Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever heard someone say that they couldn’t forgive themselves? They may accept that God will forgive them, and even those whom they have offended, but they just can’t forgive themselves. This sounds like a pious argument of high character, but it is really an extreme form of pride. Consider what it implies. That they hold themselves to higher standards than other people, or that they are the type of person who does not sin. The position of greater humility is to acknowledge that you need forgiveness from others and from God, and receive it with gratitude. If I can forgive you, you can forgive yourself. 

Do you read the Bible? Has it become familiar and commonplace to you?  It claims to be living and powerful and active. So every time you read it, is it as for the first time? This is not a reasonable expectation for most books, but if my Word is living it should be fresh every time you read it. Do you expect this? Whether the Bible is something you study like any other book or whether it speaks with a living voice every time you read it depends on what you anticipate when you open it. If you do so expecting to hear my voice in the expression of a living relationship you will.

Do you have a song in your heart? Rejoicing is a normal and important part of the Christian life. Does the song in your heart come out of your mouth? Is it possible to be joyful with no visible manifestation? You may be self-conscious about the quality of your voice. I am aware of how much talent I gave you and I still want to hear you sing. The Psalms admonish this and the standard of performance is to make a joyful noise to me. Everyone can meet that. If you feel awkward doing this in public look for opportunities to do it in private. I am aware of your every thought but I want to hear your voice.

You know as a matter of principle and doctrine that I am with you always. You have my word on it. Are you more aware of me when you are having a bad day? Is it in those difficult times that your faith is tried and you need to call out to me and depend on me? In contrast is it easy to forget that I am with you when everything goes smoothly with no problems? I came to give you life and joy. I am with you during the difficult times but I don’t want you to associate me only with your problems. Make it a point to remember me with gratitude when you are having a good day. Share it with me and it will be even better. 

Do you expect to require training and practice to acquire a new skill and become proficient at it? Many believers will expect this for every area of their live except their faith. But faith can grow and gain strength by practice and experience like anything else you do. Ask those whom you consider to be strong in the faith if they started out that way. Soldiers train in a safe place before going into battle, and athletes train in a gym before competition. You can apply the same principle for the practice of your faith, looking for safe places to develop it so that it will be strong when you really need it.

If you have gone on a long journey and come home then you know the meaning of a round trip. According to the laws of geometry the distance home is the same as the distance out, although it may seem shorter or longer. Yet there is a case in which this is not true. For no matter how far you wander away from me you are only one step away from returning to me. For though you depart from me I do not depart from you. I promised to be with you always and I will keep covenant even if you don’t. At any time if you turn your attention to me you will find I was with you all along. 

Have you ever heard, to thy own self be true and you cannot be false to anyone? This is usually used as a superficial justification for people going their own way and the Biblical versions of this are there is a way that seem right to a man but the end thereof is death, and everyone did what was right in their own sight. Yet there is a reality to this concept if viewed from first principles. To be true to yourself is to recognize that you are created in the image of God. This is true of atheists even though they are alienated from their source and origin. To really be true to yourself it to be true to me. 

Do you come to me to improve your life? Do you want an improved version of your current life, or a really new and different life? I told my followers that the gentiles sought after things to eat and drink and wear. That list is greatly expanded today but the underlying principle is the same. Would you be content with higher quality versions of provision and health? But the life I offer you is not a better version of what you have. It is new in every way. It is a life in my Kingdom that is not of this world. Don’t be content with better stuff. Seek first my Kingdom which is transcendent and divine, and you will have it. 

In polite conversation people will allow everyone to speak and even to take turns in choosing topics. It is considered rude to dominate a conversation, especially if someone with more knowledge, wisdom, and insight is shut out. Do you apply this rule to your conversations with me? How much of your prayer time is spent in listening as opposed to speaking? I have so much to say, but I will not drown you out, although you can do this to me. Which of us by virtue of wisdom and knowledge should do more of the speaking? I will if you give me the chance. Are you willing to take the next step and let me pick the topics?