John 16:26
"At that day ye shall ask in my name"
Why do so many Christians live the spiritual poverty level? Did God ever intend that we have so little fulfillment, and so much despair? No! This Spiritual poverty is our wardrobe because we will not clothe ourselves with His abundance. "At that day ye shall ask in my name." These nine words are the keys to God's never ending blessing and gifts from Heaven. It is not just because you ask for it in His name. Remember this; "In His Name" does not mean merely ending your prayer by saying; "In The Name Of Jesus." Praying in His name means prayer "For The Sake Of His Name."
Apostle Paul said that our God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ. God has abundance, but the kind of abundance He is most eager to give you is Spiritual abundance. If you want to really want to experience His extravagance, ask God to make you a blessing to a million who are in Spiritual poverty. Then ask that all of this be for the sake of Christ. Then stand Back!! You will receive such a blessing you will never be able to hold it in the tiny pockets of your once---stingy soul.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Overcomers
John 16:33
"I have overcome the world"
Are you beaten? Are you ready to throw in the towel? Has discouragement wrapped it's cold, grey fingers around your heart, choking all the optimism out of you. Beaten! Beaten! Beaten! What an odd word for believers to succumb to. Why should we ever agree to let such a sour adjective define our state of grace?
There is one way to take all the worries out of suspense Novels: Read the last chapter first. If the Universal judgment in Matthew stood without hope, the Tribulation might seem too much to bear. When we see the White Rider in Revelation 19, we can rejoice ahead of time. We see the Reigning Christ, and on His robe and on His thigh He has His name written; "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Jesus is the over comer with a capital "O", and we are the over comers with a little "o." In the world you have tribulation. It would seem a grand threat if the last part of the sentence were not this. "But take courage; I have overcome the world." Christ invites His followers to overcome and to set down with Him on His Throne, as He overcome and sat down with The Father on His Throne.
LET US ALL BE OVER COMERS
AND SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF
JESUS CHRIST
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"I have overcome the world"
Are you beaten? Are you ready to throw in the towel? Has discouragement wrapped it's cold, grey fingers around your heart, choking all the optimism out of you. Beaten! Beaten! Beaten! What an odd word for believers to succumb to. Why should we ever agree to let such a sour adjective define our state of grace?
There is one way to take all the worries out of suspense Novels: Read the last chapter first. If the Universal judgment in Matthew stood without hope, the Tribulation might seem too much to bear. When we see the White Rider in Revelation 19, we can rejoice ahead of time. We see the Reigning Christ, and on His robe and on His thigh He has His name written; "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Jesus is the over comer with a capital "O", and we are the over comers with a little "o." In the world you have tribulation. It would seem a grand threat if the last part of the sentence were not this. "But take courage; I have overcome the world." Christ invites His followers to overcome and to set down with Him on His Throne, as He overcome and sat down with The Father on His Throne.
LET US ALL BE OVER COMERS
AND SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF
JESUS CHRIST
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Deuteronomy 33:25b
"And as the days, so shall thy strength be"
The trials will not be greater than the strength God will give us. So let us take up our work where we find it, believing we will be strong enough to meet what ever comes. Someday the gates of heaven will be open to welcome God's children. From the lips of the King of glory will fall a blessing like rich music: "come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).
The redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing for them. The friends and families of the redeemed will have overcome Satan through divine grace and have heavenly bodies and characters. Every desire to sin has been taken away by the blood of Jesus Christ. The redeemed will shine with Christ's glory, that is brighter than the sun. And what is more, the beauty of His character will also shine out through them. We the redeemed will stand without fault before God and will have the same blessings as the angels.
May God Bless You
And You Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"And as the days, so shall thy strength be"
The trials will not be greater than the strength God will give us. So let us take up our work where we find it, believing we will be strong enough to meet what ever comes. Someday the gates of heaven will be open to welcome God's children. From the lips of the King of glory will fall a blessing like rich music: "come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).
The redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing for them. The friends and families of the redeemed will have overcome Satan through divine grace and have heavenly bodies and characters. Every desire to sin has been taken away by the blood of Jesus Christ. The redeemed will shine with Christ's glory, that is brighter than the sun. And what is more, the beauty of His character will also shine out through them. We the redeemed will stand without fault before God and will have the same blessings as the angels.
