Why Jesus Chose A Donkey

 Luke 19:30-31  

 "Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at 

your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never 

man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.  And if 

any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? 

thus shall ye say unto him,

Because the Lord hath

need of him. 

   Donkeys were as common on the roads in Jesus time, as cars are on our roads today. These little animals were good for one thing; "Bearing Burdens."  Jesus decided to ride a donkey into Jerusalem.  It was not because He was tired and that the road was up hill.  It was not because he preferred to ride small donkeys all through His travels.  It was because Jesus, planned His entry in to Jerusalem very carefully.  Jesus was watched by thousands of critical eyes. But most important, What Jesus did was well thought out and deliberate. 

   Sometimes the prophets would act out their message.  For example Jeremiah once placed a wooden ox yoke around his neck and walked through Jerusalem. He did that to show the people that they would soon be under the yoke of Babylonia.  However Jesus had no grim message to tell by riding a donkey into Jerusalem.  Instead He acted out a message of Joy. 

   He was acting out the prophecy of Zechariah; Zec 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass,"  ie a beast of burden  Zech. 9:9.  Jesus was acting out the prophecy of a Messiah that would come in meekness, not in pride, riding on a war horse. This Messiah King would bring peace and rule with justice,as the prophets had foretold.

   My Friends, can you just imagine the joy when they caught the Spirit of what Jesus was doing. "And when He was come nigh to the descent of mount of Olives, The joy was so high the whole multitude of disciples began to rejoice and praise God for all the mighty works that they had seen," (Luke 19:37).  As Belivers in our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, we should have that same Spirit filled Joy every day as they did when Jesus rode that donkey into Jerusalem. 

Amen!

Reading: Luke 19:28-44

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry  

Ungodly Associations

Proverbs 13:20  

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: 

but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." 

   As a norm we are influenced by the people we are close to. What values, beliefs, or attitudes do our friends live by? What effect does it have on us? Our answer is in the Scripture above. (Prov. 12:15) Tells us: "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." This implies that a fool thinks he knows it all.  According to the Scripture, a fool is also some one who mocks sin and says in his heart, "There is no God,"  "Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour, " (Prov. 14:9). Do we spend time and associate with those who mock God and His people. 

   Proverbs continues to warn us against entering a partnership with a thief, not to associate with people who flatter with their tongue, and stay away from some one who tells tales because they cause strife. There are many verses I could point out that show where we may be in error. There are things we can do, or not do, that will leave us vulnerable. So, it is not God's fault but ours. 

   My Friends, You may be thinking, "What about God's Grace?"  Grace is not a cover up for ignorance or an excuse for our sin. Grace is an empowerment to live in obedience to his word. We as Christians, are held accountable to do just that; Obey His Word. This is not legalism: this is simply obedience.  And besides, when you really Know God , you want to spend time with Him and learn His ways.

Amen:

Reading: Prov. Chap 19;1-29

Prov. 26:20; 29:24

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Minister

 

His Ascension And Our Union

Luke 24:51  

"And it came to pass, while he blessed them, 

he was parted from them, and 

carried up into heaven." 

   The ascension must always remain a mystery, for it attempts to put into words what is beyond words and to describe what is beyond description. But that what happen was essential. It was unthinkable that the appearances of Jesus should grow fewer and fewer until finally they petered out. That would have effectively wrecked the faith of men. There had to come a day when the Jesus of earth finally became the Christ of Heaven. The Ascension was ob0viously an ending. The days when their faith was faith in a flesh and blood person and depended on his flesh and blood presence were over.  Now they were linked to someone who was forever independent of space and time. 

  It was The Beginning! The disciples did not leave the scene heart-broken; they left it with great joy, because now they knew that they had a Master from whom nothing could separate them anymore. So they went back to Jerusalem, and they were continually in the Temple praising God. It is not by accident that Luke's gospel ends where it began in the house of God.

   My Friends,  The ascension gave the world the certainty that we have a friend, not only on earth, but in heaven. Surely it is the most precious thing of all to know that in heaven there awaits us that same Jesus who on earth was wondrously kind. To die is not to go out into the dark; it is to go to Him.

