Come and Stay

 
I awoke at around 5:30 this morning from a dream. There was a young woman she looked to be about 30 years old, she was singing. I was in front of the Church and we were singing. Her brother and dad were on the other side of the platform also singing…
It was a song I had never heard before it was a little chorus.… “If you’d like to have this Bible, come and stay, come and stay, come and stay…” Then she walked over to where her brother and dad was singing and sang with them… “If you would like to have this Bible, come and stay, come and stay, come and stay.”
I got up and wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget it. I had a piece of toast, to bring my blood sugar up. I kept singing the song in my head…then I thought…”If you want to have this healing, come and stay, come and stay, come and stay…” “If you want to have Joy, come and stay, come and stay, come and stay…” and so on…
We get busy in our earthly lives thinking about all the things that need to be done. All the things we’d like to accomplish and our minds are consumed with tasks that seem insurmountable and we wonder, will they ever be completed…? Maybe because of moving into our new home and wanting everything to be unpacked and set up and trying to find a place for everything is the reason I had this dream. I enjoy doing this sort of thing, but, it can be overwhelming at times…I know, it will get done in time…and my mind is trying to tell me to relax…do it little by little, I know…I know… but the most important thing is to keep my heart on the Lord, and take the time to just sit with Him and not rush, in, and out…Holy Spirit is saying, “Come and stay, come and stay, come and stay.”
I felt a tugging in my heart that would not let me play…
It started when I awoke, just at break of day…
Boxes are waiting for you to unpack
They’re in the garage there’s many a stack…
One by one I open the task…
Where will you go? Bewildered I ask…
But there in the midst of all this disarray…
I stop and listen as I hear Him say…
Come and stay, come and stay, come and stay…
Oh Papa, it seems so long, I know…
Since I’ve taken the time, on you to bestow
Thanksgiving and praise, from here below…
Forgive me Jesus, right now I’ll go…
Sit in your presence and willingly sow…
Blessing and honor and praise to my King
Glory and worship; songs I will sing…
Staying with you is everything…
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 loves me…Yes Jesus loves me…Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so…
If you’d like to have this Bible…come and stay, come and stay, come and stay…
Jesus is calling for us today…
Come and stay!
 
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 4, 2018
 
Revelation 22:17 King James Version (KJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Mountain Movers

Humble of heart
Fierce in spirit
Bold and courageous
Filled with Holy Spirit
We are mountain movers
Forging through the battle fields
Faith is our unyielding shield…
A driving force in the heavenly realms
Keep us at the ready, with anchor in place, while standing at the helm…
Steady and strong we fight along…on oceans and lands
Wherever Spirit commands…
We are river walkers, and Holy Ghost talkers
Immovable, unshakable, untouched by evils demands…
God is our focus and the souls of man,
We rescue from death, for the kingdom we stand
In jungles, or swamps, holding onto His hand…
We march, we fight, we pray; we sweat,
We cry, and sometimes, die…
But, we do not grow weary
We leave no one behind
We are of a supernatural kind…
Body, soul and mind
Stay true to the call, and to the One,
Who gives eternal life…
Jesus Christ…
Be wise as a serpent; harmless as a dove
Stand brothers, Stand sisters…
We fight, we love, we give, we serve…
We are not of this world, we come from above…
When faced with trials and tests that will come…
Do not give up; do not succumb…think it not strange
For Jesus said, you’ll be persecuted for His sake
But make no mistake…we are His soldiers, disciplined and true
For God’s in this battle and He’s fighting for you…
These things will come…
But remember this…
The battle is fierce, but we’ve already won…
By the blood of Jesus God’s only begotten son!
We are mountain movers
River walkers
Holy Ghost talkers…
Winners…
Children of the Living God!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 3, 2018
2 Chronicles 20:15 New King James Version (NKJV)  And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

God Answered Our Request

 The Actual Card we used to pray.
Praying the Prayer of Jabez
Years ago there was a little book going around written by Bruce Wilkinson, called, the Prayer of Jabez. It had quite an impact on the world. I don’t know about all of that, all I know is that in 2014, Bob and I would sit at breakfast, pray over our food and then we’d read the prayer of Jabez out loud. We did this every morning for about six months.
Our motives were not so we would receive material blessings; our motive was that God would bless us so we could bless others and reach more people for His glory.
We began to attend Journey Church and met new people. We joined a J-group (small group) where we met wonderful Christian brothers and sisters (Shawn and Kathy Stafford were our first mentors and then Jim and Cherie Rozendal; amazing men and women who we treasure greatly) Pastor Matt Tumas introduced us to Doug Diamond and we became a part of the Prayer Team and began praying before each service for both campuses. We are part of a team of men and women; I have to also mention Robin St. Pierre, I don’t know what I would have done without her mentorship… we pray for our pastors, the congregation, souls, marriages, finances, children, ministries, volunteers and so on…. The church went from two services to three, and we were given the opportunity to be leaders of the prayer team for the third service. We went through Growth Track, (Learned more about the mission and vision of the Church and to grow closer to the Lord). We attended men’s and women’s Bible study. Became small group leaders…and volunteered in the ministry. We’ve seen many souls saved and lives transformed over the last four years. I believe it’s because we prayed the prayer of Jabez…Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him what he requested. I Chronicles 4:10
God answered our prayer.
Doug Diamond our brother in the Lord, man of prayer and vision for the Lord, asked Bob to pray about going with him and two other men (Jason Maikkula and Cliff Williamson) to Haiti, a couple of months ago. I immediately said, “Oh yes you should go.” It has always been a passion of mine to be a missionary…but God had me on a different path. My mission field was in prayer and intercession. So we prayed about it together and Bob said he felt he should go. From that trip 23 elders were saved and three children. When God is involved, his anointing flows and souls are born into His kingdom to bring honor and glory to His name…Praise Jesus.
We realized this morning that God has indeed blessed us and enlarged our coasts, God’s hand is with us, he has kept evil from us and we have brought blessings to others and not hurt. God has granted our request and has brought glory to His name…Praise God.
You see when God calls you, and you answer, he puts His desires within you…because it is Him, living in your heart. Holy Spirit speaks to your inner man and His plan is brought about by obedience, He will confirm it to you by two or more witnesses…you, just need to be willing. Jesus will take you places you never thought possible, He will broaden your vision, extend your boarders, give you joy and peace in every situation…He’ll bring people into your life that will bless you and that will stretch you so that God gets all the glory.
He said when you seek for Him with all your heart, you will find Him. It’s not that he is hiding…it’s that your awareness of Him will be enlightened and you will want to seek Him, He lets you find Him. The life He gives is more adventurous, more fulfilling, than anything else you could possibly do.
God bless you on your life’s journey…Pray, means to ask… Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him what he request. I Chronicles 4:10
Pray the prayer of Jabez today…but only if you want, what God, wants, and He will grant your request…Amen!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 1, 2018
1 Chronicles 4:10 New King James Version (NKJV) And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Old Things are of Great Worth

Old things, don’t mean thrown out things
Old things are best when used…
Old things, are not worn out things…
They’ve been to the mountains
And the valley of despair
Survived desert places
But God was there…
They’ve been forged in fire…
And tossed on stormy seas…
Weary and tired…wondering what would be…
They always cried out…God help me…
Over rough roads and valley’s these old things have trod…
The Ancient of age, no birth had He, for He, was God…
Until He sent Jesus, then alive, made He…
Old things remain and old things will stand
When created by God’s all seeing hand…
With resilience and fortitude they walk this land…
Maybe not so fast, anymore, but their hearts withstand
Trials and tests on roads that they’ve walked,
Sometimes persecuted and sometimes mocked…
With wisdom and memories of what has been…
Old things are new things that begin again…
The cycle of life is like a wedding ring…
There is no beginning, and, no ending…
A covenant; it’s God’s continuous plan…
You see, God made old things and he called them man…
Within each soul that enters earth’s domain…
God says, it is good and it shall remain…
Sending His son, whose blood was shed
Makes us alive, when once we were dead…
The blood is the life source; making us thrive…
The perfect sacrifice that makes us alive…
God sees the blood, he knows who are His…
Old things are not forsaken; each child He will kiss…
Sending His love with His promise…
Time is relative only on earth…
The soul of man with this new birth…
Makes old things, become new things…
And with this brings…
Eternal living with a new song to sing…
Thank you Jesus for giving me wings…
The body grows weary and returns to dust…
But old things made by God’s hands will never rust…
For the blood of Jesus is what we must trust…
For old things; are only new things; waiting to be seen…
Behold, God makes everything, brand new again…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 30, 2018
Revelation 1:8 King James Version (KJV) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Joy is the Word

