Dale Cresap's blog

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. 

Do you find that your days have a way of quickly immersing you in concerns? If you don’t get your day off to a good start with a proper perspective it is hard to get it back under control. The Psalmist said early in the morning will I rise up and seek thee, and he communed with his own heart upon his bed. It may seem that your time is not your own during the day, but if you give it to me when you first get up it will be mine and that is even better. Not all time is equal in availability or effectiveness. Give me the first of your time as you do the first of your money and I will bless the remainder to make it more effective. 

Do you think that tithing is a New Testament principle? You are right, but there is a still stronger principle about giving. Let each one give as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for I love a cheerful giver. Don’t give against your will because you are pressured to do so. Do you think there is a blessing that comes with giving? I want you to understand that you are already blessed or you would not have anything to give. If you comprehend this you will see your resources as an abundance from which to give. I spoke in my word of higher principles than tithing and said this you should have done without leaving the other undone. This is a general principle that applies to your attitude toward giving cheerfully as well as the amount.

In military organizations there is a clearly defined structure of command. Every soldier knows who his commander is, and every commander in turn knows who is over him. I encountered a Centurion and found his great faith remarkable. He knew about authority because he was under authority. Believers are also in structured organization called my church. Yet they are free to choose who is over them. Who else has such latitude in selection? Yet this is not a choice to make lightly, or for the purpose of your own ease and comfort. Those in positions of authority in my church watch for your souls and will give an account for you. You want someone who takes this responsibility seriously.