The Burning Lamp

Exodus 27:20  

"And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that 

they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the 

light, to cause the lamp to burn always." 

    What does this forever burning lamp mean to all generations? God showed to all generations that the Light of God will always burn in a sin darkened world. Today the lamp has different titles: It's called a sanctuary lamp, chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame. It is a light that shines before the altar of sanctuaries in many denominations of Jewish and Christian places of worship.
    Always in Scripture oil is an emblem of the Holy Spirit. It is His grace communicated to the wick of our character and life, which makes us capable of giving a bright light for God. The oil was pure, because no one shines bright for God that are not pure in heart and poor in spirit. The olive was beaten, because our best work is often the result of our sorrows. Just as the "Beaten oil for the Sanctuary" was prepared;  We to should take such care when preparing our work as "Ministers,"  "Teachers," and "all Christians" on a daily basis. Today until Eternity let our, "Light Shine Bright For Our Lord" 
Amen! 

Reading: Ex. 27:20-21
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

The Day Of Atonement

Leviticus 16:9-10  

"And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, 

and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the 

lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive 

before the LORD, to make an atonement 

with him, and to let him go for a 

scapegoat into the wilderness." 

     This chapter contains the ritual of the great Day of Atonement, when the high priest entered within the veil, and in virtue of the blood sprinkled upon the mercy seat. Let's go back just a little to the making of the Tabernacle, mainly the veil. The veil, literally is  "a separation," hung between the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place. It's function was to separate all men, even the priests, from the presence of God.  

    Only one man, the high priest went beyond that veil and he was permitted to do so only once a year, on the Day of Atonement. His purpose was to take the blood of  the bull and the goat, his sins and the sins of the people. The meaning was and is clear; man was separated from God by reason of sin, which could only be changed by blood which was presented by a priest. 

    My friends there was a lot of  "faith" exercised within that "Veil."  Every step is worthy of notice, each illustrates some feature in the sacrifice of Calvary, each is meant by the Holy Spirit of God to signify something.  The first goat was "for the Lord," representing the work of Christ in its God ward aspect. "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience" (Heb. 9:8-9).  The second, is like the second bird in Leviticus 14, "Purification" signifies its man ward aspect. "As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water" (Lev. 14:6). 

    It is necessary that we should personally avail ourselves of its effectiveness. It was necessary that Aaron, as himself a sinner, must first offer for his own sins; and his offerings had to be repeated every year. But by God's Grace we have Jesus Christ. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Heb. 9:24). 

Amen!

Reading:  Ex. 26:31-35 

                Lev. 14:1-7

                Lev: 16:1-14

Ref: HG SB  

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

    The Cross Life Ministry     

 

Nothing Can Stop God’s Plan

2 Chronicles 32:22

"Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem 

from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and 

from the hand of all other, and guided 

them on every side."  

    Sennacherib had already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and part of his protocol was mixing people up and sending them to different nations so that he could completely obliterate their culture. He was successful, and still today we refer to that group of exiled Israelites as the “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.” Had Sennacherib been able to conquer Hezekiah and Jerusalem, it would have been the end of the Southern Kingdom of Israel, and the end of Judaism.
    Remember, during that time, everyone with the exception of the Jews worshiped idols. Had King Hezekiah and the Jews fallen to Assyria, the idea of one loving God would no longer have an advocate in the world. The fact that the Jews were able to stay in Israel for a few hundred years more  gave time for Christianity to be born and for the belief of one God to spread to the world. No, our world isn’t perfect, but instead of living in a world of idolatry and paganism, we live in a world where most people believe in a Father in Heaven.
    Instead of falling to Sennacherib, God sent an angel the night before the Assyrian army would decimate Jerusalem, and the angel killed them all. It was a victory sent by God that changed history forever.  What does all this teach us? 

    It teaches us once again that God has a plan for the world, and nothing, not even the greatest army, can get in His way. He has a plan for our lives as well, and nothing can stop that either. We need to trust, thank, and give glory to our Father in Heaven. There are many "what if’s" that can be asked, but there is one thing we know for sure: There is one God who loves us and He is the One running the show. 

Amen!