We went from a 900 sq. ft. home to about a 1400 sq. ft. home. Now to some that would seem like a shack, but to us it is a mansion. Although to some people, in the world, 900 sq. ft. would be a mansion. It’s all relative.
We had been praying for a home of our own for a number of years. The place we lived in was indeed a blessing at the time. But as time went on, it became apparent that we needed more room at least to us it was apparent. Lol!
God says to delight ourselves in him and he will give us the desires of our heart. (Psalm 37:4) I know, I know it’s all about our hearts…and God doesn’t just do something without having a good reason. But still…his word, says, if he considers the little sparrow that falls to the ground how much more will he do for his children who trust him. (29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:29-30)
At the beginning of 2018; I asked the Lord what His word would be for us this year. I received the word, JOY!
WOW! Really God? You’re giving me the word JOY! That is incredible. In 2017; he gave me the word, “write” and I wrote an average of one post per day for a total of 365 blog posts. That’s a whole lot of writing…
So what about JOY? What is it you want me to do with JOY? Then he reminded me that Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit. OK. Then what?
Well, we were given the go ahead to pursue buying a home and everything fell into place. The money became available which was a miracle in itself. (That is a story for another time. But it is amazing.) Thank you, Jesus. When God gives, the go ahead…it is absolutely astounding…
We got with our Realtor, Kathy Stafford, who is also our very good friend and sister in the Lord. She took us to see a number of places. Let me back up a minute. In October of 2017, one of our friends was selling her home and we loved it. We told her we really loved it and if it worked out we would love to buy it. But if she had a buyer before we could, that was fine too. We wanted whatever God wanted. She did too. Around the time we were given the go ahead, she had a buyer for her home. Praise the Lord, that was OK. God was blessing her too.
Kathy, took us to see some places but they just weren’t what we were looking for. Then she said I have this one I think you might like. (She had no idea) Low-and-behold it was right around the corner from the one we had wanted and it was the same floor plan. But it was out of our price range and we were told the sellers would not take anything less than what they had listed it for. Bob gave the offer anyway and Kathy presented it to the sellers, who lived in another state. But they said, “No.” So we figured that was it, and we’d just have to find something else. But my heart kept going back to that one. I told Bob I really, really liked that one. It had the garage he wanted and the screened in patio I had hoped for and an extra bathroom. The bathroom was very important to me for some obvious reasons…lol!
In the meantime a nor’easter came to the sellers part of the country, worst they’d had in years.
Well…I’m not real proud of this but Bob and I had a little discussion in the night. This was quite stressful to say the least and our attitudes got a little out of control…ok we were being Biscuits…(a biscuit is something Bob’s daughter made up when she was younger so she didn’t say a bad word. It’s a lot of dough, lard, and water and not much else.) Anyway the next morning Bob went to work and I had a heart-to-heart talk with the Lord. I repented and said, “Lord I am sorry, I don’t want to be like this. I want to honor you through all of this. I want, what you want Lord, just give us the one you want us to have.” I called Bob and told him I was sorry. He said the same.
It was about 30 minutes after I prayed and asked God to forgive me and sorry to Bob. Kathy sent an email and said, “They will take the offer.”
You see God uses everything to help us keep our hearts right before Him. It was more than we could have imagined. The blessing of God is always more than we could hope or imagine…when we obey Him and keep our hearts clean before Him, He comes through every single time…We have a loving, caring, saving, helping, awesome Papa God!!
It’s not our timing it is His… and He will test our hearts to make sure we are clean before Him and without ulterior motives…For God gets all the Glory!!!
Pastor Shane from Journey Church, came to bless our home. People came to help us move and paint. People have given us gifts and time and so much love…our CUP IS OVERFLOWING with the grace and love of God…you cannot out give God!!!
Times spent in prayer and seeking for others…seeking God’s face and honoring Him with our lives and our time and our money… not because we wanted a house…but because we wanted more of Jesus…He is the reason for our living and because of obedience to Him…He has given us favor and showered us with His blessing…it is there for you too…but you must have a pure heart and seek Him first…and love others…and all these things will be added unto you…
I see our home as an oasis and a blessing to be shared, as God sees fit…
Don’t let anything or anyone deter you from obedience to the Lord…He’s worth far more than lands, or homes or any material goods…but when your heart is right he will not withhold any good thing from you. (Psalm 84:10)
All Praise and Honor and Glory to the Giver of Life, to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
James 4:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Malachi 3:10-11 New Living Translation (NLT)
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Psalm 84:10-12 The Message (MSG)
One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. All sunshine and sovereign is Godgenerous in gifts and glory.
He doesn’t scrimp with his traveling companions. It’s smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Joy Fruit of the Spirit

