In 1982, the people of Rutland,

North Dakota, got together and cooked up a 3,591-pound hamburger as part

of their centennial festivities. The hamburger was 2.5 inches thick and

16 feet across. The meat donated by local farmers was cooked on a 201-square-foot

steel for two hours. At the time, it bested the former "Guiness Book

of World Records" holder by 332 pounds.

That's a big burger! How

in the world does a person eat a 3,591-pound hamburger? One bite at a

time, of course! Actually, it was cut into 6,500 patties that were enjoyed

a lot of beef, not to mention a lot of work. I wonder how many bottles

of catsup, mustard, and pickles it took to serve that many people.

How does a person digest the

great spiritual truths found in the Bible? One truth at a time, one verse

at a time, one book at a time, one promise at a time, and one precept

at a time is the better way to digest God's important message for

our lives. This intake is essential if there is to be significant progress

in the process of spiritual growth. A time of daily reading and reflection

is helpful to the growing Christian who is serious about gaining into

sight into God's Word and God's way.

There is a danger of which

we should be aware, however. Overeating spiritual food while overlooking

spiritual exercise may cause us to become like Pooh Bear in "Winnie

the Pooh and the Honey Tree." Pooh Bear goes to Rabbit's for

lunch, eats every jar of honey in Rabbit's pantry and finds himself

stuffed. He tries to leave, but becomes stuck in the doorway of the house.

He has to wait until he thins out before he can clear the doorway and

go back home.

That's the picture of

the Christian who does nothing but study, attend Bible conferences, travel

to seminars, listen to tape after tape and finds himself or herself full

of knowledge but short of application. This well-intentioned person can

become inflated and be more of a hindrance than a help. They are heavy

on content and inwardly-focused. They forget the spiritual exercise of

service.

The better approach is one

of balance between study and application, learning and doing, gathering

data and putting data into good use in everyday practice. There must be

balance between spiritual feeding and hands-on ministry. The responsible

Christian neglects neither the spiritual disciplines that bring personal

growth and the expressions of service that help others in the name of

Jesus.

As James wrote, "Be doers

of the word, and not hearers only." We must learn, but we must apply

what is learned each day of our lives.

I recently saw a church who

had as its New Year's slogan "Read the Bible More in 2004."

What is your plan for reading and learning God's Word this year?

I would encourage you to open God's Word each day and take time to

read and meditate on scripture. The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters.

That's a good place to start by reading a chapter a day each month.

The book of Mark is a "reader's digest" version of the

life and ministry of Jesus. That's a good place to start. Reading

through the Psalms is enriching.

I would encourage you to participate

in a small group Bible study in which people study and learn together.

That's where you connect with people who can support you, encourage

you and pray for you. Then I would support you to attend worship every

week and listen carefully as God's Word is proclaimed and applied

to your life.

(Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor

of McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The church family meets

at 352 McDonough Road and invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible

study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m.)

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