It is Jesus…
Humility and Grace stand at your hearts door…
Open up and let them come in…
A hardened heart can never win…
Pride says, “Look at me, look what I’ve accomplished…”
Humility, humbly bows her head and says, “Are you sure of that my friend?”
Grace stands nearby and whispers, “We shall see.” and then she cries.
I have saved many souls for Jesus; I’ve preached sermons others wished they’d done…
I’m the one God used. Don’t you hear the crowds tell how I’ve won…?
Humility only smiles and knows this one will soon see…
“It was Jesus who lived and died to set captives free…
It was He who was crucified, died and rose again for thee…
Holy Spirit draws them to Jesus, and Grace is poured upon each heart, it’s faith that pleases God, you’ll see…
For those who exalt themselves above the Lord, will be brought down and either they will accept humility…
Or be brought to scorn…”
Turn around, open your eyes and look full in the face of the Savior…Jesus is longing for you to be all that he’s called you to be…but first you must accept Grace and Humility.
Follow Jesus, not a man, he’s the only way, truth and life where you will be totally, completely free!
It is Jesus…It is Jesus…He is the one who died for thee!
~M. S. O’Neill October 5, 2017
1 John 2:16 King James Version (KJV) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
James 4:10King James Version (KJV) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
John 12:32-43King James Version (KJV) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Once Born, You Can Never Be Unborn
Something occurred to me today…I’ve been going to a Bible Study at our Church. We are doing the study with Priscilla Shirer on ‘Discerning the Voice of God.’ We are on our second week and it is talking about the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful study I’m enjoying it tremendously.
Today as I was reading my lesson I had this thought…
We don’t have to pop in and pop out of God’s presence.
Jesus said He was going away so he could send another comforter to us and that he would live inside us. Now I’ve been a Christian for a very long time…in the last five years I’ve lived a life I believe is pleasing to the Lord.
At about six years of age, I accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior and the journey began. At that point the Holy Spirit came to live inside of me. It was Him that revealed Jesus to me. It was Him that taught me to honor my mother and my father. It was Him that drew me away from sin, things that would keep me from becoming closer to the Lord. He’s been my teacher, my comforter and my friend. At twelve years of age I asked the Holy Spirit for my prayer language and without going into the entire experience let me just say he filled me with an amazing gift. He told me to seek the giver of the gift and not the gift…Jesus is the giver of the gift. Made sense to me and boy was He right!! Three and a half hours later and He was still speaking through me and all through the night. But that’s another story…for another time…
At times I didn’t walk as close to the Lord as I should have, we all fall down, but that is part of the growing process. I’m just thankful for God’s mercy and grace. He never gives up on us. Amen? And He never left me!
I don’t know about you but for me I go to the Lord and think that I have to do certain things that will get me into the Lord’s presence…By all means we should be clean, and humble and worship with a pure heart…that’s how we should live but sometimes we get dirty and have to take a bath in the living waters of his word…of course…
So here’s my thought…The Holy Spirit lives, dwells, stays in our heart at all times…we are never disconnected from Him…it’s like our brain, heart, lungs or kidney’s etc., they are a part of us and if we remove them we will die…we can’t live without them. They are pretty important to our survival…right? Right.
The Holy Spirit is part of our spirit’s survival…without Him we would not be born of God’s kingdom. We would be spiritually dead.