Amen!

                                     

"Happy Easter To All"

Reading: Luke 24:50-53

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Unforgiveness

2 Corinthians 2:10-11  

"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, 

to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person 

of Christ;  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:

 for we are not ignorant of his devices."  

   An easy way that may give the enemy access to your life is unforgiveness. This includes unforgiveness toward others, ourselves or God. What our main Scripture (2 Cor. 2:10-11) is saying is this: "Now whom you forgive anything; lest Satan should take advantage of us." In others words, if we don't forgive we can be taken advantage of  by the devil.

   There are many people who never really forgave the person who has done them wrong.  They will say,  "I forgave, but I'll never forget!  There are many of us that has said those same exact remarks and there are some that strongly, believe that way and live by that. Christians should know better, because as we study Gods Word, we are discerning God's Word so we can understand what God is telling us.  Listen, you can't forgive and then say, but I'll never forget. That is not true forgiveness.   

   The Bible tells us, that once God forgives us, He remembers our sin no more, "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."  {Heb. 10:17}. We must do the same. If we don't forgive, we open a big door for the enemy to come in and cause destruction in our lives.  "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasse," {Mat 6:14-15}.

   My Friends, I pray that not one person would  want to be without God's forgiveness.  If we are guided by love and by consideration, not for our own pride but for the ultimate good of others, we will know the time to speak and the time to be silent. 

Amen!

Reading: Devotional Scriptures

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Why Is The Word "Trinity" Not In The Bible

 Galatians 1:1  

"Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, 

but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, 

who raised him from the dead;)" 

   How can Christians explain the "Trinity" when the word it's self is not in the Bible?  Let me explain how to understand and share the doctrine of one God in three persons. It's very clear  that all three persons are called God in many places in the Bible.  Examples are "Father" in: {Gal 1:1} "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)." "Son" in: {John 20:28} "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." "Spirit"  {Act 5:3-4}  "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

   Notice that all three person are mentioned close together on an equal basis in many places. For example: {In Matthew 28:19}, we are commanded to baptize in one Name, but three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, {Therefore The Trinity}   Another example is, "Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God The Father, Through the Sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood" {1 Peter 1:2}. 

   It is interested to note that God sometimes refers to Himself as "US"  {Therefore The Trinity}.  "And God said, Let "US" make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth," {Gen 1:26}. 

   My Friends, In the fourth century, St. Augustine attempted to demonstrate  that the fundamental logic of the doctrine of the "Trinity" can be stated in seven Statements: {1} The Father is God. {2} The Son is God. {3} The Holy Spirit is God.  {4} The Father is not the Son. {5} The Son is not the Holy Spirit. {6} The Holy Spirit is Not the Father.  {7} There is only one God.  However All three: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are The Trinity.  

Amen!

Reading: Devotional Scriptures

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr. 

The Cross Life Ministry  

 

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

Deuteronomy 25:15  

"But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect 

and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days 

may be lengthened in the land which

the LORD thy God giveth thee." 

Life, Death and The Sovereignty of God 

   Here is something we all should think about; Life, Death and the Sovereignty of God. First lets ask ourselves what about the Sovereignty of God?  "Yes, God is Sovereign, but there are two things to consider. First if you are not in His family "God's Family," you have no assurance of a long life whatsoever, "And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:"  (Deut. 28:66). Second, if you are a child of God, the Bible is full of promises of long life, but they are based on us taking hold of those promises and obeying His Word. "And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days, (1 King 3:14). Here is some more promises God made of long life.  Proverbs 3:2, 16; 4:10; 7:1-2; 9:11; 10:27; 14:27; 19:23; 28:16; Ephesians 6:3.

   My Friends, As you can see from the verses above, we have a responsibility to keep God's Word, thereby receiving the promise of a long life. This is not over stepping the Sovereignty of God. We are simply taking God at His Word. God is the one who stated the promises. God wants us to discover them in His Word and believe and trust Him for them.  "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." (Ps. 91:16").  

Amen!!

