Not Mans Time But God's

John 7:8 

"Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; 

for my time is not yet full come." 

    It is impossible to force Jesus' hand. His brothers tried to force him into going to Jerusalem. It was what we might call a dare. They were quite right from the human point of view. Jesus' great miracles had been wrought in Galilee; the changing of the water into wine (John 2:1); the healing of the nobleman's son (John 4:46); the feeding of the five thousand (John6:1). The only miracle that he had wrought in Jerusalem was the curing of the impotent man at the pool (John 5:1). 

    It was not unnatural to tell Jesus to go to Jerusalem and let his supporters there see what he could do. The story makes it clear that the healing of the impotent man had been regarded far more as an act of Sabbath breaking than as a miracle. Further, if Jesus was ever to succeed in winning men, he could not do so by hiding in a comer; he must act in such a way that everyone could see what he did. Still further, Jerusalem was the key point. The Galileans were notoriously hot-blooded and hot-headed. Anyone who wanted a following would have no difficulty in raising one in the excitable atmosphere of Galilee; but Jerusalem was a very different proposition. It was the acid test.
    Jesus' brothers could have put up a good case for their insistence; but Jesus' hand is not to be forced. He does things, not in man's time, but in God's. Man's impatience of man must learn to wait on God's wisdom.
    It did not matter when his brothers went to Jerusalem, for no one would notice they were there and nothing whatever depended on their going. But Jesus' going was a very different thing. Why? Because his brothers were in tune with the world. But Jesus' coming is a condemnation of the world's way of life and a challenge to selfishness,laziness, sloth and shiftlessness. Jesus had to choose his moment, for when he arrives something happens. My friends, God's time is His and our time is His. "Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready."

(John 7:6). 
Amen

Reading: (John 7:1-9)

Ref: (HG SB)

        (DSB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr

The Cross Life Ministry

 

Seekers Of Truth

John 6:28  

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, 

that we might work the works of God."

    That is, such things as God will approve unto His Children. This was and is the earnest inquiry of men who were and are presently seeking to be saved. They had crossed the Sea of Tiberias to seek him; they thought him to be the Messiah, and they sincerely desired to be taught the way of life. 

    Yet it is observable that they expected to find that way as other sinners commonly do, by their works. The idea of doing something to merit salvation is one of the last things the sinner ever surrenders. That is their "pride and selfishness"

    My Friends, for us to do the works of God, we must do what Jesus said; " Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."  Who God sent is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. All the labor described in John 6:27 is to maintain a pure heart and exercise an appropriating faith. 

    God sealed Christ by His declaration at the water of baptism and the miracles which were wrought through the Father’s power, "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works," (John 14:10).

Amen!

Reading: (John 6:22-29)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Deliverance Comes, On Bended Knee

Psalm 73:26  

"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is 

the strength of my heart, and 

my portion for ever." 

    The true place in which to form a right estimate of life is found in the sanctuary of God; one can take into view the unseen as well as the seen, the eternal as well as the transient. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable," (1Cor. 15:19). But if the future is taken into consideration, Would Lazarus exchange his lot with the rich man? See Luke16:19-31. When once the soul crosses the frontier between this life and the next, it finds that the current coin on this side is valueless.
    One day as Asaph, bowed down more than usual, deliverance came. Whether it was when the sacrifice was being offered, or when the Holy psalm was being sung, the clouds suddenly broke and the burden rolled away. He saw that God did not reward goodness with things, but with Himself, and he turned to Him with adoring love. Even in the present life the righteous may count on the constant presence of God. His hand holds them; His counsel guides. He is our strength and our portion; and when we change worlds, we shall only enter more fully and absolutely on our inheritance.
Amen!

Reading:  (Ps. 73:16-28)
                (Ps. 32:29)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Show What's In You!

Corinthians 10:12  

"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with 

some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by 

themselves, and comparing themselves 

among themselves, are not wise."

