Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

   

In the Animal Kingdom there are many species…and sometimes I wonder about their personalities and behaviors and I relate them to humans…

There’s the sneaky squirrel, alert and cautious as he looks about coming down from the telephone wire onto the oak tree, runs along the branch and out onto a pole, where the bird feeder is stationed with seeds to feed the birds….He doesn’t care about the birds, what he wants is the food…and he will do all his amazing tricks to get to that food…after all, He is of the Animal Kingdom, Sir Squirrel, of Dudley!

Then there’s the sly fox. He waits until all the humans are out of sight and makes his way into the farm-yard and into the chicken coop…there he steals a chicken no one will miss this one, no one will even know the fox was there. Every fox for himself… “I am The Fox, mysterious and sly, no one can catch me.” Or so he believes…until there is a “fox hunt.”

Well I can’t forget the peacock, he’s majestic and serene. Prancing around in all his glory as he spreads his tail-feathers wide and says, “Look at me, I am something grand to behold…I’m beautiful, am I not?” Pride and arrogance he wears in a pompous display of color. King of the yard he struts.

Of course there are the peasants of the kingdom…the ducks and geese and chickens…the work horse and the oxen and the mules…

Oh we can’t ignore the mule. They are stubborn and rebellious… “You will not make me move one inch if I choose not too!” says the obstinate mule. “I do all the work around here and who says thank you, no one. So I will pout and sit until I feel like moving. Heehaw…heehaw!”

You could be a finicky cat, barking dog, pig, monkey or water buffalo…sheep, lion, dolphin, wolf…

Thousands of animals in the kingdom…

But my favorite in this kingdom is the eagle…He is the hunter…a loner… King of the skies…

He soars above the storm; he takes one mate for life. He goes through a deep depression and lives on the floor of the valley, for a season or so I’ve been told this may or not be true. (I heard this story many years ago.) His fellow eagles, which have also gone through this process, fly over the valley and drop food for him to eat. When the time comes, he has to decide if he wants to live or die. He will have to climb out of the valley, it’s difficult because his claws have grown and curled up making it hard for him to walk, little lone to climb. If he decides he wants to live he must drag himself up the mountain to a rock and beat his beak onto the rock, and scrape his claws, so he can survive. He lets out a cry so powerful he can be heard for miles. Then he dives off the mountain and flies straight up into the sky until he sees the stars…and shouts, “ CAW…CAW…Just he and God alone…Thank you God for giving me wings…thank you God for taking me through this trial and thank you God, for I know, I am not alone…I fly with you in the heavens, and I rest with you in my nest, you supply for my house-hold, my young ones, and my mate…Thank you God you made me this way…I am free…I am alive…I will soar! I have seen you with my eye and I have heard you speak my name…I am yours and you, God, are mine!

Yes the Animal Kingdom is prolific and magnificent…but more than all the Animals that God designed…It was man who he made in His image. When the light of Jesus comes into a man/woman’s heart…there is absolutely nothing more beautiful to God’s eyes. He loves you, and me, without measure…

Which animal personality do you see in you?

God sees you just the way you are…but loves you too much to leave you in darkness…that is why he sent the light…His son, Jesus! It’s time to climb out of the valley of despair and soar…let your cry be heard in the heavens…THANK YOU GOD FOR GIVING ME WINGS…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 15, 2017

 Psalms 103:2-5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (NKJV)

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who wait on the Lord  Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (NKJV)

 

Tip-toeing into the room, I watch as the tiny chest rises and falls

In perfect rhythm, a breath; signs that life is sweet…

This one is mine…

Eyes closed in sleep…

Face pure and innocent, no cares, no worries, a part of me lying there

A sign that life is complete…

What will you do my little one? What journeys will you seek?

I bend and tenderly kiss the cheek…

Of this child wandering in dreamland who does he/she meet?

