Dale Cresap's blog

When you pray do you do so aloud or silently? I am aware of all things, so I hear your prayers whether you speak them aloud or not. Yet even if you do not pray aloud for my sake, you may do so for your own. I understand that you are often surrounded by other people and unable to pray aloud, and in these times you can practice silent communion with me. Yet if you are able to speak your prayers it increases your involvement in them and helps you to remain intentional and focused. Spoken words give substance to longing and desire. Strengthen your own awareness of my presence by speaking as if I am with you, because I am. 

When someone narrowly averts a disastrous accident, or even if they are involved in one, what do they say of themselves or other people say about them? That they are lucky to be alive. This may serve as a wake-up call to review their values and order their lives toward things that really matter. Yet shouldn’t everyone think that they are lucky to be alive, even without a near miss or real disaster? Why wait for some calamity to search and try your ways and turn again to me, and do those things that affirm life? You will benefit from doing this routinely and often. Blessed are those who know they are lucky to be alive and walk in the awareness of it. 

Do you find yourself making the same mistakes over and over again? Does this make you angry with yourself and frustrated? You know you can’t blame this on others or on a lack of experience and it is easy to become discouraged with what appears to be a permanent flaw. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You know that I came and carried out my mission of redemption for the forgiveness of your sins. Did you think this was only for mistakes you made in ignorance or momentary lapses? If your understanding of the magnitude of sin is too small then so will be your understanding of the magnitude of redemption. How many times have I declared that my mercy endures forever? Come to me and let us reason together. 

You may not have been attacked physically, but who has not been attacked verbally? How do you respond in such a situation? Who can resist defending themselves? Yet in a defensive posture you resist your opponent’s attacks out of reflex without being open to correction and growth. Have you ever had a friend confront you in love? Can you tell the difference? Your friend loves you and wants to help you in areas where you can’t help yourself. In this case you should be open to receive their correction and the benefits it provides. Those who really love you will offer this and their rebukes are faithful. 

The good shepherd left the 99 sheep safely in the fold to seek and save the one lost sheep. Are you willing to present my message of redemption to 100 that one may be saved? I warned my followers that not everyone would receive them or me, and when this happened to move on. The same principle applies to you. Sow seed extravagantly and be prepared to face the ridicule of the 99 who reject your message. You have no control over the way your audience responds to the good news of the Kingdom and do not know in advance who will. Understand that the value of the one who responds is worth this sacrifice. 

Do you know you have a blind spot? You may have learned this in school health class as a lesson in anatomy, but for most people it is not a matter of conscious awareness. Yet it still exists. Do you think you have any spiritual blind spots? If you don’t then you have arrived a level of spiritual perfection that you probably wouldn’t claim. These spiritual blind spots can exist even if you are unaware of them. Others can see things with their natural eyes that you don’t even though they are in your field of vision. The same principle applies spiritually. You need the assistance of others for complete spiritual vision. 

Do you understand the importance of high morale? Those who do will not complain about the difficulties they face, even as a result of injustice or the shortcomings of others. Don’t you find it wearisome to be around those with nothing but criticism? They are detrimental to everyone’s morale, starting with their own. On the other hand, don’t you admire those who remain gracious and cheerful even while they endure great trials? I didn’t tell you to rejoice without giving you a good reason to do so. I want you to maintain the true and eternal perspective that no matter what happens your names are written in my book of life. 

Ancient people everywhere were convinced that they lived in a world of enchantment. Modern rationalism denies this and rejects it outright. Some things have a scientific explanation but others do not. The world views of ancient people were not uniformly consistent and some of them were clearly wrong but science cannot prove that there are no influences beyond the observable physical world. What if the underlying concept of the ancients was right? Don’t give in to the oppositions of science falsely so called. Your own faith is one of mystery and wonder. Practice it in good conscience. 

Games can begin by dividing those who will take part into teams. This is called choosing sides. The same terms apply in a less benign manner to those who join a dispute. The concept of allies and enemies is very strong and prevalent. Do you think of me as being above all this and not joining anyone’s side? Do you think of yourself as having your own side as opposed to mine? I tell you that I am more for you than you are for yourself. I love you. My commandments guide you to life, and my thoughts toward you are of peace, to give you a future and a hope. You should be as much on your own side as I already am.

I gave you the Great Commission to preach the good news of the Kingdom to every creature. There are also instructions to not forsake the assembling of yourselves together. Do you find that you prefer fellowship with believers to the work of presenting the gospel message to unbelievers? Both things are important, but the fact that you prefer one does not allow you to neglect the other. If you seek me and follow me I will give you opportunities to do both. This is an area in which balance is important. These are not exclusive and contrary tasks, but complementary, so that each properly done supports the other.