Dale Cresap's blog

Do you find that everyone wants to be considered attractive, and makes some effort to present themselves favorably? Yet even those who find acceptance for their appearance would rather have acceptance for their mind than for their body. The mind is more enduring than the attractiveness of the body, and also closer to your true identity. Yet even minds age and decline, but you still love and relate to your friends and family in their declining years. The spirit is even more enduring than the mind, and is the true essence of your being. Learn to live in the awareness of your own spirit and to know others in the spirit for this is the greatest reality. 

Do you value your freedom of speech? Some countries make this an explicit right and others do not, but in reality no one can prevent you from saying what you want. The consequences may be different, and there can be unpleasant consequences for inadvisable statements even if speech is free. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and this applies to believer and unbeliever alike. You will prosper or fail and even live or die according to what you say. Have you noticed that people who control their speech do better than those who do not? Let your words be of life and grace and you will eat the fruit thereof. 

Have you ever suffered afflictions in a situation that you were unable to share with your friends because to do so would be ungracious toward other people involved? I taught my followers to pay their alms in secret that their Father in heaven would reward them openly and in like manner for prayer and fasting. Those who sought approval from men already had their reward and by implication missed out on a heavenly reward. Suffering is also a part of the Christian life. Don’t you admire those who suffer in silence? Even if you don’t complain to your friends I am aware of your situation and if you suffer in secret I will comfort you more than they ever could. 

My word assures you that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Do you find your prayers to be more effective when you have a personal emotional investment in them? Perhaps this is not because of the effect it has on me, but because of the effect it has on you. An emotional attachment serves to motivate you. It focuses your attention and sustains you to persist as long as it takes to pray it through. Do you find that you cannot obtain fervency at will? Ask of me and I will give you fervency for the prayer burdens I assign or you request, and your prayers will avail much.

Do you find it difficult to be thoughtful toward others? Even when you are willing to take the time and consideration it is not easy because you don’t have access to their thoughts, but I do. You are wise to acknowledge and depend on me in everything, but particularly in this area, for only I have access to information you need to do it well. I will not violate the inner thought processes of someone else for your sake, just as I would not violate yours for theirs, but if you are willing to take an interest in my redemptive process in their life out of genuine love, then I will show you ways to minister to them and meet needs they were unaware of, for I know them better than they know themselves.

Do you care what everyone thinks about you? Yet if no man can please two masters, how much less can he please millions of masters? Yet there are some people who like you, and you are prone to care what they think about you and the impression you make on them even if you must of necessity disregard the opinions of the multitudes. Do you see this effect increasing based on the increasing level of affection that someone has for you? Then you should care most deeply about what I think of you, and desire to please me, for I love you with an infinite and eternal love beyond what any man can attain. My thoughts toward you are of peace, to give you a future and a hope.

Have you ever opened a door for someone else? Has anyone ever opened a door for you? This is perhaps the smallest possible act of courtesy, yet it illustrates an important Kingdom principle, for my word refers to open doors. In this context it means possibilities and opportunities. Have you ever tried to force a door open to make an opportunity for yourself? Did you find it to be an enormous effort with little result? Conversely, have you ever made progress as easily as walking through an open door? In patience wait for me to open doors before you, and I will do so when the time is right. The doors that I open no man can shut.

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.