May God Bless You
And You Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Compassion
Matthew 15:32a
"I have compassion on the multitude, because
they continue with me now three days,
and have nothing to eat"
This is the second time Jesus has fed the multitudes. What can this feeding mean? How is it different from the feeding mentioned in John 6? Jesus used the bread, in John as a lesson and as pure compassion in Matthew. Jesus intended to do something so compassionate that all who saw it would remember that hidden deep within the gospel was something so compassionate that it would never bypass peoples physical needs.
It was the season of the passover, but this was more than just a holiday observance that Jesus instituted. Those whom He fed were largely the poor of Galilee. These people were not wealthy enough to store up food many days ahead. Some of them may actually have been hungry or even starving as Jesus fed them. God sees hunger and cares about the poor. God feds us physically. He wants to do more. He sees our spiritual needs. When people's physical needs are crying out, they come more slowly to think about spiritual things. This world needs Christ! There are cries for help out there! Maybe we Christians should turn up our hearing aids and start showing compassion as Christ did.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"I have compassion on the multitude, because
they continue with me now three days,
and have nothing to eat"
This is the second time Jesus has fed the multitudes. What can this feeding mean? How is it different from the feeding mentioned in John 6? Jesus used the bread, in John as a lesson and as pure compassion in Matthew. Jesus intended to do something so compassionate that all who saw it would remember that hidden deep within the gospel was something so compassionate that it would never bypass peoples physical needs.
It was the season of the passover, but this was more than just a holiday observance that Jesus instituted. Those whom He fed were largely the poor of Galilee. These people were not wealthy enough to store up food many days ahead. Some of them may actually have been hungry or even starving as Jesus fed them. God sees hunger and cares about the poor. God feds us physically. He wants to do more. He sees our spiritual needs. When people's physical needs are crying out, they come more slowly to think about spiritual things. This world needs Christ! There are cries for help out there! Maybe we Christians should turn up our hearing aids and start showing compassion as Christ did.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, August 26, 2013
Unnoticed
Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit"
The New Testament notices things which from our standards do not seem to count. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," literally meaning blessed are the poor; an exceedingly commonplace thing! The preaching of today is apt to emphasis strength of will, beauty of character, the things that are easily noticed. The phrase we here so often, Decide for Christ, is an emphasis on something our Lord never trusted. He never ask us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him; a very different thing. At the basis of Christ's Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace. The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says; Blessed are you, because it is through this poverty that I enter His Kingdom. I cannot enter His Kingdom as a good man or woman, but as poor in spirit.
The true character of the loveliness that tells for God is always unconscious. Conscious influence is priggish and un-Christian. If I say; I wonder if I am any use; I instantly lose the bloom of the touch of the Lord. "He that believeth in me, out of him shall flow rivers of living waters," If I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.
Which are the people who have influenced us most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had no ideal that they were. In the Christian life the implicit is never conscious; if it is conscious it ceases to have this unaffected loveliness which is the characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"Blessed are the poor in spirit"
The New Testament notices things which from our standards do not seem to count. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," literally meaning blessed are the poor; an exceedingly commonplace thing! The preaching of today is apt to emphasis strength of will, beauty of character, the things that are easily noticed. The phrase we here so often, Decide for Christ, is an emphasis on something our Lord never trusted. He never ask us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him; a very different thing. At the basis of Christ's Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace. The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says; Blessed are you, because it is through this poverty that I enter His Kingdom. I cannot enter His Kingdom as a good man or woman, but as poor in spirit.
The true character of the loveliness that tells for God is always unconscious. Conscious influence is priggish and un-Christian. If I say; I wonder if I am any use; I instantly lose the bloom of the touch of the Lord. "He that believeth in me, out of him shall flow rivers of living waters," If I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.
Which are the people who have influenced us most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had no ideal that they were. In the Christian life the implicit is never conscious; if it is conscious it ceases to have this unaffected loveliness which is the characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Friday, August 23, 2013
Christ Savior And Example
1 Peter 2:21
"Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example"
Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross to be both our Savior from sin and our example for living. If we fail to see Him as our Savior, our sins will not be forgiven. If we fail to see Him as our example, we will live in disobedience to Him and miss out on His best for us.
In 1 Peter 2:21 the apostle admonished his readers to follow the example of Christ, who trusted His Father enough to suffer undeservedly without retaliation or complaint. In verse 24, we read that "He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree." This refers to Christ's work as our Savior. He is both our Savior and our example. I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior. Have you? And though I'm not following Him perfectly, Christ is my perfect example. Is Christ your example?
