I dreamed last night that my sister showed me a picture of mom, herself and me. But I could only see a part of my face. Then she pushed a button and it became a video. Everything was shown in color. We moved to a suburb in Tampa when we were about nine and ten years old; into a brand new house. Coming from very humble surroundings this was a whole new world and life for us. In the dream the video showed the yellow and orange shag carpet, paneled walls, with all of us laughing…then it all went kind of fuzzy and I said the word, righteousness…and I woke up.
This afternoon I felt a tugging on my heart and I said, “What Lord? What is it?” I looked on my coffee table at my Bible and I was nudged to pick it up and read from the Psalms…so I opened my Bible and flipped to Psalm 145 and read it out loud…
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love.
My heart needed to praise the LORD at that moment…so the Holy Spirit pointed my attention to His WORD!!
God is always faithful and He loves His children…if you are down cast today, if you are wondering how you’re going to make it, if you are feeling alone and afraid…frustrated by life’s circumstances…open your mouth and begin to give God praise…He will lift the burden and the loneliness from you and you’ll see everything in living color…when we begin to see others, and look at them through love it doesn’t matter if we are seen or not…Because His face is the one we will be looking into every time we look at one of His creations…it will be His Righteousness shining through us…gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love.
Psalm 145…read it out loud and bless the Lord…and you will be blessed!
I was a woman caught in adultery, sentenced, and condemned to die…He did not accuse me; he set me free from all the lies… John 8: 1-11
I was a leper who came back to say thank you, for healing me, once hiding; I was unclean, unloved and unseen…Luke 17:11-19
I was a soldier arresting Christians; I nailed the Messiah to a tree Luke 23:26-43
I was just a boy with some fishes and bread, but I watched multitudes as they were fed John 6:9
I was a girl sick and dead…but raised to life when he touched my head Mark 5:21-43
I was a woman with five husbands; going to fetch water from a well, when he began to tell my history…no longer a mystery, I drank long and full never to thirst again, from his unending well… John 4:18
I was a fisherman tending my nets at the shore of Galilee, when he said, “Come follow me.” Matthew 4:19
I was a rich, young ruler, I kept the law of the land…but I could not give up my wealth to follow him. I walked away from all of them… Mark 10:17-27
I was a thief I stole for a living, they hung me next to him. I deserved what I was getting, but not him… he said, I’d be with him that day in paradise…he paid for me the total price…No one had ever done anything for me, until Jesus, he is truly the Christ. Luke 23:39-43
I was a disciple, I kept the books, but in the garden I saw the looks, when I betrayed my best friend, and then, I went and hung myself…it was a bitter end…John 18:1-5 & Matthew 27:3-10
I was a woman, bent and bleeding for twelve years…I had shed many tears…but one day I touched the garment of the Rabbi who came to my town and looking around, he knew someone had been healed…faith was all it took, in his eyes, his love shook my very core…I had been set free by that one touch from the Lord…Luke 8:43-48
I was blind from birth. I had no worth. But soon I could see men like trees, then fully my eyes were opened and I beheld the King. Clay and spittle he put in my eyes, and within moments I realized, forever my soul was lit…for I could see not just physically but spiritually. John 9:1-11 & Mark 8:24
Who are you today? What stands in your way of knowing the Master’s touch? Listen woman, man, boy, girl…he’s standing right beside you. He’s in others passing by. He’s there in your bedroom late at night where he sees you cry…He’s there on your job. Oh won’t you at least try…He’s there when you’re driving, cooking, sleeping, buying, weeping…he’s always by your side…
Are you like the blind man, who could not see? Are you like the soldier still nailing him to a tree? Are you like the leper, or woman at the well, who no one sees…it doesn’t matter…because, He sees you right where you are…
These were real people with real stories…they are recorded in His book…open it up and take a look…and remember…you are someone with a story too…
He’s the same yesterday, today and forever…
Who are you?