Reading: 2 Chr. 32:1-23

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail

The Cross Life Ministry

Everything We Need For Life Is In "HIM"

1 Corinthians 2:5
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom 

of men, but in the power of God."

       Paul came to Corinth from Athens, where he had sought to win his hearers by a studied and philosophical discourse as best adapted to their needs. But as he entered Corinth, he appears to have deliberately determined that his theme would be the crucified Lord, and expressed in the simplest phrases. When we speak the truth as it is in Jesus, the Spirit is ever at hand to enforce our testimony by His demonstration and power. 
     Do not depreciate yourself, but give yourself to Him; He has a place for you and He will make your life worth living. WHY?  Because God has put you into union with Christ Jesus. Everything we need for life and godliness is in Him; only let us make all that we can of our wonderful position and possessions.
Amen!

Reading: 1Cor. 2:1-5
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

 Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

 

Listen Before You Speak

Proverbs 18:13

"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,

 it is folly and shame unto him."

    Perhaps this has happened to you? You have spoken your mind only to realize afterward that you completely misunderstood the situation and your words were way out of line. Certainly it’s true for most of us that we’ve probably spoken out of turn a few times.
    Sometimes, in our desire to be heard, we speak too soon. Other times in our need to be right, we speak wrongly. Speaking too quickly before we truly understand what is going on is never a good idea, no matter how tempted we might be to "correct" the situation.
    To speak before we understand the situation at hand is unwise. It will make us look foolish and, at times, bring shame upon us. Instead, we must first listen fully and understand deeply before we dare pass judgment and make our opinion known.
    One way to lift people up in our lives is by speaking words of encouragement and inspiration. But another way to serve others in our lives is simply to listen to them in a non-judgmental manner. In this way, we allow people to be heard and to feel heard. Moreover, we can respond better in any situation when we have taken the time to truly listen.

Amen!

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Guard Your Tongue

"They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; 

adders' poison is under their lips. Selah."

     Speaking slander, is taken very seriously in the Bible.  When people gossip, they violate no less than 23 biblical commandments. The most classic commandment against slandering can be found in Leviticus 19:16: "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD."

    Why is slander dealt with so harshly? The answer can be found in Psalm 140, which is entirely about being a victim of slander. In it, the psalmist prays for divine protection from evildoers who the psalmist calls slanderers "violent" and "wicked." He describes their evil words as a trap set to ensnare him.

    Unlike that old childhood rhyme, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me," the psalmist obviously does not see these hurtful words as harmless! As any victim of slander can attest, words can be as harmful as a trap and as deadly as venom. This is why we are to avoid them at all cost. Just as we must be vigilant with a loaded gun, we must guard our lips which are also powerful.

    God gave us two gates our teeth and our lips  to help us guard our tongues and use them properly. THINK before you speak: Ask, is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? If the answer is no to any of the above, close the gates and lock them

Amen!

Reading: Ps. 140

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

God Weighs Our Hearts

Proverbs 24:12

"If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he 

that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that 

keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and 

shall not he render to every man 

according to his works?"

     An often used defense for Nazis accused of war crimes was that they were "only following orders." However, that excuse did not work. It did not justify the murder of millions of innocent men, women, and children. Those accused knew what they were doing, and they knew it was wrong. Whether or not they wanted to defy orders but could not, we’ll never know. We may not know who is guilty, but God knows. God weighs each heart.

    This verse also applies to each of us. How many injustices have we witnessed that we do nothing about? This verse declares that it is not OK to turn the other way when we know something wrong is going on. Whether it’s happening in our neighborhood, our office, school classroom, or halfway around the world, we cannot say, "We did not know, and so we did not act." God knows if we know, and He expects us to act.

    Some people excuse themselves from the responsibility of taking action because no one else is doing anything. The thought process goes that if no one else is taking care of this problem, why should we do anything? But God expects more from us. It doesn’t matter if no one else is standing up for what is just and right. God sees us as the powerful individuals that we are, and He expects us to take action even if we are the only ones doing so.

    When we stand up for what’s right, it’s scary. We may pay a price for doing so by losing friends, money, or perhaps our reputation. However, God will "repay everyone according to what they have done." God will reward us for our moral clarity and willingness to act. God knows what’s truly in our heart. When He weighs Yours, what will His conclusion be? 

