There is an old story of a chicken and a pig that illustrates on of the truths of life. A chicken and a pig were going down an old dirt road, when they noticed a sign telling of a banquet to be given for a charitable organization. Both the chicken and the pig thought they should help, but could not think of a way. Suddenly, the chicken said, “I know! I’ll donate a dozen eggs, and you can donate the ham.” The pig said, “Hold it. A dozen eggs from you is just a contribution but a ham from me is a real sacrifice; why, it’s total commitment.”

Well, that is exactly what God wants from each of us. He does not want just a contribution with an hour or two of church attendance on Sunday. He wants total commitment; He wants your life.

Romans 12:1 says, “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.”

A small boy was asked to put together a map of the world that had been cut into numerous pieces. In just a few minutes, he completed the assignment. When asked how he completed the job so quickly, he said, “I saw the picture of a man on the back of the map. So, I put the man together, and when I got the man right, the world was right.”

That little boy taught a powerful lesson for us. If you and I want a better world, the place to start is with self. “A better world begins with me.”

The Bible reveals judgment is going to be on an individual basis. Each must give an account of himself to God (Rom. 14:12). You are not responsible for the whole world, but you alone are responsible for your part of the world.

When we stand before the judgment bar of God, we will be judged based on the words of Jesus Christ (John 12:48).

When I was growing up, there were times when I knew my mother and daddy were the meanest and nosiest people in the world. They were strict on me. I just knew they didn’t want me to have fun with my buddies because I had to tell them where I was going, who I would be with, and when I would be home.

But, a few years later, I learned of a young man who could go anywhere he wanted, anytime he wanted, and his parents never told him “NO” about anything he wanted.

And — he was miserable. He said, “I wish my dad would spank me or yell at me. At least, for once, I’d know he cared what happened to me.”

Then, I realized my parents were not being mean. Their rules showed they loved me and cared what happened to me.

The Bible says, “…obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Eph. 6:1). Do the right thing. Obey your parents everyday.

When people disagree about how much something weighs, they can settle the disagreement by using scales — a standard of authority acceptable to both.

When people disagree about how long something is, they can resolve the matter by using a ruler or yardstick — a standard of authority acceptable to both.

When people disagree on the field of athletics, they resolve the matter by consulting the rulebook — a standard of authority acceptable to both.

When people disagree about any religious subject, they should go to a standard of authority acceptable to both — namely, the Bible. The apostle Paul said, “All scripture is inspired by God…so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). So, the Bible is the complete and final source of religious authority.

The only way we will ever eliminate religious differences is to stop trying to decide WHO is right and, instead, find out WHAT is right according to the Bible.

A young man who had just completed his work toward a degree in college was invited to attend an important meeting of his colleagues. At the meeting they began to serve beer. He calmly asked for a glass of milk. The waiter was surprised but the young man showed no signs of embarrassment. One of his colleagues spoke up so everyone would hear and said, “Hey, everybody, look at the sissy; he’s afraid to drink.”

Naturally, attention was centered on the young man. Without batting an eye he turned to his friend and said, “Who’s a sissy? I don’t drink and I’m not ashamed to say so. I see others here who have been taught not to drink and they are afraid to say NO. Now, who’s the sissy?”

The Bible says that Christians are to be self-controlled (2 Peter 1:5-7). That means that we are to be strong enough to do what is right.

Ps 119:80 reads, “May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed.”

When you are dead, what will your children remember about you? Will they think of one who was always running off to work; to play golf; to a friend’s house; to go shopping? Or, will they remember someone who took time to show their love?

Life is passing so quickly. What are you spending your life on that outweighs a loving relationship with your children? When they look back at your life, will they remember that you met the deadline, got the contract, and paid the bills, or will they remember that you took time to laugh and play with them and listen to their needs?

The Bible says, “…do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

The greatest gift that any parent can give their son or daughter is their time.

Have you listened to people give reasons why they can’t read their Bible? The one reason that is given more than any other is: “I don’t have time.”

But, what if the doctor told you to stay in bed five hours each day or you will die in 3 months — do you suppose you would find time to do so? Of course you would!

Well, what if I tell you that God wants you to learn His Will and that to fail to do so leads to spiritual death. Why can we not exercise the same good judgment in spiritual matters that we do in physical matters? God said, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psa. 46:10). Jesus set a good example for us in Mark, chapter one. After a busy day, with people pressing all around Him, the Bible says He got up the next morning before day and went out alone to a deserted place to pray.

Take time — make time — everyday to pray and read your Bible.

How long has it been since you…

 Took the time to go see someone who lives alone?
 Wrote a letter to someone who means a lot to you?
 Visited someone who recently lost a loved one?
 Read the Bible to someone too ill to read for themselves?
 Encouraged someone who was having a hard time?
 Tried to have a Bible Study with someone you know is overcome with sin?
 Told a teen that you were proud of their efforts?
 Told your parents of your love and appreciation for them?

How long has it been? Maybe it is time to do what we know we should be doing. Will we begin today?

A farmer came into town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he could use a million frog legs? Rather shocked he asked the farmer where he could get so many? The farmer said, “Well there’s a pond near my house, and it’s full of frogs. Why they croak night and day! They’re about to drive me crazy.

An agreement was made for the farmer to bring several hundred frog legs into the restaurant the next week. A week later the farmer returned with two scrawny little wet frogs and he said, “I was mistaken.” There were only two frogs in the whole pond, but they sure were making a lot of noise.

Friends the next time you hear someone criticizing others, and they tell you “a lot of people are saying”, remember this story. It’s probably no more than a couple of chronic grouches who have nothing more to do than to just croak.

When a person claims he can’t find the time to read his Bible a while each day but never misses the newspaper. Who is he kidding?

When a person says the church pews are too hard to sit on but sits on a bleacher for hours and watches football players push each other around in the mud. Who is he kidding?

When a person says he doesn’t have the time for Christ and the church but spends evenings shopping, bowling or watching television, who is he kidding?

When a person says he can’t afford to give to the Lord but lives in a comfortable home, drives a nice car and eats well, who is he kidding?

Friends, we may be kidding ourselves with the excuses we offer, but we certainly are not deceiving God!