Thursday, April 30, 2015

Hold Fast To What You Claim: Your Faith!

                                         Hebrew 10:23
              "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
                      wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;"

        The author of the Book of Hebrews is unknown. However, it is thought to have been written by different people at different times. The traditional positional still holds that Apostle Paul wrote Hebrews from the beginning. The purpose of this letter was to focus on doctrinal issues and practical living. The letter contain several warnings to Jewish Christians not to revert back to Judaism and that type of worship. It was event that the believers were weak in their faith; when they should have been teaching others, when they themselves still required teaching.
        My friends; that still goes on today! Our Church's are full of Christians that go and hear the sermon on Sunday and some Church's on Wednesday. The problem being is that they never crack open their Bible to follow the Sermon or take notes. Oh' I'm sure that some take home some knowledge with them; but when they begin to share it with others or help someone to find Christ; "Can They Do It."  Some may say; "It's not my problem!"  If we profess to be Christians and have faith in the Saving Power of Jesus Christ.  I'm here to say it is!
        Let us approach the presence of God with a heart wherein the truth dwells and with the full conviction of faith, let us hold fast to the hope of our creed. For we can rely absolutely on him who made the promises; and let us put our minds to the task of helping each other on in love and deeds. Let us encourage one another, and all the more so as we see the Day approaching.
        Amen!!

Reading: (Heb. 10:19-39)

                                      May God Bless You
                                       And Your Families

                                                    Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                    The Cross Life Ministry    
                     

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Run Of Your Lifetime

                                          1 Corinthians 9:24
                "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but
                    one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

        Many of the Corinthian converts had, no doubt, seen, or even taken part in a race. The previous portion of the verse opens the minds of the Corinthians, to their familiar knowledge of the arena and the competitors, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?" He would have them picture the eager racers, with every muscle strained, and the one victor starting to the front; of the pack, and then he says, "Look toward the front, the first place position. That is how you should run.  So run meaning not, "Run so that you "may" obtain the prize," but "Run so" as the victor does, in "order" that you may obtain. So, then, this victor is to be a lesson to us, and we are to take a leaf out of his book. Let us see what he teaches us.
        Paul gives us one valuable thought out of this, and it is this. If people would work half as hard to gain the highest object that a man can set before him, as hundreds of people are ready to do in order to gain trivial and useless objects, there would be fewer stunted and half dead Christians among us. "That is the way to run," says Paul, "if you want to obtain."
        So, the larger portion of most lives goes to getting the wheels to move forward, and there is very little left, in the case of many of us, in order to help us towards God, and bring us closer into communion with our Lord. ‘Run’ for the crown as eagerly as you ‘run’ for your incomes, or for anything that you really, in your deepest desires, want. Take yourselves for your own patterns and your own rebukes. Your own lives may show you how you can love, hope, work, and deny yourselves when you have sufficient incentive.
         If you would run for the incorruptible prize of effort in the fashion in which others and yourselves run for the corruptible, your whole lives would be changed. Why! if Christian people in general really took half of half? Yes!  A tenth part of the honest, persistent pains to improve their Christian character, and become more like Jesus Christ, there would be a new life for most of our Christian communities. Hours upon hours are never too much to give to our Lord; how many moments do we give to the other? "So run, that ye obtain."
        Amen!!

Reading: (1Cor. 9:1-24)

                                     May God Bless You
                                      And Your Families

                                                   Minister Robert A. Lail
                                                   The Cross Life Ministry        

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Wisdom's Call

                                           Proverbs 1:33
                     "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell
                       safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."

        "The security of fools," by which they think they are safe, However that thought will soon, "destroy them."  No man is in such danger as the careless man of the world who thinks that he is all right. A traveler along the edge of a cliff in the night, who goes on as if he walked a broad road and takes no notice to his footing, will soon find himself at the bottom, mangled and bruised. A man who in this changing world thinks that he sits as a king, and sees no sorrow, will have a rude wakening. When just a moment of thought would save hours of pain.
        The alternative to this folly is in listening to Wisdom’s call. Whoever does that will "dwell safely," not just in earthly security, but real security; and in his heart there will be no need of unrest from feared evils, for he will have hold of a spirit which turns evils into good, and with such a guide he cannot go wrong, nor with such a defender be wounded to death, nor with such a companion ever be alone. If Christ be our Light, we shall not walk in darkness. If He be our Wisdom, we shall not be wrong. If He be our Life, we shall never see  the second death. If He be with us, who can be against!
        Amen!!

