{"id":21870,"date":"2023-08-19T00:01:32","date_gmt":"2023-08-19T07:01:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/?p=21870"},"modified":"2023-08-09T17:32:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-10T00:32:03","slug":"what-is-it-that-you-personally-stand-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/what-is-it-that-you-personally-stand-for\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is It That You Personally Stand For?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/What Is It That You Personally Stand For.mp3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-474\" src=\"http:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/SEV-CampfireAudio.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"375\" height=\"108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/SEV-CampfireAudio.jpg 375w, https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/SEV-CampfireAudio-300x86.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><\/a>Well over 25 years ago I was attending a very large business meeting in Portland, Oregon.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Although I was scheduled to speak the following day, I had purposely come to the meeting on Saturday evening for the specific purpose of listening to my dear friend, Bill.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Bill was the featured speaker at the<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Saturday evening session of the week-end function.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I knew he was excited about being with us and just knew in my heart that he would have something very important and significant to tell us.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I went over to the coliseum early so as to get a good seat where I could easily hear him deliver his talk.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I was not disappointed.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>His message was powerful and very uplifting and encouraging.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>His talk, as he delivered it, grew in strength and fervor.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It crescendoed in empowering inspiration to the point that most of the listeners were ready to charge the enemy with nothing more than a squirt gun.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Tens of thousands of people attended this meeting.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They all were greatly impacted by my friend\u2019s words.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It was a site of applied leadership at its finest.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Bill could certainly connect with the audience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">As my friend neared the end of his talk, he made a statement that rocked my world and forever changed the way I looked at life and leadership of other people.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Bill, standing bigger than life on a great stage before all of those thousands of excited people, microphone in hand, boldly proclaimed an absolute truth of life when he stated, <b>\u201cIf you don\u2019t know what you stand for,&#8230;if you don\u2019t stand for something&#8230;then you will fall for anything !\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Is not that statement the absolute truth?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Of course, it is!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">I began to mull over and over my thoughts about exactly what it was that I personally stood for.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What is it that causes me to \u201cdig- in\u201d and prepare for the long hard fight to persevere and win?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What do the people with whom I am associated stand for&#8230;I mean really stand for.<b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What is my personal cause?&#8230; and is it greater than my personal dreams?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">These are really important questions that each individual needs to ask themselves&#8230;that everyone needs to have their own answers to and know why they are answering in the way that they are.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What is it,&#8230; that you\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">really and honestly stand for in your own life? &#8230;and how committed to the accomplishment of your cause are you?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Would it be worth giving up your own life if that were what was required to accomplish it? <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Oh it is these type questions that begin to separate the men from the boys.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Well permit me to point out to you that you will never be ready to succeed in life unless and until you know exactly who you are, what you personally stand for, where you and your family are really going, how you are going to get there, and why you are making the journey.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Is that perfectly clear???<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Whenever these questions cannot be fully answered, then your train moving toward your own personal success has been derailed and is in a temporary \u201chold\u201d position until you resolve the correct answers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>An \u201cI don\u2019t really know\u201d answer immediately pulls you off the roadway and onto the siding to wait until you finally figure out who you are,&#8230;where you are going, and how you are going to get there.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>All too many people get started on the Road To Success, but soon get sidetracked and stay on that siding for such a long period of time that they lose all of their forward-moving momentum.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Sadly they never seem to muster up enough excitement or energy in their lives again to get re-engaged.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Consequently they never reach where they said they really wanted to go.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They never become who they really wanted to be.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They let themselves and their own family down and mostly they disappointed their Creator by never living out what His intended purpose was for their life.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>How sad!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>God must definitely cry a lot.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">To become a real leader of other people,&#8230;to become a great influencer of other people\u2019s lives and accomplishments,&#8230;to be a major player,&#8230;a major contributor,&#8230;you must,&#8230;absolutely must&#8230; possess and exemplify real personal courage,&#8230;mental toughness,&#8230;and a committed sustained work ethic.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>No exceptions.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Success is not an accident.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Success is a planned event.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">You may ask,&#8230; How in the world do you do that?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That is a very good question.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Based upon what I have already told you in previous discussions, how do you think you do it?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Simple,&#8230;just go to the Word of God <b>first <\/b>and see what He has to say about getting it done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Now a little word of caution might herewith be in order.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Whenever you are seeking some instruction as to how to get things properly accomplished, you must be absolutely certain that you seek out only the good, right, and properly qualified teachers<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>from whom to receive your guidance and counsel.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As is the case in almost every arena of life and instruction, there are an over-abundance of unqualified, incorrect, incompetent, fraudulent, and totally false teachers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>These type people are discussed and described in great detail in the Holy Bible in The Book of 2 Peter, Chapter 2, vv.1-6.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Apostle Peter describes in full detail these false teachers : who they are, what are their actual destructive beliefs, what is their lust for power, why they always exhibit their complete denial of Christ\u2019s deity, why they all are driven by consuming greed, and why they all have a<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>perverted sensuality.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>These false teachers are easily recognized as they always exploit God\u2019s people and His followers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Therefore, God has chosen to punish them and rescue those who stand for what is right and godly.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This is exactly the reason why you never want to hang around these false teachers, have any business dealings with them, or socialize with them in any way, shape, or form.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They will be judiciously dealt with by our loving, jealous, and just Father God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">The Apostle Peter contrasts self-appointed <b>bad leaders<\/b> with <b>good and<\/b> <b>godly<\/b> raised leaders:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">1. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The fall of angels<\/span> : God cast them into prison to preserve the godly (4).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">2. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The days of Noah<\/span> : God sent the flood, but rescued Noah (5).<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">3. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The destruction of Sodom<\/span> : God destroyed the city, but spared Lot (6).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">It is never easy to take a courageous stand.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It is always very difficult.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A mighty price will always have to be paid by the one(s) taking such a stand.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><b>Misery, pain, and suffering will always follow the one standing for that in which he totally believes because it is the right and godly thing to do.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Don\u2018 t allow yourself to be fooled by the enemy.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Whenever you choose to take a courageous stand,&#8230;it always seems cheaper to :<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">1. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stand for what is easy<\/span>: Some leaders look for the easy road and take it.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">2. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stand for what is popular<\/span>: Some leaders check the pulse of the majority.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">3. <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stand for what is comfortable<\/span> : Some leaders choose what fits them\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">best. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">4.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stand for what is convenient<\/span> : Some leaders do what fits their calendar.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">5.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stand for what is beneficial<\/span> : Some leaders stand for what profits them.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">6.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stand for what is wrong<\/span> : Some leaders simply stand for the wrong\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Now you will only be able to stand for the right and good things in life and stand against the wrong and bad things in life when you know who you really are and what you are in the process of doing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That will always be the case when you have a great cause to your life and it is a good and godly cause.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><b>Always stay on the God side of things and of life.<\/b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That way you will always have the Power on your own side.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>You will always have the Protection on your side.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>And, you will always have all of the believers on your side to lend a helping hand if and whenever one may be needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Leaders Gotta Lead&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Well over 25 years ago I was attending a very large business meeting in Portland, Oregon.\u00a0 Although I was scheduled to speak the following day, I had purposely come to the meeting on Saturday evening for the specific purpose of &hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/what-is-it-that-you-personally-stand-for\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-leadership"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21870"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21870\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21873,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21870\/revisions\/21873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davesevern.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}