David CM Bell Leadership Blog

 2 Peter 1 - Growing in Christ - Eternity Mindset A key takeaway in this first chapter of Second Peter is that we are to remind each other to have an eternal perspective.  Okay, so this seems elementary, but we do have to know Scripture and we have to grow in Christ.  As we learn and gain understanding, we, like Peter after his personal experience with Jesus on the mountain, are to have an “even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets” (1:19).  So, do we?  Is our confidence in God’s overarching message of victory and salvation growing?  I think so, and I hope so. You’ll recall the famous prophecy in Daniel (about 575 years before the birth of Christ) creatively given to the ancient King of Babylon.  The prophecy shook the King to his core as it came to him in a dream.  It was an odd dream, a frightening dream.           King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at the time had it all.  All power and...

 2 Peter 1 - A Grand Entrance  is Ten Times Better Well, far be it for me to quibble about words.  But if someone greets me with, “How ya doin'?” I say, “Good, and you,”?  Most of the time (at least here in Central Virginia) you hear in response,  “Good.” Or, “Great, thanks.”  But sometimes you get a perhaps snobbish-sounding reply, “Very well, thank you!”  Both are fine I contend (at least grammatically).  But they are different answers - being (good) versus functioning (well).  But how are we really doing?  And says whom, that is, by whose standard? Our friends down US 29 have come up with a new slogan.  And I like it.  The University of Virginia is now advertising heavily as part of its new strategic plan that they are “Great and Good in all we do.”  I like it because implicit in that catchy little phrase is the highest standard of excellence with a standard of morality.  That is goodness.  But again, by w...

 2 Peter 1 - Remind Each Other to Grow Well, let’s move on to Peter’s second letter.  But before we do, let me recommend a book co-written by a man I met earlier this year, Ken Boa.  It’s called Recalibrate Your Life - Navigating Transitions with Purpose and Hope .  It’s a great reminder and encouragement no matter what you are going through. Now, back to Second Peter.  We do not know the number of our days.  We may have decades or just days left in this earthly life. The better question or the more important one is, Do we know the Alpha and the Omega, the Source of David and the heir to his thrown (Rev. 22:13, 16)?  In this short letter from Peter, we are given a frank and resounding reminder to make sure we not only know Jesus but that we grow as He commands us to grow. Like Peter, we will have ups and downs.  Peter knew despondency.  But he also knew Jesus' divine power and Holy Spirit's strength to persevere.  Peter, the rock a...

 1 Peter 5 - Mentoring and Servant Leadership We are encouraged in this final chapter of Peter to have an eternal perspective and to prioritize relationships.  That is all that will matter when we enter palliative care, nay, when we meet Jesus.           I am thinking this morning how proud I am of my daughter, my sons, and my grandsons.  I know how much God loves you and that He has great plans for you.  Keep working hard and trust God.  I do not know the future, but I do know the goodness of God.  He will never fail us.  I pray that you will trust God more and more and that you are full of joy as you see God increasing His Kingdom and presenting you with opportunities to serve and honor Him.           Peter mentions Silas and Mark in this passage.  Peter's sons in faith.  Indeed, Peter is mentoring us through these ancient words, but in his lifetime he mentored many others - just...

  1 Peter 4:1-12 - Living for God with Great Expectation God’s standard - The basic law of the eternal temple - is absolute holiness! (Ezekiel 43:12).  The problem is (as our human experience tells us all too plainly) only God is holy.  Jesus, our King, and our eternal High Priest made the only sacrifice that could make us holy, the only sacrifice to bring us safely into God’s presence.           Because of what Jesus did on the Cross, you and I can look forward with great expectation to Judgement Day.  Yes, we should do so with reverent fear.  But the Bible tells us to be confident because of God’s love and faithfulness. I’ve been frustrated with myself lately because I take one step forward and two back.  I am not making the spiritual progress living to obey and honor God as I want to.  But God continues to pursue us and to bring us just what we need.  A friend gave me a copy of two books this week.  One is...

 1 Peter 3 - Mother's Day Message Like James, Peter preaches faith and trust in the authority of Jesus and good Christian behavior.  This chapter is harder to live out than it should be.  But we can challenge each other to be the Christian men and women God expects us to be. I heard a strong Bible message in our Baptist Church this last Mother’s Day.  It was on modeling godliness for our families.  The guest speaker hit chords that resonated.  He said that the modern church has cheapened Christianity so much - we love worldly standards and God forbid we are ever challenged to be more Christlike rather than more worldly.  We think we are a big deal when we set off firecrackers, while God shows real majesty and power.  God sets off Sun Flares and the Northern Lights.  The pastor reminded us that God will never bless shows of pride and arrogance.  But He will bless those who do what is right. The Mother’s Day message was about modelin...

 1 Peter 2:13-25 - For the Lord’s Sake It is an excellent question to ask.  That is, why not just live to do whatever makes us happy?  Why not live according to worldly wisdom.  Why not give up on even trying to do what is right and honorable?  Peter who knew the challenges of his own human nature very well gives us the answer: for the Lord’s sake.  That’s why. Peter helps us get perspective on who Jesus is and who we are in Christ.  Is Jesus, the righteous descendent of David, not our King right now?  He is.  And Jesus is our only Shepherd (Ezekiel 37:24 and 2 Corinthians 6:16).  Jesus is the Temple - raised just as He said He would be raised (John 2:19; Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days.”).           But what about us, how does this impact us today and the way we think and live.  Well, that’s the exciting part Peter is encouraging us with.  The Spirit of...

 1 Peter 2:1-12 - Living Stones - God's Nation In Matthew 16:3 Jesus gives the answer to why He gave Peter a new name (Petros) (as recorded in each of the Gospels (Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:16, and Luke 6:14).  Here’s what Jesus says to Peter, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.  Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.  And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven” (Matthew 16:17-19).           Nothing.  Nothing will conquer God’s church.  And Jesus appoints Peter with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter is Jesus’ friend and his disciple.  We see Peter on fire for God in the Book of Acts...

 1 Peter 1 - Reverent Fear and Sincere Love Let us live today with great expectation that Jesus, the Great Lion, is on the move in our community and across the globe.  Peter’s letter reminds us that God will protect us today and give us all we need to live productive and holy lives.           God gives us the freedom and authority to build.  So let’s create and build well today.  Dream big.  Put your faith into action.  As Peter encourages us, let’s live with a reverent fear of God - for what the Father’s done for us and what He’s going to do - while we sincerely love each other in every situation. God indeed authorizes His people to be builders.  We are value investors.  We invest in what will not depreciate (1:4). And just like James (and Ezekiel), Peter preaches faith and good deeds.  We are warned to think clearly and to exercise self-control as we look forward to God’s gracious salvation (1:13).  ...

 1 Peter 1:1-7 - Resilience We can learn a lot from Winston Churchill.  He suffered tremendous setbacks.  Many times after hearing horrible news of the losses of hundreds of men at sea and terrible defeats (personal and professional) he went into deep depression.  He would spend hours in bed.  But duty called.  He had to get up and out of despair and lead by example.  Many times he delivered speeches to the House of Commons in such a state.  Winston showed us that despite our flaws and serious mistakes we must get back up and fight for our King.  We must not be defeated.           We will fight.  There is victory in Jesus for those who continue to believe and trust in God’s victory on the Cross. We love and serve the Sovereign LORD.  God is our Good Shepherd.  Yes, He knows we’ve strayed away.  But He searches for us anyway.  God will do anything to find us and bring us safely home (E...

 James 5 - The Watchman’s Message - A Warning to the Rich Thank God that the Bible tells the Christian how to live.  It’s much more than advice.  It is the command of our King.  To know the Way of Jesus Christ we are to know and do what we are told in the New Testament.  God does not leave us hanging.           Yes, we have a solemn responsibility to live in this evil world with godly wisdom and righteous behavior.  We will mess up.  That's obvious.  And that’s why we are told to continue to confess our sins to each other and to pray.  But God shows us how to live and for that we give thanks.           The Christian is a person of patience and great endurance.  We have God's explosive power to sprint, charge, and fight, but the Christian is always a good long-distance runner.  Eternity is the long game. Worldly standards and oaths are not our way.  We seek truth, w...

 James 5 - Men of God, Be Courageous God’s way is better.  Much better.  God is at work in every epoch, nay, in every situation.  He is not the ambivalent watchmaker.  On the contrary, He makes His purpose, mercy, and might known daily.  As sure as the sun rises God reigns. Many, like the Egyptians described in Ezekiel 30, find out their way (the hard way) that the Great I am is the LORD. Others (like you) hear God’s call and what God has done for them (sending the Son of God to bring glory to God and raising the Son from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit) and have faith in the Great I am.  Through faith in Jesus Christ believers “are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people” (Romans 1:7). Pray for today's opportunity to encourage believers and share God’s promised Good News.  The King’s return is near.  The power of God is at work saving everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). God never stops working.  In...