Jeremiah 21:8
"Thus saith the Lord; behold, I set before you
the way of life, and the way of death."
Some people just don’t want to hear bad news. They don’t watch the news on television because it gets them too depressed. The news stations keep broadcasting the negative stories, insisting that they are exactly what keep viewers tuned in. News directors say that if they air only good news, the viewers lose interest and switch to stations that feature murders, fires, and political scandals. So the question remains: Do we want to hear bad news or don’t we?
From Jeremiah’s experience, he would probably tell you that people don’t want to hear bad news at all. As he shares God’s newsflashes with the people in this passage, they denounce him and God for the bad news. You can ignore some criticism."Where did you get that awful tie?" for example. But sometimes the issue hits close to home and won’t let you escape so easily: "You shouldn’t use bad language or commit adultery." It’s this type of criticism that gave Jeremiah’s listeners fits. When people deliver bad news that carries the weight of Scripture, we simply don’t have the option to turn our backs on their words.
Have you ever rejected a message or made fun of it because it would require you to change your ways? Before dismissing someone who says something negative about you, consider what he or she has to say. The message this person brings may contain some valuable truth that will help to change your life for the better.
Amen!!
Reading:(Jer. 21:1-14)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
The Lamp, And The Light
Proverbs 7:23
"For the commandment is a lamp; and the
law is light; and reproofs of instruction
are the way of life."
The light does not create the objects it shines upon, it only makes manifest what was previously hidden, So religious revelation does not create it's already established. The doctrines of Christianity, as they are true, represent eternal facts. The New Testament brings these facts to light.
The "commandment" is any special or particular commandment which harmonizes with God’s will, and commands what is to be done and forbids what is to be left undone. The "law" is the whole law of God in its entirety; not here in the Law of Moses technically, but the whole system of generalized instruction. They stand in the same relation to each other as "a lamp" and "light," the one being particular, and the other general. "Light" is light in general, as the light of the day and the sun, while "a lamp" is a particular light like that of a candle, which is made luminous from some other source. The "commandment" and the "law" alike enlighten the conscience and enables one to walk in his way of life.
Amen!!
Reading:( Prov. 7:20-23)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"For the commandment is a lamp; and the
law is light; and reproofs of instruction
are the way of life."
The light does not create the objects it shines upon, it only makes manifest what was previously hidden, So religious revelation does not create it's already established. The doctrines of Christianity, as they are true, represent eternal facts. The New Testament brings these facts to light.
The "commandment" is any special or particular commandment which harmonizes with God’s will, and commands what is to be done and forbids what is to be left undone. The "law" is the whole law of God in its entirety; not here in the Law of Moses technically, but the whole system of generalized instruction. They stand in the same relation to each other as "a lamp" and "light," the one being particular, and the other general. "Light" is light in general, as the light of the day and the sun, while "a lamp" is a particular light like that of a candle, which is made luminous from some other source. The "commandment" and the "law" alike enlighten the conscience and enables one to walk in his way of life.
Amen!!
Reading:( Prov. 7:20-23)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Sunday, March 29, 2015
He Touched The Untouchable
Luke 5:13
"And he put forth his hand,
and touched him, saying,
I will: be thou clean"
The leper was hated by others until he came to hate himself. That is the kind of man who came to Jesus; he was unclean and Jesus touched him. Jesus touched the untouchable. His hand went out to a man that everyone else had shrunk away from. Within this one miracle we find, that when we despise ourselves, when our hearts are filled with bitter shame, let us remember, that in spite of all, Christ hand is still stretched out.
Blessed are those who heal us of our self-depising. That is what Jesus did and still does today. It is of the essence of Christianity to touch the untouchable, to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable. That is what Jesus did and so must we.
Amen!!
Reading:(Luke 5:12-16)
(Matt. 8:1-4)
(Mark 1:40-45)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"And he put forth his hand,
and touched him, saying,
I will: be thou clean"
The leper was hated by others until he came to hate himself. That is the kind of man who came to Jesus; he was unclean and Jesus touched him. Jesus touched the untouchable. His hand went out to a man that everyone else had shrunk away from. Within this one miracle we find, that when we despise ourselves, when our hearts are filled with bitter shame, let us remember, that in spite of all, Christ hand is still stretched out.
Blessed are those who heal us of our self-depising. That is what Jesus did and still does today. It is of the essence of Christianity to touch the untouchable, to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable. That is what Jesus did and so must we.
Amen!!
Reading:(Luke 5:12-16)
(Matt. 8:1-4)
(Mark 1:40-45)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Meet For The Master's Use
Proverbs 17:3
"The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace
for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts"
God tries our hearts, not merely that He or we may see what is in them, but that they may be purified ( Isa 48:10). There are many purifying, practical lessons we learn in affliction which we are very slow to receive, but without that discipline, we might never gain at all.
The unsatisfying character of all that is earthly and human. The transition of the present, and the wisdom of laying up treasures in heaven. The secondariness of all claims to those that are Divine, and our continuing obligation to give the first place to the will and the cause of our Redeemer. These are just a few practical lesson we learn through discipline.
Our deep need of Christ as the Lord whom we are to be faithfully serving and the Friend in whose fellowship we are to spend our days. With these great spiritual truths burnt into our souls by the refining fires, we shall have our worldliness and our selfishness expelled, and be vessels of pure gold, meet for the Master’s use.
Amen!!
Reading:(Isa. 48:1-22)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace
for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts"
God tries our hearts, not merely that He or we may see what is in them, but that they may be purified ( Isa 48:10). There are many purifying, practical lessons we learn in affliction which we are very slow to receive, but without that discipline, we might never gain at all.
The unsatisfying character of all that is earthly and human. The transition of the present, and the wisdom of laying up treasures in heaven. The secondariness of all claims to those that are Divine, and our continuing obligation to give the first place to the will and the cause of our Redeemer. These are just a few practical lesson we learn through discipline.
Our deep need of Christ as the Lord whom we are to be faithfully serving and the Friend in whose fellowship we are to spend our days. With these great spiritual truths burnt into our souls by the refining fires, we shall have our worldliness and our selfishness expelled, and be vessels of pure gold, meet for the Master’s use.
Amen!!
Reading:(Isa. 48:1-22)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Friday, March 27, 2015
Be Content And Wait For God's Answer
Luke 18:7
"And shall not God avenge his own elect,
which cry day and night unto him,
though he bear long with them?"
Jesus tells us that God permits suffering among his servants, long after they have begun to pray for deliverance. But we are counseled here to cry day and night unto him, and, though there be no quick reply, our prayers shall be treasured up before him, and in his own good time they will be answered. Though he bear long with whom does God bear long? With the wrong-doers, whose works and words oppress and make life heavy and grievous to the servants of God; with these who have no claim to consideration, will God bear long. No!