Amen!

Ref: HG SB (KJV)

May God Bless you

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Be a Messenger of Joy

Proverbs 15:30

"The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and 

a good report maketh the bones fat."
 

    When we act as a messenger of God and approach people with an enlightened, happy face, we bring ''joy to the heart." But whose heart? We absolutely bring joy to the heart of the person we encounter. Hopefully, if we are warm and caring, we can see many smiles. With our simple gifts and love, we can bring joy to hundreds. .

    It will also prevent us from becoming depressed and disillusioned with our own life and transforms us into a beacon of light with joy in our heart. You will find that bringing happiness into your own life will  bring happiness to others.

    Let’s be inspired! Today, let’s greet everyone we see with a bright and cheery disposition. Who might we bring joy to today? Who can we get to smile? How can we make someone else a little bit happier?

When we live our lives looking for ways to make others more joyful, we are rewarded richly for our kindness. "God gives us joy in our own hearts and strength to our spirits."

Amen!

Ref: HG SB (KJV)

God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

 

Enriched and United in Christ

Corinthians 1:5, 8 

"That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, 

and in all knowledge; Who shall also confirm you unto 

the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of 

our Lord Jesus Christ." 

    We have been sanctified in Christ in the purpose of God, but we must make our calling sure by living as saints. It was enough for Paul, if men called on Jesus as their Lord. Such he could receive as brothers. There was no strain of narrow sectarianism in his nature.
    If we would live a true life, we must draw on Jesus Christ. Our riches are in Him, awaiting our claiming and use. The unsearchable riches of Christ are at our disposal, but we must appropriate and use them. Let us begin to live as God’s heirs. Utterance and knowledge are ours through the Holy Spirit. We have looked into ourselves for them. That is the mistake! 
    We must look up and reach down. God has called us into partnership with His Son. We share His sorrows, sufferings, and labors for a world’s conversion; He bids us share in His grace. The perfecting is the weaving together and becoming a part of, as 1 Cor. 1:10 explains; "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment". Paul’s purpose for this Epistle was the ending of the strife that had divided the Corinthian church, and is intended for the Christian churches of all Generations.
Amen!

Reading: 1Cor. 1:1-11
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

With The Ten Commandments, The Covenant Began

Exodus 20:1

"And God spake all these words, saying, I am the 

Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of 

the land of Egypt, out of the of bondage."

    God had directed Moses to assemble all Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai that He might proclaim the Ten Commandments. His appearance was symbolized by thunder, lighting, fire and smoke; yet the Divine was veiled in a thick cloud. The Ten Commandments were audibly spoken by God and were also written upon two tablets of stone by the finger of God.  

    The giving of the Law was a dispensation of terror revealing the Knowledge of sin and designed to prepare the people for the presentation of divine grace. Therefore the Law becomes a tutor to bring mankind to Christ, The Mediator of the covenant of grace. As Moses stood between the lord and sin cursed Israel, so the Lord Jesus stands between a justly offended God and condemned humanity, having given himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Amen!

Reading: Ex. 20: 1-21

               Deut. 5: 1-33 

               Acts :7:53

              Gal. 3:19

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

God Will Make A Way

Isaiah 54:1

"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, 

and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more 

are the children of the desolate than the children of 

the married wife, saith the LORD"

 

     No matter what your past has been like and no matter what the future looks like, with God, anything is possible. Today is a new day. A new beginning. It’s nearly a new year on the calendar. This can be our greatest year yet! 

    In this opening verse, the prophet Isaiah told the barren woman to sing. Notice that he didn’t say "childless woman."  He called her a barren woman, for Sarah having children was not even a possibility. However, she, who for all natural accounts should have remained childless her entire life, was promised more children than a fertile woman with a husband by her side. Isaiah, in effect, was telling us that even when there doesn’t seem to be a way, God can make a way.

    This was true for Abraham and Sarah. By the time the angels visited the couple to tell them that a baby was finally on the way, they were well into their 90s, far past the age for bearing children. Yet, God made a way, even when there seemed to be none, and just as the angels predicted, Isaac was born the following year.

