Dale Cresap's blog

How many different versions of the manner of my return have you heard? How many dates for this event have been proposed and passed without effect? Those who put them forth inevitably claim that they are based on scripture, yet they are wrong. How many scholars of the scriptures correctly predicted my first advent? My word proclaims my return, and it also tells you how to approach this topic. It does not say to study and predict, but rather to watch and pray. Some things are not easily explained but if you pay attention you will be aware and learn as you see them unfold. So it is with my return. If you look for me you will see me.

Does it ever seem to you that I am leading you to learn or gain experience or save for something without knowing the purpose for it? If you are confident of my leading you can do these things in faith even if you don’t know what they are for. I assigned Noah a major project in building the ark and he didn’t really comprehend it until the flood, but the work still had to be done in advance and I was pleased that he moved in faith. I have a plan in the purposes of my Kingdom for every resource I commit to your hand. Be diligent to keep and develop them so that you will be prepared when I open the door for you to use them for me.

Is it difficult for you to believe in things you cannot see, even, or especially, if your life depends on them? Your life depends on receiving oxygen in every breath. What does it look like? The skeptic and unbeliever have this dependency as much as you do, and they cannot see it either. It is no accident that I said that I created man from the dust of the earth, and then breathed life into him. You have heard of artificial respiration. This was not artificial. It was spiritual respiration. The wind is a Biblical image of the Spirit. You cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes, but your life depends on this as well. If you can depend on invisible things in the natural world, how much more can you depend on me?

Are you courageous? Do you think that courage is a dramatic manifestation of strength, only available to a few who face great risk and danger? Do you understand that it takes great courage to acknowledge weakness? Does pride or pressure force you to appear to be capable and independent even when you are not? It can take great courage to admit that you need help. Are you quick to offer to pray for others and reluctant to ask for the prayers of others for your own needs? If you seek you will find and if you ask it will be given, but you must first humble yourself to acknowledge your need.

[I'm leaving town to visit family and will resume messages Tuesday] 

Do you ever wish that people would leave you alone? They can be annoying and wearisome. Have you ever wished that I would leave you alone? That would be the worst thing that could happen to you. At the final judgment I tell those who did not know me to depart from me. As difficult as it is for you to go through my process of refinement and transformation in your life, it is what you really need. I love you too much to let you wander alone. So I intervene in your life and I don’t always wait for your permission. How would you be able to seek me if I did not call you? Answer my call and come to me.

Do you realize that I care about your morale? There are things in your life that need correction, but I do not willingly grieve or afflict my children. Sometimes I allow things to continue in your life because you could not bear to have them dealt with yet. Do not mistake this for my approval. I tell fathers not to provoke their children to wrath. Can you see that I follow the same advice I give? Haven’t my dealings with you been kind and gentle? Do not be discouraged. I tell you to rejoice and deal with you in such a way that you are able to. Guard your joy that you do not discard it, or let anyone else take it from you either. 

My word tells you to lay up treasure in heaven. Do you understand what this means? You are so surrounded by the material wealth of this world and the pursuit thereof that it may be difficult for you to comprehend true spiritual wealth. Treasure in heaven is not something you own like any other possession. It is something you are. Another promise in my word is that I will change you into my likeness. Do you understand that this is the same thing? This process is long and painful but as I accomplish it I am imparting true wealth to you. Do you value this form of wealth enough to see the process through?

Have you noticed how quick people are to align themselves with a particular ministry? They like to inform you of the names of prominent people they identify with. It is not wrong to commit to a particular church or ministry, but this brings with it the risk of comparison, competition, and division. If I have called you to a particular place that means it is right for you. It doesn’t mean it is right for everyone. I have a plan and purpose for each of my children, and they are answerable to me to walk in it. This issue arose early in the church, when believers would say I am of Paul or I am of Apollos. I answered through Paul to affirm that I alone am the head of my church.

Have you noticed that the New Testament says a lot about Pharisees? They are not mentioned in the Old Testament. How many Pharisees do you think have actually read the New Testament? Wasn’t it written for Christians? Yet they are mentioned so many times. Could it be that these references and warnings were really targeted at you? Have you ever seen the same impulses and traits in your fellow believers? The Bible is my general and universal law. It provides warnings that are common to all. I warned my own followers to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which was hypocrisy. By inference you may assume this warning applies to everyone.

You have heard that cleanliness is next to godliness. This is possibly the most famous Bible verse that isn’t really in the Bible. Yet there is an easily understood parallel. You know that cleanliness must be a regular habit to be effective. It is not a single event, or something that can be attended to sporadically, but good hygiene will not secure your entrance to the Kingdom of God. Godliness is also a matter of habit and consistency. In the terminology of the Kingdom it is called faithfulness. If someone is not diligent about their hygiene it quickly becomes obvious in an unpleasant way. In like manner I notice when you are not diligent about godliness.