Author Darlene J. Conard

Magic erasers are amazing! They can remove all sorts of markings and stains from surfaces, and when used on dingy white surfaces, they can make them look brand new! I was thinking about how incredible this technology is and I wondered why we can’t have a magic eraser that could wipe away unpleasant memories. As I sorted laundry, I said aloud what had been weighing heavily on my mind: “I wish I could just wipe everything away, every single thing.” As I continued with my chores, I talked to God about this internal struggle. I know that God forgets when we put our mistakes under the blood, and I found comfort in sharing my thoughts with Him.

God reminded me that we have an adversary seeking diligently to destroy His people. Nothing would make Satan happier than seeing a child of God fall and not get up. Revelation 12:10 says the accuser comes before God, day, and night, to accuse the brethren. Accuse them of what? Anything he can use to afflict pain, bring self-hatred, or hatred for another human being, question God, and so many other things. That’s why it’s important to be prayerful and submerse ourselves in His word. You can take this piece of bread, break it down, and slowly eat it. Could it be that one of many reasons we remember is to learn from our mistakes, how to withstand the next challenge, and how to use the word of God? I’ve learned God doesn’t waste anything. One night, I heard God speaking to me through a dream. “Darlene, I was with you here, here, and. He reminds me that I was never alone, nor would there be a first. Yes, it’s painful to remember. Yes, some situations are devastating. It’s hard to imagine getting through another day or having a peaceful night’s sleep.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1 KJV

 … “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20 KJV

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV) Paul wrote this in his letter to Corinth because it’s true. God will not allow satan to push us to the edge.

The accusations that come forth constantly will not come to pass. We must hold on, keep praying, and keep believing the Lord will do what He promised. Romans 4:25 and 5:1 say through Christ, we are justified, and through Him we are defended by the shedding of His blood.

 Keep that armor on!  “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

Why do people believe lies as truth and truth as lies? Have you ever wondered why people tend to believe lies as truth and truth as lies? It’s a perplexing phenomenon that we see all around us. We live in a world where misinformation and deceit can spread rapidly, while facts and evidence are often overlooked or dismissed. It’s time to start questioning our beliefs and seek the truth. Let’s challenge ourselves to think critically and examine the evidence before accepting anything as true. Only then can we hope to distinguish between what is real and what is not, and make informed decisions based on facts rather than falsehoods.

Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

God is very adamant about being sober-minded. Think about it, an intoxicated person is under the influence of alcohol.  Influence is the power to sway someone into going a certain way.

“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 

When we allow the worries and troubles of life to consume us, we become mentally intoxicated and our ability to be alert diminishes. Therefore, it is important to stay mindful and conscious of our surroundings, even during chaos. Only then can we tackle the challenges of life with a clear mind and a focused approach.

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 KJV

Let us seek truth with all our hearts!

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

A need to explore through my Bible became more crucial than sleep. Slipping my hands beneath my pillow, I felt around until I discovered its presence. My grandma had a unique way of choosing a Bible by opening it up and stroking her hand across the pages.

Certainly, it’s no comparison to any book on this earth. It’s very much alive! It contains the answers to everything life hurls our way. From page to page, it records the victories and the downfalls of mankind. Kings, priests, warriors, prophets, the ill-struck, and so much more. At one time, I pondered on nameless individuals in the Bible. There’s the adulterous, the centurion whose servant came eye to eye with death, the servant himself, the woman with the issue of blood, and many more. They all have one thing in common: refusal to accept their state of being thrust them into redemption, Jesus. Names aren’t necessary; their faith is. Surely there is someone, more than one can fill in the signature line saying, “I have an issue of blood. How can I be delivered from prostitution?” Drug alcohol addictions? Yes, there is a fix that will not have side effects: anything and anywhere there is a need. Jesus is the answer!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

There is a song called Dust on The Bible, written by Mac Wiseman. I’ll be the first to confess many times that I have failed to pick my Bible up to read due to discouragement or becoming too busy and tired. God forgive me!

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  John 1:11-14 KJV

God sets in a place by Himself. Hebrews 6:13 describes the sincerity of promoting Abraham’s promise of fathering a great nation. … “Because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,” says it all.

I desire to go beyond the outer courts and into His throne room, His personal domain.

