Dale Cresap's blog

Does it bother you to watch the success of the wicked? Many godless people come to an early ruin without attracting much attention, but are you bothered by the few who gain the visible success of wealth and fame? I promise to provide for all and not all are godly. Yet you receive the greater gift. For you sought me for my own sake and I have revealed my heart and mind to you. Do you understand that this enduring treasure is greater than material stuff or the approval of men? Have I not promised to provide your material needs as well? Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. 

Have you ever had someone thank you for your kindness to them when you were unaware of any special effort to show them favor or consideration? Receive it gracefully. Perhaps it is in your character to treat them better than other people do. This is the result of my work in your life. My word poses the question, are not sinners kind to those who are kind to them? In like manner you make a deliberate effort to show kindness to your friends and those of high rank and others important to you. Yet by my transforming work in your life you are able to show the same courtesy to all, and be the children of your Father in heaven. 

My word teaches you that to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Do you think that a carnal mind refers only to thoughts of sinful things like greed and lust and hatred? It includes these and more as well. Have you ever tried to investigate the mysteries of my Kingdom within the limitations of your own intellect? Spiritual things are spiritually discerned; revealed by my Spirit. There are places I want to take you that the logical structure of human wisdom will not accept, yet you can receive them by revelation, by faith. Choose not to be offended by things beyond your understanding and I will increase your understanding to teach you of my Kingdom.

Have you ever gone on a treasure hunt? What about an Easter egg hunt? In the first case you quit looking when you find the treasure. In the second you look and find and keep on looking, because you know there is more. My word teaches you to seek and find. Do you think of this as a treasure hunt or Easter egg hunt? You know that I am the pearl of great price, and you begin with finding me. Yet I want you to think of your searching as an Easter egg hunt, for I have more for you to find. Search and keep on searching, and you will find and keep on finding. Don’t quit seeking when you find, for I have a lifetime of discovery available for you. 

Have you noticed that there are believers outside your circle of fellowship who read the same Bible and come to different conclusions on some doctrinal issues? There are major points of doctrine that are non-negotiable. To violate these is heresy. How do you handle the rest? Do you assume that the most righteous and Christlike person is the most exacting and narrowest in interpreting doctrine and in whom they will accept as a fellow believer? Isn’t it rather that the most Christlike person is the most loving, accepting, and inclusive? There are things you cannot yield. This should be a reluctant position after attempting conciliation rather than judgment. 

My word teaches you very clearly the importance of gratitude and a thankful heart. It is an inherent duty for every act of kindness and generosity, for everything you receive. You owe thanks to both God and men. You have devoted your life to serve me. Do you sense my gratitude for this? Do you think that I would expect anything of you I was not willing to do myself? I am thankful for your every expression of obedience, for your every sacrifice to me. I love a cheerful giver and am grateful for your gifts. If you are not aware of this now you will be at the end of the age when I commend you before the host of heaven as a good and faithful servant. 

Are all men brothers? You may only refer to those with similar beliefs as your brothers, but all have the same blood and descend from the same ancestor. Do you see differences between men beginning with the obvious distinction of race and extending to the less visible but more important distinctions of character and values? Yet all are made in my image and you share a common humanity. Are you your brother’s keeper? You should be, for my love that is shed abroad in your heart is not only for those with similar beliefs, but a light to shine for all humanity. I want you to have a heart of compassion for everyone, for in this sense every man is your brother and your neighbor to whom you owe a debt of love. 

How often do you pray? Do you feel guilty that it is not often enough, or for long enough, or fervent enough? Do you admire those who have an effective prayer life and feel unworthy in comparison? I did not intend for prayer to be competitive or another weary burden. Begin again in the simplest way, knowing that every aspect of your faith should flow from relationship with me. Therefore turn your attention to me when opportunity permits or you feel prompted. Share your joys and sorrows with me as they happen. Inquire of me for wisdom and guidance on the spot and you will get it. Instead of building a prayer life by a blueprint try growing it from seed. 

Have you met people whose anger is contagious? Don’t you find this to be true of angry people in general? They are eager to share their fury with anyone who will listen, if only to gain support and validate themselves, but their net effect is to stir up strife and contention. Yet have you also encountered those with an inner sense of calm who maintain it in spite of the turmoil around them? The gravity of their presence is also contagious and serves to calm the nerves of those around them. I said that the peacemakers are blessed. Do you assume that you must negotiate a peace treaty to qualify for this description? Your very presence may have more effect than you think, for you are my child.

I’m leaving town for a few days and expect to resume messages Tuesday.

You know that some factors are a negative influence on you and you are wise to avoid them. They can be locations, persons, or situations. You could call them snares, hindrances, or stumbling blocks. They may not be sinful in their own right, but they seem designed to exploit an existing weakness in you. Flee from them. Yet they have a positive counterpart. Don’t you notice that some factors are a positive influence on you, making it easier to walk in paths of righteousness? The innocence of children and the beauty of nature are possible examples, and they may act unaware of the effect they have on you. It is worthwhile to seek such things and to seek to be an agent of righteousness for others yourself.