Life-Storms are not Something I am Immune To

People expect and anticipate that as a pastor I have a pretty “blessed” life and that few problems befall me.  While I would concur that I feel greatly blessed, the difficult truth is that I face loss and pain just like everyone else.  Unlike many other pastors, ministers, clergy, whatever title or category you want to use to label us, I feel that by sharing my struggles, pains, and losses I can accomplish a few things.

First, I want people to know that I am no some “super-spiritual” person who lives untouched by tragedy and pain.  I don’t live in a temple on a mountain but among the very people I’m seeking to share the grace and love of God with.  I work among you, and I struggle along side of you.

Second, I want to admit that I don’t do every thing “right.”  I make mistakes.  I do things that are wrong.  I make choices that are clearly not good choices, and I pay the consequences for choices, actions, and mistakes like anyone else.

Third, I hope that people can see that through my sorrows and suffering I can demonstrate how the presence and power of God can help us make it through—note I said through, not around – difficult circumstances in life.  It’s not about avoiding hardship, but about acquiring the ability to get through it.

So, with these goals in mind, over the next couple of postings I’m going to share with you some of the ways that I, Pastor Dave, have blown it in my life.  Some will stretch back over the years, and some will be recent.  My prayer is that God will reveal himself, even in some of the struggles that I’m still facing, and you will be encouraged to know that you are not alone in the struggles you face.  Our circumstances may not be exactly the same, but the experiences will probably be a little more similar than you expect.

With you on the Journey,

Dave “Big D” Bentley

A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

Matthew 2:1-11

¹ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem,
² saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
³ When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
⁴ So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.
⁵ “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:
⁶ And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.”
⁷ Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared.
⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.”
⁹ After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was.
¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure.
¹¹ Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Introduction:

Ole’ Ebeneezer Scrooge didn’t know what he was in for as he headed home from the counting house that fateful Christmas eve…His whole life was about to change in a dramatic way.  In much the same way as the coming of those specters changed Scrooge’s life, the coming of the Christ Child should transform our lives and leave us eternally different.

The entrance of the Christ child stirs us to our deepest point. Our response is our decision. No miracles yet performed…no parables have been told…just the sounds of infancy in the manger…yet He has already impacted the world…already His birth is stirring things.

For us—Even 2,000 Years Later—When Jesus is first born in our heart:

• Things are stirred—Our nature is shaken
• Changes begin to occur
• A revolution begins within us and things will never be the same
• O, how great a blaze began with that tiny infant light!

TWO THINGS HAPPENED “WHEN JESUS WAS BORN”

THE FAR-OFF CAME NEAR – The Wise Men

• They were Unlikely Men

Who would have expected these men to care about this tiny foreigners?  Astronomers, dignitaries, wealthy men, whoever they were is shrouded in mystery clouded by time.  In the nativity scene, accurately depicted or not, they are a strange addition next to the shepherds.  For me, as I consider these travelers, they demonstrated the reach of God in the world then and now.  No one is excluded or out of His reach.  He came for the Jews and the Gentiles. 

• From and Unlikely Place

Persia?  We could understand if a delegation of Jewish leaders made their way to Bethlehem from Jerusalem.  It would make sense if Rome sent ambassadors to welcome the newborn king.  We can even wrap our mind around the possibility that neighboring Egypt or Syria might want to welcome this baby.  Persia, once among the worlds super powers, was now a place of waning influence and power.  But there was something significant in their history, perhaps dating way back to a prophet named Daniel that had kept them looking forward to this gift from heaven.

It’s stunning to consider that these Persians were from the land that today is known as Iran.  In that day these noble men sought the Salvation of the Jews (and all the earth).  Today the leader of Iran has proclaimed his intent to destroy the Jews and all who are allied with them.  Sad the distance they have fallen from these early centuries.

• They were Uniquely Guided

The original GPS was this star in the heavens.  God had chosen to announce the birth of His Son by placing a new star in the sky.  Not many of us would look to our family and say, “There’s a new star up there, and I’ve decided that I’m going to take a trip and follow it wherever it leads.”  People would think we were crazy.  Perhaps there were those nay sayers in this day too that tried to talk the travelers out of going.  Regardless, they were determined and could not be deterred.

