Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

 

        

If I could stop the rain. I would not. For at the end, there’s

a beautiful rainbow…

If I could keep from falling down. I would not. That’s how we

learn to get back up…

If I could make every tear cease, and stop every disappointment,

I wouldn’t do that either because at the end of those tears a beautiful smile

appears…

Struggles create endurance, endurance causes persistence,

persistence creates dreams, and dreams become reality.

If I knew then, what I know now, I’d still live my life just

the way I have. Because without that path I would have never learned the lessons

that make me who I am. By the grace of God; I became a person of deep

compassion, merciful, humbled and forgiven.

We will make mistakes, we will go through many heartaches

and setbacks and trials that torment the soul…

But every tear; every heartache; every trial that comes and rips us apart

it tears at our being and shapes us, into who we are supposed to be…

We could become bitter and waste our lives, but I pray we

become better and live a life of honor…Strong and courageous!

Celebrate the joy when it comes and the sorrow; embrace loved ones before

they go; we never know when this life will be cut short…

And remember…always, always, that…love is better than hate!!!!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill,  July 30, 2014 revised July 30, 2017

Adam loved God with all his heart and wanted to please God. He had no fear or pride or jealousy. He had a pure undefiled heart and mind. He lived in the garden that God had created. He spent his days naming plants and animals it was what he did and he did it with excellence. Then God gave Adam a wife, life was wonderful. But one day everything changed…and you know the rest of that story…let me tell you what happened after they sinned and had to leave the garden.

Eve conceived and had a son, she named him Cain. Cain was the very first of their children then Able came along.

Cain worked in the fields; his job title might be that of a farmer. He knew hard work and took pride in what he did but he was self-centered and arrogant. These were traits of the sin life that came from the sins of his parent’s disobedience to God. Good and evil. Cain chose evil. Keeping the best of what he had for himself, he gave God the left overs. He gave God the “stuff” that was not too badly worn there was still a lot of good left in it. Thinking to himself, God won’t mind, he knows I deserve the best for this and after all I’m the one who worked from sunup to sundown to accumulate all this wealth. It’s not like I’m throwing the “stuff” away. It’s good enough. I’m sure God will understand.

(The tempter still at work whispering in man’s ear.)

God did understand. He understood that Cain was his own God. His heart was far from pure, his heart was full of evil and it would not abide well with him.

Able, the youngest son of Adam and Eve, tended animals he was more of a shepherd than a farmer. Able loved God and wanted to please God with all that God had given him. His was a labor of love, joy and thankfulness. He rose early in the mornings to make sure his flock was watered and fed. He anointed them with oil to keep pests off of them. He walked with them in green pastures and slept with them in fields. He would protect the flock from predators, putting the flock above his own needs. To show his gratitude to God he would select the most excellent of his flock, the first-born lamb, and he would give them as a sacrifice to God. He gave only the very best to God, second best would not do. This pleased God because Able gave it to him in faith. A blood sacrifice, Able followed God’s example that only blood can cleanse the stains of sin and wash away guilt and shame so that fellowship and relationship can be restored between God and man.

“Why doesn’t God accept my sacrifice?” Cain whined and wiped his brow. “Look at Able always happy, always getting everything he wants. I need to teach him a lesson. Life isn’t easy all the time. I sweat and toil in these fields and I barely get by. I love God. After all I give him everything I have that’s left over from my fields. Still he does not honor me or give me favor. Everything I touch is desolate and sun-scorched.” Crying in his soup bowl he tosses it aside and runs into the field where Able is tending sheep.

Cain sees Able and calls out to him. “Able come here, I want to talk to you little brother.”

Able smiles and runs to greet his big brother. “What’s up Cain?”

“Wipe that smile off your face you know what’s up. It’s you and God.” Cain sneers as evil rises up within him and spews from his mouth. “You think you’re so good. You think I don’t notice how you and God are always hanging out. You’re his favorite golden boy. You’re the apple of his eye. If he’d give me just a second of his time my fields would flourish and I’d be as well off as you are. But no, He smiles on you, takes walks with you and makes sure you prosper.”

