What More Can I Do?

Deuteronomy 31:6  

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: 

for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; 

he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." 

    In this uncertain world we need to cling to hope. It is essential that we remain steadfast when hard times hit, never give up; and rely on God to navigate choppy waters. Fear can overtake us, but God is all powerful and will offer us all the strength we need when we face hard times.

   True happiness can be found in Christ. No matter what you are facing, turn to God and He will sustain you. No matter what life throws at us we can have confidence that God will meet us where we are and guide our path forward. 

    God holds the power to give men and women strength and courage, which is the essential thing needed to help push back against fear, terror or anything that may come before us. My Friends, God never leaves us! So what more can you do? Obey God's Commandments, Be Loyal To God, and be Faithful in all things. 

Amen!

Reading: Is. 41:10

               Phil. 4:12-13

              Ps. 46:1-3

Ref: HG SB

 May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Sign Of The Times, Is Jesus Christ

 Matthew 16:4  

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; 

and there shall no sign be given unto it, but

the sign of the prophet Jonas. And 

he left them, and departed." 

     They knew very well that a red sky in the evening would bring fine weather; and that a red sky in the morning was the warning of a storm. But they were and today's generation is blind to the signs of the times.  Jesus told them that the only sign they would receive was the sign of Jonah. We have already seen what the sign of Jonah was (Matt. 12:38-40). Jonah was the prophet who converted the people of Nineveh and turned them from their evil ways towards God. Now the sign which turned the people of Nineveh to God was not the fact that Jonah was swallowed by the great sea monster. Of that they knew nothing; and Jonah never used it as a means of appeal. The sign of Jonah was Jonah himself and his message from God. It was "the coming of the prophet and the message which he brought which changed life for the people of Nineveh." 

     So what Jesus is saying is that, "God's sign is Jesus himself and his message." They were blind and some still are. Are we so blind that we cannot see. What more could one possibly need? There is truth and there is warning here. Jesus Christ is God's last word. Here is God plain for all to see. Here is God's message for all to hear. Here is God's Sign to man. 
    My Friends, When we are confronted with Jesus Christ, we are confronted with God's final word and God's ultimate appeal. If that is so, what can be left for the man who throws away that last chance, who refuses to listen to that last word, who rejects that last appeal? Don't Be One, Who throws that last chance away!!!
Amen!

Reading: Matt: 16;1-4
Ref: HG SB, Study Notes

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross life Ministry

The Choice Stone

1 Peter 2:6  

"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, 

I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: 

and he that believeth on him 

shall not be confounded"

    The Nation of Israel had shown no desire for the Word of God. And when the Son of God appeared they viewed Him the same. "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him," (Isa. 53:2). 

    Our duty as Believers is to view our Savior as God's precious Rock. Let's take a look into the different views of God's Choice Stone: He is the smitten Rock to all who will drink, "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ," (1 Cor. 10:4). He is the precious Stone to all who have drunk, "If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious," (1 Peter 2:3). He is the chief Cornerstone to the church, "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Eph. 2:20). 
    He is the stumbling Stone to the Jews at His First Coming, "Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed,"(Rom. 9:32-33). He is the Headstone of the corner to the Jews at His Second Coming, "Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it,"(Zech. 4:7). 
    He is the smiting Stone cut without hands to Gentile world powers at His Second Coming, "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces,"(Dan. 2:34). He is the crushing stone of judgment to all unbelievers, "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder," (Matt. 21:44).
    My Friends, Note, the Devotion Scripture "Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded,"(1 Peter 2:6). Certainly here is the fulfillment of Christ's promise in (Matt. 16:16, 18). "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."  "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  Peter was not the foundation; Christ was.
Amen!

Reading : Devotional Scriptures
Ref: HG SB, Study Notes

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

   

The High Calling Of Our Salvation

1 Peter 1:13  

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, 

and hope to the end for the grace that is 

to be brought unto you at the 

revelation of Jesus Christ;" 

    We talk a lot about the greatness and the glory to which the Christian may look forward; but here  just as Peter told his people, he is telling telling Christians today, not to get lost in dreams of the future; he must always be virile in the battle of the present. So Peter sends out these challenges to his people and to Christians today.

    What do we need to do to "grid up"? This girding up is so important that Peter mention it in both of his epistles. "This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance,(2 Peter 3:1). Most people probably say; "I have no problem staying focused on the present. Well I hate to burst their bubble, but most people these days can't stay focused on one thing more than one whole day! 

    That's why Peter is saying "Gird Up"! Tighten things up, keep it together! What is to be kept together is this: 1. Keep sober in spirit. 2. Fix your hope completely on God's grace. 3. Do not turn back to your old life. 4. Be holy (separated unto God) in all your behavior. 5. Conduct yourself in fear (a respectful awe and concern not to displease our Savior).

    My Friends, I am sure this is not to much to ask for, after all Jesus did give His life for ours, payed our sin debt in full, and gave us life eternal! I believe today would be a great day to ponder on, The High Calling Of Our Salvation.

Amen!

