A Plea For Mercy

Lamentations 5:21  

"Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, 

and we shall be turned; renew 

our days as of old." 

        This prayer by Jeremiah reflects the hope that the people of Jerusalem would return to a proper relationship with God. Compare the days when His glory filled the temple at its consecration by Solomon (1 Kings 8:10, 11).
        The people of God express deep concern for the ruins of the temple, But whatever changes there are on earth, God is still the same, and remains for ever wise and holy, just and good; with Him there is no variables or shadow of turning. Turn us to thee, O Lord. God never leaves any till they first leave him; if he turns them to him in a way of duty, no doubt he will quickly return to them in a way of mercy. If God by his grace renew our hearts, he will by his favor renew our days. Troubles may cause our hearts to be faint, and our eyes to be dim, but the way to the mercy seat of our God is open. 

        Let us, in all our trials, put our whole trust and confidence in his mercy; let us confess our sins, and pour out our hearts before him. Let us watch against repenting and despondency; for we surely know, that it shall be well in the end with all that trust in, fear, love, and serve the Lord. Are not the Lord's judgments in the earth the same as in Jeremiah's days?
        Amen!

Reading: (Lam. 5: 17-22)
               (1 Kings 8: 10, 11)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail

The Cross Life Ministry 

Faithfulness Never Grows Old

Psalm 92:14

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; 

they shall be fat and flourishing;"

        God sometimes grants prosperity to wicked men in displeasure; yet they flourish but for a moment. Let us seek for ourselves the salvation and grace of the gospel, that being daily anointed by the Holy Spirit, we may behold and share the Redeemer's glory. It is from his grace, by his word and Spirit, that believers receive all the virtue that keeps them live, and makes them fruitful. Other trees, when old, no longer bear, but in God's trees the strength of grace does not fail with the strength of nature. 

        The last days of the saints are sometimes their best days, and their last work their best work: perseverance is sure evidence of sincerity. And may every Sabbath, while it shows forth the Divine faithfulness, find our souls resting more and more upon the Lord our righteousness.

        Amen!

Reading: (Ps. 92:7-15)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Open The Eyes Of Our Faith Lord

2Kings 6:16 

And he answered, "Fear not: for they that be with 

us are more than they that be with them." 

        What Elisha said to his servant is spoken to all the faithful servants of God.  Don't fear, that fear which has torment and amazement; for they that are with us, to protect us, are more than they that are against us, to destroy us. Open the eyes of our faith Lord, that we may see thy protecting hand.

        The clearer sight we have of the sovereignty and power of Heaven, the less we shall fear the troubles of earth. Satan, the god of this world, blinds men's eyes, and so deludes us unto our own ruin; but when God enlightens our eyes, we see the Divine goodness and Divine Power from Heaven. Let us not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 
        Amen!

Reading: (2 Kings 6:8-23)
Ref: (HG SB) 

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

 

THE GOOD NEWS

Mark 1:15  And saying, 

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of 

God is at hand: repent ye, and 

believe the gospel." 

        It was good news that Jesus came to bring to men. It is good news of truth (Gal. 2:5; Col. 1:5). Until Jesus came, men could only guess and grope after God. "O that I knew where I might find him," cried Job (Job. 23:3). The soul could see only dimly, but with the coming of Jesus men see clearly what God is like. No longer do we need to guess and grope; "We know." 

        It is the good news of Hope, (Col. 1:23). The coming of Jesus brings hope to the hopeless heart. It is good news of peace (Eph. 6:15). Man's trouble has always been that he is haunted both by sin and by goodness. The coming of Jesus unifies man's personality into one. He finds victory over his wondering self by being conquered by Jesus Christ. and God's Promise. 
        It is good news of God's promise (Eph. 3:6). It is true to say that men had always thought rather of a God of threats than a God of promises. All non-Christian religions think of a demanding God; only Christianity tells of a God who is more ready to give than we are to ask.
      It is good news of immortality (2Tim.1:10). To the pagan, life was the road to death; man was characteristically a dying man; but Jesus came with the good news that we are on the way to life rather than death. It is good news of salvation (Eph. 1:13). That salvation is not merely a negative thing; it is also positive. It is not simply liberation from penalty and escape from past sin; it is the power to live life victoriously and to conquer sin. The message of Jesus is good news indeed. 

        Amen!

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

 

 

Acknowledge The Hand Of God On Your Life

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 

"There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, 

and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This 

also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. For who can eat, 

or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?" 