     
God’s Joy, fruit of His Spirit
The Holy Spirit
His Joy is full and lacks nothing
His Joy is Strength that comes directly from His being
His Joy is light;
His Joy leaves you speechless…
You will be utterly surrounded with immeasurable delight
His Joy engulfs you it is exhilarating…
His Joy is solid and cannot be destroyed
His Joy is found in His presence
His Joy is immovable and steadfast
His Joy is supernatural
His Joy is more than laughter; it is more than a feeling
His Joy remains
His Joy is peace in turmoil
His Joy is comfort
His Joy is healing and wholeness
His Joy is Life…
When you receive the gift of Joy…it’s like soaring through time and space…
It is far above the earth, past the stars, past galaxies, traveling at a speed not ever calculated; you are hurled into the heavenly places where He dwells…
You can only get there by faith, through the Spirit instantly…there is no special equipment needed
No spaceship or transport…you can be there in a heartbeat…
Let go of your carnal thoughts, let go of intellect and pride…
Receive His Joy…
Let go of all your past, all your regrets, all your sickness and worries…
Let go of anxiety and fear…let go of doubt and condemnation…
Let go of the future and dwell in His Joy right now…with no preconceived ideas…
Allow the Oil of His Joy to pour over your being inside and out, breathe it in, and breathe it out…
In His presence is fullness of Joy…the Holy Spirit knows the way…
Take this very moment, close your eyes, open your heart and be filled with the Joy of the Lord…
Psalm 16:11 English Standard Version (ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
John 15:9-11 New King James Version (NKJV) “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 24, 2018

   

The Sanctuary

 
From a dark lonely street
To a Sanctuary He brought me
Not knowing at the time
What God had in mind…
Alone, but not forsaken
I opened my hearts door
It wasn’t long before…
I began to know, intimacy, with the Lord…
Quiet seemed so loud
In my humble tiny shroud
My Sanctuary; God’s presence, like a cloud…
Filled up my mornings with words he asked me to write…
Waiting patiently for Him to speak…anticipating Him, I’d seek
And then He’d whisper, a story that sometimes made me weep…
God was teaching me I needed to be meek…
Days came and seasons changed…
One life gone, new life, transformed…
God’s likeness was born…
In the Sanctuary of His presence, I no longer mourned
My life, no longer torn…
Between two worlds…
Spirit comforted and Spirit complete…
Writing God’s messages, so others would seek
A Sanctuary of their own
Unconditional Love melted my heart of stone…
I learned…
Upon his head are wounds of his love
Taken there for me…
Scars remain but will never regain…
The place where they once caused me, bitter, pain…
He brought me to the Sanctuary
Where I would come to know
The Love of the Savior and how He loves me so…
Don’t struggle in the lonely times
Times you feel no one sees…
For God has brought you to His Sanctuary…
Where he longs for you to be…
Open your heart and open your mind
Let Spirit, guide you and you’ll see…
God is our Sanctuary He is waiting there for thee…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 23, 2018
Psalm 63:1-4 English Standard Version (ESV)
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