Reading: Devotional Scripture

Ref:  HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

         

THE ENEMY

John 10:10 

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

 I am come that they might have life, and that

 they might have it more abundantly." 

Our Real Enemy!

    As we search the Scriptures, we see that God is not the one sending us to Hell.  He is not the one causing all the tragedies in our everyday life.  If we can understand this, perhaps it would be possible for man to see Our Real Enemy, the one that want's to destroy us by any means possible, and it is not God!  "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil," (1 John 3:8). 
During Jesus' earthly ministry, He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out devils, teached and preach the Kingdom of God and repentance. Demonic powers exist and cause evil. In addition, man has a free will to cooperate with evil and to disobey God's instructions if he chooses to. 

   Many do not realize that evil powers are very real. I am not saying that there is a demon behind every tree. Most of the times the evil and troublesome things that occur are result of man's own disobedience, not the devil. However we have seen kidnapping and torture of little childern, plus the shootings that have taken place in our schools and shopping centers. There are wicked people out there, but to do something like that is "beyond mean."  That kind of evil can only come from the demonic realm, not just a crazy person.  

   My Friends, In his warfare against God, the enemy uses the human race which God created and loved. Therefore God's forces of good and Satan's forces of evil, have engaged in a deadly conflict since the dawn of History.  Apostle Paul tells us not to be ignorant of Satan's devices.

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices," (2 Cor 2:11).

One thing Paul was certain of; not all the world could defeat Christ. He did not live in pessimistic fear, but in glorious optimism. Paul knew the unconquerable majesty of Christ.

Amen! 

Reading: 1 Peter 5:8

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

 And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail

The Cross Life Ministry

Are We Entitled In God's House?

 John 3:36  

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: 

and he that believeth not the Son 

shall not see life; but the wrath 

of God abideth on him." 

Are We Entitled To Live In God's House? 

   Suppose you knocked on the door of the most beautiful and expensive home in the country, and told the owners, "I'm moving in with you." What do you think they would say? The answer would be NO! Why would they welcome you? You have no relationship with them. So you who questions God's fairness, live your entire life having nothing to do with God, even denying that Jesus is the Son of God. You then come knocking on God's door at your death and say "Excuse me; I'm moving in with you!"

   Why would you think you have the right to move into God's House? Why should He let you in? You never ask Him to be your Father, after He offered Himself to you during your life on earth. As a matter a fact you denied His Son as your Lord and Savior, who told you that the only way to Heaven was through Him;   Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."  (Joh 14:6-7a).

   You say, "He knows me, and He supposed to be a loving God!" He knows you exist but he don't know you personally. He is not your God, He is your creator. "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity," (Matt. 7:23). How terrible would that be to hear from the lips of God? 

   My Friends. The fact that God gives us a choice to have a relationship with Him, proves that He is a Loving God. It is up to us to make that choice to have a relationship with God. Let me end this with a good note: We all know our life will end one day, and there will be a choice of two homes we could go to; Heaven or Hell!  Now my friends, let me give you the punch line.  YOU NEED TO CHOOSE RIGHT NOW!!! 

Amen!!

Reading:  Acts 4:12

                  Rom. 3:30, 10:9-10

                 1 Tim. 2:5

                John 1:12

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

7 Cry's From The Cross

John 19:25  

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's

sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene." 

7 Cry's From The Cross (pt-2) 

     Just a Quick review, we have only covered Jesus' first and second cry from the cross.  the order of events were, (1) The arrival at Golgotha. (2) The offer of the stupefying drink was refused. (3) Jesus was crucified between two thieves. The soldiers part His garments, and the Jews and the thieves mock Jesus, but one repents and believes.

   The Third Cry From The Cross:  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (John 19:26). After that Jesus told the disciple standing with Mary,  "Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." (19:27).  Our Lord was put on the cross at (9:am) ("the third hour") of the day. Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land from noon until (3 p.m.) ("sixth" till " ninth" hour,"). Therefore here the ("sixth hour") could not be Hebrew time (noon), but (6:am) "When the morning was come," (Matt. 27:1). 

   The Fourth Cry From The Cross:   "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46). Our Lord was speaking in Aramaic. The pronunciation of the first word of His cry from the cross, "Eloi" or "Eli," (Matt. 27:46). It is very similar to the Hebrew Pronunciation of "Elijah" or it's Greek counterpart, "Elias"  The Fifth Cry From The Cross:  "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." (John 19:28). If Jesus was ever to redeem man, He must become man. He had to become what we are in order to make us what He is. That is why John stresses the fact that Jesus felt thirst; He wished to show that He was really human and really underwent the agony of the Cross.

   The Sixth Cry From The Cross: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost, (John 19:30.  My Friends, I don't believe this was a cry; it was, "The Shout Of Victory."

 During the three hours which the darkness continued, Jesus was in agony, wrestling with the powers of darkness, and suffering his Father's displeasure against the sin of man, for which he was now making his soul an offering. Never were there three such hours since the day God created man upon the earth, never such a dark and awful scene; it was the turning point of that great affair, man's redemption and salvation.

   The Seventh Cry From The Cross:  "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." (Luke 23:46).  Christ, just before He gave up His spirit, spoke in His full strength, to show that His life was not forced from Him, but was freely delivered into His Father's hands. He had strength to defy the powers of death: and to show that by the eternal Spirit He offered Himself, He cried with a loud voice, Then He yielded up His Spirit. The Son of God did die by the violence of the pain He was put to upon the cross. His soul was separated from His body, and so his body was left really and truly dead. It was certain that Christ did die, for it was needful that He should die. He had undertaken to make himself an offering for sin, and He did it when He willingly gave up His life. 

   My Friends, The rending of the veil signified that Christ, by His death, opened a way to God. We have an open way through Christ to the throne of grace, (the mercy-seat), and to the throne of glory, from now to hereafter.

Amen!

Reading: Same As (pt-1)

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

7 Cry's From The Cross

Matthew 27:46  

"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, 

Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God,

 my God, why hast thou forsaken me"? 

7 Cry's From The Cross (pt-1)

   Christ was led as a Lamb to the slaughter, a Sacrifice for all mankind.  Taking the cross from Him, they compelled Simon to bear it.  Make us ready, O Lord, to bear the cross thou hast appointed us, and daily to take it up with cheerfulness, following thee.  And when we behold what manner of death He died, let us in that, truly see the depth of His  love for us.  As if His death, so painful a death, were not enough, they added to its bitterness and terror in several ways. 

   When they arrived at Golgotha, known as the place of the Skull. Christ was offered a stupefying drink. Christ did not take it. Why? Because He knew that it was mixed with medicine that was given for pain to all who were crucified. Our Lord knew the pain and agony that He had to bare for our sins. Christ had to suffer everything for us, from being crowned with thorns and mocked, beaten to the point that a normal man could not survive let-alone, stand and carry His own Cross.  Then Jesus was nailed to the Cross and placed between two thieves. 

   My Friends, We wonder why was the two thieves tied to their cross and Jesus was nailed to His. The answer is the thieves were tied down, to hold them until they were nailed to their cross. Jesus was nailed because of our sins, there was no need to tie Jesus down, because His love held Him to The Cross. So after they raised His cross Jesus responds with this;  The First Cry From The Cross: "Then said Jesus,  Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do, and they parted his raiment, and cast lots," (Luke 23:34). The soldiers ripped His garments in pieces then divided them up between them.  The  Jews mocked Him, even the thieves mocked Jesus but one repents and believes. The thieve that repented was saved, so there is no need to worry, If You Believe, You Will Receive.  A sign was placed over Jesus' head, written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, saying This Is The King Of The Jews. The two thieves argued, but the one that believed said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom.  The Second Cry From The Cross:  "And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise," (Luke 23:43).  

   Let us not take what Jesus said as just words in the Bible.  Jesus made a promise to the one believing thieve hanging beside Him; That he would be with Jesus in a twinkle of an eye. Jesus made that same promise, to all mankind that, believed Jesus is our Saviour and our Lord.   

