Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

From Bethlehem to Jerusalem, the house of bread to the city of peace, it was anything but bread and peace. What would happen next would change everything…

Born into a lowly place, he was desert traveler, teacher, son, friend and to this end we see him in the garden~

Three hours Jesus prayed in agony, on his face and on bended knee, he cried as great drops of blood poured out for all generations to come…

“FATHER! WILL YOU NOT TAKE THIS CUP FROM ME? FATHER! WILL YOU NOT TAKE THIS CUP FROM ME? Father, will you not take this cup from me? He surrendered to God’s will. Peace came, as everything became still.

Betrayed by a kiss, Oh do not miss, what was taking place for you and for me…

Tried, arrested, scourged and then nailed to a tree for all to see…

In the ninth hour of the day after torture, exposure, dehydration, suffocating, bleeding, rejection, abandoned, mocked, enduring the elements, naked, afraid, dying, Jesus cried out with a loud voice…

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34 New King James Version

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? Psalm 22:1 New King James Version

And about the ninth hour, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach cried out with a kol gadol, saying Eli, Eli, lemah sabachthani! (that is, My G-d, my G-d, why hast thou forsaken me? TEHILLIM 22:2[1]). Mattityahu 27:46 Orthodox Jewish Bible

 It doesn’t end here. You know the rest of the story. I just wanted to high light this part of the story to show you something about Jesus. Yes, he was God but he was also man. He felt everything humans feel…

He felt the pain and anguish of betrayal. He felt the rejection of loved ones, religious leaders, his peers. He was in deep despair, just read the garden scene alone. The death process started way before the cross… He knows sorrow and suffering. He knows loss and defeat. His disciples/friends couldn’t even pray one hour with him. He knows sickness and unimaginable pain. On the cross he took all of mankind’s worst fears, nightmares the mental and emotional torment, addictions, everything, on himself…you might ask, why would anyone do that?

Why? One reason, it was because of Love…

Not the kind of that love we know.

It’s God’s love! A love that will lay down his life so that we, lowly forms, created by God, loves us so much He would go through all of that to die for us! We’re the reason he did this in the first place. Adam and Eve died in the garden. Not instantly but death entered the garden that day and God was the only one who could put it right.

Oh, please someone get this…God didn’t get pleasure out of watching his only son go through this, but He knew there was no other way and now being on the other side of the cross, death and the grave. He gives us a free gift and he brings redemption through his son…Jesus was placed in a tomb in a garden…now life was restored in the garden…He Rose from the dead!

All God asks is for us to accept His son as the son of God and believe! Open your heart. Let the Holy Spirit led you to the garden today…and pray, no longer in agony, accept the full gift of His salvation and peace into your heart today, In Jesus Name…the bread of life and peace!

All the way from Bethlehem to Jerusalem receive His bread of life and peace! Shalom! Shalom!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 7, 2023

TEN YEARS ago today, March 13, 2013, Bob and I were married. We weren’t spring chickens anymore and there were a whole lot of years behind us with a whole lot of water under the bridge. I believe, with all that is within me, that it was no accident we reconnected at our 40^th class reunion. Life had not been kind. We were two broken people but together with God’s help, we were made whole! Words that have helped us through these ten years were spoken by the person who married us at the courthouse in Lake Worth. Mom O’Neill and Mike O’Neill, Bob’s mom and brother were there with us.

Taking our wedding vows, these little words made a huge impact that would carry us through the years. “Tiny little adjustments.” We’ve had only a few bumps in the road and nothing too serious. When we’d have a disagreement, we’d remember those words, “Tiny little adjustments.” We’d hug, kiss and make up. We try to remember to never go to bed angry. I won’t lie there have been a couple of times we did, but the next morning we both said we were sorry, and all was forgiven.

There are times we get a little irritated with each other then one of us starts laughing and then the other and we hug each other, and Bob will pray, “Lord forgive us for being biscuits.” Bob’s daughter Dana came up with that. Being a biscuit means, instead of calling someone a bad name she calls them a “biscuit.” It’s just flour, lard, and milk. Not much to it. So, when one of us is being, silly or ridiculous we say, “You’re a biscuit!” It’s a much nicer way of saying, you’re being a jerk…etc.

