Battle Log

Wednesday, 21 August, 2019

Posted 21 August 2019, 7:45 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

Tuesday saw a team of two in Riccarton, but before I arrived for the outreach, I needed to go to the bank.  As part of the meeting, the banker asked me my occupation.  This was a great opportunity to bring up spiritual things!  So I explained that I was a Christian minister.  Her response was to say, “oh, I’m an atheist”.  So I responded with (I don’t know why), “there are no atheists”!  To my surprise, she immediately responded with, “well, I do believe there is something there” - she back slid fast!  It would have been easy for me to convert the conversation into a Gospel one, but I needed to get the appointment over so I could get to the outreach - and I was aware that she was currently working.  So I offered her a tract, which she accepted, and she promised she would read it (pictured on her desk).  I think she found me odd enough (my attitude towards money is probably different to what she is used to), that she even mentioned that she would discuss the tract with her workmates - I hope she does.  Do you have tracts with you?  Are you ready to share the Gospel when an opportunity arises?  Check out the Operation 513 web stores to buy some.  Many good Gospel conversations were had on the outreach, as per the pictures.

Wednesday saw me in the City and at Ara.  One conversation from the days outreach was very special.  A gang member became interested in the flip chart - then decided he didn’t want to go through it, but he accepted a tract as he left.  I turned around, and to my surprise, two young ladies were sitting down waiting to talk to me.  I recognised one of them - I have talked to some of her friends quite a few times since summer.  These two girls clearly wanted to talk about spiritual things, and so I sat on the footpath in front of them and started answering their questions.  We talked about how we know God exists, where morality comes from, why there is suffering, the seriousness of sin, the amazing grace of Jesus.  We also sparred about abortion and homosexuality.  At one point I said, “God will accept you just as you are…”, and then I got cut off with the response of, “no He won’t!  He doesn't accept homosexuals as they are!”  And then I finished off with “... but He won’t leave you as you are.”  Both girls seemed impacted by the conversation, the one I hadn’t seen before, even looked like she was wiping away tears.  I’m sure I could have convinced them to “pray a prayer”, and “accept Jesus into their heart”, and pick them up to bring them to church.  But I was again reminded that I can’t save them with my convincing, passion, sincerity, or anything.  Salvation is of the Lord.  But I did plead with them multiple times to repent and trust in Christ - to accept the gift of grace, acknowledging the cost.  They know how to contact me if they want to.  I leave them in God’s hands, but I will be praying for them.  Oh God, please save them, usher them into your kingdom - may you receive the reward of your suffering!  (They are pictured walking away.)