Dale Cresap's blog

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. 

I told my followers to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to do all I commanded. You refer to this as the Great Commission. Do you think it is the most important task assigned to you as a believer? I tell you it is more important to worship me. For in worship you enter and express the relationship with me that I made the ultimate sacrifice to make possible. When you make disciples of others you invite them to enter this same position with me. Should you consider the invitation of others more important than entering it yourself? You should desire to share this with others because you have found it to be so beneficial. It is your own worship of me that validates your motivation and desire to make disciples of others that they may experience it themselves. 

Do you find reassurance in familiar surroundings and habits? Perhaps these things provide more comfort than they should. The normal life of a believer is not static. I have called you to follow me, and this implies constant movement. This movement may be spiritual rather than physical. Yet you should be more suspicious of the danger of a life that seems unchanging than one in a constant state of flux. Do not be dismayed that you are called to a sojourn, for those on a journey have a goal and destination and can make progress toward it. If you seek my eternal city with foundations in the heavens you will find it, and I will not be ashamed to call you by my name. 

Are you familiar with the phrase ‘walking wounded’? This refers to those who are injured but still upright and functional. My servant Jacob lived before this was a common phrase, but he was a prime example. After his encounter with me he walked with a limp the rest of his life. How many do you know who are in the same condition? What about yourself? Even if you walk normally you may have in a larger sense some weakness that you have to deal with as a constant reminder of your frailty. If you examine yourself and your fellow believers you will see this is quite common. Even Paul had a thorn in his flesh I declined to remove. I told him that my grace was sufficient for him and it is for you too. 

Do you expect to hear from me often? Do you expect hearing from me to be a dramatic or even traumatic experience? I spoke to Moses as a man speaks to his friend. How do you converse with your friends? Isn’t this casual and easygoing, and nearly constant when you are in contact with them? I want you to have the same type of conversation with me that I had with Moses; that you have with your friends. Have I not called you friends rather than servants because of my willingness to reveal my heart to you? Come to me expecting to hear from me often and gently, and your abiding in me will be an ongoing conversation with me.