My love goes beyond the stars, affection limitless, tremendous, endless…

On loan for a millisecond, then gone, time does not stand still…

Sleep, little one, sleep…

Just as we love our children and want the best for them, our loving heavenly father feels the same way about us.

Sometimes when we do not hear him speaking, or we don’t feel him near. It’s not that he has left us; for he said, he never would…he is just tip-toeing into our room and watching us sleep. Tears of joy filling his eyes, his heart so full of love for us, that he is speechless.

Rest, little one, rest! ~Papa

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 14, 2017

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31

I am my beloved’s, And my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies. Song of Solomon 6:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

“And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” Isaiah 59:21

Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalm 112:1-2

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 2 Corinthians 13

• I’d like to recommend a book to you, it’s called, The Singing God by, Sam Storms. This book is amazing. Sam will open your eyes to the wonderment of God’s love and how he sings over his children. It has blessed me beyond words. You will love it!

 My maiden name is Shaw  which comes from: The English surname was also established in Ireland in the 17th century. Scottish and Irish: adopted as an English form of any of various Gaelic surnames derived from the personal name Sitheach ‘wolf’. Americanized form of some like-sounding Ashkenazic Jewish surname. (Ancestry.com)

I was born in Northern Alabama in Etowah County, in the city of Gadsden, 1954. My Dad was born in Cherokee county. I’m told that my Grandpa, “Paw Shaw” as he was known, could throw a rock and kill a rabbit. I was also told that he was a great baseball player and they wanted him to play professional baseball but he wouldn’t leave Alabama. He lived to be, I believe, 97 years old, I know he was in his nineties when he died. My grandma Shaw was in her nineties, as well, when she died. They were married for 75 years. I can hardly imagine that…SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS MARRIED. Some people don’t even live to be that old and yet they stayed married, that is something to ponder. Of course in those days that’s what you did, you stayed married for life.

My dad is 89 years old. I just talked to him he sounded good but he’s not as strong as he used to be…age has a way of doing that…we laughed and discussed a few things…Life sure is strange…but it goes on…

I didn’t grow up knowing my dad on a day to day basis, but I love him, and every time I call him and we hang up the phone I say, “I love you dad.” He says, “I love you too dar’lyn…I always have and always will, I love you dearly…”

No matter how old we get…there is nothing like talking to your mom or your dad…time slips away when we aren’t looking.

If your parents are living…call them…tell them you love them…even if they don’t say it back…some just don’t know how!

Love as if there is no end…

Forgive like there is no tomorrow…

And live as long and courageous as you can!

It’ll be gone too soon…so make the moments count!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 13, 2017

I want a heart like His…

I want a heart like this, full of…

Love and compassion for the lost

To give at all cost…

My life totally spent, poured out, completely used up

At the end of my days…

Giving God praise,

Let me…

Touch the leper, so he will know that God loves him so…

Cast out demons so they will flee, setting the captives free…

Let the world hear my shout…Father I forgive them!

I want a heart like Him…

I don’t need to walk on water…

But I do need faith…

Or turn water into wine…

But I do need the Holy Spirit within

I don’t need shiny things

What I crave, is a heart that brings

Honor, glory, praise,

Worship, life, grace

Redemption, salvation, wholeness,

Freedom, peace

Joy, gentleness,

Friend of God,

Love…

Don’t let me miss

Having a heart like Jesus!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 13, 2017

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

God is singing a love song, just for you today

His words are true and heartfelt; Listen, to what he has to say…

My love for you is so intent I cannot be still…

My heart is full of love for you, no doubt, for I always will,

Think of you each morning as you stretch and move to rise

No one fills my heart like you, when I look into your eyes

My song of love is flowing to you, my love, my bride…

In a voice, loud and boisterous, in reckless abandonment…each word is heard….

