Author Darlene J. Conard

Psalms 23 at one time was difficult for me to read since it’s read at funerals. That changed. He said to me, “Darlene Psalm 23 isn’t for the dead but the living.” It’s true, not that I’m implying that those who have died in Christ will not live again.    

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 (Corinthians 15:55-57 KJV) The dead in Christ are at peace.

 Walk with me while I present Psalms 23 as an   application to everyday living.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

• “You will watch over me and so to my every need. Provisions will be made.”

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

• You will calm my spirit and I will transition in peace.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

• “I declare my soul is no longer weary. I will not wonder aimlessly for You Lord will lead me in all righteousness for Your name. “

 ^“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

• I declare that as I am dying out to my own fleshly desires I will not fear when I encounter the evil in this world. You are with me Lord and will never forsake me. Your words will comfort me. When I do sin, You will correct me.”

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

• “I declare that I am blessed before my accusers, and they will know that You are Lord of my life. You will pour out a blessing that I cannot contain.”

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

• Your mercy chases after me and Your goodness is daily. I will dwell in Your presence and commune in Your house.

My prayer is that you abound in every aspect of your life. God bless you today and forever!

Author Darlene J. Conard

Lydia, who resided in the city of Thyatira, found herself in the midst of opportunity. According to the scriptures she already worshipped God. Acts 14 says, the Lord opened her heart to hear. She accepted all that Paul preached. She and her family were baptized. After reading the text the words, “whose heart the Lord opened,” lingered in my spirit. It was then I realized God absolutely does have the ability to open hearts. She worshipped Him giving Him an entry. He didn’t have knots to untangle. God simply pulled the tail of the bow causing it too effortlessly open. Acts 16:14-40

Pharoah’s stubbornness laid a snare before not only him, but all of Egypt.

… “the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.” (Exodus 9:12 KJV) In this case God hardened the heart. Have you had the experience of knowing someone who had an encounter with God’s presence one day, but the next closed themselves completely shut? Your light bothers them. Being in the presence of God is noticeable. It challenges their perception of life as they know it.

 “As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.” (Proverbs 27:19 KJV) The heart is a reflector.

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” (1 John 3:17-20 KJV) Many times I’ve been tempted to harden my own heart. Before I became a Christian that’s how I protected myself. If I would harden my heart, I would be extinguishing Holy Ghost fire. Darkness would be in control just like Pharoah’s. I want to be like Lydia so that God can have complete access to every chamber of my being, nothing denied to Him. Unexplainable warmth envelopes me when I do not refrain from expressing compassion.

Our hearts can quickly become consumed by unwanted things; however, God is greater than our hearts. Yes, He can open hearts and make them soft.

… “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 11:19-20 KJV)

 Author Darlene J. Conard

 Perpetrators are and will remain anytime we seek to do good. No worries though.

Paul wrote, ^“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”  (Romans 7:27 KJV) 

Daniel remained favored after King Belshazzar’s death. King Darius preferred Daniel over presidents and princes to oversee the nation. Why? His spirit was outstanding, no faults, and remained trustworthy.

 Through God he carried a wisdom that penetrated through mysteries that left scholars empty handed. For this reason, government officials felt threatened. Presidents, of the kingdom, governors, princes, and counsellors all united in a meeting to conspire against this upright man, who wasn’t even a Persian by blood. Apparently, they felt violated that royal protocol was given to a Jew.   

Since nothing could be found, his innocence was preyed upon with a concocted scheme of trickery. King Darius had to be convinced to sign a law prohibiting requisitions to any god or man for thirty days. The major hurdle was out of the way. King Darius sealed the order with his signate ring under the trust of legal counsel.

  If the decree was broken then they would find themselves in a den of hungry lions. The conspirators knew the king couldn’t back out of a signed agreement. They also were aware Daniel prayed at his window to the Almighty three times a day towards Jerusalem. Oh, what a perfect plan! There was nothing no one could do about it! Reporting back to the king they announced that Daniel was guilty of breaking the law. I can imagine them running as fast as they could to the king’s throne room, “Treason! Daniel is guilty of treason! Remember my king, you did sign a decree unbreakable. It clearly states the penalty of the guilty.”

King Darius was furious with himself for signing the decree! He did something fascinating. He declared that Daniel’s God whom he remained dedicated to would deliver him.

The decree was still in effect but it didn’t apply to him. King Darius shut himself up in his room and fasted for Daniel’s deliverance. At the dawning of the day, he arose hastening to the lion’s den. Upon reaching the mouth of the blocked entrance calling grievously, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

“O king, live forever. My God has sent His angel to shut the lion’s mouths, so they don’t hurt me, because I have been found blameless before Him. Nor have I done no wrong before you.” Overjoyed, the king demanded Daniel to be lifted out of the den.

Remember when I said, “No worries?” it’s true. Deception came back to bite them. The ones involved with the wicked plot ended as planned for Daniel. Mercy fled and they were consumed by the lions. Wrong was found in the sight of God and the king. (Daniel chapter 6)

 “Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.”  (Psalm 141:9,10 KJV) God will also shout the mouths of the lying.

Why do we believe evil doers go unpunished? Why believe any lie or accusation lives forever? If we dedicate ourselves as Daniel to God it will come to not. “I shall remain in position!”

Author Darlene J. Conard

After turning from a day’s work, I laid silently still listening for God’s direction in matters.

I have a friend who lives in Georgia that sent me a video that a lady posted. She clicked on the white rabbit icon which took her to an information site without words. It needed decoded; she couldn’t break down the message. I texted her back saying, “It reminds me of the writing on the wall in the book of Daniel. God interrupted the kings party using stolen vessels from His temple. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? (Daniel chapter 5)

As I laid still praying for God to speak to me as what to write about, this is it. He’s loud and clear! This message may not be received, that’s ok. I’m doing what I do, relaying a message from God.

Jesus said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”  (Matthew 11:15 KJV) Revelation 2:17 also says, ^“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;” …

King Belshazzar’s arrogance got him in deep trouble. He was king, he could do what he wanted. God crashed his abominable celebration in honor of a nonexistent entity, a golden statue. In the midst of drunkenness, idolatry, and party guest the finger of God came down to engrave a message on the palace walls.  He called for astrologers, enchanters and diviners; but they couldn’t interpret the writing on the wall. One remained, whose name was Daniel. He understood because God wrote it in his language, Hebrew.

 Durning detrimental storms villagers were seen transporting their Buda’s to save them? We have a God that carries us! He’s alive and well. He carries our burdens but their gods are a burden to them.

I understand times are uncertain and many things are weighing in the balance. Just hold on. Believe that God is doing something in the earth.   

Remember Alice following the white rabbit to his hole. She discovered something unimaginable! Keep searching for the truth; you’ll find it.  We are about to see a shift like we’ve never witnessed. Things are not always what they appear to be.

Are we aware when God is sending messages through the prophets? Are our spiritual eyes so keen that nothing taking place in this world is going to budge our faith? I ask myself these questions repeatedly. I want to be alert hearing what the Spirit is saying.

… “he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” Daniel 2:21 KJV

 

Author Darlene J. Conard

Here is a topic that I’m asked about often, repentance. Repentance is defined: the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings. [i]

 Matthew 3:8 says to “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” Repentance is to acknowledge doing something wrong. If you are convicted of something contrary to the Bible, that’s a great thing.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I’ve been a Christian for twenty-four years. One of my struggles was accepting that God would forgive me. Why? My life was full of sin. I assumed that the depth of my sin disqualified me of His mercy. By not accepting that and why, meant my belief was a false one. It originated from childhood. Have you ever experienced someone making you beg for forgiveness? Eventually when they forgive, you find yourself walking on eggshells, afraid to do anything! God’s not like that! God is quick to forgive when we say, “I’m sorry.”

Here is another subject, repenting often: not that I willfully sin but at times sin without realizing it. David prayed, “Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.”  (Psalm 19:12 KJV) This tells me that we can unintentionally do things contrary to the Bible.