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example"
Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross to be both our Savior from sin and our example for living. If we fail to see Him as our Savior, our sins will not be forgiven. If we fail to see Him as our example, we will live in disobedience to Him and miss out on His best for us.
In 1 Peter 2:21 the apostle admonished his readers to follow the example of Christ, who trusted His Father enough to suffer undeservedly without retaliation or complaint. In verse 24, we read that "He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree." This refers to Christ's work as our Savior. He is both our Savior and our example. I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior. Have you? And though I'm not following Him perfectly, Christ is my perfect example. Is Christ your example?
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Thursday, August 22, 2013
He's Not There!
1 Corinthians 15:14
"And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching
is vain and your faith is also vain"
When the disciples recognized the awful truth that Jesus was dead, their hopes were crushed. They had believed their miracle-working Friend was sent by God to establish a Kingdom. Yet His body lay in Joseph's tomb. And their dreams, like Christ, was dead. Miraculously, the Lord Jesus left His cave-like prison in a glorified body. Hope was revived as His follows realized that their dead leader had become the risen Lord. He was alive. The gospel is incomplete without Christ's resurrection. Consider the impact of that great event on your life and eternal destiny by reading (1 Corinthians 15:12-28). Don't leave Christ on the cross.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching
is vain and your faith is also vain"
When the disciples recognized the awful truth that Jesus was dead, their hopes were crushed. They had believed their miracle-working Friend was sent by God to establish a Kingdom. Yet His body lay in Joseph's tomb. And their dreams, like Christ, was dead. Miraculously, the Lord Jesus left His cave-like prison in a glorified body. Hope was revived as His follows realized that their dead leader had become the risen Lord. He was alive. The gospel is incomplete without Christ's resurrection. Consider the impact of that great event on your life and eternal destiny by reading (1 Corinthians 15:12-28). Don't leave Christ on the cross.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Something Must Go
Romans 8:13
"If by the Spirit you put to death the
deeds of the body, you will live"
Nature is violent. Life and death are the law of the way of life. A lion stalks a gazelle. A heron stands motionless at the edge of a pond, it's long, sharp beak poised and ready to kill. High overhead a red-tailed hawk holds its deadly talons close to its body, watching for movement in the grass below. Suddenly a rabbits pain becomes an eagle's gain. A leopard family exists at a zebra's expense. Each survives on another's demise. This sounds natural enough. But it's more graphic than most of us care to watch.
The principle that nothing lives unless something else dies extends beyond nature to our daily walk with God. Interests of the flesh must succumb to the interests of the Spirit, or the interests of the Spirit will succumb to the interests of the flesh. In the jungles and fields and streams of our heart, something must always die so that something else can live.
We can't be committed to Christ and to the world at the same time. We can't be filled with His Spirit if we are protecting the life of selfish interests. That's why our Lord said so pointedly that we will need to die daily to our own selves if we are going to walk with Him. We must continually choose. What will die so that He can live freely in us?
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"If by the Spirit you put to death the
deeds of the body, you will live"
Nature is violent. Life and death are the law of the way of life. A lion stalks a gazelle. A heron stands motionless at the edge of a pond, it's long, sharp beak poised and ready to kill. High overhead a red-tailed hawk holds its deadly talons close to its body, watching for movement in the grass below. Suddenly a rabbits pain becomes an eagle's gain. A leopard family exists at a zebra's expense. Each survives on another's demise. This sounds natural enough. But it's more graphic than most of us care to watch.
The principle that nothing lives unless something else dies extends beyond nature to our daily walk with God. Interests of the flesh must succumb to the interests of the Spirit, or the interests of the Spirit will succumb to the interests of the flesh. In the jungles and fields and streams of our heart, something must always die so that something else can live.
We can't be committed to Christ and to the world at the same time. We can't be filled with His Spirit if we are protecting the life of selfish interests. That's why our Lord said so pointedly that we will need to die daily to our own selves if we are going to walk with Him. We must continually choose. What will die so that He can live freely in us?
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
On Again----Off Again
Matthew 21:9, 27:22
"Hosanna to the Son David"
"Let Him be crucified"
People are often fickle and shortsighted in their response to leaders. They will like something And the leaders popularity goes up, and when people don't like something the popularity goes down. Why? That is the way the human mind works, half fear and half knowledge. A change or something different just simply blows the human mind.
