Dale Cresap's blog

Do you think that all faiths are narrow, exclusive, and intolerant? Each claims their own doctrines are correct and others are not. How does your own faith compare? My word makes a clear statement of truth and claims to be the only way. Yet in my time of ministry on earth I reached out to include rather than to push away. The Samaritan doctrine was incorrect and I said so to the woman at the well, but my acceptance of her led to my word taking root in her town. I also told a story about a Good Samaritan who showed kindness to one in need. I commend your diligence in seeking truth. Be just as diligent to be accepting and inclusive to sow seed everywhere. 

Are you familiar with the concept of stewardship? In your church is this used as a euphemism for giving money? Cheerful and generous giving is good, but this reflects a misunderstanding of the stewardship concept. Stewards are managers of resources belonging to others who have committed them to their care. Do you understand that everything you have is a gift from me? Then your first act of stewardship is to return a portion directly into my work. The remainder is for you to manage on my behalf. Does it discourage you to think that you own nothing yourself? You are bought with a price and in me you possess all things. 

In ancient times information could only travel as fast as people. The telegraph changed that, and accelerating advances in technology made possible the even more rapid and convenient and portable communication methods that you have now. Yet there is an even better communication method that was available to those in ancient times as well as to you. It is called prayer. I do not discourage you from making use of the latest means of communication, but do you find that these interfere with your practice of prayer? No technology can match the benefits of it. Don’t neglect prayer because you have so many other things available to you. 

My apostles asked for and got holy boldness to proclaim my message. Does this seem like an unusual concept to you? For you are more familiar with conventional boldness which can border on arrogance and overbearing obnoxiousness. Holy boldness must be consistent with a broken spirit and a contrite heart. David said that he would not boast in himself but would make his boast in the Lord. So holy boldness brings two concepts together that cannot be joined otherwise. You can conduct yourself in a state of personal humility while you declare the awesome glory of your redeemer. 

Do you see authority as a matter of position, title, and office? In most cases officials in government and in corporations rule because of assigned positions. Yet haven’t you encountered people who have an inherent sense of authority even though they hold no office or title? John the Baptist was a man outside of the religious hierarchy of his day. He was a man sent from God, crying in the wilderness. He was poor but those who saw him recognized my hand upon him and his spiritual and moral authority. I paid high compliments to him myself. You don’t need a title conferred by someone else to serve me. 

Are you diligent in the way you work at your job? It is possible to put on appearances that your performance at work is better than it really is, just as it is possible to give the appearance that you are better than you really are in other areas of your life. Yet my word teaches you to serve your employer the same way you would serve me, with diligence and good will to the best of your abilities. You may argue that you see differences between your employer and me, but that is not a valid excuse. Wouldn’t you want to work for me if you had the chance? You do. If you view yourself as working for me it makes any job a transcendent career. 

Do you want to do my will? Do you face major decision points in your life, such as what career to pursue and whom to marry, and think that if you make these decisions correctly then you are living according to my will? Doing my will is not so easily reduced to a selection process. You describe your faith as a relationship with me, and you are right. Then doing my will has a relational aspect, of following me, walking with me, and abiding in me. The big decisions are important, but not as much as you think. Even if you have made some bad choices you can be in my perfect will now. 

Do you pray? Do you pray about how to pray? My disciples asked me to teach them to pray, and I did. You have your requests, but if you are determined to be submitted to me and obedient to my will, then do you think you should seek direction from me before you jump in to submit your list of requests? I invite you to come boldly before me to ask whatever you want in my name and receive it in faith, but even in this I want you to be a seeker and a student, looking to me that you may follow my lead and inquiring of me that you may truly pray according to my will. Then your fervent and effectual prayers will accomplish much. 

Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments? This was an early expression of my dealing with people, but it was not the first. For the Ten Commandments were preceded by the One Commandment, that you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You may think this is not an issue for you since you don’t have access to such a tree. Yet don’t dismiss this matter lightly. Whenever you lean on your own understanding rather than including me in your thoughts and conclusions you eat from this tree. My invitation for us to reason together was not only meant for sin. I want you to seek divine wisdom in everything you do, and make it freely available to you.

My word teaches you that the afflictions of the righteous are many, but that I deliver you out of them all. Which of these two aspects do you focus on? Would you rather have a life with no afflictions and no need for deliverance? A strenuous life of endurance may not appeal to you, but if you study the principles of my Kingdom you will see this is an established pattern. This too is an expression of my love and grace, for there is no growth and strength without resistance, physically and spiritually. Don’t you see this manifested in people you admire? And besides you do have my promise to be delivered out of them.