Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

I prayed for a young woman last week she said she used to read her Bible and study God’s word and she’d pray. She said she just doesn’t do it anymore…she asked me to pray for her.

I prayed, and as I prayed, I sensed an overwhelming love for her, a love that Jesus has for her and I told her, “God loves you so much.”

She looked at me and said, “How do you know? How do you know God loves you?”

I looked at her with all the love and compassion I could give and said, “He died for you…he loves you so much he gave his life for you. That’s how I know.”

How do you know Jesus loves you?

I can only tell you what he’s done for me…

When I was growing up I felt unloved, abandoned, afraid of everything…I grew up with lots of insecurities and fear. Relationships were strained and difficult. I didn’t know why…I just figured I wasn’t worth much and my broken home must have been because of me. I was just a child…we were poor and didn’t think about counselors in those days…we all just got through it the best we could…

I asked Jesus to come into my heart at an early age but I didn’t really understand what all that meant…I mean, I knew that something had happened in my heart…I knew I wanted this love Jesus was offering…but I didn’t fully understand, until I was much older and had gone through many trials…

We all have questions and doubts and fears…things unknown that we are not certain of, people hurt us…we hurt people…but when I began to surrender my life, my will, my emotions, my strength, to the one who held all the answers…when I humbled myself and truly fell in love with Jesus…I began to hear the Holy Spirit say, “Jesus loves you.”

How? How can he love me? I’m a, nobody, with nothing to offer anyone…I don’t’ have a college degree…I don’t have money…or prestige…I’m a, nobody, but I learned that…

“Jesus died for me, and He makes me, a, somebody, in Him…and you have everything to offer because of Him…”

It’s so simple…

It’s not a bunch of rules and regulations with Jesus…

He doesn’t put chains and yokes on you…

He breaks chains and says, His yoke is easy and His burden is light…

How do I know Jesus loves me?

His Spirit lives inside of me…He takes all my fears and doubts away…He said my grace is sufficient for you…He says, I give you peace…come walk with me.

When I’m sick he heals me and holds me in the midst of every trial and because he has helped me over and over again…I trust in Him…I trust Him with my life and the life of my children…no matter what!

Throughout my life he has proven that He loves me. When I couldn’t love myself, when I couldn’t love others, when all I wanted to do was run and hide, even thoughts of taking my life…He put people in my life that showed me I could survive and thrive…

When death came to loved ones…He carried me…and dried my tears…he comforted me and walked me all the way through it…even to this day.

When people talked about me behind my back and laughed at me and thought I’d never amount to anything…Jesus loved me through it all…He said, for every heartache I give you joy…for every failure I’ll raise you up…for all the stones thrown I’ll build you a home…keep your eyes on me.

I found in His book of love…the story of His life and I fell in love with him…because He loved me first…He is my first love…and nothing or no one can ever take that away from me.

Oh how he loves me…Oh how he loves you…if you will open your heart and have faith in Him…he will walk on water to show you just how very much he loves you…He’ll take you all the way to Calvary, show you his wounds, how he was persecuted, humiliated, and hung on a cross, to show you just how much he loves you…He did all that for you and me.

I didn’t have a daddy growing up…but I have a Papa who has been my daddy, my savior, my best friend…he’s never lied to me…he’s never cheated on me…never abandoned me, never beaten me, he’s given me a home and family that is more than I could ever imagine…he has blessed me and given me favor…he gives me hope and life…How do I know He loves me…

I know…because He said so; in his word and he showed me by forgiving me and setting my feet on a solid foundation…For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever (you/me) believes in Him will never perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (He will do the same for you too if you will ask him!)

He loves you so very much!!!

I learned a little song when I was just a girl…that says…

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to him belong, they are weak but He is strong…Yes, Jesus love me…Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me…the Bible tells me so…

And I am telling you today…Jesus loves you!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 17, 2018

Proverbs 3:3-5 King James Version (KJV) Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

1 John 4:16 King James Version (KJV) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:19 King James Version (KJV) We love him, because he first loved us.

1 Corinthians 13:2 The Message (MSG) If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

Isaiah 49:13-26 The Message (MSG)

Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead!
Mountains, send up cheers!
God has comforted his people.
He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.

But Zion said, “I don’t get it. God has left me.
My Master has forgotten I even exist.”

“Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,
walk away from the baby she bore?
But even if mothers forget,
I’d never forget you—never.
Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.
The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.
Your builders are faster than your wreckers.
The demolition crews are gone for good.
Look up, look around, look well!
See them all gathering, coming to you?
As sure as I am the living God”—God’s Decree—
“you’re going to put them on like so much jewelry,
you’re going to use them to dress up like a bride.

“And your ruined land?
Your devastated, decimated land?
Filled with more people than you know what to do with!
And your barbarian enemies, a fading memory.
The children born in your exile will be saying,
‘It’s getting too crowded here. I need more room.’
And you’ll say to yourself,
‘Where on earth did these children come from?
I lost everything, had nothing, was exiled and penniless.
So who reared these children?
How did these children get here?’”

The Master, God, says:

“Look! I signal to the nations,
I raise my flag to summon the people.
Here they’ll come: women carrying your little boys in their arms,
men carrying your little girls on their shoulders.
Kings will be your babysitters,
princesses will be your nursemaids.
They’ll offer to do all your drudge work—
scrub your floors, do your laundry.
You’ll know then that I am God.
No one who hopes in me ever regrets it.”

Can plunder be retrieved from a giant,
prisoners of war gotten back from a tyrant?
But God says, “Even if a giant grips the plunder
and a tyrant holds my people prisoner,
I’m the one who’s on your side,
defending your cause, rescuing your children.
And your enemies, crazed and desperate, will turn on themselves,
killing each other in a frenzy of self-destruction.
Then everyone will know that I, God,
have saved you—I, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

1 John 4:10 The Message (MSG) God Is Love

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.

Psalm 42:8; Eph. 5:2; Psalm 94:18; 1John 4:11; John 14:21; Gal. 5:22-23; John 13:34; 1 Jn 4:9; Psalm 86:5; Eph. 2:4-5; Prov. 3:11-12; Rev. 3:19 and on and on and on…

As I was reading my Bible this morning I came across this information. I was prompted in my spirit to write it out and share it. Read it prayerfully and keep an open heart and mind. God’s word is true. When you begin to have a hunger and thirst for more of God He will more than gladly fill that hunger by filling you with more of Himself …the Holy Spirit is not someone to be afraid of He is someone to be embraced he is the promise Jesus said would come and live in us…Ask and you shall receive…Seek and you shall find…Knock and the door will be opened to you…

I could not have survived this life without His help, guidance and comfort…He comes to show us more of Jesus’ great love. The more you receive, the more you give. The more you give, the more you’ll receive…

Doctrine –

Holy Spirit

In John 14:16, Jesus promised that He would give another Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who would be with them forever. Once Jesus returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit would in a sense stand in the Lord’s place. He would be their helper, interpreter, witness, and revealer. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit in their fullness will be with the believer who obeys and loves Him (Jesus).

The Greek work translated “Counselor” (parakleton, “advocate, helper, intercessor, comforter”) links the preposition para (“near or alongside”) with the verb kaleo (“call or summon”). The Holy Spirit is called alongside believers to give help and advice:

·         He is a person;

·         He is God;

·         He has unique functions within the divine triunity.

Fire, oil, water, and a dove are symbols used to represent the Holy Spirit’s presence, as is wind or breath (Gk pneuma). The neuter case of this word does not justify viewing the person of the Holy Spirit merely as an impersonal power or force. The references to the Spirit affirm His intellect, emotion and will (v 17; 15:26; 16:7, 13), and personal pronouns are appropriate and necessary in reference to Him.

“Another” (Gk allon, specifically “another of the same kind,” 14:16) is a key word. The Holy Spirit comes from the Father, and He is commissioned by the Son (15:26). The Spirit’s deity is full and not subordinated in any way; rather this “procession” testifies to the operation or function within the Godhead. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit is not new on the scene, for the Spirit actively participated in creation (Gn 1:2), has been calling out individuals in specific tasks (Jdg 3:10; 13:25; 14:6), was as an agent in baptism (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33), and effects the new birth (3:5). What was new after Jesus’ departure was the intimate and permanent indwelling fo the Spirit in the heart of every believer (15:26;cp. Ac 2:33; 5:31-32). That indwelling or baptism of the Spirit comes at the moment of conversion and never ceases.