So because He is living inside of us…we don’t have to go someplace to talk to God…I’m not talking about staying out of Church that’s not where I’m going with this…I’m talking about how God’s Spirit lives inside of us. No matter where we go…or what we do…if we are awake or sleeping He is always in us…we have access to Him at any time 24/7. All we have to do is talk to Him…and He will help us grow and know Jesus more and more and more…Isn’t that wonderful…amazing…it blows my mind…
I just took it for granted that He was living in my heart; that’s what we all say when we lead someone to the Lord. “Ask Jesus to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life.” But today it hit me like never before, that, He is, living inside of me…the Spirit of the Living God took up residence in my heart the minute I accepted Jesus by faith as my Lord and Savior…Oh I hope you are seeing what I’m seeing…because this brings me such Joy and confidence and a realization that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is living right inside of me…
Oh I knew it…I’ve heard it…I believe it…but I didn’t understand it until He showed me when I listened to Priscilla talk about the Holy Spirit yesterday…
This gives us freedom from religious teaching…and religious, mindset, of how we are to get into the presence of God…
We do what everyone else does…fold our hands and bow our head…we get in our Holy stance…and say all the right Holy words…we even cry, real tears, and hope God hears us…
We are free from all that…I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with all of that…but we don’t have to work God up…God is ever present…He always hears and watches…He wants us to talk to Him…to come to Him and love Him…
We are the ones that put all the trimmings on how we think we are supposed to be with Him…He made it so simple…
We are never out His presence…because He is always in us…
Even though our minds don’t recognize that he’s with us all the time…He is…
We can’t unplug from Him and I would never want to…
Think about this…He is not waiting on the outside world for us to find Him…
God sent Jesus to the world and Jesus died and rose again and He sent the Holy Spirit of promise to come and live right inside of us…always….He is always here, inside…all we have to do is acknowledge Him…
He knows where He is…and He is tugging on our heart-strings saying, Hey, I’m right here…just ask me anything and I will tell you the truth and show you who Jesus is…I will help you anytime…anywhere…breathe in, exhale, that’s how close I am…
~M.S. O’Neill October 4, 2017
Romans 8:11 New Living Translation (NLT)
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
John 14:16-17 The Message (MSG) “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
John 14:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 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.
John 3:1-17 Good News Translation (GNT) There was a Jewish leader named Nicodemus, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees. One night he went to Jesus and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God. No one could perform the miracles you are doing unless God were with him.”
Jesus answered, “I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again.”
“How can a grown man be born again?” Nicodemus asked. “He certainly cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time!”
“I am telling you the truth,” replied Jesus, “that no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. A person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit. Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again. The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Give Me Those
Lord take me to the lost the dying the lame
The ones kicked in the teeth, the hungry, without a name
Those who are struggling, hurting those searching
The unlearned ones, forgotten without a face…
Those scraping the barrel seeking your amazing grace
To seek and save the ones who are lost
No matter how tough, No matter the cost
The trials of life have battered and torn
Give me those to love, those broken ones, who mourn
Save us Oh God, Souls cry out
The enemy rages, they defame and destroy
Death to the infidels, their screams are heard
Then a mighty hand, reaches down with one swipe
Victory!
Victory!
There will be No defeat
Give me those, Oh God those who weep
The outcast, the weary, put them back on their feet
Victory, yes Victory will taste, oh so sweet
When at last it’s you Jesus, we finally meet
So give me strength to witness, your Spirit to guide me,
Your love to sustain me, Faith for the journey, Joy for the pain,
Your word will remain
Give me those, Oh God you have called and equipped,
Broken by life, humbled and stripped, ready for battle, God’s call to obey
Unmerited favor, blood bought, souls free, this is our purpose our legacy
Prayer warrior’s unstoppable, with nothing to lose
Hearts strong, hearts true
Give me those Oh God, those are the ones I want for you!
By: Marla Shaw O’Neill
October 2, 2014©
The Soldier Responds without Question
The soldier stands at attention…
Ready and willing to go
To quickly obey and will not delay
No matter where she’s sent…
She’s been trained for this battle
She’s a soldier prepared for this…
Not what she thinks or understands…
But to simply follow the commands that’s given and then…
“YES SIR!” Is all she says…Saluting, she pivots
Responding without question, she does, as she, is told…
She’s confident, ready and bold…
We are in an army, our weaponry not of this world’s kind…
But by prayer and fasting, we’re lead by the Divine…
God has called, and we have answered…standing at attention we wait…
Stand your ground, run forward, and do not retreat, this enemy, you will defeat…
There is one, who is greater, who fights for you, simply obey Him and do what He asks you to do…
The battle is the Lords; you have nothing now to fear…
Adrenaline rush, demons crushed…at the mention of His Name…
Jesus, Commander of the Lord’s Army…
Yesterday, today and forever, He is the same…
Victory, Liberty, Freedom…
Blood is spilt and has forever bought the sons of men and women.
We fight and we win, because of Him!
Amen, and, amen!
~M. S. O’Neill October 2, 2017
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:1-4 New International Version (NIV)
So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!—to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain. 2 Timothy 2:1-7 The Message (MSG)
Holy Love
His eyes meet mine, Oh glory divine…
Within my chest I feel the beats of my heart race…no other one can ever take his place…
Deep calls to deep and I fall…in love with this tiny God-man…
He grows in stature, and with solitary command, with authority he speaks, in humility we cannot understand…
Who is this one who from heaven was sent, is He Prophet? Is He the Promised One?
