Habakkuk 2: 2-3 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
An overwhelming peace came over me as I listened to chirping frogs. Newness, life, and joy everything that spring represents reminded me of something else.
Isaiah 43:19 KJV, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
You see beloved, chaos is not the dominant ruler. You pray for change, and suddenly chaos hits like a hurricane. Everything is completely dismantled, disfigured, and feels different. God didn’t ignore your prayer; chaos is a sign that God is spring cleaning. I dread spring cleaning because of the mess it creates. But to get to the new the old has to be moved out of place. We either dust it, throw it away, or give it away. I’m going to give you a very valuable piece of knowledge. Several months ago, I encountered a situation that I thought would destroy me. Nothing made sense at all, nothing! I prayed and asked God to change it. We expect too often that God is going to snap His fingers to make things better. He can answer speedily, some prayers are quick. When it comes to people it’s a completely different circumstance. Here is what the Lord said to me, “It’s you I am changing. I’m first changing you to get all the impatience, unbelief, and fear out of you. By that time, you’ll be ready for the new.” If you know me, you’ll know that God shows me things through dreams and visions. I asked God, “Can’t you let me see what is going on in this situation?” He replied, “No, because I want you to rely on what I said. I told you to trust me, that I’m working it out.” I took a deep breath and slumped. It’s true, sometimes things don’t look or sound as though God isn’t in it all. Our prayers seem to be bouncing back in our faces. They aren’t. He is taking His time spring cleaning as He sees fit!
I have never felt so energized, full of faith, and courageous as I do now!
Dear one, take this message to heart. DON’T YOU EVEN CONSIDER GIVING UP!!!! You keep praying, and believing, that God has our backs. Stay encouraged! God is working in your wait! When it comes it will be quick!
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19 KJV
Thank you Tommy for giving me permission to use your beautiful photography on my website! God bless you!
Years ago, I had an encounter with a stranger that changed my life. Getting out of my sister’s car to go into the gas station, I came face to face with a drunkard. Intimidated by the man, I stood frozen as slurred words came from his mouth. I opened my mouth, saying, “Jesus loves you. I’m going to be praying for you.” Silence filled the air. “Please excuse me, sir. I need to go into the store.” He stepped aside, letting me by.
I hadn’t been a Christian for exceptionally long. There was much for me to learn.
While getting the items on the grocery list, the man outside approached me with tears in his eyes. “Ma’am, thank you. I used to go to church, but I backslid. My wife and I split up and I don’t see my daughter as much. I just want you to know, God has been dealing with me.” My heart ached for the man as I watched and listened to his sincerity. No longer did I see a man numb by alcohol, but someone quickened by the spirit of God.
Today, going about my daily routine, I thought of how Jesus went after the one sheep that strayed. (Luke 15:3-7) I have fallen so short! He accepts me. Instead, His mercy comes after me.
My only motive for writing this is that my experience may encourage you. Words of hope are powerful enough to pull desperate souls out of poverty.
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) I need His mercy.
That one person whom we may not think or know is struggling is the one God is working miracles in. Don’t be fearful or believe that God can’t use you to make a difference!
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
While scrolling over Facebook posts, a video caught my attention. A man found himself alone, lost in the desert in search of water. He walked quite a while before he spotted a faucet in the distance. Tiny droplets of water fell into the hot desert sand. A drop of water was better than nothing, right? The hand of God descended from the heavens to lead him away from it. Time after time, the man ignored the Lord’s guiding hand.
Finally, he made it! It wasn’t close to being enough to quench his thirst. It was better than nothing, right? He fell to his knees, covered in rags, sticking his tongue out to satisfy his hunger as one drop broke away from the valve opening. Satisfied, he went on his way. His thirst would have been quenched if he had only understood that God’s plan was much more significant. God’s intentions always go beyond secular boundaries. He would have had more than enough. “If you just listen and trust Me, I’ll pour a blessing on you that you can’t contain.” The desperate man forfeited a marvelous oasis with a total running fountain.
“God, help me to realize that something great lies ahead because You are in control. I don’t know what is ahead.” He doesn’t always reveal things.
We want our prayers to manifest through the divine order of God, not something we feel is right. What is He saying about the job, the vehicle, the house, or a struggling marriage? What instructions has He given about difficulties in general?
Something within me has been released supernaturally. I sincerely desire to witness that all experience paramount dispensations walking with God. “God can make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” 2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV
Training is something I despised at one time. Over and over, again and again I’d have to go through the process of learning. The instructor waited patiently. “Get it right.” Looking back on these things this has opened the spectrum for my spiritual sight. Every trial that chose us says, “Try me! I want to see what you are made of!”
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 KJV
If we think falling is impossible, Paul says, “Take heed.” We are going to be tested to see if we truly believe that we will stand.
Can I be transparent here? I’m the worst when it comes to being a perfectionist! One mistake that’s it! So, I keep a record of what I should and shouldn’t do. “I should have known better! When …when God am I going to learn? My list is a mile long in my sight. Fear strangles the purpose of God in our lives. Unlike me, Peter had at least the courage to step out, no questions. I’ve come a long way in that area.
Peter did something the other disciples didn’t. He stepped out on the water. He unfastened his focus on Jesus onto the storm. (Matthew 14:25-31) He sliced the ear off of one of the men who came to escort Jesus to trial. (John 18:10-11) Satan entered him disputing Jesus as He foretold of His death, burial and resurrection. Jesus mentioned, “whatever is bound on earth is bound in heaven. These are the keys.” Peter’s words were not that of God’s will but satan’s scheme. He tried to cancel the will of God. God cancelled his agenda. (Matthew 16:22-24) “Peter,” Jesus warned, “Satan desires to sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31-32) Oh… and the sifting is undeniably an experience that will bring knowledge. Take it and act with wisdom!
The Bible is not discrete concerning Peter’s failures; however, it speaks loud and clear of him being mightily used of God. Jesus didn’t say, “Peter you failed Me. I’m taking back the keys. I don’t want My church founded with you involved.” No… He said the opposite. (Matthew 16:18) He saw what Peter would become not what he was in that moment. The very one who denied Jesus lead the spiritually blind into the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. (Mark 14:66-68) (Acts 2) Jesus promised, “The gates of hell shall not prevail.”
God sees a warrior in us, when we see nothing.
My friend’s son who won the battle over drug addiction said something to me I’ll not forget. “God puts His strongest warriors at the head of the battle. Darlene, if He brought you to it, He’ll bring you through it.”
“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” Psalm 127:3-4 KJV
Remember the famous childhood story of Little Red Riding Hood? She mistakenly informed the wolf of her plans to visit her grandmother. Running ahead of her he consumes Grandma. The wolf disguises himself to look like Grandma dressed for bed. Innocent Little Red Riding Hood comes strolling in noticing changes in her appearance. One by one she began to distinguish the difference. Finally, the wolf consumed her as well. The moral of this story is children need to be aware of the dangers in this world.
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”Proverbs 29:15 KJV
Children embody an innocence that we can all learn from. That’s why it’s crucial to protect them by teaching them what’s right and wrong. Be careful what you pour into your child! Proverbs 22:6 says, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (KJV)
What you speak to your child will affect them. Be careful about labeling them. Don’t call them stupid, or worthless, or compare them to another child. Teaching them to think negatively about themselves will carry that mentality into adulthood.
Correction should be done properly. Proverbs 13:24 KJV, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” This scripture does not imply that you beat your child until they have belt marks on their body.
In Matthew 18:2-4, Jesus called for children to gather around him, positioning himself among them while teaching adults. He said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles themselves like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus valued children highly.
When I hear children laughing and singing, I imagine Jesus playing among them. Who’s to say He didn’t? He spoke quite a bit about children!
Unfortunately, children these days are often surrounded by evil agendas and are being manipulated to think that good is evil and evil is good. Though I am not a parent, I have asked God to put me on a path involving children, as I have a passion for them.
As a child, I went to school screaming inside, wishing someone would help me. Forbidden to speak about what went on behind closed doors every day, I thought of ways to escape the emotional and physical abuse. Don’t speak curses over your child as they need your blessing. Jesus even warns, “Do not offend one of these children. Jesus warned His followers, “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (Luke 17:2 KJV) Think about the heaviness of a milestone hanging around the neck and then plummeting to be seafloor!
Colossians 3:21 KJV, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
Ephesians 6:4 KJV also says, … “ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Teach them to pray. Fill their little ears with stories about Jesus and how to love others. Teach them who they are in the eyes of God. Plant within them so that they aren’t too little for God to use them. Years ago, I had a touching experience involving a baby in a church prayer room. Secluded in a corner I knelt with my face buried in a chair sobbing from a heavy heart. My friend’s baby who just learned to take secure steps wobbled to me. Gently little Ellie laid her hand on my back praying for me. It touched me so much! That’s why I love children so much! God used that precious baby to minister to me. I felt blessed and honored that a baby felt concerned enough to nurture my pain through her little but mighty act!
Both scriptures give guidance on correcting your child. Guide them as they grow to fear and reverence the Lord. I’ve often heard parents say, “I’m my child’s best friend.” They need you as a parent. Children are to respect you, but not fear you! Giving them everything they want isn’t going to teach them the value of no.
Josiah was eight years old when he became king of Israel. He restored the House of the Living God. He understood God’s heart and he reverenced Him.
Your child’s identity relies on you. Your child or children are a blessing from God. Don’t let the enemy come in unaware and destroy them. They are the ones who will make the difference now!
I will never stop giving my testimony! This is what not only this day, but every day means to me. I will praise His Holy Name forever!
Thank You, Jesus!
Walking down the street doing my normal thing I felt a tug in my spirit. The overwhelming desire to go to church interrupted my dark agenda for the day. Aren’t you tired of living this way? You can be free from this torment. Another voice said, “God abandoned you. He allowed all the abuse from your dad. Darkness is your friend and protector. At one point I decided, why be fearful of the darkness when I find it comforting?
My sister who walked along beside me had no inkling of what was taking place within me. I knew grandma was on her knees praying for heaven to intervene. Something inside of me wanted her to stop. She carried the glory of God so powerfully. It wasn’t that I didn’t love her. Light cannot comprehend darkness. (John 5:1) She didn’t force church on me. She didn’t come at me beating me with what a miserable sinner I was. Others did.
Her prayers of intercession reached me with unlimited love, mercy, and comfort. Everything from cards to gifts I didn’t want them. It was just normal encouraging cards. “I love you. Love grandma.”
There is a saying, “Some people won’t like you because your soul irritates their demons.” It’s not us. If we are walking close to Jesus. The evidence of His presence is undeniable in our life.
Now that my life is straightened out, I understand. I’m not perfect. I have my mistakes and failures, but His strength is made perfect, and His grace is sufficient.
In the seventeen years, I attended a church whose leadership scolded me for speaking of what I went through, such as witchcraft, child abuse anxiety, and self-mutilation. How will those lost in darkness know that there is such hope if they aren’t aware?
I will never forget going to a Pentecostal service with a friend. “Welcome Holy Spirit” was the first worship song. Then came the individual songs. My friend sang, “A Miracle in Every Pew.” It was then I realized how miserable I was.
My message is this. I’m not ashamed of the gospel. Each one of us has a testimony that can help.
Never stop praying give up! Keep serving God with all your heart.
A part of me wanted to, yet a part of me didn’t want to toss the unsuccessful prepped canvas out. It looked impossible to paint a masterpiece on! I did pay a high price for the canvas, here I messed it up!
While I thought about this, the Lord dropped something into my spirit. He doesn’t waste anything! Honestly, I have viewed myself as a waste, a wreck, and unfixable! I have circumstances that look like a mess! I have friendships that need restoration. I love my friends very much! God gave them to me. The enemy comes in and plants seeds of discord. The Lord spoke to me several weeks saying, “Am I not a God of restoration? Behold, I’m doing a new thing. What the enemy intended for harm is going to be a seat for angels because My glory will be evident.” I began shouting all over my apartment. When you receive a word from God there are no questions!
God promises that if we allow Him to work, praise, and thank Him for what is coming, the outcome will be glorious!
God has used it to bring my faith up to a greater level!
Yesterday evening I set the canvas up to paint my masterpiece. As I worked beauty and inspiration began transpiring!
… “he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6KJV
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 49:19 KJV
Your circumstance is not going to end in despair! Trust God, pray, praise, and thank Him in the wait!
God is our source of strength, wisdom, and protection. Without hesitation, He is there in time of need. Understanding is far away from us during times of struggle. Endurance feels impossible. Recently the Holy Spirit reminded me, “Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (Hebrews 12:12 KJV) Prolonging battles scream at us, “You won’t last! You’re weak! It’s not the truth!
Rest assured; the Lord is nearer than we realize. He doesn’t refrain from His watch because we are in the fiery furnace! (Daniel Chapter 3)
Astonished King Nebuchadnezzar saw one more man in the furnace. He declared I see four loose, unbound walking around in the highest degree of heat!
Beloved I have learned valuable lessons in the past two months! I finally arose from the ashes declaring to my circumstance, ” I will not bow to you! You will not rule my life because the Word of God says, “No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgment I shall condemn!” (Isaiah 54:17) He knows our frame is weak but He also showers us with His grace and strength.
He knows our hearts, thoughts, and steps. He isn’t a God of condemnation but of love peace and a sound mind. Through Christ, we are insured.
Stay strong, stay faithful for He is always a present help in times of trouble!
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 KJV
Jonah threw a temper tantrum when Nineveh repented. He tried running from God, getting himself into a huge mess! “They are wicked!” He complained to God. His answer with an attitude says it all. Jonah thought he knew more than God. Something isn’t right if a Christian gets angry over a great revival! There is no compassion.
Let us not forget that we were once standing in judgment until we took that step towards repentance. Jesus said and still His word stands, …” I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:12 NIV) Since the angels are rejoicing why shouldn’t we join them?
I’ve learned a lot in my lifetime! The first thing I learned as a Christian is how not to be. My grandmother and other elders rooted in their faith were the greatest examples.
I’ve witnessed judgmental viewpoints over clothing, ballgames, and the, “Do not hang around others that don’t believe the same way,” attitude.” I started to become something that made me uncomfortable. God dealt with me through dreams and the scriptures.
This chapter is crucial as it can destroy our witness. I don’t want someone, especially a sinner, and say, “If that’s what living for God is about then I don’t want it!” I’ve been there, I get it! Legalism doesn’t belong in the church.
I read a quote that says, “The only One who could throw a stone didn’t.”
Did you know the word hypocrite was commonly used to describe actors on a Greek stage? The word hypocrite is two Greek words combined translating it as, “an interpreter from underneath.”
I’ve encountered Christians who refuse to believe they are wrong. They can’t take corrections, but they can give it. Headstrong they continue their way.
More times than I can count I have been approached by people who are supposed to be in leadership God revealed things about me that weren’t true! One summer the Lord blessed me by making a way for me to attend a leadership conference. The night we headed home, God revealed to me, that I needed to cut this person off. It was the hardest thing! I didn’t have to question that it was from God. He said, “Darlene, you need to obey. Not everything I asked you to do is going to be easy.” That night I dreamt when I cut this person off, they were kicking, screaming, and crying because they weren’t getting their way. I wrote a letter as God instructed, made a copy of it, and sent the letter. I got a letter of apology in the mail, but then this person changed their mind saying, God told them to completely cut me off it was mean and nasty. This individual talked more than they listened. Because of this, the conversation was completely twisted! It was nothing like I said! This person has a problem believing they know everything and cannot be taught anything new! Please be cautious! I saw the warning signs but because of my carefulness not to hurt others, I got hurt. Listen to God when He warns you of this type of person!
The Bible teaches us to evaluate people’s actions. I have encountered leaders who claimed that God had revealed things about me that were not true, but they refused to accept the reality. One of my intercessors taught me to be aware of anger and judgment by referring to it as righteous anger or judgment. Sometimes, people become so enthusiastic about their thoughts and ideas that they mistake them for God’s voice. They make hasty judgments and refuse to reconsider them. I have witnessed them cutting off people simply because their ideas did not coincide. God is kind and merciful, and He does not condemn anyone.
“Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?”Ecclesiastes 7:16KJV
The word zeal in this verse means in the Greek translation zḗlos (an omamopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over from heat, and perhaps derived from zéō, “to boil) – properly, burning emotion (inner feeling boiling over, “boiling from heat,” (figuratively) something very fervent (“red-hot”) as with Spirit-fueled zeal to serve the Lord. We can get ahead of the Holy Ghost. It is possible to be overly confident! Not only that, but the power of God is unlike anything this world has to offer! We are of fleshly nature. At the beginning of my baby steps, I had to enquire to the Lord about this. He replied to me, “Darlene it’s easy to get out of My Spirit and into the flesh.” I understood! We must think before we act or speak, and most of all use discernment. Jesus says, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29 KJV)
The ES Version of Galatians 5:25 is, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Keep in synchrony with His counsel. If we don’t, we will establish self-righteousness. Isaiah 64:6, But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (KJV)
We also must be careful to fear self-righteousness, then we don’t do anything!
The Pharisees believed they were privileged since Abraham was their father. Abraham acknowledged God’s righteousness. (Matthew 3:9)
Salvation and righteousness are through one name alone, Jesus Christ!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 KJV
“This heartwarming story has been a great source of inspiration for me. When I was feeling shattered and helpless, I didn’t think I could be of any use to anybody, let alone the Almighty. But I’ve learned that even in the depths of our brokenness, there is always hope, and we should keep praying and trusting in God’s plan. He will reveal His purpose for us, and we can never be so broken that we’re beyond repair. I’ve personally experienced overwhelming challenges that left me feeling crushed and pulverized, but I’ve also discovered that those very experiences have strengthened my faith and character, and have made me even more useful in serving others.
When we face adversity, it can feel like we are being crushed under the weight of our struggles. However, we must remember that God is with us every step of the way, ready to guide and shape us into something new. He can take our shattered pieces and rebuild us from the ground up, using our trials as an opportunity for growth and transformation. Through the refining fire of hardship, we can emerge as a stronger, more resilient version of ourselves. We must trust that God has a plan for us and have faith that even in our darkest moments, He is working to create something beautiful out of our brokenness. God scoops every single ounce of us into His hands, remoistens, reshapes, and puts it back in the furnace called trials to make a completely new vessel!
Yesterday, I had an encounter with God that made me realize how big and how much He is in control! Do I enjoy being crushed? Absolutely not, but I am so grateful He doesn’t leave us undone!
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
The Cracked Pot Legend
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18 KJV
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you”. The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?” The Pot replied, “For these past two years I can deliver only half of my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old, cracked pot, and in his compassion, he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” As they went up the hill, the old, cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it somewhat. But at the end of the trial, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walked back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”
You’ve just read an Indian Folklore story that has a valuable lesson. Years ago, during my struggle even after walking with God, I experienced feeling, too broken for Him to use. Wrestling with thoughts such as, “I’m worthless,” even feeling like trash. Perhaps, you are struggling with the same issues.
We are His treasure, and our brokenness beautifies his surroundings.
You are of excellent value brokenness and all!
“For all these things My hand has made, so all these things came into being [by and for Me],” declares the Lord. But to this one, I will look [graciously], to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands.” AMP Isaiah 66:2
WRITING GOD'S VISION----AUTHOR DARLENE JUANITA CONARD 
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