Author Darlene J. Conard 

In my personal time of devotion, I have asked myself, how would I have felt if I had been in the place of Simon of Cyrene? Would I be able to stand behind the Master as he carried the cross? It is heartbreaking to imagine being in such a place.  

The Experience of being involved with such a brutal judgment would be devastating. Jesus rebuked Peter for objecting that He would be crucified. (Matthew 16:22-24) Honestly, I don’t know how to answer.  

Do you believe that after such an experience, Simon of Cyrene could go back to his normal life? The Bible does not say much about it. This is one of the Biblical events with little written about Simon of Cyrene.  

Fill his shoes. How would you act, think, or feel if you were walking behind Jesus to help Him carry the cross on which He would soon hang from?  

The story you are about to read is how I imagined it to be.  

With the rest of my strength, I regained as I watched the brutality. Taking deep breaths, I placed my palms upon my chest, feeling the throbbing of my heart. The core of my soul stirred to the uttermost. Breathing seemed to be impossible. I looked away. Although I closed my eyes, an imprint remained in my mind. The usual beauty of the sun hid itself today. His feet bore into the heated Palestinian sand.  

The days that the sun shone her light were very enjoyable, but not today. Today is a day that will haunt me as long as I live.  

This Man called Jesus is being falsely accused! What wrong has He done? I have seen Him with my very own eyes heal the lame, open deaf ears, heal those afflicted by incurable diseases, and so much more. Mostly what has cleaved to my soul is His refusal to walk away. I have never recalled experiencing heartache in such a manner. His very own people mocked Him without conviction. “Hail, King of the Jews!” religious leaders burst out in laughter. The reed that Jesus was being smote with was the same as those used by believers joyfully praising Him, saying, “Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!”  

Upon the head of the One who carried wisdom and spoke, knowledge sat a crown of thorns. He spoke not a word, in doing so wisdom and knowledge arose in defense against false witnesses but spoke volumes to believers.  

The ripping of His linen garment echoed through the air on which angels took   flight. “He bowed the heavens also and came down; and the darkness was under His feet. As the psalmist wrote “And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly; yeah, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.” (Psalm 18:9-10)  

His olive skin hung like raggedy ribbons. Continuing in a mocking laughter they raised their whips beating Him with pleasure. Spittle mingled with blood dripped from Jesus’ badly bruised face. Trickling down His chin upon His olive torso, which once had a fair complexion, became brutally beaten and broken. One day out of my life became unordinary. The course of my life completely changed, pulled right into the path behind Jesus Christ. I no longer became a part of the crowd standing by. Pressed by the crowd in the path Behind Him, I helped carry the end of the cross. Immediately after the cross-fitted upon my shoulders, its weight drove splinters deep into my skin. If it is just a small amount of pain and weight for me, my question is, how great is the load for Him. It should have been me. Nevertheless, I am not worthy only Jesus of Galilee. 

Jesus must have a great love for the world to go through this, I thought. Marching toward Golgotha Hill Jesus stopped. Discerning my thoughts, He replied, looking deep into my eyes without hatred, bitterness or even regret but passion burning in His eyes. “You’ve seen Me heal the lame, open blinded eyes, heal the broken hearted, delivered those bound by affliction, today Simon is the day you find yourself in need and the need is met. Behold redemption is at hand. In His entire affliction, He had enough passion to smile laying His palm on my forehead to pray for me.  

Tears fell from my swollen eyes for I felt compelled by the cross. Reconciliation bonded my soul to the foot of the cross where I first recognized repentance marching forward behind my Redeemer, He being God stands before me as a witness. Yes, the sight truly is disturbing, but then my eyes were enlightened to the power of His death, burial and resurrection, Emanuel God here with us in the flesh. The Lamb pure, holy, and spotted defied the works of darkness as His side soldiers pierced with forth blood and water. No weakness has been involved but a victorious battle won! I denied myself taking up the cross to follow Him. I know my Redeemer liveth! 

The word of God is full of possibilities. Jesus wants us to walk with Him. These are not just stories told at Easter, they are for every day. Through faith we will reach the heart of God. The horror of the brutal acts of mockers didn’t end that way. We that are believers know He is alive and well in our hearts.

