Dale Cresap's blog

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. 

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.