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Brooksyne Weber
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Tuesday, October
11, 2022
The Lancaster Junction Rail
Trail provided a nice ride late yesterday afternoon.
"Swimming
Upstream
In
A Downstream Culture"
Message
summary: As we remain
faithful to God in our increasingly godless culture let
us resolve to obey God rather than man. Instead of
looking for commendation from the world we desire
commendation from the King of kings and Lord of lords,
so let us determine that we will swim upstream in a
downstream culture.
Note:
Due to technical issues we were unable to resolve a
podcast is not available for this message.
"Praise be to the God
of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His
angel and rescued His servants! They trusted in Him and
defied the king’s command and were willing to give up
their lives rather than serve or worship any god except
their own God" (Daniel 3:28).
When I was
about 12 our family took a long road trip from our home in Missouri through
the south. The ultimate reason was to visit my older
brother Pat who was serving in the Air Force at a base
in South Carolina. But my dad made sure it to make it an
interesting trip with many stops along the way,
including my very first visit to the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park, still one of my favorite go to
places.
I
knew how to swim, although at that time always in a pool
as I recall. We stopped along a fast moving, very cold
mountain stream and we (my
sister Genelle and I) were allowed to get out
and splash around in the water.I got into
some fast moving water and was fighting it, attempting
to swim upstream against the strong current. Although it
was probably not that deep I didn't know and panicked,
feeling like I was going to drown. I'm not sure how I
got out of the swift water but obviously I did and I
never forgot the terrifying experience. Today it serves
as an illustration of how the faithful Christ-follower
must live life; swimming upstream in a downstream
culture.
We are
living in a downstream culture. The current is flowing
down and away from God’s created design. In a sense that
has always been true since the Fall. But it seems the
current and wild waters are increasing to flood-like
levels in our lifetime, especially these last several
years. We are called to swim upstream in a downstream
culture. (If you can't swim just consider paddling
upstream!)
Downstream
culture has many allies: entertainment, traditional
media, social media, education, government, foundations,
medical establishments, big pharma and many others.
Swimming
upstream is getting increasingly harder. It may be
tempting just to let the current carry you along but
that's not persevering or staying faithful!
As
I was preparing this message a news story popped up that
illustrates this. The College of the Ozarks is a small
college in southern Missouri with the nickname Hardwork
University since the students work their way through
college (imagine that!). We have stopped to eat several
times at the college run restaurant that provides work
for the students and we had a pleasant experience,
including the good meal. The young people were so
courteous, much like you might find at a Chick-fil-A
restaurant.But due to
swimming upstream in our downstream culture they are
facing quite a test. Here's the brief report:
"The
College of the Ozarks is a religious school in Missouri
and the Christian faith is integral to how it operates.
Not surprisingly, the college believes that sex is unchangeable. And it runs its dorms accordingly.
But now, the government is trying to FORCE the college to violate its religious beliefs and allow men and women to share dorm rooms ... and even showers."
Not surprisingly, the college believes that sex is unchangeable. And it runs its dorms accordingly.
But now, the government is trying to FORCE the college to violate its religious beliefs and allow men and women to share dorm rooms ... and even showers."
Pray for
this college and others like it which are valiantly
fighting to maintain their Biblical positions against a
tide of godlessness.
Swimming
upstream in a downstream world requires the same
unshakable convictions that Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego are commended for in our daily text. In Daniel
3 they refused to bow down to the golden image
(idolatry) that King
Nebuchadnezzar had set up and
faced the fiery furnace.
After
their deliverance Nebuchadnezzar made the commendation
in the daily text. "Praise be to the God of
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His angel
and rescued His servants! They trusted in Him and defied
the king’s command and were willing to give up their
lives rather than serve or worship any god except their
own God" (Daniel 3:28).
As we
remain faithful to God in our increasingly godless
culture let us
resolve to obey God rather than man. Instead of looking
for commendation from the world we desire commendation
from the King of kings and Lord of lords, so let us
determine that we will swim upstream in a downstream
culture.
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
we consider the words of Scripture, "that
all the peoples of the earth may
know that the Lord is God; there is
no other." Like the followers in
Scripture, "We want our hearts to
be wholly true to the Lord our God,
walking in His statutes and keeping
His commandments.” If it
requires that we lay down our life for
You, may we do so willingly, knowing
that full obedience is a powerful
witness on this side and brings great
reward in the eternal dwelling that
follows. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
We had a
beautiful day yesterday and I was able
to ride my bike, both in our
neighborhood and on a rail trail.
An
enterprising Amish child has this
small stand right along the rail
trail. Looks like he outgrew his
shoes so he made a planter out of one.
Perhaps the other sold already!
I
walked into an old mill and saw
these plants drying. Looks like
upside down, miniature Christmas
trees! But it's not.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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