Bless And Build Up

Robert —  February 16, 2013

GOOD NEWS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

1 John 2:12-17 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name . . . I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. . . . The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.


Doug Stevens
The Great Exchange/Leadership Connection

PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
I’m laid low and lifted high by the first line — “your sins have been forgiven.” God, is it possible You are this good?! My sins are many and they stink to high heaven. You know me, inside and out. I’m paralyzed (even if I appear to be functioning) if I’m still bearing this unbearable burden. I hate my own corruption. The relief I feel, the gratitude I owe You, is beyond words. If I’m forgiven of all that, then I can be that “father” who releases others.

PLAN // What I am going to do about it:
I am currently mentoring four young men who need to hear an authentic confession from a man (men don’t like to admit we’re wrong). They will hear mine this week, and, with the confidence that our God is radically forgiving and generously restoring, I will press them to do the same. I have some serious sins to confess (and so do they, I imagine) and the freedom of full forgiveness to experience.

PRAYER // Seal the deal:
My God, assure me of Your full forgiveness — and use me mightily to bless and build up the next generation.

In 2013
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18 responses to Bless And Build Up

  1. Nancy W. February 16, 2013 at 6:51 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    Dear Children...that's what we all are, children of God. He forgives me my sins. My God sets the example for me.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    I will keep this in the fore front of my mind when I see a homeless person on the street corner asking for help. I will remind myself that they too are a child of God.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    I pray Lord that I truly can adhere to what I claim about myself; that I am not above anyone to judge. That is not my place. I pray that I maintain compassion for all people. I pray this in your name Lord, Amen.

    .

  2. StavrosJK February 16, 2013 at 6:57 am

    Doug,

    Good word on this verse. I’m convinced, the further I move into discipleship with guys, that they need to hear our story, over and over again. The fact that God has lifted us from the muck and mire, and that we have that story to share, is essential to our ability to become a “father” to others.

    • Sean Blomquist February 16, 2013 at 8:51 am

      Doug, it was 20 years ago when you were at Hillside that you invested in my life to come out to the east bay and start ministry. Thanks for your discipling in my life. Now Stav who has been at Shelter and in my life for over 15 years is leading his own house church and making disciples and responding to your comments. This is TRUELY the will of God being lived out in real life. I love you both, What a kick in the pants.

  3. Sean Blomquist February 16, 2013 at 8:43 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    I hear The Lord telling me the next generation needs men to pass on Jesus way of life to them.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    2 yrs ago a young man I was discipling could not live in forgiveness, or over come evil, or see the word living in him, but the guys in our group could see it. Her is now in Mexico living out Gods will for him and leading his own group of young disciples.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Lord thank you for the great call of making disciples.

    .

  4. Heather Santos February 16, 2013 at 8:55 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    I see Father that you write(speak) to me, through the many different stages of life that I am in, and for many different reasons,to tell me I am forgiven, to help me live into the Spirit within.. to know you as you know me, it seems that with lifes seasons you always have a NEW word for me, though it may be the same scripture, it takes on new meaning based on where you have lead me on my walk, and how much I have grown.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    God I know that in this season you are really pushing me to grow in becoming disciplined in making time with you. I have commited to life journaling every day this week, and to add to this commitment I am going to read some of my past "big" aha SOAPs and see if these take on new meaning for me, based on the growth I have felt over the past few months.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Dear Lord, thank you for growing me up in your will and ways, help me continue to lean in genuinely and openly, seeking your wisdom for me and my family. I thank you Father for all of the accountability partners you have given me in my church family and extended church families. I hope that you use me to inspire others and that you help others keep inspiring me to walk closer with you every day. Thank you Lord, Amen.

    .

  5. Dave Foster February 16, 2013 at 8:57 am

    Nuff said eh?

    • Dave Foster February 16, 2013 at 9:08 am
      PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
      I've had the chance to see God active in my life and lives around me for 40+ years. I know that God is calling me to be a father to young leaders and musicians. I need to be able to tell the stories and help apply them to their lives. I need to not turn our like my grandparents who always said "That's old stuff from the past, why do you want to hear about that?"
      PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
      I'm going to discipline myself to write the stories and be ready to tell them at a moment's notice. Writing makes it easier for me to remember the important points and gives me some time to reflect on what God was saying at the time.
      PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
      Lord, increase my ability, through inspiration and practice, to verbally share Your stories to mentor others.

      PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing
      I’ve had the chance to see God active in my life and lives around me for 40+ years. I know that God is calling me to be a father to young leaders and musicians. I need to be able to tell the stories and help apply them to their lives. I need to not turn our like my grandparents who always said “That’s old stuff from the past, why do you want to hear about that?”