Amen!!

Reading:  Devotional Scripture 

                   Matt. 27:33-44

                   Mark 15: 22-32 

                   Luke 23:33-43

                   John 19:17-24

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

   

    

    

The Last Judgment

Matthew 25:31  

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and 

all the holy angels with him, then shall he 

sit upon the throne of his glory:"  

    There is a judgment to come, in which every man shall be sentenced to a state of everlasting happiness, or misery. Christ shall come, not only in the glory of His Father, but in His own glory. The wicked and godly dwell here together, in the same cities, churches, families, and will not always be known one from the other.

    Jesus Christ is the great Shepherd; He will shortly distinguish between those that are His, and those that are not.  All other distinctions will be done away; but the great one between saints and sinners, holy and unholy, will remain for ever. The happiness the saints shall possess is very great. It is a kingdom; the most valuable possession on earth; yet this is but a faint resemblance of the blessed state of the saints in heaven. It is a kingdom prepared. The Father provided it for them in the greatness of his wisdom and power; the Son purchased it for them; and the blessed Spirit, in preparing them for the kingdom. 

    The wicked in this world were often called to come to Christ for life and rest, but they turned from His calls; and justly are those bid to depart from Christ, that would not come to Him. Condemned sinners will in vain offer excuses. The punishment of the wicked will be an everlasting punishment; their state cannot be altered. Thus life and death, good and evil, the blessing and the curse, are set before us, that we may choose our way, and as our way so shall our end be.  

   My Friends, This happiness is for believers, and they for it, for all eternity. They shall come and inherit it. What we inherit is not got by ourselves. It is God that makes heirs of heaven. We are not to believe that the amount of our bounty will entitle us to eternal happiness. Good works done for God's sake, through Jesus Christ, and we see here that the marking of the character of believers are made holy by the Spirit of Christ, and as the effects of grace bestowed on those who do them. 

Amen!

Reading:  Matt. 25:31-46

Ref:  HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Last Shall Be First

Mat 20:15-16

"Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? 

Is thine eye evil, because I am good?  So the last 

shall be first, and the first last: for many 

be called, but few chosen." 

   This parable is related to Peter's question in Matthew 19:27 "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  Jesus did explain to His disciples in the closing verses of Matt. chap 19. what they would receive, that have followed Him. The lesson that Jesus is teaching with this parable simply hinges upon the distinction between the laborers that were hired and the ones that were not.

   The first group was hired all day, for a penny a day (12 hour day).  Now there were a total of five groups of Laborers, The house holder, only hired the first group. The other groups were not hired, but called with a promise from the householder that he would reward them justly according to his own estimation of what would be right.  What the hired laborers didn't understand was, why, did everybody that started work in the field at different times during the day got the same pay as they got, 1 penny for a day's work. 

  My Friend's Those who agreed to work for twelve hours, set their own price and that is what they received. Our Lord wants us to follow the example of the other workers. Those who serve the Lord and leave the size of the reward up to Him, will always be given far more than if they insist on knowing how much they will receive before they begin.  "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first," (Matt. 19:30).  

Amen! 

Reading:  Matt.  20:1-16

Ref: HGSB  

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Buried Treasure

Matthew 13:44

  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure 

hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he 

hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all 

that he hath, and buyeth that field." 

   Jesus told a story about finding buried treasure, However if you don't pay attention you might miss what Jesus was saying to the people and us as well.  It was the law in Jesus' day, that whoever found buried treasure in his land he had the right to keep it.  If he owned the land he owned what was under it.  Many poor farmers probably lived in hope that one day they would find, secret buried treasure. 

   Jesus' story, of buried treasure though it is short should never be overlooked.  His story is about a man who had found buried treasure in a field he did not own. This man done what anyone listening to Jesus would have done. He quickly covered up the treasure, and schemed how he could buy that field. He sold what he owned and one way or another he made a deal to buy that field.  As soon as the field was his, he quickly dug the treasure up and made it his own.  The Kingdom of Heaven is like that treasure, said Jesus.  The kingdom is worth all that a man may possess. Jesus asked His disciples, "Have you understood all this?"  The disciples said, "yes" 

   My Friends, This is a story about earthly things, with a Heavenly meaning. It is up to each follower of Jesus to discover for himself the meaning hidden in what Jesus said. The stories Jesus told, many were simple, but each one has a special meaning for the Kingdom of God. In this story Jesus is asking us, "Are You Looking For The Real Treasure?"

