Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever reconsidered something you have asked for in prayer? You should not look at this as a weakness or failing. The process of prayer is more than a matter of request and fulfillment. It is also a matter of learning my will and being conformed to it. You pray for my will to be done, so you must know my will to pray according to it. In logical sequence this should precede your fervent appeals. If you come to me and find me moving you in another direction you should be glad, for it shows that you are being changed into my likeness. Let me guide your prayers and I will be delighted to answer them. 

Do you know that I hear your prayers? Even those who do not have a saving knowledge of me have an innate sense that there is an all-knowing God who sees and knows everything, even the thoughts of their hearts. For believers this is an article of faith. Do you have the same deep conviction that you hear from me? Few are certain of this, but you describe your faith as a relationship with me and communication both ways is essential for that. You have my promise that my sheep know my voice. Yet even so you see in a glass darkly, but you also have my promise that one day you will see me face to face, and know as you are known. 

My word places a high premium on peace. Do you understand the value of it? Yet when you are faced with difficulties, do you immediately use whatever means are available to you to escape from them? Do you see a conflict here? The striving to be free of stress is itself stressful. I did not promise you a life free from stress and difficulty, but I did promise you peace. You may find that in some situations peace comes from acceptance even of unpleasant things rather than fighting against them. You can always imagine a life that would be more comfortable, but you may not be able to attain it. My apostle Paul learned contentment in all things. I want you to value my peace so highly that you learn it too.

When I drove a legion of demons out of a man his neighbors asked me to depart from their land. I left without argument. Do you understand that this is the worst prayer you can pray and the worst thing that can happen to you? They asked the author and source of life to leave them. They were not interested in what I had to say even though I performed a mighty miracle before them. Is it difficult for you to endure my transforming process in your life? Yet you keep coming back to me because you know that I alone have the words of life. I keep you in the palm of my hand and will never allow you to be subject to more than you can bear. Never ask me to depart from you.

Any honest parent of several children will admit that some children were more difficult to raise than others. Even good qualities such as energy and curiosity can make parenting a more demanding task. Yet conscientious parents of even a mischievous child will insist that this is not a bad child while a more compliant one is a good child. Do you think the same principle applies on a larger scale? You know that I am a good Father. Some of my children have a more difficult time with my commandments than others, and struggle with their growth and transformation to righteousness. Yet if the best of earthly fathers can accept difficult children and not declare that they are bad, how much more can your Father in heaven accept you?

Do you think there is one correct translation of the Bible? Some believers are passionate defenders of a particular text. The most common claim for validity is accuracy. Certainly this is a desirable quality, that the Bible you read in your own language conveys the same meaning as the original text. This is most important for settling finely nuanced doctrinal issues. Yet how often is it necessary for you to do this? Isn’t most of your Bible reading for edification, exhortation, comfort, and instruction in righteousness? For everyday purposes the best version of the Bible is the one you will read every day. Feast on my word and rejoice with your friend who also feasts on my word, even if it is a different version.

Have you noticed that some friendships diminish over time, so that if you get together with some old friends there isn’t much to talk about or much of a remaining bond because your lives have gone in different directions? Yet with others there is instant intimacy and rapport, regardless of your life circumstances and even if you have been apart for a long time, as if you had just parted? Friendships based on a particular activity wane if that activity is discontinued. Abiding friendships have a more solid foundation. I call you my friend, and if I am the center of your life, your other friendships that are based in me will endure.

Did you spend the first years of your life getting a formal education? This is a foundation upon which you build the rest of your life. What was the most important thing you learned? Your education does not or should not end when you leave school. It is the activity of a lifetime. Your early schooling should have equipped you to continue the process on your own, with the tools you need for inquiry and evaluation. But even with these you still need a curious and inquisitive nature to apply them. I want to show you the mysteries of my Kingdom. I want you to seek me that I may reveal them to you. 

You know that I am a sovereign God. I can do anything I want. Does this seem as a powerful and threatening thing to you? Yet I am not capricious or arbitrary. I always act according to my character and am consistent with my revealed word. Therefore you can always count on me to fulfill my written promises. Yet in my sovereignty I can treat you better than my promises require. I told you to go the extra mile for others. What I expect you to do for others I will do for you as well. I want you to see how my sovereignty always works in your favor that you may rejoice and adore me for it. 

Are you familiar with the concept of a plea bargain? Often a court will allow a defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid going to a full trial. As a part of the deal the defendant is required to make a full confession. Does it seem to you that this is an injustice; that the defendant is getting off easy? Yet these are the same terms that I offer you. It is my will that you do not sin, but if you do you have me as an advocate. As a part of the deal you must confess your sins, but if you do so you will be spared the punishment deserved. This is the good news of the gospel, and the best deal you will ever get.

[I'm leaving town for 10 days to visit family and will resume messages when I get back. DC]