Battle Log

Page 152

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On Friday evening in Cavill Mall the team engaged with many people, despite the wet weather. Due to the rain the team moved around a bit for shelter, at the same rejoicing that they had found shelter in Christ, from the storm of God's wrath.

An early conversation in the evening was had with an almost unbelievably proud man. When you read of the Pharisees in the Bible you can often think they only lived in the time of the Jesus but there are people like that today. Whilst a conversation was going on with another person, this man standing nearby seemed to be trying to gain some attention his way. When the previous conversation finished he was offered a tract and it came with the question, "Will God let you into Heaven when you die?"

This man, absolutely dripping with pride asked, "Do you know who I am?" The answer was given, "Nope, no idea". He responded and said, "I am a deacon, do you know what that is?" The response was given, "Yes, supposedly a humble servant of God". It was at this moment it was explicitly clear that this was a self-righteous man. He was asked the question, "Why should God let you into Heaven on judgement day?"

Without even a moments hesitation he strongly, yet utterly foolishly declared, "My good works". With all the sincerity and sadness this man was told, "Then you have utterly no hope as you currently stand of entering Heaven, God requires perfection and you are a proud man. God will oppose the proud and give grace to the humble, your only hope is to come to the humble God who punished Himself to save wicked men like yourself".

This man sought to try and justify himself but was left no opportunity as he was left with those words ringing in his ears. Please raise him up in prayer that God would strike this mans pride, cut him to the hear, show him how incredibly foolish he is to hope in Himself and to lead him to Christ, the saviour of once proud sinners.

A number of rather encouraging conversations also occurred. One with Latrel and Jaiah and another with Conrad and a final with Jamie.

The first with Latrel and Jaiah was interesting. Latrel the young man was very disinterested. He was playing on his phone with no real desire to listen.

It was sad and despite being really challenged on this a number of times in the conversation Latrel paid very little attention and tried to drag Jaiah away, ultimately succeeding.

Jaiah on the other hand listened. She heard the law, saw her sin and came to understand that sinners deserve Hell. She then asked, "How can I be forgiven?". It was a privilege to share and Gospel and she was encouraged, as John 3:16 stated, to believe and Jaiah said she wanted to, tonight. It was at this moment Latrel tried to pull her away and succeeded. 

It was a sad moment but the team member then prayed that God would use someone to share the call to repent, the seriousness of counting the cost and how her life would change. That prayer was answered moments later when another team member further up the sidewalk stopped the pair again and was able to explain all of those things. Even more encouraging was the fact that when asked, "If you were to stand before God and He was to ask, 'Why should I let you into Heaven?' what would you say?" and Jaiah responded, "Because I have trusted in Jesus".

Jaiah heard the other half of the Gospel's call on her life and was seriously left to count the cost! Praise God for answered prayer!

Next conversation was had with Conrad. He took had friends that tried to drag him away and they ultimately left in frustration. During this time, Conrad remained resistant to their calls to leave and stayed for a lengthy conversation. He had Catholic background and through the conversation was able to grasp and Gospel and this Christmas was encouraged to read the Gospel of John and to seriously consider what Christ came to do, to save sinners.

Conrad said he would.

Lastly was a conversation with a lady named Jamie. She walked past early in the night and was challenged with the question, "Will God let you into Heaven when you die?". Later in the evening, she was standing around the team and was engaged in conversation. At first she expressed that she didn't think that was a great question. In response it was posed again and she engaged with it this time. 

As a result she heard the bad news of sin, that she deserved Hell and the good news that God can take that penalty so that she can be right with Him. Jamie didn't seem anywhere near as upset by the end and actually responded with gratitude for the discussion.

Please be praying for the many who heard the Gospel, were challenged by its truth and were encouraged this Christmas to give up thinking it is all about them but to come and bow before this Saviour in a manger.

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On Wednesday the team had a longer outreach, the afternoon in the city and the evening followed on from each other. This was a wonderful time filled with many conversations! Some shorter and others very lengthy!

A few of the shorter conversations were had with Braydon, Ben and Stone.

Braydon was a young man that had a few minutes and so he stayed as long as he could. He saw in the mirror of the law how desperately wicked his heart was and was left with the severe and serious condemnation that the law brings. He was able to quickly that Christ came into this world to save sinners and was given a tract and was encouraged to read it.