    This was also true for the children of Israel as they left Egypt and found themselves sandwiched between the entire Egyptian army and the watery depths of the Red Sea. There was no place for them to go, or so it seemed. But God parted the sea and made a way for them. God led His people through the sea and then the wilderness. He provided water when there was none and food from heaven when there was none. God gave Israel a bright future when all had seemed lost.

    Friends, God made a way for Abraham, Sarah, and all of Israel. He can make a way for us, too. No matter how bleak things may seem, cling to God and have faith in the One Who can do anything. Whatever difficulty you might be facing today be it financial, a difficult relationship, a bad medical report, or anything else, know in your heart that God can turn it all around in one instant. God will make a way. 

Amen!

Reading: Is. 54:1-10

               Deu. 21:10-25, 19

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

My Redeemer Lives

Job 19:25

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he 

shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:" 

    For many of us, there are those times in our lives when we feel defeated. Maybe we’ve work extremely hard at something, yet it all fell to pieces. Or there are times when things are going perfectly well, and then without warning, everything falls apart.

    There are plenty of opportunities in life to give up. It could be an illness, the loss of a job, a betrayal in a relationship, or a multitude of other things that push us to our limits. For anyone (all of us) who has ever felt like giving up, Job has a word for you. At the height of his afflictions, with the loss of his possessions, the death of his children, and a devastating illness that was literally eating him alive, Job had the strength to hold out and hope. In the midst of his troubles, Job said with the greatest confidence, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth."

    No matter what happens to us, through trials and successes we need to remember that our Redeemer lives. He sees everything, knows what we are going through, and can change everything in an instant. God was, is, and always will be. That’s what Job meant when he says that God will stand on the earth until the end. God has the final say. Our job is to never give up. Know that our Redeemer lives. "Don’t give up" 

Amen!

Reading: 191-29

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

God Based Courage

Joshua 1:9 

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be 

not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God

is with thee whithersoever thou goest." 

    Bible is not a history book. It is a book that tells us how to live. That being the case, so why does the Bible begin with Creation. If this is a book about life, why not start with the First Commandment or a life lesson? Because God began the Bible with the story of Creation to teach us that He created the world. He has the right to give the Jews the land of Israel. Our deed to the land is the Bible.

    In the book of Joshua, as the new leader of Israel, Joshua needed encouragement. He was about to lead the people into the land of Canaan and capture the holy land God had given to the Israelites. So God commanded him to be strong and of good courage, be not afraid (V9).

    There is a difference between being brave because we are simply willing to try something difficult and being filled with courage because we know that God stands behind us though the task might be difficult. Simply being brave leaves us with doubts that we will succeed. Having courage rooted in God fills us with the confidence that we will succeed. If we are to achieve the most important tasks in our lives, we need God based courage.

    This is the kind of courage that God handed over to Joshua who stood on the precipice of his greatest challenge and what would also be his greatest success. This is the kind of courage we need to make those leaps of faith that will take us further in life than we ever imagined.

When we are challenged, it is critical that we ask ourselves if our pursuit fits the will of God. If He is with us, no one can stand against us.

Amen!

Reading: Josh. 1: 1-18

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Taught And United Unto The Lord

1Thessalonians 4:11  

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your 

own business, and to work with your own 

hands, as we commanded you;"

    God Himself is the teacher of love. Others may teach the lower classes in the school of grace, but the highest is reserved for the Supreme Teacher.  It is good to bring up every child to know one means of livelihood, and children are much more likely to grow up into noble and useful people, if they are encouraged to work for their living. Do something in the world!

    As touching brotherly love, that new mainspring of their life, it was not necessary to exhort them: God Himself had taught them, and they were an example of love to all, (V9). Let this be a guide for our children. Only let them abound in it even more and more; walking quietly, working with their own hands, so as to be in no man's debt, that in this respect, also glorify the Lord .

Amen!

Reading: 1Thess 4:9-12

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Who Are We?

Isaiah 51:12

"I, even I, am he who comforteth you. Who art thou, that

 thou shouldest be afraid of man that shall die, and

 of the son of man who shall make like grass" 

    We all have our good points as well as those areas in which we need to improve. The same goes for the people we encounter throughout our day; they, too, have their good points and their not so good points. Everyone has a good side and a bad side. The question is, which is the real us? Are we the good, the bad, or both?  

