friends?

Dale Cresap's picture

Do you think of friendship in terms of parity? Are most of your friends nearly your equals in terms of wealth, education, and other social status indicators? Does it seem awkward if a friendship is one-sided, with one party consistently bearing the other, giving more, providing more? These are violations of cultural expectations of equality. Yet I taught you to seek out and befriend those who could not repay you that you would have treasure in heaven. In this case going against the grain of your culture will let your light shine that men may glorify me. If your heart is willing to receive such a blessing I will provide you with opportunities to do so. 

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Honor

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I taught my followers that when they were invited to a wedding banquet to choose a seat of lesser honor than they were entitled to that they would be invited higher rather than forced into a less honored seat. Do you understand that this principle applies to more than wedding banquet seating? The world is not naturally a level field, so if you look for opportunities to humble yourself you will find them, for the principle of seeking and finding applies here just as it does elsewhere. Humble yourself and I will exalt you. Do not seek status as something to be grasped and you will have honor from me. 

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listen as you read

Dale Cresap's picture

How do you go about studying my word? You have experience in the academic study of literature from school. Do you take the same approach to the Bible? My word affirms that it is living and powerful. Do you regard it in this way when you study it? When you read my word do you listen for my voice? Some things do not lend themselves completely to book learning and revelation is one of them. I will speak to you through my word but it is helpful if you are attentive to it in a way that transcends conventional human learning. He who has ears to hear, let him hear my voice as he reads my word. 

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response to injustice

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If anyone had a reason to be bitter it was Joseph. He was sold into slavery by his brothers. He had just cause to resent this. He could have let it consume him but he persevered until he was advanced into a position where he could minister redemption back to his brothers. Would he have arrived at this place if he had focused only on the injustice done to him? Have you ever faced a similar situation on a smaller scale? Do you focus on the injustice done to you? If you bear up in these situations trusting me and looking for my redemptive purpose you will find it and you too will be able to say what you meant for evil God meant for good. 

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unified theory

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The quest of science is for a unified field theory, a simple elegant theory that explains all the behavior of matter. This is an elusive goal. People also search for meaning in their lives, a context in which the events that affect them make sense. In general they don’t ask probing questions about the favor and blessing they receive, but they want answers about their pain and suffering. Fortunately there is an answer for this, but it requires a transcendent perspective. In the economy of my Kingdom everything makes sense and has a purpose and meaning, and all things work together for good for those who love me. 

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your cross

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My word tells you to take up your cross every day. This implies that you have a cross available to you, and that the decision to take it up is voluntary and routine. Do you believe that I love you, and that everything I ask of you is motivated by love and is for your greatest ultimate benefit? Is this easy to see when it involves redemption, and blessing and healing? Can you trust me that it is just as true when it involves carrying your cross? The greatest blessing I have for you is to transform you into my image and likeness. This is only accomplished when you carry your cross. If there was another way I would have provided it. 

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open your eyes

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How do you expect me to appear in your life? People who were deliberately looking for me at the time of my first appearing missed me because they were looking for something magnificent and glorious, and I came teaching about catching fish, planting seeds, lost coins, and oil for lamps. These lessons were too mundane for the religious establishment of my time. Are they too mundane for you? I will come to you disguised as your everyday life. Are you prepared to see this? Are you prepared to open your eyes and see my divine presence and purpose in everything around you? He who has eyes to see, let him see that my presence in your everyday life is magnificent and glorious. 

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clean inside

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I accused the hypocrites of my day of being whitewashed tombs, superficially attractive but full of dead men’s bones. I told them to clean the inside of the cup before worrying about the outside. Do you find that it is more difficult to accomplish real transforming internal change in your life than it is to put on a good appearance? Do not be content to pursue the easier task of a good outward showing. You may find it impossible to do the deep inner work on your own. Yet I can do it in you. When this is done you won’t need to worry about appearances. When the inside is right the outside will take care of itself. 

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rest

Dale Cresap's picture

Are you sleep-deprived? Many people would benefit from more sleep, but have you ever been in a time of distress in your life, full of cares and woes, in which you woke up feeling as weary as when you went to bed? Sleep is a restorative for the body, but you consist of more than a body and every part of you needs restoration. Come to me all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart and will give rest to your souls. Have you ever been weary and found refreshment from me? An hour spent with me can revive you in a way that a full night of sleep cannot. 

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mom and dad

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One of my enduring commandments is to honor your father and mother. Do you believe that I created you? In some mysterious way I did, and in some not so mysterious way your mother and father were involved in the process.  They made some mistakes concerning you but if they hadn’t done some things right you would not be here to make that observation. Who is prepared to call their own existence into question? For most people this is an axiomatic premise. Yet if you consider the possibility that you may never have been brought into being you can honor those involved even if they did it badly. 

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