Dale Cresap's blog

Do you look for value when you shop, comparing alternatives so you get the best bargain? This is how to get the most for your money. By this measure, is salvation a good deal? You don’t buy it with money, and there are no real alternatives in the marketplace, but the concept of benefit and cost can still be applied, in this case on an absolute scale. For if you really understand and make the commitment, it costs you everything. Yet you gain eternal life in the process. Then the basis for comparison is whether what you gain is better than what you surrender. Blessed are those who know the value of the pearl of great price. 

Do you like the parts of the Bible that promise you victory, that say you will always triumph? You can’t lose. Yet have you found that your victory doesn’t always look like winning according to the commonly accepted understanding or what you expected? For Christian victory is consistent with suffering and affliction, being hated of all men for my sake, and laying down your life for me. For the victory I promise you is according to the principles of my Kingdom, not the definitions of this world. Learning to understand this will keep you from confusion and doubt. A Kingdom perspective will enable you to see you always have victory in me. 

Some jobs have specific academic credentials required of applicants. Those without them need not apply. Yet for those already in the field, experience is a more valued indicator of competence. You will note that there are several church positions described in my word. Have you noticed that none of them have academic credentials required? This is not to disparage study and preparation and training. These can be formalized classroom instruction or life experience in the same way I taught my own disciples. Can you see that in the ‘real world’ competence of execution trumps academic background? The same is true in my Kingdom. 

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.