Yes it is He…Jesus, man from Galilee…
He used to sit upon my knee, lay His head upon my chest…
I cradled Him at my breast…
My son who blessed…all those who follow Him…
Now gone from the nest…He hung upon a tree…
His eyes meet mine, Oh glory divine…
This Jesus, Savior of the World, and son of mine!
With labored breath He speaks…
Mother…behold your son
Within my chest I feel the beats of my heart race…
The look upon His face…
Love so pure, a secret passes between us…
Son…behold your Mother…
Not even death, can take from us, the bond of love, for one another!
~M.S. O’Neill October 2, 2017
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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 (NIV)
Liquid Plumber
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. But not to do our own thing…Oh no. Our liberty and freedom is to walk in the way our Holy God walks. And he wants us to walk with him. We are to lift Jesus up and follow him. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit in paths of righteousness…so that we will not fall into turmoil, anxiety, guilt, shame, regret and darkness that leads to death…
We are not to have preconceived ideas about what we think about God, but to live in truth and to have respect and say, “What is it that you want God?” We are to esteem others more highly than ourselves…Jesus didn’t come to save us so that we could have all the finest “things” this world offers…He came to save us so that we would be children of the Kingdom of God…not to lay up treasures here on the earth…but to lay hold of something so much more lasting and eternal. Where moth and rust cannot destroy and where thieves cannot come in and steal…treasures not made of earthen vessels…these treasures are souls…souls that will live forever and never die…Souls that we meet every day in the workplace, grocery store, wherever we go…and we are the souls that have been redeemed…but somehow something has gone wrong and we are weary and fearful and stressing about every little thing…The Holy Spirit is saying, “Stop it!”
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, we’ve known each other for over thirty years…and she was saying how she just doesn’t have the energy to do anything anymore…and that sometimes she just feels like slapping people…well, I know what she means, it does seem like people need a good slap every now and then…but no, that wouldn’t be Christ like…lol…sorry I got carried away…so I gave her this analogy…
If we hold anything in our hearts against other people, believer or non-believer, it is us who will suffer…and the Bible says if we don’t forgive we won’t be forgiven…and the tormenters are turned loose on us…I told her, it’s like the drain in your bathroom that goes to the toilet…when it gets clogged there’s some pretty icky stuff causing the fresh clean water from getting in and it is stopping the icky mess from being flushed…crude, I know, but it makes a good visual…when we allow “stuff” to get in our hearts and minds, unforgiveness, envy, strife, gossip, jealousy, hate, even the dislike of someone, that is the “icky clog” that is stopping us from hearing God’s voice clearly…it is what makes us sick and toxic…it will rob you of joy and peace and life…it can kill you, physically and spiritually…
But…when we say… “Lord, I choose to forgive, I choose to walk the way you have said to walk, I choose to be a doer of your word and not just a hearer or have lip service…I give my heart to you, so that you will be honored…” then the Holy Spirit like “Liquid Plumber” dissolves the “icky stuff” and instantly fresh, clean water is flowing again…the channel from God’s lips to your heart are opened and you can hear him speaking…Forgive as I’ve forgiven you. Walk in my love. Be at peace and be filled with my joy…My Spirit will only dwell in a clean vessel.
God loves each of us more than we can think or imagine…so…will you do it? Will you allow the Liquid Plumber (Holy Spirit), so to speak, flow freely through your pipes today…?
All it takes is humility and obedience…All torment will leave and no matter what the rest of the world is doing…you will be at Peace with God, yourself and with others…Just Do It!!!
~M.S. O’Neill September 29, 2017
Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 The Message (MSG)
Imitating Christ’s Humility
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. . Philippians 2:2-4New International Version (NIV)
A Life of God-Worship
Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Matthew 6:19-21The Message (MSG)
A Sea-Man’s Prayer
The ocean beckons me, as I stand upon the bow…
And gaze out as far as the eye can see…
A world, waiting for me…
Sea-air fills my lungs, as the ship turns about…
With exhilarating energy I salute, Mother Liberty—
There’s no longer a trace of doubt…
I have been chosen to stand in command
Let fall what may, I’m duty bound to sail upon the sea…
I am a sailor proud, to wear my uniform…
Victory won…my battle song…
Anchor’s away my friend…
Stand tall and true, for our Country—
All of you,
Who will fight for the red, white and blue…
Once more we lift our hand and salute…
Our Commander-in-Chief, with a new belief…
Our land is made brand new…
Pray and believe and do not doubt
God is watching us now…
The sea beckons, all of us, to bend the knee and bow
Lift high the banner of Jesus Christ
And watch as He fights for us now—
America, America…God grant grace to thee.