Able stepped back his smile quickly vanishes. “What are you talking about Cain? Why do you have to be so jealous and envious? Your fields are thriving. What is your problem bro?”

“What’s my, problem? I’ll tell you what my problem is…YOU!! You’re my problem.” Cain in a rage picks up a rock and hits Able in the head. Able stumbles and falls down his blood spilling out onto the ground. Cain is a murderer. He killed his brother, Able.

Cain stares in horror… “What have I done?” He runs away to hide.

God calls to Cain… “Cain where is your brother Able?”

“I do not know? Am I my brother’s keeper?”

God said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground. Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer give its strength to you. You will always travel from place to place on the earth.” Genesis 4:1-12.

The tree of knowledge of Good and Evil is ever present as proven in the story of Cain and Able. Jealousy, pride, anger, envy all stem from the nature of man because of disobedience to God. The sin of Adam and Eve continue throughout time. The only way to restore obedience to God was with a perfect blood sacrifice. God’s plan was hidden although he gave hints and revealed his secrets to his prophets and seers along the way. He would redeem mankind through His only begotten son…but it would take years to come into play. (God’s plan would be foretold but not manifested until it was time.)

People didn’t believe Noah when he was building an ark on dry land. Rain had never fallen from the sky until that day came and it began to rain. The world cried out but it was too late.

People didn’t believe the Son of God, Messiah was born in a stable in Bethlehem until the day of His resurrection when over 500 people witnessed him alive and men of Galilee saw him ascend into heaven. (Jesus said I will come again.)

Some people still don’t believe…but just because you don’t believe doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

A lot of people today don’t believe that Jesus is going to return to the earth…but I’m telling you as sure as I live and breathe that He Is Coming…it is going to happen just like the flood came…just like the Son of God was born and died and rose again…Jesus is coming again!!

No not even the angels in heaven know exactly when he will return but he gave us signs…watch and pray…be ready…and tell others…

We are our brother’s keeper.

~~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 27, 2017

The Coming of the Son of Man

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:29-31 (NKJV)

The Risen Christ, Faith’s Reality

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 1 Corinthians 15:1-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

 

Do you know Jesus?

Do you walk with Him and talk with Him…moment by moment?

Do you know His story?

Did you know He died on a Cross for you?

Did you know that the cross is a symbol of love that Christians have carried throughout history?

Did you know that the cross represents death and pain and sacrifice it was used to crucify people in Roman times…

The cross was a tree, a pole that Jesus hung upon. He shed his blood, and sweat, and tears. There was such anguish and betrayal and persecution. He hung there naked and beaten. Nails held his body there…

Oh he could have called angels from heaven and they would have taken Him from that cross if had asked…he could have said, “Father this is too much to bear.” But he didn’t say that…He said, “Father forgive them they don’t know what they are doing.”

The cross was not only a place of death. It was a place where life would be restored. The veil that separated men from a Holy God would be ripped in two all because the Son of God hung there and died for humanity because of His great love for all mankind.

The thief, the murderer, the liar, the cheater, the adulterer, all sinners…God loved each of us even in our sin even before we asked Him to forgive us. He loved us so much that He allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross; a tree; so that you and I could be free from death, hell and the grave!!!

The cross is more than a pole that stood on a hill described as the place of the scull. It is a landmark in history that will stand throughout all time…

Men of evil intent may burn it…destroy it…hide it…bury it…smash it into dust…that will not matter…it is sealed in the minds and hearts of every living being…WHY? Because the Only Begotten Son of God hung on that cross to give us reconciliation to the Father of Heaven…The Living God and Creator of every living thing…

You think you can destroy it…There’s No Way…hold out your arms and look at yourself…you are a cross…

Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me.”