Reading: (Prov. 2:1:22)

                                    May God Bless You
                                     And Your Families

                                              Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                              The Cross life Ministry

Monday, April 27, 2015

The Lord Hears The Cry's Of The Righteous

                                           Psalm 34:19
                   "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but
                         the Lord delivereth him out of them all"

        This does not mean that the afflictions of the righteous are more numerous or more severe than the afflictions of other men, but that they are subjected to much suffering, and to many trials. Religion does not exempt us from suffering, but it sustains us in it. Religion does not deliver us from all trials in this life, but it supports us in our trials, which it teaches us to consider as a preparation for the life to come.
        There are, indeed, sorrows which are counted to the righteous, or which come upon us in virtue of our religion, as the trials of persecution; but there are sorrows, also, that are counted to the wicked such as are the effects of intemperance, dishonesty, crime. The latter are more numerous by far than the former; so therefore it is still true that the wicked suffer more than the righteous in this life.

        Amen!!

Reading: (Ps. 34:1-22)

                                        May God Bless You
                                         And Your Families

                                                        Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                        The Cross Life Ministry 


Sunday, April 26, 2015

Let Go! Acquaint With God!


                                           Job 22:21
                "Acquaint now thyself with him and be at peace:
                           thereby good shall come unto thee."

        Eliphaz opens the discussion with a speech altogether too hard and cruel. He begins with Job’s  misdeeds. The fundamental position with Eliphaz was the absolute, even-handed justice of God. God at least was unimpeachable; and therefore, however Job might affirm the contrary, he must have deserved the chastisement which had befallen him.
         Evil men are always anxious to think that God does not notice them. This was, says Eliphaz, the policy of those who were destroyed by the Flood. They attempted to build society on atheistic lines, though he filled their houses with good things. The inference, of course, was that Job had been guilty of the same offense. Eliphaz concludes with a gestures of a holy life; To be reconciled to God, to obey His Word, to put away iniquity and trust in earthly riches, "are the conditions of blessedness." We shall gain more than we lose, We shall inherit the confidence and joy of His presence,  Our prayers will be answered; we shall walk “in the light;” and our ministry to others will be full of helpfulness. Let us, then, acquaint ourselves with God and be at peace!
        Amen!!

Reading:(Job 22:1-30)

                                     May God Bless You
                                      And Your Families

                                                    Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                    The Cross Life Ministry 

                                                



Saturday, April 25, 2015

Hearing "It Is Finished" We To Shall Rest!

                                           Hebrew 4:1
                   "Let us therefore fear, least, a promise being
                        left us of entering into his rest, any of
                          you should seem to come short of it"

        The good news of Canaan’s rest was preached to Israel but availed nothing, because the hearers were destitute of faith. They said, Can God? instead of, God can!  Does that phrase sound familiar! Christians today may not say, Can God?  However you might hear; You think God will? or I Hope God Will?  No matter how we put it, if we are doubting God it is destitute of faith, and God is out of the account!  Rest in God is total faith in God! .
        To all of us Christ offers rest, not in the other life only, but in this. ( Heb 4:3; Heb 4:11).  Rest from the weight of sin, from care and worry, from the load of daily anxiety of life.  The rest that arrives from handing all worries over to Christ, and receiving from Christ all we need.  Have we entered into that experience?  (In Heb 4:6, 11 "entered not in because of "unbelief," is here referring to "disobedience."
        If we disobey, we cannot believe; but when we believe we are sure to obey. (In Heb 4:10) we are directed to our risen Lord, who has finished the work of Redemption and rests, as God did when He pronounced Creation to be "very good." When we understand what He meant by "It is finished," we, too, shall rest.
        Amen!!

Reading: (Heb. 4:1-16)

                                     May God Bless You
                                      And Your Families

                                                Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                The Cross Life Ministry

Friday, April 24, 2015

God Takes Care Of His Own

                                          Psalm 68:6
                      "God setteth the solitary in families:"
                     
        God is the friend of the orphan and the widow; and, also he is the friend of the cast out, the wandering, and the homeless;  he provides for them a "home."  The meaning is, that he is benevolent and kind, and that they who have no other friend may find a friend in God. At the same time it is true, however, that the family organization is to be traced to God. It is his original appointment; and all that there is in the family that contributes to the happiness of mankind.
        And all that there is of comfort in the world that depends on the family organization is to be traced to the goodness of God. Nothing more clearly marks the grace and the wisdom of God than the loving care in the arrangement He has provided. Instead of being solitary wanderers on the face of the earth, with nothing to bind them in sympathy, in love, and in interest to all, are grouped together in families.
        Amen!!