We put our hope and trust in God
As we set sail upon the sea!
~M. S. O’Neill – November 11, 2016
Salute to my son, Mark Liverio, Sailor tried and true
The Patriarch
In honor of George Beverly Shea:
The Patriarch, alive but old, silver hair his crown…
How great thou art, he bellows, as heaven and earth hear him sing…
A quiver is heard in the vintage voice, but the heart of the man can still rejoice…
As tears stream down the audience’s face…He is still filled, with God’s, sweet, amazing grace…
The angels listen as the music transcends to every dimension throughout known and unknown land…long last they know and understand…God’s child he is, as he sings they all stand…in awe of this humble, vibrant, old man…as he sings in honor of the creator; Then Sings My Soul, My Savior God to Thee, How Great Thou Art…How Great Thou Art…Then Sings My Soul, My Savior God to Thee, How Great Thou Art…How Great Thou Art!!!
~M. S. O’Neill September 28, 2017
A bit of history…
George Beverly Shea (February 1, 1909 – April 16, 2013) was a Canadian-born American[1] gospel singer and hymn composer. Shea was often described as “America’s beloved gospel singer”[2] and was considered “the first international singing ‘star’ of the gospel world,” as a consequence of his solos at Billy Graham Crusades and his exposure on radio, records and television. Because of the attendance at Graham’s Crusades, Shea has sung live before more people than anyone else in history.[3][4]
Musical background
Shea was taught to play the violin by his father, and the piano and organ by his mother.[13] Shea’s bass-baritone voice brought early recognition and provided many opportunities for him to sing in his father’s church.[14] He began singing at religious meetings in the Ottawa Valley.[13]
His Death
A centenarian, Shea died on April 16, 2013 at the age of 104 from complications following a stroke. He was buried on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.[33]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNUv-EyMQXU
The Sacrifice
Lord, I want to be all that you want me to be…
Let me pray for others, feed the hungry, go to foreign lands and preach your word…
I want to be a soul-winner and tell great tales of how you set men free and tell what I’ve heard…I’m sold out and committed, there is no doubt…I will follow thee.
Lord, why have you sent me to this place? I’m alone most of time and all I do is write, pray and go to church…read your word and as I search, I don’t understand why I’m here at all…
Listen God, I’ve prayed and cried and done everything but everything I try…seems small and insignificant I can’t see where I’ve helped at all…
GOD I’M ASKING PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT WITH ME…WHERE ARE YOU GOD…JUST TELL ME, PLEASE…DIDN’T YOU HEAR ME WHEN I SAID, I’M READY TO DO ANYTHING YOU ASK…?
If you aren’t going to use me here, then please let me go home to family…I miss them terribly…five years I’ve cried and prayed for guidance…I’m still alone and miss my home, where grandbabies play and grow and roam…but not with me, Oh can’t you see, I miss them terribly…
OK Lord, I get it…It’s your will…not mine…be done…I’m open Lord and I give my heart in total surrender to you…you’re the one…who calls the shots…I’m here Lord, this is all I’ve got…but what I have is yours…
In the stillness of a breath upon my heart I hear…Child I know what’s best for you and here is where I’ve sent you…to be a light in a tiny place where no one can see the tears on your face…only me and you have shared, these, last five years, and for this purpose I’m brought you here…obedience is better than sacrifice…
Growing up is hard to do…but patient-heart I promise you…will know in due season what it takes to live this life and what is true…on the journey I’ve charted out for you…
You see time is not relevant in the realm where I dwell… all that’s important is your heart so I’ll tell…you, the perfect sacrifice has already been met…that all I ask is obedience and let, my love be the motive of your heart…then those who are weak and without will see that it is I, not you, living inside of thee…in grace and long suffering, with humility, that’s where you will find serenity and peace throughout eternity…Obedience is all I ask of thee…
I hear you daddy God…I surrender to the call…the sacrifice I thought you wanted, wasn’t that at all…
Obedience only comes through suffering, producing the fruit of humility … only then will we be used for God’s glory…
~M. S. O’Neill September 28, 2017
While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honored God, God answered him. Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him. Hebrews 5:7-10 The Message (MSG)
