approval rating?

Dale Cresap's picture

Submitted by Dale Cresap on November 01, 2016 - 21:45

How great is your need for approval? If you were to perform some prominent ministry, for instance serving as a prophet, would you expect to be recognized for it? Yet prophets in ancient times were effective in their service because they did not require approval. They spoke for me and in most cases it cost them their lives even as I pointed out to those who maintained their tombs. You may hesitate to go to this extreme, but the same principle applies at any level. No man can serve two masters and so if you continue to follow me you will have to make a choice between me and public opinion. Don’t let your need for approval make you compromise your faith. 

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shocking!

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Submitted by Dale Cresap on October 31, 2016 - 21:42

Have you become so familiar with the Bible that you can read it on autopilot, without engaging the story? Familiarity breeds complacency, and causes things that are shocking to lose their impact. Consider the story of the Centurion with the sick servant. I offered to come and heal the man but the Centurion said that was not necessary since he was confident that I could heal at a distance. I healed the servant and marveled that I had not seen so great a faith in Israel. What would be a modern day equivalent? Can you imagine Billy Graham addressing a stadium full of Christians and saying how could it be that this Moslem has greater faith than any Christian I have met? Does that bring the point home? 

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my friend

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Submitted by Dale Cresap on October 30, 2016 - 21:25

What terms do you use to describe me? I have many names from scripture. You say that I am loving and you are right. Would you say that I am friendly? This is a highly rated quality among people and is always considered a compliment. You even extend this to computer programs when you say that they are user-friendly. I spent several years with my disciples during which I chided them for their little faith, but at the end of my time with them I changed the terms by calling them no longer servants but friends. This was higher than any title or office I could confer on them and it is available to you too. Will you be my friend? 

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money meaningless?

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Submitted by Dale Cresap on October 29, 2016 - 20:54

Do you expect to be rich in heaven? It is not a place of poverty, and the descriptions you have suggest abundance. In this world you use money to keep score. Those who have it know that they are on top and those who do not wish that they did, so everyone is aware of it whether they have it or not. Even unbelievers say that you can’t take it with you, and believers realize that in heaven money is not a meaningful concept. That is not the same thing as being rich. Paul knew both how to be abased and how to abound, but these are both monetary references. Are you prepared to let go of money as a meaningful concept? 

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Curses Removed - Expect National Transformation

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Submitted by Mark Virkler on October 29, 2016 - 15:17

Several prophetic voices believe the nation shifted spiritually on October 21, 2016 on what may go down as one of the most important days in American history!

Largely unnoticed, 1,000 Native American Indian tribes from the United States and Canada collectively forgave the U.S. government for breaking treaties with their ancestors during a public ceremony on the National Mall.

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hard to classify

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Submitted by Dale Cresap on October 28, 2016 - 21:06

Have you noticed how many groups claim to represent me, or claim that I am on their side? I warned about this when I said that many would come in my name, and that you should be wary of them. Many claim that I am aligned with them, but I am not so easily owned. Have you noticed yourself moving in the same direction the longer you follow me? You should expect this. The affiliations that you take on to build an identity are divisions peculiar to this world. I have invited you to be transformed into my likeness. The more you belong to my Kingdom which is not of this world the harder you are to classify here. 

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karma?

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Submitted by Dale Cresap on October 27, 2016 - 22:10

Are you familiar with the concept of karma? You may recognize this term from eastern religions as the idea that good will be rewarded and evil punished. You may reject karma as not being of Christian origin, but do you hold to the same idea without the name? Do you think that sinners other than yourself are getting lenient terms from me? Consider those who worked all day in the vineyard. They thought the late-comers were paid too much. The elder brother resented the generosity of the father to the prodigal son. Come to me and rejoice in my grace poured out on others as much as on you and you shall be the children of your Father in heaven. 

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church hurts

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Submitted by Dale Cresap on October 26, 2016 - 21:37

Do you have a story of pain and bad treatment that you received at church? Do you know any believers who don’t? You understand that the search for a perfect church would be futile. They are all attended by fallible people. You are one of these yourself, and so you may have contributed to someone else’s church pain story even without knowing it. And yet I am still present in my church despite its imperfections, and I am at work in you to bring forth my likeness in you even through the trials and difficulties you face. Don’t focus on them or let them consume you. Look to me to give you the grace to look forward and move forward. 

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finding meaning?

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Submitted by Dale Cresap on October 25, 2016 - 21:50

Are you looking for a meaningful life? Advertisers spend extravagant sums to tell emotionally engaging stories and introduce their product at the last moment to imply there is a connection. You don’t have to be very smart to see there isn’t, but they are betting millions you won’t notice. Such is the intensity of the intrinsic human desire for meaning. The desire for engagement with something transcendent is undeniable. You won’t find it in advertiser’s claims or in buying the products they offer, but it is still available. You just have to look for it in the right place. Seek and you will find. 

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