Dale Cresap's blog

Do you think of fear as something that is forced upon you by external circumstances? My word teaches against fear and says the fearful and unbelieving are outside my Kingdom. It implies that fear is a choice and a decision rather than a response to a stimulus. Everyone faces some uncertain circumstances, and some are fearful even when there is no threat, and others have peace when facing open hostility and adversity. Recognize that your fears originate within you. This puts you in a position to understand them and deal with them effectively. Do you think that strength and security will triumph over fear? I tell you that love casts out fear. 

It was said of me that I was hated without a cause. I did not come to harm, but my presence provoked others to put me to death. This response defies conventional logic, but have you ever felt threatened by someone who would not harm you? Have you ever felt jealous or insecure around those of superior skill and talent or other attributes even if they were of innocent intent toward you? This response is more telling about you than it is of them. It manifests a latent jealousy you may have been unaware of. Think of it as conviction to repentance that you may decrease that I may increase.

This is my will for you that you sin not. Christians take this commandment seriously. They strive not to sin and have a means for redemption available to them when they do. Yet your life is not defined by what you do not do. The abundant life I have set before you is one of rich complexity and detail. Sin will keep you from it, but it is not defined by the absence of sin. Therefore do not pride yourself on what you abstain from. Seek rather to stand in liberty from sin that you may be free to pursue every opportunity I present you. Once your name is written in my Book of Life keep yourself pure that you may be a vessel of honor, available for every good work.

Do you love a challenge? Even if you don’t, you see people who do, and those who put themselves in situations that will require much of them are widely admired for doing great things with limited resources. Do you think that I like a challenge? I delight to fill ordinary things and situations with divine power. With my help Moses used a wooden staff to deliver a nation and a lunch for a small boy fed a multitude. But the challenges I really seek out are people. You know some people who are so far from me that it seems impossible that they would be saved. I go after them with all the resources of time and eternity and I invite you to be a part of the process.

Is your presentation of the gospel a closely structured argument starting at the beginning? That may be necessary for atheists, but only for them. Most people you meet already have some sense of spirituality and the eternal, even if it is not a saving faith. You honor them and the progress they have already made by starting there rather than establishing my existence at square one. Approach this task with the conviction that I can give you something for everyone, from the most militant atheist to the most mature devout believer. If you do not find it already within you then ask me for it and I will give it to you on the spot.

Do you think of anger as a sin? But my word says be angry and sin not. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Do you think that resentment is more acceptable than anger because it is more subtle? Yet resentment is anger accumulated over time. It is internalized and grown cold and hard, going hand in hand with bitterness. It is far easier to deal with anger in the day it occurs. Be honest with yourself to recognize the things that bother you for what they really are. Seek to resolve conflicts but realize that some will remain. Bring those to me that you may grow in grace and godliness rather than resentment and bitterness. 

Joseph had a dream, and Mary had a visit from an angel. Joseph told everyone about his dream, and it got him into trouble. Mary pondered these things in her heart. Which do you think took the wiser course of action? Both the dreams and the visitation were proven true, but Joseph had to learn a few things before the fulfillment was complete. Sometimes the destiny I reveal to you is not meant to be public knowledge at the first. You must be prepared and molded to step into your destiny and it can take time and be accomplished in greater secrecy than you expected. Humble yourself and be patient, and I will exalt you in due time. 

Do you understand that my resources are unlimited and that I am generous? My capacity and willingness to give are without measure. What is you capacity to receive? For I said that if you bring your full tithe to me that I would open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that there would not be room to receive. Have you found this to be true? Yet do not limit this to the financial and material realm, for I have heavenly treasure for you that is not of this world. As you walk in the Spirit and grow in understanding you will be enlightened and increase your capacity to receive the spiritual wealth I long to pour out on you. 

Precious in my sight is the blood of the martyrs, those who have given their lives serving me. Have you ever heard of someone having a martyr complex? This is not really the same thing. It describes those who use their suffering to manipulate others. They will find a direct or indirect way of letting you know how much pain they have experienced, particularly if it was due to your negligence or offense that can be used to make you feel guilty. Yet I taught that the giving of alms and prayer done in secret would be rewarded openly. The same principle applies to suffering. Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him and not complain. 

Do you notice that people who are self-confident, outspoken, and assertive tend to get their way and people will follow them even when they are wrong? Truth is not determined by a majority vote, and neither by force of will or argument. Those who know the truth may be meek and lowly in heart even when they are right. I was the personification of truth in this world which rejected me. Embracing the truth may not give you popularity and you have no assurance that others will accept it or you. Yet the alternative of walking in darkness is worse. Love the truth and pay the cost of walking in the light.