Funky

Have you ever felt like you were in a funk? I hadn't been able to put my finger on what my problem might be. It lasted way too long to be PMS. I kept taking Pamprin anyway hoping that it might help me be less cranky, tired, moody, and disinterested in life. Finally on Saturday I was desperate enough to pray about it. And wouldn't you know God answered my prayer! A new bottle of pamprin was not the answer. The answer that I felt in my heart was to quit sinning.

I was a little taken aback at first. I mean I am a Pastor's wife. I go to church and teach Sunday School. I appear to be a very nice and good person. But there have been several things I've let creep into my life that are not God honoring. And I didn't care. I could always find a way to justify it. From "I deserve to do this" to "Just one more time". The whole thing left me with a cold heart.

God sent His only Son Jesus to suffer and die for me sin. I cannot believe how easy it is to slip into having a callous attitude toward His sacrifice.

Ephesians 5:3 says
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

Not even a hint. Just a little sin is too much. And I could feel my little thoughts threatening to blow up into bigger ones. I'll be honest, a few things had already become way bigger than I would have ever thought possible. But the more I allowed my heart to continue down that path, the less I cared.

The word Holiness has a lot of negative connotations. It makes me think of people with stiff suits, singing hymns without smiling. But holiness is God setting us apart for Him.

I picked up a book that I've had on my shelf for a long time called "Holiness The Heart God Purifies" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It hit me right where I was at. I read the whole thing in a day.

"None of that [Christian stuff] will get us one iota closer to God if we are ignoring or cherishing sin in our hearts." Holiness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Page 54

I think cherish is a great word choice. For me, it feels good to hold on to some things. They are a little reward or happy place. Why should I have to give everything up?

"The greatest need of your mate, your children, your friends and fellow workers is not your friendship or your acts of service; it is not your abilities or your financial provision; their greatest need is not even your verbal witness of your faith. What they most need to see in you is a reflection of what God is like and of the transforming power of the gospel." Holiness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Page 57

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I needed to STOP! There are things that I know I need to change, stop watching, stop reading, and stop thinking. The problem is it's hard. It's hard when I rely on myself to fix it and try really hard with all my human sinful might. Then I'm doomed to stay in the pit of sin. But with the power of Christ, I can change. Why am I continually surprised when God does what he promises?

1 Corinthians 1:8-9
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

God's already giving me some victory. Don't get me wrong: it's a battle. I don't feel stifled or like I'm missing out. I don't feel like I have to start starching my capri pants. I feel freedom. I feel, period. And I'm so thankful.

Are you in a funk? What are the things in your life that you are unwilling to let go of? Things you are watching on TV or reading on the internet that are "no big deal"? The things you say about other people. The angry responses to your family. The many, many ways you can justify everything. (One of my favorites is: "I wouldn't have to get mad if you would behave!") Those little half truths that aren't hurting anyone? The greediness that keeps you running after the next thing? The person you just aren't willing to forgive?

STOP. Whatever it takes come to Jesus and repent. Don't worry if Harry or Susie quit what they were doing. Don't wonder if there's some way around it or if it's no big deal. It is a big deal. God is heavily invested in His holiness and ours.


Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.


1 Chronicles 16:28-29
Ascribe to the LORD , O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,
ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.
Bring an offering and come before him;

Isaiah 35:8
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.