God's Everlasting Love

Walk By FAITH, NOT By Sight!

Jeremiah 31:2-6The Message (MSG)

2-6 This is the way God put it:

“They found grace out in the desert,
these people who survived the killing.
Israel, out looking for a place to rest,
met God out looking for them!”
God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!
And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again,
dear virgin Israel.
You’ll resume your singing,
grabbing tambourines and joining the dance.
You’ll go back to your old work of planting vineyards
on the Samaritan hillsides,
And sit back and enjoy the fruit—
oh, how you’ll enjoy those harvests!
The time’s coming when watchmen will call out
from the hilltops of Ephraim:
‘On your feet! Let’s go to Zion,
go to meet our God!’”

See Matthew Henry’s Commentary it is amazing!!!

Chapter 31

This chapter goes on with the good words and comfortable words which we had in the chapter before, for the encouragement of the captives, assuring them that God would in due time restore them or their children to their own land, and make them a great and happy nation again, especially by sending them the Messiah, in whose kingdom and grace many of these promises were to have their full accomplishment. I. They shall be restored to peace and honour, and joy and great plenty, Jer. 31:1-14. II. Their sorrow for the loss of their children shall be at an end, Jer. 31:15-17. III. They shall repent of their sins, and God will graciously accept them in their repentance, Jer. 31:18-20. IV. They shall be multiplied and increased, both their children and their cattle, and not be cut off and diminished as they had been, Jer. 31:21-30. V. God will renew his covenant with them, and enrich it with spiritual blessings, Jer. 31:31-34. VI. These blessings shall be secured to theirs after them, even to the spiritual seed of Israel for ever, Jer. 31:35-37. VII. As an earnest of this the city of Jerusalem shall be rebuilt, Jer. 31:38-40. These exceedingly great and precious promises were firm foundations of hope and full fountains of joy to the poor captives; and we also may apply them to ourselves and mix faith with them.
1 of 2

Come Up Higher

 

My heart was grieved this morning and I don’t know why. I always feel like I’m out of sync with others…they don’t see what I see in the spirit. And I feel like I just don’t fit.

God said, you’re going to go a little deeper… I’m taking you up a little higher…you’re not going to peck with the chickens I’m taking you higher to soar with the eagles in heavenly places…

Don’t be concerned that you walk a little different and talk a little different and others don’t seem to grasp what you’re saying…

I’ve called you to be a warrior of prayer an intercessor…you won’t fit…

Rejoice daughter/son…this is your destiny…this is your calling…its lonely being alone but you are not alone…I’m giving this gift to you; you are going to sit in the very throne room with me!

The war rages but that’s OK because you have the power in my name, you have your sword which is my word…and you have my Spirit the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. Keep your eyes and ears tuned into me…in the spiritual realm you are a general…and you get your orders directly from Me, says the Lord.

Don’t cry, rejoice! Demons tremble…souls run to me because of your prayers…don’t stop…don’t quit…keep going!!!

Put on the Helmet of Salvation-Keep your eyes and your mind stayed on me

Shield of Faith-Dispels the darts of the enemy

Breastplate of Righteousness-Being right in God

Girdle of truth-Jesus is the Truth

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace-My Shalom total and complete peace, in death, in life, my peace is in you and surrounds you.

Prayer…the Key to heavenly places…Ask and it shall be given you, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be open to you.

The greatest of these is Love…My Love…just keep giving it…sow it…you will reap a harvest…

February 9, 2016

Marla Shaw O’Neill ~Abba, Father God!

ARE YOU WHEAT

 

 Are you Wheat?

I’m been following him at a distance. I’m poor, not in the best of health and I’m a girl. I don’t want to bother him, I know he’s very busy and there are others who need his attention more than I do.

He’s in the city today, crowds are gathered all around to hear him. I’m standing alone, with the donkeys. No one will shew me away here, and I can still listen to what he has to say.

My name is Miriam, a common name, with no real significance. My parents sold me to a merchant when I was ten. Then he died suddenly. My parents had also died; no one needed a servant girl so I was thrown into the streets. I live in a nearby cave on the outskirts of the city. I’m now sixteen. I pedal fruit, but people say I’m just a beggar. I only want to hear this man’s words. They call to my heart and maybe just maybe he’ll help me understand how to be a blessing to others. Maybe he will show me, this kingdom he talks about.

I’ve heard he’s kind. I’ve never gotten very close but close enough to see with my own eyes that there is something different about him.