Reading: 1 Peter 1: 13-17

Ref: HG SB  Study Notes

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr

The Cross Life Ministry

The True Treasure

Matthew 6:21  

"For where your treasure is, there 

will your heart be also." 

    Our everyday life should be managed by simple wisdom in order for us to get only the things which will last. When we buy clothes, a car or furniture, we always avoid buying bad products. We make sure that they are solid craftsmanship and made to last. That is exactly what Jesus is saying here; He is telling us to concentrate on the things that last.

    Jesus tells us to avoid the things that the moth can destroy. This is something that all of us are guilty of because we do have the tendency to store away things and let them stack up and eventually become destroyed. So such things like this are things that are foolish to set the heart upon. 

    Jesus tells us not to lay up treasures that thieves can breakthrough and steal. There is nothing permanent about a treasure which is at the mercy of any thieves. Any one whose happiness depends on things like that is doomed to disappointment. Any man whose treasure is in things is bound to lose his treasure, for in things there is no permanence, and no thing lasts forever. 

Whatever is selfishly kept will be lost, but whatever is generously given away brings treasures in heaven. That was the principle of the early Christian Church.

     My friends, The True Treasure is this: The only thing which a man can take out of this world into the world beyond is himself; and the finer the self he brings, the greater his treasure in heaven will be.  If all through his life a man's eyes are on eternity, then he will evaluate lightly the things of this world. This world is not the end of life, it is a stage on the way; and therefore a man should never lose his heart to this world and to the things of this world. His eyes ought to be forever fixed on the goal beyond.

Amen!

Reading: Matt. 6:19-21

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

    

You Shall Be Tested!

James 1:3  

"Knowing this, that the trying of 

your faith worketh patience"

     One of the first things we hear as a new believer, is something like this, " You thought you were having bad times before, well you just wait, you haven't seen nothing yet." And you best be ready for some new experiences.
    Let me name a few experiences (trials)  that a believer may go through. All kinds of experiences will come to us. There will come the test of sorrows and disappointments which seek to take our faith.
    There will be the test of the seductions which seek to lure us from the way of truth. There will be the test of dangers, the sacrifices, the unpopularity which the believer is well aware of. But all these and other experiences (trials) are not meant to make us fail. They are meant to make us grow and soar.
    My friends our experiences should make us stronger not weaker. We should not express discontent or sorrow; we should rejoice over them. We must welcome each struggle In Jesus name. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him," (James 1:12).  

Amen!

Reading: James 1:1-18
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

   

Light The Path For Others

 Hebrews 12:1-2  

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let 

us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the 

author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before 

him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set 

down at the right hand of the throne of God."

    In the Christian life we have a goal. The Christian is not an unconcerned stroller along the byways of life; he is a wayfarer on the high road. He is not a tourist, who returns each night to the place from which he starts; he is a pilgrim who is forever on the way. The goal is nothing less than the likeness of Christ.
    In the Christian life we have a means. That means is steadfast endurance. It does not mean the patience which sits down and accepts things,but the patience which masters them. It is not some romantic thing that gives us wings to fly over the difficulties and the hard places. It is a determination, unhurrying and yet undelaying, which goes steadily on and refuses to be stopped.
    To God a man must present a clean heart; to men he must present an upright life. To show a man the right way to walk, by personal example to keep him on the right road, to remove from the path something that would make him stumble, to make the journey easier for faltering and lagging feet, is a Christian duty. A man must offer his heart to God and his service an example to his fellow-men.
Amen!

Reading: Heb. 12:1-2
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

A Man Who Believed God

Hebrews 11:7  

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, 

moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; 

by the which he condemned the world, and became 

heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

    Noah was not bothered by the mockery of others. His conduct must have looked like that of a fool. Who ever in his right mind would built a great big ship on dry land so far from the sea? Sometimes a man who takes God's word may often have to adopt a course of action which looks like madness to those around him.
    That's exactly what Noah did. He took God at His word no matter how far fetched it may have seemed to others. He obeyed God, he pleased God and he saved his family and all the animals from the flood. The choice comes to every man either to listen to or to disregard the message of God. He may live as if that message is of no importance or as if it is the most important thing in the world. 
    My Friends, God's warning comes to us in many ways. It may come from conscience; it may come from some direct word of God to our souls; it may come from the advice of some good and godly man; it may leap out at us from God's Book or challenge us in some sermon. Wherever it comes from, we neglect it at our demise.
Amen!

Reading: Devotional
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry  

Christian Hope

Hebrews 11:3  

"Through faith we understand that the worlds were 

framed by the word of God, so that things 

which are seen were not made 

of things which do appear."

    Christian hope dictates all a man's conduct. He lives in it and he dies in it. Christian hope causes us to act as we should act. It is belief in God against the world! If we follow the world's standards we may have ease and comfort and prosperity; if we follow God's standards we may have pain and loss and not be popular. It is the conviction of the Christian that it is better to suffer with God than to prosper with the world. The Christian is certain that in the long run no man can change the truth for "great is truth, and in the end truth will prevail."