At conversion, the Holy Spirit acts as a seal or guarantee of salvation (Eph 1:13; 4:30). In the Christian’s life, the Spirit bestows the fruit of Christlike virtues (Gl 5:22-23) and distributes gifts equipping believers to do the work of the kingdom (Rm 12:3-13; 1Co 12:1-11; Eph 4:7-16; 1 Pt 4:10-11). God acts through, reveals His will to, and empowers His children to do His work by means of His Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s indwelling of the believer is instantaneous and permanent, but believers may pursue the “filling” of the Spirit, and from that filling comes the real power (Eph 5:18).

The work of the Holy Spirit is not as visible as that of the Father and Son, since His function is to glorify the Son, not calling attention to Himself. Still He has specific work to do…

·         Teaching or illuminating God’s Word (Jn 14:26; 16:13)

·         Reproving, convicting, and judging (16:8-11);

·         Regenerating (3:5);

·         Praying and interceding for believers (Rm 8:26);

·         Comforting (Jn 14:16);

·         Renewing (Ti 3:5);

·         Guiding into truth (Jn 16:13);

·         Empowering (Mt 28:19-20; Ac 1:8);

·         Testifying (Jn 15:26); and

·         Restraining evil (2 Th 2:6-7).

The Holy Spirit Inspired the writers of Scripture and the prophets:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Good News Translation (GNT -) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.

1 Peter 1:21-22 Good News Translation (GNT) – Through him you believe in God, who raised him from death and gave him glory; and so your faith and hope are fixed on God.

Now that by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves and have come to have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart.

Numbers 11:29 Good News Translation (GNT -) Moses answered, “Are you concerned about my interests? I wish that the Lord would give his spirit to all his people and make all of them shout like prophets!”

Ezekiel 2:1-7 The Message (MSG) – It said, “Son of man, stand up. I have something to say to you.”

The moment I heard the voice, the Spirit entered me and put me on my feet. As he spoke to me, I listened.

He said, “Son of man, I’m sending you to the family of Israel, a rebellious nation if there ever was one. They and their ancestors have fomented rebellion right up to the present. They’re a hard case, these people to whom I’m sending you—hardened in their sin. Tell them, ‘This is the Message of God, the Master.’ They are a defiant bunch. Whether or not they listen, at least they’ll know that a prophet’s been here. But don’t be afraid of them, son of man, and don’t be afraid of anything they say. Don’t be afraid when living among them is like stepping on thorns or finding scorpions in your bed. Don’t be afraid of their mean words or their hard looks. They’re a bunch of rebels. Your job is to speak to them. Whether they listen is not your concern. They’re hardened rebels.

This information was taken from my Study Bible for Women Holman Christian Standard Bible®

(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible® and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.)

And remember…Don’t just seek the gift; Seek the Giver of the gift (Jesus)……He spoke that to me when I was about 12 years old…I never forgot it. What a story that is…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 15, 2018

There is a name above all the rest

When spoken, brings peace, and blessedness

To those whose hearts are beckoning Him in

Open up, and let life begin…

A name the angels whisper

Yeshua…Yeshua…God with us…

A name when spoken, make,

Demons tremble

Mountains quake

Rivers overflow

Thirsty drink…

Old souls dance

Young souls romance

The one, true lover, of their soul…

His name will restore all that is torn and make you whole

Heal brokenness and give assuredness

To the seeking, longing, He gives deliverance

His name holds nations together

Fights battles He’s already won

Takes shattered, beaten, defeated lives

Helps them run…

God calls Him, Son…

I call Him…Jesus…

For, He, is, the lover of my soul…

Comforter, helper, teacher, counselor

Behold!

His Name…Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

My lips will forever speak your name…

My heart is forever yours and will remain…

Faithful, humble, merciful, meek…

Jesus…bends to kiss my cheek…

Daughter…I know whom you seek…

There is no sweeter sound to hear

Than when someone you love, draws oh, so, near…

Whispering, they say my name,  and there is no fear…

Smiling, my eyes fill with tears, my heart overflows

with Joy as I proclaim…

A precious jewel within your crown…

I give you now…

Even though you are earthbound…

My name spoken will resound…

With miracles, of salvation, healing and new ground

Let, spirit-man…soar and take flight…

To heavens portals…

Beyond your sight…

Speak my name and hear the sound…

Holy Spirit…let fire fall…

Wind of heaven…give to all…

Revealing to them,

Who, I AM!!