Jesus encounter shifts in popularity as well. We He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy; people hailed Him enthusiastically as their Messiah. But a few days later many of them were shouting, "Crucify Him!" This wavering response to Christ is still with us today. Many people "believe" on Him when something good happens right after they pray. But when misfortune comes or their prayers don't bring immediate change their "faith" evaporates.
Christ doesn't guarantee instant good fortune. He came to save us from our sins, to develop His character in us, and to provide for us an eternal home in heaven with Him. If you've been indecisive in your response to Christ, repent of your sins, confess your helplessness to save yourself, and put your trust in Him. This is true faith that puts an to "on again----off again loyalty."
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"Hosanna to the Son David"
"Let Him be crucified"
People are often fickle and shortsighted in their response to leaders. They will like something And the leaders popularity goes up, and when people don't like something the popularity goes down. Why? That is the way the human mind works, half fear and half knowledge. A change or something different just simply blows the human mind.
Jesus encounter shifts in popularity as well. We He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy; people hailed Him enthusiastically as their Messiah. But a few days later many of them were shouting, "Crucify Him!" This wavering response to Christ is still with us today. Many people "believe" on Him when something good happens right after they pray. But when misfortune comes or their prayers don't bring immediate change their "faith" evaporates.
Christ doesn't guarantee instant good fortune. He came to save us from our sins, to develop His character in us, and to provide for us an eternal home in heaven with Him. If you've been indecisive in your response to Christ, repent of your sins, confess your helplessness to save yourself, and put your trust in Him. This is true faith that puts an to "on again----off again loyalty."
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, August 19, 2013
For A Season
Philemon 1:15
"For perhaps he therefore departed for a season
that thou shouldest receive him forever"
Onesimus was a run away slave that had ran from his master Philemon. Paul gave Onesimus shelter in his own hired house. So according to the Hebrew fugitive law in Deuteronomy 23:15, 16 Onesimus was a fugitive. But Paul did not betray him as a fugitive nor, did he send him back to his master, Philemon. Paul shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Onesimus, eventually leading him to a saving knowledge and a brother in Christ. Paul than made a request for Philemon to grant Onesimus his freedom.
Unlike Onesimus we are a free people, however we also are sinners just the same as Onesimus was. He was running from a human master because of a debt he owed to Philemon. The master that we ran from, is sin and Satan; the evil master of this world. When we ran away from sin and it's master, we ran to God and His Word that lead us to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The man Jesus that died on the cross for our sin's and paid our debt in full. Just like Paul ask for the freedom for Onesimus; Jesus Christ will stand for us at the Throne of God. Amen!!!
FOR JUST A SEASON
IT SHALL BE
AFTER THAT
LIFE ETERNALLY R.A.L.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"For perhaps he therefore departed for a season
that thou shouldest receive him forever"
Onesimus was a run away slave that had ran from his master Philemon. Paul gave Onesimus shelter in his own hired house. So according to the Hebrew fugitive law in Deuteronomy 23:15, 16 Onesimus was a fugitive. But Paul did not betray him as a fugitive nor, did he send him back to his master, Philemon. Paul shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Onesimus, eventually leading him to a saving knowledge and a brother in Christ. Paul than made a request for Philemon to grant Onesimus his freedom.
Unlike Onesimus we are a free people, however we also are sinners just the same as Onesimus was. He was running from a human master because of a debt he owed to Philemon. The master that we ran from, is sin and Satan; the evil master of this world. When we ran away from sin and it's master, we ran to God and His Word that lead us to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The man Jesus that died on the cross for our sin's and paid our debt in full. Just like Paul ask for the freedom for Onesimus; Jesus Christ will stand for us at the Throne of God. Amen!!!
FOR JUST A SEASON
IT SHALL BE
AFTER THAT
LIFE ETERNALLY R.A.L.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Friday, August 16, 2013
No Love Without Giving
2 Corinthians 8:8
" I speak not by commandment, but by
occasion of the forwardness of others
and to prove the sincerity of your love"
Some people are so proud of what they have ant the abundance they have; and rightly they should be. Is that all there is in life, to have and to hoard. Paul tells us that he don't mean for other men to be eased and you be burdened. Paul speaks of equality; your abundance may be the supply of their need, and their abundance for your need.
In 2 Corinthians 8:8 God is not commanding us to give our bounty to others. But it is a test of your love, and obedience to give to someone in need. Here is the true test of our giving: Would I feel guilty if I didn't give? Do I feel that my giving will merit God's favor? Is it a desire to have a since of power and control?