Like a giddy child, completely wild, all for the love of you…

Heaven’s windows opened wide so you will hear his love is true…

Child of mine, love divine, I sing my song for you…

I love you so completely, loved deeply, for you are mine, you are the one, I pursue~

Waiting patiently I sing, my love song throughout time, for this one moment…

When you realize you are mine…

Dry your tears put away your fears…Child I long to see you smile…

Come sit with me and I’ll tell you more, come talk with me awhile…

Then when you see my heart is yours…and I’ve loved you even when

You thought that no one cared; it was I who drew you near…

I love you precious one, you are worthy of my love,

For it is I, who has loved you first, and it is I, who will love you, last…

Open your heart and open your ears as I sing my love song to you…

Loved without condition, love pure and free…

I have given everything that I am,

To show my love for thee!

La lala… Lala… Lala la…O hear the melody…

I, love, you,

~God

 ~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 13, 2017

 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 New Living Translation

I’d like to ask you a question…as humbly as I possibly can. Some will have no problem with this question; some probably haven’t even thought about it. Some may not practice this because they may think; they don’t need to, because they get all they need from Church. Some may think, they don’t understand it anyway, so, why should they read it? And some of you may think, you don’t have time…it’s out of date…it’s King James no one talks like that anymore….But…

How are you going to know what God says, if you don’t read His Words?

My husband Bob, has been getting up every morning at breakfast, he opens his Bible starting with Genesis and has been reading for about four months now. He’s now in 2 Samuel. He tells me what he’s read and is finding so many things he never knew before.

This thrills me to no end…because he’s not only reading God’s word; God is changing him, transforming him, and giving him wisdom and understanding.

No one told Bob to start reading the Bible every morning at breakfast. He just started doing it.

We have been given the Holy Bible, inspired by God, and when we pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open our understanding he is more than willing to do that. Don’t you think it would be ridiculous to have wisdom sitting at our fingertips, but never pick it up to read it. There are answers to every situation known to man in this book.

You want a lifetime instruction book? It’s been around for hundreds of years. What a gold mine.

In our country you can buy one from a store for a dollar. Or order one that’s leather bound with a commentary. People do still like the ones made of paper.

Now days you get them on digital and audio….you don’t have to carry the “big book” around, there’s an App for your phone. Letters too small, just widen it on the screen and it is enlarged…talking about at your fingertips…

The point is…OPEN IT UP and READ IT!!! Let the Holy Spirit open mysteries and secrets and life plans and dreams and how to raise your children and how to become the best person you’d ever want to be…read the true account about the Life of Jesus and see how the Old Testament and the New Testament are really all one book connected through time…

There’s healing, marriage restoring, relationship miracles and so much more…

Read it with an open heart, pray and let God speak to you. Find a translation that you can understand and use Matthew Henry’s ‘free’ commentary he’ll explain to you what each verse is talking about.

If you saw someone starving literally to death, and needed food and water, wouldn’t you give them what they needed or see that they got help? If that person was you…wouldn’t you want food and water? It’s not just spiritual it is also for the body and the mind and the soul. Find out for yourself what it says about all that. Don’t take someone else’s word for it…You, read it, so you won’t be deceived. And when someone tries to tell you the Bible says this, or that, you will know for yourself what it says.

The Bible is…sweeter than honey, a well, that never runs dry and, it is the words of God to live by! His words are written in a book just for you.

I’ve taken the liberty to give you one of the Epistles, a letter of James below…

Lord Jesus, I ask that whoever reads your words today that you will give them new insight to who you are, and that it will inspire them to keep reading your word. They are Words of life and peace and hope. Holy Spirit, bring healing into the hearts of God’s children. Amen.

~MSO, June 12, 2017

James 1 New International Version (NIV)

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Crowds pressed in on every side…

Healing and ministry there collide…

More and more the people cried…

So many needs can’t be denied…

Time for a rest, to recharge refresh…

Into the quiet solitude of the wilderness…

Into the wilderness he went to pray.

To be still and seek and knock and ask…

Grace for the journey and peace that lasts.

He went into the wilderness, to pray.