Oh it’s not just a symbol to be worn as an accessory…it not just a symbol to be set on a church steeple…it’s not just a symbol to be sung about or carried on someone’s back at Easter-time…It is so much more…

The Cross is a place of Liberty and restoration…It was used to show the whole world that the Son of God was sent to hang there so that we would know His sacrifice was greater than any, that could, or would, ever be able to stand in the midst of evil. To bear up under demonic torture and shame and guilt and betrayal…but it did not end there… It was not a pretty sight…it was no Hollywood movie…it was not something to be proud of or glorified…it was heart breaking, a horror to watch as the stench of blood and urine and sweat poured out…His skin was ripped, bones stretched a torture beyond anything imaginable… can you get that? Can you see the precious Son of God hanging on that cross for us?

Jesus/Yeshua the son of the living God…Gave His life freely…He died there. His blood and water poured from there…and Glory to God in the Highest…He did that so that we would live and never die…so that we wouldn’t have to be crucified…

Mockers and soldiers and family and friends…outcasts and beggars…tired lonely women and old men…lepers and blind, lame and demon possessed watched the man, Jesus/Yeshua die, upon the cross…

You can’t destroy the cross…it is indestructible because, Jesus/Yeshua lives…in spite of evil’s tactics…they’ve already lost…

Give me Jesus/Yeshua give me the cross…

I’ll carry it always; it will never be lost…

Child of God, stand tall, stand strong…

This will be your calling; this will be the cost…

Come follow Yeshua…and carry the cross…

The thing is…Jesus/Yeshua is no longer on that cross…He is ALIVE! But because of that cross, and His love for us…we as His children…know the price of what He accomplished on that cross, and one day, every knee is going to bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus/Yeshua the Christ, is LORD!!!

~~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 26, 2017

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 English Standard Version (ESV)

Brothers…

Sisters…

Hear the Joyful Sound…

Great Joy overflowing from the cup held within your hands

The Oil of Joy, bubbling up from the depths of your soul, pouring forth

Not just for you but to all you come in contact with…

I give you My Joy…so that your Joy will be full

Spirit Joy…poured upon the heads of my Priests, Prophets and Kings…

This Joy is from Holy Spirit it is strength promised by the King of Glory…

Blown in by the wind… to set you on fire… producing life and the fruit thereof is obedience which is so much greater than sacrifice…

Receive My Joy for it is the FULLNESS of Life…

Ever….Lasting….Joy!!!

Rejoicing in battles lost and won…

Taking back what has been stolen…

Triumphant over death and the grave…

Healing the broken in spirit…

Breaking chains of captivity…

Restoring fellowship with your friend…YHWH…

Conversations in Holy Tongue…

Revealer of Jesus, the Son…

This Joy…My Joy…poured out on Pentecost…

Sealed and delivered…The Comforter, teacher, living breathing Preacher…New Life Soul Maker…Author and Word Revealer…giving light to the darkness and hope to the hopeless…unimaginable Peace from Peace Himself. Spirit Joy brings restoration and reconciliation…bridges the gap between dimensions unseen but visible by Spirit Joy…

This is my gift and my promise to all who will ask and receive…The Joy of the in-filling of the Holy Spirit.

It is a time to rejoice knowing God is Holy and that He, is, your Joy…and In, Him, you have life…Rejoice that your names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Let the oil of His Holy Joy Remain…Be complete in you and through you! For The Joy of The Lord is your strength…Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 25, 2017

Psalm 45:7 (NIV) You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

John 15:11 English Standard Version (ESV) These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Nehemiah 8:1-11 New International Version (NIV) all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

 

I didn’t write out the whole chapter of Daniel 7, so if you like, go back and read it later it’s very interesting. I did this because I wanted to make a point about what Daniel did while seeing a vision. It says that he looked…but he didn’t stop looking at what he was seeing it says he kept, looking, and he also asked what it all meant. The really cool thing about his asking is that, he received the interpretation.