All these things are wrong reasons to give. The most important reason and should be your only reason is, "your love for Jesus Christ." Christ made a Sacrifice for us; so it is our duty to the same for others. Rich, poor, saved or unsaved; let us give to all in need.
"WE MAY GIVE WITHOUT LOVING"
"BUT WE CAN"T LOVE WITHOUT GIVING"
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
" I speak not by commandment, but by
occasion of the forwardness of others
and to prove the sincerity of your love"
Some people are so proud of what they have ant the abundance they have; and rightly they should be. Is that all there is in life, to have and to hoard. Paul tells us that he don't mean for other men to be eased and you be burdened. Paul speaks of equality; your abundance may be the supply of their need, and their abundance for your need.
In 2 Corinthians 8:8 God is not commanding us to give our bounty to others. But it is a test of your love, and obedience to give to someone in need. Here is the true test of our giving: Would I feel guilty if I didn't give? Do I feel that my giving will merit God's favor? Is it a desire to have a since of power and control?
All these things are wrong reasons to give. The most important reason and should be your only reason is, "your love for Jesus Christ." Christ made a Sacrifice for us; so it is our duty to the same for others. Rich, poor, saved or unsaved; let us give to all in need.
"WE MAY GIVE WITHOUT LOVING"
"BUT WE CAN"T LOVE WITHOUT GIVING"
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Finding And Being Found
John 1: 43,45
"The day following, Jesus would go fourth
unto Galilee, and findeth Philip"
"Philip findeth Nathanael, and said unto him
we have found him"
During a Bible class a student said, "When I found Jesus I was-----" but he didn't get to finish his sentence. The teacher had stop him and said, "You found Him? I didn't know that He was lost." Seeing that all was shocked by his statement, he quickly put everyone to ease. He told the class that he done this to make this point; We seek and find God because He First sought and found us.
In His parables about the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son, Jesus emphasized the truth that God seeks us. But the prophet Isaiah declared man's responsibility when he said, "seek the Lord while He may be found." Both sides of this truth are seen in John 1, first Jesus found Philip (v.43) later, Philip told Nathanael that he had found Jesus (v.45).
If you know the Lord as your Savior, you should realize that God took the initiative to make your relationship with Him possible. His Spirit convicted you of sin and created in your heart a desire to be saved so that you could know the joy of finding Christ. Just as "we love Him because he first loved us, so also we found Him because He first found us."
"CHRIST FOUND YOU A LONG TIME AGO"
"DON'T WAIT! FIND CHRIST TODAY"!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"The day following, Jesus would go fourth
unto Galilee, and findeth Philip"
"Philip findeth Nathanael, and said unto him
we have found him"
During a Bible class a student said, "When I found Jesus I was-----" but he didn't get to finish his sentence. The teacher had stop him and said, "You found Him? I didn't know that He was lost." Seeing that all was shocked by his statement, he quickly put everyone to ease. He told the class that he done this to make this point; We seek and find God because He First sought and found us.
In His parables about the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son, Jesus emphasized the truth that God seeks us. But the prophet Isaiah declared man's responsibility when he said, "seek the Lord while He may be found." Both sides of this truth are seen in John 1, first Jesus found Philip (v.43) later, Philip told Nathanael that he had found Jesus (v.45).
If you know the Lord as your Savior, you should realize that God took the initiative to make your relationship with Him possible. His Spirit convicted you of sin and created in your heart a desire to be saved so that you could know the joy of finding Christ. Just as "we love Him because he first loved us, so also we found Him because He first found us."
"CHRIST FOUND YOU A LONG TIME AGO"
"DON'T WAIT! FIND CHRIST TODAY"!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Shortsighted Sin
1 Samuel 2:17
"Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great
before the Lord: for men abhorred
the offering of the Lord"
Someone might say that the young men described in 1Samuel 2:17 got in trouble for eating too much and for trying to have a little fun. But there was more to it than that. The young men were priests, and their irreverent and sexually promiscuous actions showed utter contempt for the Lord. Even Eli, their father got in trouble for what might looked like a little father permissiveness.
But once again there was more to it than that. By going easy on his sons, Eli failed to see the awful consequences for himself and for them. He was shortsighted about sin. Father, help us to see the true scope of our actions. Enable us to face and forsake our sins. Open our eyes so that we don't miss the serious implications of our sinful ways. The most deadly sins do not leap upon us, they creep up on us!!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great
before the Lord: for men abhorred
the offering of the Lord"
Someone might say that the young men described in 1Samuel 2:17 got in trouble for eating too much and for trying to have a little fun. But there was more to it than that. The young men were priests, and their irreverent and sexually promiscuous actions showed utter contempt for the Lord. Even Eli, their father got in trouble for what might looked like a little father permissiveness.