Every time Bob prays over our food he’ll say, “Jesus, thank you for my Marla and thank you for the food.” I mean, how sweet is that? He’ll say, “I love you more than the moon.” I’ll counter with, “I love you more than all the stars and the planets.” He says, “You win.” Not that it’s a competition but it’s just a little fun game we play while loving each other.

My mom would say, “Life never runs smooth.” And that is certainly true. So, we have to find ways to make it less difficult. When you’re young you make a multitude of mistakes but it’s OK that’s how you learn. If there is something, I could leave you with that will maybe help a little along the way it’s, “Be kind. Be grateful. Be forgiving. Love unconditionally. And remember, tiny little adjustments.”

Also, the number 13 means, “God’s Love!”

Bob, I love you thirteen!

I love you more than…

~Marla O’Neill March 13, 2023

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2-7

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”… 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. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. – Genesis 2:18, 21-24

Artwork by: Manasseh Johnson

 

Once upon a time…

The story’s been told from ancient times, it never gets boring and never gets old…

Maybe you’ve heard it but didn’t understand, it’s pretty simple, let me begin…

Before existence there was a void, a place we’ve never seen…

Spirit came blowing the wind. He spoke and everything changed, new beginning, new dream…

Over the face of many waters in darkness it is told, Spirit formed the land he looked and behold!

Hurling stars into place, sky, land and sea, earth and space…

Trees and mountains and birds and creatures in the deep…

The artist was working all these things he’d keep, and it was good!

This story is more exotic, more thrilling than I can tell,

There was the first of mornings light and then night fell…

Toiling the soil…with his hands in the mud…yielding the fruit was a fresh new bud…

There in the dirt a child of God was born…

Breath brought forth a living, breathing soul…

The story is told…

Life had begun! God had made a son…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 7, 2023

⁴ This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, ⁵ before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; ⁶ but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

⁷ And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:4-7 New King James Version

There at conception was the tailor of my soul.

He birthed me and guided me, until His story was told!

Six years of my life he gently whispered, “Come unto me.”

Willingly, surrendering, I heard his love story.

Without hesitation, my broken-child’s-heart, responded to the Lord!

I heard Him knocking, so I opened the door!

A breath of fresh air blew into my being…

What is this? I couldn’t believe the wonder I was receiving…

The old life vanished and, in an instant, I was made new…

This is what he had promised when I didn’t have a clue!

Five more years I walked with the life-man, then I heard Him whisper,

“Child, I have someone for you to meet, He will help you understand!

He’ll comfort you in brokenness, guide you through the wilderness, protect you from the enemy, Tell you all about me. He’s gentle and caring, he won’t force his ways on you. But lovingly and tenderly, He’ll show you, how to live this life with grace and gratitude.”

“Oh yes Adonai, I’d love to meet him too!”

His name is Holy-Spirit, full of Power, Love and Self-Control, He longs to live within you and make you completely whole! One with the Father, One with the Son, open your heart child and Holy-Breath and Fire will come!

The encounter…

Seeking, the Way-Maker, Truth-Teller, Life-Sustainer, I humbly pray. Jesus, I love you I’ll do what you say!

Overcome in Brilliant-Light’s-Flow, languages I did not know…it fills my mouth and takes control…Heavenly words on thee, I bestow! A power so intense I cannot comprehend, covers me inside and out…Oh, let this never end!

He’s been a friend that has never left me, and He never condemns. He’s taught me about love, patience, longsuffering, joy, gentleness, faith, goodness and self-control; all these are his character straits, I too, can have these, when I’m humble, yet bold!

He’s healed me, delivered me, shown me mysteries and has loved me even when I was not so lovely… Oh do not grieve him in unbelief…

But ask him and he’ll show you how to believe!

He will never, ever leave me, won’t desert me, or cast me upon life’s tattered shore!

He’ll comfort me and guide me, to Heaven’s open door…

Then, I will see Him face to face, Gracious-Holy-Spirit-of-Truth and His Amazing Grace!

I’ll see Jesus and Papa God and Mama and all the rest…

And worship with the Angels in blessed holiness!

Until then, I will continue to let Him dwell within!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 1, 2023

“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. John 14:26-27 The Message

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 New International Version

 A Sound Like a Strong Wind When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. Acts 2:1-4 The Message

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10:44-48 New International Version

 Jesus Promises Another Helper “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Indwelling of the Father and the Son “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

The Gift of His Peace “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

“And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here. John 14:15-31 New King James Version

Day is done…

Sun is set…

Mind still racing, I want to forget…

All the pain of the past…all the regret…

Bowing my head,

I open my heart.

God, this is where you and I start!

Honest confession is good for the soul!

So, Papa God, let me just be bold!

Sinner, Saint, it doesn’t matter…

As long as I am honest with you.

Nothing anyone else, can say or do…

Will keep me from bearing my heart to you!

You are the Son of YHWH (Spoken in a Breath)

You bear all my sorrow and all my shame.

I am made brand new in Yeshua’s name…

No shadow of turning or brokenness,

Can shatter my soul and leave me in emptiness.

Take all of me, Dear Lord I pray,

My fear, my doubt, and anxiety it has to go,

It cannot stay.

In the presence of your Holiness, I bask in blessedness.

At your right hand are pleasures and joys forevermore!

Your love comes rushing in, Jesus, let new life begin…

In solitude and humility, I offer to you, all of me!

And when those times of despair and unbelief try to rob me and give me grief…

Lord, may I remember just who I am!

I’m a child of the Living God!

And on the Solid Rock I’m found

Standing and standing still, I’m Jesus bound…

Tied to the cross of Calvary!

With all my heart I offer thee

Total surrender, completely sold out, I’ll persevere…

For Jesus I know beyond a doubt

YOU ARE HERE WITH ME!!!

I will not fear nor be afraid…

I am God’s child to live and breathe in Victory!

No death nor life, nor things seen, nor unseen, nor angels, nor demons, can separate me, from Your Love! Amen and Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 28, 2023

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 New International Version

 ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 New International Version

Painting: Artist Unknown

The sweet spot is the place where my heart merges with Jesus and there is a quiet contentment~

A stillness, a peace, a Holy Silence, waiting on God.

The world fades away, worries cease, storms die down, winds are still, as we enter the throne-room of God.

Angels are standing in a worshipful stance~

Seraphim and cherubim watch the romance~

A daughter of the beloved, draws near~

No more wandering, or wondering, why and what for?

She’s entered the sweet spot with her sovereign Lord!

Exuberant joy is released in the room…

Freedom from the solitude, doubt and gloom…

Radiant beauty breaks forth in song…

The sweet spot has been there, all along~

All she needs do, is surrender to His will

Daughters of the King need only be still.

To enter the sweet spot, simply say, “Yes Lord, I will!”

Marla Shaw O’Neill February 14, 2023

 

More to be desired are they then gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Psalm 19:10 ESV

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 ESV

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 ESV

Traveling on my journey, I’m tired, parched and dry.

Walking towards a precipice I rest for a moment, then sigh.

All alone in this solitude, how much farther, Papa, I cry?

Then bending low, a steady flow, of water I see as I pass by~

Ah, cool, refreshing water, I drink my fill knowing up ahead, I’ll be climbing a Steep, lonely, narrow hill~

Leaving all worldly possessions behind; my family, my friends to eagerly climb, to the sanctuary there to find~ peace like a river, joy that passes understanding, I stop, and I listen…

A call from the Master is heard,

‘Come away with me my lovely one, to a place where you’ll be washed, in heaven’s rain.

Skipping on the plains like a gazelle in flight~

Splashing in the water-brooks like mallards in day light~

Swan’s necks, connected, in loves blessed plight~

Come, come away with me.

Laughter on the wind, as it blows and sends, wildflowers waving in a field of grace.

The sound of singing, while tiny birds call, for heaven to send the rain.

They wait… Heaven opens her gates as rain pours from the sky.’

 This place is where I’m bound to go, climbing over rocky, hardened terrain~

To still away in the holy place, of heaven’s blessed rain!

Alone with the Master, all burdens fade away this is what I gain…

Strength to carry on the message~

Love that never fails~

Truth to set people free~

It’s Jesus he does this for you and for me!

Come, come away with me and enjoy…

Heaven’s rain!

