Dale Cresap's blog

You understand that the forgiveness of sins is central to the Christian faith. Once you have received that, what comes next? Everyone is looking for validation; the reassurance that everything about them is OK. What I offer instead is the promise of transformation, that through a process that takes a lifetime you can be changed into my image and likeness. I don’t pretend that this is easy. It includes elements of being sifted like wheat, and tried in the fire. It involves laying down your life, and picking up your cross, and following me. Keep engaged in your inner work even when it is difficult. Transformation is better than validation. 

Do you trust your instincts to make snap decisions and make major life decisions quickly? Has this ever worked out badly for you? Indecision is paralyzing but this is an area where balance is called for, and snap decisions are out of balance in the other direction. What do you see in my word? I gave Gideon an assignment and he put out a fleece before me with special conditions for confirmation. Then he asked for more confirmation, and then he did as I directed. What do you see in your own life? Don’t I give you confirmation for major life decisions? I am steadfast and time will validate my words. Keep moving ahead and open to be convinced, and then obey. 

Do you like good news? Who doesn’t? Do you know what the word ‘gospel’ means? It means good news. When you present the gospel message to people, do they respond with great enthusiasm and say, wow, that is really good news? If not, then what is wrong? There are many aspects to the gospel message. You don’t have to start with trying to convince people they are evil. If you understand that the root problem of the lost is their alienation from their true identity, then you can tell them that it is possible to know as they are known, and live from their true being. This is a part of the gospel message, and it is really good news. 

Do you think that your faith requires you to be a grim defender of every point of doctrine? Have you ever encountered such people? What was your overall impression of them? Do they seem to be effective advocates for the faith? You don’t have to fight every battle. I didn’t. I was silent before my accusers, and told my followers to let alone the self-appointed blind guides. It is also OK to use humor. It helps to diffuse tense confrontations that have no potential as learning opportunities anyhow. A soft answer turns away wrath. Be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves and I will give you opportunities to be my faithful witness. 

Do you hold believers to higher standards than unbelievers? My word teaches you that God will judge those outside the church, but opens the door for, and even encourages, standards of conduct for those who join together in my name. When I prayed, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do, I was referring to unbelievers. Have you ever felt the urge to offer the same prayer for those who believe? For there is no test of knowledge or conduct involved in salvation, but those who receive it should learn what their decision implies. Blessed are those who do and teach my commandments. 

Did you take your children to church with you when they were young? When they were older did you still insist that they go, even if they had developed different opinions and their hearts were not in it? Eventually the day must come when they will be free to decide for themselves, and move ahead on their own commitment, or not. My word tells you to raise up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it. How do you raise them so they will choose to go on their own? There isn’t a simple answer for this, but start early to lead by example rather than decree. 

Have you ever heard anyone ask, “What did I do to deserve this”? Perhaps you have said the same thing yourself. The way this is phrased, it could refer to a positive or negative event. When have you ever heard someone use it in a positive sense? This question is recorded in scripture in a different form. Did this man sin or his parents that he was born blind? Rather than argue the point, I said neither one sinned, but that the glory of God may be revealed in him, and I healed him. Isn’t this a better answer? Work on your healing ministry. In the meanwhile, rather than asking what you did to deserve this, ask how God’s glory may be revealed in it. 

Do you believe that I will always provide for you and make a way for you? There are conventional pathways for doing this, such as specific training for certain positions. You expect this but you also see a greater measure of variety in the actual situations of people than the conventional expectations would suggest. Look around you and see how much I delight in variety. I know that you have needs in many areas of your life, and beyond just material provision. I delight in the creativity I use to meet every one of your needs and I would like you to acknowledge it with gratitude. 

Do you find it discouraging when others don’t respond to your message of life? Your job is only to present the gospel, but it is understandable that you would want to see results. Be patient. I gave you the illustration of the Great Commission as planning seeds, and you know that seeds take time to germinate, and much more to bear fruit. Sometimes the people who hear your message haven’t made enough mistakes and haven’t had their own resources fail them enough to choose the life I offer. Be patient. I am the author of time and have allowed enough to do my work. Time sides with eternal truth. 

How much effort do you put into the study of end-time events? The certainty of my return is a doctrinal issue; the details of how it will occur are not. When you believed in me and were translated from death to life and darkness to light I secured your future for eternity. No one shall pluck you out of my hand and nothing shall separate you from my love. These are enduring promises regardless of how the end shall come. No one has guessed it right so far and when it occurs you will realize it is better than anything you could have imagined. Can you leave it in my hands and occupy until I come?