But once again there was more to it than that. By going easy on his sons, Eli failed to see the awful consequences for himself and for them. He was shortsighted about sin. Father, help us to see the true scope of our actions. Enable us to face and forsake our sins. Open our eyes so that we don't miss the serious implications of our sinful ways. The most deadly sins do not leap upon us, they creep up on us!!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Strong Hands
Jude 1:24
"Now into him that is able
to keep you from falling"
A mountain climber in the Alps had come to a treacherous place in his ascent. The only way to advance was to put his foot in the outstretched hands of the guide who had anchored himself a little way ahead of him. The man hesitated a moment as he looked below to were he would certainly fall to his death if anything went wrong. Noticing his hesitation, the guide said, "Have No Fear Sir," in all my years of service my hands have never yet lost a man.
The person who puts the destiny of his soul in Christ's hands can be sure that he will be held securely. By The Holy Spirit he is "Sealed For The Day Of Redemption." As the Author and Finisher of our faith Jesus spoke especially comforting words to His own when He said, "they shall never perish" (John 10:28). He then assured us that we actually have double protection to keep us from being plucked from His hand. Christ stated that we are safe not only in His hand but also in the Fathers eternal grip.
If you have committed yourself for time and eternity into the loving care of God through faith in Christ, you need not fear, you are in, "His Strong Hands." Our salvation is secure because God is doing the holding.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"Now into him that is able
to keep you from falling"
A mountain climber in the Alps had come to a treacherous place in his ascent. The only way to advance was to put his foot in the outstretched hands of the guide who had anchored himself a little way ahead of him. The man hesitated a moment as he looked below to were he would certainly fall to his death if anything went wrong. Noticing his hesitation, the guide said, "Have No Fear Sir," in all my years of service my hands have never yet lost a man.
The person who puts the destiny of his soul in Christ's hands can be sure that he will be held securely. By The Holy Spirit he is "Sealed For The Day Of Redemption." As the Author and Finisher of our faith Jesus spoke especially comforting words to His own when He said, "they shall never perish" (John 10:28). He then assured us that we actually have double protection to keep us from being plucked from His hand. Christ stated that we are safe not only in His hand but also in the Fathers eternal grip.
If you have committed yourself for time and eternity into the loving care of God through faith in Christ, you need not fear, you are in, "His Strong Hands." Our salvation is secure because God is doing the holding.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, August 12, 2013
Something Must Die!
Colossians 3:5
"Mortify therefore your members
Which are upon the earth"
Sometimes it takes radical action to keep our lives above reproach or to break the stranglehold of sinful habits. Paul expressed the believer's responsibility this way: "put to death; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
This means that we must take specific action. We may have to become accountable to a mature christian or join a support group to break a specific sin. It may mean struggling with the tough questions, "What do I love most?" Food, alcohol, pornography, illicit sex, money; or Jesus? Who or what is going to die in me?
Sin requires radical action. It took Jesus' death to free us from sin's condemnation and power. If we are saved, we died and rose again with Christ, and our life is now hidden with him. But victory over specific sins requires a decisive act of dying on our part. You must master the sin in your life or it will master you!!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Under God's Control
Genesis 45:8
"So now it was not you that
sent me hither, but God"
If anyone could have complained about his circumstances, it is Joseph. Thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery, he had good reason to murmur "Why did this happen to me?" But Joseph learned to look beyond secondary causes. According to the scriptures, he believed that his circumstances were under God's control.
When General Jackson lost an arm in battle, his Chaplain exclaimed, "Oh General, what a calamity!" Jackson replied, "thanks," but I'm not in distress or depressed or even unhappy. Jackson as well as Joseph believed; it was according to God's Holy Will.
Our Heavenly Father designs affliction for our good. I am sure that either in this life or in that which is to come; we shall discover that what is now regarded as calamity is a blessing. We often label adverse circumstances or a shattering experience a "calamity." But if we could see as God sees, we wouldn't want to miss the invaluable spiritual lessons we might not gain in any other way. Let's trust God! In His time, we'll clearly see His purposes; if not on earth, than in heaven.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"So now it was not you that
sent me hither, but God"
If anyone could have complained about his circumstances, it is Joseph. Thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery, he had good reason to murmur "Why did this happen to me?" But Joseph learned to look beyond secondary causes. According to the scriptures, he believed that his circumstances were under God's control.