Many times we seek God and he gives us a dream or vision or tongues but we don’t press in to get the understanding and that’s on us. God says to ask and we will receive.

So here in Daniel 7 it says,

Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

Again it says…

“After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast

After that, in my vision at night I looked…

“As I looked,…

“Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking…

 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

“I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.  I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of  all this.

“So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 

Then I wanted to know the meaning…

“He gave me this explanation:

So here is the point I want to make…

Yesterday after church we were driving home and I asked Bob to call his mom. He said she was probably at her church. I said just call her and let’s see. It turned out that she couldn’t find her car keys so we went over to help her.

We looked in her car, around the car, under the car, in the trunk, no keys. So we went into the kitchen looked in the refrigerator, yes that’s right in the frig, she said she had put away some groceries. But no keys were found. We looked through the garbage, in the dishwasher, under cabinets, and in every nook and cranny…she said she had put them in her pants pocket but she’d washed and dried those pants and put them away. So we looked in her closet and on the floor, no keys. It was disconcerting for her because she said she was starting to feel like a forgetful, little, ole lady. If you know Mom O you know she is very independent and has all her faculties about her. I mean she still drives and goes to work. She is extremely intelligent and has a great mind. So Bob said, “Let’s go get a bite to eat, give yourself some time to de-stress and when we come back we’ll find your keys.” She agreed and we went for some lunch.

When we came back home we looked some more…just like Daniel we kept looking. Then I prayed silently and asked the Holy Spirit to show us where her keys were. Bob was in the kitchen looking. I went into her bedroom; I looked under the bed in the bed and all around. Still no keys… “Lord, please let us find her keys.” In her room is a chair, I pulled back the throw pillow and I saw some reading glasses in the crack of the cushion, and then I saw them and with great joy I said, “I found the keys!”

Mom O shouted, “Really? Where were they?” Bob came rushing into the room and said, “Where were they?” I showed them where I found them and Bob said to his mom, “You must have had them in your pants pocket and laid them across the chair and they fell out.” She was so relieved and happy.

Sometimes we have to look and keep on looking. Did we feel like giving up? Yes. Did we give up? No. We knew they had to be there someplace…but it took asking the only one who knew exactly where they were, the Holy Spirit, to find them.

To look and keep on looking…many times we are weary and confused and afraid but if we will look and ask for directions…God never fails to lead us to the destination of where the treasure is hidden.

And I gave him all the glory…we couldn’t find the keys no matter how much we searched…but with His help we will never fail…

Look, watch, ask…no matter how much effort it takes…because we will find the answer if we don’t get discouraged and give up.

~~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 24, 2017

Galatians 6:9 New International Version (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

 (Not the actual house but similar.)

Growing up I lived in a tiny rural area called Rocky Creek. There was actually a creek, I was baptized in it. I lived in a little house made of wood with real wood floors where the knots in some of the boards were missing so my granny would get a roll of linoleum and nail it down over the floor.

There were no screens on the windows and in the summer time the windows were propped open with a wooden plank. A fly swatter was used to swat flies and from time to time, a snake would find its way through a tear in the screen door. Summers are hot in Florida. We had something very few have today…we had sweat and heat rash. Every afternoon at nap time I’d lay in the bed wearing only little shorts and I’d toss and turn until sleep would overtake me and I’d doze into peaceful bliss…or maybe not so peaceful…

We didn’t have much money in those days. My mama worked to put food on the table and granny would take care of us and the household duties. My parents were divorced so I rarely saw my dad.

My cousin Maria lived down the dirt road from me and my cousin Juanita lived across the street, caddy corner from us. I loved to play outside. I was always running and doing cartwheels and skin the cat on an old swing-set we had. But my favorite thing to do was to play in the woods, of course granny would scold me every time she caught me going there because she said there were rattle snakes in those woods.

