Dale Cresap's blog

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.

Do you love the fruit of righteousness? Do you hate the process by which you acquire it? Do you see any inconsistency between these positions? You know that apples and pears do not develop overnight. It is the same way with the fruit I produce in you. If you love the end product then embrace the way it is developed, even if it is difficult. Knowing the connection between the result and the method makes the process easier to take, and the fruit endures after the process is complete. How many mothers who love their babies enjoy the discomfort of pregnancy? Yet they choose it freely for the joy of bringing life into the world. In patience choose the path that leads to righteousness and walk in it.

I tell you that I am the living water and invite you to drink. I tell you that except you eat and drink the flesh and blood of the Son of Man you have no life in you. Does this bother you? Yet when you see the magnificent sights of nature or a stellar performance it is accepted terminology to say that you are drinking it in. if you can accept this concept for things that are visible and natural, then it is a small extension to apply it to things that are spiritual and eternal. In this case it is even greater – more profound and significant. Come to me all who are thirsty, and drink of the water of life freely. 

In an age of instant electronic communication and huge databases, are you concerned about who has access to your personal information? You can take steps to secure your data, but I still know the number of hairs on your head. You have an intense desire to be known, yet you have a justifiable concern that you not reveal yourself to anyone and everyone, for some would use your openness against you. You want to reveal yourself to those you trust, who love and care about you. This is a valid description of me, and you life is already an open book to me. I know more about you than you know yourself. Come and walk with me and one day you will know as you are known. 

Do you like to figure things out? You went to school to develop your reasoning ability. Do you like to receive revelation from me? I promise that my sheep know my voice. Which method of gaining understanding do you prefer? Does it seem like cheating to hear from me, like looking up the answers in the back of the textbook without working the problems? Yet you face problems that are beyond your ability to reason. You do not have all the facts that you need, and if you did you would still lack the ability to infer all the conclusions you need. There is no shame in getting the answers from me. Coming to me for them is an expression of your humility and trust in me. 

Are you familiar with the law of supply and demand? It is usually expressed in economic terms, that the price fluctuates according to these levels, but the same principle applies in other areas too. Have you noticed that the value of words diminishes where they are available in great abundance? I warned my followers against vain repetition in prayer and my word also teaches that I am in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Can you see how the same principle given for speaking to me can be applied to speaking to your fellow men? The right words spoken at the right time have tremendous impact. Don’t diminish such words by diluting them.

Have you ever heard of inter-service rivalry? In a nation with large military forces there can be tension and competition between the different branches of service. They compete for funding and prominence. In time of war the top commanders try to overcome this to make the different branches function effectively together, for each has a part to play, and they are all ultimately on the same side. There are denominations within my church. Do you see rivalry between them? Yet I have given each a mission to carry out, and all who declare allegiance to me should recognize that they are on the same side with others who make the same profession. Realize that you are involved in a real war, and that you are more effective if you fight in coordination and cooperation with others who are on the same side.

Is it OK to make mistakes? Everyone strives to avoid them. Those who follow me understand that my word is perfect and they are called to be perfect even as their Father in heaven. They understand that their mistakes may have eternal consequences, so the stakes are enormous. Does this put them in a stressful and impossible situation? I do not want you to be paralyzed with fear. I favor those who step out and act. I teach them even through their mistakes in ministry that they may learn to perform ministry effectively. Do not let the fear of mistakes be an excuse to prevent you from doing my work. It is too important to neglect. Peter walked on water before he sank, and doing nothing is the worst mistake. 

My word teaches you to take every thought captive. What then are you to do with these captive thoughts? Each one requires an appropriate disposition according to its source and type. To handle them properly you must understand where they came from. You do not generate all of your own thoughts. You generate some of them, some come from me, and some come from your adversary. The thoughts you receive from me you should embrace and pursue. Your own thoughts should be conformed to my word and my thoughts, and those from your adversary should be rejected outright. 

My word teaches you to love your enemies. How can you go about this? It also declares woe unto the world because of offenses, and particularly to those by whom the offense comes. Yet if someone else does something that could be considered offensive, it is still up to you to choose whether to be offended or not. You may say that you have a valid reason to be offended, but you can also be an agent of grace and refuse to take up the offense. In so doing you express love for your enemies by releasing them from the dire consequences of being the ones by whom the offense comes. Be kind to those who despitefully use you.