Oh, he’s leaving…the donkey’s shift, I’ve got to follow him, but I’ll keep my distance. I hear someone say, he’s headed for the seashore.

They call him Yeshua.

There are too many people I can’t get up close; I’ll try to squeeze in closer.

“Excuse me, what did he say?” I asked.

“Sh, be quiet. I’m trying to hear him, myself. He said something about wheat and tares.” The man next to me looked at me with contempt and held his nose. “You need a bath.” He said.

I cower down and try to stay invisible.

“And while men slept the enemy came at night and sowed tares in with the good wheat and then he left, so that no one could see who he was.” Said the master.

“The wheat grew up and with it, tares also. The servants of the house came and said, “Master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did these tares come from?”

“The enemy did this.” The master of the house said.

The servants answered and said, “Then we should go and dig everything up.”

But the master said, “No, if you root up the tares you’ll also root up the wheat. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then, gather the tares first. Tie them up and put them in bundles to be burned, and then gather the wheat for my barn.”

Oh my, I want to be wheat for the master. I don’t want to be burned up like the tares. I wish…Oh that could never happen, still, I wish I could meet him, this Yeshua.” I think to myself.

A week later I’m in the market place there’s a big commotion going on down the street. I run to see what’s happening. There he is, Yeshua, he’s riding on a donkey. Everyone is singing Hosanna and laying palm branches on the street before him.

Yeshua stops, gets off the donkey and looks straight at me. I’m frozen in time. My heart fills light and I just stare back at him. Then suddenly, he calls my name. “Miriam.”

At first I think I only imagine it, because he said it so softly, almost a whisper. I point to my chest, and asked, "me?”

He nodded, “Yes, you!”

I smooth out my dirty dress, run my hand over my hair and slowly take steps towards him.

Everyone clears a path, almost as if I’m royalty. As I make my way to Yeshua, the only thought I have is, He called me! The dirty little beggar girl, unloved, invisible and alone.

“I’ve seen you from far away, but I felt your heart's longing, beckoning me, seeking me. Today I have called you to come follow me. You will no longer be alone. You will not wander in the streets or beg for food or lodging. You are healed and set free from bondage. You are my daughter.” Yeshua smiled and held out his hand to me, then gave me a tender embrace.

I heard the gasps all around me, as, his light engulfed my heart. I felt clean, pure, and free. Joy filled my heart and I began to cry tears of hope, of love and of freedom.

I am, wheat, I am a child of the King.

A woman from the crowd takes my hand and says, “Miriam, I am Mary, come with me. I'm taking you to your new home."

For the first time in my life I am visible, I am loved and I am a child of the Messiah.

Parable of the Wheat and Tares is found in Matthew 13:24-30

By Marla Shaw O’Neill February 4, 2016©

A Sower Went Out to Sow Seed

Good Ground

I breath in the fresh sea air…I look out over the water, and then, land, and watch the gulls circle once, as if in respect for him. Everything becomes still and quiet. I stand among the people who have gathered here by the sea to hear him. They say he’s the Messiah…

Thousands of people are here as far as the eye can see. Some want to kill him…others just want to see what he’ll do next…some are sick and diseased. Women and children, who normally wouldn’t hear the scriptures, listen intently. He is different; he doesn’t speak like the rabbi’s in the temple. His countenance is peaceful and gentle. Yet he has authority and power but with humility and meekness.

I saw him heal a man who was blind. That got my attention. Today I just want to hear his words. I’ve never heard anyone speak the way he does. His words make me want to be different. I believe, he is, the Messiah.

I notice there are no scribes or Pharisees here…I guess it would be beneath them to come to the sea-shore. I’m glad they’re not here, they’re always causing division and confusion. Although it doesn’t seem to bother this man, this man called Jesus.

There in a ship he sits and begins to speak. A sower went out to sow seeds…some fell on by the way side; birds came and ate the seeds that had fallen. Some fell on stony places, there wasn’t much soil, they sprung up but because there wasn’t much soil, when the sun came up they were scorched; they had no root, they withered away.

Some of the seed fell among thorns but the thorns grew and choked out the seed. But some fell in good ground and grew strong and produced fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold and some thirtyfold.

As Jesus talked I began to see exactly what he was saying. He is the sower, his word is the seed, we are the soil. He’s talking about people…I have the feeling that only those who are enlightened by him can understand what this story really means. The man next to me is irritated and wants to leave he’s hot and tired and his little boy is beginning to be restless too. The words of Jesus mean nothing to him.

