Dale Cresap's blog

Have you heard that the best things in life are free? Money is still highly rated, and people go to great lengths to obtain it, and still wish they had more. So are the best things in life really free? What would these things consist of? Love, human connection and interaction, creativity, appreciation of beauty, a sense of wonder, seeking those things which are above to find a sense of destiny and purpose? These things are free and available to all but they are not automatic. If you would have them then you must value them according to their true worth, and put as much effort into seeking them as you do into seeking money. 

I raised Lazarus from the dead and called him forth from the tomb but that is not the end of the story. When he appeared I commanded that he be released from the grave clothes that bound him. Why was this included as an important part of this account? Lazarus could not function as a living person while he was still bound for burial. How does this apply to you? I have also raised you from the dead. Are you still wearing grave clothes? Do you still retain habits, thought patterns, and traditions that bind you and prevent you from functioning as a living person? Then you too should cast off your grave clothes that you may live. 

The wind blows where it will. I used the movement of air as an illustration of the Spirit. As my Father imparted life to Adam by breath so I imparted the Holy Spirit to my disciples by breath and the Spirit appeared on the day of Pentecost as a mighty rushing wind. Wind has an elusive quality that you cannot control or capture, yet you use windmills to derive power from the wind into a readily available form you can use. So it should be with you who have received the Spirit. You still cannot contain or control the Spirit but if you are willing to be available you can be like a windmill and let the power of my Spirit work through you. 

Do you realize that you don’t learn facts and skills the same way? Reading and lecture are excellent for learning facts, but skills are acquired through practice. Both are valuable but more people earn a living on the basis of skills rather than facts. What about your spiritual life? The Bible says study to show yourself approved, but how many more verses are there about going and doing? I called my own disciples to follow me rather than study me. My intention in your life is not just to make you smart but to transform you into my likeness. In this regard you will be more successful living your way into a new way of thinking than thinking your way into a new way of living. 

If there was a God who loved all people, what would he expect of his followers? He would not require them to visit a certain place, for that would exclude the poor who were far away. He would not expect them to adopt a special manner of dress, for that would be an unnecessary burden in some cultures. He would not require his words to be read in one language for he would want to include people of every language. He would not impose dietary laws that would be difficult for people in various areas to meet. He would make the elements of ceremonies simple and readily available such as water, bread, and wine. He would make his message simple enough that children could understand it. He would instruct those who already knew him to spread the good news of his message of life to those who have not heard it. There is such a God and the faith is Christian. It may seem loosely structured to those in other faiths but that is necessary to make it available to all. 

You live in a culture that places great value on money. Is making money the most important thing you do? The greatest influence you have and the benefit you bring may not have an income attached to it. Do it anyway. I have promised to meet your needs. I did not promise that you would get paid for the most important thing you do. Did Paul get paid to write most of the New Testament? There is nothing wrong with seeking employment that gives you a sense of satisfaction. If what you find available is less than ideal, don’t let that stop you from pursuing your true passion and destiny. 

I told my followers to go into all the world and proclaim the good news of the gospel message. You refer to this as the Great Commission. Those with a special gift for this task are called evangelists, but the assignment is to every believer. Do you think that evangelism involves speaking only? Could it also involve listening? You need a receptive audience for evangelism to be effective. How eager are you to listen to people who won’t listen to you? It does no harm to the message of the gospel for you to listen to the stories of the people you encounter, and it may open the door for them to listen to your words of life. 

When people approach the end of their lives their loved ones may ask them how they want to spend the rest of their days on earth. This is an appropriate way to approach matters of expectations, comfort, and medical intervention. Normally it is not asked until the end is near and there isn’t much that can still be accomplished. The assumption is that our days should be prolonged without asking what our days are for. Should you wait until the end to ask this question? You know that you will have a finite lifespan even if you don’t know how long. Teach us to number our days and use them for the purpose you gave them to us. 

Do you believe in me? You use this term in a specific spiritual sense, but also in everyday speech. Saying, ‘I believe that is true’ implies a step removed from things you know as firsthand knowledge. The Bible invites you to believe in me, but I also said at the end of my earthly ministry that this is life eternal, that you may know the One True God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Things that you believe on the basis of convincing evidence are still indirect and second hand. My invitation to you is to relationship, that you may know the things you have believed. Come taste and see that the Lord is good. 

Do you open doors as a courtesy for other people? After my resurrection my disciples met behind closed doors and I entered the room without bothering to open the door. This was a supernatural act but it has far-reaching and practical implications. Closed doors don’t keep me out. I can go wherever I want without consideration for barriers or the limitations of time and distance. Behold I stand at the door and knock. You know that doors are not a barrier to me, but it is still a courtesy for you to open the door for me.