✝ Daily Encouragement (10/11/22) "Swimming Upstream In A Downstream Culture"
Published: Tue, 10/11/22
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & 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." 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 usresolve 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
"Faithful To The End" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
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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