Amen!

Reading Matt. 13:34-44

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr. 

The Cross Life Ministry 

The Gift Of God

1 John 3:9  

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; 

for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot 

sin, because he is born of God."  

    All men are children of God in the sense, that we owe our lives to Him. We become His children only by an act of God's initiating grace and the response of our own hearts.  

Immediately the question arises: if we have that great honor when we become Christians, why are we so despised by the world?  The answer is that we are experiencing only what Jesus Christ has already experienced. When He came into the world, He was not recognized as the Son of God; the world preferred its own ideas and rejected His. The same will happen to any man who chooses the way of Jesus Christ.  Just remember; We are not merely called the children of God; We are the children of God.  It is by the "gift" of God that a man becomes a "child" of God.  By nature a man is the creature of God, but it is by grace that he becomes the child of God. 

   My Friends, When Christ appears, we shall see Him and be like Him.  The goal of all Believers has been and still is the vision of God. The end of all devotion is to see God. But that vision of God is not for the sake of individual satisfaction; it is in order that we may become like Him. Here is the Reality!  We cannot become like God unless we see Him; and we cannot see Him unless we are pure in heart, for only the pure in heart shall see God . In order to see God, we need the purity which only He can give.  "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matt. 5:8).   

Amen!

Reading: 1 John 3:1-10 

Ref: HGSB

Ma God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

 

 

Little But Powerful

James 3:5  
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and 
boasteth great things. Behold, how 
great a matter a little fire kindleth!"

   We have always heard say, "if" we put a bit into the mouth of a horse, knowing that "if" 
we can control its mouth, we can control its whole body. So what James is saying, is that if 
you can control the tongue, you can control your whole body; but if the tongue is uncontrolled, your whole life is set on the wrong path.  
   A man can change the course of a ship and direct it to safety.  "A rudder is small and it is attached to the very rear end of the ship, but it has such power that by this little rudder, and by the power of one man, and when that power is gently exerted,a great fleet of ships can be moved. 'The tongue also is small, yet it can direct the whole course of a man's life"
   My Friends, The tongue is like a fire, it is wild and wide-ranging. The tongue can damage at a distance.  Man's ingenuity has tamed every wild creature in the sense of controlling and making useful; However no man by his own unaided efforts has ever been able to tame the tongue.  A chance word dropped at one end of the country or the town can finish up by bringing grief and hurt at the other.  Life and death are in the power of the tongue.  I'm not pleading for a controled life where speech is forbidden.  I'm pleading for the control of the tongue.  I'm saying that silence is sometimes better than speech.
Amen! 

Reading:  James 3:1-6
Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry  

Tested And Triumphant

James 1:2-3  

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall 

into divers temptations; Knowing this, 

that the  trying of your faith 

worketh patience." 

    James never suggested to his readers that Christianity would be an easy way.  We must fully understand the meaning of the word Temptations, if we are to see the very essence of the Christian life. Temptation, is trial or testing directed towards an end, and the end is that he who is tested should emerge stronger and purer from the testing. 

    All kinds of experiences will come to us. There will be the test of the sorrows and the disappointments which seek to take our faith away. There will be the test of the seductions which seek to lure us from the right way. There will be the tests of the dangers, the sacrifices, the unpopularity which the Christian way must so often involve. But they are not meant to make us fall; they are meant to make us soar.  

    My Friends, Temptations, are not meant to defeat us; they are meant to be defeated. They are not meant to make us weaker; they are meant to make us stronger. Therefore we should not moan about them; we should rejoice in them. The Christian is like the athlete. The heavier the course of training he undergoes, the more he is glad, because he knows that it is fitting him all the better for victorious effort.  A rough step for every hard thing is another step on the upward way, to "The Crown Of Life." 

