Dale Cresap's blog

Have you discovered that you don’t have to go to very many church services before you hear a message about giving? What line of reasoning do you typically hear? That giving is a principle that unlocks blessings for you? That giving is the key to getting greater blessings? This is true at a certain level, but have you seen people respond to this in a way that is calculating and self-serving? What if there was a higher level of mystery to sowing and reaping? What if the blessing you received from giving was the development of Christlike character in your life? Can you see how this is a greater blessing than money coming back in greater measure? Would this make you more or less likely to give? 

Do you assume that you are ready for anything? It is not a part of the human condition to be able to make immediate dramatic changes in your thinking and behavior at will. It is helpful for you to understand this. I have a plan for your life. Do you think of this only as salvation? As important as that is, it is not the beginning of my work in you for I laid the groundwork for you to come to me. In my ongoing work in your life I continue to prepare you in advance for what I will do next. Even now can’t you look back and see how I prepared your heart for changes that seemed to occur suddenly? Trust me to continue and complete the good work I have begun in you. 

I said that I came to give life and life abundantly. Does abundance immediately make you think of money? I give you money, but the promise didn't refer to money in abundance, but life in abundance. Who wouldn’t want to have both? But which is greater? You have met people who were well-off, but were shallow, self-indulgent, and materialistic. You have also met people of modest means with generosity of spirit whose lives were rich and full. Which do you think describes me? Recall that the Son of Man had no place to lay his head. I want you to understand that the promise of abundant life is greater than the promise of money. 

Do you realize that you received the benefit of my sacrifice for you as something you could never repay? I’m not asking you to repay it, but does your gratitude toward me make you want to offer a sacrifice in return? What would be the greatest thing you could give? Are you prepared to die for me? To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Yet I ask something much more difficult of you. It is easy to depart and hard to remain, but you are called to be a living sacrifice, a living testimony in this world to the beauty and wonder of the Kingdom of God. That is your true home, but I want you to occupy here till I come. 

My word teaches you not to be judgmental. Do you think that this is an easy commandment to keep, so that if you don’t purpose in your heart to be judgmental it won’t happen? What is your default condition on this matter? Your mind is wired to think, to generalize, to complete the picture and fill in the blanks. Have you ever found yourself making connections you didn’t intend to make; stereotyping when it was not called for? Then you realize that you have to overcome a natural tendency in yourself to keep my commandment. Yet if you follow me and call on me, I will keep you from unrighteous judgment. 

Have you heard it taught that the early church was the most perfect form and the one that all future generations should strive to emulate? I taught my disciples a parable about wineskins, with the point that new wineskins would be necessary for new wine. The customs and traditions of their Jewish faith would not be adequate to accommodate the large influx of believers without a Jewish background. In like manner the church has spread around the world, but the same principle of new wine and new wineskins still applies. Do not look to the past, but look to me for a wineskin suitable for the wine I am serving now. 

Do you hate suffering and make a diligent effort to avoid anything unpleasant or uncomfortable? Do you understand that in so doing you may be opposing my work in your life? Have you considered those who have suffered great difficulties and yet borne it graciously? Can you see the high refinement of character in them? This is not attainable any other way. The same principles that worked in their lives apply to you too. I hold you in my hand at all times, but especially when you suffer, and I will not permit you to be afflicted more than you can bear. Do not oppose my work in your life.

You know that you are saved by grace rather than works. Does this make you think that correct doctrine is more important than good works? Consider the story told about a good Samaritan. The Samaritans were despised for their false beliefs. Yet in the story the proper religious people refused to render aid, while the Samaritan helped at his own sacrifice and expense. In like manner in the story of the sheep and the goats their destiny is based on actions rather than beliefs. I have called you to let your light shine before men that they may glorify me. This is more a matter of your actions than your doctrines. 

Have you heard people quote the passage ‘man does not live by bread alone’ in the context of a diet of a variety of foods? I know that you require a variety of foods. You can be sure of this when you observe the multitude of variety I have provided for you. Yet the context of this verse does not refer to your usual food for it goes on to say, ‘but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’. You need both physical and spiritual nutrition and I make both available. Are you as aware of the need for one as for the other and as diligent to obtain it? Behold the variety of spiritual nourishment I provide is even greater than that for your body. 

Have you ever loved someone who engaged in self-destructive behavior? It is rightly said that some people are their own worst enemy. Addictions and other social pathologies can cause people to take deliberate actions that are harmful to them. It can be frustrating for those who try to help them to realize that they love them more than they love themselves. Do not be surprised or discouraged if you find yourself in such a position. For such is my love for every person, including you. If you follow me you should expect to see the same dynamics in your life.