Dale Cresap's blog

Do you consider yourself to be an optimistic person? Does your faith make you more or less optimistic? How do you think the Christian population as a whole compares to unbelievers in this regard? Too many of my people look at the conditions in the world, including the abounding of unrighteousness, and are discouraged as a result, even more so than those who are in darkness and have no hope. My word teaches you to rejoice as a matter of principle, and I have given you ample reasons to do so. Don’t forget who is really in charge. This alone is reason enough to rejoice evermore. 

How aware are you that there is truth outside of your traditions? I am eager to reveal truth but I have not given anyone a corner on the market. If everything you read and hear reassures you that you were right all along, of what benefit is that for you? If you want to learn, you must start by recognizing that you still have things to learn. I promised that if you seek you would find, and this is an ongoing process rather than a single event. To know the truth and be free you must continue in my word. Keep looking. You don’t have to accept everything you encounter, but even then you can look to see what you can learn from it rather than looking for a reason to reject it. 

You see the Body of Christ organized by denominations. Do you evaluate them based on their traditions and doctrines and decide which ones are valid? My word teaches you not to say, even in your heart, who shall ascend into heaven and who shall descend into hell. How much less should you make sweeping judgments about entire groups of people based on denominational affiliation? Would it surprise you to know that I have people in denominations you do not approve of, and not everyone in groups you approve of is in the Kingdom? You are accustomed to making divisive choices, but I want you to find your place in my Body and still see it as one Body.

My word promises comfort to those who mourn, but it also declares woe to those who are rich, because they have received their reward, and woe to those who laugh now, for they will weep. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. He who humbles himself will be exalted, but he who exalts himself will be humbled. All these things point to a great reversal of fortunes that is coming. It appears that you can have immediate gratification or delayed gratification according to your choice, but not both. Where do you see yourself now on this scale? Will your situation improve when the reversal comes? Are you ready for it? 

The parable of the sower and the seed has a negative counterpart. Your adversary sows seeds of evil. These will also grow and bear evil fruit if given the chance. The seeds eaten by the fowls of the air are those thoughts taken captive and rejected. Those that sprouted and grew but withered quickly because they had no root are those who repented quickly before they became ensnared or offended others. Those that were choked out represent others who broke the cycle of evil by turning the other cheek and not resisting evil. Those that fell on fertile ground found no resistance and grew to bring forth evil fruit. 

Do you want divine wisdom? My word promises that if you ask me for it you will get it. What do you think it looks like? When I was a young man I went missing and my parents conducted a search for me, and finally found me in the temple, listening to the learned men and asking questions. I wasn’t preaching, but these elders still marveled at my wisdom in the questions I asked. Do you think that questions are neutral and only answers are meaningful? Some questions are better than others, and the quality of your inquiry depends on what you seek. My wisdom was displayed in asking the right questions and yours will be too. 

You know that you have an adversary and that he has strongholds, places and persons in which he is active and considers as his ‘turf’. What is your response to this situation? Do you seek them out to challenge them or avoid them out of fear? Neither response is correct. You are to respond to my direction in obedience rather than reacting to your enemy. Yet there is something you should be aware of, that you are a stronghold of life and light. My presence is in you and with you wherever you go and this is a stronger influence than any works of the enemy. Let your light shine before men that they may glorify me. 

Have you ever been tempted to write a scathing letter to someone who hurt you? Have you done it? After the passage of time did you think it was better to send it or not? My word teaches you to resist not evil, but if someone strikes you to turn the other cheek, or steals from you to give him more. This is a radical teaching. Do you feel you have no opportunities to apply it directly? Yet you can apply it in a general sense. Life will give you many chances to be involved in the cycle of evil even if it only involves words – attack, counterattack, escalation. You can break the cycle of evil and defeat it by not resisting it. 

Are you aware that you live in a supernatural world? Your culture has a strong bias to deny anything that is not material and physical, but the Bible is full of references to supernatural beings, events, and interventions. You don’t have to believe this for it to be true. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and when the eyes of the prophet’s servant were opened he was able to see that there were more for us than against us. This same reality exists around you today. If you open the door to acknowledge this possibility you will begin to see it more and more. 

Were you taught to put your best foot forward? Even without formal instruction most people naturally present themselves in the most favorable light, to keep their flaws hidden and make a favorable impression. Is this ever a bad idea? I told a story of two men who went to the temple. One prayed with himself rather than me and listed all of his religious achievements. He was glad he was not like the other man who acknowledged he was a sinner and cried out for mercy. He would not dare to raise his face toward me, but l looked down and accepted him. You don’t need to make an impression with me. Come and put your worst foot forward and you will be justified too.