The PERSON you will NEVER get away from...

Has it ever occurred to you that you have a relationship with yourself?

Auntie Joyce (Meyer) spoke about something that I have never really thought about… I don’t know about you, but this concept intrigues me considerably…

Just think about it… You spend the most time with yourself. More time with you than with anybody else. You can never get away from yourself – not for one second. You have the most opinions about yourself. You know everything about yourself. You talk to yourself. You talk about yourself. You have a relationship with yourself. Good or bad.

Now the problem is when you don’t like yourself… Imagine spending every second of your life with the one person you can’t stand. The one person who can never do things right or the way you want them to be done. The one person who you don’t like looking at, because they are so ‘ugly’ in your eyes. That’s what it's like not liking yourself…

But, we don’t think about it like that, because we see these judgments of ourselves as opportunities for ‘improvement’.

Now imagine having a relationship with someone for the rest of your life, but this person isn’t someone you can stand at the moment. You don’t mind, because you see the relationship as an opportunity to ‘fix’ that person so that they can become someone you actually like one day…

Problem is, you still have to spend time with that imperfect person until that day comes… And with the ‘fixer’ mindset you’ll always find room for improvement… which means you’ll NEVER like that person… what a miserable life…

Now with that said, how does one have a relationship with yourself that is not as depressing as the one just described?

Well, I believe it is quite simple… How do you treat and feel about the people who you love and admire the most in your life? Your mom or dad or partner or leader? How do you treat them? With respect? With kindness? You probably don’t constantly insult or offend them? Or judge or criticize them?

You encourage them. You compliment them. You learn from their mistakes. You ensure them that regardless of their mistakes and failures that you still love them. You treat them gently. You build them up with your words.

Now, think a bit how you speak to yourself?

If it feels strange to intentionally speak to yourself, here’s how I have been practicing it (try looking in the mirror whilst doing this to make things fun):

“[Insert your name here], you are so awesome. You have such a good and gracious heart. You have a great sense of style and a strange, but interesting vocabulary. You make corny jokes, but hey, someone’s gotta make them. You are beautiful. I accept you exactly the way you are right now at this very moment – with your freckles and curves and very emotional days. You are worthy. You are to die for actually. Jesus thinks so too.”

(If you’re a guy you probably would want to replace “beautiful” with “handsome” and other manly words…)

Let’s stop being so hard on ourselves.

Let’s start enjoying our own company. 

Let’s look for reasons to love ourselves.

I assure you there are MANY.

Make a list! Stick it on your mirror!

Number one should be: Made in God’s image.

This means that you have God’s characteristics in your DNA!

So what is God’s character: 

God is Love, right? 

Then what is Love?

Love is patient, love is kind. 

Which then HAS to mean that

YOU are PATIENT, 

YOU are KIND.

Apply the rest of this TRUTH about yourself to yourself:

Replace LOVE with your name.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7New Living Translation (NLT)

4 (I am) patient and kind. (Love)is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. (Love)does not demand its own way. (Love)is not irritable, and (Love) keeps no record of being wronged. 6 (Love) does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 (Love) never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

BE WITH SOMEONE THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.

Love

‘To deserve’: a concept that is breaking my brain...

We live in a world where we are conditioned to believe that 

you get what you give. We mostly commit to things or relationships based on what we can get out of it and on what we are willing to invest back into it.

Unfortunately, this mindset has been influencing how we relate to God. We ask for things our hearts desire, but deep in our hearts we believe things like, “I’m not gonna get it, because I don’t deserve it.”

A very basic example of where we were taught to think like this was in school when we prepared for a test. We were taught that if you worked really hard, then you were ‘allowed’ to pray that God would help you to get really good marks… ‘cause you’d ‘deserve’ it, right?

And when you didn't prepare that much, then you pray something like, “God, please help me with this test. Help me to remember everything that I have studied.”

I have to ask…

Why ask to help you remember only what you have studied?

Why not ask to help you with every single question regardless of what you’ve studied?

‘Cause that’s not what we ‘deserve’, right?

You can’t ask for something unless you have worked for it… and deserve it…

I honestly think that that is NOT how God works.

That is not how Grace works.

Grace is undeserved kindness and forgiveness from God.

There is NOTHING you can do to ‘deserve’ it. Nothing. 

It is a GIFT.

To you. From God.

You ask for good marks, He wants to give you the best marks.

You ask for enough food to survive, He wants to give you dessert as well.

But then you might ask, “Leigh-Ann, if it is as simple as that, then why am I not driving a Ferrari?”

Well, the answer is just as simple: 

Because YOU are not allowing yourself to have what you deeply want and what He so excitedly wants to give to you.

You ask, you beg, but you ask with hands closed. He wants to give you what your heart desires, but you won’t take it. Because deep in your heart you are convinced that you won’t get it… that you don’t deserve it… how can you have what you don’t take?

Jesus’ words to YOU:

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve (past tense) received it, it will be yours.” Mark11:24

Then you might ask, “But Leigh-Ann, I am ready to take what I want, but I still don’t have it?”

That, I believe, is God protecting you. He will not give you what you cannot handle. For example, a mother won’t give her baby a piece of steak when the baby can only handle milk and soft baby food.

Another question might be, “Leigh-Ann, does this mean that I never have to study for a test again since God will just help me when I ask Him?”

That is not how God works either. He wants to and will help you unconditionally, yes. But, along with the gift of Grace, you have also been given many talents. 

And these talents you have to develop and mature in to fulfill His glorious plans for you. 

You can’t just sit back and let Him do all the work for you. I am sure He will do it out of complete love for you. But then you basically end up hiding your Godly talents and abilities…you end up being average… 

So study. Not so that He can help you, he will help regardless and if you allow it. But study so that you can grow into an influential individual who can change the world with the talents He has given to you.

 (The "study for a test" concept is only an example of where we think in terms of what we deserve. Where else in YOUR life do you think like this?)

Love

The Baptism-thing...

During the two years I have spent on my journey about what baptism is about and why I should do it, I have discovered the following:

Meaning of Baptism:

·         Rom 6:3-4:  Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

·        Col 2:11-12: 11When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

·        1 Pet 3: 18-21: 18Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.19So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—20those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

To be baptized is to “die” of your old sinful life and to be risen again – to be born again. 

It’s like turning a new leaf once and for all.

Why it is a necessity as a believer to get baptized:

·         Mat 28:19: 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

·         Acts 2:38-39: 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 

This is a decision. You cannot lose weight if you do not decide to start living a healthy lifestyle. But once you have decided, health is guaranteed. Do you want to be healthy?

Who can get baptized?

According to the Word, only those who have repent and who believe. (And ANYONE can repent and believe)

·         Mat 28:19: 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

·         Mark 16:16: 16Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.

·         Acts 8:12: 12But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 

·         Acts 2:38: 38Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

·         Acts 2:41: 41Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

·         Acts 18:8: 8Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

How does one get baptized?

·         The word “baptize” is a translation of the Greek word that means “to dip” or “to submerge”

·         What the Bible says:

·         Mat 3:16

·         John 3:22-23

·         Acts 8:35-39

It is clear that one must go into/under the water to get baptized. 

This is why being baptized as a baby doesn't count - you are sprinkled, not dipped. And it is forced, not a choice YOU made. 

My baptism was a very personal and meaningful day.

I made the decision:

 not because I had to, but because I wanted to.

I wanted to repent of all of the things that I have done in my life that I wasn’t proud of;

I wanted to start living a life of blessings and abundance and joy and love.

My past held me back from letting go and being free, but repenting to God (not only for His forgiveness, but for forgiving myself as well) and getting baptized really did mark a new season of my life.

And without a doubt the BEST season of my life.

It doesn't mean that I am living a perfect life now; it means that because I once and for all committed to God and His way of thinking, I get to be renewed every single day. It is a decision I make regardless of the setbacks and the mistakes I make on a daily basis.

Sin has no hold on me anymore.

Not because I don’t sin anymore, but because when I do sin, I remind myself that I am 

born again – renewed in His love and grace and forgiveness – Every single day.

May the Holy Spirit guide you in your decision to get baptized and may you know that He will never do anything to harm you, but many things to bless and nurture you.

For more information, contact jannie@doxadeo.co.za

I have always wondered about this “baptism” thing.

I have always wondered about this “baptism” thing. I've never been baptized (not even as a baby) and now at the student church I've joined they baptize people as adults. I never knew much about it so I left it. As my relationship with God grew, the baptism-thing became increasingly intriguing   to me. Then, after a two year journey of getting to know God better and what He wants for me and why, I got baptized at the age of 20.

About two weeks before an outreach, the church had an opportunity for all who wanted to be baptized to be able to do it. About 80 people got baptized that day. I knew I was ready to get baptized because for three weeks before the public baptism I wrote my name on the list - just to cross it out again. And then to write it on again. This went on for three weeks. That conflicting feeling of “Maybe I should just do it…ok wait, no. I’m not ready. Or maybe I am. Urgh, I don’t know!”

I ended up not getting baptized that day. I said to God, “Dad, if I am going to this, I want it to be special. I don’t just want to be one of the masses. It’s our special day. I trust that You will give me the perfect opportunity to do this.”

The kiddies in my little group on the outreach.

I went on an outreach to a little town named Nababeep in the Namakwaland here in South Africa. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I thought that to get baptized there would be perfect. But, as stubborn as I am, I refused to create the opportunity myself, and I waited patiently for God to answer my prayer. Halfway through the outreach there was still no opportunity and it didn’t seem like there was going to be one either… So I gave up on the thought of doing it there. 

It was the very last day. The morning of departure back home. The bus was already packed and we were all just having a quick breakfast before we leave. Then, on my way to the bus someone called my name and said that we all have to go to the pool. “Why?” I said. “Someone’s getting baptized!” My heart started racing faster than I've ever felt before. I felt dizzy and scared and excited and overwhelmed and whatever emotion you can think of all at the same time. Right there and then I ran to the trailer, grabbed by bag from the back, pulled out a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, left my bag wide open right in the middle of the street and ran to the pool as if my life depended on it.

There we were. Just two of us ready to take the next step in our relationship with God. I was sobbing. I wasn't sad or anything. But the tears were pouring and I could not stop them. 

I went under the water full of tears and came back up as if my tears never began. I have NEVER been so at peace in my entire life. It’s a feeling I can't describe as no English word could ever give it justice it deserves. 

He took my breath away. 

And hasn't stopped since.

That day was more than just doing what all Believers do. 

For me and my personal relationship with God,

 that was like our wedding day. 

The day He gave me the opportunity to be His 

and the day I said “YES”. 

I committed to Him that day. 

And since that day our relationship has been on a 

new level of intimacy.

[In the next post we will look at what the deal is of this baptism-thing. If you also have a cool testimony of your big day, then mail me so that we can share it with the world!]

How I know that [HE LOVES YOU]

Last night I asked a girl whom I barely know how her relationship with God is. She said something like this: “Um, I don’t really know. I know He exists and everything, but I’m not really sure how our ‘relationship’ is or even supposed to be…” And isn't this something we can all relate to at some stage in our lives?

The thing that striked me the most about what she said was the way that she wasn’t exactly excited about pursuing her relationship with God either. No motivation. She was under the impression that in order to have a relationship with God and a strong faith meant that she would have to start following a bunch of rules and steps to get there. And that didn't sound like a lot of fun. It sounds like a guilt trip and trap of condemnation. FALSE.

TRUTH: God passionately desires to have a relationship with each one of us - regardless our past or present doings. We were primarily created to have an intimate relationship with Him. He doesn’t expect us to follow step A to Z in order to deserve His love and appreciation. No.

There is NOTHING 

you can ever DO to deserve/earn 

His love, protection, guidance, approval, comfort.

God is UNCONDITIONAL.

He doesn't want a perfect you. He wants to be in a relationship with imperfect you. That is His biggest desire for you.

You don’t have to become a better person first or know all the rules off by heart before you can go on an adventure with Him. You just need to embrace the love and support He has been giving to you your whole life and at this moment.

Look around you. Look at your life. Look at all of the beautiful things: 

your family; your pets’ unconditional love for you; 

your kodak moments with friends; friendly strangers greeting you; 

a little leaf swirling down to the ground; babies laughing from their chubby bellies; glorious lighting and sunsets; amazing drool-worthy food; a beautiful song to match your every mood and emotion; going on spontaneous dates; falling madly in love; and the list just goes on and on.

YOU, 

regardless of your past and present situation or relationship status with God, 

have been blessed and you are still being blessed. 

He loves YOU.

 He is revealing His love to you all around you all the time. 

Can’t you see that?