Someone has said, “The fellow who doesn’t have problem hasn’t been born yet,” and I guess that is true. Marriage problems, school problems work problems, money problems — just thinking about them can ruin your whole day.

There is one problem that has to be ranked as our #1 problem, and that is SIN. That little three-letter word has almost vanished from our vocabulary but it is real, nonetheless.

Sin is the breaking of God’s laws and every person has this problem whether he admits it or not. And it is directly linked to most of the problems we have in life. Alcoholism, venereal disease, broken homes, and such like are the results of sin.

The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and the “…wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Jesus paid the price for sin (2 Colossians 5:21). Through Jesus Christ we have the victory over sin and death.

A man struck a match to see if the gas tank of his car was empty. It was not!

A man patted a strange dog on the head to see if the critter was affectionate. He was not!

A man speeded up to see if he could beat the train to the crossing. He did not!

A man touched a wire to see if it had electricity going through it. It did!

A man quit going to church worship to see if God really was serious about punishing those who did not serve Him. He was!

Hebrews 5:9 reads, “And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation…”

Friend, let us make the salvation of our soul “sure” by doing ONLY and ALL the will of the Father.

A child says “Mother, I love you,” but refuses to clean up his room as asked, and will not obey in other matters.

A husband says to his wife, “I love you, honey,” but does not consider her feelings or help her with her burdens.

We say to God, “I love you more than anyone or anything,” but then allow worldly things to come before Him.

We say to Jesus, “I love you, Lord, for dying for me,” but fail to follow His way. We fail to obey Him.

Friends, it is not in the SAYING but the DOING that really counts. Pretty words of love and devotion are easily spoken. We convey true devotion and love by the DOING more often than the SAYING.

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”

I have a confession to make. The vastness of my ignorance is overwhelming.

I do not know how tiny aspirin tablets know to go to my throbbing head one time and my injured foot another time.

I do not understand how pressing down on the gas pedal makes the wheels go around.

I do not know how pushing buttons on a handset in Texas makes my mother’s telephone in Florida start ringing.

I do not understand how a brown cow eats green grass and produces white milk.

But, what amazes me more than anything is why so many people leave God out of their lives — and merely say they do not understand Him and His magnificent wonders. He has promised peace and serenity; victory and rest. God’s love has made it possible for you to go to heaven IF you will learn and obey his will.

A boy said to his girlfriend, “I would climb the highest mountain for you. I would swim the widest ocean for your love. I would brave the coldest snowstorm or the hottest desert to be with you. I would challenge a thousand dragons for your hand. And I’ll be over Saturday night if it is not raining.”

Maybe this reminds us of some who suggest to the Lord, “I will do…” or “I will give…” or “I will die for you…” but refuse to even live for Him.

Simon Peter said to the Lord he would not deny Him — but he did. His promise sounded great, but did not mean a thing!

Let us make a commitment to the Lord and then make it count. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2), and press toward the prize (Phil. 3:14).

Maybe you have heard someone say, “God said it. I believe it. And that settles it.” As good as that may sound; it does NOT properly reflect the truth.

The psalmist David declared, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven….” Every time we read the Bible we have access to the “mind of Christ” (I Corinthians 2:13,16). One writer said, “When we open our Bibles, we are as close to the very breath of God as we will ever get this side of eternity.”

If we refuse to do the will of the Father Jesus will say in Judgment, “Depart from me, I never knew you…”

The true attitude we should have toward the Holy Scriptures should be, “God said it. That settles it, therefore, I must trust it!”

Do you believe God’s Word? For you, does that settle the matter concerning religion, once and for all? Are you living by the Word of God?

The Bible can be summarized by three great truths about Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament books, Genesis through Malachi, we are told that Jesus is coming. In the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we are told that Jesus has come. From Romans to Revelation, we are assured that Jesus is coming again.

When Jesus comes again, it will be the end (1 Cor. 15:24), and He will judge the world (Acts 17:31). That is why so many dread His second coming, and view it with fear.

However, the writers of the Bible looked upon it with favor and even longed for the day. Why? In that day there will be a resurrection of all who have died. There will be a reception, by the raised and Jesus, in the clouds of those who are yet alive. There will be a revealing of Jesus that the whole world will see, and at His name, every knee will bow. And there will be a reward for the righteous.

One day a farmer, who was also a Christian, spent the day shopping in the city. At lunchtime, he entered a restaurant and sat down near some young men who happened to not care much for religion. When the farmer’s meal was served, he bowed his head and silently gave thanks for the food.

One of the young men thought he would have some fun with the farmer and said in a loud voice, “Hey, pop, does everyone do that where you come from?”

The old farmer looked at him with deep sincerity and said, “Nope, son, the pigs don’t.”

The Bible says, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:4,5).

Do you daily receive food and other blessings from God? Every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). We should express our thanks daily in prayer and by the way we live!

A mother was trying to get her young daughter to study her Bible class lesson. The mother took her Bible from the shelf, dusted it off, and told the daughter to read her Bible lesson before she could go out and play. “All right, Mother,” the little girl said, “but let’s study out of Grandmother’s Bible. It’s more interesting than yours.”

“Why, what makes you say that Sweetie?” replied the mother. “My Bible is exactly like Grandmother’s.” “Oh no, Mother,” the observant little lady insisted. “I’m sure Grandmother’s Bible must be more interesting than yours because she reads her’s so much more than you do!”

Friends, it is hard to teach what we do not practice. Our children will learn from what we do much more than what we “say.” What are you “saying” to your children by your actions?

Ephesians 6:4 says, “do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

There was a disagreement between two friends. One heard of what the other had accused him. He went to him and said, “Will you be kind enough to tell me my faults that I may learn and rid myself of them?” The other said, “I will do it.” The first one then said, “Before you begin, let us kneel and pray that my eyes may be opened to see my faults. Will you lead the prayer?”

When the prayer was over, the man said, “No, what have you noticed wrong in my conduct?” The other answered, “After praying over it, it looks so little that it is not worth talking about. I realize I should not have talked about it, and have need that you pray for me and forgive me the wrong I have done you.”

The disagreement was dissolved between the two that hour.

Harsh words are often generated out of pride and selfishness. Prayer is a great antidote for both.