Dale Cresap's blog

Daily Journaling Devotional

Have you heard of anything and everything described as ‘awesome’? Overuse and familiarity diminish the real meaning of this word. If you use it for every passing fancy then what term would you use for things that really are awesome? So what should you use it for? Are you aware of how much I love you and how extravagantly I manifest that love through grace? These are not rare and isolated occasions, but surround you continually. Yet you are only aware of them if you have eyes to see. Do you see me ‘spilling the whole bucket’ of grace on you every day? The songwriter wrote of amazing grace. You could as easily say awesome grace. 

Daily Journaling Devotional

Have you ever raised a garden? Being a farmer is the default occupation in primitive societies. This is not true in modern industrial societies, but some people become farmers on a small scale by raising a garden. They may find a sense of satisfaction in working the land even if they could afford to buy their produce in the market. Do you recall that the original manifestation of my intention for humanity was to live in a garden? That door is closed now, but it is normal for your heart to long for such a place of simple communion. Whether you work the land on a large or small scale or not at all you can still walk with me in the evening, and all day. 

Would you say that you live in a youth-oriented culture? Beauty, strength and vitality are highly prized and valued, but they will not endure. They decline as the years go by despite your best efforts to retain them. Let them go gracefully without a fight. For there are opportunities in their loss if you have the wisdom and maturity of age to look for them. Your true self is enduring, and these fleeting qualities never defined the real you. The essence of your being is spiritual, and I designed the course of your life to give you time to discover that. Though the outward man perish, the inward man is renewed every day. 

My word teaches you to confess your faults to one another. Does this bother you? Note what this passage does not say. It does not say that this is the starting point for condemnation or rebuke or corrective action or making a public example of the one with faults. It does say to pray for one another that you may be healed, and you can leave it at that. Many people make the false assumption that someone confiding in them imparts an obligation to fix them. You don’t need to confess your faults to anyone who will turn you into a project and if you make this assumption don’t expect others to confide in you. 

Are you familiar with the judgment seat? This is where a judge sits, but they are not limited to courtrooms. Everyone is capable of ‘sitting in judgment’ over others whether they do it in a courtroom wearing black robes and exercising state-sanctioned authority or not. Are you also familiar with the mercy seat? This is a far less common term. Believers know it as the place where my presence dwelt in the ark of the ancient covenant. Have you ever heard it used anywhere else? Yet you can ponder these two alternatives and make a deliberate choice as to which you will choose in dealing with others. You too can sit in the mercy seat. 

What do you expect of a friend? Someone to have fun with and to be there for you when you need help? I created you to be relational and this longing is part of your basic makeup, so it is painful and unfulfilling to live your life in isolation. It is not good for man to be alone. One thing that friends do is to provide a stable witness for your life. Do you understand the importance of this? Knowing that someone cares enough to observe you and know you is a huge influence and a manifestation of a spiritual reality. The ultimate version of this is that one day you will know as you are known. Until then cherish those who love you enough to know you and be witnesses to your life. I no longer call you servants but friends. 

Do you belong to a community of faith? You could also call this a church. What do you expect from the fellow members of your community? Is it necessary for them to be entirely like-minded? This is not a reasonable expectation, nor is it necessary. Even with agreement on a core set of beliefs you will find dimensions of individuals that differ from yourself. Do you view these as opportunities or threats? These differences can open the door for you to ponder and reflect and learn. Even if you don’t change your positions you can benefit from the process by gaining a larger vision and perspective. You have to walk the path I have set before you. Give your brother the grace to walk the path I have set before him. 

Are there things that outrage you? The world is full of things that are contrary to my will and plan and it is normal that you should object to them. It is not all good. Can you hold your outrage with a sense of grace? For my word teaches you to be angry and sin not. Anger or outrage that causes you to lose your peace or to become hateful makes you part of the problem rather than part of the solution. If you can be angry and gracious at the same time you can have both the motivation and the loving perspective to make a real difference. What is impossible with men is possible with me. 

Do you like to have money in the bank? Prudent people will set aside some money for unexpected emergencies so they will have funds on hand to cover them. Do you see your faith the same way? Not all emergencies can be resolved with money. Are there any that can be resolved without faith? You don’t know what tomorrow will bring but you do know that faith will be a part of the equation. The banking analogy is imperfect but even my word teaches you to lay up treasure in heaven where thieves do not steal. If you spend a lifetime developing a sustaining faith you will have enough in the bank when you need it. 

Anger is a powerful and dangerous force. Do you know the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger? Do you reserve your anger for personal slights and insults or rude behavior against yourself? There are greater injustices on a larger scale in the world, even if they don’t affect you personally. Being angry for your own sake is dangerous and likely to be unrighteous because it is so hard to separate the issues and administer unbiased justice on your own behalf. It is easier to exercise righteous anger on behalf of others who are innocent and oppressed. Do this, and do something about it.