David CM Bell Leadership Blog

 Revelation 15 - Fearless and Faithful God cares about our every thought.  God knows everything about us and wants the best for us.  But that can and should look different than worldliness.  To this end, we look at the examples of the Sons of Zebedee (James and John), James and Jude (Jesus’ brothers), Peter, Paul, and the rest of the Apostles.  God knew their every need and He provided for them; we will see their faithfulness when we meet them in heaven.           God knows of our sicknesses, needs, motives, and vulnerabilities.  Just as He knew the needs of the Saints.  God can do more than we can ask or think immeasurably, but we must understand and fulfill our God-given responsibility. I’m loving Roman history right now.  I can’t get enough of it.  We can learn so much from those who’ve gone before us.  The Apostle John wrote the letter of Revelation to the church when he was in his fifties - by fift...

 Revelation 15 - God Opens Doors          God provides the way.  He opens the doors and gives us the responsibility to walk through.   God reveals to us the inheritance waiting for those who love and trust Him.  Normally when someone dies their estate goes to the beneficiaries in their last will and testament.  Many people hope and pray for such a windfall here on earth.  We dream of building empires and companies with our names on them.  In God’s economy, He reveals to us that He is the eternal Source of every good thing.  And God Almighty reveals to us that what we do and believe here on earth has eternal significance.           God says that those who had been victorious over Satan by trusting in the Lamb of God have an eternal inheritance (14:5 and 15:2).  Our inheritance is not of this world.  Yes, it matters as the Parable of the Talents explains the impact of how we ...

  Revelation 14 - Hard Workers Kari and her boys, hard workers. Every day, rain or shine, is a day for growth.  As Christian leaders, we recognize the spiritual battle we are in every day and know that we will be held responsible for leading others in this battle.  God is the one who makes us new creations in Christ and equips us for every good work. God works through His people.  The exciting thing is that God’s people are many, and more of us are joining His family daily across the globe.  As servant leaders, we are responsible for helping others grow and pursue their potential with confidence.  Scripture commands the Christian to grow in virtue, knowledge, and humble confidence in who we are in Christ.  Encourage another believer today with the truth that we are created in the image of God with free will and that God has an eternal home for us. We read in Revelation 14 that those who die having faith in Christ are blessed.  “For they will rest ...

  Revelation 13 - Values-Based Leadership           I’ve been on the boards of a half dozen public companies and several private companies.  I’ve also had the privilege over the last 27 years as a securities lawyer to advise many boards and executive teams as they navigate through financings, public listings, reorganizations, bankruptcies, acquisitions, and takeovers.  I set up Bell Capital so that I could serve organizations and help them achieve their goals.  God sees all the plans of men and women and wants us to succeed.  He wants our plans to be aligned with His plans (Matthew 6:10).  I love board work because you get to guide and protect an organization as a director.  You get to work out the strategy and set the tone.           People need good leadership.  Good leaders exemplify godly values; the tone is always set from the top.  Our role as directors is not to micro-manage t...

 Revelation 12 - Prayer and Confession to Christ Our King           Two points straight away.  First, the woman (12:1) described in this chapter is a figurative way of saying the people of Abraham and Moses, the people of faith in the One true God.  Later in the chapter when the dragon goes after the woman (12:17), she still represents the people of faith as well (those who testify their belief in Jesus) (12:10).  So yes, I think that those who take the woman to mean Mary or some literal woman are misreading John’s fantastic language.           Second, the dragon here represents just what John says - the ancient spiritual serpent called the devil and Satan.  So likewise to those who claim a literal interpretation of the woman as one female person, I think they are wrong in the same way that those who take the dragon to mean a literal dragon or literal person rather than a representation of a spiritual (...

 Revelation 12 - Rely on the King - Believe in Jesus and Love One Another          As we read Revelation 12 I'm reminded this morning of the need to interpret Scripture with Scripture and that it's God's purpose that prevails.  Thank God!           In persecution and times of trial, we are to rely on God alone (2 Chronicles 13:18 and James 1).  To be effective we increase our faith and trust in Him whom He has sent (John 6:28-29).  We are qualified and acceptable to God because of what our Shepherd has done for us.  Jesus rescued and brought us out of darkness and into the Kingdom of Light.  Christ is indeed King - we'll discuss the power of His Kingship in the next blog.  Now, as we await the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9-10) may we make it our ambition to please our King, not men.           We are sometimes tempted to shamelessly predict and speculate ab...

  Revelation 11 - Of Farmers and Feasts As Jesus’ men and women we are reminded to “keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ” (Hebrews 3:6).  We get battle-weary.  That’s the life of a spiritual warrior.  Do not lose heart.  God is by no means done.  God loves great beginnings and He always finishes what He starts.  God is by no means done with you yet.  We may appear outnumbered and in a poor defensive position.  But be prepared to fight God’s spiritual battle today.  Our General requires a counter-offensive.  Today is the day for courage and confidence in Jesus Christ.  No matter your place on the battlefield of life (cavalry, infantry, artillery, or support), be prepared - ears, eyes, and hearts open to hear the Trumpet and go. Let's be ready to serve Jesus by loving others in selfless service.  There will be a time for rest, but that’s not today.  Today is a day to put on the armor of God and...