For me it was an adventure, a jungle, to be explored and there were lots of trees to climb. I was only four or five years old but I thought I was grown. It’s funny how our perspective changes as we mature. I remember like it was yesterday as the saying goes…I’d have a wonderful time in those woods but I paid the consequences when granny found out. She’d get the switch and around and around we’d go…she would sting my legs and I’d scream, “I won’t do it no more, I won’t do it no more.”

But come Saturday afternoon, back to the woods I’d go.

Until one day when my brother was in those woods with his dog, Rough-Neck, a gray-hound someone had given him. Regan loved that dog. That dog also loved Regan. A rattle snake was about to strike Regan when Rough-Neck jumped in front of the snake and saved Regan’s life. That was one of the saddest days of our lives. Mom wouldn’t get off work to take the dog to the vet and he died. It broke Regan’s heart and it broke my heart to see my brother in so much pain. I don’t think he ever got over it.

There are always consequences for the things we know not to do but we do them anyway. The Bible says the wages of sin is death…

We can be forgiven but that doesn’t change the fact that we will have to pay a high cost for our actions.

Last night I had a dream in the dream someone was talking to me about what I thought was important. I looked at the person and I said, “The most important thing in this life is people. Relationships. You can have lots of toys and fancy cars and big houses and take trips and have lots of money but those things aren’t as important as people.”

I thought about that this morning, and the relationships I’ve had over my lifetime and where some of those people are now. My Uncle Book died in 1966. My granny died in 1989. Maria died in 1993. My brother died in 2007. My step-dad died in 2003, and my precious mother died in 2015. I can’t bring them back. I can’t talk to them anymore. But the times we spent together were priceless and I will never forget how much we loved each other. Even in disagreements we still loved each other, we got over it, and moved on.

I think when we are young we take people for granted without even thinking about it. We just figure they’ll always be around. But as I age and time goes by I’ve come to realize anyone can die at any time. I know we can’t live our lives in fear and constantly worrying about it. But we can be a little more aware and when there is a disagreement we should to be quick to forgive. None of us are perfect we are just people.

People with emotions and challenges and health issues…people with personality conflicts and some people can make us so mad sometimes…but you know what, we should realize that people are the most important to us in life.

And I have to bring this up because, well, it’s in my DNA…God thought people were the most important too…He sent his only son, Jesus, into this world to die for us because he loved people so much …You and Me. People with flaws and sin so dark, so un-lovable, so wretched, vile and evil, but he loves us anyway. He knew, that if people would ask His son to come and live in their hearts that they would change. He knew that if they would build that relationship with His son that they’d come to know, and love Him too. He knew that if they accepted Jesus and talked to Him and would allow the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts that they would love others too.

John 3:16 is a scripture I learned early on in the little Baptist church I went to as a child…it was my first memory verse… “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever (people) believeth in him should never perish but have everlasting life.” (I was raised on the King James Version)

If you’re having a disagreement with someone, don’t put off getting together with them and restoring that relationship. Humble yourself, let go of pride and wanting to be right. I’d rather be reconciled to my loved one, than have them die and never have the opportunity to see or talk to them again. The other thing is, you could be the one to die. Keep your heart right before God. He’s never wrong.

Now on a happier note because I don’t want to leave you in this somber state of mind…

Today is a good day to love people, forgive people, go and enjoy your life!

~~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 22, 2017

On bended knee I humbly bow

To face the God of Israel…

Too many fallen from your grace…

If only we would seek your face

Wars and rumors of wars on far and distant shores

People running afraid, for its knocking on their doors

People dying

People crying

People of every race…

So why not bend your knee and pray and seek God’s holy face…?

How long?

How long will you shake your fist at God and say he does not exist…?

Hi tech and things gone viral…billions on their way to Hell…

Invisible worlds are all around us, but no one wants to tell…

The story of a man who died but came back to life again…

The son of God, Yeshua, with his blood shed, he bled and died on Mt. Calvary

They say, It’s imaginary, don’t waste my time; it’s a child’s fairytale, I’m not buying what you’ve got to sell…

On bended knee I cry out for you, for your soul to be set free…

For ears to hear and eyes to see…what God is doing now for thee

Only through the name of Yeshua will you ever have victory…

Repentance is the only way, so turn to Him and bow your knee…

You may not understand right now…But when you face eternity…

It’ll be too late, to bend your feeble knee.

God does not wink at sin my friend…this is not a game…

He’s taking roll-call right now; will he be calling your name…?

He’s writing in the book of life…is your name written there…?

Don’t put it off for another day…bend your knee in prayer…

God, you see what this world’s come too…you made a way, you sent the truth, you’re offering life not death…

So before you take another breath, friend…make things right with Him…

Time is short God’s plan in place…

Oh God have mercy and grace…

The curtain’s been torn…many die and mourn…

Come quickly LORD and take us home…

For this world is not where we belong…

Let all those who are new born…rest in your loving embrace.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 20, 2017

By faith (insert your name) can please God, live in the now, conquer fear and doubt, by faith (YOU) can do ALL things with the Help that comes from the LORD! How do you get faith? You live each moment of your life trusting in a God you cannot see knowing that He is and that He’s working all things for your good! By faith we live, and by faith we die. Without faith it is impossible to please God…so live by Faith…it is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. The ancients lived by faith…

Hebrews 11 New International Version (NIV)

Faith in Action

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. ¹² And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

 

 

Why are you weeping little one…

When joy should fill your soul…

Why are you seeking for something that has gone…

Lift up your face and see the Son…

Open your heart to see the dawn…

Your next adventure is on the horizon…

Time does not stand still

Like the mighty river it goes on and on…

Pouring new life and new birth along its path

Never stagnant, never just sitting still

Good morning trees, good morning flowers

Waving as it passes by…

You are passing by this way not meant to ever stay…

But while you’re here you are to live, to give, to laugh and play

You’re to sing and to dance and lend a hand to others passing by this way…

The river never sleeps, it never stops, it rushes over mountains and through valleys

It flows past lands and over rocks…giving life and substance, flowing over life’s hard knocks…the river is brave and strong and alive…

It rises above turmoil, runs towards its challenges and even moves mountains that stand in its path…it has no cares, no wants, no burdens, it keeps going no matter what…

You are a river, born from the Well-Spring…

Keep moving…steadily downstream…so all who drink from your waters will never be thirsty again…

The river of life is flowing…

~~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 19, 2017

John 7:37-39 New Living Translation (NLT) Jesus Promises Living Water

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

Zechariah 14:7-9 New International Version (NIV)

It will be a unique day—a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.

On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

As I stepped into the garden…

There was light shining not just on the leaves of the trees…the leaves were illuminated through and through as they shook in kind acknowledgement of my presence and it was very good.

My first step was strong and bold as I knelt beside the streams of living waters…

Sea-creatures danced up and over the waters and dove deep into the sea…

I ran with lions and heard their triumphant roar…

I bent to smell flowers I called them roses and honeysuckle…they are the sweetest…and the sunflowers lifted their heads to the bright unfailing sun and I smiled for it was all very good…

Lying in the tall luscious grass, I looked up at the sky and counted the stars all too numerous to number…I see the Milky Way and I watch the moon gleaming in the night, full and brilliant the lesser light to rule the night.

I climbed the mountains and spoke to the valleys here and there…Snow peaks the mountain tops and streams of waters ran into the valleys so that fresh vegetation and the animals are fed and watered.

The eagles fly among the heavens and tiny sparrows sing among the trees…this fills my heart with joy and peace…and I burst into song…I dance among the lilies of the field my joy is full…

I will give all of this to my son. I will call him Adam…the first man.

It is all very good…

Everything is as it should be I will take this day and call it rest…

~~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 18, 2017

Genesis 1:1-31 King James Version (KJV)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the third day.

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.