Swimming Upstream

Greetings New Lifer-s! Pastor Bill here.

This week I encourage you to work through Romans Chapter 12 with me. I have a suggested reading portion for each day and a verse I have chosen for you to focus on.
I love nature. (the fact that almost EVERY message I do has a nature illustration might hint at that!)

The amazing migration of salmon up the rivers, against the current and against all odds to achieve their God ordained goal is, to me, a wonderful illustration of an authentic Christian spiritual journey. The Bible refers to “walking the narrow road”, “running your race”, “fighting the good fight” and many other illustrations, but let me add the salmon spawning migration to those!

Monday, October 5th

Romans 12:1-2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world.” Vs 1

There is a strong current of all things “the world” that tries to convince us to just go with the flow. Jesus makes it clear, that is the path to ruin for spiritual lives. Cultural expectations, political pressure, perhaps family pressure, “that’s just the way it has to be to make it in the world,” pick your own excuse or pressure you feel in the current of culture. “The pattern of this world.” Make the choice. Take your stand. Swim up stream!