(Matthew 27:32-44/ Mark 15:21-32/ Luke 27:26)   

You can read about Simon of Cyrene by clicking the link below:)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27%3A32-44&version=KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

Many times, when trouble surrounded me, this Psalm brought me comfort. This is a short message, yet one that will give you strength. Be encouraged knowing that God is ever present. Read this Psalms to yourself and you’ll find yourself enclosed in His presence. Read it as a prayer. Have a blessed day beloved.

 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

“And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob hath taken away all that are father’s: and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory, “Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban and behold it was not toward him before. (Genesis 31:1-2)

Laban overheard his sons’ conversation which was filled with discord.  “Jacob is stealing from our father and all honor.” Proverbs 6:14 says, “Forwardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually, he soweth discord.” That wasn’t the truth. The truth was God’s blessing followed Jacob.

Laban in his heart believed it to be truth, making him suspicious of Jacob. God revealed the spirit of discord to Jacob. He refused to allow him and his family involvement in the situation. Jacob packed his belongings and left with his family.

Have you ever experienced someone being jealous of God’s blessing in your life? One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn was not everyone is going to rejoice over the way God is blessing my life.

 Seek God and His favor will be evident in all that you do!   

^“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”  (Romans 12:15 KJV)

Author Darlene J. Conard 

God gave Rebekah direction to pray for the redemption of her two sons, not to take the situation into her own hands. By doing so, she steps into God’s way, toppling the bond of trust in the family. Jacob became concerned when his mother asked him to deceive his father. He was aware of the fact a curse would plague his life. In addition, he stated, “Behold, Esau my brother is an hairy man, and I am a smooth man: My father peradventure will feel me, I will seem to him as a deceiver and I shall bring a curse upon me and not a blessing.” (Genesis 21:11 KJV)  

“Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wonder out of his way.”      (Deuteronomy 17:18 KJV 

“Thou shalt not cures the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear thy God: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:14 KJV) 

Rebekah continued insisting he should obey her by imitating Esau. Her reassurance to him that the curse would be upon her did not bring him comfort. She took the knowledge that God gave her abusing it. 

The discernment of God is powerful. God gave Isaac discernment to protect his home. His eyes were dim; therefore, he could not rely on his own knowledge. When he heard a voice that did not agree with the facts, questions had risen in his mind. The spirit of truth rises against deception causing him to be uncomfortable. He could not understand why he had felt unsatisfied. 

The danger lay ahead. Although Jacob disagreed with Rebekah’s scheme, he became a part of it, thus causing him to stray from God’s path.  

When God is trying to get our attention, we will feel uncomfortable. He does not want us falling into a web of deceit. Sometimes things are not what they appear to be. Voices can bring betrayal unless we distinguish the difference between truth and lies. God gives us warning signals to protect us. 

“We walk by faith and not by sight.”  (I Corinthians 5:7)  

God gave Isaac discernment to protect him. Truth will always excel above what we know and think. 

To Read more about Jacob and Esau click on the link below.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2021&version=KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

Heavenly Father,

I thank you for Your blessing and plan of redemption. I ask You to guide us in all truth. Help us to each see ourselves as You would. Let us be reconciled to Your will. God give us a love for one another as You have loved us. Help us to grasp the visions and hope that You have planted within us.  As spoken by Your word, where there is no vision, the people perish. Let our desires be towards You.

Lord, help us in our struggles so that we may not be weakened but strengthened. Help us to accomplish the mission that is before us.

Please help us not to limit where You are taking us.

Lord as mentors, teachers, daughters, and granddaughters help us to fulfill our role with honor, humility, and loyalty through Your name. God, there are so many among us who are without a father, mother, sister, brother, and grandparents. Help us to accomplish the role needed in these children’s lives. Only You know those needs.

Foremost Lord, You have placed us in the lives of many. Help us be a lantern of hope

We are reconciled despite of my shortcomings to honor our Christian duties. Help us have an open mind, help us to grasp what we are reaching for. Help us as a whole.

Heavenly Father, watch over us, guide us, restore, and deliver us from evil. Bless those who are without God.

In the name of Jesus Christ

“I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Psalm 3:4-6 KJV

Author Darlene J Conard

Completely shutting down I could no longer go on about my day. “God I’m trapped! I’m so trapped! I am surrounded by impossible situations! Where are You, God?”  Tears poured from my eyes. “I’m here. I’ve never left you. What do you do when you feel surrounded by Darlene? What did I teach you?”

“Look up, and get focused.” The story dropped in my spirit of Elisha’s prayer for his servant. “What are we going to do? The city is circled by chariots and horses?” Of course, when walking by sight that will be an overwhelming situation! Which is exactly how I felt. He comforts him with, “Fear not:  for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (2 Kings 6:16 KJV)

Elisha begins to pray for God to open his eyes so that he may see the true picture. The servant saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.  He then prayed for the Lord to smite the king and his army with blindness so he could lead them back to where they came from. Upon destination, the men’s eyes were opened again.

It was revealed that Elisha was protected.

While I read these passages of scripture, I asked God to help me when I’m without understanding. I ask Him for His guidance when I don’t know which way to turn.

Elisha asked the Lord for directions after that. “Should I smite them?” God replied, “No don’t smite them but feed the men.

The whole point of this blog is to bring comfort in such times. Our feelings lie to us. Our broken hearts refuse comfort; it’s difficult to receive.

God is with us even in the longest of times.  He is doing something in our midst. Pray for God to help you see what He needs you to see.

These scriptures make it evident that God will not allow us to be removed. He puts us in places and He will not allow us to be moved.

 ^“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”  (Zephaniah 3:17 KJV)

Author Darlene J. Conard

When I read about the Tabernacle plan, I imagine myself in the scriptures at each event. Exodus 27:9-19

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts are than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV)

God’s ways are not at all strange but unique. He expresses Himself in ways as He is. For example, the ark of the covenant contained the power of He who sat upon it.

If you desire to understand God, “You must step into that place. Call on the name of Jesus. He will give you an unforgettable experience!

I get lost in His presence, never wanting to come back. It is not the world’s territory, But God planned pavilions for those who hunger, thirst, and seek His righteousness. As I studied this story of Moses, I began to imagine myself being there. Here’s how I imagine it.

I walked aimlessly in the desert, searching and searching, yet nothing seemed to appease my soul. Truth and mercy seemed as though they were far from me. Without ceasing, I yielded my heart toward heaven in hopes that it would open its windows and pour upon me His salvation.

As I stood back, my eyes visualized the Tabernacle of God constructed. With my own eyes, I have watched and worked as we built the church of the living God. I walk these courts with an empty mind daily, hungering to enter the holy of holies.

As I witnessed the redemption of Israel, I recognized a need of my own to see God’s face, to face to behold His glory. I have the need to walk into His presence that will change me.

With that in mind, I worked my way through the endless pressing crowd. My heart pounded as I drew closer and closer to the brasin altar. My heartbeat droned out the crackling sounds of the burnt offering the priest had offered. The fumes of the burning incense filled my lungs as I took deeper breaths and boldly approached the veil. By this time, I had no strength to stand. All my physical strength had fled from my body. With trembling hands, I took one last deep breath and closed my eyes.

My heartbeat increased to an uncontrollable speed as I slipped my frail fingers through the edge of the veil, changing my life to see that glorious glow. There is no shadow of turning. The radiant glow burst forth as I slipped my frail fingers through the veil.

From the bottom of the floor, my eyes went upward only to see two cherubim with their wings stretched forth, the mercy seat on which the Almighty sat upon His throne. His glory outshined the sun. I fell upon my face as though I was dead, and my soul did open up and yield the tears that it had held for so long. Hot tears flooded my eyes as I lay before God with my face to the ground. His light was so radiant, and He, being so holy, brought to the surface my impurities. That is why I entered the holy of holies, for His mercy, grace, and pardon. Never will I be the same, for I have seen His glory. I am forever changed.  

Where do you see yourself in the word of God? His desire is for us to need Him. When we become desirous of reaching for Him, we please Him. We attract His presence. He can connect.

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Author Darlene J. Conard

Acts 17:34 is the only passage of scripture about Damaris. It is a very small passage of scripture, yet it is enough to touch my sister’s heart. My sister expressed about Damaris, “She’s looked over; there is little said about her.” I had never heard of Damaris. She was a follower of Paul’s. A small passage is written about Damaris, but God did not overlook her. The little written about Damaris made a significant impact on my heart. As I remembered my sister’s words while reading the text, I thought, Lord, Your knowledge is excellent!

 … “When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and others said, “We will hear thee again of this matter. …Paul departed from them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” (Acts 17:32-34) At the time, Paul preached to Athens, letting them know the sign with the words engraved, “To the unknown God,” is well known. The Lord sent him their way preaching the name of Jesus Christ. Some received redemption and some rejected it. Damaris became a follower of Paul’s as he preached the truth. I am curious about what went through her mind and how she reacted.

From the few passages of the scriptures, it is easy to see the desires of the two followers’ hearts. Paul preached Christ, who died and then resurrected. He taught the salvation plan. The redeeming power of Christ stopped in Athens that day, and mockers did not receive anything. They followed Paul because they knew he preached the truth. Their desire to change is evident. The unknown God became known!

Author Darlene J. Conard

“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.” 1 Samuel 1:10 KJV

In the silence of night, Danielle was awakened by the burden of prayer. She tossed the blankets off her body and slid to the floor on her knees. God brought to her in dreams the needs of each of those in her life. One struggled with depression, while another sought answers. Barriers that stood tall were those God had the power to crumble.

The cistern within her overflowed, spilling from her eyes down her cheeks, absorbing the collar of her gown. If only her loved ones knew these nights weren’t few. “Oh, God, let me fulfill your will. You’ve entrusted me with so much.” Her call to approach the throne and confront the works of darkness permanently distilled her heart. She trembled while the graceful river of love she felt for them poured. God’s holy presence embraced her as she slipped deeper into prayer. Angels enveloped her in a mound of safety. Her mind embraced the visions that would come to pass.

Moments turned into eternity as she basked in the overwhelming peace of   God’s sovereignty. Heavier tears trapped behind her lashes spilled down her cheeks as she slightly opened her eyes. Danielle felt renewed with a lightness in her spirit. This is only one night; however, this one will lead to another. 

“Be still and know that I am God.” 

Such experiences don’t fade away. They live a lifetime.

I’m lost in thinking about where Almighty God is leading me. During my darkest moments, I’ve discovered the ministering power of His presence.

“And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.” Isaiah 45:3

With meaning, the instant His name escapes our lips. Thus, we receive a visitation of God’s presence.

I will never cease in prayer or seeking the depths of the supernatural. Darkness is where we can find Christ the most.

Revelation is a tremendous key to the inaccessible part of our being.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (woman) availeth much.”  James 5:16 KJV

Author Darlene J Conard

Awakened in peace, I knew God’s presence was there. Nothing occupied my thoughts except assurance and His faithfulness. Angels were ever-present.

God relieves uncertainty, soothes hurts, guides, and takes away what must be taken. Every hindrance transforms into a stage for God’s glorious entry. Difficulties become seats for angels. There, they are positioned in power by command.

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”  Psalms 91:11-12 KJV

Angels aren’t discussed when appearing in human form or seeing them suddenly appear. We don’t worship them, but we are not to disregard them.

My grandmother sat me down for a Bible study about God, His angels, and humanity.  She began with her encounter for the first time, one appearing in human form. Grandma and Papaw have just settled in Richwood. She cooled her kitchen in the summer by opening the door while cooking. One evening, she was taking up dishes when a man knocked on the door. He explained to her that he had been walking and was very hungry. She invited the man in to sit. Grandma fixed his plate. Beneath his arm, he had a stool, which he unfolded and sat on at the table. She assumed that the stranger used it on his walks. The man blessed his food and ate as he fellowshipped with her. After eating his supper, he blessed her for her kindness. He took up his chair. Grandma turned her back for a moment. She turned around, and the stranger was gone. This scripture dropped in her spirit.

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for some have entertained angels unawares.”   Hebrews 13:2 KJV

Possibilities surround us. God is doing a work every second. I have had quite a few encounters as well. While sitting in my living room resting one evening, I felt a peace-filled atmosphere. An illumination caught my attention. A very tall, strong, illuminating figure walked from my foyer and through the kitchen door. There is comfort in knowing we aren’t alone.