And this should give us some clue to the meaning of the delay we often experience before we get an answer to many of our prayers. The prayer is heard, but God, in the exercise of mercy and forbearance, has dealings with the oppressors. It would be easy for the Almighty to grant an immediate answer, but only at the cost often of visiting some of the oppressors with immediate punishment. This has forever been his way of working with individuals as with nations.
Was it not this way that he acted towards Egypt and her Pharaohs during the long period of the bitter Hebrew bondage? We who would be God’s servants must be content to wait God’s time, and, while waiting, patiently go on pleading, sure that in the end "God will avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him."
Amen!!
Reading: (Luke 18:1-8)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"And shall not God avenge his own elect,
which cry day and night unto him,
though he bear long with them?"
Jesus tells us that God permits suffering among his servants, long after they have begun to pray for deliverance. But we are counseled here to cry day and night unto him, and, though there be no quick reply, our prayers shall be treasured up before him, and in his own good time they will be answered. Though he bear long with whom does God bear long? With the wrong-doers, whose works and words oppress and make life heavy and grievous to the servants of God; with these who have no claim to consideration, will God bear long. No!
And this should give us some clue to the meaning of the delay we often experience before we get an answer to many of our prayers. The prayer is heard, but God, in the exercise of mercy and forbearance, has dealings with the oppressors. It would be easy for the Almighty to grant an immediate answer, but only at the cost often of visiting some of the oppressors with immediate punishment. This has forever been his way of working with individuals as with nations.
Was it not this way that he acted towards Egypt and her Pharaohs during the long period of the bitter Hebrew bondage? We who would be God’s servants must be content to wait God’s time, and, while waiting, patiently go on pleading, sure that in the end "God will avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him."
Amen!!
Reading: (Luke 18:1-8)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Strangers May Be Angels
Hebrews 13:2
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby
some have entertained angels unawares."
Without knowing that they were angels, as Abraham and Lot did in (Gen. 18,19); that by entertaining the stranger we may perhaps be honored with the presence of those whose society will be an honor and a blessing. It is not well for us to miss the opportunity of the presence, the conversation, and the prayers of the good. The influence of such guests in a family is worth more than it costs to entertain them. If there is danger that we may sometimes receive from those we entertain; it is not wise on account of such possible danger, to lose the opportunity of entertaining those whose presence would be a blessing.
At any time the visits of our fellow men may be a visit of angels, as being messengers of God’s purposes for good when least expected. And especially to be noted are our Lord’s own words, "He that receiveth you receiveth me," and "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Mat. 25:40).
Amen!!
Reading: (Heb. 13:1-2)
(Gen. Chap. 18,19)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby
some have entertained angels unawares."
Without knowing that they were angels, as Abraham and Lot did in (Gen. 18,19); that by entertaining the stranger we may perhaps be honored with the presence of those whose society will be an honor and a blessing. It is not well for us to miss the opportunity of the presence, the conversation, and the prayers of the good. The influence of such guests in a family is worth more than it costs to entertain them. If there is danger that we may sometimes receive from those we entertain; it is not wise on account of such possible danger, to lose the opportunity of entertaining those whose presence would be a blessing.
At any time the visits of our fellow men may be a visit of angels, as being messengers of God’s purposes for good when least expected. And especially to be noted are our Lord’s own words, "He that receiveth you receiveth me," and "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Mat. 25:40).
Amen!!
Reading: (Heb. 13:1-2)
(Gen. Chap. 18,19)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Hold Your Way; Be Stronger
Job 17:9
"The righteous also shall hold on his way
and he that hath clean hands shall
be stronger and stronger"
In Job Chapter 16, Job described the terrible hostility of God, who dashed him to pieces, laid him in ruins and poured out his soul to the ground. Then he thought why had all this come upon him though he was innocent both in life and in spirit. Then he comes to the point at which he always loses self-control and he realizes that in spite of his innocence he is held guilty.
He vows that he could bear his awful calamities if only he were delivered from the mockery; and asks that God judge between him and them. God is the supreme Judge, and Job asks Him to become his surety against the incrimination's of those who so shamefully misjudged him.
There is no other course for hunted souls than appeal from man to God in the person of Jesus. He insists that in a whirlwind of trouble the righteous must hold on his way and keep his hands clean. If one's path has dipped down into the valley of the shadow, let them hold on their way. Go on doing the will of God, so far as you know it, and it will bring you out under His heaven of love.
Amen!!
Reading:(Job 17:1-16)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"The righteous also shall hold on his way
and he that hath clean hands shall
be stronger and stronger"
In Job Chapter 16, Job described the terrible hostility of God, who dashed him to pieces, laid him in ruins and poured out his soul to the ground. Then he thought why had all this come upon him though he was innocent both in life and in spirit. Then he comes to the point at which he always loses self-control and he realizes that in spite of his innocence he is held guilty.
He vows that he could bear his awful calamities if only he were delivered from the mockery; and asks that God judge between him and them. God is the supreme Judge, and Job asks Him to become his surety against the incrimination's of those who so shamefully misjudged him.
There is no other course for hunted souls than appeal from man to God in the person of Jesus. He insists that in a whirlwind of trouble the righteous must hold on his way and keep his hands clean. If one's path has dipped down into the valley of the shadow, let them hold on their way. Go on doing the will of God, so far as you know it, and it will bring you out under His heaven of love.
Amen!!
Reading:(Job 17:1-16)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
There Is A Day Coming!!
Joel 3:21
"For I will cleanse their blood
that I have not cleansed:"
There shall be Divine influences, and the gospel will spread into the remotest corners of the earth. These events are predicted under significant events; there is a day coming, when every thing evil shall be made good. The source of this is the fountain in the house of God, and Christ is this Fountain; his sufferings, merit, and grace, cleanse, refresh, and make fruitful. The Gospel of grace, flowing from Christ, shall reach to the Gentile world, to the most remote regions, and make them abound in fruits of righteousness; and from the house of the Lord above, from his heavenly temple, flows all the good we taste daily, and by the cleansing of Christ blood, those who believe shall enjoy eternally.
Amen!!
Reading: (Joel 3:1-15)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"For I will cleanse their blood
that I have not cleansed:"
There shall be Divine influences, and the gospel will spread into the remotest corners of the earth. These events are predicted under significant events; there is a day coming, when every thing evil shall be made good. The source of this is the fountain in the house of God, and Christ is this Fountain; his sufferings, merit, and grace, cleanse, refresh, and make fruitful. The Gospel of grace, flowing from Christ, shall reach to the Gentile world, to the most remote regions, and make them abound in fruits of righteousness; and from the house of the Lord above, from his heavenly temple, flows all the good we taste daily, and by the cleansing of Christ blood, those who believe shall enjoy eternally.