~Jesus

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 14, 2018 

Matthew 28:18-20 New King James Version (NKJV) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Ephesians 1:19-22 New King James Version (NKJV) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Philippians 2:9-10 New King James Version (NKJV) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

 

 

Thank you for the rain, Papa…

Pouring steady, upon our land, bringing fresh water delivered by your hand…

As if you tipped the water pitcher and let it fall

To wash and refresh the air when you call…

The trees and grass and flowers and all

Come drink…Come drink…Come drink

Freely it falls from the Gardener’s hand…

Little children running around, splashing and laughing

Oh hear the sound…

Giggles while playing they dance around…

Take my heart and make it brand new

So I can dance and play with you too…

Take all the things that hurt and pull me down

Replace it with rain, washing away everything, that’s bound

New hope and peace let the water flow

I will praise you Papa, everywhere I go…

No need for an umbrella, for this water is clean

Come drink, come drink from the fountain of the King…

Let the rain fall and drench everything…

Washing our souls; a new song we’ll sing…

All fear and war and disease must cease

While letting the rain bring love and peace…

I hear you call…

Come drink…come drink…come drink

The water of life freely…

Completely, deeply and sweetly

Thank you for the rain Papa

Refreshing, restoring the soul…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 14, 2018

Revelation 22:17 New Living Translation (NLT) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

 

Holy Spirit, anoint my lips so that I will speak your truth and tell of your goodness in the land of the living…

Let me shout from the rooftops, My God reigns! Jesus is Lord! You rescue, you save, you deliver, you set free…You be exalted above all the earth…I will rise and praise my God…forever amen!!!

Maybe you come from a place of abuse, poverty, drunkenness, promiscuity, broken family and broken dreams, uneducated…maybe you never even had a dream of being anything more than what you are or offering your fellow people anything, because you never knew you were anything, it may never have even crossed your mind. But somewhere in your lineage someone prayed for you…and God heard…and God answered…

You are not alone. You are not trash. You are not ugly, fat, and no good. You will amount to something…Because Jesus came…He came to save the lost…to heal the broken-hearted and to break the chains of bondage, Satan has on you…The anointing of Jesus, destroys every steel rope that ties you. He restores your life and delivers you from alcoholism, drugs, obesity, insecurities, lies, sexual perversions, gambling, hoarding, greed, guilt, shame, disease, lack… whatever the chains are, Jesus will transform your life, if you will give it to Him…there is no better hands to be in than in His hands.

You will need to be accountable to someone…someone who knows God’s word and who lives the God life…someone who will tell you the truth and show you the right way; someone who knows the word of God and lives it. You will need to make a commitment to God and to yourself and if you fall down, get back up. It is not an instant fix. It is a moment by moment decision to walk with Jesus. I promise, if you will follow Him, your life will be totally and completely changed for the good.

It will not be easy…it will seem almost impossible at times…but He said you-can-do-it with His help. And when you are strong and delivered, help someone else, who, was just like you, to overcome and to become just like Him.

You see we aren’t on this journey just for ourselves…we have been put here to follow Jesus and to help others follow him.

I know because I was once lost and struggling…I came from a broken home. But someone was praying for me. I surrendered. I gave up my life to follow Him…looking at my life now and what it had been, it’s a miracle I’m even alive…God is faithful and my life now is full of Joy and peace and love. Oh I still have things to overcome; as long as we are in this flesh it will be that way…but now I don’t have to do it alone…I have the one who has all the answers. He doesn’t give the answers all at one time…he wants us to trust him and have faith in Him. His mercies are new, every morning…

You can’t do everything at once, you don’t change overnight…but as you take one moment at a time and overcome that one moment, then another, and another; before you know it, you will see you’ve changed. He’ll put good people in your life that will give you a hand up. He’ll surround you with love and grace. You’ll have a network of community, friends and family that won’t lie to you. They will love you. They won’t do it for you, but they will support you as you grow and learn.

There are battles to fight…some you’ll win and some you’ll lose…but He will always be with you in every single one of them and you will not be defeated or lost. In the end you win…because He has already won…

Finally, if you’re reading this and it sounds like you…open your heart, take one tiny step toward Him, God is waiting for you to ask.

I am praying for you…you are a winner! You are a child of God!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 11, 2018

Isaiah 61:1-7 The Message (MSG)

Announce Freedom to All Captives

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me
because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness”
planted by God to display his glory.
They’ll rebuild the old ruins,
raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They’ll start over on the ruined cities,
take the rubble left behind and make it new.
You’ll hire outsiders to herd your flocks
and foreigners to work your fields,
But you’ll have the title “Priests of God,”
honored as ministers of our God.
You’ll feast on the bounty of nations,
you’ll bask in their glory.
Because you got a double dose of trouble
and more than your share of contempt,
Your inheritance in the land will be doubled
and your joy go on forever.

