Dale Cresap's blog

You know that I have a plan for your life. Do you see it in broad generalizations or in minute details? I do not give most people a view of their destiny far into the future. I have my own reasons why it is better this way, but your plan still involves intricate details and timing. Do not ask to be burdened with these far in advance, but walk with me in childlike trust that I will show you what you need to know when you need to know it. You cannot carry the whole plan and still remain in the state of peace to which I have called you. If you are content to leave the future in my hands you will find that I am good at logistics. 

Is there any place that you consider to be a safe haven, a refuge from the hazards and dangers of the world? Perhaps this is your home. But for a child the place of safety is not an address or geographical location, but in the presence of their parent. They want to be with them wherever they go for the security they provide. You can extend this concept to yourself as my child. There are spiritual dangers and hazards, but there is also a spiritual haven and refuge. You know I am with you always and you can follow me knowing there is no safer place than in the center of my will. 

Do you drive to your destinations with confidence that you know where you are going? You can even go somewhere you have never been before if you have a map that gives directions to your destination. You know better than to take a road that leads nowhere. Yet do you apply the same principle in other areas of your life? Have you ever entered a discussion of foolish and unlearned questions and ended up generating strife? Have you ever taken part in activities with predictable bad outcomes? If you follow a road you shouldn’t be surprised to go where it leads. Seek me for wisdom, discernment, and strength to follow me on the strait and narrow way of life. 

Have you ever made the statement about an entire group of people, such as a denomination, that they were saved or not? This is unwise and inadvisable. Can you even make such a statement about another individual? This is a declaration of profound consequences and not one to be made lightly. Only the author of the Book of Life can judge the thoughts and intents of the heart of someone else. You are not to say even in your heart, who shall ascend into heaven and who shall descend into hell. If you cannot determine this for a person how much less can you do it for a group? You can do and teach my commandments without entering into judgment. 

Do you think of yourself as courageous? Perhaps you think of courage as something only for soldiers in combat or those who must face hazards and threats to carry out some noble mission. Do you think that courage cannot apply to you if you don’t fit into one of these categories? I tell you that every person faces the pressure and temptation to present themselves as something other than what they really are. Have you ever tried to appear better than you really are to gain the acceptance and approval of those around you? How well did this work? Every person has the opportunity to live courageously in openly being the person I created them to be. 

My word gives the account of many battles in the Old Testament, and there are martial metaphors in the New Testament. You also have enemies. Who are they? Do you think of people who are not saved are your enemies? Yet you are called to carry out the Great Commission, so you should not think of potential converts as enemies. This is true even of those who oppose you, even as I prayed to my Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. So those who reject you are in darkness, even as you once were. You may think of those who have not received the light of truth as captives of your real enemy. Blessed are those who rescue them. 

Do you sense a different spiritual climate in different places, and notice that some places are full of oppression? You are surrounded by an unseen spiritual realm and you are correct to realize that every area has a spiritual climate as well as a meteorological one. Yet you are not called to run and hide from your adversary. Prudence and discretion are important so neither should you charge headlong at him without direction from me, yet there is another reality you should also be aware of. You bear my presence within you so you influence the spiritual climate wherever you go, so let your light so shine before men that they may glorify me. 

Have you experienced the pain of rejection? You may think you will gain acceptance if you are good and rejection if you are not, but you can suffer rejection for righteousness. This is harder to understand, and both experiences are painful, but isn’t it better to suffer for doing well than for doing evil? In this case you have my comfort and consolation. In either case you are not free to reject those who reject you. They may not be on the same path you are, or not as far along. It took you a long time to get where you are. Perhaps you rejected others who were further than you when you first started. Give grace to others where they are as you would have them do to you. 

Have you ever heard the gospel message presented in such a way that drove away potential converts? This is not the right way to carry out the Great Commission. Yet my first followers prayed for great boldness in presenting my message. Have you seen arrogance pass for boldness in evangelism? Yet the most effective tool you have in reaching the lost is the winsome quality of Christlikeness. After all, it is your task to draw people to me. Is there a way that you can be both bold and have a humble spirit and a contrite heart? Yes. It may not be obvious how to meet both criteria at once but there is a way. He who is wise wins souls. Ask me for this wisdom.

Do you suffer rejection from others? You are not free to reject them in return. For I said that even sinners love those who love them, but you are called to a higher standard, to love your enemies, to pray for those who mistreat you. Others may be offended at you, but I don’t want you to be offended at them. The love that you are called to display begins with acceptance. You can do this for sinners without approving of their sin or compromising your own righteous conduct. Have you noticed that those who practice a deep walk with me become less judgmental rather than more so? Blessed is he who is not offended with me.