    The Christian hope is belief in the spirit against the senses. The senses say to a man: "Take what you can touch and taste and handle and enjoy."  The senses tell us to grasp the thing of the moment. The spirit tells us that there is something far beyond that. The Christian believes in the spirit rather than the senses.

    My Friends, Here is the answer to a long standing argument. Why should I refuse the pleasure of the moment for an uncertain future? The Christian answer is that the future is not uncertain because it belongs to God; and it is enough that God has commanded and that God has promised. If we believe that this is God's world then into our lives come a new sense of responsibility and a new power of acceptance, for everything belongs to God and all is in his hands. 

Amen!

Reading: Heb. 11:1-3

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr. 

The Cross Life Ministry

What Does God Want From You?

Hebrews 10:35-36  
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath 
great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, 
that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." 

     God' wants us to be at our best. If we were at our best all the time, life would be very different. Being a Christian does not demand the impossible. But if we were always as honest, as kind, as courageous, as courteous as we can be, life would be transformed. The question is how can we do  these things.

    We need to keep our hope evident and in our heart. If life is only a day to day routine of things, we may slow and began to drift; but if we are on the way to heaven's crown, effort must always be at full throttle. We need fortitude. Most people can start well but not finish well. With great effort everyone can run and not be weary; but the greatest gift of all is to walk and not be faint.

    My Friends, Gods word tells us to hold fast to our loyalty. God will see us through our present situation. Remember the victory comes only to the man who holds on. Be your best and remember that the end comes. Life is the road to eternity and no one can afford not knowing Jesus Christ as their personnel savior.

Amen!

Reading: Heb. 10:32-39  

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Christ Came To Save All

Mark 7:25  

"For a certain woman, whose young daughter had 

an unclean spirit, heard of him, and 

came and fell at his feet:" 

    This incident is one of the most moving and extraordinary in the life of Jesus. The first thing we see is that Jesus is in Gentile territory.  Early we read about Jesus wiping out the difference between clean and unclean food. Could it be here we have Jesus, symbolically, wiping out the difference between clean and unclean people? The Jew would never put his lips on forbidden food, so he would never soil his life by contact with the unclean Gentile. It may be that here Jesus is saying by implication that the Gentiles are not unclean but that they, too have their place within the Kingdom.

    The woman came asking Jesus' help for her daughter. His answer was that it was not right to take the children's bread  and give it to dogs. That must have been a shocking saying to the woman that came for help. To understand this story we first must understand that a dog was not a well loved guardian like it is today. A Dog then was commonly a symbol of dishonor. To them, the Greek it meant a shameless and audacious woman. to the Jew it was a term of contempt. "give not which is holly unto the dogs," (Matt. 7:6). 

    No matter how it looked or sounded, the term dog was an insult. The difference here is how Jesus used it and the tone of His voice. Jesus did not shut her out He was saying the children gets fed first  and then the dogs (Pets). This is symbolic that the gospel was offered to Israel going to the Jews first, but only the first, for there was more to come.

    So the woman said, "I know the children are fed first, but can't I even get the scraps the children throw away?" And Jesus loved it, (V-28). Here was a faith that would not take no for an answer, here was a woman with the tragedy of an ill daughter at home, and there was still "light" in her heart to reply with a smile. Her faith was tested and her faith was real, and her prayer was answered. Symbolically she stands for the Gentile world which so eagerly scooped up on the bread of heaven which the Jews rejected and threw away. 

Amen!

Reading: Mark 7:24-30

Ref: HG SB, BSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Evil Proceeds From The Heart

Mark 7:23  

"All these evil things come from within, 

and defile the man." 

    Christ has shown how hard line adherence to the traditional law can actually mean disobedience to the law of God. But here He says something more startling yet. He declares that nothing that goes into a man can possibly defile him, for it goes into the body which rids itself of it in the normal, physical way.

    What Jesus was saying is that things cannot be either unclean or clean in any real religious sense of the term. Only persons can be really defiled; and what defiles a person is his own actions, which are the product of his own heart. Jesus declared the whole thing irrelevant and that uncleanness has nothing to do with what a man takes into his body but everything to do with what comes out of his heart. Let us look at the things Jesus lists as coming from the heart and making a man unclean: "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness," (Mark 7: 14-23).

    My Friends, It is a truly terrible list Jesus covers of the things that come from the human heart. When we read this list a shake or shudder surely passes over us. It is a summons for us to do an honest self examination of our own hearts

Amen! 

Reading: Mark 7:14-23

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

A Man That Stood On His Faith

Luke 7:9  

"When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, 

and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, 

I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." 

    He was clearly a religious man. A man needs to be more than superficially interested before he will go and build a Synagogue (place to worship). But this man was not just a good man, he was  sincerely a religious man. He was a humble man. He knew quite well that a Jew was forbidden by law to enter the house of the gentile, just like the gentile was forbidden to enter into the home of a Jew. He would not even go to Jesus himself. He had his Jewish friends to approach Jesus. This man who was accustomed to command had an amazing humility in the presence of true greatness. Ref: (V-6,7).

   He was a man of  faith. His faith was based on truth. His decisions were based own his own experience to God. He came with perfect confidence which looks up and says, "Lord, I know you can do this." My Friends if only we had a faith like that, for us too the miracle would happen and life become new.
Amen!

