Dale Cresap's blog

Are you willing to do an experiment? Pray for the people you meet. If this is scary you don’t have to tell them what you are doing, but I will still hear your prayers. You don’t even have to speak to them. You can do this for strangers in a crowd. What do you pray for if you don’t know what they need? Everyone needs something and is fighting a battle of some sort. Even if you don’t know what it is, I do. Engage yourself in prayer and let the overflow be directed at the people you encounter. You can always pray for my favor and blessing upon them and for the knowledge and presence of me to increase in them. Your really can’t go wrong but you have to make the initiative. Try it and see what happens. 

Is it important to you to be in control? Do you understand that there is a difference between being out of control and having things out of your control? I am always in control. That is a consequence of my sovereignty. Have you met people with ‘control issues’? They are difficult company because they insist on being in control in areas in which they have no authority. Can you trust me to have things in control even if you are not in charge? This is an element of faith and trust. Those who insist on being in control of all things drive others away and end up diminishing their own circle of real influence. Those who trust me to be in control have the peace that passes understanding. 

Do you have a plan in mind for the growth of your church? Does it involve programs that are targeted at particular needs; a something for everyone approach? Churches can become busy activity centers in providing things to attract outsiders to come. This is the opposite of the original church growth program. My followers expected that all of their familiar Jewish traditions and customs would continue for the new believers, but the Spirit led them to let go of most of most of their customary practices for the church to grow. Could you be approaching this question from the wrong direction? What are you willing to let go of to see growth in your church?

My word says that you can know me and so you do. Do you understand that this happens at different levels? For now you see in a glass darkly. Your knowledge of me is sufficient for salvation but the infinite is not fully comprehendible by the finite. Do not be discouraged by this. Look at your life as an opportunity to learn more about me. I long to reveal myself to you in greater fullness, and what do you have to do that is more important than this? Look at this journey of discovery as a continual adventure. You have my promise that it will be successful and you will see me face to face. 

I have given you the Great Commission and I expect you to take it seriously. Do you realize that I take it seriously too? I realize it is a big job and am committed to do whatever it takes to assist you. Consider how I have intervened with miracles to open doors for my word to go forth. Consider the stores of Jonah, Peter and the vision of unclean animals, Phillip and his conversation with the Ethiopian eunuch. These are stories of very human encounters yet in each case I was willing to work miracles to stage the opportunities. If you take the Great Commission seriously I will do the same to open doors for you. 

Do you enjoy conversation? Have you ever listened to someone who seemed to have a hidden agenda, who was steering toward his favorite and familiar place with arguments rehearsed in advance? Did you find this to be less satisfying than a real dialogue in which both parties were willing to adapt and go where the conversation led rather than steering it themselves? This type of conversation requires trust, commitment, and openness, and is therefore less common than the former. How would you describe your conversations with me? Are you willing to let go when you engage with me? Come and let us reason together. 

Do you think of education as speculation? It is expensive to provide or obtain, but you don’t have to have a resume or proven potential to get one. Some will do great things with what they learn and others not as much. So it is an uncertain investment made in faith. This illustrates a larger principle, for your entire life is my investment. I have lavished resources upon you to bring you where you are today. I can see your potential. Will it be realized? I’m willing to take the chance that it will. You can facilitate this by consent, and seeing yourself at the center of a divine project to bring you into your destiny. I'm leaving town for a few days. 

Do you think of life in terms of win-lose or win-win? Your economy is regarded as a zero sum game, and buyers and sellers negotiate over price. An advantage for one becomes a disadvantage for the other, and each one tries to gain every advantage for himself. Does this view of reality lead to an ideal situation for everyone? The economy of my Kingdom runs on a different principle. It is not a zero sum game. In fact, the solutions that are the best overall for everyone involved are the best for each individual involved. Does this seem impossible to you? If you ask me for the godly wisdom it requires I will give it to you. 

In some churches the members refer to each other as brother and sister. This reflects a spiritual reality, for the members of one body are also the members of one family. So more important than using these terms as titles is the conduct it calls for. How well did you get along with your brothers and sisters while you were growing up? This may not be something to emulate in your church. My word says it is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. Whether you use the terms brother and sister in church or not, you should relate to them also as friends for whom you would lay down your life. 

Have you ever felt rejection from others? Who is not in a position to know firsthand how painful this is? In addition to the rejection you feel just from human existence you may experience rejection from people because you are faithful to me. Have you rejected other people? Is there anyone who would say you have? You have no control over the actions of others, and they are free to reject you, but you are not free to reject them in return. This may seem like an unfair burden, but I have called you to be the children of your Father in heaven, and he does not reject anyone, so you should not either.