When General Jackson lost an arm in battle, his Chaplain exclaimed, "Oh General, what a calamity!" Jackson replied, "thanks," but I'm not in distress or depressed or even unhappy. Jackson as well as Joseph believed; it was according to God's Holy Will.
Our Heavenly Father designs affliction for our good. I am sure that either in this life or in that which is to come; we shall discover that what is now regarded as calamity is a blessing. We often label adverse circumstances or a shattering experience a "calamity." But if we could see as God sees, we wouldn't want to miss the invaluable spiritual lessons we might not gain in any other way. Let's trust God! In His time, we'll clearly see His purposes; if not on earth, than in heaven.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
What Then?
Romans 6:15
"What then? shall we sin, because we
are not under the law, but under grace?
God forbid"
Through one man's offence, all mankind are exposed to eternal condemnation. Let us thank God, that his grace and mercy and, the "Free" gift of righteousness and salvation, came through His Son Jesus Christ; as a man. Jesus Christ has brought all believers into safe and exalted state, a complete contrast from which mankind fell in Adam. The free gift of God did not give a new state of trial, but it gives justification.
There is a similarity between the two. By the offence of one, sin and death came to all mankind. By the righteousness of the other grace prevailed to the justification to all related to Christ by faith. Through the grace of God, the gift has abound to many through Christ; yet many choose to remain under the dominion of sin and death, rather than ask and receive the blessings of grace.
The righteous deeds of the servants of God are not meritorious in themselves; they make us deserving of neither eternal life nor reward. Eternal life is God's gift to us and the awards at the end of life's service is a benefit bestowed of His grace. The servants of sin, however, earn their wages down to the last penny. Let us not look at grace as a side road to sin. "God Forbid."
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"What then? shall we sin, because we
are not under the law, but under grace?
God forbid"
Through one man's offence, all mankind are exposed to eternal condemnation. Let us thank God, that his grace and mercy and, the "Free" gift of righteousness and salvation, came through His Son Jesus Christ; as a man. Jesus Christ has brought all believers into safe and exalted state, a complete contrast from which mankind fell in Adam. The free gift of God did not give a new state of trial, but it gives justification.
There is a similarity between the two. By the offence of one, sin and death came to all mankind. By the righteousness of the other grace prevailed to the justification to all related to Christ by faith. Through the grace of God, the gift has abound to many through Christ; yet many choose to remain under the dominion of sin and death, rather than ask and receive the blessings of grace.
The righteous deeds of the servants of God are not meritorious in themselves; they make us deserving of neither eternal life nor reward. Eternal life is God's gift to us and the awards at the end of life's service is a benefit bestowed of His grace. The servants of sin, however, earn their wages down to the last penny. Let us not look at grace as a side road to sin. "God Forbid."
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Don't Be A Setting Duck
Psalm 119:114
"Thou art my hiding place and my shield:
I hope in the word"
The Psalmist hid himself away from tormenting intrusions, and in solemn silence of the soul he found God to be his hiding place. He knew his own personal knowledge; he could not ward off attacks of wicked suggestions or fight with his own thoughts and escape from them, till he "FLEW" to his God, and then he found deliverance.
When we are attacked by very spiritual assaults, such as those that arise out of vain thoughts, we shall do well to "FLY" to directly to our lord, and to cast ourselves upon his presence. Happy is he who can truly say to the Triune God, (IE) The Holy Trinity; "Thou art my hiding place." Let us not be setting ducks and not look for protection from all danger, and temptations; for we have a tower of defence around us; "The Triune God."
It is easy to exercise hope after we have experienced help. Sometimes when gloomy thoughts afflict us, the only thing we can do is to hope, and happily the word of God always sets before us objects of hope and reasons for hope. It becomes the very sphere and support of hope, and our tiresome thoughts are overcome. Remember; "DON'T BE A SETTING DUCK"! "FLY BY PRAYER TO GOD" as your refuge and protector!!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"Thou art my hiding place and my shield:
I hope in the word"
The Psalmist hid himself away from tormenting intrusions, and in solemn silence of the soul he found God to be his hiding place. He knew his own personal knowledge; he could not ward off attacks of wicked suggestions or fight with his own thoughts and escape from them, till he "FLEW" to his God, and then he found deliverance.