Reading: (Ps. 67:1-7)
               (Ps. 68:1-8)

                                    May God Bless You
                                     And Your Families

                                                   Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                   The Cross Life Ministry

                              
       

Thursday, April 23, 2015

God Has The Final Word

                                            1 Samuel 10:24
                         "And Samuel said to all the people, see ye
                                     whom the Lord hath chosen"

        Only divine wisdom can fully understand the choice of  Saul to be King. But Saul did satisfy the desires of the people. He was a man of great stature from the most military tribe in all Israel. They thought, who better, to lead the people in to battle against their enemies? Saul's problem was that his spiritual life mirrored that of the majority of Israel. He was like a house build on the sand, and his lack of faith was made clear when the troublesome storms came. Any life or nation built upon such a foundation will surely fail.
        Nevertheless, the purposes and design of God are never circumvented by the wickedness of men (Job 35:6). Remember, that soon after Saul's failure, David was chosen. So we can see that Saul's reign revealed the motive of the people's demand for a King. Even if Saul had been obedient, his reign was destined to be temporary, for the tribe of Judah was the royal tribe. from which the King of Glory would come.
        My friends, no matter what we want as an individual or as a group, it is still like a choice. Once it's made it's made; therefore when it happens that means, that God allowed it at that time. Things  change daily in our lives, because they are destined to be only temporary. King Saul's reign ended at God's appointed time, because He was the peoples choice, and they wanted a king. God knew the King He wanted, and what tribe He would come from; the tribe of Judah, and Jesus Christ His Son would be King. So, don't think things won't change, even if the smartest person in the world tells you they won't. My friend, God has the final word.
        Amen!!

Reading: (1 Sam. 10:20-24)
               (1 Sam. 16:1-13)

                                   May God Bless You
                                    And Your Families

                                                Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                The Cross Life Ministry             
    

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Anointed With Oil And The Spirit

                                           1 Samuel 10:9a, 10b
                                "God gave him another heart; and
                                     The Spirit of God came upon
                                           him and he prophesied"

        In the gray dawn the prophet sketched to Saul the events which were to happen on that day and succeeding days. All were made known to the designated king as they arrived, and in each case he was to act as the occasion demanded.
        Our life-course, day by day, lies open before God. He has planned or permitted the incidents, but leaves us to will and enact the appropriate response. If we turn to Him to ask how we shall act, He will guide us with His eye; but all too seldom do we turn to Him. We lean too much to our own understanding and follow "the devices and desires of our own hearts."
        We have been, "created unto good works, which He has before ordained that we should walk in them.” Instead of prying into the future, let us wait for Him to unveil it as we advance. Let us most eagerly seek the sacred anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will teach us all things that we need to know. We must have a clean new heart created, and the right spirit renewed, To do, and accomplish what God has in store for us.
        Amen!!

Reading: (1 Sam. 10:1-13)


                                         May God Bless You
                                          And Your Families

                                                         Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                         The Cross Life Ministry

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The Altar Called Ed

                                         Joshua 22:34
            "And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad
                     called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness
                            between us that the Lord is God."

        After Israel possessed the land that God had promised them, Joshua called the Reubenites and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh together, to release them to go back across the Jordon River to Possess the land that Moses had given them. Now these three tribes already had their land and their families were living on it. But the father's and the son's of the tribes went into battle and helped the other tribes possess their land. Now remember the Reubenites and the Gadites, land was on the other side of the Jordon, and the rest of Israel was on the side called the Promise Land (IE) The Land of Milk and Honey. Other words they were fighting for land that they would not possess.
        After all was settled and everyone was on the land they were given, things began to change. There were two groups of Christians who served the same God, but now separated from each other. So now there was one group that worshiped on one side of the Jordon, and the other worshiped on the other side of the Jordon. The Reubenites and the Gadites built there own Altar where Israel passed over the Jordon; so now there was two "Altar's"!  The Altar of The Lord, And The Altar Called Ed.
        This my friends is were the first rival of Christian's almost took place. Yes there was about to be a big battle; because Joshua and all the other tribes were stir up over this other altar that their brethren had built. So Joshua's congregation told them that they had rebelled against God and turned away from following God.
        This is an example for all Churches of today. We may know the name of their denomination (IE), Baptist, Catholic, etc. But that is all from the out side looking in; therefore, we disagree, talk about or just plain out rebel against all groups of Christians that don't believe like we do. But as Joshua and his congregation found out; the Reubenites and Gadites still worshiped the same God. The Altar called Ed: was build for a witness, to show that even though they were on the other side of the Jordon which was not the promise land, they still worshiped the same Lord God of Israel.
        So the next time we hear or see something about our Christians brethren or another church that we don't like, because it is different than ours from the outside. Look on the inside, get to know the people and the church, than you will know if they worship the same God as you. The creator of all things "The Lord God Of The Universe."  Then we can band together with God and defeat Satan and his warriors of today!
        Amen!!