• They were Urgently Seeking
• Un-Prejudicially – The came to the nation of the Jews
• Un-Hesitantly – They didn’t waste time on niceties or etiquette
• Un-Reservedly – They made the decision and nothing stopped thme

For You: Today, if you find that you are far off from the Savior, He invites you to hasten to Him and come near to Him and find forgiveness of your sins and salvation for your soul.

THE NEAR BECAME FAR-OFF – The King

The Newborn TROUBLED Many Then

It’s interesting and saddening that the people who I think should have been most interested in the birth of the Messiah the Bible describes as “troubled” by the news of His birth.  Even more so that the news that troubled the king troubled the nation.  There’s much that could be said about Herod and his penchant for psychotic behavior, but I’m more interested in the parallel that this illustrates in our culture and climate today. 

The Newborn Troubles Many Now

Protests, calls for boycotts, lawsuits, petitions, and political correctness have become part of the modern Christmas pageant.  Oooops, I’m sorry, I meant “Holiday Pageant.”  (insert chuckle here)  I think some people on both sides tend to lean toward the extreme and even ridiculous in this “War Over Christmas.”  However, personal bias aside, I think that all this hoopla is evidence that people are troubled still today by news of His birth. 

The Newborn Interferes with Life as Usual

Here’s the thing that bugs me the most I think in this narrative.  The travelers came and the King and religious leaders gave them the information they sought.  The Messiah…the Christ…the King of Kings…would be born (and by default had been born) in Bethlehem.  So, they knew it had happened.  What did they do once they knew?  Nothing.  They sent these foreigners on to welcome their long awaited Savior, and they stayed at home.  Whether they were too lazy, too disconnected, or too apathetic isn’t clear; fact is they chose to stay home when they should have headed for…now, they should have run straight to Bethlehem.

Today, how many might think: I can’t become a Christian because I am enjoying my life too much.  Coming to the manger, to Jesus, might interfere with my plans and life as I like it.  How many are “hugging the serpent-sin to themselves” and stubbornly refusing to let it go and come near to the Savior?

How sad, that the Gospel can be Good News to some and Great Trouble to others

Closing Challenge:

So few sought Him that day! The Son of God… the Promised Messiah…the Savior… and no one would leave what they were doing and seek him!!

Let’s seek Him today.

Let’s not stop searching until He is found.

 

Notes from Sermon on December 11, 2011

Joke: Mary and Joseph had to leave the stable because the ACLU ordered the Town of Bethlehem to tell them they couldn’t display a Nativity scene publicly.

What Does Christmas Mean to You?

The season of Christmas has come to mean stress, cost, commercialism, and seasonal sorrow mingled with holiday cheer. The further from the manger we move the more we find the significance and meaning of Christmas buried by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We in the Christian family are not immune. My prayer for myself and for you is that together this Christmas season we will—like the shepherds and wise men of antiquity—make it to the manger, and find there what they found. Peace…Presence…and Purpose… Please join us on the journey.

My Post December 1^st on Enhance the Romance (FB Group): Did you make it out early on “Black Friday?” Have you been taking advantage of the cyber-specials all week? Are closets and “secret places” filling up with bags and boxes? Have you made your list and checked it twice? This is at once a terrific and a terrible time of year. It is no wonder that increased stress leading up to Christmas and all the holiday festivities claims countless families each year as people move from celebrating with each other to snarling at each other. I urge you to work diligently at maintaining unity and love in your family and with your special someone this year. My encouragement is this–and I’ll be sharing more about this in other avenues coming up-together may all of you “MAKE IT TO THE MANGER” this Christmas, because that’s an incredible place of peace and purpose.

Why It Matters to Me

I have had the opportunity to do some really amazing things of late – once in a lifetime things.

· Steven Curtis Chapman story-time Concert

· Meet Dr. David Jeremiah – a preacher hero of mine

· Meet and get picture with President George W. Bush

· Go to a Monday Night Football game with the Patriots

-These were all REALLY COOL things that mean a lot to me

-None of them CHANGED MY LIFE

-Making my way to the Manger—meeting Jesus—that is LIFE CHANGING!

There are two stories of two groups who demonstrate for us the powerful change that can happen when we “Make it to the Manger.”

