wesbell.tv

Satan Loves Isolated Believers

2010-03-14T18:18:26-05:00

Here is a great devotional from Pastor Rick Warren.

Encourage one another daily ... so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

"Mind your own business" is not a Christian phrase.

A church family will help keep you from backsliding.

None of us are immune to temptation. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin. (1 Corinthians 10:12; Jeremiah 17:9; 1 Timothy 1:19) God knows this, so he has assigned us as individuals the responsibility of keeping each other on track.

The Bible says, "Encourage one another daily ... so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:13 NIV) "Mind your own business" is not a Christian phrase.

We are called and commanded to be involved in each other's lives. If you know someone who is wavering spiritually right now, it is your responsibility to go after them and bring them back into the fellowship.

James tells us, "If you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back." (James 5:19 MSG)

A related benefit of a local church is that it also provides the spiritual protection of godly leaders. God gives the shepherd leader the responsibility to guard, protect, defend, and care for the spiritual welfare of his flock. (Acts 20:28-29; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7, 17)

We are told, "Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God." (Hebrews 13:17 NLT)

Satan loves detached believers, unplugged from the life of the Body, isolated from God's family, and unaccountable to spiritual leaders, because he knows they are defenseless and powerless against his tactics.

Great challenge from Pastor Rick Warren, who can you make contact with this week to offer some encouragement to?

Am I Contributing?

2010-03-13T08:35:29-06:00

Just a finished a great book on leadership Leaders that Last, by Dave Kraft. I really enjoyed it, and I was challenged on many fronts. One of the questions he poses in the book that has been bouncing around in my head is: "What is your contribution to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission?".

I posted that same question on Twitter and Facebook and received some good responses, and yet the tension for me personally is still raging. I want my life, my priorities, my planning, my parenting, etc., to reflect my commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

I love the quote by Rick Warren, "A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will make a great church" -- totally believe this not only for a church, but for every Christ-follower. Our goal should be to be great for God -- that would be a powerful act of worship.

So, back to the place of tension for me, what am I doing to contribute to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission? How about you?

Love this video!

2010-03-09T07:50:05-06:00

Pastor Perry Noble from NewSpring Church, showed this video this past weekend, and I love it, check it out...

Giving: From A Child's Perspective from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Was It Worth The Leprosy?

2010-02-27T07:24:23-06:00

Here is a devotional I read this morning by Rick Warren.

"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret." Proverbs 11:13 (NIV)

If relationships are going to work, we have to be confidential with information.
Are you the kind of person that someone can trust with confidential information? We tend to think of gossip as one of those little sins, a misdemeanor sin. But when God talks about gossip, He puts it on a list with things like sexual immorality and murder.

Why? Because it is incredibly destructive to relationships.

What is gossip? Gossip is talking about a situation with somebody who is neither a part of the solution nor a part of the problem. And if we're honest with ourselves, what we're doing is making ourselves feel a little more important at somebody else's expense. We're talking about their hurts and their problems, but in a way that makes us feel a little bit superior to them. That's the danger and the hurt of gossip.

There's a story in the Old Testament about a family that struggled with gossip. Moses had a sister name Miriam who one day got caught up in gossiping about Moses amidst the rest of the people. God called them together - Moses and Miriam. He spoke with Miriam and told her what she'd done wrong and immediately He gave her leprosy.

But look at what God did next; he invited Moses to pray for Miriam's healing - to pray for the one who gossiped against him.

Some of you have been deeply hurt by gossip. The story of Moses and Miriam suggests God would say to you, "Pray for that person's healing, the one who gossiped against you. That way you can be released from the hurt that's come into your life."

Perhaps you're the one whose been gossiping. You've been the one talking about other people. This story is in the Old Testament to remind us how serious gossip is, how hurtful it can be to people no matter what side of the situation you're on.

The truth is, when you keep confidences it makes your relationships healthier. It enables you to keep connecting with others in positive and genuine way.

If you enjoyed this devotional by Rick Warren, you can sign up to receive them for free by clicking here.

Sam Chand on Leadership

2010-02-24T08:43:49-06:00

What do you think? How would you rate your pain threshold?

U.B.U - Pastor Ed Young

2010-02-18T20:22:54-06:00

Wes Bell

Powerful Pledge, You In?

2010-02-12T16:26:38-06:00

Pastor Rick Warren, hosted a powerful conference this past week, and challenged those in attendance to sign this pledge as we all pursue God to the fullest. I love this!

"Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering. I’ve made my choice; the verdict is in and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back. I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes, with God’s people, on God’s planet, for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home waiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasure. I know what matters most and I will give it all I’ve got. I will do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today. I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal; not on the sidelines or on those running by me. When times get tough and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m spirit-led, purpose-driven, and mission-focused so I can’t be bought. I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me. I am a radical in the original sense of the word: rooted in Christ, rooted in love, and rooted in his Word.

I hereby declare my supreme allegiance to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I say this: However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer is yes! I’m ready. Anytime. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful one. Come on in and let the eternal party begin!”

Are you in? Let's make a difference together!

Have a great weekend....

Video from Carlos and Nate in Haiti - Feeding the Children

2010-02-09T12:55:29-06:00

Wes Bell

Great Quote From C.S. Lewis....

2010-02-08T09:17:55-06:00

“Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased!”

You Can Help!

2010-02-06T20:33:23-06:00

Wes Bell