GET UP & GO: Must-See Scenes from Acts 9!

Hello Royalty!

I hope this finds you well (sounds like a familiar email line during this pandemic season?). Well yes, but I really hope this finds you well. It’s been a lot of back and forth in the world today, but I hope you’re doing just fine. In fact, I hope you’re thriving.

Today’s post came through a Bible Study moment, as most of our faith-based posts do. I was reading Acts 9 alongside a devotional, and I realized that the following words were repeated: “get up and go.” There are four must-see scenes in Acts 9 which call for attention. Grab some popcorn and let’s watch this movie!

Photo by Georgia Vagim on Unsplash

SCENE ONE:

In Acts 9:1-9, we witness the beginning of Saul’s Conversion where Jesus appeared to him. Verse 1 says, “Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the LORD’s followers” and almost suddenly, God appears to Saul in verses 4-5. Then in verse 6, Jesus says, “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” We’re going to hold that thought for a moment while we look at the other scenarios.

SCENE TWO:

We see Ananias’s boldness displayed after God spoke to him. From verses 10-19, we see the events between God speaking to Ananias in a vision and Saul regaining his strength. Specifically in verse 11, God says, “Go over to Straight Street” and because God gave Ananias some details, Ananias was a bit reluctant. He really did not want to face the one who has persecuted Christians like him simply because they were Christians. Then God repeats himself in verse 15, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument…”

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

SCENE THREE:

After giving a few more details to Saul becoming Paul and preaching God’s Word to the amazement of others, we see Peter in verse 32 in the town of Lydda. He met a man called Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for 8 years. In verse 34, the Bible says, “Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll your sleeping mat!”

SCENE FOUR:

Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, who helped the poor and did kind things for others had become ill and died. In verse 39, Peter told everyone weeping to go out of the room. Then in verse 40, he knelt, prayed, and said, “Get up, Tabitha!

I hope you can already see some similarities among these four outlined scenes. There was something about “getting up” that impregnated it with endless possibilities. Saul got up and became Paul in a short time. Ananias had to get up, face his fears, and be instrumental in what God was about to do among His people. Aeneas could have been on that sleeping mat until his death if he disobeyed Peter’s call to get up. And of course, Tabitha could have become a memory earlier than wished if she did not get up.

As I read these verses, it occurred to me that there is tremendous power in getting up. More so, getting up may not necessarily be what we think it to be – it could be anything. It could be repentance like Saul or faith like Aeneas. Sometimes, it could be dead situations in which we are totally powerless, and all that’s needed is our response and obedience.

Photo by Brian Mann on Unsplash

It’s also important to note that every scene resulted in turning many to the Lord. There’s something about my actions and your actions that convinces people about the reality of our God. My reason for this post right now is to tell you God wants you to get up. You best understand your situation and you know what getting up may look like to you. As you read this, is there a move you know God is gearing you towards? Now is not the time to delay. Get up and go! What move are you making today? Getting up could be prayer, obedience, solitude, calling a friend, sending in a job application, kickstarting a dream, you name it. Whatever getting up looks like, I pray that the grace to act accordingly becomes your reality in Jesus name.

Let us decree and declare this together:

Right now, I get up and go. I arise and shine. I arise from the circle of bad news into the sphere of good reports. I arise from disappointments. I arise from false notions about myself and my future. I refuse to accept the bare minimum of God’s plan for me. I embrace all of it in Jesus name. Today, like Paul, I get up from every space contrary to God’s will for my life. I step into the center of the Father’s will. I become blind to the old life, and my eyes are opened to light. Like Ananias, I get up in obedience to the instructions of my Creator. I yield myself to trust in the One who goes before me. I commit myself and my life to the One who sees ahead. Like Aeneas, I am no more paralyzed or bedridden. Everyone and everything connected to me are instantly set free from all forms of paralysis. I get up from every sleeping mat that may have held me down for too long – mats of identity confusion, comparison, greed, envy, or selfishness. I walk in the knowledge of who the I AM THAT I AM says I am. Like Tabitha, I come out of every grave, seen and unseen. There shall be no loss – no loss of property and no loss of life in the name of Jesus. Death is defeated, and I am satisfied with long life. All my friends and loved ones are satisfied with long life in Jesus name. On all days and in every season, all things will work together for my good. My steps are ordered; my strides are preserved; my generation is blessed. Today and beyond, I am a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom in Jesus name. Everything and everyone connected to me are always in blossom. My life will forever be an aroma of Christ and I shall be instrumental in turning many to God. Victory is mine. Victory is ours. Thank you Jesus!

All verses are cited from the New Living Translation (NLT)

Goodbye Royalty,

With Overflowing Love,

Alexandra Zion.

About the author
Christocentric. Academic. Writer. Poet

2 Comments

  1. You are blessed. May the Holy Spirit of God continue to guide, empower, and inspire you the more to touch many more lives positively in Jesus name.

Comments are closed.

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