One Step Forward And Two Steps Back? Not Any More!

One Step Forward And Two Steps Back? Not Any More! By: Stan Carlock

Too many times I see it. Churches that refuse to move forward in the things of God. Or, worse yet, those that stop moving forward and then start backing up to the "way it used to be." It seems as though they would rather please man than to move in the direction God is taking His people in these last days. Most of these churches do have a few people with a vision. However, most are blind to it and so every time the few take one step forward, the church ends up taking two steps backward because of the "wisdom" of so-called elders who refuse to accept change. It reminds me of a story found in 1 Samuel 4. The Isrealites were engaged in a battle with their enemy, the Philistines. God had chosen someone to be His mouthpiece, the young prophet Samuel. But, instead of consulting with this "new" voice, the councel of "elders" got together and held a meeting. They determined among themselves that the way to defeat this enemy was to do things the way they used to do it. They said, "Remember when Joshua used to carry the Ark of The Covenant into battle? If we go back to doing things the way they did it then, we will win the battle." Wrong! Infact, DEAD wrong! 30,000 dead to be exact, not to mention the fact that The Ark was taken, the priests were killed and the Glory departed! Sounds like some churches I know. Instead of listening to the "voice" of a younger, hungry-for-God, on-fire generation, the elders of the church decide to do things the way we did it years ago. Without fail, it will always bring death, loss of the presence of God, compromise and a withdrawing of God's glory from our services. People become discouraged, depressed and defeated. The result is a loss of passion. Complacent people who sit there Sunday after Sunday, arms crossed, refusing to give an inch in order for God to take them a mile. Worship is totally abandoned in order to sing songs written during The Great Depression that makes the listeners reminisce of days gone by. The good news is, there are many churches all across this planet who do have a passion for God. They have not given in to the "tickle my ears" mentality sweeping the globe. They are the churches who worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Instead of trying to please man, they seek only to please The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords. I want to be a part of that church. The Bride of Christ who will soon be meeting her Bridegroom. I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss that meeting! The Bible tells us that "no one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" Luke 9:62. I'm not looking back. One step forward and two steps back? Not me! Not any more!! God bless you - until next time............................Stan