I met a new friend today

You may find him quiet unorthodox…

But when I asked his name…

He said,

My name is Joy…I am known by you as a Blue Bird.

Also as the blue bird of happiness, you may have heard…

God gave me blue feathers, to shelter me from the rain…

He gave me wings and a beak and said I should remain

Among the trees and build a nest, for my bride to lay her eggs

So our new babies can grow and rest…

Some times when I’m really blue I have a song I sing…

Listen…

Creator of the universe, I lift my head to thee

With gentle breath I sing this tune a gift you gave to me…

You filled my lungs with air…and gave me wings, so I can fly…

to higher ground to soar way up there…

Rising early in the morning, I find food for my family,

I’m grateful for all you do eternally…

There’s no time to worry or fret, what will happen in this day…

Papa, Creator, I sing and I obey.

You put your music within me; yes I am called to sing…

To the listeners of passersby, it is Joy I’m offering…

Oh, Joy, I cannot tell you how much happiness you’ve given me today

I was sad and all alone until your song came my way…

And from now on, when I’m feeling really blue

I’ll look up in your tree and I’ll be hearing you.

Thank you, Papa Creator, for sending Joy my way…

I’ve learned a valuable lesson here, from, Joy today.

Joy is always around us…even when we’re blue…

Joy is a gift from God today, listen, he’s telling you

To stop and hear Joy singing, in everything you do.

The blue bird of happiness is God’s sweet gift to you.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 10, 2018

Psalm 95 New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 95 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

 

There is a love you cannot buy, sell or trade

It’s a love only God has made…

He took it from his own flesh, a rib

Then placed it beside him to give…

Nurture and wisdom so that all could live…

Seed planted within…

Begin…

He called her woman for out of him, she came

Then he gave her another name…

Mother…

You may call her, mama, mommy, ma, maw…

To be loved by all

Her children…

Some, don’t, fulfill the call…

For those who do, there is no other,

Who will love you more…than your own dear Mother

Nine months carried within her womb

The rest of her life she bears silently from her hearts room…

Love that will care for you through sickness and health…

Poverty or wealth…

Life or death

She’ll give her last breath…

For you…

You see her name is more than a title

It is her mission, to love her children

Unconditionally, unendingly, permanently, freely, completely…

Individually, collectively, bravely…

Her only reward, your soul transformed…to be who God’s called you to be…

There is no other in this world who’ll give their heart, totally to you

Than your Mother

She cries silently when you hurt…

Like a lioness she’ll fight for you and conquer any foe…

Who tries to harm you, and you may never know

She prays unceasingly for your life to be

Happy, safe and fulfilled…

Yes your mother loves you more…than even her own life…

But she gives you wings to fly…

And when she’s gone and you’re left alone…

Remember she’s only a heartbeat away

Listen to her song…

You’ll see me in the faces of our own sweet babies,

You’ll hear me in the chimes that ring…

That fragrance that smells so sweet, is me, on the wind and the street

Don’t weep little one, for one day too…

Home is where I’ll be seeing you…

Love your sisters and love your brothers…

This is my last request,

Love always,

Mother

 ~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 10, 2018

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27)

