Dale Cresap's blog

I came to give you abundant life. Do you think there is a worldly version of the same thing, accomplished without me? You see people who are famous because of their wealth and prominence, even because of their creativity, initiative, influence, and contributions to society, even if they have no apparent trust in me. Yet I also posed the question, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul? For I am the only one who can provide abundant life both in this world and the world to come, and he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than the wealthiest and most famous in this world. 

Are you leading the life you imagined for yourself? Blessed are those who know their destiny from an early age. Yet for most there is a difference between your first desires and the life you now lead. Do you live with regret and longing for what you had hoped for? Does this prevent you from enjoying the fullness of your current life? It is double-minded to lead one life in reality and another in your mind, and there is a special type of bitterness in trying to embrace something that does not exist. How can I bless something like this? I want you to live in the present reality see my hand in it that it may be an abundant life for you. 

Do you think of a minister as the leader of a church? Churches have leaders, but everyone is or should be a minister. There are special gifts called out for leaders for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. Someone has to be in charge and direct traffic, but the performance – audience model of church is not Biblical. Let everyone bring a Psalm or hymn or teaching in the expectation that it will be welcome and they will have a chance to share. Even those in authority should be thought of as brothers rather than masters and should consider themselves as such. The greatest minister is the servant of all. 

Are you familiar with the concept of delayed gratification? Do you ever wonder if the sacrifices you make for me are worth it? How much more could gratification be delayed that to look forward to a reward that you will not receive in this lifetime? My people have been strangers and sojourners in this world because they could see a heavenly city afar off. Can you? This is the trial of your faith and patience that are so precious to me. Your present trials and afflictions, which are but for a moment, are not worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed in you. This is my reward for my good and faithful servants. 

Have you ever done something casually that turned out to be an offense to someone else? Perhaps you were not even aware that it caused a problem. If others do such things to you does it create a vivid and enduring memory? Does it seem unfair to you that offenses that can occur so easily have such a negative impact? I said woe unto the world because of offences, and for good reason. Do you think of blessings as things you get? Can a blessing be something you get rid of? Come to me with your hurts and painful memories. Part of my redemptive work in your life is to release you from these things, to take away your burden of cares and woes.

How can you walk in this world and remain pure? I have called you to come out from among them and be separate. Yet it is not feasible for you to isolate yourself completely from the culture around you. It is necessary for you to work and trade in the commercial world, and this can bring you in contact with some impure influences. How do you reconcile this dilemma? To the pure all things are pure. If you diligently seek me I will protect you so that you can conduct your necessary business in this fallen world and remain undefiled by it. The light shines in the darkness and dispels it. Let your light shine before men that they may glorify me. Overcome evil with good.

Do you assume that a sense of community is difficult to achieve in a large church, and that it comes automatically in a small group? There is nothing automatic about a sense of community in any group, large or small. Have you ever heard of a group of people being in the same boat? This is a metaphor for community, but at the most basic level it just means that they will arrive at the same place and the same time, and they share the hope that the boat will not sink. A true community of believers requires more than this. I draw together members of enormous diversity into my body, giving them unity in my own identity, a common destiny and purpose, and deep involvement with each other.

Do you think of loyalty as a highly rated virtue? Many will pride themselves on how many years they have belonged to a particular church. Do you think it is possible to have a distorted sense of loyalty? Obedience to me is a higher principle. There is no virtue is remaining committed to something when I am calling you to move on. My word uses the clear imagery of a walk and a journey with me, running the race set before you as my follower. This implies a moving and dynamic relationship. Yet do not think of this only in terms of church affiliation. I can call you to move on even as you remain in the fellowship where I have placed you. 

Do you hate it when people interfere in your life? You would prefer to solve your problems on your own, but there are some problems that are too big for you to solve on your own. The next best thing is for you to seek help by your own initiative, but what if you lack the willpower or humility or moral resolve to do that? If your friends love you they will intervene in your life without your request or permission. Woe unto the world because of offenses, but it is more important to remain on the path that leads to life, so this is an extreme case in which it is worth it to take the risk. Blessed are those who are not offended with those who correct them unto righteousness. 

Do you do what you should do or what you want to do? There is a human tendency to do what you want to do and explain it in terms of supporting reasons and arguments to make it sound like what you should do. Perhaps this involves more effort than is really necessary. Why do you go to church? Can you come up with reasons why you should whether you want to or not? How effective is this in encouraging your friends to join you? David was glad when his friends said let us go to the house of the Lord. The heart has reasons it cannot explain, but they are still valid. If my Spirit draws your heart to fellowship, it is reason enough.