Good Morning,
As we begin a new year, we would be wise to create a plan of action on how to better a specific area in our lives.
In the world, economic trends shape countless lives. For example, from November to January, we are surrounded by food. Every store, magazine, commercial, etc. promotes holiday food; when walking into Costco, we see specialty foods at the end of every aisle. My guess is that when you walk in now, you will find diet and exercise items.
These trends in marketing move us. Last week, marketing said, “Eat, drink, and be merry.” This week, marketing says, “You are overweight and eat like you are a garbage can.”
Philippians 1:20 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death."
We should not only exalt Christ with feelings or emotions, but we also ought to exalt Christ in every word, in every deed, and in every plan for our families.
One way to lift up Christ is to exalt His Word. Notice what David writes about how God treats the Bible. Psalm 138:2 “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
“...for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
God lifts up the Bible higher than His Own Name. God wants His Word lifted up. When I was in college, I did baby and family photography to pay my college bill. In one home, the father insisted that the Koran be in every picture, and always right in front. Although he was misled, he sought to magnify the Koran. I wonder how many of us have ever had the Bible in a family picture. I would rather live it than display it, but there is a point in showing what we love.
When someone walks into our homes, can they see a Bible or written Scripture anywhere? When we travel, can a Bible be found in our bags? I am not a t-shirt wearing guy (unless we are camping or somewhere very casual), but I like Bible slogans on shirts; I have a couple of them. If we advertise anything on our car with bumper stickers, is the Bible a part of it?
God magnifies His Word above His Name. How do we treat the Book? (That is what Bible means, THE BOOK.)
Let us begin our year by seeking to exalt THE BOOK. Read it every day; memorize it and carry it. Put down the phone or tablet in church and carry a Bible. Make sure your children treat the Bible with extra care, more so than any other book. Read the Bible to your children, not just a Bible storybook. Ladies, I know you like to decorate your home just right, but is there a Bible in sight anywhere in your home? Remember the days when there was a family Bible on the living room table? Maybe not, most of you are too young, but for many years, it was a common place for God’s Word in the homes of early Americans.
Talk about the Bible as much as you talk about your favorite sports team. More importantly, seek to live It’s truths daily. May our speech and actions reflect the Word of God in every way. May our actions never betray the instructions in our Bible.
Did you ever see a hat that says, “Proud to be a Marine” or something like that? Hmm, how about a hat that reflects the wonder of the Bible? We have some guys in church who compete and banter about the Army versus the Marines. People like their basketball or football teams or their branch of the military. I am in favor of fun, but let us talk about the Bible and lift It up in casual conversation, for there is no book like The Book.
Psalm 56:4 “In God I will praise his word..”.
Psalm 56:10 “In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.”
Isaiah 42:21 “The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.”
If we hope to magnify Christ this year, it will begin with magnifying His Word. This will not happen unless we plan. Carry It; read It; love It; care for It; talk of It and teach it.
Pastor