Reading: (Joshua 22:1-34)

                                     May God Bless You
                                      And Your Families

                                                   Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                   The Cross Life Ministry          

Monday, April 20, 2015

Is Life Always This Good?

                                           Psalm 37:25
                        "I have been young, and now am old;
                             yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken
                                 nor his seed begging bread."

        That my friends is a life we all would love to live! I'm sure that David was merely stating his own experience. He had never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread. However; this does not mean that this never occurs. Our God, has, is, and will continue to take care of His people, but what cost will it be for you? It's up to you!
        There is enough wealth in the world to provide food, clothing, and shelter for all people. However; some do get more than their share, while others suffer. If a good man is wasteful, and act's unwisely' or speculates unduly, then God will not intervene to keep him from ruin.
        I have traveled in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, and Luxemburg France, and have seen both righteous and unrighteous people in all situations of life. I have not see a righteous man ever forsaken by God. However; I have seen unrighteous people push their limit with God, because they know of God but don't believe.
        That my friend is the cost I'm speaking of. God takes care of his own! If you believe in "His Son Jesus Christ," the Saviour of mankind. You must, "Trust in the lord, and do good" (Ps.37: 3). "Delight thyself also in the Lord" (Ps. 37:4). "Commit thy way unto the Lord, and trust him; and he shall bring it to pass" (Ps. 37:5). "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him" (Ps. 37:6). Last but not least; "Cease from anger and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (Ps. 37:8).
        Amen!!

Reading: (Ps. 37:1-40)

                                 May God Bless You
                                  And Your Families

                                                 Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                 The Cross Life Ministry       

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Only God Knows

                                            Ecclesiastes3:11
                       "Also he hath set the world in their heart, so
                         that no man can find out the work that God
                                maketh from beginning to the end."

        God is able to use anything and anyone for the fulfillment of His purpose. Because God knows the events that have transpired in the past as well as those that will be in the future. God has made all things which are by their nature good and pleasing to Him.
        God has seen how the events of time will unfold in all our lives; some of which will please Him and some which will not. It is quite difficult for us to understand the mind of such an awesome God, because He is eternal and we are human. Therefore, we can only obtain a certain amount of knowledge about God in our lifetime
        No matter who we are, or what we do, or how educated we may be; we are incapable of finding out the work of God from the beginning to the end. I'm not talking about what we know from God's written word; I'm talking about the unseen! God knows the end as well as the beginning! Since He knows the outcome, God can see how each piece fits into His plan. So my friends, the only thing we can do is to "Trust God Completely In All Things!"
        Amen!!    

Reading: (Eccl. 3:11-22)

                                         May God Bless You
                                          And Your Families

                                                        Minister Robert A. Lail Sr
                                                        The Cross Life Ministry


Saturday, April 18, 2015

Enjoy What Comes Your Way

                                          Ecclesiastes 3:13
                    "And also that every man should eat and drink,
                               and enjoy the good of all his labor,
                                         it is the gift of God."


        The Scriptures tell us that, every man should eat and drink... it is the gift of God. This enforces and intensifies the statement in the verse 3:12; not only the power to "do good," but even to enjoy what comes in his way that is "from the hand of God" (Ref. Eccl. 2:24), When we pray for our daily bread, we also ask for ability to take, assimilate, and profit by the supports and comforts afforded to us. "The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, and his favor bringeth prosperity for ever."
        Now that all sounds good however; we must look deeper into what God is telling us. I believe that a lot of us have missed used Scripture in God's Word about how we go about enjoying the bounty that God has given us. I was guilty myself many times in the past; just like the heathens of today. Even during the Biblical day's; some Christians had  problems turning from their old lifestyles.
       What I am saying is, this verse "enjoy the good of all your labor it is a gift from God," these 13 words are the main point of that whole scripture. The Scripture is about moral judgement on our part to do good in all things, because what we have and enjoy is because of God! So what is spoken of here, is the appreciation of the innocent pleasures which the love of God offers to those who live in accordance with the laws of their higher nature, and "Glorify Our God"
        Amen!!

Reading: (Eccl. 3:1-15)
               (Eccl 2:24-26)

                                   May God Bless You
                                    And Your Families

                                                  Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                  The Cross Life Ministry

Friday, April 17, 2015

What About My Faults

                                           1 John 3:9
              "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;
                  for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot
                              sin, because he is born of God."

