David CM Bell Leadership Blog

 1 Thessalonians 5 - So Let it Grow!           So Jesus will return.  It’s true.  It’s good news, spectacular news.  This amazing chapter gives clear instructions for how we Christians ought to live.  It’s a good compare and contrast against the modern church - and I believe an admonition for us to get it right.           We are prone to forget God’s grace.  We are prone to pride.  Understanding who Christ is and humbly recognizing that everything is His - not ours - is contrary to our human nature.  But make no mistake.  That is not an excuse.  We need to get it right.           We see ourselves and the truth about human nature in Scripture.  When the Prophet Isaiah confronted King Hezekiah about pridefully showing off all the kingdom treasuries to the Babylonians we see a sense of entitlement.  It is no different than the modern entitled...

 1 Thessalonians 4 - The Bucketlist           We are so pleased when our kids do well.  When they get older it is a blessing to see them mature, make good decisions, and especially when you see them follow and trust God.           The One True God wants us, His kids, to live in a way that pleases Him.  God’s always had a plan.  A good plan.  God loves relationships.  It is part of His character.  It is togetherness and unity.  Brotherhood.  Sisterhood.  The family of God.  In this chapter, we glimpse this aspect of God’s character - His deep love for His children.  When Jesus returns to earth He will bring his family with Him.  His kids, from every generation.  The family of God.           Cherish your family this Christmas season.  Be kind.  Plan good gifts.  And good food.  Give your time, your ear, and your...

 1 Thessalonians 4 - Self Control & Goals           If you are like me you start each day - the second you roll out of bed - with the Lord’s Prayer.  Good.  Great.  But as we say, “Your will be done” what do we know for sure what that means for the Christian man?  The Bible gives us clear insight into this passage and what that means.  “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin” (4:3).  As our Southern Baptist preacher from Clearwater Florida, Willy Rice, constantly says with his folksy southern accent, “All means all and that’s all all means.”  Stay away.  Keep away.  Run away.  Stay away from what tempts us, from anything that leads us to sexual sin.  That’s God’s will for Christian men.           It is really encouraging to know for sure that as Christian men God can and does give us self-control through the power of the Holy Spirit....

   1 Thessalonians 3 - Good Reports - And Good Intentions           Give credit where credit is due.  There are a lot of churches out there that are healthy, transparent, and follow the Way of Jesus Christ as shown in the New Testament.  Those churches have elders that meet Biblical standards, have regular fellowship meetings, are ordered, preach the truth of God, care for what Jesus cares for (the lost, the sick, the jailed, and the poor), and take holiness and righteousness seriously.           Similarly, many organizations today are transparent, and work hard week after week to honor God, to encourage and motivate fellow employees, to get the right people in the right seats, and to be accountable to their stakeholders; but, far more importantly, to God.           I love working in business.  Most of my career has been in finance and energy.  But companies of all siz...

 1 Thessalonians 3 - God’s Kingdom - Growing with Love Overflowing           The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.  It starts small and grows large.  That’s exactly what has happened with the Church over the last 2,000 years.  From the tiny church shown here in Thessalonica through the centuries.  And that is one of the overarching messages of the Bible.  The Kingdom of God advancing.           The Bible assures us to be strong and not to fear.  We see the message Isaiah gave about 2750 years ago that Jesus would come and destroy God’s enemies and save God’s people (Isaiah 35:4).  And that’s exactly what happened.  Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.           Jesus is our Rescuer.  He is the one who has rescued us from the troubles and terrors of eternal judgment...

 1 Thessalonians 2:7-13 - Be a Great Mentor           It matters greatly how we mentor in our homes, businesses, and in our churches.  How we live shows whether or not we have accepted Jesus’ gift of new life.  Jesus promised that anyone who believes in Him will receive the Holy Spirit.  New life.  A life transformed.  That's great news and the key to how we function well as mentors.  But the Bible also says that by our actions we show if we are in fellowship with God or if we disobey and reject God (4:8).           So, do we have fellowship with God?  The Bible says that it depends.  It depends on whether or not we are living in the light and practicing the truth or if we are living in spiritual darkness (1 John 1:6).           So yes, as we see from Genesis to Revelation (and as any kindergarten teacher will tell you) each of us decides each day what w...

 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 - Failure and Success           How do you define failure?  And success?  People who have full assurance of the message of Jesus Christ, who are known for serving Him, and who are growing in Him.  Men and women, boys and girls who hear and accept new life through the Good News of salvation.  Success.  More than that.  We will all stand before God our Father when Jesus Christ returns to earth (3:13).  God willing, we will have victory in Christ and have hearts that are strong, blameless, and holy on that day.  Success indeed.           And failure?  Well, that is fruitless ministries, useless activities, and worldly achievements that ultimately mean nothing.  It is cowardly earthly men who preach with deceit, impure motives, or trickery.  Those who try to win others with flattery.  Those that only pretend to love others to get their money....

