Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever encountered someone who is hard to please? It seems the more you do for them the more they have to find fault with. Do you think of me as someone who is hard to please? For my commandment to you is to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Yet through your own experience with me would you describe me this way? I told a story of servants entrusted with their master’s resources. The one who made no effort defended himself by saying that the master was a hard man. Obviously he didn’t really know the master, for the story refers to me. Come to me, for my commandments are not grievous, and my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Have you ever tried to deal with someone who is defensive? Their determination to justify themselves prevents them from learning or even hearing you. Have you ever been defensive yourself? Can you see how this same effect worked in you at that time? My word does not speak favorably of those who sought to justify themselves. You have no need to do this. I have already justified you in the sense of redemption, and there is no reason for you to be defensive with me. That would interfere with the work I am doing in your life. I call you to lay down your life and pick up your cross and follow me. You have no need to prove that you are right.

My word promises blessings for those who suffer for the sake of righteousness. Do you envision this as being applicable to only a select few, those who face a hostile mob while proclaiming the gospel message? I take a broader view of this matter. Have you ever obeyed my commandments when it would have been easier not to? Acts of faithfulness like this may come at a high cost and level of sacrifice. Those who make this choice of difficult obedience are suffering for the sake of righteousness as much as those who are persecuted for their testimony, and will receive the same reward. Therefore rejoice to be faithful in your afflictions. 

I said that no man can serve two masters, for he would love one and hate the other. I asked my disciple Peter if he loved me more than these. There is a popular teaching today that you can have it all, but this is false. Life is about choices and I will arrange your life to present the same question to you that I did to Peter. The man who found a pearl of great price hidden in a field rejoiced to sell all that he had to buy the field, because he knew it was a good deal he could not otherwise obtain. I want you to rejoice when you choose to follow me, no matter how high the cost. 

If you suffer persecutions and afflictions are you eager to have them over? In my word I tell those who suffer to rejoice and be glad, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you, and great is your reward in heaven. Does this seem like a long wait? Would you rather have your enemies bow before you and acknowledge that you were right all along sometime next week? I do not promise relief immediately in your situation and not even soon, perhaps not even in this lifetime. Yet I still instruct you to rejoice now. Do you see the magnitude of this commandment? Yet this is the way that leads to life. 

My word says that you have not because you ask not. I promise that if you seek you will find, and that if you ask you will receive. If you know that you can have what you want for the asking, what reason could there be for not asking? Were you taught that it was rude to make requests? Do you think that self-reliance is superior to supplication, or is this pride? There are things that are essential for you that you cannot acquire on your own. It is not greedy or grasping to ask for them. The humility of request comes from an acknowledgment of your need, and you honor the one you entreat by affirming that they are able and willing to fill it. Ask of me and receive. 

Have you ever heard of my house referred to as a sanctuary? Yet the same term applies to a safe place for birds or other wildlife, or a place for refugees to be safe. Do you think of this connection when you come into my house? My house is meant for prayer and worship, but it is first of all a safe place for my children. Don’t you think of your house the same way? How much more will your Father in heaven provide a place of refuge for his own? I hold you in the palm of my hand and nothing shall harm you. No evil or danger is allowed in my presence, but I invite you to come to me there and as you abide in me you are in a place of perfect safety.

You take tests in school for the teacher to find out what you know. The correct answers are not revealed until the test is over. Some students find this traumatic. I give you tests as well, but they are not to find out what you know, because I already know that. All my tests are ‘open book’, and if you inquire of me I will give you the answers even while the test is in progress. I give you tests that you may learn and grow and be changed into my likeness. Are you still worried that you will fail the tests I give? I want you to understand the magnitude of my keeping power for my own, for I am able to keep you from falling, and no one can take you out of my hand.

Do you want to hear from me and think that you would benefit from inner stillness? Yet do you have a concern that calming yourself will open you to the influence of the enemy? With these conflicting issues inside you what is the outcome? Calmness loses this conflict by default. Yet this matter can be successfully resolved by Biblical principles. I promised that if you would seek me you would find me. If you come to me I will not turn away and leave you to your enemy. You can come to me in confidence knowing that you are secure in my presence. I am eager to speak to you and will do so if you seek me and give me the opportunity.

I was meek and lowly in heart and taught my disciples to follow my example. Do these terms describe you? Do you think that if you take on these characteristics you will become a target for abuse and be trampled on by others? This happened to me, to the point of crucifixion. I told my followers that the world would not love them because they were not of this world even as I was not. Do you live in a time and place where you get approval for following me? This is an anomaly and you should not be surprised when this condition changes. My word promises you persecution, victory through it, and tells you to rejoice for great is your reward in heaven.