Amen!

Reading: James 1-1-18

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Sanctify Daily Life

 Hebrews 13:7- 8  

"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto

you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of 

their conversation. Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same 

yesterday, and today, and forever."   

    Christ by giving Himself for us, (is), that He may purchase to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and that is what makes true religion the strongest bond of friendship. Here are earnest exhortations to several  of our Christian duties, mainly  contentment.  Sin opposed to  grace and duty is, an over eager desire for the wealth of this world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves.  But Having treasures in heaven, we may be content with meaningless things here.  

    Adam was in paradise, yet not contented; some angels in heaven were not contented; but the apostle Paul, had learned in every situation, to be content. We have reason to be contented with our present situation as well. Because God's promise contains the substance of all His promises; "I will never, no, never leave thee, no, never forsake thee." The true believer shall have the gracious presence of God with him, in life, at death, and forever. Men can do nothing against God, and God can make all that men do against his people, to turn to their good. 

   Christ is the same in the Old Testament day, as in the gospel today, and will be so to His people for ever, equally merciful, powerful, and all sufficient. Still He fills the hungry, encourages the trembling, and welcomes repenting sinners. He rejects the proud and self righteous, and hates iniquity. Believers should seek to have their hearts established in simple dependence on free grace, by the Holy Spirit, which would comfort their hearts.

   My Friends,  Let's go forth from sin, from the world, and from ourselves.  Living by faith in Christ, let us willingly separate from this evil world.  By faith seek in Christ the rest and peace which this world cannot give us. The sacrifice of praise to God, we should offer always. In this are worship and prayer, as well as thanksgiving

Amen!

 Reading: Heb.  13:1-15

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr

The Cross Life Ministry

Exhortations To Follow Christ

 Hebrews 12:2-3  

"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.  

For consider him that endured such contradiction of 

sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds." 

  

   The obedience of faith in Christ, is the race set before us, we will enter with a crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for our reward.  By sin that so easily troubles us, and understand that the sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed, to from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; because a man's favorite sin, be it what it is, if it remains unsubdued, it will hinder us from running the Christian race, as it takes from us every motive for running, and gives power to every discouragement.  

   When weary and faint in our minds, let us recollect that Jesus suffered, to save us from eternal misery. By steadfastly looking to Jesus, our thoughts will strengthen holy affections, and keep our mind on holy desires. Though our enemies and persecutors may be instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they are Divine chastisements;Our Heavenly Father has His hand in all, and His wise end to answer by all. We must not make light of afflictions, and be without feeling under them, for they are the hand and rod of God, and are His rebukes for sin. 

   We must not faint and sink under trials, or fret and pine, but bear up with faith and patience. God may let others alone in their sins, but He will correct sin in His own children. In this His acts  becomes as a father. Our earthly parents sometimes may chasten us, to gratify their passion, rather than to reform our manners. But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves or afflicts His children. It is always for our profit. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, and imperfect as to spiritual things; therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state. 

   My Friends,  When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully reconciled to all God's chastisement of us now. God's correction is not condemnation; the chastening may be born with patience, and greatly promote holiness. Let us then learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by the malice of men, as corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.  

Amen!

Reading: Heb. 12:1-11

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Passion Not Excuses

Hebrews 2:1  

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed 

to the things which we have heard, lest at 

any time we should let them slip"  

   What would you say was the greatest moment of your life? Your answer might be your wedding, birth of your child or a big promotion at work.  But for Believers, the best experience is when their eternal destiny was changed.  New Christians often are in a rush to share their faith. However, in time they find their hearts are drifting as they try to focus on their relationship with Christ. 

   Our Scripture today is telling us to pay closer attention to what we have heard, so we do not drift away from it. (Heb:2:1).  Salvation is God's amazing solution to man's sinful condition: it is the gift of eternal life, through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the penalty of our transgressions.  No matter how good we may have seemed,we were spiritually dead and separated from God.  Receiving Christ's forgiveness breathed life back into our spirits so that we could go before God's Throne. 

