Dale Cresap's blog

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.

I told my disciples that I had other sheep who were not of this fold. I spoke this to them concerning you. They were not prepared to accept that my salvation plan extended beyond the Jewish community to encompass the whole world. Now you have become a part of the religious establishment of your own generation. I still say that I have other sheep who are not of this fold. Now I speak it to you concerning others. Are you in a better position to accept this truth than my original disciples were? I am once again preparing to open the doors of my church and I want you to be prepared to greet and welcome these other sheep.

Do you view the gospel in terms of legal arguments, such as the sufficiency of the atoning blood sacrifice as the basis for your entry to heaven? Do you present it to others the same way? The gospel is valid from this perspective because I am just and it is not in my nature to disregard rigorous requirements. Yet you spend more of your time with friends than in a court room, and so do I. You think of your faith as primarily relational and you are right. So in the end it is not so much that I have to accept you because of legal requirements but I want you because you are my friend and I love you. 

Do you live according to the light that you have, in obedience to my word as you understand it? This is commendable, for to do less is to violate your conscience and live in darkness. Yet while you do this I want you to know that I am larger than your understanding, and even now more accepting and inclusive than you imagine. I shocked the world by accepting those outside the religious establishment. Even my own followers assumed that this new way was only for the Jews. They didn’t comprehend that I had other sheep who were not of this fold. Do you? Are you prepared to accept them? 

Do your dreams make sense to you? Are you inclined to dismiss them if they don’t have an obvious meaning? Does the control panel of a nuclear reactor make sense to you? Yet you know it provides meaningful information to someone even if it doesn’t make sense to you. The essence of learning is realizing you have a lack of understanding and seeking to gain the knowledge to fill it. There are several examples in my word of those who knew they had meaningful dreams but didn’t understand them. They put considerable effort into seeking an interpretation until they found it. If you seek you will likewise find. 

Do you take your dreams seriously? This is not considered appropriate in a rationalistic age. Yet you read the Bible and find that everyone took their dreams seriously and they were correct in doing so. They considered dreams to be a valid form of spiritual guidance and they were right. Do you think this was valid in Bible times, but not today? When did it change? I made a promise long ago that I would pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and dreams were a part of this. This referred to a future time. Do you think the fulfillment has come and gone? If you are prepared to seriously examine your dreams I am prepared to speak to you through them.