AMAZING GRACE - USE IT OR LOSE IT -

AMAZING GRACE
&
LOVE!!

(1John 4:7-21)

 

It has taken me a lifetime to realise that my Creator Father God has always and will continue to love me, to eternity. Over a period of 4 years and through a series of family tragedies the Lord has gradually been working with me. I have experienced and realised that no matter my circumstances, religion or committed sin, I am a child of God and my Creator Father God Love’s me unconditionally! It is up to me to except Him as my Creator Father and love Him back. In my short journey with God I discovered that a simple step of faith, to set aside a time of daily prayer and meditation with my Creator Father, has resulted in me understanding and learning more about His Divine Love.

 

My journey has made me realise that as a child of God, even being a sinner, does not prevent or disqualify me from serving Him or loving Him back. It highlighted my dependence on His Mercy, Grace and Love. This Mercy, Grace and Love, is free of charge to all of God’s children, people who do not deserve it, and I am one of them. I have discovered that when I come to the end of my self, wanting to give-up, feeling like a failure, my Father God is always there!

    

USE IT OR LOSE IT! 

“I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but for those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”

(Luke 19:11-27)

Music, singing and dancing profoundly effects the human spirit.
(read more on this blog see Watch & Wait).

We do not always no or understand the Lords way. One of the reasons for the delay with my Botswana Residents Permit has now become clear. The Lord is using me through my talents by giving me the time and opportunity to play guitar and learn praise and worship songs. 

 

 

I have many God given talents and according to circumstances over the years, I used the talents on and off or simply just neglected them completely. My father bought me a guitar while I was still in school and as a teenager for about 8 years I taught myself and loved playing the guitar. Then life took over and I gave up playing / practising and over time I lost confidence to play and eventually completely lost interest in my God given talent. This is the law that governs us all as stewards of the talents and abilities that God gives. It is our calling to serve God and with this calling comes responsibility. Responsibility implies that we must also be accountable for the things – time, talents, gifts and opportunities – that God has entrusted to us. He is in charge and His purpose for us must be formost in your life. "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

John Newton, a sailor and cruel slave trader, wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace”.
In 1748 for the first time, he desperately called out to Father God in the middle of a storm that nearly threw him overboard. He then wrote the song “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds” while waiting in an African harbour for a shipment of slaves. Shortly after, he left his trade and became a minister and joined the fight against slavery. He never lost sight of his Father God’s Mercy, Grace and Love. With this simple step of loving his Father God back and showing God’s love at work through him, he wrote the song. It is profoundly evident that when he wrote….” That saved a wretch like me”, he meant those words with all of his heart. This small step of faith, in writing a song, has had a lasting effect on millions of people. Today, statistics indicate that this popular and well known song is performed 10 million times a year as God’s Mercy, Grace and Love continues to changes peoples lives.

 

Fred an ex alcoholic, now works for the Lord, plays guitar and sings in the Brooklyn Methodist Praise and Worship Group. Since Fred accepted Jesus in his life he has started using his God given talent by writing gospel songs and arranges outreaches to Alcohol and Drug Rehab centres. It is amazing to see the effect of Fred using his God given talent and his testimony. Amazing Grace allows hurting and needy people realise that we all have an almighty powerful Heavenly Father who loves you dearly, no matter who you are or what you have done. Your Father God is always there! 

 

 

THE JESUS FILM PROJECT

I want to share with you a brief overview video about a ministry I'm personally involved with.

Watch it here: http://www.jfministrypartners.org/overview/

 

It's under 7 minutes long and tells of God's heart to have a relationship with every person – but many have never heard this good news because of illiteracy and language. The JESUS film shatters these barriers! It's adapted from the gospel of Luke, and for many, seeing is believing. I think you'll be interested!

 

JESUS FILM PROJECT

 

 

http://jfministrypartners.org/overview

Broad, Narrow and Repentance Road

PICTURES WITH A MESSAGE

 

 

BROAD, NARROW and REPENTANCE Road Posters

 

The popular “Broad & Narrow Road Posters” has been distributed all over the world since 1867. Many of us can remember them hanging in homes, churches and schools. In our modern world these posters seem to have disappeared, however, the dream & vision of one lady’s “pictures with a message” continues to touch the lives of millions as the massive mobilisation with the distribution of this very helpful ministry & evangelical tool continues.

 

1862 – The original idea and designer of the “Broad & Narrow Road Poster” came from Mrs. Charlotte Reihlen of Stuttgart. The Artist, Herr Schacker did the original drawings, sketches and artwork on strict instructions from Mrs Reihlen. In 1867 the German Evangelical Society published the first posters in Dutch.

 

1883 – Morgan and Scott issued the full colour “English Shilling Edition” in October 1883. The demand for these “pictures with a message” was so great that over a 5year period more than 100 000 were sold, distributed and used by missionaries and churches all over the world.

