Author Darlene J Conard

The amber sun, with its display of colors, disappeared as night made its entrance. A remaining glow outlined the mountains of Jerusalem. Saddened, the disciples dropped their heads in silence. What just happened? Judas walked among them; he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. While Peter denies Jesus, slicing the soldier’s ear off, Jesus unhesitant picks it up and heals it into place. Wailing burst from the throats of the passionately dedicated followers. The ground opened its mouth to receive the blood of Jesus. Heaven and earth shook violently. What happened? Slumber won with its cumbering embrace. “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:33-34)

At the sound of the rooster’s crow, the words Jesus spoke to Him earlier cut him deeply.  “Truly I say to you, that this night before the cock crows you’ll deny me three times.”  (Matthew 26:34)

Jesus’ promises spilled out of their hearts as they sat in disbelief. Hopelessness appeared to have the upper hand. 

“The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,” … Isaiah 14:24

Can we count how many times we’ve questioned the Lord? I’ll be the first to raise my hand: I’ve done it many times!

He did conquer death and hell. (Read Mark 16)

Writing is my passion! This is how I envision the aftermath of the crucifixion. The greatest thing about the Bible is everyone’s life story is written in it. Have you denied Jesus out of pressure? Are you lost, confused, and alone? Abused, physically or mentally: whatever state we find ourselves in, Jesus’ cords, mercy, grace, and compassion will reach beneath us, pulling us out if we accept it.   

“In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.” Psalm 120 KJV

The Author sat them down to explain, “This will happen. You need to be prepared.” Like so many of us, we hear, however, don’t understand what God is going to do, what He says he’s going to do.

The Author has allowed us to go further.

Author Darlene J Conard

“Okay, here we are. Now what?” I can see the children of Israel facing the Red Sea in wonder, “This is the end!” There is no conceivable way out!” Egypt’s armies were charging towards them. Moses announced, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!” No matter how many times God has repeated to us, “Stand still. I’m in charge. It’s going to be greater than it looks.” Still, He doesn’t grow weary of reminding us repeatedly!

God is always prompting me, “If a situation is possible then it wouldn’t be a miracle.” It transitioned from my hands when they unfolded to praise Him. Now it’s His. From prayer, praise, thanksgiving it all falls in place!

My friend and I had a conversation last night about God’s ways. Our minds can’t expand to seat that!

Moses stood on the mouth of the sea, lifting his rod as God commanded and the door opened. It was a door that couldn’t be closed by man.

Our prayer will soon manifest, and it will be glorious!

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 43:19 KJV) The situation that looks like a hot mess, forget it! It’s not going to look like that when God’s finished!

Believed keep doing what God has instructed you to do. It will all fall in place perfectly! It’s in transit!

Author Darlene J Conard

Secretly among themselves they conspired to kill Joseph. His own flesh and blood wanted to kill him. It was more than him being the favored one. His dreams infuriated them. “Who does he think he is anyway?”

Ruben didn’t want the guilt of his blood upon them. “Let’s just push him in a deep dark pit. That would teach him a lesson.” With pleasure his brothers threw him into the pit.  I’m sure he begged them to pull him out. “Please get me out of here!” Laughing and scorning they reminded him of his dreams. “Look at the dreamer? Did you dream about this Joseph?”

During Ruben’s absence Juda decided since they couldn’t kill him, why not, sell him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. In today’s dollars it would be two hundred to five hundred in value. Well, they had to tell their father something! They couldn’t just return confessing, “We sold Joseph to teach him a lesson.”

Jacob believed his sons, they brought Joseph’s coat covered in blood, ripped, saying I’m sure sorrowfully, “We found this, is this not your son’s coat?” Indeed, it was his son’s coat. None had one like it. Its unique design was tailored for his unique son. Pain penetrated deep into his soul.

What saddens me is his brothers weren’t affected by the sight of Jacob grieving. What a shock! He was unaware of the woven web of deception. Hostility burned within them. Joseph’s dreams were that powerful. Unmoved, no conviction, and no more Joseph and his dreams disappeared when they sold him into slavery. That’s what they thought. They had no idea that their actions transitioned him into fulfilling them.

God is teaching me this! One night while lying in bed the Lord reminded me, “What looks out of control to you is Me being in control. That’s the wonderful thing about being a child of God! The moment we surrender to Him He takes complete control.