Luke 5:16

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 11, 2017

There’s a song for us to be singing…

While living on this earth…

It’s the song of Heaven’s Kingdom

The angels hasten to hear…

Coming from earthen vessels

The hearts of the redeemed…

Stand and shout it out…

And do not fear

Be bold, be courageous and SING…

This song has no ending

Open your heart,

You, the Redeemed…

Sin has no hold on me

The blood of Jesus poured out; hear and see…

The grave cannot hold me and death has no sting

The same Spirit who lives in him, in us is quickening…

We have God’s favor and by faith we walk in Him…

Children of Heaven’s Kingdom

Sing it out for all of them…

To know as it is in heaven, so it is within the earth….

For Heaven’s, King, has given us a brand new-birth…

Sing, Redeemed, Sing!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 10, 2017

Psalm 71:23-24 The Message (MSG)

You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I’m telling the world your wonders; I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray. God, don’t walk off and leave me until I get out the news Of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you’ve done it all! Who is quite like you? You, who made me stare trouble in the face, Turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. I’ve been to the bottom; Bring me up, streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me, And I’ll take up the lute and thank you to the tune of your faithfulness, God. I’ll make music for you on a harp, Holy One of Israel. When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life a song. All day long I’m chanting about you and your righteous ways, While those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed.

Many times we start out in life, young and carefree; we have lots of dreams and ambitions…

Somewhere along the line we fall into a pit. We make wrong choices and before we know it we are caught in a web. Lies and corruption entangle our hearts and minds and evil’s bony, sharp, talons dig deep within us.

The spider weaves its web around us knowing we can never be free. The more we struggle the tighter the web becomes. The spider lurks, waiting to make his move. Its victims, unaware that the angel of death is coming for them.

Let me tell you a little story. It’s about Lot, the nephew of Abraham. Lot chose to leave the protection of Abraham and move away from the mountains to be closer to the city of Sodom and Gomorrah.

He wanted a different life. He wanted the city life. Although he still kept his religious beliefs. Maybe he thought that sin would not taint him or his family. That he could live that close to evil and it wouldn’t rub off on them. Where did the angels find Lot when they arrived? He was at the city gate. The city gate was a place of authority where all the important men gathered. He was important, or so he thought. (Read Genesis 19)

Let me back up for just a moment…

The Lord and two angels, appearing as men, were walking by Abraham’s camp when he saw them; Abraham knew immediately who they were. Bowing before them he invited them to eat and to offer them refreshments. Afterwards, the Lord stayed behind with Abraham. The two angels continued on their way.

The Lord told Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah was going to be destroyed because of the great sins that were going on there. Abraham beseeched the Lord and said, “Will you destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Abraham interceded for the people. He asked, “What if there are fifty righteous living there, would you spare their lives and not destroy the cities? The Lord said he would not destroy them if he found fifty. Abraham must have known that there probably was not that many righteous living there so he counted down with, what about forty, and the Lord said, if forty, he wouldn’t destroy it…Abraham didn’t stop with forty, what if there are only thirty, twenty, he counted all the way to ten. Abraham said, “What if there are ten righteous?” The Lord said he would not destroy them if he found ten righteous…

But…he didn’t find ten righteous; in fact he found that the place was so corrupt that the men of the city wanted to seduce the angels… but the angels caused all the men to become blind…(Genesis 18:23-32)

God’s judgement is righteous and true. He blinds those who try to harm God’s own.

Lot, took the angels into his home and tried to protect them. Read (Genesis 19) The angels told Lot to take his family and get out of Sodom it was going to be destroyed. Lot’s sons-in-law thought it was a joke. It was no joke.

With urgency the angels told Lot you must leave now for these cities will be destroyed tonight.

The angels remembered Abraham’s plea for the righteous, and so they took Lot by the hand and his wife and two daughters and led them out of the city to a place called Zoar (which means little place), and told them to get to the mountains. To run for their lives and “DO NOT LOOK BACK!”