 

1997 – Advent 2000 in South Africa started with the production, re-introduction and distribution of the new “Broad, Narrow and Repentance Road Posters” with a few small but necessary changes. These changes include a more “modern” depiction of sins on the “Broad & Narrow Road” as well as an all-important “repentance path” to the Narrow Road. To date more than 2.2million of these “Broad, Narrow and Repentance Road Posters” have been distributed in 37 languages.

 

The “Broad, Narrow and Repentance Road Posters” are designed to teach and spread the Word of God as fast as possible throughout the world, even to the illiterate. The Poster is very easy to use and within a few minutes even a layman can understand and explain what it means and how it can be used.

 

The Poster consists of three basic points:

Ø                  “find yourself”

Ø                  “where are you going?”

Ø                  “are you satisfied with your future?”

 

Scripture verses are quoted at the bottom of the poster to further explain each numbered drawing and the poster shows the road to conversion. Many thousands of people, the young and the old, have been converted with the aid of this ministry tool.

 

 

Donations / Orders:

Broad, Narrow and Repentance Road Poster       R 2,00 ea

Greatest Law / Command Poster                          R 5, 00 ea

GAP – God’s Answer Poster                                R 10, 00 ea

(Explaining Creation & the Bible)

 

Email us on martin@art-me-africa.com to place an order or if you would like to donate towards the distribution of all the Posters.  

 

OCS - The Order Of Christian Service

Mobile: +27 83 225 4263 / + 27 79 605 1049.

 

More details on www.Godsanswer.co.za

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Greatest Command

LOVE!!

The Greatest Law / Command Poster

 

The “Greatest Law / Command Posters” are further learning tools for communities, families, pre-primary & high school children. Ideal for children, this full colour poster illustrates God’s Greatest Command – the command of LOVE – in a very simple way. A tricycle (for juniors) and a bicycle (for seniors) are used respectively on these posters as examples to illustrate God’s LOVE.

 

The full colour “Greatest Law Posters” are constructed in such a manner that a game similar to “snakes & ladders” can be played on the poster. The Posters teach the Lord’s Prayer and contains lyrics of popular spiritual songs that can be taught to children, families and communities. This poster is a very effective ministry tool to teach and create the awareness of the meaning of the Love of God.

 

Christ Himself said that the greatest commandment is:

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”  (Mark 12:30-31)

Donations / Orders:

Broad, Narrow and Repentance Road Poster                         R 2,00 ea

Greatest Law / Command Poster                                            R 5, 00 ea

GAP – God’s Answer Poster                                                  R 10, 00 ea

           (Explaining Creation & the Bible)

Email us on martin@art-me-africa.com to place an order or if you would like to donate towards the distribution of all the Posters.  

OCS - The Order Of Christian Service

Mobile: +27 83 225 4263 / + 27 79 605 1049.

MIND THE GAP!

GAP

God’s Answer Poster
 

 

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”

(Matthew 28:18-20)

The “Broad, Narrow and Repentance Road Posters” has had so much success over many years, but the fast changing advanced youth of the world is in so much need of guidance and support regarding the message of God’s Grace and Love. Consequently the concept to depict creation and the complete Bible in a visual way was born by Advent 2000 and the first GAP “God’s Answer Poster” was published in early 2012.

The full colour “God’s Answer Poster” summarises Creation and the Holy Bible in a series of drawings. It contains 98 questions frequently asked about life, and answers are given from the Bible with scripture as reference. Thousands of people (adults & children) do not know the Bible or how to live or abide by it in everyday life. GAP clearly shows the solar system that we live in as created by God, with different time periods and it gives us a glimpse into the future with the Second Coming of Christ and the eternal banishment of sinners. GAP is another innovative and much needed learning and teaching tool that needs to be distributed to communities, families, schools and churches. 

Donations / Orders:

Broad, Narrow and Repentance Road Poster             R 2,00 ea

Greatest Law / Command Poster                               R 5, 00 ea

GAP – God’s Answer Poster                                    R 10, 00 ea

           (Explaining Creation & the Bible)

Email us on martin@art-me-africa.com to place an order or if you would like to donate towards the distribution of all the Posters.  

 

OCS - The Order Of Christian Service

Mobile: +27 83 225 4263 / + 27 79 605 1049.

     

I am my 'Fathers' Son

HOME SWEET HOME!

 As a result of an outreach to the San Village of New Xanagas, Botswana in April 2012 by Campus Crusade for Christ, GAINSA and the Jesus Film Project, we managed to build a temporary shade-net home for an old couple. They basically lived under trees with very little shelter from the harsh Kalahari conditions. Read more www.paintingangles.blogspot.com - May 2012 “Blessing and Holy Spirit at work” and on www.worldwidechallenge.org magazine article “Shelter in the Kalahari” January/February 2013 issue.

