Dale Cresap's blog

Do you exercise righteous judgment? This is the only type that I approve of, and I am the only one who can do it. People tend to err in one direction or another, but more often to the side of harsh judgment and exclusion. Have you seen my Spirit and presence in groups and individuals that you used to reject? That makes it hard to justify the rejection. If you move in the direction of acceptance and inclusiveness you may still make mistakes, but they are better mistakes. It is worthwhile to err on the side of love and mercy to improve the quality of your mistakes and move in the direction of righteous judgment. 

When you were in school, did your teachers encourage you to ask questions? They knew that was the process by which you learned. This is still true, and you should cultivate curiosity and inquisitiveness as lifelong habits. How does this relate to your faith? Are you presented a set of doctrines as a settled matter and discouraged from pondering the same questions yourself? My word teaches you to follow me. This involves obedience to me but it also involves the pursuit of understanding. This only occurs as you are willing to consider unresolved questions. Be patient and don’t expect the answers to come as quickly as they did when you were a child in school. 

My word gives very clear teaching that you are to care for the poor. If they need money and you give money to organizations chartered to help them, does that allow you to fulfill this commandment without coming into direct contact with the poor? I do not pose this question to condemn you. Giving money is more than lip service. It is putting your money where your mouth is. Organizations can help you to be as wise as serpents to make your giving effective and avoid being taken advantage of. Just don’t allow this to be a substitute for direct personal contact with those in need. 

Do you have certain favorite subjects that you like to talk about? Yet if you want to enter a conversation with a certain person or group of people you must be prepared to talk about subjects they like. You still prefer your favorites and consider it a special treat to find and converse with others who share the same interests. Do you know that I am the same way? You can talk to me about anything, and I will engage with you, but I still have my own favorite subjects. Ask me about them. Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another, and I heard it and wrote a book of remembrance for those who thought upon my name. 

Have you ever heard Christians voice a longing to have lived when I lived, and walked with me then? My word gives the account of those who followed me during my time on earth, and records my words to them, that it was better that I go away. How could this be better? I told them that I would send the Comforter to them, and I did. They were with me when I was here, and this was good, but I told them that it was better still to have the presence of the Spirit of Truth living in them. Do you understand that this applies to you as well? Remind yourself of this whenever you wish to live and walk with me, because you do. 

Is it possible to have too much money? The Bible warns against the pitfalls faced by the rich. What about intelligence? It is highly rated in your culture, along with money. Is it possible to have too much, or to have it work against you? Note that not many wealthy, or noble, or wise according to the wisdom of this age are called to salvation. My word teaches you to trust in me and lean not upon your own understanding. The greater your cognitive powers the greater the temptation to substitute your reason for my revelation. Your mental ability is a gift from me. Use it in a way that glorifies me. 

Do you behave differently when other people are watching than when you are alone? Most people will admit to doing better when they are observed. You know that I am always watching, but the presence of other people still makes a difference. Do you know that I am not the only one who sees everything? For I declared that you are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. You may think of them as spectators as you run your race. They have already run theirs, and now they are in the stands cheering you on. I spoke of a time when every man’s work would be manifested and tried. This process is already in progress. 

I had some strong words for the Pharisees. Do you pass over these because they don’t apply to you? The Pharisees were a Jewish sect that was active for a relatively short period of time in the scope of history. You won’t find anyone claiming that name today, but in my time they were the religious establishment, as you are in your own generation. Those in this position are prone to certain faults and failings. The Bible was written for you rather than for them. Are you willing to revisit my remarks to them in a broader sense to see if you may avoid the same errors for which I criticized them?

What activity do you find to be most useful for your faith and spiritual growth? There are many things that are beneficial. My word tells you to study to show yourself approved, and this oft-quoted verse refers to a valid method of spiritual growth. Yet it also teaches that by beholding me you are transformed into my likeness, from one degree of glory to another. So worship is transformative in a way that study, even Bible study, is not. Is the connection between worship and this transformative change obvious to you? It isn’t necessary for you to understand this. It is enough for you to take my word on it and do it. 

Do you hesitate to serve me because you think you are not qualified? Search the scriptures and see if you can find anyone who was qualified. Who among the heroes of the faith would have been your choice to carry out their assignments if they had applied for the position and you had been hiring? Luke and Paul both had strong academic backgrounds, but Paul in particular after listing his credentials equates them to manure. I give gifts and talents to all and delight when they use them to my glory, but do you also see that I delight to do my work through ordinary vessels, including you?