ok, kind of a rant today. This is not true of all the Shepherds/Sheep I know – some are surrounded by the love of God and share with others. Some would give you the shirt off their back if they knew you needed one. Maybe I just have a bad attitude today, idk. Might just be me – so if so, forgive my rant.
But then there are those who like the power and control. And maybe it’s me – I know I am overly sensitive to that spirit. Yeah – paid the price for welcoming that thing into my life. But then again, that’s why it makes me so mad. It is such a destroying spirit. Tears down everything good to be on the throne. Wants everyone to worship it.
ugggh!
I have found that just like in the world, there are those in the church that thrive on power and control. And there are those who abuse it. Who take advantage of people when they are at their lowest. Those who kick you when you are down. And use religion to justify their ‘holier-than-thou attitude’. Maybe you have run into a few?
So, here’s my rant:
Sometimes the ‘religiosity’ of people in church drives me nuts. There, I said it. I have been beaten down by people, the world, my flesh, Satan, his demons, men, bosses, etc…and I am sure you have had your share too. And yet it infuriates me when other “Christians” insist that what Jesus did is not good enough. Like I could add something to that perfect sacrifice. Yeah, right.
You hear it..
You need to read your Bible more (How much is enough?)
You need to pray more (I do pray, I didn’t know we were in a contest)
You need to repent, again and again cuz you are such a screw up (I thought Jesus took care of that – yesterday, today, and even my mistakes I do tomorrow.)
You know, not everyone is getting into Heaven – implying they are, but none of us ‘sheep’ are. (Oh, I guess I better pay for the upgrade…)
You need to tithe more (Wow, guess I’ll stop paying my mortgage and electricity – yeah cardboard box, that will work.)
You need to go knock on some doors and bring those people here (I think they know they live next to a church)
You need to … blah, blah, blah
Newsflash –
- I know I have sinned, do you need to beat me over the head with it?
- How can I repent and come to the alter when you continually kick me when I am down?
- I came to church to be forgiven – by Jesus, not by you. You are not my God, God is God all by himself. He really did do it without you.
- While you are busy fighting with the other Shepherds about whose doctrine is right/wrong – your sheep are being eaten by the wolves. Yeah, that would be me. And other sheep I know.
- If you don’t stop beating the sheep up, they are not going to keep coming back. Starving sheep don’t do well.
- If you don’t guard and protect the sheep they will continue to get hurt buy the wolves. If you don’t lead, we won’t follow.
- It really isn’t about you, or me. I am ok with that. It’s about HIM.
- This is not your church. This isn’t your kingdom. That is not your money – It belongs to JESUS.
DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING
©2014 Diana Rasmussen
Learned my lesson long ago
Don’t believe everything
someone says but to
test and see if their
words and actions match
I’ve been led astray
too many times to
believe everything I hear
What is the fruit
of their words?
Do they bring confusion
or seek peace?
Do they name it, claim it
or trust God in things?
Is there personal gain
attached to their words?
Or are there selfless acts
with no microphones
applause or accolades?
Is it always about flesh and sin?
And the shortcomings
of everyone?
Or do they build you up
restore and rebuild
the things the world
has torn down again?
Do they fan the flame
He died to give?
or quench the Spirit
with words of doubt?
Tearing apart
your faith
and hope?
Is Jesus Lord
Above all things?
His sacrifice enough
to pay for your sins?
Or is there more you
need to add?
More you should do
to be accepted
into His family?
Is there peace or confusion?
Is there rest or business?
Is there strife or joy?
Is there hate or love?
Is there arrogance
self-righteous
condemnation
fault-finding
gossiping
distractions
causing disharmony
and division?
Or is the fruit of their words
peace, harmony, and unity?
Dear Jesus,
Please help us to
test the spirits and
discern the hidden
things behind the
curtain as the
price is paid
The veil is torn by
Your blood alone Lord
and we come boldly
to Your Throne
to receive
grace and mercy
and Your help
in our time of need
Don’t Believe Everything You Hear
My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.
Here’s how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ—the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person—comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought!
My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world’s language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception. (1 John 4:1-6 The Message (MSG))