When we first met this couple, the old man was lying down most of the time; he was sick and weak, with a very low spirit and very little hope. One year later it is amazing and remarkable to see the transformation in the happy couple now living in their new safe and sheltered home. The old man is walking around smiling, chatting showing us his home and he has a spring in the step.

 

“Listen, my dear brothers! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love Him”

- James 2:5 -

 

Donations of shade-net have given us the opportunity to build homes for the many needy families. Unfortunately and as with most communities today, political in fighting, jealousy, corruption, greed and injustice has hampered efforts to build further donated homes to the most needy, who continue to suffer in silence. However, in this San village and in spite of many pitfalls, the message of hope and God’s love has inspired many San to start working towards helping each other and they are now working hard at starting a Community Empowerment and Training centre. The New Xanagas San community has realised they cannot only rely on handouts and are no longer waiting for help from out-reach teams or religious organisations. They have some donated shade-net left, donations received from Campus Crusade for Christ and GAINSA and they have decided to build the second house for the most needy, themselves.

 

“My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it? Can that faith save him? Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat.  What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well! – If you don’t give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith; if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.”

- James 2:15-17 -

 

I am my "Fathers" son

 

The next home will be built for an old grandfather (95 or 96 years old); they think his wife is 92 years old. As a result of alcohol abuse, AIDS, TB, death, poverty, teenage pregnancy and many parents just abandoning children, this old couple look after there own grown-up children, grand children and great grand children. They have three dilapidated mud-huts on their allocated stand of land. In most of the huts mud has fallen of the walls creating gaping holes. In the rainy season all the roofs leak and none of the huts have doors. In 2012 four of the grand children contracted TB, they were cured after six months treatment, but the old couple think that the children will get TB again this season. In the rainy season all sleep with sopping wet clothing and blankets. They old bushman receives a meagre pension and sometimes they have to feed up to 10 to 15 people.

In spite of this extremely difficult situation the old bushman is the most devoted Christian I have ever met. He always attends church and always thanks Jesu for all he receives. “I am my Fathers son! My Father looks after me! Thank you Jesu!!”   

The old bushman still lives of the land, collects herbs, berries and food from the veldt, “the food my Father gives me, my Father knows what and how much we need” He talks about the good old days when there was much food to hunt and when they only hunted enough for the hunger, never waist or hunting for fun. Now they are not allowed to hunt and the animals hide away, we are destroying creation. Our Father is watching closely and we must ask our Father for forgiveness. Our Father loves us and wants to help us, all we must do is listen and be thankful. Thank you Jesu!!

 “Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. If you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon”

- Isaiah 58:7 and 10 -

Reach Out - you can help - contact us email: 
martin@art-me-africa.com

WATCH AND WAIT!!!

THROUGH LENT AND PASSIONTIDE.

Holy Chaos - A 6 500 km trip from Cape Town through Namibia to Botswana and back, in one week with faithful Blessing (Tazz). Not going into detail I was refused entry into Botswana and I was bitterly disappointed. I did not agree with the Botswana Department of Immigration / Customs and short of being locked-up and deported, we managed to get 5 extra days so that I could just inform all, find finances for the un-planned return trip to Cape Town and arrange for my speedy exit out of the Kalahari. I now need to apply for the 2-year volunteer residents permit from SA. Through the mad rush and travelling back to SA we asked God if it was a sign that I should leave this specific San (Bushman) assignment, what must I do?

Music, singing and dancing profoundly affects the human spirit. The San are worshipping people who express that worship in song and dance. For the San, young and old, singing and dancing together is a way of life, it highlights and strengthens the sense of worship and fellowship as they sing and dance together. At my home in the San Village of New Xanagas, neighbouring children visit me in the evening, asking for food, drinking my last sip of coffee in the coffee cup or just playing around, teaching me to count in Naro or looking and laughing at there reflections and warped mirror images on Blessing.

 

While preparing for my hasty return to Cape Town, one evening last week, thinking and deciding about what to do about my predicament and the residents permit, two of my adopted children spontaneously start to dance around Blessing, like worship and praise - they sing a Naro San song and all I understand is "Jesu" and then - as I look up, I see the promise, a rainbow. I have not seen a rainbow in a long time, not even while in Cape Town. The next day I travel to Ghanzi to store some of my things, stopping at one of many roadside picnic areas, I find a cross on a tree - another promise and sign. Thank you Jesu for showing me your almighty grace and love.

 

Lent is a time when we are open to tempting and testing of the Spirit of God – we are tempted to respond with anger and violence, tempted to give up hope, tempted to see our lives as written off. There are many powerful forces ranged against the gospel today. These forces are in your heart and mine, as Christ continues to walk with us, to warn us, to teach us and to be with us always, in our struggle.

God, only with you can we bear to see the worst.

Surprise me, be with me, but do not spare me;

And make me ponder anew.

Amen.