Author Darlene J. Conard

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

A friend who lives in Georgia 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 to be decoded; she couldn’t break down the message. I text her back, saying, “It reminds me of the writing on the wall in the book of Daniel. God interrupted the king’s party using stolen vessels from His temple. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? (Daniel chapter 5)

As I lay still, praying for God to speak to me as to 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 guests, 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.

 During detrimental storms, villagers were seen transporting their Budas to save them. We have a God who 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 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 will budge our faith? I ask myself these questions repeatedly. I want to be alert to 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 J. Conard

Comfortably, my calico Patches sat on the small step ladder in front of an open bedroom window.  Perfectly elevated, she scanned for movement outside the apartment. Occasionally, tension sat in her haunches, indicating something caught her interest. Snorts followed the beat of her thudding tail as if saying, “No nonsense!”

Sitting in front of my computer, a blank document stared back at me. Words, thoughts, and feelings were generated. Where do I find the turn-on valve so what’s inside can flow and become a message? For a moment, I sat with my eyes fixed again on my calico’s warrior mentality.

So, it began. The blanket document became clothed with a message of hope. My cat revealed her territorial instinct when something unwanted became too close to our domain. God is very protective of His children.

Trials, temptations, and closed doors aren’t abandonment. Trials become a soldering tool that seems valuable to kingdom warriors. Temptation escalates a resilience in us we’ve never encountered. A friend and I discussed drawing closer to God and regaining ground. Desolate places become sacred ground, holy ground. Now, I understand more than ever how important our spiritual deserts and valleys are. Ruble, deadness, and absence are swallowed up when we invite Jesus on the journey. Stagnation flees when we speak, “God, I’m weak, but You are strong in me.” The overpowering stench from the drought will fade upon the arrival of The Lily of the Valleys.”

Beloved, it’s going to look as if nothing good is emerging. Speaking from experience, I understand. Overwhelming circumstances target every ounce of hope, swollen eyes reveal a broken heart, numbness sets in dulling senses, and desertion continually screams, “You are all alone! Nobody Cares!” Don’t entertain it, not even for a moment!

Jesus says, “I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons.”

We must declare, “I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.” Song of Solomon 2: 1-6 KJV Make these places Holy Ground; it’s your domain. One day, you’ll be able to see evidence of God’s power when you didn’t!

Author Darlene J. Conard

He walked up and down the path of burning stones, each step resonating with a song of praise that escaped his lips. Lucifer, in a cloak adorned with precious jewels, radiated a glow of God’s brilliant purity. Sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, emerald, carbuncle, and gold adorned his celestial attire, mirroring the splendor of God’s magnificent craftsmanship.

With timbrels and voice, he poured forth his devotion, his voice echoing through the heavens. Up and down the Holy Mountain he danced, a symphony of joy and reverence. His every movement proclaimed the glory of the One who sat upon the throne. “Glorious is the Lord, He reigns! He reigns! Oh, He reigns! Holy is He!” His jeweled torso shimmered, capturing, and reflecting the brilliance of God’s divine light, a spectacle akin to the sun’s rays on fragmented glass.

Yet, within the depths of his heart, a yearning stirred. He longed for more than mere adoration and exultation towards the Holy One. A seed of ambition germinated, entwining its roots around his very being, consuming him whole. “I am an anointed cherub,” he whispered to himself. “Why should I not be the one on the throne?”

But in the heavens above, the Almighty One saw through Lucifer’s desires. “Lucifer,” His voice thundered, shaking the very foundations of eternity. “You have arrogantly set yourself against the One who created you. Your beauty and talent, once adorned in glory, now lay in the depths of the grave. You will never overpower the Almighty One! Your fate is sealed, for you are destined for the depths of hell!”

And so it was, in that fateful moment, that the fallen cherub’s rebellion came crashing down. No longer a favored and illuminated being, Lucifer was cast into darkness, forever to dwell in the depths, a fallen star that lost its heavenly gleam. Ezekiel 28

We know that God always wins!

Jesus said, “ I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

“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

To be continued ….

Author Darlene J. Conard

I laugh inwardly completely understanding where Dutch Sheets was coming from. The Lord wanted him to read about the lame man at the Gate Beautiful. Leave me alone, I‘ve read that before, he thought since he didn’t want the Lord to hear him. I suppose Dutch in that moment, didn’t realized God is a discerner of our thoughts. Again, I laughed, been there done that. He went on to explain that he read it over and over until he caught on to what the Lord wanted to reveal to him.  

God reminded me Gideon doubted that God could use him to win the war with the Midianites. What Gideon didn’t understand is that God wanted his willingness. (Judges 6:13-15) I’ve asked the Lord many times, “Why did you put me in the position of being an author, artist or a leader since I struggle with certain things so much?” He replied, “That I may be glorified.” It sounds foolish that God would position a dyslexic, A.D.D. person in that position. Must not believe I have a struggle with those. But I can tell you it’s all due to the Holy Ghost. Moses stuttered, slow of speech yet he experienced the presence of God like no other. (Exodus 3:11)

“God, I know those stories. I don’t want to read it again.”

“Read it again, embed it in your soul, until it’s no longer a stumbling block satan can use.” 

I’m grateful that we can hear God speaking in our spirit. He promised to lead us and guide us in all truth.

The Lord may be speaking to you about something as well. Understand it’s our Heavenly Father loving us unconditionally. 

God uses the impossible things and weaknesses of man to reveal His glory through.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”  1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV

Author Darlene J Conard

 I know I need to, but I don’t want to. This is the part I say earnestly, “The flesh is weak, but the spirit is willing! Pulling everything out of my utility room meant finding what was junk, yet it would make an excellent treasure for someone else. My foyer is going to look like a hoarder’s paradise. Dust will settle on another few inches of dust, making my apartment look like the sweeper blew up. Digging for space to create a path to and from rooms is a pain! God only knows how long it will take me to organize everything neatly.

So much truth is in that! Chaos creates an overwhelming atmosphere.  

What if I told you that chaos is a tool for God? “No, He isn’t the author of confusion.

(1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV) He works in it.

In the book of Esther, Haman’s lust for power drove him to deceive the king. All it took was the right strategy since he was the king’s righthand man, no problem! “Here is the plan. I’ll convince King Ahasuerus that the Jews are enemies.” Mordecai knew Esther was in the right place at the right time. He depended on his niece, whom he raised as his own, to intercede on their behalf.  (Read the book of Esther)

Arrogance led Haman straight into the very snare he built for Mordecai. Chaos ceased in God’s time. Israel was spared.

Jesus, when coming into Bethsaida, was stopped, for there was a need for a miracle by a blind man. “Touch him, my Lord.” (Mark 8:22-20) First, He touched his eyes with his spit. “What do you see?’ The blind man looks up. I see men as trees, walking.” The first time, he didn’t truly see. Remember getting your eyes examined? Drops are put in your eyes to dilate them. It’s overwhelming wanting to see clearly. Jesus, the second time, placed his hands upon his eyes. His eyes were restored as though he could always see. Chaos only lasted for a moment, then, by the touch of the Master’s hands, order.  

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”   Romans 8:28 KJV

God puts things that are out of order in proper order. Before that can be done, everything has to be out of place and in the wrong place. Don’t worry. He had already made a path. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105 KJV)

Our natural sight betrays us. Focus on what God said He would do.  “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalm 32:8 KJV) His eye is our compass. It says eye. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”  Single vision is a term that throws me in a loop when ordering glasses online. It taught me something valuable, though. The two lenses are created for optical correction for a single distance, meaning only one. Focus is one way, not two, three, or four. Jesus says, “But if thine eye is evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness; how great is that darkness!”  Proverbs says, ^“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”  To have an open vision, we mustn’t be blinded by our circumstances and believe in a physical manifestation of God’s order.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

                                             Helen Keller

Author Darlene J. Conard

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Our human habits get in God’s way so many times. During my time of prayer, I asked the Lord to help my unbelief like the Centurion did when he asked the Lord to heal his servant. He is being a man of authority felt unworthy for Jesus to come into his home. “Just, say the word and it will be done.”  (Matthew 8:5-9) Just say the word and it shall be done.

For several weeks, the intensity of spiritual warfare felt too much. One night I envisioned a page containing sentences, but certain details were left out. I saw myself as the enemy whispered in my ear accepting words of fate to fill in the blank. Then I saw the Lord’s finger blotting them out. “No, Darlene, those are not the right answers.

“God I’ve heard what everyone else has said about these situations. I want to know what You say.” His answers were wholesome, full of life and an expected end. He will answer!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. … ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV

We must remind ourselves multiple times, “I am not fighting against flesh and blood. We are beating the air getting now where but worn down. Learning to not fill in the blanks of our life story is taking the pen out of God’s hand. I want to encourage you to meditate on things that are from above.

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 4:8 KJV

I assure you His report is completely different!