But the woman on the other side of me is crying; Jesus’s words are touching her heart.

And me, well I’m ready to follow him wherever he goes…His words are seed that are being planted in my heart. Praise the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, my heart is good ground, the roots grow deep. He is the Messiah! I will follow him.

This Parable is found in Matthew 13:1-23

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill February 3, 2016©

A Woman Goes to the Well

 

 

 Woman at the Well

How many times have you gone to the well of life so to speak, and all you got was muddy water, hateful stares and a sore back from carrying the water pitcher?

You get up day after day, week after week, then months turn into years and all you get is the same old thing. You’re on your fifth relationship and that one isn’t working either…the women in the community won’t have anything to do with you. They whisper when you walk up and they call you a half-breed. You’re a Samaritan, the lowliest of the low. What beauty you had, has faded and that was more of a curse than anything else; you’re simply worn out by life from making wrong choices.

So, after all the other women have left, you go to the well…you don’t want to hear their gossip and see their accusing eyes. You’re over it!

Its noon time, it’s hot but that’s nothing new you’re used to that. You notice a Jew sitting by the well. What now? You wonder. Jews don’t usually come through Samaria. You try to ignore him. But he speaks to you.

 

"Give me a drink of water."

Sometimes when we least expect it…we have an encounter with someone who is the least likely to speak to us and it surprises us.

Today this is what happens to the Samaritan woman. She’s going to have a well-drawing experience, which will change her life forever!!

You know the story, if not you can read it in John chapter 4:1-42

If Jesus asked you for a drink of water, what would you do?

He was a Jew, she was a Samaritan…

The Samaritans worshiped Yahweh, but on a different mountain. They were mixed breeds. The Jews looked down on them and despised them, but not Jesus. He was constantly turning the customs of the day upside down.

Jesus was no ordinary Jew, Oh no; he was the son of God!

She had no clue.

That day the water she drew was not from Jacob’s well…cloudy, unfulfilling water…No she received pure, clean, fresh, everlasting water from the Well of Jesus… she would never thirst again…and not only did she receive this water…but she ran to her village and told everyone what Jesus had said to her.

 

“Come see this man that told me all about my life…”

 

Because of her testimony they also believed! They didn't want him to leave. He stayed there for two days.

This story has been told for over two thousand years…

It doesn’t matter your race, or gender Jesus is sitting at the local well, waiting for you to arrive. He wants to give you living water!

What will you do?

Will you believe me, a woman, who is telling you about the Messiah? Or will you come and hear him for yourself?

He is the Messiah! The Savior!

Are you thirsty? Are you broken and weary? Are you tired of the struggle, the lies, and the empty life that never satisfies? Are you tired of the treadmill that never ends? Spinning around and around but never getting anywhere?

Come to the well…

Jesus will give you living water and you will never thirst again. 

DO YOU PRAY TOO MUCH

1 Thessalonians 5:17King James Version (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing.

Someone said something to me recently that just made me shake my head in amazement. “Is it really necessary for you to pray that much?”

Are you kidding me? Really?

I’m not offended, but I am shocked, because this person is a Christian.

Mother Teresa said this about prayer…To love as God loves, meeting daily with Him through prayer is essential. Without it love dies. Mother Teresa stressed its importance by saying, “What blood is to the body, prayer is to the soul.”~

Without blood we die. Without breath we die…without prayer we die…

Prayer is communion with the living God…

I love God so much I want to know him more…I talk to him constantly…and you know what…he talks to me too…

Now some may say I’m a fanatic…well praise the Lord because that just means I have a passion for him more than others may have…I like something more than you do. Yes I’m a fan of God!

God loved me so much, he sent his little boy to die for me…I wouldn’t do that for anyone…

He pulled me out of a deep, dark, dirty, pit…he put joy in my heart, gives me a peace that I can’t begin to explain…and an abundant life I never dreamed I’d have. He gave me a huge family of brothers and sisters from all over the world and filled me with grace, His HOLY Spirit and gave me life forever…

He protects me, and surrounds me with Love and goodness…instead of death he shows mercy…and forgiveness…Yes I do talk to him constantly…I always will!

"Lord, teach us to pray." –Luke 11:1

"After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed." –John 17:1

"They all joined together constantly in prayer." –Acts 1:14

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." –Ephesians 6:18

"Pray continually." -1 Thessalonians 5:17

The Good Father

The Father is Looking for you!