   My Friends,  We have the opportunity to soothe the hurting hearts we come in contact with every day. But if we let excuses fill our minds before passion fills our hearts, people will never hear the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let us all take time today to praise God for our Salvation, that took us off that road of destruction and place us on the road to eternal Life in Heaven. Take time to talk to someone about Jesus today. 

Amen!

Reading: Heb. 2:1-3

                  Eph. 2:3

                  Matt. 28:19 

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

      

Hated, Mistreated, Bound

Hebrews 13:3  

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; 

and them which suffer adversity, as being 

yourselves also in the body"  

   Christians were condemned to work in the mines, or shut up in prisons for nothing but their love and to the cause of God's Church.  It often happened that the Christian landed in prison and worse. It might be for his faith; it might be for debt, because the Christians were poor; but mainly because they were believers in Christ.  However as hard as it was the Church went into action and continued to hold on to their faith. 

   Strangers and captives must never be forgotten, either in our prayers or our ministry. 

We may not like all the brethren, but there is something in each of them that Christ loves. Let us try to discover it, or love them for His sake. We can love people with our mind and think for them, or with our strength and serve them, even though the heart is somewhat reluctant.

   My Friends, We live in a world today where we may be free today and tomorrow we may not.  I know that each day gets harder for most Christians just to hang on to three of the most important facts of our faith: "Trusting, Believing, and Receiving what God's Promise is to you,  "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," (Deut. 31:6).  

Amen!

Reading: Devotional Scripture 

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

The Power Of Christ

Matthew 15:32  

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, "I have

compassion on the multitude, because they continue 

with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: 

and I will not send them away fasting, 

lest they faint in the way." 

   Whatever our case is, the only way to find ease and relief, is to lay it at Christ's feet, and to submit it to Him. Those who want to have spiritual healing from Christ, must surrender all authority to Christ for this healing. We know what sin can do! Here were such diseases that  the cause could not be guessed or the cure of, yet these were subject to the command of Christ. 

   The spiritual cures that Christ worked were and are still wonderful. When blind souls are made to see by faith, the dumb to speak in prayer, the maimed and the lame to walk in holy obedience, it is to be wondered at. 

   Christ power was also shown to the multitude, in the plentiful provision He made for them.  All did eat, and were filled. Those whom Christ feeds, He fills. With Christ, there  

is enough bread and supplies of grace for more than seek it, and for those that seek for more. Christ sent away the people. Though He had fed them twice, they must not look for miracles to find their daily bread. 

   My Friend's,  Let's go home to our callings and our own tables. Lord, increase our faith, and pardon our unbelief, teaching us to live upon thy fullness and bounty, for all things pertaining to this life, and that which is to come. 

Amen!

Reading: Matt: 15:29-39

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

The Separation

 Matthew 13:30 

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest 

I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, 

and bind them in bundles to burn them: but

gather the wheat into my barn."  

   When the doors of the synagogues were closed to Jesus, He found another way.  It is one of the supreme tragedies that Jesus was banished from the Church of His day; but that would not stop Him from bringing his invitation to men. He took the "Gospel" to the open air, and taught men in the village streets, on the roads, on the lake sides and in their own homes. The man who has a real message to deliver, and a real desire to deliver it, will always find a way of giving it to men. 

   Jesus spoke in parables, because what he was saying was difficult for them to understand and for us as well.  Jesus' key motive for using parables were given to explain spiritual truths. Those who rejected Jesus, they did not have divinely enlightened minds with which to perceive God's truths.  No amount of explanation would make them understand, (1 Cor. 1:27; 2:14, cf. Rom. 7:13). 

   My Friends, Man has not changed. We watch and hear about Jesus Christ with our eyes and ears; However we are just like they were, not capable of understanding the truth, because with closed eyes, hearts and minds, this world is rejecting Christ more every day!  If you reject Christ and His Gospel, You will be rejected "By God." It's your choice, "do you want to be part of the tares that burn, or wheat that's in God's barn.

Amen!

Reading: Matt. 13:24-30

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry