Strength in Struggle: Swimming UpStream

Swimming UpStream

Look at the adjectives John uses to describe himself in the Book of Revelation

Revelation 1:9 (NIV)

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (NIV)

19holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

(NIV)

22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Why Do Salmon & Other Fish Swim Upstream?

By Jade Blue; Updated April 24, 2017Salmon and other fish swim upstream because they must make the journey for reproductive purposes. Salmon and a number of other fish, including coho and rainbow trout, follow a familiar scent that leads them back to the location of their birth. This is where the circle of life begins and ends for each species.

Scent is the indicator, it is the guide, it gives direction.

Lewis & Clark had a guide.

Holy Spirit is the Guide

(NIV) — 13 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

(NIV) — 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Biological Wiring

Scientists indicate that salmon and other types of fish are naturally predisposed to the journey upstream. According to an article in USA Today, scientists state that home odors are embedded in the minds of certain fish. Home odors are smells that are unique to each body of water. When the fish reach maturity and wish to spawn, or reproduce, they are instinctively drawn back to the place of their birth by the home odors. Their bodies prepare for reproduction as the reach the home odor source.

Reproduction

When fish mature, they feel an instinctive need to reproduce. Certain groups must travel upstream. During upstream spawning, large numbers of males and females congregate to fertilize a number of eggs, which guards against predators wiping out an entire species. Upstream waters are calmer, creating the perfect environment for embryo growth. Most species require a lengthy gestation period. On average, it takes three to four months for salmon eggs to hatch. Downstream waters are more active, increasing the risk of eggs being swept away.

Survival of Young

Adults die within a week of spawning, leaving the young to fend for themselves after hatching. Their decaying bodies create a nutrient-rich environment for the growing embryos. Young fish have yolk attached to their throats, eliminating the immediate need for a food source. After a month or so, they feed on insects, which are in greater abundance at gentler upstream bodies of water. They eat larger items after migrating to larger bodies of water.

Migration

Swimming upstream for spawning purposes simplifies migration. Younger fish who do not possess the strength to swim great distances follow the currents downstream. Larger food sources are available, allowing them to increase in size and prepare for their own spawning journey in the future. Thus, salmon and other fish swim upstream for the benefit of future generations.The Red ColorThe fish don’t eat during their journey. They begin to digest their own skin, this is why their color turns red.Their TripThe round trip (leaving to go to the ocean and then returning), has taken 5 years. They cover about 7,000 miles. Their reward is death. The female thrashes out a nest. The male shadows her and then does his part. The odds of her offspring surviving is are so low, this is why she releases thousand of eggs to ensure that some will make the return run in 5 years. Stand firm in one Spirit- Striving together- does not necessarily imply that we are are struggling with the same problem. The qualifier to standing firm in one spirit is that you have something you’re struggling with, and we together stand firm. The life of a Christian is not a playground; it is a battleground. We are Sons and Daughters birthed from the Gospel, we are servants serving the Gospel, and we are soldiers defending the Gospel. (NIV) — 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. Frightened - (NIV) — 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. (NIV) 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. tells us that for two years, he recieved visitors and proclaimed the gospel to the extent that Paul was convincing even some members of Caesar’s household to have faith in Jesus. Citizens of Philippi, a Roman colony, would certainly have been impressed by the news that the gospel had advanced among the palace guard in Rome and that members of the imperial service in the capital city had become Christians The Philippian church was established (). It had the episkopos - overseerers (leaders who direct the affairs of the church and who is held accountable for the church membership)and the diakonos - deacons ( care for the need and livelihood of the assembly as a whole.)Phillipian 1:7-8 Paul testified that he had some serious struggles from time to time. but, he informed us that he nevertheless had GRACE. in verse 8 he also had the ability to have a heart for people, even through his personal struggles! In order to exercise discernment, you must have a complexity before you! Discerning what’s best means that you can identify what is worst! Discernment can keep you out of the mouth of the enemy! (NIV) 8 Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, Philippians Was Among Paul’s FavoritesPhilippians is believed to be the apple of Paul’s eye by some theologians, and at the very least one of Paul’s favorite churches he helped to birth!You know how it is when you have something that your favorite. We like to pretended that all things are equal, and that all people you know are your best friend, but let’s be real, authentic, we have favorites! We treat our favorite things and people differently. Jesus had Peter, James, and John. Grandparents don’t like to admit it, but sometimes they do have a few of the grandkids they are close to. Especially he ones who come over all the time. THe ones who they had to pick up off the ground when knees were scraped. The grandchild that had a serious surgery that required that someone had to look after them for 30 days and grandma was there feeding them soup and crackers. The grandchild that needed extra care when they had a stomach ache. It’s no surprise that the grandparent would have a special affection toward the child that needed them. It’s not that they don’t love the other grand kids that live 800 miles away and only get to see them maybe once a year. But the ones that grandma had to bathe, feed, pick up from school because they got sick, have a uniquely favorite place within the heart of the that grandparent that is not announced to everybody! Its a secret within the heart.Paul calls this church in chapter 4 verse 1 his, “…joy and crown...”Suffer - agōn - Fight, conflict, contention, intense raceVine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Conflict (NIV) 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (NIV) 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (NIV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ; , “fight”; , “race”; hence, (c) “the inward conflict of the soul”; inward “conflict” is often the result, or the accompaniment, of outward “conflict,” ; , implying a contest against spiritual foes, as well as human adversaries; so , “conflict,” KJV; RV, “(how greatly) I strive,” lit., “how great a conflict I have. (NIV) 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 8 times a form of the word “rejoice” appears in the Book of time is gives us the word joy.We Have Been Given A Gift! (NIV) 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, (NIV) 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. He has graced us with Suffering. When you are given a gift, it is no good if you can’t use the gift!Grace means that you have been given smomething to use with all of the necessary parts needed to operate the gift.WHat good is a remote controlled car, if you don’t have the batteries.WHen God gave you the gift of suffereing, he gave you everything you need in order to come out sucessfully. The end result of suffering for Christ is power! (NIV) 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.