        What if our living is not perfect? What if we slip and fall because of sin? In fact, all of us have many faults. But Satan's real goal is for us to give up and to stop trying.
        But we do not have to be defeated, do we? Look at a baby trying to walk. When he falls, does he stay down forever? He gets up and tries again, and again becoming stronger with each attempt. In the same way, God's Spirit gives us increasing power for "being renewed." If we are honest about our faults; The Lord promised forgiveness and more strength when we go from "milk to the meat of God's Word."
        "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, "He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7-9).
       Do you notice the continual cleansing we enjoy? "The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). How much of our failure is wiped away? "All sin."  Listen my friends it don't get no better than that!. Even as we struggle with our sins and confess (admit) them, He forgives "all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). While we "walk in the light" (IE) while we stay open to Jesus and follow Him; He keeps washing us clean. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
        Amen!!

                                 "God's Word Never Fails"      

Reading: (Matt. 25:31-46)
               (1 John 2:12-13) 

                                    May God Bless You
                                     And Your Families

                                                  Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                  The Cross Life Ministry

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Tour Inside Your Heart Today

                                          Proverbs 14:10
                    "The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a
                       stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy."

         Neither our joys or our sorrows can be wholly shared with another; no person stands in such intimate relation to us, or can put himself so entirely in our place, as to feel that which we feel. There is many a dark spot, many a grief, of which our best friend knows nothing; the skeleton is locked in the closet, and no one has the key but ourselves. But we can turn with confidence to, Jesus Christ who knows us inside out, who wept human tears, and bore our sorrows, and in all ways tempted as we are, and who has taken his human experience with him into heaven. A stranger cannot intrude and interfere with the hearts joy. The contrast is between the heart’s sorrow and its joy; and both are alike in their entirety, and beyond the understanding of others.
        My friends, in the day's that we are living in, there will be joy, bitterness, hate, and grief in all of our lives. But let's be real; the heart is apart of your body that know one else can feel, or even think they know; except "Jesus Christ."  Some may say, "Christ is not here, He is in heaven!" My friend if you are a believer; Galatians 4:6 reads, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts." If you are not a believer; I pray that you will reach out to Jesus Christ today, and invite Him into your heart.
        Amen!!

                                     May God Bless You
                                      And Your Families

                                                     Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                     The Cross Life Ministry

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Defeat Satan, Witness

                                          Luke 10:18
                                 "And He said unto them,
                   I beheld Satan as lighting fall from heaven."

       The excitement of the return of the evangelist was high! With faces flushed with pride and hearts high with joy, they had returned to the Jesus with their reports. What wisdom it is to talk our work over with Jesus! Even the demons were subject to His Name. He was not surprised. While He had been watching, bearing them up by His intercessions, He had seen an alteration take place in the unseen world. Satan had fallen, as though the work done by these humble men had turned the scale against him. It is still the same today; what we do is of eternal importance!
        Do you remember the first time you went out to witness, and shared the Gospel. My first opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ; was to several of my soldiers in my unit. I had not been saved long but I was excited, I had all the Scriptures ready to lead them down the Roman Road
to Salvation. I got so excited, when I was talking about Jesus, and the cross, and what it meant to me; and how Jesus could change them, and their families lives forever. And before I knew it the Holy Spirit had lead both of them across that"Threshold of Belief" to "Jesus Christ;" because I was leading them in the sinners prayer
        My friends that day and every day, when the Gospel of Jesus Christ is shared, and someone is saved; not only is the angels in heaven are praising God. To Jesus Christ' the event is like watching Satan fall from heaven, because once again Satan is defeated. So remember what we do "Now" is of eternal importance!
        Amen!!

Reading: (Luke 10:17-20)

                                    May God Bless You
                                     And Your Families

                                                   Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                   The Cross Life Ministry
              

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

The Kingdom Of God Comes First!

                                         Luke 9:62
                "And Jesus said unto them, No man, having
                    put his hand to the plough, and looking 
                      back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

       After Jesus left the Samaritan Village, on His way which seem to be Jerusalem; a certain man said to Jesus, "I will follow you, where ever you go. Then Jesus said to another man; "Follow me." However the man ask if he could go bury his father first. Then another said the same thing; 'I will follow you" but I want to say good by first.
        In each one of situations above; Jesus makes a strong point toward faith. The first man, He tells him that foxes have holes and birds have nest; but He the Son of man had no place to lay his head. So the first thought to "faith" is what will it "cost?" The next man wanted to bury his father first. I look at it this way; if his father was dead he should have already been buried, or he was lying one. So the second thought to "faith" is doubt in yourself of being able to walk worthy. And the last man he just wanted to go say good by after he said; "I will follow you." So the third thought to "faith" is not looking back.
        My friends you cannot go back to where you came from; and follow Jesus at the same time. Nothing in you life will be straight. You will begin to play with sin and try to be godly at the same time. Your life will become as if you were living in a thick fog and can not see out. If you have chose to follow Jesus Christ, remember that God's kingdom comes first!  
        Amen!!

Reading: (Luke 9:57-62)
               (Matt. 8:19-22)

                                 May God Bless You
                                  And Your Families

                                                Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                The Cross Life Ministry                            
                   

         


Monday, April 13, 2015

Unity: God And Man

                                           Joshua 3:5
                    "And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify
                           yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord
                               will do wonders among you."

        Now as the Israelite's logged by the Jordon, and after three days began to pass over it. But first;     something happened that we must see here in the scriptures, and understand. The people were commanded to look for the ark of the covenant, and as it pass by with the priests bearing it, they were to follow it. Joshua may have been their human leader, but they knew God was with them.
       Our walk with God is a little different because they went by Law, and always through a chosen person of God.  Our covenant is by God's Grace, through His Son Jesus Christ. My point is that our walk of Faith is the Same as their walk across the Jordon River. You see, God lead the way by drying up a path in the Jordon for them to pass through; for the "priests bore the ark of the covenant on their shoulders, in which Our Lord was present in." What I hope that you see here is that man was in union with God right there at that moment!
        How? "Man was bearing the Ark of the covenant, that our Lord was present in it," and "The Lord made the way for them to cross," "by standing with them in the Jordon." Do you get the picture here, do you see the unity among them (God, and man)?
        "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"(Eph.4:3). Everything that our God has done in the past, shows us that He was God than, and that He is still God today!!!
        Amen!!

Reading: (Josh. 3,4)

                                    May God Bless You
                                     And Your Families

                                                  Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                  The Cross Life Ministry    

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Victory Through Faith

                                          Joshua 1:7b
                       "Turn not from it to the right hand or to
                             the left, that thou mayest prosper
                                  whithersoever thou goest."

        The land that God promised to Abraham was being conquered. After the Lord charged Joshua He began attacking a few key city's. Joshua and Ai along with the faith and courage of his soldier's broke up dangerous collations among the Canaanites. However; the Promise Land under Joshua was not complete.  It was left up to the individual tribes to battle the remaining strong holds.
        Just like God promised the Israelite's the Land over the Jordon River, as their Promise Land; God also promised all who "Believe in His Son, Jesus Christ" will also possess a "Promise Land." Now even though this is a promise from God; just like the Israelite's we must do our part to enable us to obtain our portion of  "That Promise Land" (Heaven).
        Our battles will not be against other countries for land, gold or silver. We need not to battle for power. Our battle is and will be with Satan and worldly desires. My friends the greatest thing about this, is the battle has already been won! Our Victory comes through Faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Be strong and of good courage and stand with Jesus Christ in your battles.
        Amen!! 

Reading: (Josh. 1: 1-7)
               (Josh. 10:2-5)

                                   May God Bless You
                                    And Your Families

                                            Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                            The Cross Life Ministry
               

Saturday, April 11, 2015

On His Authority

                                           Joshua 1:9
                   "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and
                      of good courage; be not afraid, neither be
                       thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is
                         with thee whithersoever thou goest."

        After the death of Moses, the Lord charged Joshua to pass over Jordon, and go in and possess the land which the He had promised Moses. When The Lord charged Joshua to continue on after Moses; that call to courage was a call to faith. Believing God's promise would lead both to courage and to obedience. God's promises are still the same today "if" you believe!
        There will be times in our lives, when the Holy Spirit may say to us, "Have I not commanded thee?" Well my friend, that is not just a reminder. God has direct control and authority over all His creation. If you are a believer God has authority and control over your life. What ever God is leading you to do, and no matter how hard you think it will be; "if" you believe, it will be done.
        Amen!!

Reading: (Joshua 1:1-18)

                                  May God Bless You
                                   And Your Families

                                                   Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                   The Cross Life Ministry
          

Friday, April 10, 2015

Battle Of Dependencies

                                           Romans 8:37
                  "Nay in all things we are more than conquerors
                                   through him that loved us."

        My friends this is a "powerful," Scripture, that all Christians should be repeating back to God daily through out our lives. Just because you, and I may believe in God and want to serve Him; don't mean that we can do it by ourselves.
        Why do we have the right to say we are "Conquerors" in all things?  Is it just because the death and resurrection of Christ?  No, that is just part of the reason. the other part is we must "believe" that this happened and become a believer in Christ. For we know that nothing separates the believer from God's Love!
        The Love of our Lord Jesus has helped thousands of Christians conqueror, distress, persecution,
depression, financial problems, and numerous more; However there is one area that we all what to battle ourselves, and that my friends is a dependence.
        A dependence is something we thank we need and are so used to it, we can't let it go. So the first thing we do is to say well It is not a sin! I have searched the Scriptures and it's not in the Bible. First we must remember why God provided His Written Word for us. Without the Bible,what would be know about the creation of the universe, the fall of man, the judgement of God, or the promise of redemption? Since God is invisible, we may know Him "only" through His works, which we see daily in nature revealed in Scripture, and accomplished of the believer.
       So now let's look at ourselves, do I have a dependence?  What's the thing you just can't give up?
Money, sex, drugs, alcohol, smoking and energy drinks are some of the major dependencies. If one of these are a dependence of yours, and your a believer; this list here, is part of  "in all things we are more than conquerors."  I know it's not an easy battle by yourself; just take it to Christ' for he said; "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:29-30). Now that's an invitation you can't turn down!
        Amen!!

Reading: (Rom. 8: 31-39)
               (Matt. 11:25-30)

                                          
                                 May God Bless You
                                  And Your Families

                                                 Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                 The Cross Life Ministry                                     
                 

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

The Silent Umpire

                                          Colossians 3:15
                     "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
                           to which also ye are called in one body,
                                         and be ye thankful."

        Let the peace of God be the decider of all things within your heart. In other word's what Paul is saying is, " Let the peace of God be the umpire in your heart.'  If the peace of Jesus Christ is the umpire in any man's heart, than, when feelings clash and we are pulled in two directions at the same time, with the decision of Christ in our heart it will keep us in the way of love, and the Church will remain as one body as God intended it to be.
        The way to right action is to point Jesus Christ as the "arbitrator" between the conflicting emotions in our hearts; and if we accept His decisions, we cannot go wrong. My friends everything we do or say in life we should say in the name of Jesus Christ.
        Amen!!

Reading: (Col. 3:1-17)

                                      May God Bless You
                                       And Your Families

                                                    Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                    The Cross Life Ministry

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Beware Of Immortal Longings

                                           1 Corinthians 2:14
                             "But the natural man receiveth not the
                                      things of the Spirit of God:"

        What is and who is the natural man? We know that "man" stands for both male and female in biblical terms. It is the person who lives as if there was nothing beyond physical life and there were no needs other than material needs, and whose values are all physical and material. God's Word say's;  man like that cannot understand spiritual things.
        A man who thinks that nothing is more important than the satisfaction of the sex urge cannot understand the meaning of chastity; a man who thinks that the collection and amazement of material things as the supreme end of life cannot understand generosity. A man who has never had a thought beyond this world cannot understand the things of God. To him they are mere foolishness. No man should ever need to be like this! But if he cuts off the voice of God, with "the immortal longings" that are in his soul, when the Spirit of God speaks he will not hear.
        It is easy to become so involved in the world that there exists nothing beyond it. We must pray to have the mind of Jesus Christ, for only when he dwells within us are we safe from the invasion of the things of this world.
        Amen!!

Reading: (1 Cor. 2:6-16)

                                       May God Bless You
                                        And Your Families

                                                   Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                   The Cross Life Ministry  

Monday, April 6, 2015

The Day's After

                                            Luke 22:31
                      "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold,
                             Satan hath desired to have you, that
                                    he may sift you as wheat:"

         As we go fourth after the observance of Easter; Let's not forget the reason we observed this "Heart Felt Holiday."  Every year on Easter Sunday, Churches around the world, hold a sunrise service to observe, "The Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Even though this is a traditional religious event, I pray that no one attended a service for that reason.
        When we walk away from a service that stirs our hearts and to some, renews their passion of serving God; we must keep in mind what Jesus Said to Peter during the first Passover Meal; "I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt trice deny that thou knowest me (Luke 22:34).
        Peter was over confident. Not much different than most people today. If a man says, "That is one thing I will never do,"  That is the very thing he must guard against! Again and again each year we promise our self, "I will change this and I will stop this, because of what was felt in their hearts, when they observed the day, that we call Easter;  "The Day Of The Resurrection."  We all must remember no matter how strong your faith, Satan will sift you as wheat as he did Peter.  Not long after passover Peter denied knowing Jesus.
        My friends attackers take a route which seems fortified and unbreachable and at the very spot that we are off guard is where they will attack. Satan attacks the point at which a men is too sure of himself, for he is most likely to be unprepared. Let's put our faith in God, and not in ourselves!
        Amen!!

Reading: (Matt. 26:26-30)
               (Mark 14:22-26)
               (Luke 22:14-34)
               (1 Cor. 11:23-25)

                                    May God Bless You
                                     And Your Families

                                                Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                The Cross Life Ministry                     
        
                       

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Bearing The Cross

                                            Luke: 23: 26
                         "And on him they laid the cross, that
                                  he might bear it after Jesus."