You are someone with a story, may it be told well…
Would you squander all your earnings, live in a barren town?
Would you dance the dance of sin and shame…?
Would you waste your youth on vanity and ruin your good name…?
Would you cry alone, unending nights?
Try to take your life?
You see, I wasn’t always in all this finery, as you so plainly put it…
It was one dark night with everything lost, I cried in despair to a God I thought no longer cared…
Responding to the Shepherd’s voice I clung to Him and made my choice
Leaving the sin of my discarded life behind…
I took up my cross and followed the one who brought me to His blessed breast
He took my heart of stone…
And there I was redeemed…
These earthly things you envy Sir are not the things I sought
For peace and rest cannot be gained in the market place to be bought…
Only Jesus and His saving grace, will give you what you seek…
All these things are temporal; they’ll decay and fade away…
But what I have is eternal, given freely to all who believe and pray
You see, Jesus Christ, lived and died, to wipe our sin away
So if you want, what I have, Sir, then ask Jesus to come inside…
He’ll transform your life and bless you, more than you could ever dream
Earth’s wealth and riches, are not what they often seem…
It’s Him, who lives inside of me, which gives my life meaning…
If you’ll give your heart to Him alone; make Him your reason for living…
If you’ll lose your life for His sake, you’ll gain your life by giving…
Hope to the hopeless, faith to the faithless, peace to the restless, grace to the graceless,
You’ll gain God’s favor, which is priceless, and you’ll never, ever, be poor again.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 30, 2018
Matthew 16:24-26 Good News Translation (GNT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me. For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it. Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life.
A number of years ago I was feeling hurt and lonely. I knelt before the Lord and cried and prayed with deep unspeakable sounds. Emotional pain so deep I could hardly breathe.
“Lord who am I? What am I here for? Who even knows my name?” I poured out my heart to the Lord and I heard Him say, “Marla, I am giving you a new name.” I was stunned and surprised and thrilled all at the same time; that the God of heaven would speak to me. But that is what He longs to do. He called me Seritzah and told me it meant treasure. I was amazed. So, I got up and went to Google to look it up. I didn’t find any name like it, so I knew it had to have come from the Holy Spirit. I wrote it down and kept it.
Today I was reminded about it and wrote this poem. The scriptures say, He will give us a new name in heaven. Lots of times God changed people’s names even while still on earth. There was Abraham and Sarah. He changed Jacob to Israel. There is Peter and many more…so why not Marla, to Seritzah…?
It doesn’t matter if you believe or not…I believe, because God has called us His treasure. Seritzah, is His special name for me. I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit speaks to me and confirms to me, it is Him speaking to me, over and over again.
It’s happened to many times to be a coincident which I don’t believe in. There is a reason for everything and when we are truly His treasure…we know his voice when he speaks. Amen.
Seritzah
A new name I give to you
Because you’ve been a pleasure
Devoted and faithful, I will call you
Seritzah, my treasure
A name known only to me, and the angels,
In the heavenly courts of the King
You are a rare and lovely treasure…
A gem that cannot be measured…
More precious than anything
If known to earth-beings…they’d sell
All they have for just one glimpse
Of this pure and undefiled gemstone
More brilliant than a diamond…
More costly than gold…
More precious than a cultured pearl
Is this gem alone…
Your heart once full of sin and strife
Broken, beaten, you cried out for new life…
New life came in and changed everything…
Your heart of stone was transformed and became
A living sacrifice
Humble, contrite, pliable in my hands, yielding to love’s true selfless demands…
You were a treasure found among debris
Putrid, morbid, lost humanity…if not for my grace you’d be
Lost in a darkened, forgotten sea…
Turbulent funnels…
Waves higher than mountains forging through unknown tunnels…
More powerful than a hurricane
Horrors no one should ever see…
But my grace, rescued thee…
Seritzah, my treasure…
You are loved by me…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 28, 2018
Deuteronomy 7:6 New Living Translation (NLT) For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.
