SWIMMING UPSTREAM PART II
Kay Keith Peebles 8/20/2021 21.32
The moment one becomes a disciple of Christ Jesus, they must begin to swim upstream. Like a swift flowing river, there is a rhythm in which the “world” flows. The momentum and flow of the world is moving in the opposite direction of the current of the Kingdom of God. However, it is essential for the repentant convert to immediately turn in the opposite direction and begin swimming against the world’s current, in order to become Christ-like. Empowered by their new-found faith in God and His presence to support and defend, he/she feels exhilarated as they begin their trek. Lacking strength for the long haul, the Lord sustains them as they slowly begin to gain the momentum to keep on swimming. To understand the groundwork of this message, please read SWIMMING UPSTREAM from my August 7 post in the archives.
Once the new believer reaches their stride, they begin to see the predators in the water. Not only are they dodging other fish and debris in the flowing river, they realize the enemy (satan) has sent resistance, delay and if possible, destruction heading directly toward them! The moment the believer changed their identity to that of Christ by renouncing their former life/style of the world, they were equipped by God with everything they need to overthrow all the resistance that comes to take them out. Their dilemma is the realization that their battlefield in in their mind. Their faith increases by the “hearing” of the Word of God through reading, studying and meditating upon His Word continually. However, full victory doesn’t come until the revelation of God’s truth becomes deeply imbedded in the heart as a stronghold of faith.
Many who swim upstream succumb to the resistance because they have not chosen to seek the Lord and the things of God with all their heart. Jesus taught this powerful lesson in the parable of the sower. “Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. As he cast his seeds, some fell along the beaten path and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell onto gravel and had no topsoil. The seeds quickly shot up, but when the days grew hot, the spouts were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. Other seeds fell among the thorns and weeds, so when the seeds sprouted, so did the weeds, crowding out the good plants. But other seeds fell on good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty and some even one hundred times as much as he planted! If you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.” Matthew 13:3b-9 TPT.
The disciples asked the Lord to further clarify this parable so they could understand it fully. “He explained, ‘You’ve been given the intimate experience of insight into the hidden truths and mysteries of the realm of heaven’s kingdom, but they have not. For everyone who listens with an open heart will receive progressively more revelation until he has more than enough. But those who don’t listen with an open, teachable heart, even the understanding that they think they have will be taken from them. That’s why I teach the people using parables, because they think they’re looking for truth, yet because their hearts are unteachable, they never discover it. Although they will listen to me, they never fully perceive the message I speak…” Matthew 13:10-13 TPT. See also Matthew 13:14-15. Jesus was telling His disciples that if they listened and learned with an open mind and teachable heart they would eventually “habitually superabound” with understanding. Notes TPT
Jesus continued explaining the parable of the sower to His disciples. “The seed that fell on the beaten path represents the heart of the one who hears the message of the kingdom realm but doesn’t understand it. The adversary then comes and snatches away what was sown into his heart. The seed sown on gravel represents the person who gladly hears the kingdom message, but his experience remains shallow. Shortly after he hears it, troubles and persecutions come because of the kingdom message he received. Then he quickly falls away, for the truth didn’t sink deeply into his heart. The seed sown among weeds represents the person who receives the message, but all of life’s busy distractions, his divided heart, and his ambition for wealth result in suffocating the kingdom message and prevent him from bearing spiritual fruit! As for the seed that fell upon good, rich soil, it represents the hearts of people who hear and fully embrace the message of heaven’s kingdom realm. Their lives bear good fruit—some yield a harvest of thirty, sixty, even one hundred times as much as was sown.” Matthew 13:19-23, TPT.
I want to note here that repentance is still possible for the prodigal if they will heed the warning of the Lord and turn back to Jesus. God’s unfailing love is always looking for the one sheep that has gone astray in order to win them back to Him. Our Father in heaven still desires that NONE should perish so He stands watching and waiting to receive those who will hear His voice calling them back to the sheepfold.
Swimming upstream and succeeding directly depends upon how diligently and persistently we pursue God, His Word and His kingdom! In other words, we will receive as much as we invest in knowing Him. The first three types of soil represent fish swimming upstream that turn back around to follow the world’s pull and are devoured by the predators waiting for them to drop their guard (drugs, alcohol, immorality, false religion…). Scripture undeniably affirms only one fourth of those who hear the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ truly apprehend it, understand it, bear fruit, and receive their eternal reward. That is truly swimming upstream! What is more troubling than the above truth is the fact that those who received the word for a short time can be totally unaware that they have fallen backward and are in danger of eternal judgment.
John wrote the warning the Lord Jesus gave him for the end time church: “Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Sardis, for these are the words of the one who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know all that you do and I know that you have a reputation for being really “alive” but you’re actually dead! Wake up and strengthen all that remains before it dies, for I haven’t found your works to be perfect in the sight of my God. So remember all the things you’ve received and heard, then turn back to God and obey them. For if you continue to slumber, I will come to you like a thief and you’ll have no idea at what hour I will come…” Revelation 3:1-3, TPT. The Amplified Bible says it this way: “…for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight.” See also the Lord’s rebuke of the lukewarm church of Laodicea which is scathing. Only one church out of the seven He addressed received no correction or reproach.
That is a terrifying thought! Clearly, those who are not swimming upstream, are moving with the flow of the world and our only end will be utter devastation. The Christian walk is not a game; nor is it something we casually consider or lightly esteem. We are either all in or all out.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. For whoever is bent on saving his life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [everlasting life]…” Matthew 16:24-28. AMP
[temporal]This generation will be the greatest since the creation of mankind. The mysteries hidden in scripture are springing forth like never before. Those believers who have sold out to Jesus have lost sight of themselves and have committed to God’s “special forces” in the earth. They are now being equipped with the most powerful weaponry man has ever seen. Clothed in His glory, His power (Gr-dunamis) and His authority (Gr-exousia), His army will bring revival throughout the earth in order to gather in His inheritance the reward of His suffering. His Holy Spirit will go before them and be with them to tear down the strongholds that have held the people in bondage and darkness.
Do not think these days are life as usual. Do not simply think we are to make the best way we can in this hour. These are the greatest days for the church and the greatest harvest of souls stands before us! The power of the first Pentecost combined with other past Great Awakenings will converge into the soon coming World-wide Revival/Awakening of God! Those who are swimming upstream will fall into position where the Lord places them and they will not only hold their ground, they will conquer and occupy more territory.
The Bridegroom left 2,000 years ago to prepare a place for us. Sadly many have fallen away in these troubled times. But He is sending out those who are swimming upstream, who have His heart, His mind and His image, resulting in the greatest harvest the world has ever seen. Then, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, He will appear to them and call them up for the Wedding Feast. All were invited, but the only ones who will be accepted will be those who are clothed in His righteousness and Swimming Upstream!
