Dale Cresap's blog

Do you see sinners as being inherently evil or as victims of the evil one who has taken them captive? Both points of view can be argued, but you are not to approach this as a disinterested dispassionate observer. I came to redeem the lost. I gave you the Great Commission that you may be an agent in reaching the lost with my message. Which of the views above is more consistent with effective efforts in this task? Are you going to put much effort into reaching those who would get what they deserved? Yet if you take part in the rescue of a hostage you are a hero. Come and join me in my work of setting the captives free.

Have you ever seen a show-off? They have something that you don’t have, in the form of skills or knowledge or even material possessions they want to put on visible display to elevate themselves above you. Who would be better positioned to be a show-off than me? For I could heal the sick and raise the dead. I commanded the forces of nature and fed multitudes from one small lunch. Yet I did not do these things to show off. I did not do them to separate myself from those who observed, but to provide an example for them to follow. I expected my followers to feed multitudes themselves after I showed them how. I was delighted when they followed me, and I am delighted when you do too.

Have you ever encountered people who were desperately in need of guidance and direction who would not be quiet long enough to receive it? I promise wisdom for those who ask, and that those who seek and ask and knock will find and receive and have the door open for them. Does this seem like such a simple thing that it is a promise too good to be true? Such a minor condition for receiving so much. Yet you would be amazed at how many will not meet that condition. There is some humility involved in recognizing that the solution you need is not within you. This is a small price to pay for receiving divine wisdom. 

Does it seem to you that workers criticizing the boss behind his back is a normal and expected practice? Do you find Biblical guidance on this matter? Passages regarding servants can be considered directly applicable to employees, and the Bible does not condone murmuring or rebellion in any form. Such practices work against you. To undermine the authority of one in authority over you can only be demoralizing to you and all who listen to you. If you are in an intolerable situation you are free to move on and find another manager worthy of your allegiance. Until then you can take comfort in knowing I am in authority over those in authority over you.

I have posted these messages for years without much reference to myself. Reading a blog posting from a friend made me realize that I should issue a disclaimer. I hope that you don’t get the impression that my life is a living expression of these words I hear from Jesus. I wish it were but in reality I am in tension between the righteousness I affirm and the reality of my life which includes weakness, selfishness, thoughtlessness, lust, and greed. I can identify with Paul when he says the good that I would I do not and the evil I would not I do. Through this I trust in Jesus who is in the process of delivering me and completing the good work he has begun in me.

from a friend

I have a colleague (Teresa) who has been battling with cancer for some years now. At her last doctor’s visit on Thursday last week, she was told that the cancer has spread to her liver and vertebrae. She acknowledges Jesus as her healer and is asking for prayer. Can you please send out a prayer request to your mailing group for Teresa’s request?

Do you map out responses, planning in advance for every situation you may encounter? Don’t let this become a burden to you. You can’t imagine everything that could happen, and most of the things you can imagine will not happen. Don’t miss out on the fullness and richness of life now by engaging in this form of worry. If you do not believe that tomorrow will take care of the things of tomorrow then at least believe that I am in control of tomorrow and today. I call you to a walk of continuous trust in me. If you do this you will have a peace unknown to those who fend for themselves by controlling all they can. If the evil of today is sufficient for it, then so are the mercy, grace, and blessing, knowing that there will be an equally abundant supply tomorrow. 

Have you ever heard someone exhorted to ‘rise above it’ when they are faced with a petty insult? This means to take a noble minded view and let it go without responding in kind to the provocation. This is good advice and for my people it is no mere figure of speech. For I exhort you to seek those things above where I sit on the right hand of the Father. I have provided a real refuge for you in which you can weather the trials and tribulations of this world. I provide a way of escape that you may endure, sustaining you in the secret place of my presence where your enemies cannot follow. Here you can rise above much more than petty insults. 

Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Come and return to me, for in returning and rest will be your strength. There is no need for you to go to find me, for my Kingdom is within you. I call you to abide in me, and you do this by turning your attention to my presence in you. In this way you can come to me without going anywhere. There is a spiritual reality and you can live in it constantly, even if those around you are unaware of it. I have gone to prepare a place for you, but I already have a home in your heart. I would not invite you to abide in me if it were not possible. This is a place of intimate communion.

Do you face ponderous and complex questions and desire that I should give you detailed answers? Yet I do not always elaborate. Yet even so I give you the insight and guidance you need. I have promised to be with you always. Are you aware of my presence?  Conduct your daily activities so that they are informed by my presence. If you are aware that I am with you that knowledge alone will provide most of what you need. My disciples were not people of status in their society but when they proclaimed my word with power it was noted that they had been with me. You are known by the company you keep and this is all the more true in my case. It rubs off.

Do you observe that those who are bound in sin, such as serious addictions, seem to be diminished in their humanity, unable to experience the full range of human expression and involvement? Sin is a process of death. It can work suddenly and completely, but at the very least it will work progressively and insidiously. Conversely, have you noticed that the godly are full of life, and live every aspect with full expression? This is the abundant life I give, for I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Even if death is working in you it is not too late, if you turn to me in repentance to be redeemed and healed and transformed from death to life.

Do you care what everyone thinks about you? Yet you know that you can’t please everyone, so you have to value some people’s opinions more than others. Do you then care more about the opinion of the people who like you than of strangers or those indifferent to you? This is a normal way to manage the issue of meeting expectations. Do you know that I like you more than anyone else does? From this you would logically conclude that it is more important to please me than anyone else, and you would be right. If you can only please one then please the one most important. Please God rather than men.