Reading: Luke 7:1-10

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Why The Law?

Galatians 3:19  

"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, 

till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and 

it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator." 

    Why introduce the law at all? Well as Paul puts it, it was introduced for the sake of transgressions. What does that mean? It means that where there is no law there is no sin. A man cannot be charged (condemned), if he don't  know what he did was wrong.  So therefore the function of the law is to define sin. Even though the law can and does define sin, it can do nothing to cure it. It's like a doctor who can diagnosis a disease but can not cure the disease he has diagnosed.

    In verse 20 we read "Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one." What does Paul mean here? An agreement based on law always involves two people, one who gives and one who accepts it; and it depends on both sides keeping it. that was what happen to those who put their trust in the law. Break the law and the agreement was broken. But when it comes to a promise it depends only on one person. The way of Grace depends on entirely on God.; It is His promise. Man can do nothing to change that.

    The consequence of the law is to drive everyone to seek grace, because of man's helplessness. No man can get in the right relationship with God by obeying the law. All men will find he cannot do it and will be driven to see that all he can do is accept the wonderful grace of which Jesus Christ Came to tell all men. 

Amen! 

Reading: Gal. 3:19-22

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Listen And Walk In The Lord

Psalm 32:8-9  

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: 

I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or

as the mule, which have no understanding: whose 

mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, 

lest they come near unto thee." 

    Our Savior is the believers instructor. The Lord Himself teaches His children to walk in the way of integrity and His holy word. Is the Holy Spirit the director of you're daily conversations? The Lord's eye is upon you and He over looks everything you undergo. The believer should be as a sheep of His pasture, following the guidance of His wisdom. 

    Men should take counsel and advice, and be ready to run where wisdom points the way. We need to be cautioned against stupidity of heart, for we are very apt to fall into it. Why is it that some people will take chastisement before they will obey? Because they are acting on their own will without the Holy Spirit, and move like robots without Heaven itself in view. Affliction show how hard-mouthed humans are, and those bridles of infirmity manifest headstrong and willful manners. 

   My Friends, with infractions like these, expect to be kept in tight rein.  Let us obey the Lord willingly, lest like the willful servant, we are beaten with many stripes.

Amen!

Reading: Ps. 32:1-11

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

  

A Message Of A Miracle And Salvation

Mark 5:34

"And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith

hath made thee whole; go in peace,

and be whole of thy plague."  

    This is a message of a miracle for the plagued woman as well as the sinner. The woman had a condition, (hemorrhage) for twelve years. This portrays  the fate of the sinner. She faced physical death. The sinner faces death of the soul. Both the woman and the sinner faced condemnation. She could not find a cure and was going to die from the disease, her faith was sealed. And the sinner has no human remedy for the disease of sin. There was no human hope for the woman and no human hope for the sinner. Both are condemned without Christ. She tried it all, but came to Christ empty handed. The sinner must come to Christ empty handed, acknowledging his status as a sinner and his failures.     
    The plagued woman's faith grew from hearing the message of the power of Jesus to heal because she was told about Jesus. The sinners faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The woman's faith was expressed in a act, she came to Jesus. The sinner must come to Jesus as an act of faith.
   Once faith was in place a miracle take place. Immediately the blood dried up. The woman was cured instantly, right then and there, just by the virtue that had gone out of Jesus when she touched His clothes.  My Friends, that is a picture of salvation, it is instant just like an event; The Gift Of Eternal Life. 
Amen!

Reading: Mark 5:25-34
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

    

Everything That Is Faced Cannot Be Changed

Mark 10:43  

"But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, 

shall be your minister:  And whosoever of you will

be the chiefest, shall be servant of all." 

    James and John asked Jesus if He would give them whatever they desired. But notice His answer was not yes at that point, instead it was, "What would ye that I should do for you.," (V-36). James and John were asking for something they could not receive. They wanted to set one on the right and the other on the left of Christ in glory. This of course made the other disciples a little angry with James and John.
   This was a serious situation. The fellowship of the disciples might have been wrecked, if Jesus had not taken immediate action. He set them together him, and made quite clear the different standards of greatness in his Kingdom and in the kingdoms of the world. In the kingdoms of the world the standard of greatness was power. The test was: How many people does a man control? How great an army of servants has he at his beck and call? On how many people can he impose his will?
    My Friends, We tend to think this is an ideal state of affairs, but, in fact, it is the soundest common sense. It is in fact the first principle of ordinary everyday life in today's society. The basic trouble we have today is that men wish to do as little as possible and to get as much as possible. Let us be like James and John and not be afraid to step up and ask, seek or even change things in your life or others. I leave with this: Nothing can be changed until it's faced. And everything that is faced cannot be changed.
Amen!

Reading: Mark 10:33-45
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr. 

The Cross Life Ministry  

Tossed In A Storm

Mark 4:39-40  "

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, 

Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was 

a great calm.  And he said unto them, 

Why are ye so fearful? how is

it that ye have no faith?"  

