Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever been in a group of people with some of them talking about a subject only they were familiar with? Did you feel excluded? This is considered bad manners in polite company. It is more gracious to find topics of conversation that are inclusive. Do you talk about the Kingdom of God? This is a topic that applies to all whether they have an expressed interest in or knowledge of it or not. Then they that feared me spoke often to one another and a book of remembrance was written before me of those who thought upon my name. Fulfill my Great Commission by including others in this conversation. 

Computers have made possible a virtual world. Games and other scenarios can be presented in a way that looks realistic, but for which there is no corresponding reality. As a Christian you believe in a spiritual world. This is a world that is not visible, but for which there is a corresponding reality. It is important that you not confuse these concepts. Being engrossed in a virtual world is an escape from the real world, but it is false. Yet it is not enough to live in the “real” world without regard for the reality of the spiritual world. He who is spiritual judges all things, and understands the present world and the world to come. 

Do you live with regrets? Is there a sense of sorrow in your life for choices made and not made, for broken relationships and years lost? Do you understand that I came to redeem you from sin and give you salvation? This is the beginning of eternal life, but it is not the only aspect of my redemptive work. I came to make all things new. Do your losses seem permanent and unrecoverable? Turn to me rather than living in regret and see how my redemptive work can be applied to your situation. What you think of as impossible is what I think of as a miracle. Job was ruined in every aspect and I restored him more than he had before and I will do the same for you. Look to me even to redeem the years that were lost.

Do you care about correct doctrine? You do and you should. Do you care about fulfilling the great commission? The Bible is as clear about this as about anything, and you are to do and to teach my commandments, but the people to whom you present the gospel message don’t care about doctrine. They are in darkness. That is why it is so easy for cults to recruit members. They are not prepared to hear your message of truth until they see your message of love. Ask any believer you know what drew them to me. How many were on a quest for correct doctrine? How many were hungry for some expression of love and acceptance, mercy and grace?

Do you think of shame as a useful concept? The Psalmist asked that he not be ashamed, and you have my promise that those who believe on me shall not be ashamed. Yet the awareness of causes of shame can serve to guide you away from them. This may be a negative motivation, but if it serves to keep you on the strait and narrow way, then it serves a useful purpose. Just as the law is a schoolmaster to bring you to me, so shame is a caution to keep you from evil. It is not something I desire for you, so I gave you a conscience that you may anticipate shameful things and avoid them. Keep your conscience clear and sensitive and strong and you will never be ashamed.

Are you surprised at the quality of popular music? Things that appear to have no appeal can gain wide acceptance quickly. This is not merely a matter of taste. People will listen to music that speaks to them no matter how good or bad it is by measures of musical integrity. Therefore popular music is an indicator of the state of culture and society, for better or for worse. What sort of music speaks to you? For that is an indicator of the state of your soul. As I have taught you to think on those things that are pure and lovely and true, so you should make the same choices in what you listen to for they will influence you. 

You can find me in a church. Can you also hide from me in a church? You know that in an absolute sense you cannot hide from me anywhere. Yet can you become involved in church programs or service in such a way that you neglect your central relationship with me? My church is not meant to be a substitute for an inner spiritual life, but an extension of it. When you come together, let everyone have a teaching or song or something else that you have received from me. Then your coming together will be an expression of the overflow of your individual lives for the edification of the entire body. 

Do you notice that some people are highly attuned to other people, and sensitive to their moods and feelings? This is a valuable trait in dealing with people, and gives them an advantage over those who cannot sense these things. Yet this does not necessarily mean that these same people are sensitive to me. In comparison it is more important to be aware of me, for only I can lead you into all truth. If you need guidance about a human relationship I can give it to you. He who is spiritual judges all things, and does so with righteous judgment. He who has an ear, let him hear. 

You know that observers are those who watch. This has the connotation of someone who does only that and is not directly involved. Yet this term has a stronger definition as well. To observe the speed limit it is not enough to watch the sign as you drive past it. In this case observation also requires obedience. Scientists pride themselves on being detached and dispassionate observers, but this is not a desirable choice for you. You will choose to obey or disregard my commandments. Don’t turn away and slide into a bad choice by default. Choose this day to observe all that I have commanded you. 

Do you want to have a blessed life? Who would decline something like this? Yet what does this mean to you? Do you think that a blessed life is one with no trials or difficulties? To think this way is misunderstand and to set yourself up for a life of misery. Yet a blessed life is available to you if you are willing to take a more mature view of what it means. Your hardships are a part of it. Yet even in them you have my presence to comfort and console you and lead you in paths of righteousness. Even then you have a sense of purpose and destiny, an eternal framework in which to place your experience. The opposite of a blessed life is not one without pain, but one without meaning and purpose.