Gifts of Life
I thank you for my gifts of life
Four, Oh, what delight…
Sons of God, men of might…
You sent them to me…
No greater gift could ever be…
Then those gifts of life sent from thee…
Growing tall and growing wise
Filled with wonder seen with my eyes…
These gifts of life, I can’t deny…
Sons of spirit, sons held high…
Gifts, sent down from heaven.
I thank you, LORD,
For giving these gifts of life!
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 19, 2017
Let’s show Her a Glimpse of Our Glory
Half sleeping, half awake, that in between time just before waking… I hear a conversation. I recognize three voices. The son says, “Father, let’s show her a glimpse of our glory.” The Father says, “Son, I think that’s a great idea.” “I agree.” said Holy Spirit.”
They weren’t talking directly to me, but I was there in their presence. I heard their conversation. How awesome is that? This is really getting exciting. Not only is the Holy Spirit talking to me on a daily basis. Now I’m in the place where they are, and they allowed me to hear them talking. I’m no one special. I’m just an old woman who is totally in love with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Not only that, but they are totally in love with me too!
And everyone who knows them and wants too; has the same access to them, as long as they’re clean before them and have a longing heart for them.
I am anticipating what this glimpse could be. Maybe it’s this….They allowed me to hear their conversation.
I know some may think, “She’s losing it, she’s hearing voices.” But it’s not like that. It’s more like thoughts that you’re hearing, but not your own. I can’t explain it. I know, you who have heard them, know what I’m talking about.
Abba is real. Jesus is real. The Holy Spirit is real. Read His Word. Talk to them. We have access through Jesus the son of God. And Jesus said, “I am sending you another Friend to be with you.”
That Friend is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us.
All I know is that it’s amazing and there is nothing nor anyone I’d rather be listening to than them!! He confirms His word.
See the following scriptures.
Jesus is talking to his disciples…
John 14: 1-31 The Message (MSG)
The Road
“Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.”
Thomas said, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?”
Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”
Philip said, “Master, show us the Father; then we’ll be content.”
“You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.
“Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.
The Spirit of Truth
“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!
“I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.
“The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”
Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”
“Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.
“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
“You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.
“I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail.
“Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here.”
What did Jesus do? He didn’t go around showing off…He didn’t point his finger at a mountain and BOOM it exploded. But he could have. He didn’t blow on a tree and hurl it into the next town. But He could have.
He did say in Mark 11:22, “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
He did take clay and spit and healed a blind man.
John 9: 6-7, When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.
He did lay his hands on sick and they recovered. He did cast out demons by speaking a word.
Luke 4: 40-41, When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.
What are you looking for? Are you looking for grandiose demonstrations of power and might and then, you’ll believe? Jesus said unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29.”
Faith is not flashing lights and nuclear explosions…Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…Hebrews 11:1
What pleases God? Not, money. Not, what you do for him. Not, all your sermons or prayers to be seen as though you are something special.
Faith pleases God. God gets all the glory not man.
If you are waiting for miracles and wonders and signs…before you believe…if you want to see just to see, well, you are going to be waiting a very long time.
Matthew 16:1, the Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Matthew 16:4, Jesus said, A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
But if you are seeking him, searching for him with a pure heart and living a righteous life before the King of kings and Lord of lords, if you are helping your neighbor and feeding the orphans and widows and keeping yourself clean before the Lord, if you are loving him and have no ulterior motive but to see Him lifted up…
Then, Jesus said in… Mark 11:24, Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
I have to say this…When we are born…we come into this world a sinner and we’re in darkness. We are in need of THE SAVIOR! That is Jesus. The Holy Spirit draws us gently; he never pushes or demands…He will not go against our free will…
If we ignore him, he is very persistent but in a loving and kind way he will continue to pursues us…
He will not give up on us.
