Rick Bezet - Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting

2014 by Rick Bezet

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-4577-9

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations labeled GW are from G OD S W ORD . 1995 Gods Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations labeled Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV 1984 are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled Phillips are from The New Testament in Modern English, revised editionJ. B. Phillips, translator. J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.

Rick Bezet is represented by Thomas J. Winters of Winters, King & Associates, Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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One of the many things I have always loved about Rick Bezet is the fact that he dreams big dreams . In fact, sometimes he dreams impossible dreams, but he remains undaunted by that and stays the course. One of those big dreams is to reach every person in the state of Arkansas with the Good News that God loves them and is for them. Another of his big dreams is to remind you that you were also made for a purpose, and the God who made you wants to dream big dreams with you! I highly recommend Be Real to you and to anyone feeling lonely or overwhelmed, caught in a trap, or sidelined by lifes unfortunate events.

John Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author; founder of EQUIP

There are few things in life more freeing than living a life of authenticity and sincerityand I cant think of anyone better than Rick Bezet to show you how. With candor, clarity, biblical truth, and a bit of Cajun humor, this book will put life back into your soul and take you on a journey to a closer walk with God.

Chris Hodges, pastor of Church of the Highlands; author of Fresh Air

Our generation is blessed to have a great man of God like Rick Bezet. His humility and vulnerability make him an easy leader to look up to. And through his experiences we can learn how to Be Real and discover the grace of God that can only come through an honest and transparent life.

Steven Furtick, lead pastor of Elevation Church; New York Times bestselling author

As humans, we can waste a lot of time and energy pursuing our own plans in life, only to wind up frustrated and disappointed. With humor and transparency, Pastor Rick challenges you to throw off every hindrance and embrace change so you may step into all that God has purposed for you.

Christine Caine, founder of The A21 Campaign; bestselling author of Undaunted

Why do people wear masks? Why is authenticity such a challenge for Christians? These are important concepts that my friend Rick Bezet addresses in Be Real . Im convinced that if pulpits and pews were filled with honest people, the church would be healthier. We must learn to be realwith God, ourselves, and others. Only then will we walk in true freedom.

James Robison, founder and president of LIFE Outreach International

Pastor Rick Bezet delivers a bold and thought-provoking message to be real and to overcome the fears and social pressures that prevent us from achieving greatness. In his new book Be Real: Because Fake Is Exhausting , Pastor Rick encourages the reader to stand proud and unashamed of their imperfections so that they can walk into the destiny for which God has called them. There is so much pressure on the body of Christ to appear perfect and without fault, but the only true strength comes from acknowledging ones weaknesses and calling upon the Lord for guidance and grace. We as believers should welcome an open and honest dialogue of the daily challenges that try to bring us down, so that we may lift each other up and grow as a whole. I recommend this book to believers new and old who are looking to shed their masks and live a life of unshakable confidence and unending potential.

Matthew Barnett, cofounder of the Los Angeles Dream Center

People like Rick Bezet who find a need and fill it and who find a hurt and heal it are always going to be special to me. While working tirelessly to turn his world around for the kingdom of God, Rick has remained humble, not taking himself too seriously, yet taking Gods vision for him to reach the unchurched, the forgotten, and the hurting very seriously. I recommend Be Real to anybody who is unsatisfied with where life is going and is ready for a change. I recommend Be Real if you are tired of living your life without purpose or direction or if you feel stuck in a dead-end job or trapped in superficial relationships. And I recommend Be Real if youve fallen into the danger zone of focusing on your own needs or on finding someone to love you, when the best thing you could do for yourself is to notice other people, love others, and take the attention off yourself for a while. Be Real hits hard, and it hits home. But true to form for Rick Bezet, he shows a way out, and its do-ablebut you have to be willing to take the first step.

Tommy Barnett, senior pastor of Phoenix First Assembly; founder of the Los Angeles Dream Center

How much time do you spend trying to manage how others perceive you? Most of us like to think that were able to keep up appearances, but the truth is that we probably arent fooling anybody. Even if we do fool some people, we cant keep it up forever. Have you ever wished that you could just be you? My friend Rick has written this book as a powerful reminder that knowing God means having the freedom to be real. Check out Be Real , and stop faking it for good.

Greg Surratt, senior pastor of Seacoast Church; author of Ir-Rev-Rend

Be Real is an honest, challenging, and inspiring look at what it means to live an authentic life. In a world that measures value and success largely by performance and appearance, Rick shares a refreshing reminder of Gods unconditional love and grace in a lighthearted and life-giving way. Be Real dares readers to stop hiding behind the facades and fears that hold them back and to start walking in the freedom God intends for us.

John Siebeling, lead pastor of The Life Church of Memphis; author of Momentum

Rick has an easy-to-read style that is humor-infused yet straight to the point! Like watching a compelling movie from your easy chair, Ricks stories and words will pull you in, in a comfortable and easy-to-absorb way. This is a book youll want to buy three copies of and give to your closest friends!