Revelation 2:17 King James Version (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that over cometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Ezekiel 36:26 King James Version (KJV) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
Isaiah 62:2 King James Version (KJV) And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
They’re humble and meek, and persistent even when they are weak
They are the ones who work in silence
Doing what is right
Working and praying all through a starlit, chilling night…
These ‘little ones’ are stronger, more powerful, in love and deed
Not flowers mostly weeds…
Working without glory…their actions tell their story…
Louder than any shout
They are the ones who give their lives, most times doing without
They are the invisible ones; no one knows their name…
These “little ones” are watching, never asking for a reward
They live among us quietly; their hearts are for the Lord…
They are seen as the least in the kingdom
But great in God’s eyes are they
Not because of prestige, or fame, or wealth, they are the lowly ones
No pride, full of faith, no doubt
God gives favor to these “little ones”
No one sees their worth
But God knows them each by name; he called them from their birth…
And blessed them and said, the meek will inherit the earth…
These are the ones who pray, when no one is looking
These are the ones who stay to clean up long after the cooking…
They are workers, mothers, brothers, and sisters, teachers, janitors, laymen
Ignored by society…
They receive no notoriety
But God in heaven has written their names in His Hall of Fame.
“Little ones,” behold, they are loved more than anything…
If you want to be great in God’s kingdom,
Become one of His little ones.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 25, 2018
Matthew 18:1-5 New International Version (NIV)
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Did you expect a prophet of the court, prophesying for pay?
He was a true prophet, preaching and showing the way.
John was not swayed by the pomp of men…
He was courageous, baptizer, he did not bend
He was not a reed shaken by the wind…
A new Elijah; family; friend…
Pointing to the one who could forgive sin…
No one greater would ever compare to this wilderness walker
Deliverance talker…nothing to gain except the approval of His God
He proclaimed…
Prepare ye the way of the Lord!
Did you hear? Did you listen?
No, you are…
Spoiled, unruly, children, complaining to your friends
We played your wedding songs but you did not dance…
So funeral songs were played, but you did not mourn…
Ungrateful…you wear your face of scorn…
Woe to you Bethsaida, woe to you Korazin! Remember Tyre and remember Sidon?
Repent and turn to God, but if you will not…
Then this will be your destiny…worse for you on Judgement day…
And Capernaum, no honor in heaven for you…it’s down to the place of the dead…instead.
Great miracles you’ve seen but they mean nothing…
What did you go out to see; a reed shaken in the wind?
John did not break and he did not bend…
God’s favor is poured upon the head of him…
His life greater than all of them…
He shouts…
MESSIAH HAS COME AND WILL COME AGAIN!
Listen, Jesus is praying…
He will come with a sword!
Look to the east, see the Lord…
Riding on the wind!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 25, 2018
Matthew 11:7-24 New Living Translation (NLT)
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’
“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’
For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
Judgment for the Unbelievers
Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.
“And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
Is your soul parched and dry…the heat of the sun causing cracks in the ground, no life in the hardened heart, because of dehydration? Is your mind racing, searching for something, wondering, but you don’t understand why?
You’re dizzy and numb, looking for truth but living lies? You’re so thirsty that your mouth is like the sand of the desert…the mirage of false hope keeps you staggering along the wayside? You struggle but nothing is real, you can’t even cry…
The grave looks good, so why even try?
Do you fill empty, and lost? Like quick-sand you’re in a bog, sucked down in unreachable places, where no one sees and no one cares, you’re in a dark, bottomless pit…
Alone in the night you cry and sit?
Wandering in the daylight, you wear a disguise which perfectly fits…
Your smile is plastic …you’re the jester, the clown; pretending on the outside, but inside you, frown?
