David CM Bell Leadership Blog

  Romans 1:8-23 - There is a Good Path - Let’s Stay on It Gettysburg, PA The most significant risk we face, as individuals and as nations, is being left by God to do whatever our hearts desire. Once abandoned, a person’s life fills with wickedness. They are doomed. The Good News is that God wants us on his path of righteousness, a good course of happiness, satisfaction, and salvation from this evil world. Paul knew that in spades. When Paul finally got to Rome, he boldly proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Despite the many risks, he couldn’t wait to get there to do just that. He couldn’t wait to bring the Romans a spiritual gift to help them grow strong in the Lord. He couldn’t wait to encourage the Christians in their faith and to be encouraged by them. Paul had a great sense of obligation to preach the Good News to the civilized, the educated, the big city folks, the poor, those in the hinterlands, and the barbarians. What about ...

  Romans 1:1-17 - Good News: God Loves - You are Called to Be a Christian It is incredible what can be done with a letter. Of course, Romans is much more than a letter written in an obscure prison to the people of an ancient empire’s capital. In this letter the Holy Spirit explains to everyone everywhere the Good News of Jesus Christ and what it does. If you read the words of this Scripture - or have them read to you - then you have been called to belong to Jesus Christ - to be a Christian (1:6). Yes, you! And you, if you are a baptized believer in Jesus Christ, share the mission - the privilege and authority to tell people everywhere what God has done for them so that they will believe and obey God. This process of reconciliation - bringing lost sinners to new life in God brings glory and honor to His name. His name is Christ Jesus - our Lord and Savior. So let’s recap this passage. This is where I stand. The Holy Spirit chose Paul to write this letter to those in t...

  Romans 1:1   - A Life Mission What are you preparing for today? Mission statements, strategic plans, SWOT analysis, budgeting, and professional development plans are a big part of our lives. But do those plans incorporate our existential goals, those of eternal significance? To the extent they don’t, let’s adjust. In the first half of this marvelous chapter, Paul is yearning to see God’s power at work, changing lives. Paul wants to teach the truth of what God’s done. He wants to spread the good news, encourage people, be inspired, and work alongside others to see the fantastic spiritual fruit of obeying God. Seeing people, families, and communities growing strong in God, nothing is better. How much faith do you have that God will see you through the preparations and take you where He wants you? I love how Paul has strong desires in his heart yet always deference to God. Paul says, “God willing,” as he prays for the opportunities he desires (1:10). Let’s follow th...

  Acts 28   - Don't Play Out the Clock My Grandson, Jackson We have considerable freedom today, as Paul did when he arrived in Rome. Freedom to provide for ourselves and to share God’s offer of salvation. Freedom to stay on the right path. We see here (28:17) that Paul wasted no time in testifying about Jesus Christ - he was always on mission. Never play out the clock. Nobody wants to watch that game. It’s boring. And it’s not God’s style. As we reflect on the message of the Acts church, I suggest a few things. We must draw closer to God and become purer, more like Jesus. We must turn away from worldly things to holiness and good living. The Holy Spirit speaks through Scripture. We must be in the Scripture to understand, teach and live out God’s way. Paul’s message to the local Jewish leaders in this last chapter of Acts is the perfect setup for the next book, Romans. He declares that the Holy Spirit was right in what He said in Isaiah 6 about the message of salva...

  Acts 2 8  - Everywhere We Go - There is Always a Need Saskatchewan Farm Boy (In Lynchburg, VA) God brings us to unique ministry locations and situations.  There is always a need wherever we go, on business, on service trips, or on vacation.  In every case, there will be interactions with people and a chance for us to love the way God commands. Notice in this entire book of Acts - and specifically in chapters 27 and 28 - how hard Paul worked and how he built relationships.  His relationships were built on mutual trust.  That is critical for us as Christians.  We must work hard and earn the trust of those we work with and those we serve.  Selfishly we are often more concerned about our own needs, being ‘right’ in an argument, taking authority, or arrogantly dismissing others rather than showing respect and appreciation, and helping others with zero intention of any gain for ourselves.  Jesus expects us to serve selflessly.  To freely g...

  Acts 27   - Crisis and Providence Fishing with Sol and Ben Crisis brings chaos and confusion, and foolish decisions. And it proves the mettle of those who trust God. Holy Spirit, thank you for your Word. Thank you for Luke and his courage to travel with Paul. And for Luke’s accuracy in documenting these harrowing events. What a bleak mission - yet one ordained by Jesus. And one where despite the best efforts of Satan, God continued to step in to ensure His mission was accomplished. Providence.   We know why Paul went to Rome. Because it was God’s calling. But what of his companions? Just getting to Rome was dangerous enough, as we are about to find out - especially by sailboat in the Fall. But Rome was also a dangerous place for Jews like Dr. Luke. (We know this because we read earlier that Acquilla and Pricilla were ordered out of Rome because they were Jews.)  And yet these men went anyway. They went as prisoners traveling under Roman military g...

  Acts 26   - Power and Authority M. Luther Those in power who command the attention of military officers and prominent men often have no real power. Absolute power and authority are the Dominion of God. He has times and purposes for certain leaders and for the rise and fall of nations, but ultimate authority, judgment day, and what happens beyond judgment day, are His. Of course, people are free to believe otherwise; but that is the crux of the matter. James sheds light on this. He says, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (1:12). Here we see Paul patiently enduring. Paul suffered terrible abuse and injustice at the hands of these so-called governors and judges. Paul repeatedly had to make the same defense on the exact false charges, confronting those who demanded him dead. Paul patiently endures it. Are you bold enough to explain with humility tha...

  Acts 25   - Be Ready to Go Abraham and Solomon Paul knew that he had to be ready to go. It was just a matter of time. Jesus would come through. And Paul would indeed preach the Gospel in the capital of the Roman Empire. The opportunity would present itself in God’s timing. Sometimes, just reminding ourselves of the trustworthiness of the Lion of Judah is enough to change the atmosphere. Like waking on the day of a long-planned trip. Knowing Jesus is always good to his word focuses our attention and sharpens our attentiveness. We saw a few chapters back that Jesus encouraged Paul to be bold and confirmed that Paul would testify for God Almighty in Rome (23:11). Paul trusted Jesus. Two years later, Paul was still stuck in prison after unreasonable delay and injustice (25:17). Paul was waiting patiently for an opportunity to embark for Rome. Paul accepted the long delay and the injustice as a privilege.  All the while keeping his bags packed. And the op...

  Acts 25   - God’s Way: Patience, Opportunity, and Responsibility In this series of Paul’s Caesarean defenses, we see the sin and weakness of the human judges and Paul’s incredible patience as he waits for Jesus’ time to get him to Rome. The Roman court was in Caesarea.  Paul had to defend himself before Felix, Festus, and the political guest, King Agrippa.  Over two years! We see Felix’s evil actions as he refused to bring a judgment after the accusations were made and Paul’s defense given.  Felix was no godly judge.  His motives were based on selfish ambition.  He wanted a bribe from Paul, and he tried to win the favor of the Jewish leaders by keeping Paul in prison.  Who would you rather be, Paul or one of these long-forgotten wicked judges?  It is either short-term pain for long-term gain or the reverse.  You and I are responsible for working hard and doing God’s will today. Roman law allowed no conviction without a tria...

  Acts 24   - Maintain a Clear Conscience Before God and All People Alas, we are nearing the end of Acts.  Yet no need to despair, the adventure will continue! I don’t adhere to patron saints.  But if I did, I’d suggest Paul be the patron of all good lawyers.  Yes, there are some.  Tertullus, on the other hand, is the patron of the ubiquitous crooked lawyer.  They never lack clients.  It’s been almost 30 years since I walked into the first day of classes at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law.  Wow.  My advice to my young self would be to trust God alone.  God has been so merciful and gracious to me.  And I am so stubborn and slow to learn.  Common sense and success belong to God; insight and strength are His (Proverbs 8:14).  I thank God for his mercy and patience.  Back to the story. Tertullus shamelessly flatters the judge here, Governor Felix.  Tertullus, the General Counsel, if you will, o...

  Acts 23:1-12   A Life of Adventure Bow Falls, Banff, AB So what’s the Christian life like? It’s a full life. A good life. A life of adventure. It’s meaningful. It’s not safe, and it’s not easy. Many talk a good game, but the people of God take action. They are well prepared for the debate by the power of the Holy Spirit. They are humble yet bold and decisive. And they know which battles to fight and where and when to escape the fight to achieve God’s mission of saving souls. God’s hand of Providence is always on the move. As part of His Way, he calls His people, the Church of Jesus Christ, to be holy. That is, we must act according to the will of the Father, guided, directed, instructed, and protected by the Holy Spirit. James, although Christ’s little brother and a son of Mary and Joseph, called himself a slave of Christ. That’s not a negative thing. It’s a realization that Jesus - not this world and what it claims to offer - is our Master, our Lord. Man...