You can read the account in Genesis 19…

How many times do we look back over our past and wish…?

How many regrets are staring back at us as we look back?

God has said, “Do Not Look Back!”

Lot’s wife looked back and died. She no doubt, had family and friends in those cities. She grew up in the place and probably didn’t even consider what they did as wrong. They called good, evil, and evil, good, they did every evil thing that entered their minds. Sodom and Gomorrah was so vile and putrid that God took notice and destroyed it with fire and brimstone.

Abraham prayed…if not for the pleading of Abraham to the Lord…even Lot and his daughter’s would have perished.

Sin blinds…sin corrupts…sin brings death and destruction…but the prayers of a righteous man or woman, God will hear and answer.

Pray for marriages…pray for young people…pray for children and for our Nations and lands…God sees everything and he does not turn a deaf ear to the cries of the righteous. He does not wink at the acts of rebellion and corruption he sees and hears all the evil that rages. Don’t think for one second that God is not aware of what’s going on, for he sees and he cries right along with us…He will send judgement. “Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord!

Pray, people of the Living God. Intercede, for God hears and he will answer.

Respect each other. Even if you don’t like someone, you still have to love them, that is, if you call yourself a child of God for God is Love!

Don’t look back at the sins of the past…not even for a second… it will destroy you…

But run to the safe haven which is in the arms of Jesus your savior…the place of safety and rest. Run even if it is a little place, for there you will be delivered.

The past can never be changed because the past is gone.

God doesn’t say he has plans to give you a past. He says, he has a plan to give you a hope and a future…

His plan came through the blood of His Son Jesus, which means Savior. And it is for all who will accept Him as Lord and Savior of their lives.

What are we saved from…? We are saved from death and destruction. We are rescued from evil. To live holy set apart lives not to see how close we can get to evil and it not affect us…but to live as far away from evil as we can possible get…even if it means to the mountains…the place where God dwells…spiritually speaking.

The Angel of the Lord is saying to you today, “Run for your lives and Do Not Look Back!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill – June 9, 2017

Stand your Ground…

We have an enemy…

He is strategic and powerful…

Ancient in years…

Destroyer of all that is good and pure and true

Kills all in his path

And steals everything and anything in his grasp…

He is the prince of the air…

If not for the hand of God…

He would annihilate every living thing…

Do not think you can out smart, out shoot, out live, or conquer this foe…

At least not on your own…

He is not one to do combat with…you will not win…

But…

By the authority of God and the Name of Jesus and by the Power of the Holy Spirit when we stand with Them…all demons tremble…all hell freezes…and God in his Majestic, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscient…we WIN!!

When he said to put on the FULL armor of God…that is exactly what we must do…it’s God’s armor, not ours that will keep us safe…

So Stand…

Wearing the girdle of Truth

The breastplate of righteousness,

Having your feet fitted with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace,

Take up the Shield of Faith

Put on the Helmet of Salvation,

Using the Sword of the Spirit

And Pray in the Spirit…

These are the weapons of our warfare…

You have the Holy Spirit within you; he gives wisdom and discernment and is more powerful and more strategic than any demon…

So be Filled with the Holy Spirit and let him lead and guide your thoughts, your body, your soul to walk you through the minefields that the enemy has hidden before you…

He has night-vision equipment so you don’t walk blind in the darkness…and he has the artillery to shoot out against the enemy which is the Word of God…

And the shield of Faith protects you from all the fiery darts of Satan…

Soldier stay alert…be watchful…be diligent…and fight on standing in prayer and fasting…with the Holy Ghost…

This is how we win the war, by keeping in close contact with, God the Father, Jesus the Son and Holy Spirit and fire…

God is for you, no one or nothing can stand against you with Him on your side…because He is In You!!!!

Activate your Faith!

AMEN!!!

Ephesians 6:10-18 Modern English Version (MEV)

The Battle Against Evil

Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, and above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

~ Marla Shaw O’Neill June 8, 2017