Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Early this morning before waking, I had a dream but it was more like a vision. I saw the image of a target. The background was a light gray with three black circles, each one smaller in diameter then the next. In the center was a big gray X. Then I heard the words, “X marks the spot.” I saw this three times. Then I saw a large three dimensional cross and the words, “this is the X that marked the spot.”

I woke up and began to think about what I had just seen.

I will try to explain what I understood.

Usually when we hear the words, “X marks the spot,” it has to do with seeing a specific place on a map. I pictured in my mind being in outer space and looking down on planet earth…then zooming in on a tiny place, the place was Jerusalem. Over two thousand years ago a Cross or an X stood on top of a hill…called Golgotha, which means, the place of the skull.

Focus on this spot…and picture the cross. It was an X marking the spot where God’s son would hang and die.

Jerusalem is a tiny place…Yet Jerusalem is known to the whole world.

Then I read something yesterday and it hit me…I had one of those AHHHHHH moments…I was overtaken with such insight and an incomprehensible thought of just what God did on that spot.

So here God is in the beginning of time, looking at earth and as he is spinning the earth on his finger he sets it on its axis…then he decides to hang stars and moons and the sun and he sits back as if to say…Oh this is going to be epic…then he flings the rest of the planets into orbit and thinks…this is very good!

He creates all living things by His word. But His greatest design is the creation of a man…He loves him and cares for him and watches him grow and play and live in peace and happiness. God sees the man needs a helpmate and gives the man what is needed.

He comes to dinner with them and talks to them about whatever their heart desires. They are His children. And God loves them. There is no evil in them they are good. Good and perfect, innocent little children. They know only that God is a God of perfect Love and goodness…

And then the unthinkable happens…in one instant everything changes…they do what God said they must not do and evil enters the garden…in that one reckless moment…God is crushed, heartbroken, for now He knows exactly what he must do to restore fellowship with his very own children…God, must die!

Can you see it? Can you see what this means?

One action of disobedience changed the world forever…

And God knew what it would take to restore mankind and His relationship…He knew that everything had to be set up in order…

That it would take years and ages and wars and people like Seth and Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Joseph and Boaz, and Rahab and David and Mary to say yes…in order for God to be born, and die and resurrect so that you and I could once more be in a right relationship with Him…

Do you see what God did?

Why?

Because He loves us so much. He knew that He had to come and die on a cross, the X, which marked the spot, where He would forever change death back to life…

Think about it…

God loves you so much!! Can you love Him back? Will you accept Him and walk with Him and be His child?

There is a target and there is a big X on it…God is saying he wants you to say, Yes to Him. Yes to restoration between you and Him.

X marks the spot; that spot is your heart!

Will you keep breaking God’s heart or will you let Him restore yours?

–Marla Shaw O’Neill February 18, 2017

God called to the Man: “Where are you?”

He said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.”

God said, “Who told you, you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?”

The Man said, “The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it.”

God said to the Woman, “What is this that you’ve done?”

“The serpent seduced me,” she said, “and I ate.” Genesis 3:9-13 The Message Bible

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Matthew 27:32-33 New International Version (NIV) 

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7 (NIV) 

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:17-20 (NIV)

Think about it…Adam and Eve hid themselves from God after they sinned…why?

Listen…

Adam walked with God in the cool of the day…until he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…then Adam died…

He saw that he was naked; he saw that Eve was naked, and when God came to walk with him, Adam hid himself because he was afraid…

Genesis 3:8New King James Version (NKJV)

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

It wasn’t just because he had disobeyed what God had told him not to do… that was a big part but part of it was because now Adam knew evil…and he could not stand in the presence of an ALL, GOOD, God, anymore because of the evil he now could see…God’s essence is so different, so powerful, so brilliant, like nothing we can even imagine… Adam could no longer physically, (because he was now dead, spiritually and physically, but it would take time for his body to return to the dust.) But now, Adam knew what evil was, and he now knew what good was, and the evil in him could no longer stand in the Goodness of God’s presence. Adam now had the knowledge of Good and Evil.

Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:15-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

When…

God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, which was a representation of God…God caused a natural bush to burn with a super-natural fire and it did not consume the bush. It was God’s way of getting Moses’ attention. And because God is Holy, he told him to take off his shoes. Moses’ shoes representing evil. Not that his shoes were evil but it was God’s way of saying, your humanness is not like my Holiness…

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”

When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am!” Moses replied.

“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:1-6 New Living Translation (NLT)

When…

God said he’d meet with Moses and the people at the mountain, and it shook with God’s power and smoke rose from the mountain…thundering and lightning sounded, and the people were afraid and said, “No, Moses you talk to God for us.” Imagine how powerful God’s presence must be. He cloaked himself in a mountain and the people were still afraid. Read Exodus 19-20.

God’s essence is so powerful that man cannot look on God and live. Moses wanted to see God face to face…but God told Moses, “OK, but you’ll have to hide yourself in the crack of the rock and as I pass by you can see just a glimpse of my glory…”

Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” The Lord continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.” Exodus 33:18-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

We’ve seen movies of penetrating light that can melt buildings and people in one flash… that is man’s idea of power…just think about it…God’s power is a trillion times greater than anything we can come up with or imagine.

Can you grasp the concept of God’s power? No! We can’t. And yet as frail humans we shake our fists at God, use his name in vain, say he doesn’t exist, make golden images of idols, to worship and bow down to, out of His creation and claim we know more than He does…how insane is that??? How “stupid.”

Man maybe has a 100 year life span…Age deteriorates the body and mind…disease and sickness strips the body of life…medicine is only a temporary fix, it helps but does not give life…

So,

What in the world gives man the idea that he is more powerful than God? Of all the great men that have ever lived…where are they today?

And all the so called great men of today…where will they be in 100 years if they live that long?

God will still be God, He never changes. He will always be. But man will go back to the dust…where God created him.

The only thing that lives forever is the soul. God gave man a living soul.

The soul will live in one of two places…Heaven or Hell…

We have a choice…

In order for man to walk with God once more, God cloaked himself in a body of flesh. He was born, He died and He resurrected.

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:10-11 New International Version (NIV)

God made a way for man to walk and talk and live and have a relationship once more with Him through the plan of sending His only son, Jesus.

We don’t have to hide or be afraid of God anymore. And God no longer has to shield us from His glory…for His glory lives right inside of us.

God the Father all Powerful, Jesus the Son by His blood we are washed, and the Holy Spirit revealer of Jesus, they are three in one…

God created the Universe hung the stars, moon and sun…

Controls the wind and the sea…created man and He lives in you and me…

His brilliance…His essence…His atomic energy gives us LIFE!!!

When God comes calling…do not hide…run to walk with Him!!!

Do not be afraid…He is Good, He is Love…

Jesus/Yeshua…New birth….New life…

Draw close to Him, let Him draw close to you…

AMEN!!! Run to God!!!

–Marla Shaw O’Neill February 17, 2017

When the earth beneath me crumbles

And leaves me shaken, wounded and humbled

I lean on Him…

When feelings of discomfort and weakness

Leave me bowed in quiet solitude

I lean on Him…

When dreams are dashed upon the rocks,

And scattered to the four winds in hopelessness

I lean upon Him…

In weakness He is my strength

In battle He is my courage

In sickness He is my Joy

For there is no other in whom I lean

Jesus is everything…

I lean on Him.

–Marla Shaw O’Neill February 16, 2017

This precious lady was a constant presence in my mother’s house. Memories of my childhood are felt in her music and I hope it will bless your heart!! For there is no other fountain where I can be more satisfied, than in the arms of Christ my Savior…Days long gone but not forgotten…Southern is my heritage in this world and…I wouldn’t have it any other way! God bless you ALL today! I think a little bit of Southern is needful today!!

Remember though…Jesus is our everlasting Hope…Lean on Him!

OK here’s a praise report! So let me start by saying, thank you all for your prayers and the love you show. God is faithful and God is good and God is Love! I have to say first, that,  I’ve had that awful bug, and it is awful…a whole lot of you have had it too!

Being diabetic and having a weakened immune system it does tend to make it a lot worse. But I thank God that I don’t focus on that. I do what I have to do to take care of what I need to take care of, and I try not to dwell on it. When it gets really bad, I ask for prayer.

I understand exactly why, I was allowed to come down with it and I accept responsibility, that’s between me and God. I liken it unto Paul’s thorn in the flesh…I’ve asked God to heal me and I believe for my healing and if he wants to heal me he will. I’ve accepted my “thorn” the 24/7 blood monitoring, the high’s and the lows constantly slamming the body, the mind fog and disorientation, the shakes and the sweats, and sore fingers, testing ten times a day. I’ve accepted the knowledge that being insulin dependent because a virus killed my beta cells that live in the pancreas, and they don’t grow back…some have lost limb and eye-sight and other complications that come with this “thorn” but I cannot allow myself to dwell on all those horrors…I am a type one diabetic…I can’t live without insulin and all the exercise and diet will not change it, it can help but it won’t heal me…So, I keep on going. I believe in God and I have faith. I’ve seen many healings, miracles, and I know without a doubt God heals today, he has never stopped. I know His gifts are for today, he has never changed. What he did from the beginning he is still doing today.

I’ve seen legs and spines grow right before my eyes when people have been prayed for and God did it! I’ve seen babies born that doctor’s said would never happen. I’ve seen club feet made whole personally my son. I’ve seen blood stop running from a wound that needed stitches but God stopped the flow and no stitches were given. I’ve seen God do miraculous things…and I’ve watched the ultimate healing of a Saint of God, taken home, my own mother…So I know first-hand God heals…

But the most important healing of all is the healing of a sin, sick, heart, that comes to walk and live and be transformed and accepts Jesus as their savior. There is no greater healing than this.

So with all that being said, back to my praise report…and I’m not telling anyone else to do this, I’m just saying what I did. Have faith in God.

With infection in the body it causes high blood sugar; I try to stay away from medication that will raise my blood sugars. And so I drink lots of fluids, take Tylenol for fever, cough drops for coughing and eat chicken soup and test, test, test my blood sugar. Antibiotics are useless for a virus so I just pray and bear all the rest waiting in faith on God. I stand in faith knowing God will heal me. He designed the body in a magnificent way and the natural antibodies will work along with prayer and wisdom. I’m not saying don’t take medication or go to the doctor. All I’m saying, is this is what I do. I’m not stupid…or delusional…LOL…but I do have faith in God and I use wisdom. If I need to go to the doctor I do.

When I need to rest I rest. God is real He is faithful and he has ways we can’t even imagine…All I know to do is have Faith in God! Read His word because it is life and it is wisdom…Pray because it is talking with my heavenly father and he talks back to me. Go to Church because our other brothers and sisters gather there and we encourage each other. To the person out there who does not believe in God…I just want to tell you this… It’s like being in a dark room and you don’t know you’re in a dark room…UNTIL the light comes on.

I’m asking Jesus to turn your light on today…

Because without that light you have no hope…It’s difficult enough being a believer when you get sick, and you are having faith but not having that hope, it would be impossible…Not knowing Jesus as a personal savior and you are living with cancer, dying, or your child is hit with an incurable disease and you have only doctor’s and bills and worry and grief to deal with…

I pray for you today the unbeliever that God will bring healing to your heart and open your understanding so that you will have hope in Him and faith to walk and peace that passes all understanding. Amen!!!

God bless you my family and my friends…I know many of you are struggling, but look up, God’s got cha!!!

–Marla Shaw O’Neill February 15, 2017

 

 

 

He spoke Life…

He spoke Love…

He spoke Hope!!!

Open your mouth and speak Life…

Life, Life, Life…To Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: Psalm 118:17-19 King James Version (KJV) 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 King James Version (KJV)

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91:2King James Version (KJV)

There was a little song we used to sing when I was a little girl, (a time before time,) just kidding, in Vacation Bible School, that said:

Be careful little eyes what you see

Be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above, is looking on with love

So be careful little eyes what you see…

Be careful little ears what you hear

Be careful little ears what you hear

For the Father up above, is looking on with love

So be careful little ears what you hear…

And it would go on to say be careful little mouth what you say…little feet where you go…little hands what you do and so on.

What are we watching, what are we hearing, what are we speaking? Someone is always watching. Most important; God is always watching.

The tongue is a powerful tool…it can heal and it can destroy.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 New International Version (NIV)

What we say comes straight from the heart…

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Proverbs 4:20-24New Living Translation (NLT)

Are you speaking words of life today?

Is your heart full of Love? True love comes from God.

Do you know God?

Do you know His son?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

What you speak, will tell, if you know Him…

Speak Life…Speak Hope…Speak Love!

Not only is God watching, your children are watching and listening and learning by what you say and what you do…

“What you do speaks so loud that what you say I cannot hear.”

Will they learn to speak life by what you are speaking…?

You’re character goes before you…

Let truth, mercy, and life, follow you into the future! Your children are the future!

Speak Life!

Today is celebrated as heart day…a day of love and life!! What’s in your heart?

–Marla Shaw O’Neill February 14, 2017

 Life has many surprises

Lives come and go…

Sometimes welcomed

And sometimes full of woe…

But life keeps right on spinning…

Webs of timelessness

Where present days become ancient…

As time comes and goes…

You may be here today

But tomorrow no one knows…

Only in this moment will time bestow…

A moment in time we grow…

Where are you going? What seeds will you sow?

Are you surprised when someone dies?

Are you prepared to go?

Everything has a season…a time for every purpose under heaven.

And so,

When someone’s born and someone dies

When you plant your crop then its harvest time

With war comes death, afterwards healing begins

Time brings down and with it new buildings

Sometimes you cry and sometimes you laugh

Grieving for the night, but morning brings the dance

Take time to scatter stones and time to gather them

Embrace while you can, for soon you’ll turn away

Searching will happen, searching will end

Some things you’ll keep, sometimes you’ll throw away

Tearing begins and then there’s time to mend

Quiet time and time to speak

Loving time and time to hate

Time for war then time for peace

Will this cycle never cease?

God gave all but only a lease

Unless you are born of Him

Then eternally you will not decease…

Time will then increase.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8New Living Translation (NLT)

A Time for Everything 

For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

 

I have four tiny sweethearts

Men of the most valiant kind

I wish that I could turn back the clock

And spend a lot more time…

With these, my, boys…

Oh what love and precious joy

They’ve shared with me in life…

But time goes on and on and on…

They’ve precious sweethearts too…

Who,

Add more joy to our family.

These boys…dear God, I’m thankful for…

And that you have the best plan…

When you created man…

Cause, if left up to us mothers we’d never, ever, part…

Thank you God, for my children and their loving, giving hearts.

Thank you God, for all the years but more than all of this…

I thank you for the grandchildren they are more than marvelous.

My four tiny sweethearts…have multiplied, and Oh what love is seen…

When love unites and doubles…it’s a miracle,

Mothers know exactly what I mean.

Loving you always my sweet, sweet, jellybeans,

Marla Shaw O’Neill – February 14, 2017

  Bobby,

You are my Sweet Heart

You, yes, you!

You are the one that turns  my head,

Makes my heart skip-a-beat,

My palms sweaty,

And send thrills up and down my spine, my sweet,

Sweet-heart!

