395: Stand Up!

Last week, my title was Sit Down! This week my title is Stand Up!  Sit down, stand up, sit, stand.  Are you confused?  What will next week's title be, Lie Down?  Ah, this is the joy of being a serial writer.  You can confuse your readers so that they must come back week after week to clear their confusion.  Yet sitting and standing aren't really confusing at all, if you are willing to read on.  If not, then you may just want to go for a walk.

KNOCKED DOWN

In Acts 26, we read Paul's account of his Damascus road experience to King Agrippa.  We know that Paul was knocked down to the ground by a bright light from heaven, a light that temporarily blinded him.  The light was intense, for it shone more brightly than the noonday sun in the Middle East.  That is the kind of intense light of understanding that God can shed on your purpose.

There are many people who, when God "knocks" them down, want to remain down. It is comfortable and for some a super-spiritual experience.  The Lord had Paul (then Saul) on the ground but did not keep him there for long.  Rather than have me recount the story, let me include it for you to read yourself:

"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' " 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you" (Acts 26:12-17 emphasis added). 

Did you see it?  After Saul was down, the Lord commanded him to get back up, to "stand on your feet."  He may be telling you to do the same thing.

STANDING UP

You sit or lie while you are seeking, but you stand when you receive.  You humble yourself and lay low while you search for God, but you stand up when you find Him.  Why do you stand?  You stand to signal you are ready to go.  You stand because the God of the universe knows your name and is speaking to you because He has something for you to do!  You stand because one always stands in the presence of royalty. You stand to say, "I am ready, Lord, to do Your will right here and right now!"

So are you lying down, sitting or standing? If you are seeking purpose, you can do either of the first two.  If you have found it, then you must stand.  Stand at attention, ready to go and do.  Stand facing God's face, so you can not only see His words, but catch His facial expressions as well.  When God speaks, you don't judge His words.  You act! 

So this week, choose a position and be serious about whichever one you choose.  If you seeking, seek with all your heart.  If you are hearing, then stand and go.  It's that simple.  Whatever position you find yourself in, I trust you will have a great week! 

   Feel free to write your comments to this entry on the site where it is posted.

************************************

THE SOPHIA FUND:  We received almost $1,200 this past week for The Sophia Fund. That is just super. Thank you so much for responding. but please don't stop now. The need is urgent and the workers are grateful, but are requesting even more help.  If you didn't read the email below that I received last week from Eddie Adembesa in Kenya, here it is again:

Greetings from us all WEMA widows with the trust that all is well by the grace of God.
 
This is to acknowledge that we have received $1,000 Sophie Fund and $50 St. Paul’s Baptist Church which you sent to us through SARAH NETWORK towards the feeding programme for orphans under the care of WEMA widows.
 
This has not only put a smile on the face of the children but also the widows who have great lack due to the prolonged drought that Kenya is facing.
 
To every single person who made this possible, it’s a big thank you and God truly bless you and enlarge your territories. A good measure shaken together, pressed down and overflowing. I call this a divine connection from God. Let’s continue to pray for one another as we continue noble task. Once again thank you and God bless you.

As I promised, every penny you send is going to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Nothing goes to overhead or administration.  With reports like the one above, won't you consider helping orphans and widows today?  You can read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.

FACEBOOK:  I continue to update my personal page on Facebook.  Check it out and let's be friends when you have a chance.  Also you can find me on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow me.

Comments

[kenny]

Awesome Stuff. STAND UP, Face God's Face, and ACT. I dig it.
Never thought about it like that before,
You're sitting while "figuring"; but Standing Up to Act out What you found. Nice.