Ben on the other hand was the man that served some of the team at Subway. He was posed the question about what he thought happened after we die and naturally, as most young Australians are gave a naturalistic answer, about his body going into the ground and that being the end.

Ben was given the simple apologetic, that buildings require builders and so too this universe requires a Creator. He said this made sense and it was explained, that just as everyone, even he in making this Subway had a purpose in doing so, God had a purpose for His universe. It was shared that God's purpose is to display who He is, to show His glory. 

Ben mentioned that sounds a little selfish and it was explained that it isn't wrong for God to create a world to show who He is because He is worthy of all worship and praise. It would be the same as Usain Bolt being praised as the faster 100m sprinter in the world or as the saying goes, "credit where credit is due".

It was pointed out to Ben that the reason this is a problem for us, is that as humanity God has given us specific abilities and roles (as image bearers) and asked us to use it for His glory and we have decided that we want to live for ourselves doing what we think is best, in direct rebellion against what God has said is best.

As the conversation had to draw to a close as he finished making the sub, it was explained that the only solution to this issue is found in that baby born in a manger on the first Christmas, as the Apostle Matthew records, "His name will be called Jesus because He will save His people from their sins".

Stone, was engaged with whilst waiting in the line at Hungry Jacks. It was an encouraging conversation were the Gospel was presented and he was left to consider who he would choose, Jesus or himself. One comment of note was that halfway through the conversation Stone said, "I am pretty sure God sent you here today to talk with me, I needed to hear this".

Please be praying for Braydon, Ben and Stone that God would use these short but straight forward Gospel conversations and the tracts they received as the start and beginning of their eternal love for Him!

Three other conversations were had with Noah, Rebecca and Karter.

Noah and his girlfriend were sitting on the bench and were approached with the question, "What do you think will happen to you after you die?". Very soon afterwards his girlfriend left saying she wanted to go but Noah, desiring to hear what was being shared decided to stay!

This lead into a lengthy conversation where Noah came to understand the bad news, the offer of salvation and how he should respond. He was encouraged to count the cost and was left with a tract.

Rebecca was a young lady who worked in a local store and had come out on her lunch break. She then proceeded to engage in a conversation about Christianity. She mentioned that she had a Catholic background and had rejected the church because of the hypocrisy and her frustration with the church was confirmed. The issue being that rules and laws are simply like trying to use a mower to keep weeds out of a backyard. It may externally and publicly be able to make the yard look good but in the end the roots remain and the weeds will always grow back. 

As the conversation finished she was strongly challenged to consider what Jesus had done and this Christmas to be able to join with many in history rejoicing that her Saviour had been born!

Lastly was a conversation with Karter, she and her girlfriend (Richel) had left Russian Orthodoxy and JWism respectively. For differing reasons they had left but had ultimately both ended up in the same boat, living life their way, in God's world.

They were explained through the narrative of the Bible, what it tells us about God and about humanity and encouragingly of God's plan to save sinful humanity. To finish, they too were challenged this Christmas to consider God's command to repent and believe because to neglect it is to choose Hell.

Please be praying for the thousands who received tracts today, as well as the many who heard the Gospel! Please continue to raise up the team in your prayers these coming nights until Christmas and if you have a spare evening, consider coming out yourself! The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.

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Each week I set up the table 1 hour before Rick arrives as he finishes work at 12 pm.  It is quite a busy time of day, that was the reason we decided for me to start then. This week there were workers just across from where I set up the table on the footpath. They were busy at their work. I started to hand out Christmas tracts, saying Merry Christmas. I like to just add to the people that it is the true meaning of Christmas and not Santa stuff. Most people think that is good and smile with me, some stop and share their belief in Jesus so it’s an opportunity to ask them more about their faith.

One man pushing his bike, stopped and after a few questions told me he used to be born again but now does not believe. I shared the truth of how, when we are truly born of God that God will keep us in our faith. As this is one of His great and precious promises, even in our struggles He brings us through using His Spirit His Word and other believers to help us and we will remain steadfast in His love. So I said to this man that if he was saying he doesn't now believe, that it seems that he wasn't truly born again. So I shared the law and the hell punishment that we all deserve and my concern for him. I then went on to share the offer of God’s love through His Son Jesus, that this is his greatest need before he dies and the only way to be made right with God and set free from sin through what Jesus has done to pay for our eternal punishment.