Luke 15:20
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
 
Father of the Prodigal…

Every day I stand at the window and watch…

Looking for my son, and wonder...

Is he alive? Is he well? Will he ever come home?

For ten long years I’ve waited and watched
Is he lost to me forever…
I will never give up hope…

“God wherever my boy is, whatever he has done, protect him, bring him to the end of himself, and bring him home.” Amen.

It is dusk, the sun is setting. A gentle wind blows the wild flowers in the field…standing at the gate looking out to the east…a bent, dark figure approaches…He’s leaning on a staff, limping as he makes his way over the rocky path…rags cover his body, dust covers his feet.

I squint to see in the distance someone, a man walking…

Can it be…can it be…

My heart begins to pump faster, strength enters my body and joy floods my soul…

It is…It’s my son…

Darting out across the field…In a full run, I grab him and kiss him…the stench is ignored … he’s thin and dirty…that does not matter…my son…my son…

Thank God, thank God, it’s you…

God loves us with an everlasting love and rejoices when one of his children was lost then returns to him.

He’s a good, good father!

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 7:7-11

The Pig Pin of Life

Luke 15:11-32

Are You Living in the Pig Pin

Have you left the kings palace and discovered you now live in the pig pin?

What happened? How’d you get here? How will you get out?

You may have started out in life full of hopes and dreams, you’re going to conquer the world only to discover that along the way you made unwise decisions, lost all your wealth by wasting your time, talents and gifts on foolish endeavors, drugs, gambling, and unhealthy relationships. You find yourself living in the pig pin of life with no way out.

The stench of the pig pin is overwhelming. You’re empty, unclean and living a wasted, indigent life. Everything gone…self-worth gone, character shattered, morals destroyed, defeat is all that is left. You come to the end of yourself and realize even the animals don’t want to associate with you. You’re starving, afraid and worthless…

Then, you remember your father’s house. Even the servants at your father’s house have it better than you.

I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” Luke 15:18-19

You have all heard the story of the prodigal son. He decides to return to his father’s house thinking he could at least be a servant and have a decent meal.

Get out of the pig pin, remember who you are, you are a child of the King. Realize you have sinned and ask your Father to let you come home. He is a loving, caring father. He’ll see you coming from far off and run to meet you. He’ll throw a party for you, kill the fatted calf, put a fresh clean robe on you and give you his signet ring. He loves you so much. Don’t live in the pig pin when you were made to live in the palace with the King.

Hear the father say, “My son was dead but now he’s alive, he was lost but now he’s found.”

It’s time to come home! 

FORGIVENESS

 

Acts 3:19New Living Translation (NLT)
19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 
Forgiveness

I was reading and came across this sentence and it hit me like a ton of bricks…

“Sometimes we need forgiveness more than we need healing.”

When we see someone sick, hurting and there’s nothing we can do to help them…it is paralyzing and we often feel numb. What can I do? How can I help? There must be something I can do! These questions go off in our heads…we are powerless…

There is one thing we CAN do, and that is pray…

But how do we pray? Do really know what the person needs? We are looking with our natural eyes and we think they need healing…maybe they need more than that…maybe they need forgiveness…

Maybe they need a savior more than they need healing.

Sometimes all we need is forgiveness…

Jesus Help Me

John 17:23New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

 

 

 Are You Jesus?

My mother-in-law, known to us all as Mom O., gave us this little book, and this morning I decided to pick it up and read it.

I didn’t even get through the Prologue and I began crying…it doesn’t take much for me to do that though…I love that the Spirit of God gives us tender hearts. Bob does this quite often too; his heart is tender and pliable in the hands of God. Sorry I got off track….(A.D.D.) lol

The book, Rediscover Jesus, written by: Matthew Kelly.

It was the biggest meeting of Paul’s life, and it had gone well. He couldn’t wait to tell his wife and his boss. As he rushed out of the Brooklyn office building with the rest of the team, they noticed a vacant cab, yelling to get the driver’s attention. But as they made their way across the sidewalk, they inadvertently knocked over a small produce stand. The rest of the team seemed oblivious until Paul stopped and turned around to go back.

From beside the taxi the others called out to Paul, “Come on, you’ll miss your flight.”

“Go ahead without me,” Paul replied as he made his way back across the street toward the sidewalk covered produce. At that moment, he realized that the woman who had been behind the produce stand was blind. She was just standing there crying softly with tears running down her face.