Amen!!
Reading: (Joel 3:1-15)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, March 23, 2015
Loving As God Loves
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because
we keep his commandments, and do those
things that are pleasing in his sight
Love to the brethren is a sign that we have been born into the family. We may not like them all, yet we can love them. If we love, we live; and if we live in the deepest sense, we shall love; that is, we shall put others first, and our care for them will be attached with the crimson of sacrifice. Love is not measured by the expressions of the lip or the emotion of the heart, but by the extent to which we will do or suffer for others.
The believer dares not affirm too much about himself, he is so unworthy and weak; but God understands us and imputes to us what we would be. It is also clear from (1Jn 3:23) that men can believe, if they will. God is prepared to impart to those who are willing to follow all that He commands. We all should pray what other faithful followers of Christ have prayed; “Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.”
Amen!!
"GOD IS LOVE
THEREFORE; WE SHOULD BE"
Reading: (1 John 3:11-24)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because
we keep his commandments, and do those
things that are pleasing in his sight
Love to the brethren is a sign that we have been born into the family. We may not like them all, yet we can love them. If we love, we live; and if we live in the deepest sense, we shall love; that is, we shall put others first, and our care for them will be attached with the crimson of sacrifice. Love is not measured by the expressions of the lip or the emotion of the heart, but by the extent to which we will do or suffer for others.
The believer dares not affirm too much about himself, he is so unworthy and weak; but God understands us and imputes to us what we would be. It is also clear from (1Jn 3:23) that men can believe, if they will. God is prepared to impart to those who are willing to follow all that He commands. We all should pray what other faithful followers of Christ have prayed; “Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.”
Amen!!
"GOD IS LOVE
THEREFORE; WE SHOULD BE"
Reading: (1 John 3:11-24)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Hard Head, Hard Heart!
Exodus 7:14
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh's
heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go."
Although he received many warnings, Pharaoh refused to obey God. Before the ten plagues began, Moses and Aaron announced what God would do if Pharaoh didn’t let the people go. But Pharaoh refused to listen and hardened his heart. Through the first six plagues, Pharaoh dug in a little more each time. Pharaoh wouldn’t change, so God confirmed Pharaoh’s arrogant decision, hardening his heart permanently (Ex. 11:10) and setting the painful consequences of his actions in motion. This brought suffering upon Pharaoh and on his entire country. Unfortunately for Pharaoh, he doesn’t get the point until it costs him his son. Stubbornness can be fatal!
God gave Pharaoh every opportunity to change his mind; it was Pharaoh’s stubbornness that prevented it from changing. Stubbornness against God leads to disobedience. When you stop stubbornly insisting on your own way and begin submitting to God, you may be surprised by the work he will do in your life. Let us all listen and follow God in all our decisions for ourselves, our family, friends, Church, and God.
Amen!!
Reading: (Ex. 7:1-25)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh's
heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go."
Although he received many warnings, Pharaoh refused to obey God. Before the ten plagues began, Moses and Aaron announced what God would do if Pharaoh didn’t let the people go. But Pharaoh refused to listen and hardened his heart. Through the first six plagues, Pharaoh dug in a little more each time. Pharaoh wouldn’t change, so God confirmed Pharaoh’s arrogant decision, hardening his heart permanently (Ex. 11:10) and setting the painful consequences of his actions in motion. This brought suffering upon Pharaoh and on his entire country. Unfortunately for Pharaoh, he doesn’t get the point until it costs him his son. Stubbornness can be fatal!
God gave Pharaoh every opportunity to change his mind; it was Pharaoh’s stubbornness that prevented it from changing. Stubbornness against God leads to disobedience. When you stop stubbornly insisting on your own way and begin submitting to God, you may be surprised by the work he will do in your life. Let us all listen and follow God in all our decisions for ourselves, our family, friends, Church, and God.
Amen!!
Reading: (Ex. 7:1-25)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Friday, March 20, 2015
A Glimpse Of The Glory Of God's Son
Matthew 17:4
"Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord
it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us
make here three tabernacles; one for thee,
and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
The three disciples who were privileged to travel up the mountain with Jesus witnessed an unforgettable sight that would transform their understanding of Christ. There they were given a glimpse of the future glory of God’s Son. When they heard the voice of God, they immediately fell on their faces in terror. Jesus did not want his disciples to be afraid (17:7), but their gesture of reverence was very appropriate. How do we respond to revelations of the Lord’s glory? In light of the disciples’ example, let us maintain an attitude of humble worship before our Lord.
Glorious Lord, we thank you for giving us small glimpses of your greatness. We worship you in reverence and wonder and ask your forgiveness for the times we have failed to recognize your true glory. May your glory be evident in our life, and to those around us.
Amen!!
Reading: (Matt. 17:1-8)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord
it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us
make here three tabernacles; one for thee,
and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
The three disciples who were privileged to travel up the mountain with Jesus witnessed an unforgettable sight that would transform their understanding of Christ. There they were given a glimpse of the future glory of God’s Son. When they heard the voice of God, they immediately fell on their faces in terror. Jesus did not want his disciples to be afraid (17:7), but their gesture of reverence was very appropriate. How do we respond to revelations of the Lord’s glory? In light of the disciples’ example, let us maintain an attitude of humble worship before our Lord.
Glorious Lord, we thank you for giving us small glimpses of your greatness. We worship you in reverence and wonder and ask your forgiveness for the times we have failed to recognize your true glory. May your glory be evident in our life, and to those around us.
Amen!!
Reading: (Matt. 17:1-8)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Blessedness
Luke 1:48
"For behold, from henceforth all
generations shall call me blessed."
This verse contains one of the most misunderstood words in the New Testament. It is the phrase "All generations shall call me blessed;" However the word I want us to grasp here is "blessed." Blessed is the first word in all the Beatitudes, and it is followed by the word "are" which means to the second and third person's. Mary rightly was the first person to be "highly blessed by God;" However She was not meant to be pray to as an intercessor to God. The Greek translation says, which in reality means "They shall bless me."
When we speak of being blessed, it means to have the kingdom of God within one's heart because of Christ, and as a result of being fully satisfied in Christ. A blessed person is one whom God makes fully satisfied, not because of favorable circumstances, but because He indwells the believer through Christ.
The word "Blessed' in this verse means; "is worthy, and well spoken of." When a person blesses God, and yes you should bless God, he is speaking well of Him, which is praising and thanking Him. When we ask God to bless another, we are not asking Him to approve the plans that have been made, we are asking for the care, guardianship, and Divine direction of the Holy Spirit to affect His heart and life. In closing, let me say; "As we look upon our blessing from God, let's not forget to "Bless Our God!