 1 Thessalonians 2 - God’s Reign and the Growth of His Kingdom           God’s building His Kingdom.  Just as He sees fit.  He’s the Creator, the Potter.  And He expects those who know and love Him to go and make disciples.  Anything is possible with God.  This Christmas season let’s remember the miracle birth of Jesus Christ and God’s plan - His plan from the beginning of time, to build the Kingdom of Heaven, His way, and in His timing.  Thank God for His way and for His grace and peace.  May we overflow with joy and confidence in God today.           It’s one thing to say we honor God; it’s quite another for our hearts to be close to the Father’s heart.           God is the Potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 29:16).  Isaiah was a prophet of the Holy One.  He saw and wrote of a day in the future when the deaf would hear, the blind would see, the hu...

 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 - Rewards and Crowns           When Jesus returns from heaven (1:10), as He will, and as we stand before Him, what will be our proud reward and crown (2:19)?  Rather, who will it be?           Lord Jesus, please bless our friends and families today.  Help all of Your church to know You more and to please the Father by the way we live.  Mend our hearts together in Christian unity.  Amen.           There is resounding power in a life well lived.  A multiplying life lived to encourage and disciple others with the Good News of reconciliation with God.  God's advancing Kingdom.  We see that in the Thessalonians.  They had hope and assurance of pleasing God as they accepted the word of God as it changed their lives and as God worked in them.  No doom and gloom futurism here - rather, Puritan-like long-term building for the Kingdom ...

 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7 - God’s Advancing Kingdom           God is Good.  He does incredible things through humble people.  That's what he did through the Thessalonians.  And that is how God is advancing His Kingdom today.           I’m reminded this morning that God loves us and that His Kingdom is advancing with or without us.  I believe God wants it to be with us.  Jesus Christ ascended to the throne in heaven.  He is King of kings and He will put all His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25).  Today King Jesus will further advance His Kingdom.  We must choose this day to put to death the sinful desires lurking inside us.  Choose to believe God will give us more and more grace and peace as we trust him wholeheartedly.           Be reminded this morning that God is Good and that He seeks to teach us.  There is no teacher like Jesus, “Th...

 Colossians  4 - Principles of Christian Life           Well, I’m sad to come to the end of Colossians.  But I know 1 Thessalonians is calling out.  I can’t wait to dig into the “T” section of the New Testament.           It’s a good time of year.  Thanksgiving.  Moving quickly into Christmas.  A time to be thankful, to fellowship, and to focus on the fact that Christ came to earth on a rescue mission.  And that God is building His people - with Providential guidance and wisdom.  A time to think about the new year and to plan.  It’s a time to reflect on the best books we’ve read over the last year and to make some goals for the coming season.  What will we do?  And what will we definitely stop doing!  And a time for great food, and rich fellowship with friends and family.  Let’s dive into this holiday season more resolved than ever to live for Christ.  ...

 Colossians 3 - Christian Resolve           It is human nature to think we are the favorite.  Or that God has favorites for that matter.  We’re not.  He doesn't.  In the Old Testament, over and over again God explains that He has no favorites.  He judges men and women by the character of their faith shown in their actions.           For example, in Isaiah 22:14 we read this, “The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has revealed this to me: ‘Till the day you die, you will never be forgiven for this sin.’ That is the judgment of the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”  God is talking in that section of Scripture about proud, boastful, and unrepentant Jerusalem.  The people of Jerusalem knew very well what God called them to do (weep and mourn) but instead, they chose to party and ignore God.           We see similar issues in the Church over the years and certainly today....

 Colossians 3 - Thanksgiving           It’s amazing what takes our time.  Especially our mind time.  Each human being has desires - things they think about in this life on earth.  We look for angles, hacks, and secrets of success.  We want to understand the way to do it like the greatest of all time.  Moms want to hear how other moms are approaching parenting from the moms who seem to have it all together.  Students want As.  Often we want the hack that gets us the easiest way possible.             Some senior citizens even are focused on odd things.  I’ve met Christians in their 80s who are pining, daily, to win the lottery.  I kid you not - isn’t life expectancy in America something like 76?           But that’s not what we hear about the new life in Christ in this passage.  Whether you are a 25-year-old thinking of ways to launch y...

 Colossians 3 - Connected           It’s interesting.  As we get to the 50-something or 60-something stage of life we take on the role of parent mentor and son or daughter mentor at the same time.  That is, we are caring and praying for our elderly parents and praying and caring for our kids as they embark on their careers and face the challenges of life including the challenges of parenthood.  Keep on.  Keep on fighting, praying, and caring.  God wants us to ask for what our kids need.  And what our parents need.  Thank you, God, for our families.  And thank You most of all for the Family of God.           Speaking to my male friends for just a moment, young and old.  Remember, as Christian men we seek to be servant leaders as Jesus instructs.  We are not about cults of personality or power or anything of this world.  Instead, as Paul warned Titus, live a blameless li...

 Colossians 2 - Protect the Flock - Remove the Wolves           This chapter is about freedom.  Good.  I know it’s one of your favorite topics.  But freedom is only from Jesus Christ.  It is Christ who will set you free from the spiritual powers of this world (2:20).  We all need that freedom, desperately.  I pray we take this point seriously - for it has the power to change our lives, our churches, and our communities - and to save our souls.           Many of our church organizations know what they have to do, but they refuse to honor God’s word.  They talk a good game about the inerrrancy of Scripture but they thumb their noses at God with their actions.           I heard this year of a church elder, a so-called leader in the church, who had abused young women.  For decades.  When finally confronted with the truth by the women of the family, the ...