“It’s OK, it’s OK,” Paul said to her as he got down on his hands and knees and began picking up the fruit and vegetables. There were a hundred people passing in each direction, but nobody else stopped to help. They just scurried off to wherever they were going.

When the fruit was all back up on the stand, Paul began neatly organizing it, setting aside anything that was spoiled. Now he turned to the woman and asked, “Are you OK?” She nodded through her tears. Then, reaching for his wallet, he took out some bills and passed them to the woman, saying, “This money should cover the damages.”

With that, Paul turned and began to walk away.

“Mister,” the woman called after him. Paul paused and turned around. “Are you Jesus?”

“Oh, no,” he replied.

The woman nodded and continued, “I only ask because I prayed for Jesus to help me as I heard my fruit falling all over the sidewalk.”

Paul turned to leave again, only now his eyes began to fill with tears.

For a long time he wandered around looking for a taxi. After finally finding one, he sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic all the way to the airport. He had missed his flight, and because it was Friday night, all the other flights were full.

Paul spent the night in a hotel by the airport. This gave him time to think. He couldn’t get one question out of his head: When was the last time someone confused you for Jesus?

Paul could have kept right on going and he would have never known about the lady standing there, blind and helpless. He probably wouldn’t have missed his flight and he wouldn’t have heard her question, “Mister, are you Jesus?”

Something to think about as we go about our day today…someone is praying, “Jesus help me.” Maybe it’s you!

God bless you! I pray Jesus stops and helps you!

I'm Hungry

 

Tic, tic, tic, I hear the clock in my room of quiet. A gentle tapping at the window, sounds of rain, peaceful.

Last night I dreamed that my four sons and I were all together, they were grown men. Each one came into the kitchen looking for something to eat. Mark called his wife but couldn't get her on her cell. 

Jason had not one, but two full grown Tigers. One was a saber-tooth, the other was just BIG, lol, they were also hungry and looking for food. I told them to go back in the living room and lay down. They gave me a sideways look, snarled and obeyed. I had no fear of them so I knew they were not evil. 

When I woke up I thought about the tigers...I realized in my dream they represented protection and power. Our spiritual hunger can not be satisfied with natural food, only God can satisfy that need through His word.

As Christian's we walk around hungry, looking for something but not sure what it is we want. We do all the worldly things everyone else does, see the latest movies, get the latest hair style and clothes, eat and drink things not beneficial to us. Spiritually speaking. We have the power of God within us but we don't utilize that authority so we grow weak, lethargic and powerless. Like the light switch on the wall, behind that wall is wires of electricity it is powerful and is present but unless we turn the switch on, it lays dormant and useless. God will not force us. We have to do the doing...

This morning, I also thought about when Jesus was baptized, here is the son of God, a voice comes out of heaven and says, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17. It sounded like thunder to many. But what did the scriptures use to represent the Holy Spirit?

Our wonderful, loving heavenly father used a beautiful, peaceful, gentle animal, a dove. It was meek and pure; a sweet, humble bird sent to show us the love God has for his son. Selah!
Matthew 3:17The Message (MSG)

^16-17 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”

Live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God! "It Is Written"

Live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God!

As I read in the book of Matthew this morning I paid close attention to the genealogy of Jesus.

From Adam throughout the ages, to the birth of Jesus…we see the sons of God…

Then I read that, after Jesus, was baptized he was driven into the desert to be tempted by the devil…after fasting 40 days and 40 nights of fasting, it says Jesus got hungry…then the devil came and tempted him with, “If you be the son of God…turn these stones into bread…


Jesus said…It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God…

Then the devil tempts him again…If you are, the son of God…cast yourself down, (he knew the word of God, but misquoted it) Satan always twists the word of God… for it is written, he said… He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Jesus said again, It is, written, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Jesus said to the devil that He is the Lord thy God.)

The devil knew Jesus was the son of God…(Satan is arrogant and full of pride, his downfall.)

The devil takes him to a high mountain and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them and says, “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.” He is the ruler of this world but He has no power over us unless we give it to him. Jesus is the Lord our God!

Jesus says, “Get thee hence Satan, in other words, get lost Satan…FOR IT IS WRITTEN THOU (you Satan) SHALT WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD, AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE! Jesus was saying, Look Satan, I don't worship you, you are to worship God only and serve Him only. (whew that is powerful)
Jesus passed his test…

The devil left him…praise God, when we speak the word with power and authority which is given by Jesus Christ, the devil has to leave…
Then the passage says, The angels came and ministered unto Jesus. Matthew 1-4
And they will do the same for us.

We are not strong enough to withstand the enemy on our own and God knew that we would need a savior and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the tactics of the devil…

The most important thing we as followers of Jesus Christ must do is read and know God’s word.

We need to know what the word of God says and we need to say it…the only way to know it, is to read it and study it…We need the word of God to sustain us each and every day just as we eat bread and live, the word of God is the bread of life…we can’t just live on natural bread…we must eat the bread of life…feast on His word…That is Jesus the son of God. Amen!

I can do all things...through Christ Jesus who strengthens me...Yes we can!

A Moment with God

A Moment with God

Have you ever walked into a place that was so serene, so beautiful it took your breath away…colors so vivid and vibrant, smells so fresh and clean that you just couldn’t imagine how it could be that way?

Or flown over mountains and the peaks were snowcapped; everything was still and quiet, a blanket of snow-white images laid out before you and all you could do was stare at the magnificence?

Or been caught up into a place of perfect peace…for just a few moments you felt no worry or doubt or concern for anything or anyone…your soul was content…you were in perfect peace…

When God speaks to us in the quietness of the night or early morning…there is nothing like it…no beauty or place can compare to His presence…

It’s a very special time just between you and the creator of all life.

Pure, clear, ice-blue water, living water where you can see all the way to the bottom, fish thrive and stones glisten, being warmed by the sun, lots of plant life is healthy and in abundance. You scoop up a long refreshing drink without concern. Go on, drink it, it won’t harm you!

If you have never experienced a time like this with Him…you have no idea what you’ve missed…or what I’m talking about…but can't you imagine…take the time to spend with your heavenly father…

He’s calling you; he wants to share times like this with you…

Go to him…be clean and let him take you to that place only He can give. It is no fairy-tale…He’s more real than your own heartbeat…

Pure, living, moments in the very heart of God! Don't let anything stop you...

January 11, 2016-Marla Shaw O’Neill

Psalm 46:4-6The Message (MSG)

^4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,
    this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
    God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
    but Earth does anything he says.

Pride

 

Who are you promoting? How are you living? Has Pride taken control?

I have found that when I become self-centered and self-consciences I want everything to revolve around me, and I am not letting Him surround me. In the middle of the word ‘HIM’ is the letter I. It’s all about Him (God) not me, myself or I…when I want all the attention, what I’ve done and what I’m doing and see me, me, me…I fall into Satan’s trap and I become distant from my loving heavenly father.

My behavior becomes full of pride and it’s all about ME, I’m in sin!

I become short tempered and envious and sensitive and insecure.

But praise God, for the precious Holy Spirit, He deals with me gently, but with a firm hand.

Before I know it I hear myself and I don’t like what I see or hear. And I find myself on the altar, crying out, Jesus save me. My attitude has to be right though, I have to be contrite and humbled or God will not listen.

When that happens I am most miserable. I go on for a few more days making others around me miserable too.

And if I stay in that condition for very long, I am separated from the love of God and a dark cloud follows me, I am in sin and need correction. God chastens those he loves…the only way to get out of it, is to humble myself before Him. Recognize ‘Pride.’

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17 King James Version (KJV)

18 Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18 King James Version (KJV)

God is holy and just. He is the creator, He is the savior, and without him we can do nothing. Pride is what caused Lucifer to fall from his position along with a third of the angels. Pride will destroy lives, crush nations, and kill everything beautiful and sacred in our lives.

Satan used pride to tempt Jesus when he was in the wilderness and he is still using it today to deceive and destroy lives and he will keep on using it. We must be aware every minute and pray for a heart of humility and grace to live this life. We are the children of the King…we are to be in Him and he in us. He is to be lifted up; not you and not me.

Let ‘I,’ be surrounded by Him and live in a constant state of humility.

And remember when Satan comes and lies to you and fills your heart with pride…Like Jesus, say, IT IS WRITTEN…YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD…

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12New King James Version (NKJV)

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 New Living Translation (NLT)

Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Psalm 141:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. James 3:5 NLT

Speak life…and walk in humility.

Finally…

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2:2-4The Message (MSG)

FAMILY

 Proverbs 11:29
He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

Family

Familiar faces, from aged to birth they come
Memories and moments life is made up of…
These are those who turn our hearts to laughter, and tears through precious years...
The circle of life goes on…
Our family and friends not to tolerate…
But to love and cherish and celebrate...
Oh, they make us crazy with drama, of who, did this, and that...
But we cannot live without them…even, if, we want to squeeze their neck
Some are lazy and some never shut up…
Some are obsessive, compulsive, irritating and abrupt…
Some make you scream, ‘til you just want to throw up…
Some are short, and some are tall…
But family is family, gotta love 'em all…
No one better dis them, or the Fam will be called…
Challenged they will fight, to the death if they must,
Family is family and in God, we do trust…
Familiar and steady, strong and true…we are comrades and rascals;
People through and through;
Some even adopted, we accept them too…
No matter what others, may think of us…
Strange, peculiar, and weird and wise…
We see the world through each other’s eyes…
Yes, we are family, tested and tried,
God help us, we will survive!

Marla Shaw O’Neill December 21, 2015©

Put on the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness

 

 

This is what the Holy Spirit spoke to my grieving heart this morning...I asked him for JOY he gave me this scripture! Praise God!!!!

Isaiah 61Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Messiah’s Jubilee

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me,
because the Lord has anointed Me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to heal^[a] the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and freedom to the prisoners;

² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of our God’s vengeance;
to comfort all who mourn,

³ to provide for those who mourn in Zion;
to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
festive oil instead of mourning,

and splendid clothes instead of despair.^[b]
And they will be called righteous trees,
planted by the Lord
to glorify Him.

 

⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins;
they will restore the former devastations;
they will renew the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.

⁵ Strangers will stand and feed your flocks,
and foreigners will be your plowmen and vinedressers.

⁶ But you will be called the Lord’s priests;
they will speak of you as ministers of our God;
you will eat the wealth of the nations,
and you will boast in their riches.

⁷ Because your shame was double,
and they cried out, “Disgrace is their portion,”
therefore, they will possess double in their land,
and eternal joy will be theirs.

 

⁸ For I Yahweh love justice;

I hate robbery and injustice;^[c]
I will faithfully reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

⁹ Their descendants will be known among the nations,
and their posterity among the peoples.
All who see them will recognize
that they are a people the Lord has blessed.

 

¹⁰ I greatly rejoice in the Lord,
I exult in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation
and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness,
as a groom wears a turban
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

¹¹ For as the earth produces its growth,
and as a garden enables what is sown to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.

Great News for Always

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is [a]Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Remember?

Remember that special day?
You know the one when the Christ Child was born…
We read about it in our bible…
A baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes, and He lay in a bed of straw they called it a manger.
They stayed inside a barn because the inn was full…
Of course his mom and dad were there
And some shepherd’s from a nearby field came to see him too
Oh yeah and angels came, they said, Behold we bring you wonderful news of peace and goodwill to all men…
Yep that’s right the Savior was born…
Remember now?
OK great…
Now do you remember when that same Christ child came to live in another very special place?
That place within your heart?
Mom and dad were there, and I was there too…
You were six or seven and the pastor said that the angels are rejoicing because you asked Jesus to come into your heart…
There were others who did the same thing that day…
Remember?
Remember how you cried and then got so happy…you wanted to tell everyone the good news…
Peace, and goodwill had come…
Great Joy filled the room of your heart…I’ll never forget that day!
What?
Oh yeah, he’s still filling hearts today…but there are many who will leave him in the barn…
Is there room in your heart for the savior?
No, well just ask Him in, He will fill you with great peace, joy and goodwill…
Then you will have a day to remember, always…

Marla Shaw O’Neill December 10, 2015©

Thirsty - December 4, 2015

 

I awoke this morning with these thoughts on my mind…

My soul is thirsty Lord; my mouth is parched and dry. Just one drop of water from you Lord is all I need.

Then the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus came to mind; and then, I took a drink of water. Oh how good it tasted. Clean refreshing water.

After getting up, eating some breakfast and having my coffee, I scrolled through a couple of post and came to one that talked about how once you are in hell there is no getting out. You can’t scream, yell, cry, bargain or die your way out; you are there forever!

OK, Lord I get it…this is what you want me to write about this morning.

What I’m saying is not about being rich or poor…it’s about being ready in the moment!

Read the following passage:

Luke 16:19-31New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.[b] There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’

27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’

29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’

30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’

31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Today you are living your life going about your daily routine, and life simply happens. Work, family, the usual stuff, but, tragedy strikes, and everything comes to an immediate halt; you become paralyzed in time…depression, isolation, waves of deep pain and thoughts that rip through your mind and steal your peace...you can not find your way...torment sets in. You toss and turn...you snap at everyone and everything...you feel as if you are in hell...like the Psalmist your bed is a river of tears...but...there is a way out while your still in this life...there is only one hope!

Only the touch of Jesus's gentleness of grace, can sustain you through these times...right now, while you are living...let him quench your thirst and give you rest...let him be your shalom!

Let all anguish go...release it and receive His healing touch!

Nothing else satisfies...

Don’t wait…It is a daily choice! Choose Him now!

Come to Me



 



If you are struggling for peace today...take a deep breath, close your eyes and whisper a mini prayer...God honors truthfulness...

Jesus is calling, "Come to me."

Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest…

He said, He will give you His shalom. (Peace)

Don’t wait until tragedy hits you, or your family or a neighbor or friend; stay so close to the Lord that you can hear his heartbeat…then when tragedy strikes you and Jesus can face it together by faith, with grace and rest (His peace).

NIV Application Commentary:

The yoke of discipleship brings rest because (hoti; niv “for”) Jesus is “gentle and humble in heart” (11:29). Jesus exemplifies the very characteristics his disciples will display as members of the kingdom of heaven—gentleness (5:5) and humility (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). He has castigated the scribes and the Pharisees for their hypocritical self-righteousness (5:20; 6:1–18) and will condemn them for their prideful religious regalia, places of privilege, and elitist titles (23:5–7). But Jesus does not need to strut his authority. He has come gently, preaching and teaching the good news of the arrival of the kingdom of heaven, and in humble human form he has brought healing to sin-sick humanity. This is the true eschatological rest for which Israel has long hoped, “a realization of a deep existential peace, a shalom, or sense of ultimate well-being with regard to one’s relationship to God and his commandments.” Jesus’ teaching is the true fulfillment of the Law, and those who come to him will enter into a discipleship that produces rest for the soul (cf. Jer. 6:16).

While discipleship to Jesus brings relief from the burden of Pharisaic regulations, it is not lawlessness. He goes on to say, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” These two clauses are in synonymous parallelism to emphasize Jesus’ way of discipleship. His discipleship is an easy or serviceable yoke because his teaching equips us most effectively to live out God’s will in the way life was designed to be lived. Furthermore, his discipleship is not the oppressive burden of Pharisaic legalism (23:4) but instead turns the load of life into one that is manageable (cf. Gal. 6:5). Jesus does not release his disciples from burdens, just as he did not escape the burdens of human life in his Incarnation. Illness and calamity and tragedy remain a part of this fallen world until the final renewal, but for those in the kingdom of heaven there is a promise of Jesus’ sustaining help as we carry his yoke of discipleship.

In fact, in Jesus’ interpretation of the Law the challenge of following him may be seen as even more demanding than the Pharisees, because he calls us to fulfill the Law from the obedience of the heart, not simply through external obedience (5:21–47), and he calls his disciples to be perfect, as their heavenly Father is perfect (5:48). But Jesus’ demands are still a yoke that is easy to bear and a burden that is light to carry, because in the coming of the kingdom and the inauguration of the new covenant, his Spirit provides the same strength to carry the load that Jesus himself relied upon to carry his own load of redemptive service to humanity.

However, in the quest to learn from Jesus how to live God’s truth, it is critical to remember that Jesus’ disciples can also turn his yoke into an unbearable burden unless we consciously recognize that discipleship to Jesus is not essentially a religious obligation. Rather, ours is an intimate relationship with the One who calls, “Come to me” and “learn from me.” As complicated as life may become, discipleship is at heart simply walking with Jesus in the real world and having him teach us moment by moment how to live life his way.

God's Love is Perfect! God Is Love!

 

1 John 4:18-21The Message (MSG)

To Love, to Be Loved

^17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

¹⁹ We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
^20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

1 John 4:1-10 Holman (HCSB)

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has^[a] come in the flesh is from God. ³ But every spirit who does not confess Jesus^[b] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist; you have heard that he is coming, and he is already in the world now.
⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵ They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

Knowing God through Love

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ God’s love was revealed among us in this way:^[c] God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the^[d] propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:18 KJV 

God's love is perfect
¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 
 

  

Jesus you have everything under control! Thank you for your gift of grace...thank you for your peace that passes understanding...help us to overcome fear by having faith in you! Give my brothers and sisters your steadfast love and rest in you, knowing you are for us! Your perfect Love, cast out fear! No matter what comes Lord...we are in your hands! Fill us with your supernatural Love and Wisdom! Amen!