        After our Lord was Sentenced to death, carried away beaten, spit upon; He was striped and they placed a crown of thorns upon His head and a scarlet robe was placed around him, then they bowed and mocked Him, saying, Hail to the King of the Jews!  Little did they know; that He was not just the King of The Jews, but He was and is "The King and The Lord of all."
        As Jesus was being lead away, bearing the cross with the sins of the world on his shoulders to be crucified; He must have fallen from the weight of the cross, and from the torture He withstood that no human could ever live through.Than a man named Simon a Cyrenian, that was passing by, the soldiers forced him to carry the cross for the rest of the way to "Golgotha."  But Jesus was in front of the cross!
        Let us think about this!  Try to imagine the feelings of Simon. he had come to Jerusalem to realize the cherished ambition of a lifetime, and he found himself walking to Calvary carrying a cross. His heart filled with bitterness towards the Romans and towards the one he carried the cross for. But if we read between the lines the story does not end here!
        As Simon looked on Jesus his bitterness turned to wondering amazement and finally to faith; and he became a Christian.  "WOW" what an example of picking up and bearing our cross and following Jesus.  We know that Jesus could have pick up and ran with the cross because, He was God; but  through this example Our Lord has shown the world, that if we would just pick up our cross,with our sin's washed away, and our burdens, trails or battles we face; "Christ will be there to pick us up and dust us off as we head to "Eternity;" together with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
        Amen!!

                 "Jesus Christ Paid A Debt He Did Not Have To Pay
                                 For A Debt We Could Not Pay
                                      Thank You Lord Jesus!" 

 Reading: (Matt. 27:32-44)
                (Mark 15:21-32)
                (Luke 23:26-43)    
                (John 19:17-27)

                                            May God Bless You
                                             And Your Families

                                                          Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                          The Cross Life Ministry
          

Friday, April 3, 2015

All From God Is Good

                                            1 Timothy 4:4
                 "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to
                     be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:"

        When, fallible human beings seek to worship the infinite, Holy God, the temptation arises to establish to an easy to follow formula of do's and don'ts. By forbidding certain things and requiring others, they are able to reassure themselves of their own righteousness while condemning those who do not live by those rules. The problem with this is that man-made rules do not come from God. Paul reminds us that everything God created is good and we should receive all his good gifts with thankful hearts.
        Our Lord, has created good things for us to enjoy. Let's us receive them with thanksgiving and then use them for His honor and glory.
        Amen!!

Reading: (1 Tim. 4:1-16)

                                       May God Bless You 
                                        And Your Families

                                                    Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                    The Cross Life Ministry      






Thursday, April 2, 2015

Standing At The Cross

                                           Luke 23:42
                  "And he said unto Jesus, Lord remember me
                        when thou comest into thy Kingdom"

         Rulers, soldiers, and malefactors all yield their insults to the dying Lord, not realizing that they were all included in the great love which was pouring itself out as the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. It may be that we shall have to share the same, disgrace if we drink of His cup and are baptized with His baptism. But God will do for us as He did for Jesus; My friends we are standing at the cross daily, with one breath from eternity. He will not leave our soul in the grave nor suffer His own to see corruption.
        The signs of renewal, wrought in the heart of the penitent thief, showed the sure work of the Holy Spirit. These were the fear of God, the sense of justice in His suffering, the confession of evil deeds, the recognition of our Lord’s sinlessness and dignity, and the anticipation of His coming Kingdom. We may begin a day under the dull skies of earth and close it where there is no need of sun or moon.  Dying saints have often passed home with our Lord’s last words on their lips; "Father. into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46).  Lord, My family, and I thank you for the many blessing that we have received as we live and stand before the cross each day.
        Amen!!

Reading; (Luke 23:26-43)

                                     May God Bless You
                                      And Your Families

                                                   Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                   The Cross Life Ministry
                                       

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Be Sound In Heart

                                          Psalm 119:80
                        "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes;
                                     that I be not ashamed."

         God made us to serve him, and enjoy him; but by sin we have made ourselves unfit to serve him, and to enjoy him. We should continually seek him, and by his Holy Spirit, we might get understanding. The comforts we have in God, should in turn bring joy to others. It is always easy to except, that God's judgments are right, until it comes to be our own case.
        When one is under affliction support must come from mercy and compassion. The mercies of God are tender mercies; the mercies of our father, and the compassion of our mother; they come to us when we are not able to go to them. Causeless reproach does not hurt, and should not bother us. You could go on with your duty, and find comfort in it. But you must value the good will of, the brethren  and  keep your communion with them. Soundness of heart signifies sincerity in dependence on God, and  shows that you are devoted to him totally; "therefore you should not be ashamed."
        Amen!!

Reading:(Ps, 119:73-80)

                                     May God Bless You
                                      And Your Families

                                                   Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
                                                   The Cross Life Ministry