You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience. We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:1 WEB

Salmon fight their way upstream, swimming against the current to reach their spawning ground. It is a long, difficult journey for them. The dead ones simply float downstream, drifting wherever the water carries them. Any dead fish can float with the current, but it takes a live one to swim upstream.

It takes guts to be different. Like a tug of war, you want to do right, but find the world pulling you back in. The current is going against you. Most of the world goes with the flow, follows the masses, and worships the idols.

When you submit your life to God, He will often take you in the opposite direction and you may need new friends that are heading the same way. If you look around and all of your friends are spiritually dead and going the way of the world, you need to change course and probably change your friends.

God takes full responsibility for the life totally committed to Him. It may take you upstream, against the flow, but you will be productive, and the journey will be exciting along the way. He will give your life purpose. Submit to God, follow His promptings, resist peer pressure and be willing to swim against the current.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to stand strong for You and resist temptation. Wash me over with Your presence. Holy Spirit come and live inside me. Let my walk align with my talk, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: For those who missed Sunday''s message of the week, "The Way Up is Down", the recorded video and text are now available. Just go to the Watch link on the site menu and choose "Watch Previous Services". ALSO, the Creation Photographers theme of the week "Reflections of the Father''s Love", based 1 John 4:7. As always, you are free to post anything else that inspires you, too! You can find this or any other group under the Groups link on the site menu. Have a blessed day!