Dale Cresap's blog

I have given you talents, abilities, and gifts. Do you think they are for you? I have given you the illustration of your relationship to others as members of a body. Every member of a body serves some vital purpose for the good of the whole. None exists in isolation, and none exists to serve its own interests alone. If you are gifted to write, it is so others may read. If you create beauty it is for others to enjoy. If you minister life, it is that others may receive life, even as you also receive life from them. You should be grateful for what I have given you and eager to use it. Be unselfish with it, for it is blessed to give.  

Do you have a mental image of me? Is it correct? Do you see me singing? This is how I rejoice over you and I am the Chief Musician after all. If your image of me is grim and austere then you will move in the same direction in error. I rebuked a wicked and slothful servant not because he failed to make money in the marketplace, but because he falsely accused me of being a hard man. Even though you see in a glass darkly I want your image of me to be correct, for that is the image you will be transformed into. If you do what you see me doing, then you should rejoice, for I rejoice over you. 

Do you have an inquiring mind? Do you investigate to find the underlying mechanisms that connect cause and effect? My word teaches you that your light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for you an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Do you understand how this works? Do not be discouraged if you can’t figure out the method by which this works, nor frustrated if you ask me about it and I don’t explain it. Would it be easier to go through the trials and difficulties of life if you saw how they were connected to some beneficial purpose? For now you can take comfort in knowing you have this on my good authority. 

My word tells you that you understand in part and prophesy in part. At this point you have a limited understanding. Do you realize that this applies to others as well? Even those with sincere devotion know the truth in part and others you encounter may know a different subset of the truth than yourself. Do you see how this can lead to conflicts? If you contradict one another you cannot both be right, but incomplete understanding of the same truth should not lead to contradiction or strife. I have called you to be lifelong seeker. Desire to interact with those who know things you do not, and learn from them, and I will lead you into all truth, and you shall see face to face, and know as you are known.

Do you understand the importance of unity? Yet before you can understand the importance of it you must understand what it is. For many have mistakenly assumed that unity requires uniformity, and have gained control over others to dominate and compel them into compliance. Yet true unity does not require this. It is more like harmony in music, in which all the different notes combine together to make a beautiful song. How interesting would music be if all the notes were the same? Yet it is possible to have different notes without common purpose. Look for the positive reinforcement and complement between yourself and others that you may be in true unity. 

Have you heard the old saying about fighting fire with fire? You notice that most conflicts are fought with roughly the same methods and tactics on both sides. But even so this saying doesn’t make sense. You know that water is more effective at fighting fire. Understanding this principle is important for you because you are engaged in a conflict. You have an adversary, but I tell you that the weapons of your warfare are not carnal. I tell you not to resist evil with evil, and not to respond in the manner in which you are attacked. Respond in the opposite spirit so that you turn the other cheek and overcome evil with good. This doesn’t make sense according to the wisdom of this world, but my presence changes everything and makes it not only possible but certain. 

My disciples asked me to teach them to pray. My response was what you now call the Lord’s Prayer. I was pleased with their question and pleased to respond. Have you ever asked the same question? Have you ever been uncertain as to how to pray yourself? I am pleased that you are willing to pray and as pleased for you to ask me this as I was with my original disciples. For you are also my disciple and I am eager to reveal to you how to pray in every situation. You don’t need to assume that the prayer that was appropriate for last time is the right one now. Begin your time of prayer by asking me for guidance and listening for my response. Then you can pray in confidence knowing you are in perfect harmony with my will. 

In the story of the prodigal son, the son asks for his inheritance while his father is still living so he can squander it far away. How rude and disrespectful! Amazingly the father grants the request. What kind of father would do that? Yet you know the father in this story represents God. How many of God’s followers place a higher value on his wealth and monetary blessings than they do on his presence? Do you see this behavior among your fellow believers? Does it surprise you that they want my money more than they want me? Does it appear that they get what they want? Perhaps this isn’t such an outlandish story after all. 

What do you think worship consists of? Is it something that only occurs in a church building, and then only during services and then only as led by someone with a designated office of worship leader? Worship is the primary distinctive of every Christian. As such it should not be so narrowly defined and practiced. My word tells you to make a joyful noise to me, so the standard of quality that I will accept can be met by anyone. If none are disqualified by a lack of talent then all that remains is to find a way to express worship and practice it regularly and consistently. This is your primary task as a believer. 

Do you understand prayer as a matter of asking and receiving? You have my promise to answer your prayers and give you whatever you ask for. You are also familiar with the parallel concept of knocking and having a door open in response. Have you ever had an answer to a prayer you didn’t pray? This is the equivalent of having a door open that you didn’t knock on. I am not limited to give you only what you ask for. I can intervene in your life in unexpected ways. Are you aware enough to realize when I am acting even when it is something you didn’t request? Be ready to walk through the doors I open for you.