Amen!!
Reading: ( Luke 1:46-56)
( Matt. 5:1-12)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross life Ministry
"For behold, from henceforth all
generations shall call me blessed."
This verse contains one of the most misunderstood words in the New Testament. It is the phrase "All generations shall call me blessed;" However the word I want us to grasp here is "blessed." Blessed is the first word in all the Beatitudes, and it is followed by the word "are" which means to the second and third person's. Mary rightly was the first person to be "highly blessed by God;" However She was not meant to be pray to as an intercessor to God. The Greek translation says, which in reality means "They shall bless me."
When we speak of being blessed, it means to have the kingdom of God within one's heart because of Christ, and as a result of being fully satisfied in Christ. A blessed person is one whom God makes fully satisfied, not because of favorable circumstances, but because He indwells the believer through Christ.
The word "Blessed' in this verse means; "is worthy, and well spoken of." When a person blesses God, and yes you should bless God, he is speaking well of Him, which is praising and thanking Him. When we ask God to bless another, we are not asking Him to approve the plans that have been made, we are asking for the care, guardianship, and Divine direction of the Holy Spirit to affect His heart and life. In closing, let me say; "As we look upon our blessing from God, let's not forget to "Bless Our God!
Amen!!
Reading: ( Luke 1:46-56)
( Matt. 5:1-12)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross life Ministry
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
The Secret Of Life
Proverbs 2:5
"Then shalt thou understand the fear of the
Lord, and find the knowledge of God."
This is one passage out of many in which wisdom is connected with religion, in which it is said that a religious fear of God is the first step in true wisdom. Those that know God must love wisdom, and humbly and vigorously seek after godly wisdom.
Salomon's meaning is, that we are to begin life by fearing God, without understanding it; as a child obeys his parents without understanding the meaning of their commands. If we do not always know the reason at first, we shall know it in due time, and get to understand the fear of the Lord. In due time we shall see from experience that we are in the path of life.
This is the secret of life: To believe that God is your Father, schooling and training you from your cradle to your grave; and then to please Him and obey Him in all things. Lifting up daily your hands and thankful heart, entreating Him to purge the eyes of your soul, and give you the true wisdom, which is to see all things as they really are, and as God Himself sees them.
If you do that, you may believe that God will teach you more and more how to do, in all the affairs of life, that which is right in His sight. He will reward you by making you more and more partakers of His Holy Spirit and of truth, by which, seeing everything as it really is. You will at last, if not in this life, still in the life to come grow to see God Himself, who has made all things according to His own will, that they we be a pattern of His unspeakable glory; and beyond that, who needs to see?
Amen!!
Reading: (Prov. 2:1-5)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Then shalt thou understand the fear of the
Lord, and find the knowledge of God."
This is one passage out of many in which wisdom is connected with religion, in which it is said that a religious fear of God is the first step in true wisdom. Those that know God must love wisdom, and humbly and vigorously seek after godly wisdom.
Salomon's meaning is, that we are to begin life by fearing God, without understanding it; as a child obeys his parents without understanding the meaning of their commands. If we do not always know the reason at first, we shall know it in due time, and get to understand the fear of the Lord. In due time we shall see from experience that we are in the path of life.
This is the secret of life: To believe that God is your Father, schooling and training you from your cradle to your grave; and then to please Him and obey Him in all things. Lifting up daily your hands and thankful heart, entreating Him to purge the eyes of your soul, and give you the true wisdom, which is to see all things as they really are, and as God Himself sees them.
If you do that, you may believe that God will teach you more and more how to do, in all the affairs of life, that which is right in His sight. He will reward you by making you more and more partakers of His Holy Spirit and of truth, by which, seeing everything as it really is. You will at last, if not in this life, still in the life to come grow to see God Himself, who has made all things according to His own will, that they we be a pattern of His unspeakable glory; and beyond that, who needs to see?
Amen!!
Reading: (Prov. 2:1-5)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Tomorrow May Be To Late!
Proverbs 1:28
"Then shall they call upon me, but I will not
answer; they shall seek me early, but
they shall not find me:"
God is more than willing to pour out his heart and make known his thoughts to us. To receive his advice, we must be willing to listen, refusing to let pride stand in our way. Pride is thinking more highly of our own wisdom and desires than of God’s. If we think we know better than God or feel we don't need God's grace, we have fallen into foolish and disastrous pride.
That my friend I believe will be the fall, of first our country, then of man kind. Life as we know it "is" coming to an end! We don't know were we will be, or what we will be doing; However the one thing you and I will know! "We'll be meeting Jesus in the air and be change in the twinkle of an eye. But if we did not seek and find Jesus Christ and believe, we will be attending "The Final Judgment day," in front of, "The Great White Throne," answering for all our sins. Thank God, I made my choice a long time ago. Have you made your choice? If not; I pray you make your choice today.
Amen!!
Reading: (Pro. 1:28-33)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Then shall they call upon me, but I will not
answer; they shall seek me early, but
they shall not find me:"
God is more than willing to pour out his heart and make known his thoughts to us. To receive his advice, we must be willing to listen, refusing to let pride stand in our way. Pride is thinking more highly of our own wisdom and desires than of God’s. If we think we know better than God or feel we don't need God's grace, we have fallen into foolish and disastrous pride.
That my friend I believe will be the fall, of first our country, then of man kind. Life as we know it "is" coming to an end! We don't know were we will be, or what we will be doing; However the one thing you and I will know! "We'll be meeting Jesus in the air and be change in the twinkle of an eye. But if we did not seek and find Jesus Christ and believe, we will be attending "The Final Judgment day," in front of, "The Great White Throne," answering for all our sins. Thank God, I made my choice a long time ago. Have you made your choice? If not; I pray you make your choice today.
Amen!!
Reading: (Pro. 1:28-33)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, March 16, 2015
Grace Comes Through Prayer
Colossians 4:2
"Continue in prayer and watch in the
same with thanksgiving."
All might, power, and life come from God; we continually dependent upon him for all these: To earnest, persevering prayer, he has promised every supply; but he who prays not has no promise. How few wives feel it their duty to pray to God to give them grace to behave as wives! How few husbands pray for the grace of God to be a godly husband, that they may be able to fulfill the duties of a husband! As every situation in life has its peculiar duties, trials, etc; so to every situation there is peculiar grace appointed. No man can fulfill the duties of any situation without the grace suited to that situation. Many marriages become unhappy in the end, because the parties have not earnestly besought God for the grace necessary for them as husbands and wives. This is the origin of family problems in general; and a proper attention to "God's Word" would prevent them all.
