Dale Cresap's blog

I commended my servant Job and cited him even to the adversary as a positive example. As a result he was tried at higher level of rigor. At the end of this he was full of arguments and questions. I restored him not by answering his questions, but by asking questions of him that he could not answer. Did this seem like a harsh interrogation to you? I did it in love to restore Job to a sense of mystery and wonder. Do you think of the Christian faith primarily in terms of structured argument, precept upon precept? This is valid but so is the concept of the mystery of the faith. I want you to be filled with awe and wonder too. 

My word teaches you to stand fast in the liberty in which I have made you free. Do you see this as a rallying cry to cast off oppression? Do you see this as more of an internal or external problem? For the passage goes on to say, don’t be entangled again in the yoke of bondage. Doesn’t this suggest hindrances that originate within you instead of those imposed from without? If you examine your own experience and search your own heart, don’t you find that the greatest struggles you face come from inside you? When my apostle cried out, ‘who shall deliver me?’ he was dealing with his own shortcomings. I delivered him, and will do the same for you. 

Are you aware of your rights and prepared to defend them fiercely? There is a level at which this is appropriate. My word tells you to stand fast in the liberty in which I have made you free. Yet it also asks the question, what do you have that you did not receive? This implies that everything you have is a gift. There is a vast difference between these concepts. You can grasp for rights, but gifts should fill you with a sense of gratitude and humility. Which mindset do you think is more appropriate for my children? Even your liberty is a gift from me. Exercise it with a profound acknowledgement of the one who gave it to you. 

Do you understand that believers and unbelievers are subject to different pitfalls? Unbelievers are lost in darkness, but it is only believers who can grow weary in well doing and lose their first love. You can only grow weary in well doing if you are doing it, and those I corrected about losing their first love were busily engaged in church work. These are good things, but they can distract you from the best thing. I gently reminded Martha that Mary had chosen the better part, to sit at my feet and hear my word, and I would not forbid her. If you seek me first you can trust me to guide you to accomplish everything else that is really important. 

Are you judgmental toward those who smoke, drink, swear, or have tattoos? It is easy to criticize those who sin in ways that you do not. It may be that you abstain from these activities out of a reverence for me. Yet you can abstain from them and still not be judgmental toward those who partake or practice them. My word teaches that no man can serve two masters and that you are not to judge someone else’s servant. If you obey me you should be content to allow me to manage the spiritual growth of others. If you refrain from the judgment of other people’s sins perhaps they will not be judgmental of yours. 

If you encounter people discussing spiritual things and their doctrine is incorrect, do you find it offensive? Yet don’t most people discuss the mundane and material things of this world? If someone chooses to talk about spiritual matters can you see that I may be present and leading them to understand the truth? Look at this as an open door, and do not be eager to swing the sword of truth in judgment. I would not quench a smoking flax or break a bruised reed. Follow my example and be patient. Really listen to those you encounter and also to my Spirit, and I will open the door and give you the wisdom to win souls. 

Does anyone have the right to do wrong? What about those who have suffered themselves? Beware that you do not adopt the victim mindset of entitlement that you are in a privileged class because of the things you have suffered. The rules still apply to you. Don’t you have greater admiration for those who bear difficulties cheerfully with grace than for those who complain? How much less for those who use their afflictions as license for wrongdoing? Your trials come at great cost to you. Don’t throw away these costly opportunities for they have the potential for great value. Let them advance my work of righteousness in you. 

You have heard it said that blood is thicker than water, and this affirms the value of family relationships. You have responsibilities toward those related to you if for no other reason than family loyalty. Yet have you found your family members reluctant to affirm you or join you in your spiritual journey? Have you proceeded on to find those who are likeminded and sensed a stronger kinship with them than with your own family?

My word makes many references to the poor. Do you think this refers only to a lack of money? Yet don’t you know people who are financially secure and still have areas in which they lead a diminished life? Ill health may be the example that first comes to mind, but it is not the only one. People can be impoverished mentally, emotionally, and relationally as well. You understand that you are not to despise the poor. Extend this principle to cover every dimension of poverty, for you experience it yourself in some ways, and I am their defender and advocate. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God. 

Do you see your country as dominated by partisan politics, unable to govern effectively because of opposing powers? Do you favor one party over the other and feel frustrated that ‘your’ side cannot implement the solutions that would solve all the problems? Yet political struggles are not light versus darkness. What person or party even if given free reign would be able to solve the problems of society? Do not think that spiritual problems can be solved politically. It isn’t wrong for you to vote for godly candidates and be involved in righteous causes, but remember that you are a citizen of my Kingdom which is not of this world.