This man said to me he could see my genuine concern and he was thankful but he said he doesn't believe the Bible. Please pray for C, he has a tract, pray God will stir his heart to receive Salvation and seek to be truly born again. 

Then a little boy walked up to the table and said “I am Christian”, his mum was standing back so I smiled and waved to her and crouched down to chat with this little guy. I gave him a kiddies tract and asked if he had heard of the 10 commandments,  he said yes (he was only 7) then I showed him the pictures that help memorize each one. I also gave him a tract to give his mum. For some reason she did not want to come over. Pray for this little boy and his mum.

As he left the worker said to me, what a nice little boy. I said yes it is so needed for the young ones to know that there is a God. I then said that sadly many are being taught there is no God and it will be terrible as they have no accountability and no hope either. 

A young man (A) approached me with some Bibles to donate, he said he has seen me over some weeks and felt to bring these Bibles to give as they are just sitting on his shelf. He told me a little about himself and I thought to share that Rick is here from just after 12pm if he would like to chat with him too but he had to go. I gave him a tract and a 'God of Wonders' dvd to say thanks.

After Rick had arrived we handed out lots more tracts and also had the chance to give a Bible to a man from Vanuatu. We asked some questions to see if he knew the Gospel, and to the praise of God he was fully relying on Jesus being the only reason he would be going to heaven. His words were of course so! He had been taught as a young child to trust in Jesus. In amazement he told us he was leaving to go back to Vanuatu in the morning, so we encouraged him about the ministry and to share the good news where he is going, in his reply “of course so.” How lovely to have the opportunity to meet other Christians as we share the joy in salvation as we speak. Pray for J. We were also thankful to meet and encourage S and give a dvd from 'Way of the Master' to watch and share with her Church.

Thank you for continued prayers for the ministry.

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It’s good to be back out on the street with my lovely wife Glenda sharing the Gospel with the people of Warwick. Our bible table is set up for giving away free bibles and resources to build up fellow Christians and equip and encourage them in sharing the good news and of course to give to anyone wanting to receive answers (for example) ”Does God Exist” and “Evidences for a young world” to plant seeds that God can use to draw some to Salvation.

I attended a funeral service just before joining Glenda for the outreach. The funeral was for a workmates family member. In God’s providence my boss sat next to me, and just before we all left I got to tell her that I was now going to join my wife in Warwick as I do after work each Friday, to hand out Gospel tracts, free bibles and talk to people about Eternal matters. Also I was able to plant a few seeds with some other work colleagues after the funeral about how short life is!!

Not long after arriving at the outreach location another workmate who was at the funeral happened to walk by and we engaged in a conversation about death in light of just coming from a funeral. During the chat with him he revealed a tattoo of his mother his brother and sister’s dates of when they passed away and underneath, said “Me -  Never”. I said that we are all part of the ultimate statistic that 10 out of 10 people die. After going through the Law, judgment and hell, then the flip chart, he didn't seem to be concerned at all, but who knows what our Lord can do with a few planted seeds!! He received a call from his upper management (wife) who had been waiting for him for some time and we said goodbye. Please pray for L.

We had a few short chats with some other folk - pray for S who is a believer as he helps his friend M with some Bible truths. We also were able to hand out lots of tracts.

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Saturday, two from the Essex team  met in Stratford, London, for outreach on a cold, wet and windy day. Tract uptake was slow as many people rushed by in the rain, but we had some good conversations.  Jacob had longer conversations with Stewart and Erica.  I had a nice conversation with Sonny, a Christian from the Philippines. I engaged with a man handing out the Quran nearby. He was clearly trained to question all things related to Christianity. Jacob joined me in the conversation and asked for his contact details to continue the conversation.

Please pray for Samir that his eyes might be opened to the truth of the Gospel and salvation in Christ. Samir was adamant that his good works will save him. I was really moved by a young man from Italy, Salvatore, begging in the 4C rain. I gave him a couple of quid and two NT's which he happily took. He showed me his Bible, which had gotten totally soaked and fused into a solid lump. Please keep these people in your prayers.

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On Saturday night in Brisbane City, there were some markets on in King George Square, this meant that there were hundreds of people around all flowing through the area. With the increased people came the opportunity for more conversations but it also meant that the area was packed as well. One other exciting surprise was a mens group from a local church came out together to see what it is like evangelising on the street is like, so that they can begin to do some in their area. The guys each partnered with another team member and were able to engage in conversation alongside the others.

One conversation early in the night was with Nicholas, he was french and originally presented himself as skeptical but as the conversation went on he seemed less so. He was shown God as Creator and understood that God the Creator expects things of His Creation. He was then shown God's expectations, the law and saw how he had failed. Then he heard the solution, trusting in who Christ is and what He's done. It was encouraging to see him engage and discuss it.

He left in the end with a tract and said he would read it. Please be praying that Nicholas would give up his rebellion and trust in the humble Saviour.

A conversation following this was with two men that are often in the square. Both are from Africa but one is a professing Christian and the other from a man who worships his own ideas of God. The "Christian" didn't know the Gospel and was relying upon his good works to save him. This was worrying to hear but thankfully as Christian's Operation 513 is equipped with the Gospel to share and so this man heard the Gospel clearly. It was explained a number of different ways until he understood it.

Alternatively his friend was stuck in a pride-fueled rebellion against God. He had made up his own ideas and his own god and by no stretch was willing to acknowledge that he was a sinner, that God would punish sin or that Jesus would be able to save him. It was all about him and his ideas.

Sadly the conversation came to a close and he was left with a very serious warning, "Tonight God has offered you an opportunity to hear and heed His message of salvation but at this moment you've chosen to reject it, God may never give you another chance to repent and believe".

A final conversation of the evening was had with David and Bonnie. David had a Muslim background and Bonnie had a Catholic understanding but both had instead subscribed to agnosticism.

The conversation consisted of different points of challenge to their current beliefs. They were challenged on point after point that they raised in rejection of God.

As their questions were answered it was noted that their issue wasn't really an intellectual one rather it was a moral one. They wanted the ability to live how they wanted to live without any accountability. It was pointed out that pretending there is no judge, doesn't get you out of being guilty.

They were left with the good news of Christianity in comparison to the bad news of all other religions. All other religions give you laws and standards you have to follow by adherence to which you will be "good". The issue is that laws can only ever show flaws and faults. All it can do is condemn you and show you where you're guilty. Leaving you helpless.

Where as God's plan is far better than just a world of lost sinners, rather God came into His own Creation to redeem sinners. He came under the law and fulfilled it. He then took the curse of the law for guilty sinners and He offers everyone forgiveness of sin, they must simply repent and believe.

These two seemed to understand it, they took tracts and they headed back off to work.

Please be praying for Bonnie and David that God would use this conversation as a beginning to their right relationship with God one day.

Please also consider joining the team for the Christmas outreaches over the next few weeks, most nights there is an outreach and it is a very easy time to share the Gospel with people!

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The Lord kept us engaged with the ones He sent our way this day. The first 2 encounters were straightforward flip chart presentations. A lady seemed particularly confronted with the 'elevator scene' and said that she could have left us then. Thankfully she stayed and heard it all  and left very thoughtfully. Troy seemed to be in agreement with it all and was challenged with both 'getting into the wheelbarrow' and 'if he was committing to Christ as his first love, then he would have to give up his girlfriend if she was not a Christian'. He was thankful for the chat as he departed.

There was a long involved chat with Alex and Melady(?). They heard the whole message. They were politely appreciative even at the final challenge "You may not have tomorrow, so act quickly on what you have heard".

David, apparently a 'smart' man, was a 6-24 hour day creationist courtesy of chats that he had with Jonathan Sarfati in the past. Sadly, he had no fear of God and was critical of the way God had treated Him. He made the mistake of ignoring most of God's revelation and remaking God into what he thought God should be like and in this way justify his own stance. "God gives grace to the humble..." 

We thank Him for using us today. As always, to Him alone we ascribe all glory, praise and thanksgiving.

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Prayer needed please:

     - Trent, young man who had never heard. Now he says, "you've given me something to think about!" 

     - a pagan woman who said, "Nature gives us all that we need." Analogy in response -"If you gave a good gift to someone and that person then transferred his love from you to the gift, would you be pleased? No, of course not. God is not pleased when anyone ignores Him and loves His creation instead." Still, after taking her through the law and gospel, she would not forsake her pagan idolatry.

     - N, a young lass who has had her faith severely tested by the child abuse perpetrated by so-called Christians. She has no one to share her doubts and fears with.

    - that in the other witnessing encounters, God would glorify Himself as He sovereignly pleases.