Be always on your guard; and when you have got grace from God by praying, take care of it, and bring it into its fullness by watchfulness in which you will know; when, where, and how to apply it. Let us always be grateful to God, who has called us into salvation, through His grace, and affords us abundant means and opportunities to glorify him.
Amen!!
Reading: (4:1-6)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Continue in prayer and watch in the
same with thanksgiving."
All might, power, and life come from God; we continually dependent upon him for all these: To earnest, persevering prayer, he has promised every supply; but he who prays not has no promise. How few wives feel it their duty to pray to God to give them grace to behave as wives! How few husbands pray for the grace of God to be a godly husband, that they may be able to fulfill the duties of a husband! As every situation in life has its peculiar duties, trials, etc; so to every situation there is peculiar grace appointed. No man can fulfill the duties of any situation without the grace suited to that situation. Many marriages become unhappy in the end, because the parties have not earnestly besought God for the grace necessary for them as husbands and wives. This is the origin of family problems in general; and a proper attention to "God's Word" would prevent them all.
Be always on your guard; and when you have got grace from God by praying, take care of it, and bring it into its fullness by watchfulness in which you will know; when, where, and how to apply it. Let us always be grateful to God, who has called us into salvation, through His grace, and affords us abundant means and opportunities to glorify him.
Amen!!
Reading: (4:1-6)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Christ Our Life
Colossians 3:4
"When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then
shall ye also appear with him in glory"
The first thing that comes to mind is what Paul wrote in Phil. 2:21; "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Then earlier in Gal. 2:20; Paul wrote, " I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith. These two Scriptures spell out Paul's walk with Christ. Christ Loved Paul and Chose Paul, and Paul was faithful til his death. What is Paul telling us here? Paul is talking about life with Christ; here in this life right now. To a Christian Christ is the most important thing in life, and even more "Christ Is Our Life"
We can only understand little and barely express this feeling. Let me explain it this way. Some people say that singing is their life, or sports, or just plain work is their life. You see they live for what they do; be it singing, sports, or work. Such a man finds life and all that it means in what he lives for, and leaves little to no room for Christ.
A Christian sets his mind and heart on things above and not on things of this world. He judges everything in the light of the cross. In the light of the cross the worlds wealth is seen at it's true value and the Christian is able to set his heart on the things which are above.
There will be a "Great Reunion" of all the redeemed and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall appear with Him in glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world and live above the world we're in?
Amen!!
Reading: (Col. 3:1-4)
(Phil. 2:21)
(Gal. 2:20)
May God Bless You
And your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then
shall ye also appear with him in glory"
The first thing that comes to mind is what Paul wrote in Phil. 2:21; "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Then earlier in Gal. 2:20; Paul wrote, " I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith. These two Scriptures spell out Paul's walk with Christ. Christ Loved Paul and Chose Paul, and Paul was faithful til his death. What is Paul telling us here? Paul is talking about life with Christ; here in this life right now. To a Christian Christ is the most important thing in life, and even more "Christ Is Our Life"
We can only understand little and barely express this feeling. Let me explain it this way. Some people say that singing is their life, or sports, or just plain work is their life. You see they live for what they do; be it singing, sports, or work. Such a man finds life and all that it means in what he lives for, and leaves little to no room for Christ.
A Christian sets his mind and heart on things above and not on things of this world. He judges everything in the light of the cross. In the light of the cross the worlds wealth is seen at it's true value and the Christian is able to set his heart on the things which are above.
There will be a "Great Reunion" of all the redeemed and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall appear with Him in glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world and live above the world we're in?
Amen!!
Reading: (Col. 3:1-4)
(Phil. 2:21)
(Gal. 2:20)
May God Bless You
And your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Riches Which Eye Hath Not Seen
Romans 2:4
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that
the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
The Jews thought that Paul, was tempting them to despise the privileges of their birth and election. He asks the Jew how he could dare to despise the riches which God had bestowed upon him. What were those riches? The Law and the Covenant were the pledges and witnesses of their wealth. They spoke of a living God; a God of goodness, forbearance, and long suffering. Then to boast of the Law and the Covenant and the Scriptures, as if they were not revelations of Him, was to deny and despise them! To admit that He was good and forbearing and long suffering at all, and not believe that He was so at every moment, to themselves and to all men, was to play with words, to despise their sense, their power, and their blessing!
It is the same with each one of us. Our New Testament, our Baptism, our Communion, testify of a God, good and forbearing and long suffering. Now; this goodness, forbearance, and long suffering belong to the very name and character of Him in whom we are living and have faith in, they constitute a wealth upon which we may always draw. The more we call them to mind, the more we believe in them, the more truly and actively they become ours. We become moulded into their likeness, and display them. This is that kingly inheritance which the Scriptures make known to us. We ask that God's glory humbles us and lead us day by day to repentance. We shall be sure that there will be at last, a full revelation of those riches which eye hath not seen nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, but which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
Amen!!
Reading: (Romans 2:1-16)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that
the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
The Jews thought that Paul, was tempting them to despise the privileges of their birth and election. He asks the Jew how he could dare to despise the riches which God had bestowed upon him. What were those riches? The Law and the Covenant were the pledges and witnesses of their wealth. They spoke of a living God; a God of goodness, forbearance, and long suffering. Then to boast of the Law and the Covenant and the Scriptures, as if they were not revelations of Him, was to deny and despise them! To admit that He was good and forbearing and long suffering at all, and not believe that He was so at every moment, to themselves and to all men, was to play with words, to despise their sense, their power, and their blessing!
It is the same with each one of us. Our New Testament, our Baptism, our Communion, testify of a God, good and forbearing and long suffering. Now; this goodness, forbearance, and long suffering belong to the very name and character of Him in whom we are living and have faith in, they constitute a wealth upon which we may always draw. The more we call them to mind, the more we believe in them, the more truly and actively they become ours. We become moulded into their likeness, and display them. This is that kingly inheritance which the Scriptures make known to us. We ask that God's glory humbles us and lead us day by day to repentance. We shall be sure that there will be at last, a full revelation of those riches which eye hath not seen nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, but which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
Amen!!
Reading: (Romans 2:1-16)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Friday, March 13, 2015
Walk In Blessedness
Colossians 3:2
"Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth."
Let us repeat the glorious truth, which was the heart of Paul’s teaching, that our old nature has been nailed with Christ to the Cross, and laid in the grave; and that our real self, the "new man" has entered the new world of resurrection. We belong to the world on the threshold of which Jesus said, "Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended." We must guard against the defiling touch of the world, of sin, and of the old self-life. We stand between two worlds, each solicits us: let us yield to the influences that pull us upward, and not to those that anchor us to this sinful and vain world. Our eternal blessedness has begun, let us walk in it.
Amen!!