     There is marvelous power in the weakest of men, when governed by a single purpose and filled with the consciousness and the power of God. Weak and contemptible in themselves, they are often the chosen channels through which God pours His living water. The Apostle remarks that some who criticized him bore themselves proudly, because their standard was so low. A five-foot man thinks himself tall when he compares himself with a dwarf! Always compare what is worst in yourself with what is best in others, and you will be kept humble.
    Paul was always pressing outward to the fields that lay beyond. These were vast unoccupied regions, which he coveted to count as provinces in the Kingdom of Christ. This is the supreme test of a man. It is easy to build on foundations laid by another Christian worker, and to win away his converts, However such conduct is mean and cowardly. Open up new ground and show what’s in you. But do this in the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
Amen!

Reading: (2 Cor. 10:8-18)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Greatest of All Desires

Ephesians 3:14  

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," 

    Christ makes His home in the believer’s heart through faith. Note the Apostle’s attitude,with bended knee; his plea with God that He is the Father from whom all family love flows; the necessary preliminary to Christ’s indwelling of our innermost being with the strength of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Christ means that we shall be rooted and grounded in love. When this is the case we shall understand His love; and when we experience and know Christ’s love, we shall be completely filled with God's love. 

    Faith opens the door to the Spirit; the Spirit reveals Christ; Christ fills the heart; the heart begins to understand love; and love is the medium through which we become infilled with God, for God is love. It is staggering to ask all this; but the God who works in us with such power is able to do more than we ask, more than we think, abundantly more. My Friends, lets us not be to lazy to get on bended knee and talk to God. God wants to hear from His children just like we want to hear from ours. 
Amen!

Reading: (Eph. 3:14-21)
Ref:(HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Merciful Deliverer

Matthew 9:28  

"And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: 

and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? 

They said unto him, Yea, Lord." 

    When the Master speaks to us: "Believe ye that I am able" though you are cut off from the light and gladness of the world? "Believe ye that I am able" to enrich you in poverty, strengthen you in weakness, and raise you even out of death itself? "Believe ye that I am able" to give knowledge of God which eye hath not seen nor the heart of man conceived?
    It may be with a trembling faith that we answer, Yes, Lord. But how blessed is the soul that dares to say Yes to the Master’s challenge. Understand that there is no limit to what He will do for you, if only you will trust Him. The measure of His giving is according to the measure of your faith; therefore walk in faith and in truth and commune with God daily, and spread abroad His Gospel. Believers go to Him, but demons flee. 
Amen!

Reading: (Matt. 9:27-34)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family 

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr. 

The Cross Life Ministry

Broken Yoke And Loosed Bonds

Jeremiah 30:11  

"For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full 

end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make 

a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will 

not leave thee altogether unpunished" 

    God was prepared to spare Jerusalem on lower terms than even Sodom, and yet He was driven to destroy her. Both poor and rich alike had broken the yoke and loosed the bonds. They settle down upon the land as a flock of locusts, but still the Chosen People refuse to connect their punishment with their sin. It never occurred to them that the failure of the rain, the withering of their crops, and the assault of their foes, were all connected with their sin. There is nothing unusual here, for as we read the history of our own times, we are equally inapt or just plain refuse to connect national disaster with national sin. 

    How good it would be if the national cry of today were that of  Jer. 5:24 "Let us now fear before the Lord our God." My Friends, we as believers must stand firm with our Lord! So many of us has broken our bonds with God and tried to bear our own burdens; and what happened? Our lives became wide open for corruption, and where there is corruption also comes disaster! My Friends, Let us rest in Jesus, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," (Matt. 11:29-30).

Amen!

Reading: (Jer. 30:1-24)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

Ans Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

 
 

 

The Lord Upholdeth His Servant

Isaiah 41:13

"For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, 

saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

    Our Lord takes hold of our hand and makes an alliance with us. He goes hand in hand with us; and having such a one with us, we need fear no enemy. It is that feeling of freedom from bondage, and God's love and friendship, that assure believers of the strong affection of God towards them; and may conclude ourselves safe, being held by him as a child in the hand of its parents, wrapped in the arms of love. 