You, yes, you,

Make the stars twinkle,

The sun eternally shines,

Yes, you are mine…

You are my moon-walk; you cause the moon to change its face

From a tiny smile to a great big laugh night after night…

The wolf howls at the lover’s full moon in the wild

You make the dolphins dance on top of an ageless sea

You set the clock in motion so that I can be,

On time, all the time, just you, and me…

You stop traffic on a busy street…

Sit with me, in our favorite café,

Sipping tea, as we eat scrumptious treats…

Cannoli’s, sconces and sweets.

Today is sweetheart day…Red Hearts and Roses

Quietly rubbing noses…

In our quaint secluded place…

I love you baby…my Sweetheart, my Love…

I am yours and you are mine…

Happy Day, my, Valentine!!

Love,

Marla

February 14, 2017

In the middle of a storm

Your boat is tossed upon the raging waves…

Waves of sickness, doubt, fear and convulsions…

Do not look at the raging sea of torment

Do not give in to the wind that blows mercilessly upon your vessel

Do not look at the flashes of light, electrifying the air to destroy your life…

Do not crumble beneath the roaring of thunder, so loud that you buckle in fear and defeat…

Come…

Walk on the water, with Me…

Keep your eyes on mine…

Keep your hand in my hand…

Walk, in faith with Me.

For in Me is peace

Peace that has no explanation…

Peace that is total surrender and serenity…

I give you My Peace, says the LORD!

But Lord…I’m afraid…

Lord I may die…

Lord save me!

Child I already have!! 

I Love you!

Love,

Jesus

–Marla Shaw O’Neill February 14, 2017

Listen.

Do you hear that?

A rustling in the mulberry trees…(2 Samuel 5:24)

A sign that God is marching before you…

He will fight the enemy for you

And you shall not be overcome…

Listen…

Jesus said,

“And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:48-5321st Century King James Version (KJ21)

Until you receive the promise of the Holy Ghost…

Just like the rustling of the mulberry trees…

A Sound Like a Strong Wind

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

And you will be filled with power to overcome the enemy…

And you will not be overcome!!

2 Samuel 5:17-25 The Philistines considered not that David had the presence of God with him, which Saul had forfeited and lost. The kingdom of the Messiah, as soon as it was set up in the world, was thus attacked by the powers of darkness. The heathen raged, and the kings of the earth set themselves to oppose it; but all in vain, Ps 2:1, &c. The destruction will turn, as this did, upon Satan’s own kingdom. David owns dependence on God for victory; and refers himself to the good pleasure of God, Wilt thou do it? The assurance God has given us of victory over our spiritual enemies, should encourage us in our spiritual conflicts. David waited till God moved; he stirred then, but not till then. He was trained up in dependence on God and his providence. God performed his promise, and David failed not to improve his advantages. When the kingdom of the Messiah was to be set up, the apostles, who were to beat down the devil’s kingdom, must not attempt any thing till they received the promise of the Spirit; who came with a sound from heaven, as of a rushing, mighty wind, Ac 2:2. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

This scripture sent chills up and down my whole being…

God spoke to those of Old and He is speaking still.

Those that are His, hear, His voice…

Friends, family…

You may be weak today and feel down in your spirit. Your faith may be wavering…but do not be discouraged…God is with YOU!!!

God will not let you down…rise up son, daughter of the Living God…rise up in your soul and sing…

For, God is greater than, anything…He has given us the power to overcome the enemy of our souls…

Don’t listen to the media, the evil reports, don’t let your hearts be troubled because of people posting comments of distress and destruction…

Whose report will you believe? I will believe the report of the Lord!!

Child of God you are more than a conqueror…Because God Is With You!!!

Faith, the Faith that pleases God is total dependency and trust in Him!!!

David was a warrior he killed his tens of thousands…but he did not do it in his own strength…He knew where his strength came from…He trusted and relied on God…

He fought lions and bear before he fought the armies that came against the Name of Lord…God had prepared him.

Be encouraged and listen for the rustle of the mulberry trees…God is marching…GOD IS MARCHING…and He will not be denied!

You cannot control the wind…but you can decide if you want to go where it is blowing… (That would be a good tweet) 🙂