Genesis 2:21-23 New International Version (NIV) So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

~~~

According to A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament by G. Abbott-Smith, using the word woman to refer to a female was “a term of respect and endearment.” Bullinger’s Companion Bible notation for verse 26 refers the reader to John 2:4 where Jesus also uses the term “woman.” In the notes pertaining to this verse, “woman” is “a respectful form of address.”

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible for this verse makes an interesting comment as to WHY Jesus might have used the term “woman.” It states he did so to possibly spare his mother’s feelings, as the very mention of her name (given her firstborn son was being brutally killed though he was innocent) would have wrung more sorrow out of her heart.

John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible adds another interesting facet as to why this designation might have been used.

“Christ calls her not mother, but woman; not out of disrespect to her, or as ashamed of her; but partly that he might not raise, or add strength to her passions, by a tenderness of speaking; and partly to conceal her from the mob, and lest she should be exposed to their rude insults” Bible Study.org

 

 

Quiet my soul…

Embraced and hugged, as I behold

Him who stood up from his throne…

To welcome me to my final home…

Entering a garden, flowers all in bloom

And light that does not make me squint is everywhere…

His fragrance fills the room…

Bringing joy and peace with a soft, tender, happy, familiar tune…

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves

We shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves…

Faces I knew from long ago, one by one, step up to greet me…

It feels as if I’ve never been anywhere but right here with thee…

How can this be…?

The river runs free…

Mountains and hills are filled with lions and lambs, daffodils and butterflies, dragon flies and bees, buzz all around in fields and trees…

There’s laughter and giggles from little ones and animals talk and walk about, then they stop and look at me…

Lying in ultraviolet colors of grass, I walk on water that looks like glass

They speak, “So glad to meet you…we’re family you know…?”

I wonder at the sight of them, but love just grows and grows,

We know…

We’re all here because of Him…

It’s nothing like I ever dreamed of…the place is full of God’s unending, forgiving, love…

Birds sing holy songs, stories of amazing grace are sung…the air is clean…beautiful and serene…

Quiet my soul; I’m in the presence of the living King…

But it’s nothing new to me…because while I walked the streets below…Jesus was with me wherever I’d go…and now…I truly know…

Home, I’m finally home.

I rest my head, but I’m not tired, upon a living tree

Grateful for the liberty, of how God’s love rescued me…

To live and know without a doubt, I have new life for all eternity…

Alive in the presence of my Father, Son and Holy Spirit…

Open your heart, open your ears and do not fear…

Quiet my soul; there are no more tears…

The crowd is gathered all around, hear the roar and hear the cheer…

A celebration is in the air…

Welcome home my child, and well done…

A kiss is bestowed upon my cheek, someone bends to wash my feet…

A robe is placed upon my shoulders…His signet ring I wear…

A crown is placed upon my head…

I am alive, I am not dead…

We drink the wine and eat the bread…

No more need to remember…for we live in the moment

Forever…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 8, 2018

Matthew 25:21 King James Version (KJV) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

 

Faith-Full Tree

My early morning musings today were really remarkable; they always are when I have an encounter with the Holy Spirit.

There is a tree in my backyard that had me thinking…it is beautiful. The trunk of the tree has vines that twist and turn and it is broad and thick. You can also see the roots growing along the ground. It reminds me of a Banyan tree. But I found out that it is called a Schefflera actinophylla. Common name: Schefflera, Umbrella Tree, Octopus Tree, Amate, Queensland Umbrella Tree. Synonym: Family: Araliaceae

It gives shade to our patio and is very green and healthy. It can grow to over 40 feet tall.

So, this morning I was thinking about it…

I heard the Holy Spirit say in my heart, the word Faith…

Then he said, “Faith is a fruit of the Spirit…You take Faith with you when you go to heaven…in fact you take all of the fruit of the Spirit with you because they make up the character of God.”

Isn’t that wonderful?

Thinking about the tree again, I thought…Jesus, is the Tree of Life. He is also the Living Water…

We are the branches of the tree, when we are His…we drink of the living water our branches grow strong, and our leaves turn dark green and living and vibrant, and we produce fruit…

When we sin, the flow of the living water gets stopped up. If we don’t make amends right away, we become brittle and our leaves begin to fade and drop off, eventually we will wither and die without the life source.

But when we stay connected to the Tree of Life and we allow His water to flow through us…the fruit of His likeness will manifest in us…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…

We will love, we will have joy and peace, we will be patient and kind and good; we will be full of faith, and we will be faithful…gentle, and we have self-control. Not only will we produce this fruit, but we will bestow it on others, even when they do not treat us the same way. It is God’s character, His heart, His Spirit living in us so that we pour it out on others…

The only way to have this fruit, and have it remain, is to stay connected to the Tree of Life…Jesus Christ…

There is also the pruning process…no one wants to be pruned…it hurts and sometimes we are cut back severally…the more that we are pruned, the fuller and brighter and bigger our fruit will become…you may be in the pruning stage right now…don’t be weary…don’t give up…stay connected…be obedient…the fruit that is coming is going to burst out in fullness and there will be such abundance of fruit that your barns will not be able to hold it all…it will overflow…

God bless you today and encourage you, stay in the Tree of Life…blessings are all around us!!

Remember, stay faith full.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 7, 2018

God is good