Reading: (Col. 3:1-17)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth."
Let us repeat the glorious truth, which was the heart of Paul’s teaching, that our old nature has been nailed with Christ to the Cross, and laid in the grave; and that our real self, the "new man" has entered the new world of resurrection. We belong to the world on the threshold of which Jesus said, "Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended." We must guard against the defiling touch of the world, of sin, and of the old self-life. We stand between two worlds, each solicits us: let us yield to the influences that pull us upward, and not to those that anchor us to this sinful and vain world. Our eternal blessedness has begun, let us walk in it.
Amen!!
Reading: (Col. 3:1-17)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Established In Faith
Colossians 2:10
"And ye are complete in him, which is
the head of all principality and power."
If you know Christ, you can lay your hand on the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. They are matters of daily experience. The Apostle’s aim is to put new converts on their guard against those who might divert them from their simple faith in Jesus, and their sufficiency in Him.
The first act of the Christian life is to receive Christ, and every moment afterward we must continue receiving Him. The act must become an attitude. Breathe in the love and power of Jesus. Take deep breaths. Then we shall be rooted in Him in secret, and built up in Him in our outward walk and behavior. If we have Christ, we have all God’s fullness, and this is easily accessible. Like Jacob’s ladder, He links us with God.
We have everything in Jesus. He has fulfilled the Law in all respects on our behalf. Let us put the waters of entire surrender between our past, our sins, and the world, and rise into His life, the life of resurrection glory and power.
Amen!!
Reading: (Col. 2:1-19)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"And ye are complete in him, which is
the head of all principality and power."
If you know Christ, you can lay your hand on the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. They are matters of daily experience. The Apostle’s aim is to put new converts on their guard against those who might divert them from their simple faith in Jesus, and their sufficiency in Him.
The first act of the Christian life is to receive Christ, and every moment afterward we must continue receiving Him. The act must become an attitude. Breathe in the love and power of Jesus. Take deep breaths. Then we shall be rooted in Him in secret, and built up in Him in our outward walk and behavior. If we have Christ, we have all God’s fullness, and this is easily accessible. Like Jacob’s ladder, He links us with God.
We have everything in Jesus. He has fulfilled the Law in all respects on our behalf. Let us put the waters of entire surrender between our past, our sins, and the world, and rise into His life, the life of resurrection glory and power.
Amen!!
Reading: (Col. 2:1-19)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Our Imperishable Inheritance
1 Peter 1:8
"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with unspeakable and full of glory."
There is every reason why we should love him: His character is infinitely lovely. He has done more for us than any other one who ever lived among men. He died for us, to redeem our souls. He rose, and brought life and immortality to light. He ever lives to intercede for us in heaven. He is employed in preparing mansions of rest for us in heaven, and he will come and take us to himself, that we may be with him forever. Such a Saviour ought to be loved, is loved, and will be loved. The strongest attachments which have ever existed on earth have been for this unseen Saviour.
There has been a love for him stronger than that for a father, or mother, or wife, or sister, or home, or country. It has been so strong, that thousands have been willing, on account of it, to bear the torture of the rack or the stake. It has been so strong, that thousands of youth of the finest minds, and the most flattering prospects of distinction, have been willing to leave the comforts of a civilized land, and to go among the benighted pagans, to tell them the story of a Saviour's life and death. It has been so strong, that unnumbered multitudes have longed, more than they have for all other things, that they might see him, and be with him, and abide with him forever and ever. I Pray that Christians around the world have this strong a love for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen!!
Reading: (1 Peter 1:3-12)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with unspeakable and full of glory."
There is every reason why we should love him: His character is infinitely lovely. He has done more for us than any other one who ever lived among men. He died for us, to redeem our souls. He rose, and brought life and immortality to light. He ever lives to intercede for us in heaven. He is employed in preparing mansions of rest for us in heaven, and he will come and take us to himself, that we may be with him forever. Such a Saviour ought to be loved, is loved, and will be loved. The strongest attachments which have ever existed on earth have been for this unseen Saviour.
There has been a love for him stronger than that for a father, or mother, or wife, or sister, or home, or country. It has been so strong, that thousands have been willing, on account of it, to bear the torture of the rack or the stake. It has been so strong, that thousands of youth of the finest minds, and the most flattering prospects of distinction, have been willing to leave the comforts of a civilized land, and to go among the benighted pagans, to tell them the story of a Saviour's life and death. It has been so strong, that unnumbered multitudes have longed, more than they have for all other things, that they might see him, and be with him, and abide with him forever and ever. I Pray that Christians around the world have this strong a love for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen!!
Reading: (1 Peter 1:3-12)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Stand And Not Be Trodden Down
Matthew 5:13
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have
lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?"
Salt renders food pleasant and palatable, and preserves it from decomposition and a foul-smelling matter. So Christians, by our lives and instructions, we are to keep the world from entire moral corruption. By bringing down the blessing of God in answer to our prayers, and by our influence and example, we save the world from universal vice and crime.
My friends if we lose that savor that has been placed within us, by Jesus Christ; everything we do will be for nothing, for it will be trodden down by Satan and his worldly armies. Look around you here at home! A board in Charlotte, wanting to vote in a bill that the right for both male and female to use the same bathroom facility! The police forces shoot first, and ask later! There are all ages of men and women from around the world joining or trying to join ISIS; and for what, to kill Christians!
This whole world could very easily become like Sodom and Gomorrah. Listen Christians! It is our time to fight the war that is in front of us! Put on your Armor of God and let us show our Lord, that we as a Nation; "Have Not Lost Our Savor, And We Never Will, Because; In God We Trust!"
Amen!!
Reading: ( Matt. 5:13-16)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have
lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?"
Salt renders food pleasant and palatable, and preserves it from decomposition and a foul-smelling matter. So Christians, by our lives and instructions, we are to keep the world from entire moral corruption. By bringing down the blessing of God in answer to our prayers, and by our influence and example, we save the world from universal vice and crime.
My friends if we lose that savor that has been placed within us, by Jesus Christ; everything we do will be for nothing, for it will be trodden down by Satan and his worldly armies. Look around you here at home! A board in Charlotte, wanting to vote in a bill that the right for both male and female to use the same bathroom facility! The police forces shoot first, and ask later! There are all ages of men and women from around the world joining or trying to join ISIS; and for what, to kill Christians!
This whole world could very easily become like Sodom and Gomorrah. Listen Christians! It is our time to fight the war that is in front of us! Put on your Armor of God and let us show our Lord, that we as a Nation; "Have Not Lost Our Savor, And We Never Will, Because; In God We Trust!"
Amen!!
Reading: ( Matt. 5:13-16)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, March 9, 2015
The Cost Of Gain Is Loss
Luke 14:27
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and
come after me, cannot be my disciple."
