Dale Cresap's blog

I taught my disciples that unless a grain of wheat dies it abides alone, but if it dies it brings forth much fruit. I spoke of myself and I had a unique destiny that only I could fulfill. Yet this parable addresses a universal principle. My apostle Paul went on to describe the persecutions, infirmities, and afflictions that he suffered in serving me. So you see the same principle working in him, and he said death worked in him that life might work in his audience. Do you desire to serve me in a way that brings forth life in others? In what ways are you willing to let death work in you to bring it about? 

Do you understand that the Book of Job precedes the law and prophets and covenants, but addresses basic issues of faith that are still pertinent today? I provide you with blessings. What if they were to disappear? Would you still devote yourself to loving, adoring, and obeying me even in their absence? You describe your faith as a relationship with me. Job had this as well. Do you place ultimate value in it even if the secondary benefits go away? Job did and I commended him for it. This is a foundational issue that has not changed. All that has happened since in redemptive history serves to reinforce it. 

Do you think dignity and reverence are important qualities in worship? You can argue that they are desirable traits in all circumstances, but beware that you do not adopt cultural standards that are not in the Bible. David danced before me with all his might in a garment appropriate for dancing. His wife mocked him for his lack of dignity in the presence of his ‘inferiors’, but he defended himself saying his dance was for me, and that he was, in effect, just getting warmed up; he was prepared to go further. My response is not recorded, but her barrenness from then on may be taken as disapproval of her criticism. If you are inhibited in worship do not criticize those who are not. 

There is deep within the human heart a desire to win. This is obvious in commerce, military engagements, and politics. Even these are not enough so you stage athletic competition and other games as contrived contests to compare performance and identify a victor. Do you think this is consistent with Biblical principles? You are engaged in a spiritual struggle with an adversary determined to harm you, your loved ones, and innocent strangers. This is not a game or contrived contest. There are real consequences and your desire to fight and win should be equal to the stakes involved. My word promises that I cause you to triumph and I give you the victory. 

Do you see any value in suffering in silence? You live in a culture with a bias for immediate complaint and resolution of anything unpleasant. My word says that those who do their alms before men to be seen of them have their reward, but those who do their alms in secret are see by their Father in heaven who rewards them openly. Do you see how this principle can be extended to comfort and sympathy? Most are not willing to suffer without complaint. They seek comfort from others and get it. Yet there is a special level of comfort that only the Comforter can provide. If you are willing to suffer in silence I can help you in ways your friends cannot. 

Have you heard it said that misery loves company? Have you seen this in action? Have you had others seek out your company so they could complain at length, refusing any attempt of yours to minister grace and joy, and trying to drag you down with them? Have you ever done this to someone else? They may say that they want comfort, but they refuse comfort. You do not minister life to them by agreeing with and facilitating this. I met people in desperate circumstances. Did I ever give in to pity and commiseration? Do not mistake these for compassion and mercy. I ministered life and redemption to those who desired it, and commissioned you to do the same in my name. 

Do you like to get gifts? Who doesn’t? You like some gifts more than others, but you accept them with the understanding that they are for you. The gifts I give are better than those from anyone else, but the gifts I give you are not for you. They are for others. The gifts I give are special abilities you may employ to serve others. My prophets speak to others rather than to themselves. They are my messengers, employing the gift I give them to relay my message to others. The same principle holds for other gifts I give to equip you for ministry. Have I not called you to lay down your life and be the servant of all? It is more blessed to give than to receive. You will find joy in exercising the gifts I give you to serve others. 

Do you consider the pursuit of happiness to be the highest goal? Consider my servant Paul. Would you consider him to be happy according to the commonly accepted definition? He led a life of affliction and torment. Yet would he have cast aside the burdens and sorrows he carried for me? He did not consider them worthy to compare to the glory that would be revealed in him. The concept of happiness that your culture seeks is shallow and not consistent with Biblical principles. Who would seek to lose their own life to save it? Yet if you lay down your life and pick up your cross and follow me you will have eternal life, treasure in heaven, and true happiness. 

Do you have questions about your faith? Were you taught that this is wrong; that accepting what you don’t understand is an essential aspect of faith? I would rather that you came to me with honest questions rather than pretend they don’t exist. I want you to understand the difference between asking in faith and asking in doubt. If you come as my adversary demanding that I prove myself you will not get satisfaction. Yet I have more to teach you and this is a process that involves questions and responses. Come to me believing and in a teachable attitude. Ask, seek, and knock and you will get answers. 

You live in a culture obsessed with superficial beauty. You know this is vain, yet beauty is a desirable quality that can run deeper than the surface. What characteristics do you find most desirable in others? Do you find anything less attractive than those for whom nothing has meaning except as it relates to them? No amount of surface beauty will overcome selfishness and self-absorption. On the other hand, is anything more attractive than a sense of unselfconscious grace? Even if you feel yourself to be average or even below in superficial beauty you can develop this more important and enduring form of attractiveness.