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))

 (P.S. Yes, I have been kicked out of places – me and my big mouth.  I know, I need more healing here. What do you think?)