Dale Cresap's blog

Are you quick to judge people who fall in sin, particularly believers? Are you eager to categorize them as good or bad? Do you think it is possible for the same person to have impulses for both good and evil? Paul thought so. He made an eloquent description of two natures at work within himself, affirming that the law was holy and just and good. He recognized sin at work within him and saw that he was unable to do what he knew was right. In his dilemma he cried out for deliverance and turned to apply the law of the Spirit of life to make him free from the laws of sin and death. Do you see the same struggle in yourself? Recognize that it is present in others as well.

Are you reluctant to give unsolicited advice? You have heard the modern proverbs about the value of free advice and perhaps have received some yourself that you were not looking for. You may have resented this as an unwelcome intrusion but have you not also appreciated time when someone pointed out an opportunity or danger that was unknown to you? Wouldn’t you want to do this for others as well? The best advice you can give anyone is to introduce them to me. This is the great commission I gave you, to go into all the world proclaiming the good news of the gospel to every creature. I did not tell you to do this only if they inquired of you. You are to take the initiative and in this sense you are giving unsolicited advice. Yet the gospel message you give is the only source of life and redemption for the world. Give it freely. 

Have you ever heard of all men referred to as gentlemen, as an announcer would say, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’? Yet not all men are gentle. In a coarse culture there are no clearly defined standards but here is a general rule. Women and children feel safe around a man who is truly gentle. This is not based on a list of manners or externally observed conduct but is more a matter of discernment of intent and character. Children in particular are sensitive to such things. They seem to know when loud and boisterous men can be trusted and when those who give the appearance of being calm and reserved cannot. Children were drawn to me. If my life is manifested in you they will be drawn to you as well.

Do you believe that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit? Do you understand that the Holy Spirit is needed just as much for you to comprehend the Bible today as the authors did when they were inspired to write it? The words that I speak are spirit and life. Who can comprehend the things of the spirit except by the Spirit? The flesh profits nothing, for these things are spiritually discerned. You learned a method of study in school according to rational systematic inquiry. Do you seek to apply this same method to everything you study? Your study of my word will be more effective if you approach it with a conscious dependence on my Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. 

Have you ever used a magnetic compass? The needle normally points toward magnetic north, but can be influenced by strong magnets nearby. Then it will be deflected by the local magnetic field, but when the disturbances are removed it will once again point north. Have you ever been distracted by nearby things that diverted your attention from me? Nearby things can be influential in your life just because of their proximity, and distort your sense of reality. Yet I am omnipresent and with you always. If you are sensitive to my Spirit your internal compass will point to me even if you are surrounded by distractions. 

My word teaches you to have faith in me. Belief is powerful but it only provides a connection to that which you believe in. It does not make sense to have faith in faith. Belief is an action that must have an object. Do you meet people who are proud to proclaim that they have faith in themselves? This is a closed loop with no anchor. You would expect it to drift because it isn’t attached to anything and you would be right. Those who take this approach to life deceive themselves and walk in darkness. In the ultimate sense I am the only suitable foundation for your faith. Place your faith and trust in me. 

Have you raised your children in the faith, only to have them wander away from it when they were old enough to choose for themselves? This is one of the most distressing things that can befall you. Yet you have my promise that if you raise up a child in the way he should go, that when he is old he will not depart from it. This promise does not say that they will never wander. They may forget who they belong to, but they are mine and I will not forget my own. Their righteous upbringing and my love for them form an irrevocable claim and I watch over them to draw them back to myself even when they stray. 

Some things you can experience firsthand. Other things that you haven’t experienced directly you can imagine by creating them in your mind, if your experiences are close enough to bridge the gap. Other things you cannot even imagine. Perhaps you say you don’t have a ‘grid’ for them. Have you noticed that my word does not give much detail in the description of heaven? It does say that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man the things that I have prepared for those who love me. You walk in this world with the promise of glory, a city with foundations built by God. You cannot comprehend it now, because it is better than you can imagine.

Do you worry? You may be wary to affirm this because I have told you not to worry. Do you have concerns? How does this differ from worry? I give you tasks to perform and burdens to bear in intercession. Yet my commandments are not grievous and my burden is light. Worry is unproductive, as I said, who by taking thought can make himself taller, or turn a hair black or white? Yet if you obey me to put your hand to the plow as I have directed you can know that there will be a beneficial result even if you don’t see it yourself. My word does not return void, but accomplishes that for which it is sent forth, and this applies to your faithful acts as well.

Is your pastor hesitant to teach you about giving because he knows you are sensitive about the issue? Do you think it is a conflict of interest if he benefits, even if indirectly, from your giving? Does he become your enemy if he tells you the truth? If you will not receive it from him, from whom will you receive it? For my word is clear about the blessings to the generous. There have been excesses and abuses concerning this doctrine, but they do not negate the truth. You can’t afford not to be generous. It would be better to give somewhere else than to not have a manifestation of generosity in your life. Blessed is he who gives to his church and elsewhere as well.