    After Jesus had spoke to the multitude by the sea in parables, He also spoke to His disciples and explained things more in depth to them. Then on the same evening, Jesus said, "Let us pass over unto the other side," (V-35c). When Jesus had got on the little ship, He went to the very rear of the ship and fell asleep. That was most likely the quietest place on the ship to sleep.

   Once they had set sail a great storm came upon them with strong wind and waves that was filling the ship with water. His disciples were afraid and thought they were going to sink. So they woke Jesus from His sleep and ask him, did He not care that they perish?  "And Jesus said unto them, Why are you so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (V-40). 

    My Friends, As believers our Christian walk is not always on the sunny side, however we tend to give the appearance that it is. Jesus taught that multitude in parables, But He taught the disciples the word of God. So why were they so afraid? Because fear over took their faith, and Jesus knew it!

    Is your life being tossed in a storm and being over taken by waves of failures, about to lose your home or your company. Your family has turned against you, and you have no one on earth to turn to. Your faith has become weak. The same God that stop that storm that day, is the same God that will pick you up out of whatever storm you're are in. Faith Saved You, And With Faith You Will always Be Safe.

Amen!

Reading: Mark 4:35-41

               Matt 8:23-27

               Luke 8:22-25

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

    

   

      

Out Of The Darkness Came Light

Mark5:33  

"And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness 

over the whole land until the ninth hour." 

    When it was twelve o'clock midday, there came a darkness over the whole earth, and it lasted until three o'clock in the afternoon. And at three o'clock which was the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice and gave up the ghost. Here was the last scene of all, a scene so terrible that the sky was unnaturally darkened and it seemed that even nature could not bear to look upon what was happening. Here we have the divine paradox; Jesus knew what it was to be a sinner. And Jesus had never known what it was like to be separated by this barrier "sin" from God.     

    The way to God was now wide open. Into the Holy of Holies where only the High Priest could go, and he only once a year on the day of Atonement. But now, the curtain was torn and the way to God was wide open to mankind. Within the Holy of Holies dwelt the very essence of God. Now with the death of Jesus the curtain which hid God was torn and men could see him face to face. No longer was God hidden. Men could look at Jesus and say, "That is what God is like! God loved me so much, that He gave His only begotten son for me! My Friend, God loves you that much and more!

Amen!

Reading: Mark 15:33-41

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Truth Is Meant To Be Seen

Mark 4:21  

"And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be 

put under a bushel, or under a bed? and 

not to be set on a candlestick?"

    Why would anyone light a lamp and put it where it would be hid, and not seen? It would be like putting a bowl on the top of it, so it would be concealed. A lamp is meant to be seen and to make men able to see; and it is put in a place where it will be visible to all. Truth is meant to be seen; it is not meant to be concealed. There may be times when it is dangerous to tell the truth, and there may be times when to tell the truth is the quickest way to persecution and to trouble. But the true man and the true Christian will stand by the truth in face of all. 

    In every walk of life there are times when we know what the truth demands, what is the right thing to do and what a Christian ought to do. There are also times in our life that we fail to do these things. My friends, We ought to remember that the lamp of truth is something to be held in sight and not concealed in the place of cowardly safety.

Amen!

Reading: Mark: 4:21-25

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Touch The Untouchable

Luke 5:13  

"And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, 

I will: be thou clean. And immediately 

the leprosy departed from him."

    Those who innocently acquired leprosy were cast out and despised. The leper was hated by others until he became to hate himself. That is the kind of man that came to Jesus. He was unclean; and Jesus touched him.
    Jesus touched the untouchable. Jesus touched a man that no one else would touch. This is a good reminder for us because if we ever despise ourselves, and feel like we are cast out and filled with bitter shame; Therefore whatever happens to us, Christ' hand is always stretched out.
    My Friends, It is the very essence of Christianity to touch the untouchable, to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable. Jesus did, and so should we. 

Amen!

Reading: Luke 5:12-16

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Faith Unstoppable

Mark 2:3-4  

"And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered 

the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they 

let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay." 

    The news of his coming immediately spread abroad. In the morning the door of the house was opened and anyone who wished to come in was welcome. The door was never shut.  So, in no time, a crowd had filled the house; and they were all eagerly listening to what Jesus had to say. 

    Within the crowd came four men carrying a stretcher with a friend of theirs who was paralyzed laying on it. They could not get through the crowd at all, but these men were determined. The roof of a Palestinian house was flat. It was regularly used as a place of rest and of quiet. So the four men dug out the filling between two of the beams and let their friend down direct at Jesus' feet. When Jesus saw this faith he must have smiled an understanding smile for He looked at the man and said "Child,"  "your sins are forgiven." 

    The story of this healing has been studied in two different ways. 1. The man in this story may well have been paralyzed because consciously or unconsciously his conscience agreed that he was a sinner, and the thought of being a sinner brought the illness which he believed was the inevitable consequence of sin. 2. The "faith" of his four friends that carried him to the house and made a big enough hole in the roof to be able to let in down, right in front of Jesus. Jesus saw and felt the faith of the four men and healed the Paralytic man. The first thing that Jesus said to him was, "Child, God is not angry with you. It's all right." 

    My Friends,  It is a lovely story because the first thing that Jesus does for everyone of us is to say, "Child, God is not angry with you. Come home, and don't be afraid."

Amen!

Reading: Mark 2:1-12

               Matt. 9:1-8

               Luke 5:17-26

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Christ' The Power Of Life

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ

which strengthenth." 

    God gives us power to fortify, in (chap 4) and we need to understand it and apply it. "Be careful for nothing," (v-4:6). The first thing one might say is, "If I don't know what to be careful about why be careful." The word "careful" here means to be pulled in different directions. Paul is not talking about concern, he is talking about panic, "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved," (Ps 55:22). 
    Then He tells us, "but in every thing by prayer," (v-4:6). There are only two areas the believer is not to worry about. The things that he himself can change and the things he cannot change. With prayer we can enjoy the peace of God which truly passes understanding. This peace guards our hearts, protecting us from wrong feelings. And it guards our minds, protecting us from doing wrong thinking.
    My Friends, God's power can purify, satisfy and can supply all our needs each day, all daylong. However; There is one thing you might want to ponder on a little while first. "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus," (Phil. 4:19).  
Amen! 

Reading: Phil:4:1-23
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

    
    

     

Christ Is The Prize Of Life

Philippians 3:14  

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the 

high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 

 
    Sincere Christians rejoice in Jesus Christ. The prophet calls the false prophets dumb dogs, because their malice against faithful professors of the gospel of Christ. Paul explains their action as evil doers. All their good works were done in the "flesh,"  "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away," (Is. 64:6). They were enemies of the Cross. Just like unbelievers today, they were proud of what they should have been ashamed of.

    The cost of  the prize it was simple for Paul, as it should be for people today. He was glad he counted as loss, his many earthly advantages after he had received Christ. For the Crown of this Prize; We must do just like Apostle Paul done. After conversion we must lay aside all confidence in race, religion and confidence in the flesh. As Paul we too will possess God's Redeemer. 

    My Friends, One is a fool, who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. We gain new hope and our citizenship is in Heaven.  As some one has said: "All the way to Heaven is Heaven"). A believers life while here on earth, should mirror actions all the way to heaven.

Amen!

Reading: Phil. 3:1-21

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

           

Christ' The Pattern Of Life

Philippians 2:5  

"Let this mind be in you, which 

was also in Christ Jesus:"

    Paul's subject in Chapter two is the Christian virtue "unity."  There is encouragement and fellowship in the spirit of God. What examples did Christ leave us? Jesus left heaven's glory to unite and unify all mankind with the holy creator "God."  Christ laid aside His deity, however He was and always will be called the Son of God! There are a lot of examples that our Savior left us, and there is no way to list them all, because when you say or hear the name Jesus Christ you get that feeling of completeness.

   My Friends, there should be no desire for personal prestige. Prestige for many people is even a greater temptation than wealth. To be admired and respected, to have a platform seat, to have one's opinion sought, to be known by name and appearance, even to be flattered, these things are desired by most people. But the Christian should not be just for himself, but become one with the universe. He should do good deeds, not so he himself could be glorified by man, but that they may glorify his Father in heaven. Again, Christian's should desire to focus men's eyes not upon himself but on God, just as Jesus Christ our Savior did, "That's The Pattern Of Life!"

Amen!

Reading: Phil. 2:1-30

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

    

Christ' The Purpose Of Life

Philippians 1:21

"For to me to live is Christ

and to die is gain." 

    Christ gives meaning to live and cause people to serve Him even unto death. Apostle Paul believed it and lived and died believing it, "so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death, (Phil. 1:20d). Paul was bold in what he said about Christ And the Grace of God, and in all his writings he glories in his afflictions. 

    My Friends, as believers we must not hide in the flesh, for we are filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ "unto the glory and praise of God."  Christ is the purpose of life, and without Christ' there is death eternal. But with Christ' there is life eternal. We have a choice! We can live and die in Christ or live and die in vain, "It's Your Choice."  Let me leave you with this word of comfort from the Scriptures, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, (Phil. 1:6). 

Amen!

Reading: Phil. 1:1-30

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry    

 

Don't Fight Your Faith Battle Alone

Isaiah 41:13

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

saying unto thee, Fear not;

I will help thee."  

     Are you facing a faith battle today? Are you planning on facing it alone? What are your weapons of choice? Well let me help you with you choice. Face it head on with the word of God, because you know He told you in His Word He would hold your hand and help you. Put your total trust in God, and face the fear with God; for He has given you the strength to stand and declare the faith.

    Our God is wiser, more loving and more powerful than any problem you will ever face. No matter how hard, dark or long your faith battle as been going on, because today our God is still  Omnipresent and Omniscient, for has promised us; "Even there shall, thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me," (Ps. 139:10).  
Amen!

Reading: Is. 41:9-13
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

At The Time Of Salvation

Acts 19:3

And he said unto them, unto what then

were ye baptized? And they said 

Unto John's baptism. 