When God Opens His Windows

When God opens the windows of heaven
The birds begin to sing…the flowers bloom again…
Gentle showers like tiny tears of joy appear
And life is sweet…
A fresh wind blows upon my happy cheek
I see God smile on me…
When God opens the windows of heaven
Joy unspeakable and full of His glory chases me down and tickles me pink…
His love overflows like a waterspout, and this I know, when He speaks…
The voice I hear is tender, nothing else compares, it takes me to the higher place
Where I will behold his face
Into the very presence of the Most High God, where angels sing holy, holy, holy…
I dare trod; for Holy Spirit takes me there…
No words or thoughts or cares at all
Can take His love from me…
For God has opened His windows; and He’s made my life complete…
All the hurts of yester-years…are gone without a trace…
You see God’s windows are full, of His Amazing Grace…
Oh love Him…and adore Him….Let Him catch you, do not run away…
God wants to open the windows of heaven for you, today…
If you will seek Him with all your heart, surrender to Him and obey…
He’ll open His windows of heaven, and there you’ll begin to play…
Like a little child, innocent and free…
If you’ll only trust Him and believe
God will open His windows in heaven and you, too, will receive
Joy that will never cease…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 23, 2018
Malachi 3:10-11 The Message (MSG)
“Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day.
“You ask, ‘How have we robbed you?’
“The tithe and the offering—that’s how! And now you’re under a curse—the whole lot of you—because you’re robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers.” The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
Deuteronomy 28:1-10 Good News Translation (GNT)
The Blessings of Obedience
“If you obey the Lord your God and faithfully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, he will make you greater than any other nation on earth. Obey the Lord your God and all these blessings will be yours:
“The Lord will bless your towns and your fields.
“The Lord will bless you with many children, with abundant crops, and with many cattle and sheep.
“The Lord will bless your grain crops and the food you prepare from them.
“The Lord will bless everything you do.
“The Lord will defeat your enemies when they attack you. They will attack from one direction, but they will run from you in all directions.
“The Lord your God will bless your work and fill your barns with grain. He will bless you in the land that he is giving you.
“If you obey the Lord your God and do everything he commands, he will make you his own people, as he has promised. Then all the peoples on earth will see that the Lord has chosen you to be his own people, and they will be afraid of you.

Sitting at His Feet

 
Reclining there among His friends
The master waits and rests…
In the cool of the day, when quietness surrounds them,
They hear someone say…
In a low and humble voice as she stands with an alabaster box
She kneels, breaks the seal, and instantly reveals,
The fragrance Of costly perfume…
This is my gift to you my Lord…it is all I have…but there is more,
My heart is spent on thee.
Fragrance fills the room…
Tears combined with sweet oil, poured upon His head
As others watch from their seat…
A heart with love and purity seen, in one moment, their eyes meet…
No words now spoken, but emotions of spirit and life restored, for there is no more defeat…
Gentle tear drops fall; Jesus also weeps…
Silence while she sits there…until all is complete…
Her soul is free, with sweet release, sitting at Jesus feet.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 11, 2018
Matthew 26:7 Tree of Life Version (TLV) a woman came up to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive oil. And she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table.

The Glories…

The Glories are those tiny ones, who come just in the nick of time…
When you think all hope is gone, and you begin to whine…
Why me? Oh me? And if only! It’s all about me, me, and me…
Faith spent, and doubts assail, tip toeing in, come the Glories with a sound,
Of a mighty rushing wind…and fire, begins to burn…
Do not doubt, nor be afraid, for I Am, has sent us to make you brave…
Shout out Glory and shout out praise…
The Glories are here no need to be afraid…
Hold up your hands with fist held tight
God’s given you victory here tonight…
The Glories have arrived, everything’s gonna be alright…
Cause when the Glories arrive…You’ll do more than simply survive…
The Glories tell the story of the King who sits on high…
How he intercedes for you and me, and how he, once-upon-a-time, died…
The Glories come to tell you, Jesus is no longer dead…Jesus, is, ALIVE!!!
Come on everyone,
SHOUT OUT, GLORY! GLORY! GLORY! JESUS IS ALIVE!!!
The stickie’s can’t hold onto you when you begin to shout…
The stickie’s have to run away when they see you no longer doubt
The stickie’s are those demons that try to wear you out…
But kick them in the head and let the Glories run about…
In Jesus name they’ll run away, let the Glories shout…
The Glories bring you joyfulness and joyful songs to sing
While trials and tribulations keep you suffering…
The Glories rush in with cheerfulness;
And then, they will bring…
Your soul into the throne room to glorify the King…
So drop all your doubts and all your worrying…
Listen and turn around, let the glories sing…
Shout when you doubt, and shout when you want to cry
Shout when you’re in trouble and let the Glories lift you high…
Glories are those tiny ones who come to set you free…
When you open up your mouth and shout, then the Glories you will see…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 9, 2018
Luke 2:14 The Message (MSG) At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.