Here we have our Lord’s use of followers with a listening ear and open heart. Among the crowds; He knew that there were many light and superficial souls who had not realized the cost involved in discipleship. Mark the thrice-repeated words-cannot be my disciple.
Our love must be greater than the ties of family affection, Luke 14:26; must be greater than our love for our own way, which must be nailed to the Cross, Luke 14:27; must be greater than our love of possessions and property, Luke 14:33. Christ has done more than any other teacher to cement the relationships of human love, but He always asks that they should be subordinated to the claims of God.
What a comfort it is to realize that God counted the cost before He set about the task of redemption, whether of a world or of us as individuals. He knew all that it would cost, and surely He did not begin what He cannot complete! Oh' For the love that Paul had; "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" Phil. 3:7-8.
Amen!!
Reading: (Luke 14:25-33)
(Phil. 3:1-11)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and
come after me, cannot be my disciple."
Here we have our Lord’s use of followers with a listening ear and open heart. Among the crowds; He knew that there were many light and superficial souls who had not realized the cost involved in discipleship. Mark the thrice-repeated words-cannot be my disciple.
Our love must be greater than the ties of family affection, Luke 14:26; must be greater than our love for our own way, which must be nailed to the Cross, Luke 14:27; must be greater than our love of possessions and property, Luke 14:33. Christ has done more than any other teacher to cement the relationships of human love, but He always asks that they should be subordinated to the claims of God.
What a comfort it is to realize that God counted the cost before He set about the task of redemption, whether of a world or of us as individuals. He knew all that it would cost, and surely He did not begin what He cannot complete! Oh' For the love that Paul had; "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" Phil. 3:7-8.
Amen!!
Reading: (Luke 14:25-33)
(Phil. 3:1-11)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Assurances Passed On
Deuteronomy 31:8
"And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he
will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither
forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
God buries His workers, but carries on His work. None are indispensable. Moses is succeeded by Joshua; Stephen by Paul. "The grass withereth; but the word of our God shall stand forever."
The old Lawgiver passes on the assurances on which he had rested. After all, men are but the figureheads of movements which are greater than themselves. God goes before; God destroys; God accompanies and delivers. He lets timid souls take courage, and when the Good Shepherd puts them forth He precedes them, John 10:4. The iron gates stand open at His summons, and the big stones are rolled from the door of the sepulchers, Acts 12:10; Mark 16:3. Then He tells us, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," Hebrews 13:.5. This is the right of all believers. It is for me and you!
Amen!!
Reading: (Deut. 31:1-23)
(Acts 12:1-19)
(Heb. 13:1-25)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr
The Cross Life Ministry
"And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he
will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither
forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
God buries His workers, but carries on His work. None are indispensable. Moses is succeeded by Joshua; Stephen by Paul. "The grass withereth; but the word of our God shall stand forever."
The old Lawgiver passes on the assurances on which he had rested. After all, men are but the figureheads of movements which are greater than themselves. God goes before; God destroys; God accompanies and delivers. He lets timid souls take courage, and when the Good Shepherd puts them forth He precedes them, John 10:4. The iron gates stand open at His summons, and the big stones are rolled from the door of the sepulchers, Acts 12:10; Mark 16:3. Then He tells us, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," Hebrews 13:.5. This is the right of all believers. It is for me and you!
Amen!!
Reading: (Deut. 31:1-23)
(Acts 12:1-19)
(Heb. 13:1-25)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr
The Cross Life Ministry
Saturday, March 7, 2015
An Outsider’s Faith
Matthew 15:26
"But he answered and said, It is not meet
to take the children's bread,
and to cast it to dogs."
A crumb from the table of our Lord can make the heart satisfied and glad. But the suppliant must take the right place and give Him His right place. This poor Gentile mother had no claim on Jesus as the son of David; He was therefore silent. It was impossible for her to come in by the door of the covenant, but His silence led her to knock at another door, and taught her to cry, Lord, help me.
There was yet another lesson for her to learn and the Lord knew that she was capable of learning it. She must realize that for the time His ministry was confined to the Chosen People, so that the Gentile claim could be recognized only incidentally. But when she was willing to take the low place under the table and ask for the children’s crumbs, He put the key of His unsearchable riches into her hand, saying, "O Woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt." Those who yield to God most absolutely are able to decree things! Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways (Job 22:28). My friend you must be willing to take the low place and get upon your knees, and recognize that without faith there is no place for you at God's Table.
Amen!!
Reading: (Matt. 15:21-28)
(Job. 22:12-30)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"But he answered and said, It is not meet
to take the children's bread,
and to cast it to dogs."
A crumb from the table of our Lord can make the heart satisfied and glad. But the suppliant must take the right place and give Him His right place. This poor Gentile mother had no claim on Jesus as the son of David; He was therefore silent. It was impossible for her to come in by the door of the covenant, but His silence led her to knock at another door, and taught her to cry, Lord, help me.
There was yet another lesson for her to learn and the Lord knew that she was capable of learning it. She must realize that for the time His ministry was confined to the Chosen People, so that the Gentile claim could be recognized only incidentally. But when she was willing to take the low place under the table and ask for the children’s crumbs, He put the key of His unsearchable riches into her hand, saying, "O Woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt." Those who yield to God most absolutely are able to decree things! Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways (Job 22:28). My friend you must be willing to take the low place and get upon your knees, and recognize that without faith there is no place for you at God's Table.
Amen!!
Reading: (Matt. 15:21-28)
(Job. 22:12-30)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Friday, March 6, 2015
What Really Defiles
Matthew 15:19
"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,
false witness, blasphemies."
It is good to study our Lord’s list of the sources of soul-pollution. Evil thoughts come first. We cannot prevent an evil suggestion being presented to our minds, but we can refuse to dwell on it. To resist to dwell on it strengthens us in the opposite direction; to yield to it is to commit the sin in our heart, which, in God’s sight, is equivalent to the outward act. Notice that railing, that is, unkind and uncharitable speech, is in this black-list.
The heart, rather than the body, is the source of sin. Out of the heart! The body is the note pad on which the soul registers its improvement or deterioration. Do not find fault with your members: look to your heart and keep it beyond keeping, for out of it are the issues of life. Ask God to create in you a clean heart. See that you distinguish between the first Adam and the second. Deny what you inherit of human weakness and sin, and affirm all that is of Christ’s imparting. The cross of Calvary and the Resurrection of the living Christ are facts of God's love toward us.
Amen!!
Reading: (Matt. 15:1-20)
(Mark 7:1-23)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,
false witness, blasphemies."
