I cried and screamed out to God but I only received silence…Maria had been a beautiful person. She was talented in music and her poems was inspiring…she had a beautiful daughter with everything to live for. She served God and was a living example of his grace. The disease took her strength, her youth and her life. And I guess rather than have her live in that condition God in His great mercy, chose to take her home. I do not for one second, believe God gave her the disease, but he allowed her to be tested in this way and I believe she passed her test. Only God knows why. He is God and I trust him but I was angry that it happened.
We all suffer loss at some time or another. It wasn’t long after my outburst with God that I had a dream. Maria came to me in my sleep. She was healthy and vibrant with a big smile on her face. I looked at her and said, “Maria, how can you be here, you’re dead.” She looked at me with great exuberance and said, “Marla, I’m not dead, I’m alive.” Then she vanished. I woke up and the grief I had been experiencing left me. I rarely dream about her or my brother or my Mom so when I do, it is for a reason.
Last night I dreamed about Maria. I walked over to her; she was sitting among some other people who I didn’t know. I started to hug her but she said, don’t touch me I’ve been sick. Then she began to sing this song to me…I don’t remember the words exactly so I’m going to write what I perceived them to be…She was saying…You make a difference.
Yesterday I didn’t have much energy I stayed on the couch most of the day and just let my body rest. So maybe the reason she came to me was to encourage in this way.
You Make a Difference
You may not know it, but eyes are watching, ears are listening and hearts are receiving the love you show to them…
You make a difference while living here; God’s not finished with you yet.
You see your life is not your own, a great price has been paid for you alone…
God in heaven sits upon his throne to attend the cares of men…
It’s only when
You surrender your life to be used of him, that you will understand…
You make a difference when you spend your time in prayer with him, when you bow your head and cry…or lift it to rejoice
You make a difference when you stand before the crowd and speak to them
The words of God penetrate the hearts of seeking men, children and women…
When you think no one is watching and you lend a helping hand…
Not asking for anything in return…but doing what Jesus did…
You make a difference in the lives around you when you give an encouraging word, or a hug, just simply love…because you can…
The wind blows without being asked, the rain waters the earth, the sun and moon shine in their own time…seasons come and go… they do what they’re created to do…
So my friend you make a difference when you choose to do, what you’re created to do…
You make a difference for just being you.
So don’t be weary or want to give up…there’s a better life ahead…
Keep doing the things that you think don’t matter…you’re making a difference keep climbing the ladder…
Keep walking, keep sharing, keep living, keep daring, and when you think that no one sees…
Life gets hard and sickness and disease, takes those you’ve grown to adore…
Heaven is our resting place, and there we’ll be restored…
Angles trod the golden streets…but wonder how we walk these streets…dusty roads and muddy places; they watch us turn our hearts to seek…the one that they adore…
Jesus made a difference He’s Christ the Lord!
If only you could see, what he sees, when he looks at you…
Making a difference in someone’s life that is what you do…
Day after day, month after month, year after year
For as long as you are here,
You will make a difference.
And always remember, Those who have gone before us with Jesus in their hearts…They are not dead, they are Alive!!!
You’ll be remembered, ‘There was one who made a difference!’
~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 3, 2018
The Little ‘Uns
The Little ’uns are those who go unseen in the crowd…
Making life better, they are humble, not proud…
Little ‘uns do the doing, unseen and unheard…
They do tremendous things without saying a word…
Little ‘uns are servants that no one ever sees…
They open doors and scrub floors and make up beds
Without lifting their heads
They live among us; do menial tasks,
Without a word, before we ask…
Ever thoughtful, no ill intent
We never see where they go, or where they went…
They take out the trash, and mow our yards; they package potatoes and grow tomatoes
They make paperclips and potato chip bags
Have you ever wondered why beds don’t sag?
The Little ‘uns pray when no one sees or hears…
They know God is watching and that He cares…
No motives for thank you’s or monetary gain…
They walk among us eager, content and plain…
Next time you sit in a four-legged chair and drink from a cup
Watch lights way up there…
Think about this…they did not magically appear…
No spider spun…
That was simply the work of the Little ‘uns…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 28, 2018
Colossians 3:23 New International Version (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Is it Worth it
Is it worth it?
