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THE WAY †, Uncategorized

Awake, America

adacostauf

“The people will be fuel for the fire, and no one will spare even his own brother. They will attack their neighbor on the right but will still be hungry. They will devour their neighbor on the left but will not be satisfied. In the end they will even eat their own children.” – Isaiah 9:20

As much as I hate to admit it, I was simply skimming over Isaiah 9 in my nightly devotions, when I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to read the second part over again. And then again. Why? I wondered. The first part is great. The first part involves key prophecies and verses included in sermons around Christmastime.

But God talks to us through His Word, and though its thousands of years old, it is still relevant. It will always be relevant. He is God, and He does not change.

Yes, when we read, we’re to read things in context. But while we read, we’re supposed to pray and talk to Him and ask Him to reveal certain things to us.

And I don’t know about you, but the verse, “They will attack their neighbor on the right but will still be hungry. They will devour their neighbor on the left but will not be satisfied,” – certainly seem like what’s going on in America today.

We live in a world where people on both sides mock, ridicule, and completely lash out in hatred against the other side. We’re called stupid because we disagree with one side. If we like another side, we’re called other horrible things. We’re animals without a conscience.

Some people are refused service. Some people get yelled at. Some people are brutally beaten in the streets.  Others are shot at.

What is this world coming to? Why can’t we all just agree to disagree? Isn’t that what we’ve done in the past? Have we changed so much that the span of eight years or four years can destroy the root of America? Freedom.

Freedom of religion. Freedom of speech. Freedom to live. Freedom of democracy. Freedom of a government that changes based on who the people elect. Freedom for the people to decide in another amount of time if that government needs to change, or its prospering and should stay the same. Freedom of agreeing to disagree with your neighbor.

One check mark doesn’t dictate our souls. One check mark doesn’t change how much God has blessed this country.

One government in turmoil doesn’t ruin everything.

America. Know her. Drive through her. Go see her national parks. Go see the glory of God’s creation in them. Drive down certain trails, and learn about the mysteries of our history. Go to certain cities and hear the history of how far she’s come. Learn about the brave men and women who have fought to keep her who she is. Go thank the veterans that deem her still worthy. The people themselves are the heart of America. The kindness, the accents, the food. In every state it’s a little different, but we all grew up placing our hands over our hearts for the same flag.

Are we to be so swayed by Hollywood and reporters? Are we to be swayed by certain representatives? Are we to allow ourselves to be brainwashed into thinking that violence and hatred against our opposing side is ok because we just know that they are wrong (and should totally be punished for it!)? Common sense alone should tell you that that kind of violence is evil.

Aren’t we human? Don’t we all watch the same sunsets? Don’t we all drive on the right side of the road (America, y’all!)? Don’t we all bicker about our sports teams and cheer like mad when they do great things? Is there anything more wonderful than a newborn? Isn’t ice cream awesome?

Can’t we just hang up the TV, the rioting and the yelling, and educate ourselves on the candidates? And when we do that, how about we realize that those on the other side are human beings. We all drive on the right side of the road, like they do. Some yell for that sports team, like you do. Some are coffee addicts, like you are. Some won that hot dog eating contest, just like you did. Some graduated from that awesome university, just like you did.  Some have fought for this country, like they have on your side. Some have died for this country, as they have on your side.

This country will never be perfect. Our government will never be just right. But let’s hold onto the freedoms that we hold so dear, and have faith in the One who inspired our founders to fight for freedom. The One Who is freedom. The One Who loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son.

And that Son is our hope. No earthly government will ever be the essence of peace and perfection, but we can have faith that we will see that one day. Because God’s Word says so:

“For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen.” – Isaiah 9:6-7

-ASD

Originally posted in 2018*

THE WAY †, Uncategorized

Battlefield, Meet January ’24

adacostauf

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33, NLT

Do you ever have a dream? A wonderful dream that you know it’s your God-given purpose to pursue?

And you just know that you need to start in the new year. Because, by some miracle, the New Year started at the beginning of a new week. How perfect is that?

So, you make a big list on December 31st of all the things you hope you’ll accomplish. All the things that the New Year will bring.

But then, life gets in the way.

Plans get disrupted, and oh, life gets frustrating.

I had these goals I was chasing, these things I was so confident were right, but life got in the way. Or, another way to put it, I’ve been attacked at every angle. A big life goal, a moving situation, my health (which led to my trip since I’d planned since 2020 – cancelled), my sweet pup (she’s well now), my finances, my life (snowbirds in Florida can’t drive, y’all), my water (my water cooler somehow internally combusted), my family, my mind, even my computer (and with that, my profession).

Every angle.

January 2024 has been a doozy.

I haven’t handled it that well. I’ve said things. I’ve shook my fist (metaphorically…most of the time). I’ve gotten really frustrated and asked the questions why.

But, unfortunately for the one doing the attacking, these things brought me to a place of surrender. Somewhat begrudgingly. Somewhat frustratingly, and definitely asking why.

But surrender. Not to the enemy. Not to turning my back on the King of Kings.

But surrender to the one who holds my life in the palm of His hand.

Everything I thought I knew, that I thought I desired, has been brought before me and put on trial the last 31 days. It’s helped me realized what goals are important: Health. Family. Health for my pup. Wisdom. Safety (again, defensive driving in Florida is a necessity).

Most of all, Jesus. Through everything, Jesus. Surrendering every last drop of it to Jesus.

Because I am a mess without Him. I have no hope without Him.

I had this physical situation that really did scare me, where I thought I was at the end of my rope, but He showed me, in His own spectacularly gloriously merciful way, that He sees me. I had a financial situation that had me really frustrated because of injustice, but you know what? He still provides. He’s kept me safe so many times.

Lots of bad, heartbreaking, horrible, awkward things happened in January. But Jesus brought me through it and rescued me, calmed my fears, and gave me hope.

There are certain things I’ll need to work on every day, that I’ll never stop praying for. But Jesus has those.

He has me. He holds me in His hands. He is my Refuge.

I know the areas I need to work on, to pray on, to pray for. I do not know a lot of things. But I know Jesus.

The enemy might come before me one way, but the enemy has been defeated, and in Jesus’ Name he has to flee seven ways (Deuteronomy 28:7).

But, praise God, it’s not my job to worry about the enemy. It’s my honor to worship the God who sees me. Who calls me His. Who reminds me that I am not alone, that He’s with me, and, because of Jesus and His perfect work on the cross, there is hope, healing, and eternity.

So while my 2024 did not start as I intended, my Savior brought me through each problem I faced. I truly saw His hand, His rescue, His protection, in the ways He rescued me.

January, I think you made a warrior out of me.

I can’t wait to see what Jesus has in store for the rest of this year.

THE WAY †, Uncategorized

What Joy Means

adacostauf

What is the meaning of joy? What does it mean to you?

Is it happiness, elation, excitement? Is it something that happens when everything is going perfectly? You receive good news, and that triggers your joy?

Or does it run deeper, in a way that’s indescribable. Almost raw and bittersweet. Almost overwhelming. It’s every extreme, all rolled into one. You shouldn’t feel happy in the situation you’re in, and you don’t. Nothing is right in your world. But still, joy pursues you. It’s this innermost tug, that in the midst of your situation, you can still have hope. Maybe joy isn’t based on circumstance. Maybe it’s based on something else. Something far greater.

We like to bring up how “fear not” is mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible; one statement for every day of the year.

Did you realize that various versions of the word “joy” (“rejoice” or “joyful”) is mentioned in the Bible about 430 times? Happiness, the emotion based on circumstance, is only in the Bible roughly ten times (openthebible.org).

If telling us to “fear not” is so important to God that He’d give us that phrase for each day, how much more joy.

If you’re like me and love starting in Genesis and reading through your Bible starting January 1, highlight every version of the word “joy.” Study those verses. See how they meld. See the situations they were in and the grief and the overwhelming places. See all that King David went through, every way in how he messed up and fell short – but He understood how important joy is to God. See Jesus praying for us, praying that we would have His joy.

Joy is Jesus’. He spoke so that we could have His joy. Joy runs deeper, because for those in Christ, it’s a spiritual birthright.

We’re good at hearing so many sermons under the sun, we’re good at saying how cool Jesus is. We’re good at condemnation. Yet maybe the key that we’re missing, the message that needs to be displayed to the world, is that Jesus is love. He is peace, and hope, and salvation. And Jesus is joy.

It doesn’t make sense, but His way seldom looks like the world’s. He transcends it. He’s God. And joy is so important to God.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:10-11

Uncategorized

Fading Churches

adacostauf

I’m not bold. I do not like to share every detail of my life on social media.

If you know me, you probably know that I am a Christian. That I was raised in a Christian church by a Christian family. Those wise by this world’s standards might deem it a mental crutch or unpopular today.

Which is fine. I never cared about popularity anyway.

I was speaking with a friend who’s from another country because they had asked me about church (I had tried a new church that morning). He asked if it was a different religion or connected to other churches I had been to.

I answered and asked him how it was where he’s from. In Europe, the churches are historic and beautiful and practically museums. But he simply shrugged and said that people don’t really go to church. He said that people might believe, but they aren’t “outspoken” about it. He referred to religion – Christianity – as being a passing fancy. A phase the world went through, and he spoke as if it was losing its popularity.

As if The Bible hasn’t been the best-selling book throughout history.

As if wars haven’t happened because of it.

As if people aren’t being persecuted – to this day – because of it.

As if a small country still isn’t the most controversial country in history.

As if the Name of Jesus isn’t the most controversial, popular and beloved figure throughout history.

As if Christianity is just a pleasant label for a simple-minded belief and being a follower of Jesus is just a term and a crutch, and not an all-consuming fire of the most important relationship anyone could ever be blessed to be chosen to have.

As if this world simply exists for us and our own pleasure, and there isn’t hope.

Seeing a person I’ve known since I was little speak in such a dismissive matter literally made my heart ache. For him and his dismissive view. And for Europe and the fading church. For the people in countries where the Bible is banned, and who do anything to simply read a page of it – and are overjoyed when they do. And for this country I’ve been born in, which was founded so we could have the freedom to boldly worship – but we’re more into what influencers are telling us to believe than in picking up the Word of God and letting that influence us. We’re more into our right to choose than what the Creator of the World says for us to obey.

I love Jesus with all my heart, soul and strength. Not because of a beautiful church building. Not because of eloquent words that a church elder might string together. Not because of a community of lukewarm Christian-labeled Sunday-goers.

I love Jesus because He is Lord. I love Jesus because, though I’ve lost those I love the most in this world, He has never left me or forsaken me. I love Jesus because though I am a wretched anxious  sinner, He came here and took my place, He bore all of my sins and sickness on the cross, and conquered death. He took my punishment. And on top of everything, He gives me eternity and I get to see my loved ones again. I love Him because He created dogs and gave them their quirky personalities. I love Him because of my Jesus-following friends who are not afraid to pray bold prayers that shake the heavens and be raw with life. I love Him because He makes the sun rise and the sun set and the stars dance along the sky; all the while creating the most beautiful sky-paintings no earthly artist could ever begin to compete with.

I love Him because He gives us His Word.

I love Him because no matter how many times I read it, there is always something new to be discovered. It is the living Word of God.

I love Him because His Word says He adopts us. Those who accept Jesus into their hearts are adopted – are born again!

I love Him because, right before I was at my darkest point of loss, I heard His still, small, ocean-wave-overwhelming voice say, “Do not be afraid.” I had no idea why. Then I did.

I love Him because He is a God who sees and a King who cares.

I love Jesus because in spite of the how horrible, messy, sad, angry and destructive this world gets, he bore the hate of it first. He bore our death. And He has overcome the world.

I love Him because the King of Kings – the only leader who has ever truly been just – is so completely merciful and loving that He has done everything He could to give us the hope of eternity. If only we pick up our crosses and follow Him.

I love Him because though I have lost everyone and everything; He is my everything and He is enough.

I love Him because I know my love is insufficient. But it was never about my love for Him. It Is about is love for me. For all of us.

King Jesus is not a passing fancy. He is the Almighty Great I Am and He is coming soon.

I dare you to step out of your formal motions and eloquent speech (though I know God is worthy of all formality). I dare you to come to Jesus broken, with all of your pain, all of your sin and grief. I dare you to be raw with God who also says you are His beloved child. Who also promises to be your Friend who sticks closer than a brother and to be a Father to the fatherless. Pick up the book that He provided for you – and maybe read the rawness of the Psalms and ponder why King David who penned them – noting his sin, failures, and asking God to ‘slap his enemies in the face’ – was the apple of His eye. Then go to John and see the Word. The Word who was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone…”

“The Light shines in the darkness. And the darkness can never extinguish it.” – John 1

If you do anything, don’t fall for the formality of formal fancy churches that are fading. Do not fall for religion and labels. Fall in love with the one who Created you, for He will never fail you.

Strive to know the Author and Perfector. Find a church passionately on fire for Him. And be the church on fire for Him.

Know Jesus. Seek Him. If you sincerely do, His Word promises that He will be found by you.