The water of this world is polluted, it looks good, but you’re deluded…
Come with me, I’ll show you where the living waters flow…where you’ll never thirst again…I know of an artesian well, but it’s not a place…and you’ll want to dwell; forever in these waters…
There is a mighty, rushing river, where living waters flow, giving life along the river-banks and everywhere it goes…this river goes far and wide, beyond stars and moon into heaven’s skies…it floods the earth from north, south, east and west…bringing with it peace and rest…one drink from this river and you’ll never thirst again…dive into the river and let new life begin.
You see, Jesus is the river of life, he promised if you’d believe in him that rivers of living waters would flow, from your belly and even though…you may find it quite unusual, just open your heart and let them flow…you’ll never be the same, after drinking these waters in Jesus name…Jesus is standing, hear him proclaim… “COME TO ME AND DRINK…LET THE LIVING WATERS FLOW…
JUMP IN THE RIVER… IT WILL SATURATE YOUR SOUL…
I AM THE RIVER…BECAUSE OF ME YOU’LL KNOW…
Life, peace, purpose, light, kindness, fullness of joy and revealing sight…I am the river of life…”
If you are thirsty, come and drink the living water of Christ!
When you believe in Jesus and come to him and drink, he promises that Out of your belly…YOUR BELLY, will flow rivers of living water…touching, restoring, transforming, giving hope to other thirsty souls, who once just like you want to be made whole….in Jesus name, come and drink…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 24, 2018
A Definition of artesian well. 1 : a well in which water is under pressure; especially : one in which the water flows to the surface naturally. 2 : a deep well.
John 7:37-38 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
Now in the last and great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
He that believeth in me, as saith the Scripture, out of his belly shall flow rivers of water of life.
Beauty is vain; youth is fleeting; it never remains…
Time passes; moment by moment life has its gain…
Age comes at a snail’s pace, tic toc, tic toc
A look in the mirror, what a shock…
Hair fallen; what’s left turns to gray…
Teeth once white and straight have gone away…
Strong and vibrant, muscles taunt, physically and mentally fit…
Now shuffle along to quickly sit…
Here’s to the ones who have come and gone…they dance among the stars…
For soon the elder ones, they too, will take their leave and depart…
Live on, youth… and be all that you can be…
Make a difference in the life you’re given…
Be wiser, kinder, protectors of the earth…
Your birth is worth…
Giving while you’re living…
Tic Toc…goes the clock…
Too soon, you’ll be getting off at the last stop…
You never know when your time will be
Live in faith, and you will see
Age is a gift…we must treasure
The cycle of life can’t be measured
Life is perpetual…
But,
The clock is swift…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 22, 2018
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New Life Version (NLV)
Life Now—Life in Heaven
This is the reason we do not give up. Our human body is wearing out. But our spirits are getting stronger every day. The little troubles we suffer now for a short time are making us ready for the great things God is going to give us forever. We do not look at the things that can be seen. We look at the things that cannot be seen. The things that can be seen will come to an end. But the things that cannot be seen will last forever.
Psalm 92:12-14 New King James Version (NKJV)
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,
Proverbs 17:6 New King James Version (NKJV) Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.
James 4:14 New King James Version (NKJV) whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Psalm 71:9 New King James Version (NKJV) Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
Job 12:12 New King James Version (NKJV) Wisdom is with aged men, And with length of days, understanding.
Lord, all you give to me, I am grateful for and I agree
That if this place you are sending me, is to be a place, where others are freed
Then Lord, I am pleased to go, to this place of solitude
Where words of life are bestowed upon your sons and daughters, and all those who,
Need your love, more than they need air to breathe
Need your strength, let your joy be conceived
Need your hope, where in the battles they bleed
Need your peace, to lay down their worries, and there succeed
Draw me to your solitude…for that is where I’ll be found in you…
God, I surrender, let all I do…
Be done to glorify you…
Solitude is a place of quiet release…a place where we meet, face to face
A place of refreshing from the human race…
Thank you God for this place, called Solitude.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 22, 2018
Song of Solomon 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV) My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away.
Luke 5:16 Amplified Bible (AMP) But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion].
Matthew 14:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB) After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
(This photo is just an example)