Marla Shaw O’Neill February 7, 2023

…but the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven Deuteronomy 11:11 KJV

This is my new book, ‘God Give Me Grace.’ It’s a historical fiction story about a woman in the Bible known as Anna the prophetess. She was at the temple when Jesus was presented as a baby for dedication. There’s not a lot we know about Anna’s life. I wrote the story of how I thought it could have been. If you’re interested in reading it, it is now available on Amazon.com and Kindle.

I was inspired to write it six years ago but the death of a dear friend, caused me to put it aside. Her name was Grace, she was a mentor and a beautiful friend. I hope you will check it out. It’s not a very big book but I believe the story is huge! Thank you for listening and for being part of my life! I hope you will enjoy it!

Love you always,

Marla Shaw O’Neill

LORD, take me to the High Places, the places where you dwell.

Let me walk and do not stumble, nor grow weary, let me sail…

Where gentle breezes lift my spirit to paths where only few have trod

I’m on my way, none can stop me from seeing the face of God~

Upon the High Places where I look on the world below,

Sights and scenes from heaven, Oh Abba, I am desperate to go…

In solitude and quiet, over rocks and stoney trail…

To the High Places, take me there and let me dwell…

Where only those who dare, go, want to honor you and bestow~

Kisses of adoration, songs of deliverance, worship in spirit and in truth

Because there, I know, you give secrets to your loves, those who long to stay~

Close to you in heaven, LORD I pray…

Take this life you’ve given me and do with it as you will~

Only help me Jesus to walk to the High Places and there be still!

One true and blessed creator~

One maker of heaven and earth~

One keeper of my soul, even from my birth…

On the High Places, I will bring the sacrifice of love and praise and life!

Take me higher blessed redeemer so that I am restored…

To go to the low places, to tell others, you are the Highest LORD!

Only on the High places can we truly see, the world is so much bigger than you or me!

Climbing always upward there are obstacles I will meet; I’ll rest, for a little while, at my Savior’s feet…

Joy will come in the morning; there I’ll take my seat!

What splendor! As far as the eye can see…is more than I’d imagined it would ever be.

The High Places with Jesus is only the beginning, of what’s in store for you and me.

A city placed upon a hill cannot be hid. Jerusalem, the city of our God, set upon a high place. Jesus was hung on Golgotha’s hill, a high place. It takes strength, courage, determination, perseverance, and an unsatiable hunger, for more of God, to make us climb the high places. But oh, the joy, the ecstasy of the journey when you stand upon the High Places of God, it cannot be taken from you. ‘Come away with me my beloved let us walk upon mine high places…’

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 24, 2023

Matthew 5:14 New King James Version ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Song of Solomon 2:10-13 New King James Version ¹⁰ My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. ¹¹ For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. ¹² The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. ¹³ The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away! 

Habakkuk 3:18-19 New International Reader’s Version ¹⁸ But I will still be glad because of what the Lord has done. God my Savior fills me with joy. ¹⁹ The Lord and King gives me strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He helps me walk on the highest places.

“Courage,” said the cowardly lion, “I have no courage! I’m afraid all the time…”

Timidly he whines.

Crying, the lion crumbles in defeat…

His three new friends console him, “Oh do not fear Friend Lion, for we are on our way to meet,

Someone we believe has answers and will make us all complete.”

“I have no heart,” said Tin man.

“I have no brain,” Scarecrow peeps.

“I’ve traveled from far and I don’t know my way back home,” Dorothy weeps.

“Come with us to the Emerald City, where dreams come true, you’ll see what we mean.”

“But I’m afraid of everything, I hide when someone screams…”

“We’ll be at your side every step of the way, come on now while it’s still day…”

Linking arms, they skip away with hope renewed come what may!

Are you afraid of what seems real?

Do bumps in the night cause panic and kill, the faith that gives you courage?

I’ve learned in my short time here on earth, that even though my knees may knock, demons lurk and spit and mock, but with the help of my loving friend, Holy Spirit always wins…

I do it anyway…

Stand bold and brave and do not give way to the fear that tries to chase you away…

For greater is He who lives in you than He who is in the world!!

Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the boldness to stand firm no matter what, look fear straight in the face and proclaim, I can’t, but God can! Have courage anyway!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 17, 2023

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.” Joshua 1:9 New International Version

Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 Living Bible

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 New King James Version