Dale Cresap's blog

Do you see my hand at work in your life in the many blessings you receive? Blessed are those who recognize the source of their blessings that they may be grateful for them. Do you also see my hand at work in your life in things you find painful and unpleasant? This is a more difficult challenge, but if you recognize my ultimate goodness you can see value even in painful things. Joseph refused to become bitter at the mistreatment he got from his brothers and after many years of patient endurance he said that what they meant for evil God used for good. Blessed are those who understand and walk in this. 

Have you heard of an easy activity described as a walk in the park? You may not describe the Christian life this way, but how about a walk in the garden? This is what I did with Adam, and what is available to you by the redemption I offer. Would you argue that you don’t live in a paradise? My creation is still good, and when you encounter the fallen aspects of it I offer you a transcendent life where you can live above it all even in the midst of the pain and sorrow that this world brings. Have you learned that who you are with is more important than where you are? I want you to see that my presence with you creates paradise wherever you are. 

My word promises that you can have whatever you ask for in my name. Have you found that it is not quite as easy as this suggests? Perhaps there are good reasons for this. Some things you want are not good for you. A wise parent considers a child’s best interests above their immediate desires, and I am wiser than any earthly father. Have you not already asked for things that you later reconsidered? I could see before you could the wisdom of withholding it. You have your desires and I have mine. The process of maturity involves yours being conformed to mine. Be patient while they converge. 

My disciples assumed that faith was tribal and ethnic. I told them that I had other sheep who were not of this fold, but even after my crucifixion and resurrection they didn’t understand. This issue became the first crisis of the church, for them to get the message that I was the savior of all mankind, and to preach the gospel to every creature, and to accept into fellowship all who responded. Do you understand this? You may observe that if people practice any faith it is the one in which they were raised. I died for them as well, even if their current faith won’t acknowledge it. Declare the light of my love to them that they may be released from darkness. 

Do you know how to worship? I declared that the correct way was in Spirit and in Truth, for the Father seeks such to worship him. This is an open door to a great variety of methods and at the same time a narrow restriction on intent and purpose. For this reason you should not judge someone else in their manner of worship, for two people may do something that appears identical yet for very different reasons. In like manner I want your objective in worship should be to please me rather than those around you. I say this to liberate you from the fear of and expectations of others. You cannot serve two masters, and I am not difficult to please. 

You are familiar with my Great Commission. What approach do you use to carry it out? Do you find that the sales pitch method is the accepted standard, involving a forceful presentation, answers to every question, and as much pressure as necessary to close the deal? This may work in the world of commerce, but are you uncomfortable with it or have you found it to be ineffective in evangelism? If so, you may approach your audience with the understanding that I am already at work in their lives to prepare the ground for the planting of the word, and present yourself as a sojourner on the path to life even as you deal with questions and issues of your own. 

Behold I come quickly. This was my last word to my followers. Are you looking for my imminent return? Are you ready for it? Many lifetimes have come and gone since I was here. Many have predicted the time of my return and seen the dates come and go without event but I still insist that I am coming quickly. I told a story of a king travelling to a distant land and leaving his servants in charge in his absence. Those who thought he would be gone a long time behaved badly but those who anticipated his return were blessed. Set your calendar aside and live each day motivated by the expectation of my return. 

Do you divide the world into those who are good and those who are bad, with those who are bad and pretending to be good the worst of all? I had no tolerance for hypocrites, but the world is not this simple, and you are not called to make these judgments. Have you not seen impulses for both good and evil in yourself? You can conclude that they are present in others as well and my word gives many examples. It is not for you to decide which of multiple manifestations is the ‘real’ expression of someone else’s identity. Judge yourself rather than others and trust me who can see the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

What do you look for in a church leader? My word says that the rulers of the gentiles exercise authority over them, but it is not to be so among you, for your leaders are to be servants. In the world of commerce there are ‘celebrity’ executives who rule with strong personalities. Even in this realm they are not the most successful, even though people are attracted to them. Are you attracted to church leaders who have charisma in this sense? My word lists the qualifications for those who would lead my church and it says nothing about popularity and personal magnetism. It does speak to demonstrated character and stability. Look for these qualities in church leaders. 

My word teaches you to desire the greater spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. Do you think that these gifts are no longer practiced, or that there are only a select few who can make confident correct assertions about future events? Many who claim to do so are wrong, but you do not need to take such a narrow view of prophetic gifting. This gift involves more than foretelling future events. I promised that my sheep would hear my voice. If you take what I tell you and declare it to others in my name and in obedience to me, then what more could I ask of you in the exercise of prophetic gifting?