Will it be, worth it?
Questions of the heart and mind leave me speechless, leave me blind
Then looking full upon His face
A definite surrendered heart bows, to His, unfailing grace
Worth it and then some!
Worth giving up the hell of defeat, sleepless nights and weeping I repeat…
God help me stand upon my weary feet…
…One more day…
Worth it to have a life of peace, when otherwise,
Your heart shattered, and beaten without release…
Worth it to know when I’ve breathed my last breath
I’ll be with him and never know death…
Worth the trials and all the tests…to know Jesus will give me rest…
Worth it all, to have confidence and faith, knowing that God has promised…
Life here and life to come…Knowing Jesus I’ve overcome; now my race is won…
Worth the fight and worth the fear
Worth the battle and worth the tears
Worth the pain and suffering, worth the struggle,
Worth remains…
When we accept His love and share…
His worth becomes revealed
You see, there is no one here,
No woman or man, who can save you from life’s despair,
No one to rescue you from death…
Beware…
There is only One!
What it takes, is faith…in Jesus Christ, God’s son!
The worth is in the value…
The value, priceless…debt, paid in full
Your worth won’t come through material gain
It’s not in a place, or through great fame…
It’s only through one, whose precious name…
Is Jesus Christ!
Follow Him…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 27, 2018
John 19:30 English Standard Version (ESV) When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Tetelestai (Greek) means: TETELESTAI “IT IS FINISHED” “PAID IN FULL”
Matthew 13:45-46 New King James Version (NKJV) The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The God-Revealer
Voice-of-Thunder blasting out…Make straight for the way of the Lord
He’s coming as a gentle dove, filled with grace and spreading love…
Born of virgin, one-of-a-kind, healing the sick, healing the blind…
The Light-of-Life is among us, this is now the time…
I am not the Christ…you seek…I am sent to prepare the way for the meek
To wash and scrub your sins away, in the Jordan River, I’m here to say, Messiah, the Christ, is here today…
God-Begotten, God’s Passover Lamb, This is He; the Great I AM…
Will you follow Him?
Washed in the water, Holy Spirit descends,
God of Heaven rejoices…Please listen to Him…
This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased…
God in the Spirit is calling these…to follow Jesus, the Christ…
Jesus calls Andrew to follow…Andrew, tells his brother Simon Peter…and so the story goes…
This present day He’s still calling…each and every name he knows…
God-Revealer to all of those…who take up their cross and follow…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 27, 2018
John Chapter One… (The Message Bible)
There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
Woman, at the Feet of Jesus
April 17, 2010
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).
Do you have a younger sister? I do. There have been so many perspectives written about this story and I’d like to share mine with you.
I have a birth sister, a half-sister, a step sister, I am the oldest. I also have sisters in the Lord. And I can tell you if I was doing all the cooking, and cleaning and my sister was sitting listening to this wonderful teacher and in my heart I knew he was the Messiah, I would want to be sitting right there too. But knowing, if I didn’t get dinner done we wouldn’t have anything to eat that night, I’d say the same thing Martha said. “Jesus, tell Mary to help me!”
But in reading this story and the story of Lazarus’s death I think Jesus was preparing the two sisters for what was going to happen to their brother. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” In other words, “No Martha, I am not going to tell her to help you. You should be sitting here too!”
Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to die he waited four days to go to him. He knew that he would raise him from the dead. He also knew what their reactions would be. But these were his friends and as the story unfolds they come to realize just who Jesus, really is.
In John 11:2 Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair. Did you know (As far back as 1957, Emotional tears contain more beta-endorphins, some of our bodies’ natural pain relievers, and protein.) Taken from the article HAVE A GOOD CRY By Victor M. Parachin
Mary remembered what he said to her in Martha’s kitchen and she knows what will be coming to her friend. Not the full extent of the suffering he will go through but enough to know she wants to do something very special for him. So with all the love and care she has for him, she gives to him freely an act of respect and kindness she washes the feet of the Messiah, he is her savior and so she anoints him.