    This is a good example of not knowing the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ. All babes in Christ need the milk of God's Word and then move on to the meat of God's Word. This event took place in Ephesus, and it concerned the disciples of John the Baptist. The people had received the baptism of John but not of the Holy Spirit, which would not coincide with exercise of their faith in the Lord. 
    How could this have happened?  Well let's look at the statement they made, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."  We all know what a question like that would mean in our Churches today. It would reflect our lack of knowledge about the Holy Spirit's work or ministry. It does not show denial of His existence. 
    A lot a people read have pointed out that Paul asked the people if they had received the Holy Ghost "since" they believed. The way this reads some thought and still do, that the Holy Spirit is received sometime after you believe.
    My Friends, it is clear in (v 4-5) that these people had not believed in Jesus Christ but in the repentance that John the Baptist had preached. So the way I see it there should be no conflict with the belief that all believers receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, (when you are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ).  
Amen!

Reading: Acts 19:3-7
Ref : Acts 2:1-13
        Cor. 14:1-3

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

    

    

Our Heart Is Like A House (It Has Many Doors)

Revelation 3:20  

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, 

and open the door, I will come in to him, 

and will sup with him, 

and he with me." 

    It is better to be cold than lukewarm, because in some cases God's love has done all that love can do for the soul has only produced a moderate result because, if we are cold, our soul has yet to be tried. The Gospel has a better chance with the openly profane and godless than with those who have been brought up under its influence and are so far unaffected.

    I believe that "God's Love has done all that love can do for the soul," is a very true statement. Let's face it; "Humans are evil minded and don't really know themselves, and do not want to know; and equally ignorant of the rich stores of blessedness that Christ waits to bestow upon us. 

    Therefore, that brings up our Title for today; "Our Heart Is Like A House (It Has Many Doors)." Let us not be confused with accepting Christ as our Savior and that being all we should do. 

We should spend alone time with our Lord. We have accepted Christ in our Heart, but like a house it has many rooms with locked doors. Behind those doors are secrets you don't share with anyone. A door of the past: All the hurt and love from your family, close friends, your spouse your work and even your church. A door for the present: Taking care of the family, paying bills, working two jobs seeking higher education, and if you don't know Christ as your Savior, now would be a good time to let Him in that door.

    A door to your future:  Christ can not open this door, only you have the key. You make your plans for the future,You decide where you are and how you're going to get there. We all ask a lot of people on what direction do they think we should go, but do they tell us with our interest in mind or there's. My Friends, that door to the future opens one way, "from the inside" What am I saying? We think that we abound in gift and grace, when in Christ’s eyes we are just pitiful. And at this moment, He is standing at the door, with the gifts of heaven. Let Him in, or at least lift the latch, so that He may push the door back and enter.  "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." (Rev. 3:20)

Amen!

Reading: Rev. 3:15-20

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

  

Freed From Guilt

Jeremiah 33:8  

"And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have 

sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, 

whereby they have sinned, and whereby 

they have transgressed against me." 

    Anyone who expect to receive comforts from God, must call upon him. Promises are given, not to do away with, but to quicken and encourage prayer. And those who by sanctifying grace are cleansed from their sin by pardoning mercy are freed from the guilt. When sinners are justified, washed, and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit, they can walk before God in peace and purity.

    Whenever you feel guilt ask the Lord, to help you understand it's cause so that it can be removed. When you have strayed from The Lord's will, ask Him to direct you back on the right path He has for you.  

   Today, Let's all choose to believe in God's full forgiveness, no matter what we may feel. Then my friends we must ask for God's help to accept any consequences for our rebellion against Him with grace and understanding.
Amen!

Reading: Jer. 33:8-11
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

Storehouse Tithing

Malachi 3:10  

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, 

and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open

you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, 

that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

This passage is often used by those who advocate "storehouse tithing" that is, bringing the "tithe" into God's storehouse (the local church), rather than giving it anywhere else. Most church's if not all suggest that gifts to ministries other than the local church should be above the "tithe." Most certainly the "storehouse in Malachi represents the temple or building in the temple complex.

However, today the Old Testament tithe or tenth cannot be reasonably compared with ten percent of gross salary or wages which most people earn today. My Friends, I believe above all, that giving should be a matter between the Holy Spirit and the believer.The tithe may be an adequate guide for determining how much some people should give. Indeed, for many in a lucrative society, it is probably an inadequate amount. There is one thing we must remember, "the amount of giving must be a personal decision. The Apostle Paul wrote that God examines the motives for the giving, not the amount. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver,"(2 Cor. 9:7).  

Amen!

Reading: Mali. 3:7-15

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

The Father And Son Are One

John 16:23  

"And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, 

I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the 

Father in my name, he will give it you."

    Asking of God shows a sense of spiritual wants, and a desire of spiritual blessings, with conviction that they are to be had from God only. Asking in Christ's name, is acknowledging our unworthiness to receive any favors from God, and shows full dependence upon Christ as our Lord.  Our Lord had  spoken in short and significant sentences, or in parables, to the help disciples understand, but after His resurrection He intended plainly to teach them such things as related to the Father and the way to Him, through His intercession. 

