Confirmation

I've learned that in my own life, God uses one particular method of confirmation a lot: repetition. First I think I begin to discern a message in prayer time, then I might come across a Scripture that speaks to that very idea, then I might hear a radio pastor give a sermon on that topic or I'll run across an author that emphasizes the same idea.

It has been true again in my life again in recent weeks. The resounding sense that God is saying, "Too many and too often My children are focused on things that don't really matter. They are caught up in distracting details instead of being caught up in Me. And in that distraction, they miss the Joy that can both set them on fire and set them free."

So when I ran across a book for 50 cents at a garage sale titled, Pleasures Evermore, I knew it wasn't a coincidence.

Sam Storms pretty much sums it up for me:

"I seriously doubt that [any of] the theological traditions or denominational persuasions [represented in Christendom today] . . . are characterized by noticeably less scandalous sin [or are 'significantly more righteous'] than any other . . . Is there no way at all to increase and deepen and expand the transformation of our hearts? Is there anything that will effectively energize the human heart in its war with sin? Just how to we grow in grace and the power to say No to the world, the flesh, and the Devil?

I'm convinced that we have only two options. Either we can devote ourselves and our time and our energy to demonstrating the ugliness and futility of sin and the world, hoping such will embolden our hearts to say No to it as unworthy or our affection, or we can demonstrate the beauty and splendor of all that God is for us in Jesus and become happily and joyfully enticed by a rival affection."