Dale Cresap's blog

You know better than to curse other people. Do you know better than to curse yourself? For it is not socially acceptable for you to curse others, but it is considered modest and humble to belittle or denigrate yourself as if to prove you are not boasting, yet this is not true humility. You are my child, and every parent hates to hear his children pronounce defeat or failure upon themselves. You can limit and disqualify yourself by making such statements and reap a bitter harvest of your own words. Don’t deny the reality of your family heritage that you can do all things through my strength within you. 

Do you understand the need for balance? Balance is not a middle position between excellence and mediocrity. In a physical sense balance keeps you from falling over one way or the other, and balance has a spiritual counterpart. Even unbelievers understand the need for balanced lives.  There are many situations in which there is a tension between two positions, and to do things exactly right you have to avoid excesses on both sides. There is a proper emphasis and time for everything. Ask of me and I will give you wisdom to achieve this balance. Learn to be comfortable with the dynamic tension that produces it. 

Do you think of survivalists only as those who acquire arms and food and build fortresses in the wilderness? My word says that I send rain and sun on the just and the unjust alike. I provide the blessings they need to live even if they live their lives apart from me. This probably includes most of those you know as neighbors even if they don’t have an apocalyptic vision. They are surviving on my blessings from afar rather than coming to me that they may have life. This may endure for a normal life span, but the end of it is still death. Even if they appear to be prosperous it will pass away. I want you to understand their true condition that you may declare the gospel to them that they may come to me and have eternal life.

I have given you my Great Commission to preach the gospel message to every creature. What are your ‘selling points’? For a dispassionate presentation is rarely effective. You want your audience to respond. Forgiveness of sin is central, but will this create a deep hunger to know me in an audience in darkness, not as aware as you are of sin and consequences? I heal and provide but will this be effective in reaching an audience that is not sick or needy? The universally appealing aspect of the gospel is that I am a God you can know. When you call I will answer. This is a word to bring forth hunger in the human heart for me, as I said, this is life eternal, that you may know me.

Are you familiar with the physical affliction of inflammation? You may have experienced tender swollen areas that are painful to touch and movement due to allergies or infections or other reasons. Medical science is beginning to understand the long term negative consequences of this. Do you know that it has a spiritual counterpart? Spiritual inflammation can occur without your awareness in the same manner as spiritual blindness as I was asked in scripture, are we blind also? Spiritual inflammation also has long term negative consequences. Examine yourself that you may remain in the peace that surpasses understanding.

You know the importance of forgiveness toward people who have offended you, lest you should become bitter. Do you think the same principle of forgiveness extends toward large abstract groups like governments or corporations? What about churches? Even if there is no designated individual to be reconciled to the principle of forgiveness still applies. It is just as important to avoid bitterness in the abstract as it is in a narrowly focused sense. This is more for your own sake than for the target of your wrath. If you refuse to carry the burden of bitterness it will restore your own soul. 

How highly do you value knowledge, education and understanding? These are highly rated in your culture. Yet there were two trees in the garden, and to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was the first mistake. The tree was desirable to make one wise, but it brought forth death because it caused separation from me. Do you take pride in the things you figure out for yourself? I didn’t intend for you to reason in isolation from me. My word invites you to come and let us reason together. Abide in me and I will share with you the riches of knowledge and understanding in my Kingdom, and lead you into all truth. 

My word warns of a great tribulation to come. This is in connection with the end of the age and you sense that the day is approaching. Are you worried about this or convinced that it will not affect you? Yet my people have been persecuted throughout history. I warned them that this would come for they persecuted me and the servant is not greater than his master. I promised that all who desired to live godly lives would suffer, yet at the same time told them not to fear the things they would suffer for they have my comfort during them and they are not worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed in them. Look up, for your redemption draws nigh. 

Are you fearful of being deceived? Deception is bad, but so is fear. You should not mindlessly open yourself to any thought or idea passing but should mindfully seek me and meditate on me. This requires you to be open to receive. If fear of deception causes you to close yourself off then you are cut off from revelation as well as deception. Have I not implied in my word that it is not possible to deceive my elect? My presence is a safe place in which you can relax and hear from me. You can trust me to guard you in this sacred space from any attack of the enemy. The more you are open to revelation the less you are susceptible to deception. 

Have you ever noticed some prominent gospel ministers who appear to think they get special indulgences on their own conduct because of the importance of the ministry they do? Have you ever had this thought about yourself? I care more about the condition of your soul and your personal holiness than I do about the work you are doing for me. In comparing the world and the Kingdom my Word poses the question, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Yet even within the work of the Kingdom my apostle was diligent that he should not be cast away after he had preached to others. 

Please pray for baby Lucas - 2 pounds 3 ounces.