Luke 2:1-20 – The Shepherds

Matthew 2:1-12 – The Wise Men

MAKE IT TO THE MANGER TO FIND PEACE – The Shepherds

“Peace on earth…”
Israel had a History of Conflict and Conquerors for Centuries

o Babylonians

o Persians

o Greeks

o Romans

· I Wonder if we Have Conflict and Conquerors in our Lives Today

o Busy-ness – The Crush of the Rush

o Problems – Dysfunction and Destruction at home and in life

· Can Making it to the Manger Bring us Peace Today?

MAKE IT TO THE MANGER TO FIND PRESENCE – The Wise Men

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (10)

· Their World had no shortage of Rulers

o Caesar Augustus – Emperor of Rome

o Quirinius – Governor of Syria

o Herod I – King of Israel

· The Wise Men Traveled a Long Way to Make it to the Manger

§ Ok – I know they probably didn’t actually get to the manger…

§ They did finally stop to ask for directions though.

o They found what they had long searched for – The King

§ Consider – These men came from Persia, what would today be known as modern Iran – oh how far that nation has fallen from where they once were.

· Entering into His Presence Brought a Response

o They Bowed

o They Worshipped

o They Gave

· What Impact does Making it to the Manger have in Your Life?

o Reverence?

o Worship?

o Generosity?

MAKE IT TO THE MANGER TO FIND PURPOSE – Shepherds, Wise Men, Us

· Having Made it to the Manger these two Groups Leave with Purpose

o Imagine encountering any of the shepherds on their way through town.

o Imagine bumping into the Magi caravan headed back to Persia

o What do you think was on the forefront of their conversation

· If We have Made it to the Manger—Life Changing

o Has it made a difference in how we

§ Talk? Walk?

· If You haven’t Made it to the Manger – Will you come to Christ Today?

o Find Peace

§ He Can Make a Difference

o Find Presence

§ He is Available to You

o Find Purpose

§ He has a plan—let Him Lead

Did you make it out early on “Black Friday?” Have you been taking advantage of the cyber-specials all week? Are closets and “secret places” filling up with bags and boxes? Have you made your list and checked it twice? This is at once a terrific and a terrible time of year. It is no wonder that increased stress leading up to Christmas and all the holiday festivities claims countless families each year as people move from celebrating with each other to snarling at each other. I urge you to work diligently at maintaining unity and love in your family and with your special someone this year. My encouragement is this–and I’ll be sharing more about this in other avenues coming up-together may all of you “MAKE IT TO THE MANGER” this Christmas, because that’s an incredible place of peace and purpose in God’s presence.

More to come!

What does your faith mean to you?  Do you have faith?  Where is your faith?

These are critical questions that make the difference between real victory and pretend hope.  There are several stories of people encountering Jesus in the Gospels that illustrate significant change in their lives.  One such story is that of the “wee little man,” Zacchaeus.

Luke 19:1-10 (HCSB)
¹ He entered Jericho and was passing through. ² There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³ He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. ⁴ So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way.
⁵ When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because today I must stay at your house.” ⁶ So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully.
⁷ All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man!”
⁸ But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!”
⁹ “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

What a faith story.  In just these short verses we see how encountering Christ changes a life.  Zacchaeus faith is profound and personal.  Salvation coming into a persons life should lead to change and should remind us of why Jesus came: “to seek and to save the lost.”

It occurs to me in reading about this encounter that the faith that I have experienced and hold is different then Zacchaeus’ faith.  While our faith is found in the same place—THE LIVING SON OF GOD—it manifests itself different in my life compared to his.  This is why we talk about a “PERSONAL” relationship with God through Christ.  It isn’t going to be identical to anyone else.  My faith became real for me at a moment of total surrender when I met the love of God head on in the cross of Christ.  I was assured that God loved me and showed that love for me in that while I was still lost in sin Christ died for me.

Your story will differ from mine, as will anyone you encounter have a different story.  The differences of our personal faith in Christ are the source of our victory.  We have a common “object of faith” – Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.  It is the details—the story—that is the personal aspect for us.  How did you meet Jesus?  What does it mean for you personally?  This is the “personal relationship” that is discovered in our “personal faith.”

So meet Jesus and come to faith in Him.  Recognize that your faith and your relationship with Christ are personal – they belong to you…it’s your story.  Share your story with others so that they might come to their own relationship and faith in Christ.  That’s the wonder of faith and salvation…and this is the victory!

