Dale Cresap's blog

You know that you are saved by faith rather than works. Yet you should not assume that faith and works are contradictory and opposing concepts. Does your faith lead you to take action? It should. Do you find that the actions you take in faith serve to make your faith stronger and more real to you? James made a good argument when he said show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works, for one without the other is dead. The Bible is a book of faith but it is also a book of action. Faith is the initiator, but it does not grow without closing the loop with action. 

Does it appear to you that churches target narrow audiences? Do you see a wide variety of demographics in most churches? People tend to associate with those like them and are more comfortable that way, so even churches with a wide membership base will organize internally around age-specific groups for instance. Have you noticed that such distinctions are erased when a church is in revival? A true move of God has appeal across demographic lines and attracts young and old. It is possible to confuse cause and effect, but if you want revival look for ways to be inclusive so you may be all together in one accord. 

Movies, television and novels provide an entertainment experience through stories. Are you careful about the content of the entertainment you partake of, knowing that stories can have an influence on you for good or evil? The author may have a deliberate intent for this influence or not, but either way the stories will either affirm or deny the principles of life that I taught in my own stories. Do you understand that you have a story of your own? Let the stories that entertain you reinforce righteousness that they may support the narrative of my redemptive work in your own life. 

Do you love yourself? This is the default condition of humanity as described in my word, that no man hates his own flesh, but nurtures and cares for it. Truly self-destructive people stand out as anomalies. I do not condemn you for loving yourself, yet many normal people feel guilty about doing it. My word just teaches you to love your neighbor as yourself, so that the same standard applies to all, including you. I taught that you should do unto others as you would have them to do unto you. Do you understand that you need to have grace and compassion for others, and do so? Then you don’t need to feel guilty about having grace and compassion for yourself.

Do you ponder matters such as the age of the earth or current events or politics? What is your level of awareness that a being of infinite intelligence and love watches over you? The former questions may be difficult to answer, having many competing viewpoints. Even if you were able to answer them their significance may not be of any importance in your life. The latter issue affects everything in your life. If you walk in the awareness of this reality it gives you confidence and peace, and the ability to move forward without fear. Set your mind on things above.

Do you take credit for all of your ideas? Have you ever said an idea came to me? This implies an external source. If your thought processes don’t lead to a new idea by direct logical sequence, then where do they come from? My word asks what you have that you did not receive, and implies that the answer is nothing. It is a position of humility to acknowledge that you can’t take credit for your own creativity, but you are called to be poor in spirit. If you acknowledge me with gratitude I am prepared to pour out creativity on you in ever greater measure. Isn’t that better than claiming credit for little? 

Do you divide believers into those who perform ministry and those who do not? My illustration for my church is a body in which everything plays a part. The body benefits from that which every joint supplies. Yet at the same time every part of the body draws its very life and energy from the body as a whole. You should take pleasure from fulfilling the unique calling I have assigned you according to the gifts I have given you. At the same time be aware that those who give also need to receive. Those who minister should walk in the grace and humility to know that they need ministry themselves and the more visible their ministry the more important that they know it. 

Do you know that the peacemakers are blessed because they are my children? You find this in the Beatitudes and it is one of the later entries. Does it seem like a simple thing, and surprise you that it is listed after other deep spiritual principles? You are not in a position to bring peace to others until you have peace within yourself. It is easy to assume that you are more advanced here than you are. It is easy to see conflict, violence, and unrighteous judgment. When you see them, are you eager to use the same methods to oppose them? Becoming non-judgmental is a lifetime project. I give peace that passes understanding. Receive it that you may give it to others.

You know better than to present yourself as some superior and exalted believer. Do you know better than to make similar claims about your church? How many believers who present themselves with humility will nonetheless make grandiose claims about their church or denomination? Arrogance is hardly more attractive one level removed and humility should apply across the board. My body has many members and I want them to function together in harmony. My word teaches you to discern the Lord’s body and I want you to discern it as consisting of all believers for I am the head of one body. 

Have you met people who act as if things only have meaning as they relate to them? Another way to say this is that they are full of themselves, or all about them. It doesn’t take much discernment to realize that this is not a position of mature spirituality. Even unbelievers can see narrow selfish narcissism. I spoke highly of John the Baptist, but he said of himself that he must decrease. This applies to everyone who would grow in true understanding. You start with too firm an attachment to your own point of view, and this hinders your ability to see things the way they really are. As your own prominence diminishes you can walk in the light and know the truth.