Now let’s talk about the boomerang effect.  Psalm 105:16 says, “Moreever he called a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.” (Psalm 105:16 KJV)

God called a famine upon the land and cutoff their resources. But the land that received Joseph flourished. He went from the pit to being a slave, accused, imprisoned to being a ruler over the land. Jacob and his brothers knew Egypt thrived but remained unaware of who oversaw the land.

Sitting together, one gazed at the other. “Why are you looking at each other? I’ve heard there is corn in Egypt. Go there and buy corn that we live and not die.” (Genesis 42:1-3)

God sent Joseph ahead. This is one of those acts of God that leave me without words! Do you see how everyone is being molded?

In the end it all works out and became as God said it would. Dreams from God cannot be diminished.   

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

The mockers, accusers will come down to a level realizing; the favor of God is upon the crown of the dreamer.

Click the link to study this blog:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2037&version=KJV

Author Darlene J Conard

… “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Zechariah 4:6   KJV

 “Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 17:1-2 KJV

Ten-foot Goliath, suited up in a massive amount of bronze, stood on the mountain waiting for Israel to accept his challenge to fight. This daily occurrence would be frustrating. Israel remained hidden from the titled champion.

As I sit here, I’m trying to visualize this ten-foot monstrous being approaching me. It isn’t easy to fathom until taking it to a spiritual level. We deal with giants all through our lives.

I had many horrifying experiences as a child when the lights went off. The approach of nightfall terrified me until the age of twenty-six. My middle sister slept beside me due to the severity of my panic attacks. Without her by my side, I would stay up all night. Even in the day, I didn’t go anywhere without her.

Tormenting fear ceased when I began praying through the night. Calling on the name of Jesus is what I continuously did: I reminded satan that who I belonged to, and the blood of Christ applied to my life. My dependency on a bright nightlight faded as I experienced a hunger to seek God’s presence. Trauma was replaced with God’s predominance and serenity.

Job knew by saying, “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” (3:25). Since fearing is critical fear, person, place, or thing. In the beginning, Job said that something came upon him that terrified him, and then he said, “I was afraid.” He opened himself up, and then it consumed him.

Giants are related to something that controls us spiritually.

David, the youngest of Jesse’s seven sons, had responsibilities that differed from those of his brothers. He cared for the sheep. His brothers fought in Saul’s army. One day, it became out of the ordinary for David. His father sent him to deliver food to his brothers and the military. David referred to them as the armies of the living God. Israel forgot those to whom they belonged. Living God is a straightforward announcement that He isn’t a lifeless figure. Israel displayed its army to an impressive extent.

And he said, “Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-18) KJV

We all face a giant of some sort, but the David must arise within us. We have something great than carnival weapons if we have the blood of Jesus applied to our lives.

Author Darlene J Conard

 

Nothing is distasteful as a cup of coffee that has been sitting for hours, at least in my opinion! Grandpa wanted his percolated every morning until it was piping hot and every morning, it would sit until it turned ice cold. He only repeated the process when finally, grandma suggested an ice cube to bring it down to a drinkable temperature.

I thought about this many times, it’s just this time the message sunk deeper in my spirit. “Lord, empty all of me out until there’s nothing left. Fill me with all of you.” Undoubtedly, we can feel the Lord doing exactly that. Unnumberable times I have said to the God, “I don’t have anything else to give. I’m empty.” That’s exactly what He is waiting to hear. He will fill that emptiness with newness.

A few nights ago, I dreamt that I was scrubbing a pot. A voice said to me, “Keep scrubbing, soaping, and rinsing the residue is beginning to come off.” The next day a YouTuber’s video caught my attention. At first, I was skeptical. Ok, if I feel it’s not of God then I’ll turn it off. God gave her a dream to reveal her spiritual condition, and it lined up exactly with mine.

God dealt with her to let go of fear, bitterness, and other things. Her message hit home. I needed to let go of bitterness. It was accumulating into depression, anxiety and wanting vengeance. That’s not who God created me to be. I don’t want to be a bitter cup that would defile me but others.

He created us to be vessels of honor and serve His purpose. If we ask Him to reveal the clutter He will declutter.

I’m grateful the lady didn’t care what others thought knowing some needed the message. I surely did.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

Joseph, I am sure, yearned for a restoration of the years he lost with his family. If he only knew that checking on his brother’s activity in the fields would be a snare a different approach would have been taken. He did what he did in obedience to his father who sent him. Genesis 44

God already knew all this. God knew before the foundations of the earth existed. One morning the Lord woke me up at 3:25 am to pray. Something came from my mouth that I didn’t plan to say, “God I was Your book, upon Yourself in heaven before you created any of this. You brought me to life. You know every single detail about me, just as I know the details about my manuscripts, my blogs, and my artwork.” It had an astounding effect on me. His presence came down in my living room.