    We are essentially all good. How do we know this? Because the Bible teaches us that we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). We all have imperfections to work on, but our core is all God, all good. Our job is to see the good in ourselves and in others; our job is to see the truth in each other.

    In the story of Noah after the flood, we learn how Ham found his father laying naked after becoming drunk. He ran out to tell his other brothers what their father had done and invited them to come witness the scene for themselves. But Shem and Japheth had a very different response. They walked in backward so as not to view their father’s nakedness and covered him up.

    In life, we have a choice. We can expose the weaknesses of others, or we can look away and help cover it up. Likewise, we can expose the goodness of others or look away and ignore it. All too often it seems that people uncover the bad and bury the good. But we have to act like Shem and Japheth and turn away from the bad parts of others, and then act like Isaiah, revealing the good in others.

Today, let us try to see the good in every person that we meet. Remember, it won’t just be looking at a more pleasant view; we will be looking at the truth.

Amen!

Reading: Isa. 51:1-16

               Gen. 9:18-29

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Joy in Serving

Psalm 100:3  

"Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that 

hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are 

his people, and the sheep of his pasture."

     If we could enter into the spirit of this Psalm, every day would be a Thanksgiving Day. The Psalmist invites all the earth to enter into the courts of God’s house with joyful songs. In many of the Psalms, the weeping prevails over rejoicing. But this Psalm is full of gladness. The reason for this gladness is: We are His: His by creation, by providence, and by grace; and His also by the glad consecration of our hearts to His service. We belong to Him by right; it is for us to see to it that we are also His by choice. And His ownership involves His shepherd care. We are His flock; it is for Him to lead us into green pastures and beside still waters.
    This Psalm reveals the true genius of religion. We cannot be satisfied till all men share our knowledge of the love of God. There is nothing which will better promote the true happiness and gladness of mankind. 
Amen!

Reading: Ps. 100
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

God’s Unconditional Love

Jeremiah 2:31

"O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been 

a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? 

wherefore say my people, We are lords; 

we will come no more unto thee?"

    There was this Family Man that started hanging out with a bad group of friends, spending time in bars, and leading a less than desirable lifestyle. Obviously his Family and Real Friends were devastated. As a wise man once said, "He doesn’t need our food, he doesn’t need our money, there is nothing we can give him, except for our love."  So, they gave him their unconditional love and prayed he will find his way. "That Man Was Me."

    Our relationship with God is much the same. No matter what we do or how far we stray, we will always have His unconditional love. God is always just one prayer away. In the book of Jeremiah, we read about how Israel had strayed. The prophet painfully described the strained relationship between God and His children.

    God brought up the desert in order to remind Israel that while God brought their ancestors through the desert, they didn’t experience the harsh conditions. The prophet continued: "wherefore say my people, We are lords, we will come no more unto thee." (Jer. 2:31b). In other words what the people said is, "We are free to roam; we will come to you no more?” The understanding of this portion of the verse is that God asked why the people concluded  that they were separated from Him and that He would come no more to them. God reassured them, and us that nothing can come between  our relationship with Him, it is always possible to return.

    I want to encourage us all to remember God’s message of unconditional love. Moreover, let’s spread the message to others who might feel distant, hopeless, and lost. When there is nothing else left to give, we can always give love and remind others that God does the same.

Amen!

Reading Jer: 2:1-37

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Playing Our Part

Job 12:10 

"In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, 

and the breath of all mankind."

        Do you ever wonder if your life matters? Have you ever wondered if your actions make a difference in the world? There have never been so many people alive as there are today. So what difference can one person make?

    God, as the Master Conductor of the entire world, knows each creature intimately and the contribution that each is capable of making to the symphony of life. He holds the breath of all mankind, and the life of every creature one at a time. He knows us as a whole and He knows us individually.

    We matter to God. If one of us doesn’t play our "music," He knows that something is missing. The symphony is incomplete, the orchestra is lacking. God has given us unique hidden treasures and talents. We each have a distinctive contribution to make to the world. We must never fall into the trap of thinking that we don’t matter. Even if no one else would notice whether or not we are doing our job, God notices. Even if no one else cares if we are living up to our God given potential, God cares. We all have a part to play and a song to sing. God gifted us with our lives; our song is our gift to Him. "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life," (Job 33:4)

 Amen!

