Dale Cresap's blog

Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Have you noticed that people in a group tend to think alike, and serve to reinforce one another whether they are right or not? You can see the risk from immersion in an unbelieving culture that does not share your faith and values. Can you see that this could be a problem even in a church? Is it possible that the believers you commonly associate with have a narrower view than I do? I told my followers that I had other sheep who were not of this fold. This was a struggle for them at the founding of my church and the same principle and struggle still apply today. I want you to accept all who are my sheep that there may be one flock under one shepherd. 

Parents understand the frustration of having kids who are picky eaters. They provide them with nourishing food, but the kids would prefer junk food. They are reluctant to try anything new and unfamiliar. You can see how the children would benefit by being more open minded and adventurous. Can you see the same thing in yourself? I said that those who hungered and thirst after righteousness were blessed because they would be filled. Are you hungry in this way? Are you hungry enough to look beyond your familiar close circle of believers? I have more to teach you and you won’t find it looking in the same places you have looked before. Spiritual hunger is a blessing that will drive you to the fullness of the abundance I have for you. 

Are you praying for a certain person to come to me or return to me? Perhaps you have raised your own children in the faith and they have departed from it. You may remember a time that they gave their lives to me. Even more importantly, I remember, but it doesn’t bother me for you to remind me. My claim upon them will follow them even into the world of darkness and despair. I called fishermen to follow me and told them I would make them fishers of men. I was able to make this call to them because I had the ability to catch men and I still do. I have a line on your loved ones and I’m reeling them in. 

I teach you to pray in faith believing that you shall have whatever you pray for, and promise to give you those things you ask for. Have you ever had me answer your prayer and been surprised by it? What does this imply about the level of faith in which you asked? You should be surprised when you don’t see answers, even though you may have to wait for them. I am patient and I teach you to be patient through the process of persevering in prayer. I work all things through the counsel of my will, yet I am moved by the petitions of my people. I hear the cries of my elect and will avenge them speedily even if I bear long with them. When the Son of Man returns will he find faith on the earth? 

You know that freshness is a desirable quality for food. Have you noticed that people can be either fresh or stale as well? Some people seem to have a greater measure of the newness of life within them, and this quality doesn’t always correlate with age. I promised that those who came to me would have rivers of living water flowing forth from them. Living water is not visible, but the effects of those who partake of it are clearly manifested and obvious to all. The gift of life I offer you is one of continual renewal. Think of yourself as a conduit for continual flow rather than reservoir for holding and you will always have fresh living water from the source.

I command you to let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify me. I also command you to come out from among them and be separate. Do these seem contradictory to you? Do you take this to mean that you are to avoid contact with the sinful people in the world? Yet how then would your light shine on them? What was my example? I was called the friend of sinners. This was true and I was not ashamed to be. I was not contaminated by them and they did not hinder or divert me from my destiny. You may face the same situation in which decent people with an apparent concern for you may hinder you from finding your destiny in me more than contact with sinners.

Have you heard that revenge is best served cold? This is a violation of two of my commandments. Vengeance is mine rather than yours, and you are not to let the sun go down on your wrath. Do you think that I am doing an acceptable job of executing vengeance on your behalf? Do you think that I should act more quickly and severely? Are your enemies getting more lenient treatment than they deserve? Yet when you accept the principle that vengeance is mine you forfeit the right to make such judgments. It is one thing to love mercy extended to you, and another to love mercy extended to your brother who has offended you. I delight in mercy, and in those who delight in mercy for all.

You understand the importance of mercy and grace. Do you understand the difference between them? It is merciful that you do not get the punishment you deserve. This is necessary for the forgiveness of your sins in salvation. Grace is unmerited favor. It is the gift of the good things you do not deserve. It is by grace that I equip and enable you to serve me effectively. Do you see how these things are both beneficial and work together in your life? I did not save you to set you aside in a redeemed but static condition. I have greater plans for you. Receive mercy and grace from me that you may walk in the fullness of the abundance of your destiny. 

Do you have compassion for the poor? It is tragic for any to perish for lack of food, and those who minister to those in need are blessed for it. This is a central theme of Christian service. Can you imagine anyone starving even when food is available? This is incomprehensible because hunger is such a strong motivator. Yet how many are starving spiritually even though they know that I am the Bread of Life? Blessed are those who deliver this bread to those who are in darkness and are unaware of the gospel. Blessed are those who stir up the complacent and remind them to be nourished in me. 

Do you think that you are low-maintenance as a believer if you do not ask for much in prayer? You have seen the excesses and abuses of those who ask for much out of greed and self-indulgence. Yet their error is not in asking for much, but the purpose and intent of their heart. In the context of seeking my will to advance the Kingdom of God you cannot ask for too much, and moderation here is not admirable. Have you noticed the audacity of those in the Bible and others who did great things for me because they asked for great things? I was pleased with them and their great faith. The principle of asking and receiving works at any scale and magnitude.