Dale Cresap's blog

Have you heard that the streets of heaven are paved with gold? My word doesn’t give a complete description of heaven, but it does describe a place of magnificent wealth and beauty. Do you find this to be the most appealing aspect? For it also is a place with the tree of life and the waters of life. You have counterparts for wealth in your world, but you do not have counterparts for these. My word says that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart imagined the things that I have prepared for those who love me, but the closer you walk with me the more you will imagine them in spiritual rather than material terms. 

Have you heard that 90% of life is just showing up? There is an element of truth to this, and the actual percentage may be higher. Do you desire spiritual gifts that you may prophesy or minister in some other way to be a great blessing to my people? Do you seek out places and situations where there are opportunities to do these things? The first word in the great commission is ‘go’. Being in the right place is the first prerequisite. If you show up in faith with eagerness and expectation I will meet you there. Step out and you will be amazed at how easy it is to do the works of God. 

Your culture has an obsession with beauty. It is highly regarded and everyone wants to present themselves as attractive, even if only to obtain the benefits from a favorable superficial appearance. Have you heard it said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Some people have the ability to see beauty where others cannot. This is a rare gift that they can share with others to enable them to see more than surface beauty. I make all things beautiful in their time. You can minister life in my name by seeing spiritual beauty at a deeper level than others, and declaring it and bringing it forth. 

Can you make a clear distinction between your real identity and the image you present? You may feel like being selfish and irresponsible but when the time comes to act you do what you know you should instead of casting off restraint. Do you think that your first impulses are the ‘real’ you and that you are being false by not following them? Would being more sinful make you more honest? I told of a son who said he would do his father’s will but didn’t, and his brother who said he would not, but repented and did it anyhow. Was he being dishonest in doing his father’s will? What you do is a more accurate indicator of who you are than what you feel, even if you have internal struggles. 

I created the world out of nothing but you may observe that since then I usually start with something, no matter how small and insignificant. I have performed great miracles using a few loaves and fishes, the jawbone of an ass, or a wooden rod. I have commissioned you to present the gospel to every creature. Do you see how the same principle applies here? You may think the most difficult challenge in witnessing is the conversion of a hard core atheist, but how many of those do you meet? Paul preached in a city with an idol to the unknown God. He used this as a starting point to declare the gospel. If you lack wisdom to win souls ask of me and I will give you a point of entry from which to share my plan of salvation. 

Did you come to me thinking that I would give you an easy life? Did you find you were mistaken about that? Yet I do give you a life with meaning and purpose. Can you see that this is better? Who wouldn’t want an easy life? Yet how many people do you know who can earn a living without maximum exertion, have some free time in which to enjoy luxuries, and do not face imminent war or plague that nevertheless are forlorn and uneasy because they can’t place their own lives in a greater context of meaning? Do you find peace in knowing that I provide for you? Yet there is an even more basic reality in the lives of my children, that I give them an identity, an eternal perspective and foundation of purpose, meaning, and destiny. 

Do you wonder if I care what you think? I don’t ask because I already know, and I am not eager to substitute your thoughts for mine because as the heavens are high above the earth so are my thoughts above yours. This may lead you to think that I don’t care what you think, but I do. For I care about your wellbeing and peace, and as you think in your heart, so you are. Your thoughts determine your future and I want you to have a good one. My thoughts toward you are of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. I am willing to share them with you in revealing them to you by my Spirit. Seek me and hear my voice to know my thoughts toward you. 

What are the qualifications of a leader in the Kingdom of God? For the gentiles love to exert authority over one another and be recognized for their offices, but it is not to be so among you. Do you look for certain qualities in a leader, such as shrewdness, decisiveness, and communication skills? Do you look for the same qualities for leaders in commerce, politics, and my church? These skills may be helpful but I have selected leaders without them. How do you select leaders when the values of the Kingdom are to become childlike and be a servant? My Kingdom is one of love.

Are you aware that the Old Testament prophecies of my coming were so specific and detailed that they identified me uniquely of all the inhabitants of the earth for all time? You can see this looking back, but how many were able to see this looking forward? No one identified me in my own time by the prophecies, but I was revealed directly to a select few. No one was able to look forward, or more to the point, see what was right in front of them. Yet Peter was blessed in knowing who I was, for flesh and blood had not revealed it to him, but my Father in heaven. Do you trust in your ability to interpret the prophecies of my return? Blessed are those who watch for me.

Have you ever been in a crowd of strangers in an unfamiliar place? Did it make you feel uneasy? If you then caught sight of your familiar friend did you find it to be comforting? This happens even when there is no direct exchange between you and your friend. Your very knowledge of their presence is soothing. Do you notice the same benefit from my presence? For I have promised to be with you always, even unto the end of the age. Even if I don’t speak, do you find comfort in knowing I am with you? You have never known my absence for comparison, yet I want you to walk in the awareness of my presence to know the peace and comfort I bring.