       When we pray, that we should be satisfied by "the hand of God" and not the hand of man. The Meaning of this prayer is that we should never have to rely on other people for sustenance. It’s a plea that God will create a means of providing for us that doesn’t degrade us or make us dependent on the whims of others. We are asking that God be manifest in our lives so that we have the means to support ourselves independently. In this verse, Solomon affirmed that all wealth is from the hand of God. Even if it appears that what we have earned is a result of our hard work, our brilliant ideas, or our lucky breaks, the truth is that it is all from God. It is God who orchestrated our success by giving us the strength, wisdom, and circumstances to make it possible.
       In today’s world, there are many voices telling us that we need things now. We need that new car now. The new house now. The newest bit of technology now. People line up for hours before a new iPhone is released so that they can be the first to have it. Sometimes, we want to receive different circumstances immediately. We want to find a spouse immediately, have a baby immediately, or find a new job right away. 
       However, when we receive from the hand of God, we usually don’t get what we desire right away; instead we get the right thing in the right time. Too much too soon can be a curse, not a blessing. Let’s remember when we pray for things in life to ask that they come from "God’s hand" in the right way and at the perfect time; which only God can give!

        Amen!

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Be Effective And Fruitful On Your Way

2 Peter 1:8 

"For if these things be in you, and abound, they make 

you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful 

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

        Peter strongly urges his people to keep climbing up this ladder of virtues which he has set before them. The more we know of any subject the more we are fit to know. It is always true that "to him that hath it shall be given" Progress is the way to more progress. "We learn him as we live with him and for him."
        To keep climbing up the ladder of the virtues is to come ever nearer to knowing Jesus Christ; and the further we climb, the further we are able to climb. On the other hand, if we refuse to make the effort of the upward climb, certain things happen. We grow blind; we are left without the guiding light that the knowledge of Jesus Christ brings. As Peter sees it, to walk without Christ is to walk in the dark and not to be able to see the way.
        We grow short sighted, and we become short sighted in life, because we see things only as they appear at the moment and we are unable to take the long view of them, because our eyes are so fixed upon earth, we never think of the things beyond, and we become Spiritually blind. It is easy in life to shut our eyes to what we do not wish to see. To walk without Christ is to be in danger of taking the short sighted or the blinded view of life. 
        Amen!

Reading: (2 Pet. 1:8-11)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Become Acquainted With God

Job 22:26  

"For then shalt thou have thy delight 

in the Almighty, and shalt lift 

up thy face unto God." 

        Instead of complaining as most of us do now; My Friends, we would find calm enjoyment in contemplating his character and his moral government. This is a correct account of the effects of reconciliation. He who becomes truly "acquainted" with God has pleasure in his existence and attributes; in his law and administration. No longer disposed to complain, he confides in him when he is afflicted; flees to him when he is persecuted; seeks him in the day of prosperity; prefers him to all that this world can give.

         When we lift our face up to God it is an emblem of prosperity, happiness, and conscious innocence. We hang our face down when we are conscious of guilt; we bow the head in adversity. When conscious of uprightness; when blessed with prosperity, and when we have evidence that we are the children of God, we look up toward heaven. This is the natural condition of human beings since the time of Creation made to look upward, while all other animals look grovelling on the earth. Let us not just know God, But Be Acquainted with God!

        Amen!

Reading: Job 22:26-29)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry 

Change Brings Compromise And Conflict

Luke 12:50

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with:

and how am I straitened till

it be accomplished"

       The cross was ever before his eyes. How different from the Jewish idea of God's King! Jesus came, not with avenging armies and flying banners, but to give his life a ransom for many. His coming would inevitably mean division; in fact it did. That was one of the great reasons why the Romans hated Christianity, it tore families in two. Over and over again a man had to decide who he loved more his kin or Christ. The essence of Christianity is that loyalty to Christ has to take precedence over the dearest loyalties of this earth. A man must be prepared to count all things but loss for the excellence of Jesus Christ.

        It is important for us to fix our attention on the point, of what the Lord looks for here. It is not so much about the time of the Lord's coming at the end of the age, but that the Christian should be waiting for Him, in a full profession of Christ, and his heart be in spiritual order. Those the Lord will make to sit down as guests, and for ever, in His Father's house where He has brought them, and will Himself in love minister the blessing. This love will make the blessings ten thousand fold more precious, and all received from His hand. Love likes to serve! This love He will never give up. Nothing is more exquisite than Our Lord's Love for us.

        Amen!

 There was a Knight of Bethlehem,
     Whose wealth was tears and sorrows,
His men-at-arms were little lambs,
     His trumpeters were sparrows.
His castle was a wooden Cross
     On which he hung so high;
His helmet was a crown of thorns,
     Whose crest did touch the sky

Reading: (Luke 12:49-53)

               (Matt. 10: 34-36)

               (Mic.  7:5-7)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Be Prepared

Luke 12:35  

"Let your loins be girded about, 

and your lights burning;"   

        No man can tell the day or the hour when eternity will invade time and summons will come. How, then, would we like God to find us?  We would like him to find us with our work completed. Life for so many of us is filled with loose ends. There are things undone and things half done; things put off and things not even attempted. Great men have always the sense of a task that must be finished. 

