Dale Cresap's blog

My word promises blessings for those who suffer for the sake of righteousness. Do you envision this as being applicable to only a select few, those who face a hostile mob while proclaiming the gospel message? I take a broader view of this matter. Have you ever obeyed my commandments when it would have been easier not to? Acts of faithfulness like this may come at a high cost and level of sacrifice. Those who make this choice of difficult obedience are suffering for the sake of righteousness as much as those who are persecuted for their testimony, and will receive the same reward. Therefore rejoice to be faithful in your afflictions. 

I said that no man can serve two masters, for he would love one and hate the other. I asked my disciple Peter if he loved me more than these. There is a popular teaching today that you can have it all, but this is false. Life is about choices and I will arrange your life to present the same question to you that I did to Peter. The man who found a pearl of great price hidden in a field rejoiced to sell all that he had to buy the field, because he knew it was a good deal he could not otherwise obtain. I want you to rejoice when you choose to follow me, no matter how high the cost. 

If you suffer persecutions and afflictions are you eager to have them over? In my word I tell those who suffer to rejoice and be glad, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you, and great is your reward in heaven. Does this seem like a long wait? Would you rather have your enemies bow before you and acknowledge that you were right all along sometime next week? I do not promise relief immediately in your situation and not even soon, perhaps not even in this lifetime. Yet I still instruct you to rejoice now. Do you see the magnitude of this commandment? Yet this is the way that leads to life. 

My word says that you have not because you ask not. I promise that if you seek you will find, and that if you ask you will receive. If you know that you can have what you want for the asking, what reason could there be for not asking? Were you taught that it was rude to make requests? Do you think that self-reliance is superior to supplication, or is this pride? There are things that are essential for you that you cannot acquire on your own. It is not greedy or grasping to ask for them. The humility of request comes from an acknowledgment of your need, and you honor the one you entreat by affirming that they are able and willing to fill it. Ask of me and receive. 

Have you ever heard of my house referred to as a sanctuary? Yet the same term applies to a safe place for birds or other wildlife, or a place for refugees to be safe. Do you think of this connection when you come into my house? My house is meant for prayer and worship, but it is first of all a safe place for my children. Don’t you think of your house the same way? How much more will your Father in heaven provide a place of refuge for his own? I hold you in the palm of my hand and nothing shall harm you. No evil or danger is allowed in my presence, but I invite you to come to me there and as you abide in me you are in a place of perfect safety.

You take tests in school for the teacher to find out what you know. The correct answers are not revealed until the test is over. Some students find this traumatic. I give you tests as well, but they are not to find out what you know, because I already know that. All my tests are ‘open book’, and if you inquire of me I will give you the answers even while the test is in progress. I give you tests that you may learn and grow and be changed into my likeness. Are you still worried that you will fail the tests I give? I want you to understand the magnitude of my keeping power for my own, for I am able to keep you from falling, and no one can take you out of my hand.

Do you want to hear from me and think that you would benefit from inner stillness? Yet do you have a concern that calming yourself will open you to the influence of the enemy? With these conflicting issues inside you what is the outcome? Calmness loses this conflict by default. Yet this matter can be successfully resolved by Biblical principles. I promised that if you would seek me you would find me. If you come to me I will not turn away and leave you to your enemy. You can come to me in confidence knowing that you are secure in my presence. I am eager to speak to you and will do so if you seek me and give me the opportunity.

I was meek and lowly in heart and taught my disciples to follow my example. Do these terms describe you? Do you think that if you take on these characteristics you will become a target for abuse and be trampled on by others? This happened to me, to the point of crucifixion. I told my followers that the world would not love them because they were not of this world even as I was not. Do you live in a time and place where you get approval for following me? This is an anomaly and you should not be surprised when this condition changes. My word promises you persecution, victory through it, and tells you to rejoice for great is your reward in heaven. 

Have you heard of someone who became fervent and devout in their faith and taking my word and commandments seriously described as going off the deep end? This is not meant as a compliment. What about those who are marginal in their faith, attending but not involved, content to remain on the perimeter of the work I am doing, and never fully engaging and living their beliefs? Do you hear of them described as going off the shallow end? Yet which is more prevalent? And which is the greater danger? It is more dangerous to dive in shallow water than deep water. Beware that you don’t go off the shallow end.

My wife’s knee replacement went great today. Thanks for your prayers. 

Do you expect to get acceptance, recognition and honor for your righteous obedience to me? I give you those things, but don’t expect to get them from those around you. I used the prophets of old as examples of those who were faithful to me. Yet they suffered rejection and isolation from others, and even death. Yet I told my audience to rejoice when they were treated the same way for their reward in heaven would be great. I do not ask you to pretend that this is an enjoyable experience on earth. Are you able to rejoice now knowing that you may have to wait until the world to come to receive your reward?