Dale Cresap's blog

I promised you an abundant life. Do you think this means filling up every minute of your life? This can leave you overcommitted, stressed, and exhausted. Perhaps you could leave some of them for me to fill up. If you are completely booked you are unavailable for any unexpected appointments that I would make for you. You don’t know what special opportunities to serve me may come your way, but I want you to be able to respond to them when they arise. Do you look at these things as interruptions to your busy schedule? Yet even now you can look back and see that they are the essence and enrichment of your abundant life. 

You know that the shortest verse in the Bible records that I wept. This was when I came to the tomb of Lazarus. Those present assumed that I wept due to mourning because of my love for Lazarus, but at that point I already knew that I was going to call him back. I wept for those who did not understand the power of resurrection. For this power was not only for some distant future date, but was present with them. Do you understand that resurrection power is present with you today? If you will comprehend this and walk in the reality of all it implies you will give me cause to rejoice rather than weep. 

Have you ever been strongly impressed that you needed to do something in obedience to me, and done it, and had it turn out differently than you expected? Did you then assume that you were incorrect in your understanding of what I wanted you to do? This does not necessarily follow. Your responsibility is to obey me according to the light given to you. The outcomes are in my hands. I may accomplish my purposes in ways that don’t fit your mental templates, but do the part I assign you to do my will. I have a greater perspective than is available to you now, but one day you will know as you are known, and see the purpose of things you don’t now understand. 

Have you ever heard anyone ask, ‘where was God?’ when they faced some crisis in their lives? This is stated as a question but it is usually presented as an implied accusation, that I had abandoned them and was not present in their hour of need. Yet if you understand that I am with you always you know that I am present even in your darkest hours, even if you are not aware of me. Are you are willing to come to me as a seeker of truth? Can you make this a real question and honestly ask where I was in your crisis? If you do I am eager to show you that I was with you all along.

What is the essence of your faith, and what words do you use to describe it? Words commonly used are receiving me or accepting me. If Christians from a wide variety of backgrounds can agree on anything, it is that their faith consists of a relationship with me. This is consistent with my word that says this is life eternal, that they may know the Father and Jesus whom he has sent. You may then mark the moment of your salvation as the time that you began this relationship with me. Theologians will discuss it in terms of atonement and propitiation, and these things are included, but in simple essence it is making friends and getting acquainted with me. 

My description of marriage is of a man and woman becoming one flesh. Do you know married couples that you think of as a single unit, even though they have their own separate identities? This was my plan for their union and happiness but it serves an additional purpose for it illustrates a transcendent reality, for I spoke of Christ and the church. Just as you think of happily married couples as a single entity, do people look at you and me and think of us together as a single entity? This is the logical implication of having your life hidden in me, and letting your light shine before men that they may glorify me. 

People who are possessive of material things are called materialistic and this is not a compliment. Yet isn’t it worse to be possessive of another person? You can own things, but you can’t own other people, even those you are related to by birth or marriage, and to attempt to control them by manipulation is to violate their dignity and free will. This can be demanding and there are burdens to bear in accommodating their free will even as they bear with yours. Even though people are beyond your control, don’t you find more satisfaction in dealing with them than you do in dealing with things?

Do you structure your life for the greatest benefit, trying to get the greatest value out of your time and money? Are you always successful? I am better at optimizing your life than you are. It is not in a man that walks to direct his own steps. There is a great deal of humility in coming to recognize this, but at the same time there is liberty and enlightenment. From this position you can relax your grip on your own life and receive divine guidance. Those who do so are led by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. The very best life for you isn’t created by you. You receive it from me rather than making it up yourself. 

Do you see my generosity everywhere you look, or do you think that you have paid for everything you own so that no gratitude is necessary? Where does your money come from? Do you see your ability to earn and acquire wealth as an expression of my provision? How successful would you be if you had none of your inherent advantages and the resources available to you? These all are gifts from me and my word affirms this in asking what you have that you did not receive? I want you to live in the light and understand the truth that you may walk in an attitude of humility and gratitude, knowing that even the things you pay for are gifts from me. 

Have you ever heard people say that they hate to eat and run? This is a very common apology because it is considered rude to accept the hospitality of a host’s banquet and not remain for their company. Do you see how the same principle can apply in a spiritual sense? How many people come to me to eat a quick meal of blessings, and run from my presence, and not think of this as rude? In my time on earth there were more people who liked the loaves and fishes than stayed to hear me teach, even while I spoke the words of life. You are correct in being grateful for your material blessings. Be even more diligent to seek above where you life is hid in me.