Dale Cresap's blog

Do you know people who are absent-minded? They seem to live in their own world, which is not here. Perhaps your own mind has wandered away, making plans, playing out conversations, or thinking what you should have said in some encounter, only to be jolted back to present reality when you are interrupted. I am with you always, and you accept this by faith as a foundational doctrine. Are you with yourself? You can’t change the past, and I teach you not to worry about tomorrow. If you live with a sense of awareness you will hear me speaking through your real life.  I am present with you. Will you be present with me? 

The Pharisees asked me if they were blind also. Does this seem like an odd question? How could you be blind and not know? Yet this is not the only place in scripture that this question arises. The Laodicean church in Revelation is wealthy and has no awareness of need, but I see them as poor and blind and miserable. I advise them to come to me to meet their real needs, including eye salve that they may see. It is possible that affluence or other factors can keep you from comprehending more important reality that is right in front of you. Do you examine your own vision frequently to be sure it is true? Come to me for eye salve; I’ve got plenty.  

You study my word and see that it commends faith and condemns doubt. Yet there is such a thing as honest doubt, but it is rare. Most who doubt are no longer searching. They have rejected faith to justify themselves and are content with that. Those who doubt honestly are still searching, and still willing to respond and be taught by truth that they encounter. I am not threatened by this, and this is not doubt that leads to death. I declared an eternal principle that those who seek the truth hear my voice. Some struggle more than others on this pathway but those who follow it honestly will find their way to me. 

My word teaches you that though the outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. Do you think this is a special case referring to the short term experience of a few individuals? In the long term it applies to everyone. People can accelerate or retard the effects of aging by the way they live, but time will win in the end. This may be a hard reality to face in a culture that values youth and beauty so much, but it is part of my plan and design from the beginning. Don’t ignore the second part of the passage which is the real message. Look at the advancement of years as a process in which you can become sharper and more focused on the things that really matter. 

Do you admire people who have great willpower? Perhaps it should be termed won’t power. They won’t give in and won’t be swayed from their determined course. Yet how do you distinguish this from willfulness? This refers to stubbornness. Willpower is commendable if it is used for admirable ends, but my word commends those of a broken spirit and a contrite heart. There is too much of human effort in willpower, which in Biblical terms is the works of the flesh, and not enough of divine grace. Human strength will not accomplish the works of God, and those who serve me effectively have learned that my strength is perfected in their weakness. 

Do you see yourself as being on a spiritual journey? Your faith will affect you in one of two ways. It will keep you from changing, or it will be the agent by which you change. You can remain among those of your own tradition, reassured and confirmed in the things you already know. You can read only those things that show you were right all along. This is comforting, but false. True spiritual maturity comes from expansion and that involves stretching. This is uncomfortable, but true. If you continue in my word this is a truth that you will understand and be free. Then your faith will be the agent by which you are changed into my likeness. 

Are you tired? Accept my invitation to come to me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Do you think that rest alone will restore you? If you are trying to do more than I assign you no amount of rest will restore you. I gently chided Martha who was careful and troubled about many things. When I give you an assignment I give you the ability and strength and all other resources you need to carry it out. If you take up burdens of your own choice where will you find the resources to carry them? Be content with the burdens I give you, for these are custom made for you. 

Are you familiar with the concept of driving under the influence? In this context it is understood that the influence is from alcohol or other drugs and this is illegal because it impairs your ability. But the phrase ‘under the influence’ is broad and general. You can be influenced by things other than drugs. What influences are present in your life? These can include people, mindsets, habits, assumptions, and thought patterns. Many more are influenced by these things than by substances. Who is exempt from them? Do yours work for you or against you? The liberty that I exhort you to stand in is to be free of detrimental influences. 

Have you encountered would-be evangelists who attempt to spread the gospel message by attacking other faiths? In a courtroom a witness who is combative and troublesome is called a hostile witness. Unfortunately the same concept applies outside of courtrooms. There are some doctrines that are essential to the gospel message, and these are basic and simple. Is it necessary to bring up the doctrinal differences you have with other denominations when you present the gospel to the lost? This only confuses them and presents the Christian faith as contentious. The gospel is a positive message. Present it that way. 

Have you ever engaged in a ministry opportunity in the belief that you were obeying me and had it not turn out well, or the way you expected? Do you find this discouraging, or does it cause you to doubt your ability to discern my guidance? Let not your heart be troubled. I am pleased with your obedience and that is all I ask of you. Walk in the light given to you and trust me to make your efforts effective. Your expectation of a certain outcome is your assumption and not a part of my guidance for you to obey. How can you be sure that things went wrong? Remember that I am in control, my good and faithful servant.