If there is this a gnawing in your heart and mind, if you have this sense that you know there has to be something more to this life…that this can’t be all there is…
That is the Holy Spirit drawing you. No one can come to the Father unless the Spirit draws him…
Can I be real blunt with you? Jesus loves you…He died for you…Not only died but was executed for YOU and for me!! If you have been ignoring the pull towards Jesus…Now is the time to stop what you are doing…get alone with him, open your heart to that tug…Ask Jesus to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life for the rest of your life, and all eternity. Find someone you know, that knows more about Jesus than you do, someone you respect, and tell them you want to know more about Jesus. Then take that step of FAITH and Jesus will honor you and He will fill you with the precious Holy Spirit…nothing eerie or weird…the Holy Spirit is the best friend you’ll ever have. He’ll be your helper and comfort you, He will teach you all about Jesus, He’ll speak to your heart and tell you right from wrong, He’ll lead you into truth, He’ll keep you on the right road. But He will never force you.
Life will look different. Nature will come alive and you’ll wonder why you never saw for felt this way before. You will be filled with light and wisdom.
…Don’t wait…Don’t put it off until some other time…Now is the time! Open your heart to Jesus. He will fill you with peace and love you’ve never ever known before.
And then….Mark 16: 17-18, And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
When your heart gets right…everything is a miracle!
There will still be things that won’t go right…but you’ll have a friend that sticks closer than a brother…you’ll have access to the very heart room of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Precious Holy Spirit!
I promise it is an adventure you’ll be glad you accepted, for-ever!!!!
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 19, 2017
The Forbidden Romance
I found this story this morning, it was written in one of my mama’s journals. Mom’s birthday is the 26th of April, 1932, my son Jonathan was born on the 26th of April 1985.
Mom went home to be with the LORD on July 16, 2015. In memory of my mom, I’m writing this story. Mom was an evangelist for many years. She loved Jesus. She started churches, she was a Soul-winner, there’s a word we don’t hear anymore. Many signs and wonders followed her, because she believed what Jesus said, is true!! Think about this, are you walking with the World or with Jesus?
The Forbidden Romance
(The Church walking with the World)
James 4:4 – Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
The Church and the World walked far apart, on the changing shores of time. The World was singing a giddy song, and the Church a hymn sublime.
“Give me your hand” cried the merry World, “And walk with me this way;”
But the good Church hid her snowy hand, and solemnly answered, “Nay.”
I will not give you my hand at all, and I will not walk with you. Your way is the way of endless death; your words are all untrue.”
“Nay, walk with me but a little space,” said the World with a kindly air; “The road I walk is a pleasant road, and the sun shines always there. Your path is thorny and rough and rude, and mine is broad and plain; my road is paved with flowers and gems and yours with tears and pain. The sky above me is always blue, no want, no toil I know; the sky above you is always dark; your lot is a lot of woe. My path, you see is a broad, fair path and my gate is high and wide—There is room enough for you and for me to travel side by side.”
Half shy the Church approached the World gave him her hand in snow; the old World grasped it, and walking along saying, in accent low. “Your dress is too simple to please my taste: I will give you pearls to wear, rich velvet and silks for your graceful form, and diamonds to deck your hair.”
The Church looked down at her plain white robes and then at the dazzling World and blushed as she saw his handsome lip with a smile contemptuous curled.
“I will change my dress for a costlier one,” said the Church with a smile of grace; then her pure garments drifted away, and the World gave, in their place, beautiful satins, and shining silks, and roses and gems and pearls, and over her forehead her bright hair fell crisped in a thousand curls.
“Your house is too plain,” said the proud old World, “I’ll build you one like mine;–
Carpets of Brussels and curtains of lace, and furniture ever so fine.”
So he built her a costly and beautiful house— splendid it was to behold;
His sons and beautiful daughters dwelt there, gleaming in purple and gold; and fairs and shows in halls were held, and the World and his children were there: and laughter and music and feasts were heard, in the place that was meant for prayer.
She had cushioned pews for the rich and great to sit in their pomp and pride. While the poor folks clad in their shabby suits, sat meekly down outside.
The Angel of Mercy flew over the Church and whispered, “I know thy sin.”
The Church looked back with a sigh and longed to gather her children in—
But some were off at the midnight ball, and some were off at the play, and some were drinking in gay saloons; so she quietly went her way.