When we are attacked by very spiritual assaults, such as those that arise out of vain thoughts, we shall do well to "FLY" to directly to our lord, and to cast ourselves upon his presence. Happy is he who can truly say to the Triune God, (IE) The Holy Trinity; "Thou art my hiding place." Let us not be setting ducks and not look for protection from all danger, and temptations; for we have a tower of defence around us; "The Triune God."
It is easy to exercise hope after we have experienced help. Sometimes when gloomy thoughts afflict us, the only thing we can do is to hope, and happily the word of God always sets before us objects of hope and reasons for hope. It becomes the very sphere and support of hope, and our tiresome thoughts are overcome. Remember; "DON'T BE A SETTING DUCK"! "FLY BY PRAYER TO GOD" as your refuge and protector!!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, August 5, 2013
God Is My Witness
Romans 1:9
"For God is my witness, whom I serve
with my spirit in the gospel of his Son"
This scripture is our fingerprint of our christian service and throughout our devoted service to Jesus Christ; "We are Blessed" translated from the Greek word "makarioi" which means "fully satisfied." Our satisfaction is not the result of favorable circumstances in life. It comes from being indwelt by Christ. Blessedness is not static, but progressive. It is a progress that depends upon the fulfillment of the conditions set down in the Beatitudes that Jesus Christ taught in His Sermon on the mount. The Beatitudes are recorded in (Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6:20-26).
"God is my witness" He sees the Beatitudes in you. Paul is saying that God can and has gave first hand account of his service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His Spirit was in one accord with God, his mind, will, and feelings. God knew that Paul accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ without question. The state of blessedness begins the very moment that a person believes on Jesus Christ for salvation. While in this life we will enjoy blessing by implementing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The ultimate condition of blessedness well be experienced in Heaven. I ask you; Who will be your witness when your fingerprints of service come before God?
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"For God is my witness, whom I serve
with my spirit in the gospel of his Son"
This scripture is our fingerprint of our christian service and throughout our devoted service to Jesus Christ; "We are Blessed" translated from the Greek word "makarioi" which means "fully satisfied." Our satisfaction is not the result of favorable circumstances in life. It comes from being indwelt by Christ. Blessedness is not static, but progressive. It is a progress that depends upon the fulfillment of the conditions set down in the Beatitudes that Jesus Christ taught in His Sermon on the mount. The Beatitudes are recorded in (Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6:20-26).
"God is my witness" He sees the Beatitudes in you. Paul is saying that God can and has gave first hand account of his service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His Spirit was in one accord with God, his mind, will, and feelings. God knew that Paul accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ without question. The state of blessedness begins the very moment that a person believes on Jesus Christ for salvation. While in this life we will enjoy blessing by implementing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The ultimate condition of blessedness well be experienced in Heaven. I ask you; Who will be your witness when your fingerprints of service come before God?
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Thursday, August 1, 2013
A Special Moment
Job 19:25
"For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth"
As we read the book of Job, what we see most is the suffering of Job, and his resistance to turn away from God. There is very few on this earth today that could stand the suffering that Job went through and not give up on God, even for just a short period of time. Job's special moment with God comes at the end of the book as God restores Job to a life without suffering. That was his time of Salvation, however; God does not restore Job merely to the life he knew before, for Job has become a different person.
How can we have a special moment! Call upon the name of Jesus Christ and Give you heart and soul to Him and you shall be saved, receive the Holy Spirit and walk by Faith. Then enduring suffering and learning the complex nature of how God responds to individual suffering we become a more humble person. We become less sure of answers to life's questions, and more trusting of God. Now all that I call a Special Moment in one's life!!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth"
As we read the book of Job, what we see most is the suffering of Job, and his resistance to turn away from God. There is very few on this earth today that could stand the suffering that Job went through and not give up on God, even for just a short period of time. Job's special moment with God comes at the end of the book as God restores Job to a life without suffering. That was his time of Salvation, however; God does not restore Job merely to the life he knew before, for Job has become a different person.
How can we have a special moment! Call upon the name of Jesus Christ and Give you heart and soul to Him and you shall be saved, receive the Holy Spirit and walk by Faith. Then enduring suffering and learning the complex nature of how God responds to individual suffering we become a more humble person. We become less sure of answers to life's questions, and more trusting of God. Now all that I call a Special Moment in one's life!!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)