Another thing I want to clarify is personal convictions. Personal convictions are those things not specified as being biblical. It’s something you feel conviction over. It doesn’t mean it’s applied to everyone else. Personal convictions shouldn’t be pushed on others. That’s why Paul encouraged, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  Philippians 2:12

“As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Romans 8:38 KJV

This scripture is referring to dying out to our old ways staying in the likeness of Christ.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19 KJV

I want to be fruitful. My desire is towards God and His kingdom.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”  Psalm 103:12 KJV

If you have further questions about this subject, please feel free to email me on the contact page.

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[i] Repentance Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

Author Darlene J. Conard

Sleep lost its avail as God’s ministering power flowed through my spirit this morning.  “You will cease this day declaring it closer to promises being fulfilled.”  With a cup of coffee in one hand while flipping through my Bible with the other, I waited for Him to speak to me.  Something I noted in Luke shouted, STOP!  Living in power is what I wrote to remind myself that what was within me was sustainability. Every challenge that comes in this life is diminished in its time through prayer.

The text I’m referring to in Luke is about ten lepers Jesus healed. One came back to say, “Lord I want to thank you for healing my body!” He came back to glorify God falling on his face and knees. The other nine went on. Jesus said, “Your faith has made you whole. The nine was cleansed. The Lord revealed to me the difference. We can be healed of an infirmity but what about inwardly? Many times, I’ve been well outwardly but emotionally torn to pieces. Then they’re times I’m sick in body but at peace within. It’s a supernatural peace.

 ^“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8 KJV

Our surroundings make it challenging to that place. Daily I must work on disciplining my thoughts.

Luke 17:21 speaks of the kingdom of God being in us. Have Jesus buried deep within our hearts, so deep that there is change. A change that is evident, old ways are dead.  I don’t want people to wonder, question if I’m a Christian or not. I want God’s redemptive power so evident in my life that there are no questions. Jesus’ love has kept me, always!  

From my heart to yours I pray that you reach undiscovered places in His power!   

Author Darlene J. Conard

Seven years ago, I had the privilege of meeting a married couple, young, fun, encouraging, and go getters!  The school sweethearts made a great impact on my life as well as the rest of the family who introduced me to them.

In 2018 I experienced once again something frightening, I felt lost. Getting back on my feet seemed impossible. Deep hurt tackled my hope. I’m no different than a corpse, I thought. “How – how do I get where I needed to go Lord?” Can you believe that although I’d been a Christian for years, still didn’t know who I was? It saddened me. Frustration constantly stepped in taking over my day.

The husband and wife I became close to had a fur baby; very special golden retriever named Buddy. I wanted so much to comfort them when Buddy went on to his reward. That day walking home in a steady snow fall, the Holy Ghost dropped something in my spirit. I saw a baby forming in the womb. The baby held a pink bible with a cross hanging out of the interior. God said, “She’s going to conceive. The baby is a girl.”

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee,”… Jeremiah 1:5 KJV

I kept the secret to myself. I just knew without any doubt. I sent his wife a prayer blanket that my grandma prayed over before passing.

  The day the husband’s father told me the news, he was going to be a grandpa; I discovered who I was in Christ. I’ve learned from the school of prophets that new exactly how to operate in that gifting. You maybe wondering as to why I’m bringing this out.

The purpose is this: we are living in a time that God is raising up prophets/ prophetess, to declare promises from Heaven.

I feel there is someone, more than one who is reading this is seeking for answers as well.

I encourage you to seek God with all your might, everything in you, use it! Many times, I’ve been in desperate situations I’ll go to those who I know pray. I’m just a vessel for God to work through, His power. I’m acting in obedience to Him. He is so great. What a privilege it is to be used of God.  

YOU ARE NEEDED! God is the one who opens a closed heart and make it hope today!

I will close with this that little girl is beautiful, loving and knows who Jesus is. She ministers in her own special way.

Don’t be fearful to operate under the power of the Holy Ghost. I look forward to receiving testimonies and reading how God is using you as well!

“Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.” Psalms 119:49 KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

“The devil can’t be in multiple places at once.” I’ve heard this message brought out through several ministers. He’s not omnipresent like God. Of course, it challenged my understanding. “Why and how then is there so much chaos on the earth? Show me Lord that I may have understanding.” He replied, “If Satan can find one person to use as a field to plant seeds called lies, it will come forth as a thicket of thorns. All he must do is turn humanity against each other through carnality.”

  Jesus taught using a parable, a Sower sowing good seed. “Sir, did you not plant good seed in the fields?” Indeed, he did. “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, an enemy hath done this.  Matthew 13:25-28 KJV

It’s amazing how powerful thoughts are, positive or negative. If there is a crack, just one single crack, he’s in. I pray and strive to be careful not to give the devil a chance to plant lies in my mind. I don’t want hatred, bitterness, any of those things to rule my life. “The devil made me do it,” is not true. He can influence with lies that sound like truth. If we entertain the lies, we’ve stepped right into his snare willingly.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV) May I get a drink of water? May I take your coat? May I have your keys? May means getting possible permission.

In the book of John chapter 8, Jesus confronted the Pharisees as they tried justifying themselves. “Abraham is our father! We aren’t in bondage!”

 ^“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”  (John 8:44 KJV)

Oh, how we must be watchful! We are the ones to make a difference in this world.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are 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. Let that light of God in you outshine darkness!  (Matthew 5:14-16 KJV)

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

― Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love

Author Darlene J. Conard

Talk of wars are a constant intrusion on our peace. Social media platforms all sorts of things from why you should and shouldn’t from A through Z! It all ends like a derailed train track, ending in a piled mess. Confusion is an appalling state to be in.

While there is talk of physical combat there is an unseen enemy prowling for the minds of humanity. Our eyes and ears have accepted that evil has prevailed. Perfect strategizing to invade on a child of God’s hope, peace, love and purpose. Now we have lost our direction in the spirit real. Let me explain, the moment Peter heard the winds and waves he no longer had his eyes on Jesus. I’m convinced if he had of kept his focus on Jesus the clash of the angered sea and the roaring thunder wouldn’t have affected him. What if instead we fight these wars on our knees in prayer, with the word of God and praise Him for it?

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:1-18 KJV) Evil isn’t fought with carnality, only through prayer.

In the court of law there is a witness stand. Before going behind it the individual is sworn in with God being the witness. As I thought upon this the Lord began revealing to me, as we take the stand being God our witness, speaking truth: there’s no prevention on our behalf. We are in the line of witnesses. He did it for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He’ll do it for us.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 KJV

Pray without ceasing! God will reveal His power. You don’t believe God will let Satan have the last word, do you?

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:8 KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

I began pouring my heart out to God as I strove to win the battle over sleep. Recently, I received disturbing news. “So here we meet again familiar enemy, firing your poisoned arrows of condemnation straight at the center of my heart.”

Years ago, someone close to me blamed me for the death of their loved one. “You said, it would be alright! You said, God would heal my brother and he would be alright!” Those words didn’t belong to me. I am only a mouth piece delivering God’s promises. He doesn’t answer in the way we think He should. Yes, it was alright. Yes, God healed in a way He saw fit to do so.

Every day for me is an ongoing challenge to change in the flow of God’s structure. Deep inside of me wants nothing more than to become the Darlene God sees.

I continued reading and studying about David. Goliath wasn’t his first, but he wasn’t his last. (2 Samuel 21:15-22) Different giants, different circumstances, and different walks in life: I suppose it will aways be a challenge until God calls us home.

I heard a message once delivered by Rev. Lee Stoneking titled, Testing Our Faith. From experience I have come face to face with the same test until I got it right, in God’s way. It ends there because it no longer my contestant.

Where ever you my find yourself know that God is your keeper. You will find the closer you draw to the Lord the test is passed with a finger snap. My grandmother gave me some words of wisdom. “Darlene, you can get so lost in the presence of God. The things people say or do will not hurt you.”

 ^“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.”  Psalm 17:8-9 KJV