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Embracing Our Lives

Ecclesiastes 5:13

"There is a sore evil which I have seen under 

the sun, namely, riches kept for the 

owners thereof to their hurt."

    Wealth, like anything else, can lead to good or bad. This may surprise some people because we live in a society that teaches us the person with the most is the "important one"  Wealth is seen as the answer to our problems, the cure for our sadness, and a promise of security. But none of that is true. It’s a lie that’s been sold and bought by many. Wealth can be good when it’s used properly. Money is a tool that can be used to help others and serve God. However, the book of Ecclesiastes warns us that money can be harmful if we allow it. 

    In Numbers Chapter 16 we read that, Korah was extremely wealthy. He was also a prominent leader in Israel. But his exceptional wealth led him to believe that he deserved more and that he was better than anyone, even Moses and Aaron. But what Korah had did not satisfy him; in fact, it made him crave more. As a result, Korah led a rebellion that ended in his death as well as thousands of his followers. All that money and power could have been used to live an extraordinary life. Instead, Korah let it lead to his downfall.
    We hear about Korans sons later on in biblical history. Their songs are included in the book of Psalms. In contrast to Korah, his descendants learned to embrace their place in life. They thrived as Levites who were included in the Temple service. Instead of wanting more, they chose to make the most of what they had and who they were. The result was that they found their unique voices, penned Psalms that we still read today, and experienced the joy that comes from fulfilling their God given purpose.  
    What an important lesson for us today! I want to encourage us to embrace our place in life. I pray that we will find satisfaction in what we have and who we are. The truth is that we are enough and God provides us with all we need. It’s not about how much we have, but how much we can enjoy what we have, and that joy comes from gratitude for our blessings, sharing what we have with others, and fulfilling God’s calling on our life with the tools He has given us. 

Amen!

Reading: Num. 16:1-50

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Spiritual Toxin

Proverbs 18:8  

"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they 

go down into the innermost parts of the belly." 

      You sit down to a great looking meal with a group of friends. Everything seems perfect, and you are ready for a fun time. Everyone eats and enjoys the meal. However, when you get home, you start to feel nauseous. It turns out the food was toxic. And to make matters worse, the friend who "hosted" the meal paid for it at someone else’s expense.

   Well that meal wasn’t so great after all. In fact, you wish you had not gone. This is often how we feel after sitting with friends who serve up nothing but gossip. At first, what’s being offered seems juicy and enticing. But after a steady diet of gossip, we often feel sick. Everyone may have had a great time, but at someone else’s expense. And irreparable damage has been done.

    The most obvious person to be impacted is the person who is the object of the gossip. As the human being is diced and sliced and served up as fodder for a good time, reputations are destroyed. There is a reason why a term for embarrassment is "losing face."  When someone is disgraced by gossip, his or her identity is destroyed.

    Let’s resolve to stay away from toxic gossip. Remember, God gave us two hands to cover up our two ears when necessary! Life is too short to waste time speaking badly about other people or listening to "dirt" about others. Speak kindly and truthfully. In doing so, we will help purify the spiritual environment and create a healthier climate for everyone.

Amen!

Ref: Ps. 18:8

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

This Is The Day

Deuteronomy 11:26, 27  

"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A 

blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD 

your God, which I command you this day:" 

    We’ve heard about the importance of living in the present, however today isn’t just important; it’s a world unto itself. Tomorrow, it will be gone, and another one will take its place. Each day has its own "spark,"  its own opportunities and challenges; its own potential for greatness and also for failure; the possibility for new blessings and also, heaven forbid, for curses. Once the day is done, that spark is gone forever, and with it, all the options that were open to us just that very morning.

    It’s not just that we have a choice in life whether or not to follow God and bring blessings into our lives, or the opposite. It’s that we have the opportunity and duty to do so every single day. It doesn’t matter how righteous I was yesterday. I need to choose God all over again today. In the same way, it doesn’t matter how miserably I failed yesterday; it is a new day, and I can choose God today. My Friends, choose God today and every day. The psalmist reminds us,  "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps. 118:24). Make it count! 

Amen!

Reading: Deut. 11: 1-32

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.