Do you ever put yourself in these stories? Do you ever wonder what you’re response would be? I’m sure I can see me, as, Martha, but after doing a bit of soul-searching I know I would have a change of heart sigh and say, “OK, Lord I hear you. I’ll take a little while and sit at your feet.” Oh, what a refreshing, what peace fills my soul. There really is nothing that can compare to being in his presence.
Why do we let the cares and distractions of this world prevent us from sitting at Jesus’ feet?
Stop what you are doing right now…sit at his feet…look into his face by faith … and praise Him.
Put your name in this space “______________, __________ choose the better part.” Jesus is speaking are you listening?
©Written by: Miriam aka Marla Shaw O’Neill 2010
I wrote this in 2010…it is now 2018. Recently I’ve been in a growing spurt…I’ve come to recognize that when I become agitated and everything seems to “bother me” I pray…”Lord I don’t want to be like this…help me to be more like you…” That is my prayer it seems that this has been a life long prayer…and it always will be, as long as I’m on this side of heaven. My heart has cried out, as never before, lately…”Holy Spirit, show me Jesus…help me to know Him, walk with Him…not gifts or privileges…not stuff…give me more of Jesus… ” You know when we ask to draw closer to Him…trails come…not to torture us or make us uncomfortable not to torment us or shatter us…but to change us…to mold us so that we will be more like Him. We have to decrease so that He will increase…so if you are longing to be more like Him…don’t be afraid to ask him…he won’t hurt you…he will do everything in his power to answer that prayer…you just have to relax and let Him do the operation…the recovery will be sweet and on the other side of that trial you will be blessed with peace, and you will become a little more like Him. All it takes is sitting at His feet, listening in the Spirit and surrendering to His love.
Proclaim, I’m Healed, Saved, Set Free, Delivered
There is chaos all around
Trouble, hurt and pain
What does this life have to offer?
What gain?
People fighting and arguing; accusing; full of bitterness and blame
Even your children, Jesus, take your name in vain…
Nation against nation, neighbor against neighbor
Relationships broken, no rest, no peace, storms within, and storms without
Yelling and screaming, no one will hear us even if we shout!
In the midst of angry, weary souls…
God your mercy never ends…for you have told us so…
I love you children
Stop fighting and listen to me…
Look up at the sky; the sun you’ll see…
There are flowers in the sunshine
They still grow and they do not whine…
The mountain tops are majestic they stand the test of time…
See the stars in the heavens and the moon she shines…
Even in the darkness she’s there, she’s mine…
Laughter is still heard in the children as they play
Chaos may be everywhere but my joy can take it away…
See the ocean running to and fro…she knows just how far her borders can go…
Listen to the birds as they sing, the good news, tis a melodious song
Just one moment of your time, it won’t take long…
Days and nights spent crying, fear and unbelief, too much hurt, too much grief…
Oh won’t you look at me?
For in your most horrid moments I am taking care of thee…
You can’t hear me when you’re screaming…
You can’t see me when you’re fighting
You can’t love me when you hate
You can’t believe me when you’re in doubt, so much is at stake
You can’t trust me when you fear
Lies and death are sailing on the raging storm down here…
But if you will open up your heart and let my love come in
Even in insanity…you’ll see my grace poured out and win…
For even in the fire life is purified…
Even in the pain new life begins again
Even in the turmoil where evil tries to reign
My love will never falter, it forever remains…
Steadfast, immovable, unquenchable, attainable, concrete, nailed to the cross complete, and nothing, and no one can pluck you from my hand…for the blood of Jesus sustains…but you must proclaim…
I’m healed, saved, set free, and delivered, in Jesus, my son’s name!! Amen.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 21, 2018
Psalm 107:29 New International Version (NIV) He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
Psalm 144:2 New International Version (NIV) He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
Isaiah 54:10 New International Version (NIV) Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
The Rose