“Your children mean no harm— merely indulging in innocent sport.” So she leaned on her proffered arm, and smiled and chatted, and gathered flowers, as she walked along with the World; while millions and millions of deathless souls, to the horrible pit were hurled.
“Your preachers are all too old and plain,” said the gay old World with a sneer. “They frighten my children with dreadful tales that they should never hear: they talk of brimstone and fire and pain, and the horrors of endless night; they talk of a place that should not be mentioned to ears polite. I will send you some of the better stamp. Brilliant and gay and fast, who will tell them all to live as they list, and go to heaven at last. The Father is merciful and great and good, tender and true and kind: Do you think He would take one child to Heaven and leave the rest behind?” So he filled her house with gay divines, gifted and great and learned—and the plain old men that preached the cross were out of the pulpit turned.
“You give too much to the poor,” said the World, “far more than you ought to do; if the poor need shelter and food and clothes, why need it trouble you? Go take your money and buy rich robes and cars and yachts so fine and pearls and jewels and dainty food, and the rarest and costliest wine. My children, they dote on all such things and if you their love would win, you must do as they do and walk in the ways that they are walking in.”
The Church held tightly the strings of her purse, and gracefully lowered her head and simpered, “I’ve given too much away; I’ll do Sir, as you’ve said.”
So the poor were turned from her door in scorn, and she heard not the orphan’s cry—
And she drew her beautiful robes aside, as the widows went weeping by. The sons of the World and the sons of the Church, walked closely hand and heart, and only the Master, who knoweth all, could tell the two apart.
Then the Church set down at her ease and said, “I am rich, and in goods increased; I have need of nothing and naught to do, but to laugh and dance and feast.” The sly World heard her, and laughed in his sleeve, and mockingly said aside, “The Church is fallen—the beautiful Church and her shame, is her boast, and pride!”
The Angle drew near to the Mercy seat and whispered in sighs, her name; and the saints their anthems of rapture hushed, and covered their heads in shame. And a voice came down, the hush of heaven, from Him who sat on the throne, “I know thy works, and how thou hast said, ‘I am rich, and hast not known that thou art naked and poor and blind and wretched before my face— therefore from My presence I cast thee out—
And blot thy name from its place!
–Matilda C. Edwards
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 King James Version (KJV)
You’ll know when you’re on the right path. It’s not crowded at all! –Marla Shaw O’Neill
This Seat Taken
He turns, and sits down,
in his appointed seat
Reserved only for him…
Crowned with glory
Ruler-ship complete…
Angels bowing at his feet…
All Hail King Jesus, multitudes repeat…
Sounds of thunder, lightning’s clash
All come to silence now at last…
The sovereign Son of God is home…
Taking his seat to the right of God’s throne…
At rest and peace where he belongs…
Interceding for sinners and saints.
As prayer warriors gather, then commence…
To tear down strongholds, shatter principalities,
Remove evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,
Fighting mighty powers in this dark world,
Chasing out evil spirits in the heavenlies…
Casting out demons, and healing the sick
All in the name of Jesus, it will be quick…
We stand…
Not in vain but tried and true
You are the ones, He’s chosen who…
Will fight in love and power and might
To save men’s souls and bring them light…
Believe have faith, and fight the good fight!
Battle won, you stand with the one…
Who’s seated at the throne of God!
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 17, 2017
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 New International Version (NIV)
Meeting at the Farmhouse
This is written in memory of my dear friend, Phyllis Porter Dolislager’s mother, Eleanor. She passed away Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017.
Born in the season that celebrates the birth of baby Jesus, Eleanor, came into the world. And now all these ninety something years later, she leaves this world at the season of the celebrated resurrection of Christ Jesus, as was her prayer. She’s not dead she’s alive!
I can imagine as she walks into heaven, there is her family. She sees Darcy, her husband, and the love of her life, known to her in the former world.
He’s standing in the fields where a little farmhouse sits. Blue lights all around sparkle and twinkle just for her. Darcy waves and runs to greet her with a kiss. They turn, and then, she sees Jesus face to face…
“Welcome home daughter.” Jesus smiles and embraces her.
All the ones who had gotten there before her, gathers around, to celebrate the new arrival.
Darcy says, “We don’t milk cows here, just wait til you see
Buttercup our cow, and Bessie our horse, are here, they not only talk, they sing with glee…
And hoeing and plowing Oh that’s absurd…
We all laugh with pure joy, as we listen to the Word…
These blue lights are shining to welcome you home…
To comfort you in this place where you knew you belonged…
Meeting at the farmhouse was the setting we chose ‘cause heaven is home
Like everyone, knows…
You’re home now…
Come on let’s go…
There’s so many things you’re gona love, I know…
I can’t wait to show you, I can’t wait for you to see…
I’m so happy you’re finally home with me…”
Eyes wide open, heart set free…
“Oh, Darcy, all this just for me?
The Farmhouse is just as I remember
All our family and friends, love tender,
And look, we’re all young, and the colors so vivid
I can see without blurred vision
I can run without labored breath…
The music and the singing well, it’s just heavenly…
Look at the animals and the trees and the hollyhock, flowers…
Brooks and streams, mountains that tower…
Glistening rain drops and the sunshine, what power…
Now I know I’m in heaven and I’m far above…
All the pain, and sadness, there’s only love…pure love.
It’s just as we were told…
Behold,
As it was written, Eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 King James Version (KJV)
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 17, 2017
Land Mines or Land Marks
At this stage in life you have learned to pretty much recognize “Land Mines,” having stepped on them a number of times and managed to come out wounded but not destroyed. Land mines are those nasty little bombs buried just beneath the surface of the ground; you don’t know you’ve stepped on until you hear the little click. By then it is too late. You can’t take that step back. You know when you remove your foot that the next thing you are going to hear is boom…but you think to yourself, that maybe your body will survive the impact. That is the question. Hundreds of thoughts run through your mind in just a few seconds… “Why did I take this path? Why didn’t I listen to so and so and go the other way? This’s it, I’m done for.?” Then your reasoning kicks in. “Well, if I jump with lightning speed, maybe I will clear it, before it explodes.” Your heart races, your whole body jerks with fear, sweat pours from your body as if a bucket of water has been poured over you and you know this is a no win situation.
Life is like that…somehow you manage to get through all the hurt and pain and survive vowing never to do that again.
Then there are the “Land Marks” in life. Those life events that are important to you. People, places, things, you recognize.
You’re young you meet the love of your life and you marry. That’s one land mark.
Then, your children arrive, that’s another land mark.
Just when you can’t decide what your true purpose in life is, you come to discover you’ve been chosen for that much sought after dream job…this land mark, takes you to a whole new level of desires and realms you never imagined.
Money is no longer an issue. You have the prestige of being the CEO of your own company. You’re a world traveler. Your family is thriving but…
But between the land mines, and land marks, you discover something is missing…
You begin to wonder about all those times you heard your mother praying for you, alone in her room; her words begin to haunt you in your dreams which become nightmares. The kids are unhappy. Your marriage is falling apart and all the glamour and fame you thought was the answer to all your problems begin to wear you out. Now all you want is to find some peace. You have stepped on a land mine and didn’t even know it.
You start to ask yourself…“Why am I really here? What is my true purpose? If I jump quickly, maybe I will land safe from the explosive device that is about to take me out.” And then you remember the words of your mother…
Trust God in all things…
Proverbs 3:5-12 The Message (MSG)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 15, 2017
In Remembrance
Words from the Barbara Streisand song from Yentl I heard years ago.
In remembrance of a very dear friend. We love you and we will miss you!
Papa, Can You Hear Me?
Barbra Streisand
God, our heavenly Father
Oh God, and my father
Who’s also in Heaven
May the light
Of this flickering candle
Illuminate the night the way
Your spirit illuminates my soul
Oh God, and my father
Who’s also in Heaven
May the light
Of this flickering candle
Illuminate the night the way
Your spirit illuminates my soul
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa, can you find me in the night?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa, can you find me in the night?