      PLAN // What I am going to do about it.
      I’m going to discipline myself to write the stories and be ready to tell them at a moment’s notice. Writing makes it easier for me to remember the important points and gives me some time to reflect on what God was saying at the time.

      PRAYER // Seal the deal.
      Lord, increase my ability, through inspiration and practice, to verbally share Your stories to mentor others.

    • Dave Foster February 18, 2013 at 8:43 am

      I made up for it by posting twice on my next try. Guess I can’t brag about being tech savvy today. (:-0

  6. Betty February 16, 2013 at 9:08 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    Our majestic God loves each of us and gave His Son to save us.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    I want to live a life of gratitude to and for Him.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Lord, thank you for saving me. I rededicate my life to You.
    SHARE // Come back and share what you saw God do!:
    The Holy Spirit within me assures me He will guide and strengthen me.

    Knowing His love fills me with joy through His Holy Spirit within me.

  7. Linda February 16, 2013 at 10:08 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    'Dear children' ... it hits me that this is to all of us. We are in this together. We are all on this journey of following Jesus together. And because of that we can help one another, share the burden and joys, and just take hope knowing we are family.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    iLent has been a blessing this week to me, I want my brothers and sisters to have the same gift. I want to draw their attention to it and tell them how it's blessed me.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Lord, help me to stop and be grateful for the gift and joy and help this large family is in my life. Holy Spirit, remind my heart to be grateful for this tremendous gift. Let me not take it for granted.

    Sean, I love your comment. Three generations. As sinful as we are, as much as we miss the mark over and over, as lazy as we can get (thinking specifically of me not you :) ) God still does amazing things through us and with us. And I love the connect the dots, generations of disciples that have come from the obedience you and Doug chose. And that of so many others in our valley and around the world. The gospel lives and moves on.

  8. Nancy February 16, 2013 at 10:11 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    I am redeemed! My choice to live for him means I never die! God forgives and I live!
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    I will put away my past failures because God already has. I don't have to carry them anymore. Instead, I should carry His burden for the lost and reach out to them with the message that they too can be redeemed and given eternal life.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Dear God, Help me live in such a way and teach in such a way that all around me want what I have. Give my your heart for the lost and help me to reach them with Your light and especially the message of Your saving grace through Christ. Amen

    .

  9. Art Barrett February 16, 2013 at 10:35 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    Most of us want to live forever, but You Father don't want us to live without the experience of forgiveness, the joy of victory and the wisdom of maturity.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    I have been the child, the young man and though in this culture it is not popular to love - I have become a father in the faith. What you have given me is only mine to give to others. I will be intentional to pass on to those will follow me into Your forgiveness, victory and the power of wisdom. Some of these are pastors, some friends, some disciples but all of them are yours.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Thank You for the relief of forgiveness, the joy and strength that comes from victory and the stability and authority of wisdom from the journey with You. Even today open doors for investment. Open my eyes to observe what is needed and pass on the goodness of all You are.

    .

  10. Bill February 16, 2013 at 11:04 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    The importance of multiple generations following Christ together.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    Initiate spiritual conversations with people older and younger than me today and tomorrow.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Lord show me who.

    .

  11. Betsy February 16, 2013 at 11:10 am
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    John addresses fathers and young men. Fathers who may be taking the gift of forgiveness for granted and young men who don't see their need for God. Which person am I?
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    I will ask God to reveal sin in my life and ask for forgiveness, daily.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Forgive me, Lord, for trying to deal with my stuff, without You.

    Thanks, Doug!

  12. Marty February 16, 2013 at 12:09 pm
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    'I write to you, dear children...' In our church society it is very easy to let our young ones go off on their own (to college, or wherever) and not keep in touch. But You want us to keep discipling/caring for/ loving them as they go off into their own wildernesses. You want us as their parents/aunts/uncles/big brothers/sisters to keep caring for them. They will need encouragement and love in this part of their lives more than any other.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    I'm going to keep in touch with my young friends who I've watched grow up and go off on their own, continuing to love an support them and reminding them who 'really' loves them.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    Help me speak Your wisdom into the lives of my young friends. Let them see beyond the shallowness of the world's 'wisdom'. Give me gentle and kind words. A few profound ones wouldn't hurt either.;)

    .

  13. Michele F February 16, 2013 at 8:07 pm
    PERCEPTION // What I see/hear God saying/doing:
    I hear God saying it's easy to lose our identity, to forget who we are. We must remind each other. We must not forget and must remind each other that we have overcome the evil one -- not we WILL overcome, but that we already have.
    PLAN // What I am going to do about it.:
    I am going to send out encouraging cards that have been sitting waiting and hope that they remind someone that they are God's and always will be.
    PRAYER // Seal the deal.:
    God, lift someone up, give them strength and hope and courage, through me. Who else would you put on my heart, Lord? I've got cards and stamps. IJN, Amen.

    .