It’s About More than the Bird

I love this time of year, and I especially love the Thanksgiving time.  It has nothing to do with the fact that my birthday is just two days after Thanksgiving.  (you’ll find my address for your cards and gifts is below.) 

I love Thanksgiving because it give us an opportunity as a population to give thanks to the creator and sustainer of all things.  It offers us a chance to worship, and to praise together. 

I think, however, that we sometimes miss what matters because there is so much attention paid to the details and the festivity that we neglect the mandate of giving thanks.  Let me borrow something from comedian Jeff Foxworthy and alter it slightly to make my point:

If you find yourself spending a couple of hours at the table scanning the advertising fliers and plotting your attack plan for the sales on Friday morning and throwing out a quick prayer at the dinner table on Thursday night, you might have missed what really matters. 

If you spend more time getting on your favorite team’s jersey and preparing snacks and beverages for the big game then you do giving thanks to the God of heaven, you might be missing what matters.

If you spend hours traveling to gather together with family, some of whom you only see once or twice a year, and you spend several hours gathered in a home together for the celebration, but you don’t stop to offer thanks to the Lord for His many blessings in your life and share that with your family, you might be missing what really matters.

If you spend hundreds of dollars at the grocery store, and hours if not days preparing a meal for your family and friends, but you skip church on Sunday because you are too tired or too busy, you might have missed what matters.

Fact is, Thanksgiving is not exclusively a Christian observance, but it certainly should be observed by believers in all that it is intended to be, because if anyone has reason to be thankful on November 24th (and always) it is the follower of Christ.  So, don’t miss what matters.  All the rest of the things are ok, but in your preparations remember the most important thing is not the food, festivities, or even the family.  The most important thing is the Thanksgiving for God’s provision and blessing in your life.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving!

Psalm 100:1-5
¹ Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth.
² Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
³ Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture.
⁴ Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
⁵ For the Lord is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

VIDEO DEVO

YOU AREN’T THE ONLY ONE!

Have you ever found yourself in a place and time in your life where you sat with your head in your hands wishing you could disappear?  Your mind replayed recent actions and you knew that you had really “Blown It.”  You are not the only one.  Man, have I “Blown It” in my life a few times.  I will spare you the details, although I’m sure some might have some entertainment value.  Let me just say that I have blown it…

• As a husband
• As a parent
• As a pastor
• As a worker
• As a Christian
• As a man

…and all of those and more have multiple times of “blowing it” in one way or another.  I have sat with my head in my hands, weighed down by the shame and failure, a multitude of times.  As I am sure you know as well, it’s not a pleasant place to be.  Sometimes it can feel like a very lonely place.  Well, let me assure you that you are not alone in the “blew it again” department. 

In fact, not only are you not alone, but you have a huge number of fellow “blown it” brothers in the fraternity.  Think about this list of ancient men who blew it, and some repeatedly:

• Adam – he has the dubious distinction of being the first man to “blow it.”
• The Whole Population of the World in the days of Noah
• The Whole Population of Babel – pride is often the first step to “blowing it” for me too.
• Abraham – even he made mistakes that were pretty significant
• Moses – this “Deliverer” disobeyed God and wasn’t able to enter the promised land
• David – major bad choices, yet still referred to as a “man after God’s own heart.”
• Solomon – the apple didn’t fall far from the Davidic tree
• The disciple Peter – one of my heroes, yet he was known well for “blowing it.”

Overcome

So, chances are you have blown it.  I can readily admit that I’ve blown it.  People all around us have, are, and will be blowing it in life.  So, what do we do once we have blown it?  That’s what really makes the difference.

Step One is Pretty Simple – Admit You Blew It

One of the things that frustrates my wife is when I blow it, but I refuse to admit I blew it.  This is especially evident when it comes to things like traveling and directions.  If I miss a turn I will often drive further than I need to hoping to get out from under a blunder before surrendering and turning around.  Pride and stubbornness can become a real problem when it comes to admitting you blew it, but there can’t be any restoration until this first step is taken. 

Be Willing to Make a Change – Get Back on Track

First you have to admit that you blew it.  Then, especially if you are in the process still of blowing it then stop and change what you are doing.  How silly it would be if a painter put his brush to a wall and realized that he didn’t have the color the customer requested, but decided to go ahead and use it anyway on the whole house.  We have to make changes, and sometimes those are difficult changes.  Making a U-Turn when I missed my turn is only difficult because it’s a blow to my pride.  Making changes in our relationships or lifestyles can be far more difficult.  Changing how we are doing things may mean changing in significant ways.  Be willing to make those changes.