It is good to study our Lord’s list of the sources of soul-pollution. Evil thoughts come first. We cannot prevent an evil suggestion being presented to our minds, but we can refuse to dwell on it. To resist to dwell on it strengthens us in the opposite direction; to yield to it is to commit the sin in our heart, which, in God’s sight, is equivalent to the outward act. Notice that railing, that is, unkind and uncharitable speech, is in this black-list.
The heart, rather than the body, is the source of sin. Out of the heart! The body is the note pad on which the soul registers its improvement or deterioration. Do not find fault with your members: look to your heart and keep it beyond keeping, for out of it are the issues of life. Ask God to create in you a clean heart. See that you distinguish between the first Adam and the second. Deny what you inherit of human weakness and sin, and affirm all that is of Christ’s imparting. The cross of Calvary and the Resurrection of the living Christ are facts of God's love toward us.
Amen!!
Reading: (Matt. 15:1-20)
(Mark 7:1-23)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
What A Day That Will Be
Isaiah 12:2
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and
not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH
is my strength and my song ; he
also is become my salvation."
When the sinner first finds peace and joy in believing; and to the believer, when his peace is renewed after corrections for backsliding; and to the whole company of the redeemed, when they meet before the throne of God in heaven, the promise is sure. The blessings contained are very rich; and the benefits enjoyed through Jesus Christ, call for the most enlarged thanksgivings. By Jesus Christ, the Root of Jesse, the Divine anger against mankind was turned away, for he is our Peace. Those to whom God is reconciled, he comforts. I will trust him to prepare me for his salvation, and preserve me in it. I will trust him with all my concerns, not doubting that he will make all to work for the good.
My friends; Faith in God is a sovereign remedy against tormenting fears. Many Christians have God for their strength, but those who have God for their strength ought to make him their light and give him the glory. This salvation is from the love of God the Father, it comes to us through God the Son, it is applied by the new-creating power of God the Spirit. When this is seen by faith, the trembling sinner learns to hope in God, and is delivered from fear.
This work flows through the mediation of Christ, and is conveyed to our souls by means of God's ordinances. Blessed be God, we have wells of salvation opened on every side, and may draw from them the waters of life and consolation. As believers we need to encourage one another to praise God, and draw others to join us. No difference of opinions or other such matters, ought to divide the hearts of Christians. Let it be our care that we may be placed among those to whom he will say, Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.
Amen!!
Reading: (Isaiah 12:1-6)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr
The Cross Life Ministry
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and
not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH
is my strength and my song ; he
also is become my salvation."
When the sinner first finds peace and joy in believing; and to the believer, when his peace is renewed after corrections for backsliding; and to the whole company of the redeemed, when they meet before the throne of God in heaven, the promise is sure. The blessings contained are very rich; and the benefits enjoyed through Jesus Christ, call for the most enlarged thanksgivings. By Jesus Christ, the Root of Jesse, the Divine anger against mankind was turned away, for he is our Peace. Those to whom God is reconciled, he comforts. I will trust him to prepare me for his salvation, and preserve me in it. I will trust him with all my concerns, not doubting that he will make all to work for the good.
My friends; Faith in God is a sovereign remedy against tormenting fears. Many Christians have God for their strength, but those who have God for their strength ought to make him their light and give him the glory. This salvation is from the love of God the Father, it comes to us through God the Son, it is applied by the new-creating power of God the Spirit. When this is seen by faith, the trembling sinner learns to hope in God, and is delivered from fear.
This work flows through the mediation of Christ, and is conveyed to our souls by means of God's ordinances. Blessed be God, we have wells of salvation opened on every side, and may draw from them the waters of life and consolation. As believers we need to encourage one another to praise God, and draw others to join us. No difference of opinions or other such matters, ought to divide the hearts of Christians. Let it be our care that we may be placed among those to whom he will say, Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.
Amen!!
Reading: (Isaiah 12:1-6)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Shame Will Not Bring Gain
Isaiah 29:15
"Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel
from the Lord, and their works are in the dark,
and they say, Who seeth us?
and who knoweth us?
The Bible is a sealed book to every man, learned or unlearned, till he begins to study it with a simple heart and a teachable spirit, that he may learn the truth and the will of God. To worship God, is to approach him. And if the heart be full of his love and fear, out of the abundance of it, the mouth will speak; but there are many whose religion is "lip labor" only. When they pretend to be speaking to God, they are thinking of a thousand other things. They worship God according to their own gain
Numbers have become important in worship. And religion is only to comply with custom, and to serve their own interest. But wanderings of the mind, and lack of devotion, which are the believer's burden, are very different from the withdrawing of the heart from God. And those who make religion no more than a pretense, deceive themselves. Those that think they conceal themselves from God only, fool themselves. Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
Amen!!
Reading: (Isa. 29:15-24)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel
from the Lord, and their works are in the dark,
and they say, Who seeth us?
and who knoweth us?
The Bible is a sealed book to every man, learned or unlearned, till he begins to study it with a simple heart and a teachable spirit, that he may learn the truth and the will of God. To worship God, is to approach him. And if the heart be full of his love and fear, out of the abundance of it, the mouth will speak; but there are many whose religion is "lip labor" only. When they pretend to be speaking to God, they are thinking of a thousand other things. They worship God according to their own gain
Numbers have become important in worship. And religion is only to comply with custom, and to serve their own interest. But wanderings of the mind, and lack of devotion, which are the believer's burden, are very different from the withdrawing of the heart from God. And those who make religion no more than a pretense, deceive themselves. Those that think they conceal themselves from God only, fool themselves. Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
Amen!!
Reading: (Isa. 29:15-24)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, March 2, 2015
Plans And Deliberations
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and
thy thoughts shall be established."
As a child opens it's heart to a loving parent, so should we show our desires and intentions, to His trusting guidance and care. Then the plans and deliberations out of which the "works" come, will be with a complete and happy fulfillment, because they were undertaken according to the will of God, and directed to the end by His guidance.
My friends; the safest way in which to travel is the way of the upright, a way which God makes plain to those who desires to walk in it. We should take heed of deceiving ourselves by resting in that which seems right, but is not really so! Make sure it's right by walking with and listening to God.
Amen!!
Reading: (Pro. 16:1-33)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and
thy thoughts shall be established."
As a child opens it's heart to a loving parent, so should we show our desires and intentions, to His trusting guidance and care. Then the plans and deliberations out of which the "works" come, will be with a complete and happy fulfillment, because they were undertaken according to the will of God, and directed to the end by His guidance.
My friends; the safest way in which to travel is the way of the upright, a way which God makes plain to those who desires to walk in it. We should take heed of deceiving ourselves by resting in that which seems right, but is not really so! Make sure it's right by walking with and listening to God.
Amen!!
Reading: (Pro. 16:1-33)
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
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