Papa, are you near me?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?
Looking at the skies
I seem to see a million eyes
Which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker
The wind is so much colder
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I’m alone
I seem to see a million eyes
Which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker
The wind is so much colder
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I’m alone
Papa, please forgive me
Try to understand me
Papa, don’t you know I had no choice?
Try to understand me
Papa, don’t you know I had no choice?
Can you hear me praying
Anything I’m saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?
Anything I’m saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?
I…
I remember ev’rything you thought me
Ev’ry book I’ve ever read
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright
Ev’ry book I’ve ever read
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright
Papa, how I love you
Papa, how I need you
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me goodnight
Papa, how I need you
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me goodnight
Songwriters: Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Michel Legrand
Papa, Can You Hear Me? lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Where’s Jesus
“Where’s Jesus?” Mary asked.
“What do you mean, where’s Jesus? I thought he was with you.” Joseph said.
“Joseph, go and see if he’s with his brother’s.” Mary said somewhat concerned.
The brothers were setting up their tents when Joseph approached them. “Have you seen Jesus?” “No, we haven’t seen him Joe, when’s the last time you saw him?”
Joseph, scratching his head, thought for a moment, “I’m not sure. It was, it was yesterday or was it the day before. I thought he was here.”
“No we haven’t seen him Joe.” Expressions of questions passed between them.
“I have to go and tell Mary.” Joseph ran back to his camp. “Mary, don’t panic, Jesus is not with the caravan. I’ve looked everywhere and no one has seen him.”
Mary dropped the bowl she was holding and grabbed Joseph by the arm and said, “Joseph we have to go back to Jerusalem. We have to find Jesus.”
There, perfectly content, sitting in the middle of his contemporaries, not standing, he’s accepted as one of them. Jesus is teaching the teachers. Twelve years old, Jesus is in his father’s house. Completely comfortable, totally natural, doing what he’s compelled to do. He’s in Jerusalem city of God. Most boys his age would be playing with other young people. Jesus is not most boys. He is conversing with the holy men of God, telling them things they’d never even thought of before.
“We’ve not heard such words since, well never. What authority! What wisdom, comes from one so young.” The teachers and professors reply to one another.
Then in the background they hear rumblings, a woman’s voice. “Where’s Jesus? Where’s my son?”
Mary makes her way to Jesus. Joseph is right behind her.
Mary sees Jesus in the temple and pulls him aside to talk to him.
“Son why have you done this to us, why did you not tell us you were staying behind? We’ve been searching for you for three days.” Mary said searching Jesus’ face for answers. Joseph looked on at him with hurt but relief that he was safe.
“Why did you look for me, didn’t you know I’d be in my father’s house?” Jesus said like nothing was amiss.
Joseph and Mary just stared at him; they didn’t know what he was talking about.
They realized he was the Messiah and that he should have been taken to the palace not the temple. They didn’t understand the prophetic call that was on his life. That he was to teach and bring good news to all who would learn and listen to him.
But in honor and obedience to his parents, Jesus followed the fifth commandment, honor your father and your mother, he went back to Nazareth with them. Setting an example to young people that they should adhere to their parents and that they should grow in wisdom and become children of obedience. He was their son, but he was also God but it wasn’t his time yet.
Are you searching for Jesus? Do you know where he is? Will you search for him?
He’s in the temple with His Father. He’s sitting and praying and doing all that the Father asks.
You can find him if you seek for him, call out, “Jesus where are you?”
“I’m here, don’t you know I’m doing what my father has asked me to do. I’m waiting for you to come and find me. Then I will go with you to the home of your heart, and there we will abide forever.”
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 13, 2017
They Found Him in the Temple
Luke 2:41-52
Every year Jesus’ parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.
The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt.
His mother said, “Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you.”
He said, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” But they had no idea what he was talking about.
So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.
A Hammer, Nails, a Robe, a Crown and a Spear
