Dale Cresap's blog

You are called to honor and respect all men. Do you find this harder in some cases than others? All are made in my image and that is a strong enough basis to make the effort. This begins with common courtesy and manners. There may be a type of music or spectator or recreational activity that you have no interest in, but those who do take it seriously, and you honor them by doing so yourself when you are around them. People identify strongly with such things, particularly if they don’t identify with me. Be considerate enough to avoid offending them by insulting their interests. 

My word teaches you that when you do good deeds you should not let one hand know what the other is doing. Do you understand that this level of isolation from your own intentions and actions is not possible, especially if it is planned in advance? Yet have you ever been commended by someone for a gesture of kindness that you made without premeditation? You may have done it without thinking because it is intrinsic to your character but someone else saw it and gave you recognition that you were not looking for, and in doing so you fulfilled my commandment. And when I commend the righteous, what do they say? We are unprofitable servants who have only done our duty. 

Have you found that in times of great demands upon you that you can substitute food for sleep, at least in the short term? You know better than to make this a routine life practice. My disciples and I were hungry and I sent them on to get food. When they returned I told them that I had food that they knew not of, for I had been doing ministry to the woman at the well. So at that point was I hungry or not? The passage does not say, and it would be easy to interpret it as an abstract poetic statement that there is spiritual as well as material food. Try fasting to see if you can substitute spiritual for material food.

I promised an abundant life to my followers. Can you see the visible evidence of this in people who life according to Kingdom principles? Don’t you see those who are generous and trusting and loving living lives of opportunity and adventure? Doors seem to open for them in a life with a continually expanding circle of involvement and influence. On the other hand, don’t you see those who are selfish and grasping and fearful living lives that shrink to ever more petty concerns? This stunted and diminished human existence is not my plan for you. What other Kingdom principle is so obviously demonstrated by visible evidence as abundant life? 

Do you teach your children about the good news of the Kingdom of God? Blessed are those who hear and respond at an early age. Do you make the lessons of the Kingdom simple for your children? This shouldn’t be difficult, for the principles of the Kingdom are inherently simple enough for children. Adults can make them more complex than they really are. I said suffer the little children to come to me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God and unless you be converted and become as little children you would not enter the Kingdom. Are you willing to become like a child to understand this?

What was your reason for seeking salvation? Was it a desire to love, worship, and obey me? Didn’t you come to me because you needed something? I am eager to receive you regardless of your motivation. I understand what you are capable of and will not break a bruised reed. As you walk with me you will grow and your perspective and motivation will shift. Even though you may come to me initially for what you can get, as you follow me into maturity you will transition into giving through spiritual generosity and love. You can see and admire these qualities in other people, so you should be pleased to make this transition and see them develop in yourself. 

leaving town for a few days DC

You read descriptions of heaven that include precious stones and metals. Do you think that heaven is like earth with more money? As important as money is in your world, it is not a meaningful concept in heaven. The work you do there is for the love and joy of it rather than for wages. The Tree of Life was denied to your ancestors in the garden, but it will be there in full bloom. You have my presence with you even now. Do you cherish this more than anything else? For now you see in a glass darkly, but then face to face. I went to prepare a place for you that where I am you may be always. Eye has not seen nor ear heard, or even entered human imagination the greatness of what I have in store for you. 

I asked Peter if he loved me more than these. Theologians still debate about the meaning of ‘these’, but it is clear from the passage that Peter was troubled by my repeated questions. Do you love me more than the blessings I give? You have never been without them, so how can you know for sure? The Psalmist said that he would rejoice in the Lord though the fig tree shall not blossom and there be no fruit on the vine. This passage goes on to indicate a state of total poverty. Blessed are those who reach a sufficient state of detachment from the blessings I give that they don’t have to be deprived of them entirely to know that they love me more. 

Do you avoid contact with sinners? I was criticized because I did not avoid contact with sinners. So what should you do? There is not a uniform answer for everyone. It depends on your motivation, purpose, and maturity level. The Bible addresses this question with regard to meat offered to idols. One has enough maturity that he can partake without offending his conscience, but this does not make him free to offend his brother who does not. You would be wise to limit your contact with the lost in areas where you still struggle with temptation. Let your light shine in the darkness without offending your brother or yourself. 

Have you ever met someone who is a know-it-all? This would appear to be a desirable trait and a person to be sought out and inquired of, since knowledge has value and confers power. Yet have you ever heard this term used as a compliment? Doesn’t it rather refer to someone who is full of half-truths, opinions, and endless arguments, that you prefer to avoid? Such people are full of pride, contention, and strife, so perhaps it would be better to refer to them as a no-it-all. My word says that knowledge puffs up, and you can see the evidence of it. Yet don’t you also observe that the truly wise and knowledgeable are eager to listen and learn? Blessed are those who know they know in part.