Be Understanding when Others Blow It – Be Helpful not Hurtful

All around us are people just like us.  Flesh, muscle, intellect, and failures just like us.  We make a serious mistake when we try to hold people to some unreachable standard and judge them when they blow it.  We have to be willing to put our arms around those who have blown it and accept and receive them and help them when they need it.  I have blown it in a lot of ways, and one of the things that has been a real help for me has been the people who have been able to look past my failure to my heart and hurts. 

Years ago I blew it in a big way.  I had embarrassed myself by “jumping the gun” with something.  I had written an article and submitted it to the local paper about a position I had received.  It was published in thousands of papers.  Problem was that I was premature and didn’t actually have the position.  I felt like a clod, and the feeling of failure was incredibly strong.  The leader of the organization, who I had put in a really awkward position, could have very easily and understandably cast me aside and had nothing more to do with me.  However, and why this experience is so vividly still etched in my mind and life-experience, he instead accepted me and loved me.  To this day I remember the conversation and the amazement I felt at his forgiveness.  To this day this leader is one of my best friends, a real mentor and teacher from afar.  He had demonstrated this concept for me in life.

Making a Career out of Blowing It – It’s Living Life

I wish that I could say that I have some miracle key to NEVER BLOWING IT AGAIN.  Unfortunately, as long as we are alive we will find new and not so new ways to blow it.  It’s part of daily living, so this process needs to become part of daily life for us as well.\

• When you Blow It — Admit It
• When you are Off Course – Change Direction
• When Others Blow It – Be Accepting and Understanding

People all around us are thirsty.  I don’t mean just dry mouthed or parched, I mean a consuming thirst that is so intense that they are driven to find something to satisfy it.  They are searching and trying everything they can, but most are discovering that what they thought my bring satisfaction has merely brought more thirst. 

People have turned to alcohol thinking that by drinking enough they would be able to quench that inner thirst.  It leaves them numb for a moment, but in the end it shatters their lives and they live with that thirst still present beneath the mental fog of a hangover.

People have turned to drugs to try to take the edge of that longing.  They try a variety of substances and discover that now not only are they thirsty still in their souls, but the talons of addiction have also embedded themselves in their lives and they are shackled by the constant need for more of something that cannot satisfy their need.

People have turned to relationships and sex to try to cover up the lonely longing they experience.  Young girls give away the precious treasure of their purity because some young handsome guy has promised to be all she needs, but in the end—even the most sincere of young men—those promises fall short and leave behind broken hearts and still thirsty souls. 

People have turned to religion to try to satisfy the spiritual and supernatural yearning thinking that the thirst can be subdued through ritual.  The pews of the average church are filled still today with the soul-thirsty and spiritually dead who have memorized all the rules and regulations but find that the longing within them goes untouched.  Still more have left the doors of the religious establishments of every creed because what they found there only increased their craving.

To the soul-thirsty of our community and world the words of Jesus’ invitation bring a promise that no man can fulfill.  on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “IF ANY MAN IS THIRSTY, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸ “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'” (John 7.37-38)

This is not some canned promise that says that everything in life will be alright once you do this.  This isn’t a simple formula for success or fulfillment or a promise that your best day is now.  It is the assurance that even in difficult and trying times there will be a sufficient strength found in the fountain of Christ’s indwelling presence through the Living Water of the Holy Spirit which will flow in the life and soul of every believer. 

Ask any recovering addict and they will tell you that the road out of addiction is hard, and being a Christian doesn’t automatically make it easier.  Ask any of the myriad of single moms and they will tell you that the mistake of giving away their virginity in their youth doesn’t just vanish when they started following Christ.  Inquire of some of the religious faithful who left the trappings of a religious life to find the living relationship with Christ and they will inform you that their lives didn’t suddenly become a “bowl of cherries.”  

But for all of these people—and for me as well—there is the undeniable truth that something is significantly different.  The soul-thirst is satisfied as I drink from the well of living water.  Like with my morning coffee, it won’t just enter into me because I tell it to.  We have to go to the well.  Will you come?   Will you make your way to the well of Christ, bring your cup and drink, and receive the living water into your life so that you too will never thirst again.

If you have been to the well then it is time to bring someone else, cup in hand, to discover that Living Water themselves.  In a blink they can go from darkness into light.  Share the living water with someone around you today.

Look for the Well!

Recently I had a brief discussion with a young lady about religion.  Her experiences had exclusively been in one particular type of church, and unfortunately had left her with a sense of bitterness and disconnection concerning religion and the things of God.  It was obvious she had some significant questions, but time did not allow us to delve very deeply into them.  I’m praying for another opportunity soon to share my heart with her. 

I think we need to make sure that our religion matters.  That’s what I gathered from her frustration over her experience.  It had been important to a lot of people in her family, but she didn’t see that it mattered to her personally.  Our religious experience should be significant and should leave us changed.  If we are connected with the God of the universe then how can that not matter.

For it to matter it should touch every aspect of our lives.  People around us should see that it makes a difference to us.  When I have opportunity to connect with her again I’m going to encourage her to look for people who she can tell their connection with God has made a real difference.  In the mean time I’m going to pray that she will be able to see the difference my relationship with Christ has made in my life. 

Would she see that if she were observing your life?

Here’s Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “The Change.”  Enjoy, and let it challenge you.

Where’s the Beef?

A while back I got a magazine from the college I attended with a note about the president’s address earlier this fall that was done in a series of three chapel talks based on the old Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” commercials. If you remember those ad, Clara Peller would repeatedly ask “where’s the beef” when she lifted the fluffy bun top off the burgers of various fast food companies. The problem was that they might look real good with those nice fluffy buns, but the real substance was lacking.

In the series of messages there was a challenge to be more than just “fluffy bun believers” but to really be “beefy believers.” In other words, bring substance into our lives.

Here are the three areas of substance that we need to focus in on.

1. Beef-Up in the area of Love

The people around us expect that we are going to be different. We are commanded time and time again in scripture to be people of love, even to the extent that we would express love to our enemies. However, sometimes it is hard to see whether or not we even love our own family let alone those who are against us. We need to “beef-up” our love for…

· One Another

· The Lost

· The Hurting

· Our Enemies

As one of those old “camp-fire” songs I used to sing so often says, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

2. Beef-Up in the Area of Service

The meat of our lives is expressed in our service. How we respond to the needs around us will show the substance of who we are. Jesus did what needed to be done, even when it was hard, unpopular, and unappreciated. We need to stop whining…stop making excuses…and get engaged in serving. There are so many needs, we don’t have time to sit back and complain. Let the world see the servant in you…Jesus as He touches lives through you.

3. Beef-Up in the Area of Worship

Worship unashamed. This is more than just showing up to church on Sunday. It’s letting worship, praise, and appreciation flow in your life. It’s learning to give thanks—even in difficult circumstances. See, “fluffy-bun-believers” are all there for the music, preaching, and good feeling Sunday service…but real “beefed-up believers” learn to live a life where worship is real substance. They can say, with Job who had lost so much, “I know that my Redeemer lives!” They can shout “Praise the Lord!” as the hordes converge on them. They can whisper a prayer of thanks for the broken road they are on. They can sing “Blessed be your name” on roads marked with suffering and in the dessert place.

So there are three key ares – Love, Service, Worship—where we as believers could use some real substance…the beef of our lives. Look beneath the fluffy buns of our life…do you see beef, or are you wondering with those around you, where’s the beef.

What do you do if you find that you are more Fluff than Beef?

First, confess that, because it is not God’s will for you. Agree with God that you are not where you know He wants you to be in these areas. Step one in any road to recovery is to admit there is a problem.

Second, commit to turning from where you are to where He wants you to be. This is accomplished by seeking Him in Bible reading/study, prayer, worship, and service. Yes, as you do the things He’s asking you to do you will be continually getting closer to Him.

Third, recognize where you are so that when you begin to slip from time to time—and you will—you will be more aware of it and able to respond by getting back on track.

People around us are wondering, “Where’s the Beef?” They are looking—and longing—for the substance of what and who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. They are expecting us to be different and to offer them a better way then what the rest of the world offers. We can, but it means we need to “Beef-Up” as believers. So, let’s bulk up on what matters and let the substance be visible beyond the fluff.

(Dr. Thomas Kinchen is president of The Baptist College of Florida)