I’m not going to withhold from you that many nights I’ve cried myself sick, questioning, “Why me? Why-me- Lord? Why am I so misunderstood? Why am I so different?” It’s been a hard pill to swallow as to what makes me different.

If you’re asking yourself, why as well then you are a target for the enemy. If you have many talents, have wisdom biblically it’s going to be challenged. I heard a message years ago, Others may but you cannot.”

Joseph was set apart, so was Esther for a specific purpose. That purpose comes with sacrifice, persecution, and misunderstanding.

I encourage you to be strong. Yes, it’s a lonely walk but in the end, you will fulfill God’s purpose.

“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

Author Darlene J. Conard

We are seeing things we’ve never seen before, hearing unimaginable things. Children are confused about their gender. Same sex marriages are permitted, “Love is love,” society says.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20 KJV)

Our government is turned upside down. Abortion is uncommon. Chaos floods the media. We are living in a time that being kind to someone is misunderstood. What’s going on? I’ve heard this and I’ve said it myself, “I remember a time those things weren’t heard of.” Here is the truth. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” The Bible is loud and clear on these things. I’m not even effected that you disagree with me. Darlene is not the author of the Bible, God is.

So, why are we being informed daily of all this? Early this morning the Lord woke me up to go into this. This is not a hate speech nor is it an attack on anyone. As a messenger of God, it’s my responsibility to love enough to tell the truth. I have several accountability partners in the ministry who check in on me often. I trust them to be honest without being judgmental to keep me on track.

This is what’s happening, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV) What happens the moment roaches and rats or other infestations are disturbed? They expose themselves. Here, there, and anywhere just to hide from exposure. But, if the root of the pest is destroyed things begin to come under control. Beloved, what we see and hear as a spiraling setback is quite the opposite. It’s a result due to an awakening from sleep and calling on God to heal our land.

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”  Isaiah 9:2 KJV

The Holman Bible says it like this, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.”  

I was once in darkness too. I’m grateful that I saw the light!

Author Darlene J. Conard

Grandma pointed at the seat next to her at the table, “Sit down and have coffee with me. I want to show you something. She patiently waited for me as I made myself a cup of coffee. With carefulness I sat the cup of hot steaming coffee down, then pulled out a chair. After she saw my readiness, she pulled a notebook beneath her raggedy Bible then opened it. “The Holy Ghost told me to go over this with you.” I pulled the notebook close to look over it. Her scribbled text indicated that she quickly wrote down all that was being downloaded in her spirit. Her study revolved around the teaching of Christ, love one another as I have loved you.

I remember many things about grandma. One of her strongest areas was forgiveness, praying for one another and do not hold grudges. She reminded me by doing so meant holding on to a debit when the Lord forgave. My grandmother taught me so much after being born again. Many times, she would lay on the couch watching her Bill Gaither DVD’s or preaching I would come sit down in the recliner at the end.  “Grandma, I want you to know that I admire you,” through tear filled eyes I looked over at her. “You are my inspiration. I don’t know if you know this or not, well I’m sure the Lord revealed it to you. When I was in the darkness, I had hoped many times that you wouldn’t stop praying for me. Even though I said, “Stop praying for me.” She raised up and looked at me, “I know honey, I knew it wasn’t you.” Grandma thank you for not giving up on me when most did.”

“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. Ephesians 6:12 KJV

Though she is at rest I know here many prayers are still alive and will be answered.  

Author Darlene J. Conard

A vibrant white light touched my closed half awakened eyes. Its pureness reminds me of the song, “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. Oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow, no other found I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

With gratitude I thanked the Lord for His redeeming blood, that is all power. Once in sin, bound by satan but now I am made whole!

During a conversation my friend Tigger had one night she asked me, “What drew you to my house that day Darlene?” Our discussion was about Jesus setting us free. “Well,” I paused for a moment, “I was on my way to a secluded graveyard. I felt drawn to them, but instead I felt drawn to your house.” Tigger was and still is on fire for God. “I was tormented in my mind, and I knew you prayed.” She did just that. 

As time goes by, I realize how great His ministering power is. There is a song with the words, “Take me back to where I first believed,” I do understand revisited our day of redemption is a part of getting us back into motivation.

Jesus is beautiful! His ways are passed finding out! He conquered death and the grave, and he is alive and well!

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15 KJV

It is good to revisit our rebirth in Christ.

I’m grateful that I am not what I use to be!