        Jesus himself said, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (John 17:4).  No man should ever lightly leave undone a task he ought to have finished, before night falls. We would like God to find us at peace with our fellowmen. It would be a haunting thing to pass from this world at bitterness with a friend or a loved one. No man should let the sun go down on his anger, least of all the last sun of all, and we never know which sun that will be. We would like God to find us at peace with himself. It will make all the difference to know in our own hearts whether we are going out to a stranger or an enemy, or going to fall asleep in the arms of God.

        My Friends, I pray that until the time comes when we awake no more; that all our lights for Jesus Christ Can be seen from every corner of this evil world. Be Prepared, Today could be The Day! 

Reading: (Luke 12: 35-48)

               (Matt. 24:45-51)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

     

Not By Chance

Proverbs 16:33

"The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole 

disposing thereof is of the Lord."

        One of the underlying messages of this Scripture is how God orchestrates events even though life often seems to be the contrary. There are many stories in the Bible that remind us of the deep truth that nothing is by accident. What seems like chance is actually a plan. What seems like coincidence is always Divine providence.

        Everything God does is for the best. If the swaying blade of grass is brought about by Divine Providence and is crucial to the fulfillment of the purpose of Creation, so how much more are there regard to mankind. Let’s remember that nothing that happens to us today is coincidence and everything is exactly as it should be. Your were not created by chance, you were created and predestined by God.

        Amen!

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry  

Triumphant Over Affliction

2 Corinthians 4:8-10  

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, 

but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, 

but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body 

the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of 

Jesus might be made manifest in our body." 

        Few men have been more conscious of their weakness than that of Apostle Paul. The earthly vessel had become very cracked and scratched, but the heavenly treasure was unimpaired, as in the case of Gideon, when the pitcher was broken the lantern shone out. Paul here confesses that he was troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down, always bearing the scars of Jesus, and being perpetually delivered over to death. But he gratefully accepted all these disabilities because he knew that they gave greater opportunities to Jesus to show forth, through him, His resurrection power. With the daily decay of the outward, there came the renewal of the unseen and spiritual. It is only in proportion as we are conformed to the sufferings and death of Christ that we begin to realize the fullness of what He is, and what He can be or do through us. Our one thought must always be the glory of Christ in the salvation of others.
        Amen!

Reading: (2 Cor. 4: 7-18)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You 

And Your Family

Minister Robert Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Start On The Right Path Of Life

Proverbs 22:6 

 "Train up a child in the way he should go: 

and when he is old, he will 

not depart from it."

        The Scriptures tells us to, "Start our children off on the right path, and as they get older they will not turn from it."  One sure way to turn out amazing adults is to raise great kids. Our children only get one childhood, which impacts them the rest of their life, so we need to do all we can to teach them well. However, I think there is another lesson here for us adults as well. Just as childhood is practice and training for adulthood, every day of our lives is practice and training for the moments that count the most.

        If you want to have unwavering faith in the face of a challenge, strengthen your faith today. If you want to do a great act of kindness one day, do small acts of kindness every day. If you want to be able to hold your temper on a day you are deeply and unexpectedly provoked, practice patience now. If we set ourselves on the right path today, we will not stray from it in the future.

        Amen!

Reading: (Ps. 22:1-29)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Serve God, Not Man!

Isaiah 2:22

"Cease ye from man, whose breath is

in his nostrils: for wherein is he

to be accounted of?"

        Isaiah put it this way when he said, "Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?" It’s interesting how Isaiah chose to describe humans as those “who have but a breath in their nostrils.” Remember how man was first created back in Genesis? "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7).

        Human beings not only live dependent on the breath of their nostrils, but it is God who put and continues to place the breath there in the first place. This underscores the absurdity of serving man over God. All humanity has, and all that they are, is due to God. It makes far more sense to go straight to the source of all goodness and blessings.

        Yet, for many of us, pleasing others is a difficult habit to break. But consider the following: choosing to please people over God will make us miserable. We can never please them enough. Valuing the opinions of people over God’s can make us miss our life’s purpose since we might end up living a life someone else has chosen for us instead of what God has called us to do. Consider all we have to lose by striving to please others; then consider all we might gain by choosing to please God instead. Which will you choose?

        Amen!

Reading: (Is. 2:5-22)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

A Gift For God

Psalm 116:12

"What shall I render unto the Lord

for all all his benefits toward me?"

        Think of a time when you have been the beneficiary of such kindness that you simply had no words to thank the giver. How about our parents, our friends and family who have supported and loved us? Can we ever thank them enough? How about God, who gave us everything that we have, including our very lives? Can we ever sufficiently thank Him?

        In Psalm 116, King David found himself asking this same question: "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?"  King David described a time when he had been close to death and then was saved by God. He said that God stopped his tears from flowing and his feet from stumbling. But how could he, a mere mortal, thank God? What could he give to the One who lacks nothing? Here was David's answer; "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord" (Ps. 116:13). David gave back to God in the way that God had prescribed: by bringing Him sacrifices.

        But what can we, who no longer have the option of bringing sacrifices to the Lord, give to God today? My Friend, the sacrifices brought to God were not about the meat or wine or flour that was presented to Him. It was about the closeness made possible by the sacrifice. By serving God, the worshiper became closer to Him. As the prophets explained time and time again, God has no desire for mere rituals. What God wants is us. God wants our hearts. He wants to be a part of our lives. He wants us to turn to Him in prayer, with our troubles and our gratitude. As our loving Father in heaven, He wants nothing more than closeness with His children. God loves us infinitely, but to have a relationship, we need to love Him back.

        When we offer up our prayers, we bring a gift to God. When we sit and read our Bible, we give a gift to God. When we apply the teachings to our lives and make God the focus of our lives, we give Him great pleasure. God gave us our bodies; we bring Him our soul.

        Amen!

Reading: ( Ps. 116)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

 

Companionship

Ecclesiastes 4:12

"And if one prevail against him, two shall

withstand him; and a threefold cord

is not quickly broken."

        The concept of unity and working together is something that is seen throughout Scripture. From the phrase "a threefold cord is not quickly broken," it is clear that Solomon is pointing out the advantages of companionship. He illustrates to show how God's mercy provides help to those who will depend on Him. (Eccl. 4:9-11).  Solomon also explains how this concept of companionship is beneficial. He shows us that there are definite advantages to working together. However, He revealed how terrible the circumstances would be if one had to face adversity alone.

        Let's look into some of the Scriptures where God provided companionship. God Gave Adam help, "And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him a help meet for him," (Gen 2:18). Even Christ, in the commissioning of His disciples, "After these things 

the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come,"  (Luke 10:1). Christ knew that they would face adversity and persecution from the world. In providing companionship, they would be able to lift one another up and continue their ministry even when they are prosecuted. 

        The concept of unity is very important in all areas of our lives. We may not be the disciples like Christ choose and sent out into the world. However you are His disciple, (IF) you believe in Him. My friends, God planned this world for us, and He has given us every thing we need to get through. What we must do is grasp, and hold on to all those things, and when done, it must be done in unity. There is not a day that goes by that we don't have to work with one or more individuals.  A godly Life has faith, wisdom and unity. My friend, A Threefold Cord Is Not Quickly Broken.  

       Amen!  

Reading: (Eccl. 4:9-11)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

            

 

Time For All Things

Ecc 3:15  

"That which hath been is now; and that 

which is to be hath already been; and 

God requireth that which is past."

 

        Not only has God made everything, but there is a beauty in this arrangement where all is unforeseen to us, but all is fixed by Him. "He hath made everything beautiful in its time," and for myself, the season that holds love and wisdom seems the best. "Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the creation;" and, so to speak, each day that dawns, though its dawning include an earthquake, a battle, or an overwhelming of each day that dawns, however many it surprises, is no surprise to Him who sees the end from the beginning, and who in each evolving incident sees the fulfillment of His  counsel and the picture of the future. "MY GOD IS GREAT"
        Amen!

Reading: (Eccl. 3:1-15)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

All Ends Have A New Beginning

Ecclesiastes 1:4

"One generation passeth away, and another 

generation cometh: but the earth 

 abideth for ever."

        The time of our enjoyment of life here is very short. We continue in the world but for one generation, which is continually passing away to make room for another, and we are passing with it. Our worldly possessions we very lately had from others, and must very shortly leave to others, and therefore to us they are vanity.
        We give God the glory of the constant succession of generations, in which the world has its existence, and will till the end of time. We see daily God's patience with the sinfulness of this world and the species of it. We must do the work of our generation diligently, and serve it faithfully, because it will be over shortly; and, in concern for mankind in general, we should consult the welfare of succeeding generations. But as to our own happiness, let us not expect it within such narrow limits, However; eternal rest awaits those who know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. All ends have a new beginning, I pray that when that time comes and it will, yours will be in Heaven with Jesus Christ Our Lord.
        Amen!

Reading: (Ecc. 1:4-8)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry