Month: January 2011

The Story of the Silversmith

This story is an illustration that God used by a guest pastor at the campus church to remind me of my life purpose which is to reflect Christ in my life.

There was a group of women in a Bible Study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group a their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest or her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot- then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered “yes,” he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eye on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh that’s easy. When I see my image in it.”

You are God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10). Just as that silver produced value and praised the blacksmith of his handiwork, you and I were made to bring God glory.

What can I do to help develop God’s likeness in my life?

What’s Up John Bell News Update #6

Howdy People!

I neglected to post a news update for December. I hope you ain’t too mad.

Christmas break was a major blessing. I’m a mama’s boy to be honest with you: so although I enjoyed a month of break, I don’t think I had spent enough time at home.

We celebrated the Christmas holiday with open doors as we welcomed some old friends to eat and fellowship. On New Years, we cheered and then prayed that God renew our lives and give us insight for the future.

Like as the psalmist David, I was glad when they said let us go to the house of the Lord. I was great to be back in my home church and also had opportunities to teach Sunday school and also preach a Sunday!

God did open other doors for ministry and one of the biggest doors was God’s opening for my dad to broadcast his own television show. My dad invited my two brothers and I to record the first episode of “The Bible Talk”  last Friday.

 

The Bible Talk is planned to be a weekly program, and its focused is to teach people the Bible and discuss Christian lifestyle issues. My dad will be hosting the broadcast and will also bring guests onto the program.

It is a glory to God that something like this is now available to the people of Antigua, for the island is under attack from the growing secular influence of the American media and false Bible doctrine.

Over the weekend, we said goodbye and made our back to the US, for I’m on my last week of break! Next Monday school reopens and a new semester begins. On that note, here’s how you can pray for me!

>Pray for new focus and renewed interest in studies.

>Pray for my mom that she will get better.

>Pray that God will show me where He wants for the summer. At the moment I plan to return to serve with my family at our home church and anticipate a possible church missions trip to Haiti. Pray that God will open doors for us to go.

As always I am grateful for your faithful prayers and concern for me. May God continue to uphold you and make your way prosperous this new year.

Blessings,

John Bell

Influencing this Generation by Living for Christ.

Last night, I taught at a Bible study my dad regularly leads at a family home. We surveyed the book of Jonah. Chapter one spoke volumes to me. 

Here is a man given a command by God to preach to the city Ninevah, and he is running from God because he didn’t want to do it. Bible said he booked a trip to Tarshish, marooning himself far away from God’s destination. 

What I derived from this passage is that God has a plan for every single one of us; so we are either living out His plan or we are like as Jonah fleeing from God. 

Although Jonah devised to run from God, God knew it. God overruled Jonah’s plan: send a storm and a whale that altered his course. Jonah neglected that he couldn’t hide from God.

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Prov 19:21)

 What we need to see is that we may make plans for our lives but the plan that God has for us will stand and will be accomplished.  If we choose to run from that plan, God will do wahatever it takes, however unpleasant it is to us, to bring us to fulfill His will. 

Jonah tried to outwit God, but at least intended, he ultimately ended up in Ninevah and preached to them as God commanded him.  We can save ourselves a world of hurt if we choose to always do what God commands us.

God, am I completely doing what you have told me?

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope and praise that God has brought you safely into this year. You know the funny thing about 2011 is that I’m actually having real difficulty remembering the trials I had endured this recent last year!

Although our lives can go through radical changes in such unexpected and unwanted moments, I can’t help but praise God at the fact that Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)!

Alot people are seeking commitment in alot things: trusting investments that will secure their finances, pursuing relationships that will they feel secure; but they things don’t guarantee security. Investments fail. People break up and move on.

“Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus never fails. He is a man of His word. He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5b). He promises to always be with us (Matt 28:20).  He ensures that nothing can separate us from Him and His love (Rom 8:35-39). Now thats someone you can depend on!

For a New Year’s resolution, I want to trust in God more, knowing that He is always with me.