    And the frequency that our Lord enforces the offering up of petitions in His name, shows that the mediation of Christ is to impress us with a deep sense of our sinfulness, and of the merit and power of His death, whereby we have access to God. 

    My Friends, Let us always remember, that to address the Father in the name of Christ, or to address the Son as God, dwelling in human nature, are the same, as the Father and Son are one.

Amen!

Reading: John 16:23-27

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

The Day God Talked With Man

Deuteronomy 5:24

 "And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory

 and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the

 midst of the fire: we have seen this day that 

God doth talk with man, and he liveth."

   God appoints Moses to be His messenger to them, to receive the law from His mouth and to communicate it to them  Here the matter was settled by consent of both parties that God should hence-forward speak to us by men like ourselves, by Moses and the prophets, by the apostles and the evangelists, and, if we do not believe these, neither should we be persuaded though God should speak to us as He did to Israel at Mount Sinai, or believe His messages about heaven and hell that God left for us in His Holy Word.

   My Friends, God expressed His feelings to us here in the Old Testament, "O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! 

Amen!

Reading: Deut. 5:22-31

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Anger And Compassion

Jonah 4:10-11  

"Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, 

neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are 

more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot 

discern between their right hand and their 

left hand; and also much cattle?" 

    It is just that those who love to complain should never be left without something to complain about, so that problems manifested and corrected and if possible, be cured. Even after the rebuke God gave Jonah, God reasoned with him again, (v-9). 

    When afflictions deprive us of our relations, possessions and enjoyments we must bear it patiently and not be angry at God. Those things are gone God is not gone. Passion often over rules conscience and forces us to make a wrong call or judgment.    

    He that gave took away, and Jonah should have blessed his name in both; but because, when he took the comfort of the gourd, he did not give God the praise of it, God deprived him of the benefit of it, and justly so.
    My Friends, when we start to take to much comfort for the things God provides us with, and not Bless and Praise God for them; we will soon understand the meaning "He That Gave Took Away!"  
Amen!

Reading: Jonah 4: 1-11
Ref: HG SB 

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry  

At A Loss To Know Where God Is?

Job 23:3  

"Oh that I knew where I might find him! 

that I might come even to his seat!" 

    It was God, Job was seeking. Job desired to find God as a judge sitting on His throne. Job doing right, thought that he might have justice done to him: indeed he might be under the hidings of God's face, which added to his affliction, and made his case heavier; Job wanted access to God, however he was at a loss to know where He is, and "how" to find Him. 

    We know that God is everywhere. We know that our God is in the heavens, His throne is there, "Yes, Heaven is His Throne;" He is in his church, and among His people, where they are gathered together in His name. Are we really at a loss to know where God is and "how" to find Him? No we are not because we cannot contain ourselves without seeking after Him, and making use of all means of finding Him, as Job did.
   One might come even to His seat; either His mercy seat, from where He communes with His people. The throne of His grace, where He sits as the God of grace, dispensing his Grace to his people, to help them in time of need; the way to which is Christ, and in which all believers may come to it with boldness, in his name, through his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; they may come up even to it, in the exercise of faith and hope. 
    My Friends,  We are never at loss when it comes to seeking God. Job felt that he was at a loss and God would not answer, because Job was going through a test o faith. "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened," (Matt. 7:8). 
Amen!

Reading: Job 23:1-17
Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

The Big Question

Proverbs 3:6

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths."    

    How do I ask the "Big Question," and how will I know the right time to ask? The question I'm talking about is the question that every person that gets saved ask; "Lord what do you want me to do for you?" First let me say, as a newborn Christian you don't need to worry about your calling until you have become a mature Christian, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby," (1 Pet. 2:2). 
    During our lives we are always in a hurry, impatient and most of the time headed in the wrong direction. Now Let me ask; "Can we really accomplish anything positive for God that way?" Waiting on the Lord is something the godly do. It's about holding on tight, hoping with expectation and trust, knowing that our Lord is not making us wait just to see how long we can take it.
    There are times when God will delay His answer, and we will at times wonder why He seems so reluctant to intervene in our affairs: "I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God," (Ps. 69:3). But knowing the Lord, we trust that He will come at the perfect moment, not a second too soon or too late.
    We must have complete dependence on God and the willingness to allow Him to decide the terms, including the timing of His plan. Trusting God with the timing of events is one of the hardest things to do. The half-joking prayer, "Lord I need Patience, and I need it right now," is not far from the truth of how we often approach matters of Spiritual Growth and the Lords will. To wait on the Lord produces Character in the life of the Christian in that it involves patience, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing," (James 1:4).
    My Friends, This doesn't mean we sit idly by as we wait on the Lord to act on our behalf. We should not spend our time doing nothing! We should continue to do the work He has given us to do. One thing you must remember; just because you don't get an answer or the answer you were waiting for is this: You may not be mature in the Word of God enough for what God wants you do for Him. Or you are already in the place and doing what His plan is for You. May God Bless All That Serve And Acknowledges Him. 
Amen!   

Reading:  Devotion Scriptures
Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry