Live In The Light Of Live

Job 33:28  

"He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, 

and his life shall see the light."

        The first part of the verse refers to God’s deliverance. This could be from physical death, or a spiritual or emotional death. There are plenty of people who are living and breathing, but are dead inside due to a tragedy in their lives or other difficulties. Here, we are thanking God for saving us from all kinds of death.

        The second part of the verse speaks about enjoying the "light of life."  What does it mean to enjoy the light of life? It means exactly what it says. In the face of utter darkness, we shine a light on all that is good in our lives. Sharing with others what we have in our lives, and with all the love that we extend to strangers and the love that we receive, "we shall  able to live in the "light of life."

        Let’s learn to always shine the light on all that is good in our own lives. There isn’t a person without something to be upset about. We all have challenges and difficulties. But instead of living in the dark shadow of painful past events, let’s "live" in the light of all that is good and wonderful in our lives.

        Amen!

Reading: (Is. 38:15-19)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

                

 

No Gift To Small

Mark 12:44  

"For all they did cast in of their abundance; 

but she of her want did cast in all that 

she had, even all her living."

        Never let the measure of others hinder you from giving what you can. Give of your all. Give to everyone you desire to help. God will never belittle your gifts. He honors every sacrifice done out of love. If He wanted to receive great gifts only, why has He chosen to be among the poor? If He wanted to praise fine offerings only, why has He chosen to be born as a helpless child?

He became poor for us. He became little for us. Even a small child that needs His mother’s care!

       There is no small gift to Him who sees the purity of one’s heart.

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. A poor widow came, and she cast in two mites which equal a farthing. He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, "For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had" (Luke 21:4). 
        Amen!


Reading: (Mark 12:41-44)
                (Luke 21:1-4)

God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

The End Of The Matter

Ecclesiastes 12:13  

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: 

Fear God, and keep his commandments: 

for this is the whole duty of man."

        Some, say that they would climb a ladder to heaven, if that was the only way to get there. At least these souls, would put in some effort, however; eventually ending up unsuccessful from the very start.  All who has heard God's word, knows that there is only one way to get to heaven. My Friend that is to serve God and constantly strive upward no matter what happens along the way. Truly, that is all we can do in life. The rest is up to God, for we will eventually be lifted to heaven by His strength and not by our own.

        It is really quite simple. In the end, we aren’t in control of everything. All we can do while on this earth is what we are called to do and to have faith in God. The rest is up to Him. I find the same simplicity at the very end of the book of Ecclesiastes after King Solomon had taught his readers all there was to know. Solomon wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). Man has a duty to serve God that’s our purpose in life. I find that this clear and concise concept is one we need to come back to over and over again. 

        Amen!

Reading: (Eccl. 12:1-14)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

 

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

 

The Crowning Day

1 John 2:28

"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he 

shall appear, we may have confidence, and not 

be ashamed before him at his coming"         

        The result of judgment is reward or loss. All our bad and dead works, represented by the wood, hay and stubble, will be consumed, and only our good works shall remain. There is much which passes for Christian service which is merely human and secular, and does not count in our eternal reward. For those who deserve a reward it will be The Crowning Day! 
        The New Testament tells us of Five Crowns. The first Crown is the Crown of Life.    
 This is the "Martyr's" crown, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (testing), for when he is tried (at the judgment Seat of Christ), he shall receive the Crown of Life, "which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him" (James 1:12). "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried (tested) and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life"  (Rev. 2:10). Notice it does not say "until" death, but "unto" death. 
        The Crown of "GLORY." This is the "Elder's" crown. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind (1Pet. 5:2).  The Crown of “REJOICING.” This is the "Soul Winner's" crown. Those brought to Jesus by us will be our crown of rejoicing at His Coming. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy" (1Thess 2:19-20).
        The Crown of “RIGHTEOUSNESS” This is the crown of those who love His appearing and will be given in that day the Day of His Appearing. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tim.4:8).
        The Crown “INCORRUPTIBLE.” This is the Victor's crown, given to those who do not permit themselves to be diverted from the Master's work by worldly amusements and pleasure, nor saturate their body with drugs. My friends, we do not want to be ashamed at His Coming! "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Cor. 9:25-27). "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming" (1 John 2:28). 
        Amen!

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Pureness of Heart

Proverbs 22:1  

A good name is rather to be chosen than 

great riches, and loving favour 

rather than silver and gold.

        Great riches are not always a great blessing. When they are held in trust for God, they afford the opportunity of giving a vast amount of happiness to the benefactor as well as to those benefited. But we recall other riches, which do not consist in what a man has, but in what he is. There are four levels of human experience: To have, To do, To know, and To be. With these in their order they are like iron, silver, gold, precious stones. 
        Some of these riches I have listed here: A good name and loving favor, The faith that hides in God, True humility and godly fear, The child like heart, The beautiful eye and open hand with purity of heart and diligence,  If only we would cultivate the inward graces and gifts of our soul, all who feel our influence would be enriched.
        Amen!

Reading: (Prov. 22:1-16)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr

The Cross Life Ministry

               

       

Redeeming The Time

Ephesians 5:16

"Redeeming the time because

because the days are evil."

        These verses remind us, that the Christian soul; shall arise from the, dust and put on thy beautiful garments! Stand on the mountain peak of prayer, and Christ shall shine on thee brighter then the morning sun shines on the highest Alps! The child of God must arise from among those who are yet in their graves, dead in trespasses and sins. He can have no complicity or fellowship with such. Is there effort in this, and is there cost? Yes! Christ will more than compensate. He will satisfy.
        My Friends, the opportunities of life are in front of us; let us buy them up. They are most valuable, because they are the stepping stones on our journey to eternity. Remember, In the other life we shall reap the harvests which we have prepared for here. "Give every living minute something to keep in store." Fight distractions and make room for the Holy Spirit. Be filled with Him, and He will use heart and voice in the service of praise and thanksgiving. Remember to give thanks always for all things. Whether you like the case it came in or not. However; you may be sure that the contents are the very best that God could send you.

        Amen!

Reading: (Eph. 5:13-21)

               (Is. 60:1-20)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry

Christ Can Fulfill Your Desires

John 15:7

If Ye abide in me, and my words abide in 

you, ye shall ask what ye will, and

it shall be done unto you. 

        Deep within our hearts, we have desires that may have remained hidden through the years. We have almost forgotten them. We rarely allow them to speak to us because somehow, we are afraid.

Not once have we been disappointed while dreaming our dreams. Most of us buried those desires deeply, into that place where no one can see them, and where no one could judge us or mock us, telling us we’re not even worthy to imagine such things. So we remain with our hidden dreams; "But Wait!" 

        What if Someone comes along who believes in you?  Someone who is able to see through your masks, uncovering the true cry of your soul? Will you allow yourself to believe once again? Will you honor the dignity God has placed within you?

        Jesus comes knocking. He knows you through and through. Finally, here is Someone who will treasure your deepest yearnings, who cares so much about you He wants to fulfill your heart’s desires. Will you let Him? Will you trust again knowing that there is Someone who trusts in you? For the believer, Christ alone can provide the grace and provision of needs in life. Therefore we as Christians must remain faithful to our service to the Lord, and to the study of the Scriptures.  
        Amen! 

Reading: (John 15 1-17)
Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry