But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26 WEB.

When God told Abram to leave his family and country, he brought his nephew Lot with him. In time, the families grew and prospered so much they had to separate from each other. Lot and his family then moved to the city of Sodom. It was an extremely wicked, prideful city, and eventually, their sins caught up with them.

Because of Abraham, angels visited Lot and told him to get his family out of Sodom before the destruction began. When they left the city, the angels told them not to look behind them. So Lot's family all left the town together. Lot's wife went out of the town with the family, but she stopped, lingered, and looked back longingly at what she was leaving behind. She became a pillar of salt. She became a monument.

God is always calling us forward in our life, always stretching our faith. As long as we live, we are not finished. He is infinitely smart, and we only know a fraction of what He has in store for us. We will still be learning about God while in heaven. To think that we know everything about Him now is hubris and prideful deception. He has given us enough truth to live by today, but tomorrow we will learn even more. None of us know everything.

If you take a broad look at denominations, you will always see they have formed this way: A revelation, a movement, then a monument. Each one starts with a new revelation about something they believe. It becomes a movement and gathers a following. Eventually, what they believe is written out in a "Statement of Faith," and then whatever is not included in that statement is rejected, and whoever does not agree with it is wrong. What started as something new and fresh ironically now rejects anything new. It becomes an unchanging monument.

Old wineskins become brittle and will not hold new wine, so God must use someone else. He moves on and reveals something new to those willing to listen, and soon another movement is formed around that truth. Revelation, movement, and a monument is the pattern as God restores His church from the dark ages.

God is full of surprises, and to think that He is predictable is a mistake. I know He said, "I change not," and He doesn't, but our understanding certainly does. The fact is that no one walked on water until a couple of people did (Matthew 14:29). No one raised the dead until someone did (Acts 20:9). No one cast out evil spirits with a handkerchief until someone did (Acts 19:11). Bread never rained from heaven until the day that it did (Exodus 16:14). So unless scripture clearly prohibits something, be open and "Test all things, keeping what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Do not despise prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

Stay stretchable today and allow God to do something new in your life. Don't write off everything new that comes your way as not of God, especially things that are clearly discussed in the Bible. Also, don't try to fill in the blanks where Scripture is silent. Keep looking forward and not behind you. Don't stop listening to God, don't stop growing, or you will become just another monument along the path.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please let me see what You are doing today through Your eyes. I choose to believe that You are alive, that You love me, and that You hear me today. I want to ally myself with You and walk hand in hand. Come and be a part of my life today. Help me be stretchable and teachable. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: For those who would like to join us, today we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of interactive worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! The service starts at 10am EST. Here is the link to join: RHM Live. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.