    The Lord holds the right hand of his people, teaching us to walk by faith, leading us into his presence, and to communion with himself, and keeps us from falling. He will strengthen our right hand to do his work and service, and oppose our enemies. He will fulfill our needs and fill our hands with his good things, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Is 41:10).  

Amen!

Reading: (Is. 41:1-16)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

 

Love In Deed And In Truth

1 John 3:20 

"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater 

than our heart, and knoweth all things."

     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 with the same love that God Cares for us. 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.

    The believer dares not affirm too much about himself, he is so unworthy and fickle; but God understands us and imputes to us what we would be. Let's look at the double condition of prevailing prayer, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight," (1 John 3:22). 

    It is also clear  that men can believe, if they will. God is prepared to impart to those who are wishful all that He commands, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment," (1 John 3:23). Augustine prayed thus: “Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.” 

Amen!

Reading: (1 John 3:13-24)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail

The Cross Life Ministry

 

God''s Mercy and Love

John 3:16  

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should 

not perish, but have everlasting life."

    To God however, it isn’t merciful to destroy what is good or beautiful even if it means eradicating something that is bad. God will keep what is good even if it means suffering for it. He came down from heaven to suffer and to die for us so that when He rises again, He could also draw us all into His saving love!
    We have all suffered from sin. But God, instead of destroying us all, saved us. Even if all that remains within our souls is a little spark of love, He will not let it be extinguished! He will purify us until He could save all that could still be saved.
Amen!

Reading:  (John 3:9:21)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

We Cannot Cheat God!!!

1 Kings 14:6  

"And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came 

in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam;

why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am 

sent to thee with heavy tidings." 

    How blind we become when we sin against our conscience! "Each act of willful sin puts another shade on the window of the soul." “Their foolish heart was darkened,”  "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened," (Rom. 1:21). Surely if the prophet were able to predict the issue of this sickness, he would be able to penetrate the mother’s disguise, although she brought only the gifts of a poor peasant woman. 

    Jeroboam had devised this ruse, partly, because he did not wish the nation to know that he was consulting a prophet of Jehovah-an act which might invalidate his new temple and the calves, and also because he wanted to get a more favorable answer than that which he anticipated in case the prophet recognized the inquirer. We may disguise ourselves as we will, but we cannot cheat God, and no dissembling can ever turn away the arrow that speeds straight to the guilty heart.
    Jewish historians say that the exception was made in Abijahs case,  "And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam," (1Kgs. 14:13), because he interceded with his father that all Israelites who wished might be allowed to go to the feasts at Jerusalem, without being penalized. There is always discrimination in the divine judgments. How often God has brought beautiful lives out of foul surroundings, as the pure lily-cup out of a muddy pond! 

Amen!

Reading: (1 Kgs. 14:1-16)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

There Is No Alternative To Worshiping God!

1Kings 12:28  

"Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, 

and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to 

Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which 

brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." 

    Jeroboam offered the people idolatry as an alternative to worshiping God. Jeroboam knew better than to make the two calves. The prophet had clearly told him that the stability of his throne was contingent upon his obedience. "And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee," (1 Kgs 11:38). It was definitely promised that if he would hearken to do all that was commanded him, God would be with him and build him a sure house. But he was not content with that. 

    Afraid, that if his people went up to the annual feasts at Jerusalem, they would return to their ancient loyalty to David’s throne and kill him, Jeroboam set up the worship of God under the semblance of the two golden calves, "Idolatry."  He broke not the First but the Second Commandment, and sowed seeds from which his descendants were destined to reap a succession of bitter harvests. He was like the foolish man of our Lord’s parable, who heard and did not; and whose house, however carefully it might have been constructed, was sapped by the rising waters. 

    My Friends, Expediency always deceives those who turn from God and rely on the devices of their own hearts. There is no knowing to what lengths men may drift, when they lose their anchor in God. 

Amen!

Reading: (1 Kings 12:25-33)

Ref:( HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry