BRAND NEW YOU IN CHRIST
art & words
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
THE BEST EXAMPLE OF A NEW CREATION IS A BUTTERFLY.
The caterpillar and the butterfly are very different. At the beginning, the caterpillar starts to eat vigorously and finally when the time is near, he spins a nice cozy web around him and goes to sleep, waiting for that right moment to be the butterfly. The cocoon protects the caterpillar as he rests. In the rest period the caterpillar has all the nutrients it needs. The metamorphosis is happening inside the cocoon unseen to the human eye. The first prophecy I received in 2011 was that, I will go through a metamorphosis and become a beautiful blue butterfly.
Often we don’t see what is happening
to the caterpillar inside the cocoon.
We see the end result of the butterfly.
Just as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly,
a believer’s life is changed by the Holy
Spirit to reveal something brand new!
Chandrika Maelge’s Quote
Don’t worry if you do not see immediate results of becoming a born again Christian. You may not see what is happening, but God is working in your lives through the Holy Spirit! Just as a caterpillar needed to eat lots of food, we too need our nourishment! The food we consume is the word of God.
Matthew 4:4 King James Version
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of God.
Apostle Paul writes in the Book of Ephesians; Put on the new nature created to be like God- truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24 New Living Translation). To put on this new identity the believer must make the conscious decision to activate the Holy Spirit. You must let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4: 23 New Living Translation). A thought will lead to an action; therefore let the Holy Spirit lead you.
THE BELIEVER MUST PUT ON THE NEW NATURE!
19th March 2017, seven years after my husband had walked out of our marriage; the Lord gives me a new vision. In this vision I saw a devouring fire on top of the mountain, I was inside this fire, then I was lifted up to the sky. I showed this vision to my Spiritual Father, saying I need to take time off till end April to study scriptures and do some paintings. Three days later, I received the word, Exodus 24:17 & 18.
Exodus 24: 17 & 18 King James Version
17 To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of
the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire.
18 Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he
climbed higher up the mountain. He remained on
the mountain forty days and forty nights.
End April 2017 was the end of forty days for me. Day one, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me to start. The vision given was a vision of GLORY. So I began to bring to life in ART, selected visions and dreams gifted by God, in supporting the testimony- A JOURNEY OF FAITH: RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALLING. Holy Spirit has specifically instructed that I use both water and fire in creating the art. All paintings are my original work completed within the forty day period from 20th March 2017 to 28th April 2017.
In July 2017, I came out of my hiding and published the testimony in Christ Jesus in art and words, being obedient to the word and vision received.
This assignment made way to communicate my signature technique in creating art. The ART is created with mixed medium of candle flame heated and melted oil pastels with acrylic paint on board. I would heat up an oil pastel on the candle flame and directly apply to the paper bringing into life shapes and forms without the aid of a pencil sketch. The burned oil pastel stays in liquid form for a second or two. So you must be quick, in creating your strokes! One cannot make any mistakes with this technique. Once drawn it is final! I had given up on art many moons ago. I went with the general trend of getting a degree and a professional qualification to follow a corporate career. God resurrected my passion for art with this assignment. Butterflies are meant to flutter around and bring beauty to all around. To me this was a beginning of a new era. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God (1 Peter 1:23 New Living Translation).
Ezekiel 36:26 New Living Translation
26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a
new spirit in you. I will take out your stony stubborn
heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
What becomes new, when you’re born again? It is the spirit that is born again. Through, the Holy Spirit a new spirit will be revealed.
A BRAND NEW START, FOR A BRAND NEW YOU IN CHRIST.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
BRAND NEW YOU IN CHRIST, urges a Christian to embrace, grow and move forward in the brand new identity in Christ Jesus in the marketplace. A brand identifies with its maker in the marketplace. Likewise, a Christian’s life must identify with its maker – Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t worry if you do not see immediate results of becoming a born again Christian. We don’t see what is happening to the caterpillar inside the cocoon. We see the end result of the butterfly. Just as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, a believer’s life is changed by the Holy Spirit to reveal something brand new!
The book is written in three sections.
Section 1: This section sets the foundation for a brand new you in Christ supported by scriptures. I have also, penned down my personal testimony in this section.
Section 2: This section elaborates our brand new identity as given to us by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. For practicality, I have used marketing and branding principles to explain the essence of the brand new you in Christ.
Section 3: This section encourages the believers to depend on the Word of God, to live and progress in the brand new life in Christ. I have highlighted key scriptures with practical insight to encourage the believers to strengthen their walk as authentic lights that shine for Jesus Christ in the marketplace.
About the Author
CHANDRIKA MAELGE seeks to bring to life gospel teachings through ART & WORDS. Dreams and visions of a personal walk with Lord Jesus Christ are often represented in her art. Chandrika did not go to an art school. It was a hobby she enjoyed. Candle heated and melted oil pastels with acrylic paint is her signature
technique in creating art without a sketch. As a Creative Consultant, she has seen the completion of many unique coffee table books across varied industries in Sri Lanka.
In 2011, Chandrika received a prophecy that she will hear from God through dreams and visions. She was a Buddhist at that time. In June 2012 Chandrika began to draw again. With it saw the first series of large format drawings in 2012; ‘DIVINE UNIVERSE’. In 2017, Chandrika unveiled her first solo exhibition; ‘THE JOURNEY OF
FAITH: RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALLING,’ a personal testimony in art and words. The 18 works of art and narrated story was completed within 40 days, covering a period of seven years (2011 - 2017). In 2018 Chandrika curated her first multi medium creative exhibition ‘LET THERE BE LIGHT’ a creative expression in art, photography, film & words. BRAND NEW YOU IN CHRIST is her first publication.
She holds a Second Class Honors B.Sc. Degree in Applied Sciences, specialising in Forestry and Environmental Sciences, from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK. She balances her time between various assignments, consultancies, art, writing, gardening and family. She can be contacted on;
Email: cmartandwords@gmail.com
Instagram: @chandrikamaelge #artbychandrikamaelge