He is faithful and true and worthy of all praise! 

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On Friday at the Gold Coast the team was able to head out and engage in conversation with the last of the NSW Schoolies as they weren't quite finished their week. This enabled for lots of conversations as the teenagers are usually more open to talk, often because they love their own opinions more. Thankfully, as is clearly the case for all the Christians on the globe, God can overcome the most proud of sinners. He can change the hardest heart and make it new.

An older man early on stopped to talk about the way to Heaven. He first declared he was a really good guy and that God would let him in. Then when Jesus was quoted, regarding the perfection God requires he said, "I am gay, so it doesn't matter how good I am". It was quickly explained that his biggest problem was not his homosexuality, rather, his entire life, just as everyone else's has been an exercise in sinful self-indulgence against God.

Our biggest problem is that God must punish sin, all sin and rebels will not escape the judgement. It was also explained that God has made a way for sinners to be saved, so that all who trust in Him can be forgiven on the basis of His sacrifice for sin.

Sadly this man, heard all this and said he wasn't interested in talking anymore. It was almost as if, he wasn't interested in the Gospel, he just wanted a "fight" and when he didn't get one, he left.

Soon after this a couple Jerry and Elise walked past, when asked, "Will God let you into Heaven when you die?" they said, "We were just discussing this today and concluded that there is nothing after death".

Thankfully this opened a discussion about God the Creator who showed His existence by making a world and then by doing things in it, that only God can do. After a few simple apologetics, the Gospel was explained. Starting with the bad news of sin and finishing with the command from Jesus to repent or perish.

This couple, was left with an understanding of the Gospel and were challenged to count the cost and to turn and trust in Christ alone for salvation.

One lengthy and sanctifying conversation was had with three young men Jayden, Denver and Reese. What made it hard was that Jasper, a drunk guy, was constantly interrupting, not listening and being quite rude with his talk. But despite this, over the course of forty minutes, Jayden, Denver and Reese listened. At first Reese didn't believe in God and the other two thought their goodness would get them to Heaven.

The conversation was lead from Creation, through the fall, the failure of humanity, the judgement of God and yet God's ultimate prophesy and promise that He would come to save sinners. These young men heard what God had done to save sinners, were given the tightrope analogy and were left with the very serious question, "When will you trust in Christ?", knowing full well that they have no idea how much longer their lives in this world will last.

These boys were thankful for the conversation and they headed off, each taking a tract.

Please be praying that God would use this moment, the final night of their schoolies week, to be a transforming day. That they no longer would be considering themselves as "good people" but by the blood of Christ, "God's people".

Lastly and quite humourously a conversation was had with a man named Nati. He spoke with the team quickly as his friends were talking to another team member. He shared about how he thought all religions were the same and therefore you could choose any.

Some simple explanations were given about the differences, primarily stressing the difference in the way to Heaven. All other religions leave its adherents with a law to follow, that can only ultimately condemn. Where as Christianity is about God saving sinners from the curse of the law. At this point, Nati's friends were leaving so he had to head off.

The team member went to give him a tract and realised there were none left in his pocket. So he said to Nati, I shall walk with you quickly, I am sure there is a tract on the ground in good condition for you here somewhere. Sure enough, less than ten steps later, sitting on the ground, under a seat was the, "Which one is right?" tract. The tract specifically designed to explain why only in Christ can a sinner be saved. It was a precious display of God's providential sovereignty.

Please be praying for those spoken to this Friday, that they would heed to Gospel's call on their life. Please pray that God will soften hard hearts and make enemies into friends.

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On Thursday in Sunnybank the team sought to again stick to the shady areas so that they could have longer conversations with people. As the place is at a local bus stop conversations are usually kept around ten minutes due to the arrival and departure of buses. This does also mean lots of shorter conversations take place.

An early conversation was had with an Indian man, Haymanshure. He didn't believe in God but still wanted to hold onto the idea that he was a good guy. It was pointed out that good only exists, if there is a standard by which we can compare.

He then saw his sinfulness in comparison to God's law and was given a simple apologetic about God's existence. He understood the apologetic but was getting stuck on the idea of being "born in sin". He claimed that people were not that bad but it was point out through a range of examples, how clearly we can see the sinful state of humanity.

His bus arrived and he headed off. Please be praying that the law and the understanding of it will lead him to seek out the salvation that only Christ offers.

Soon after this a conversation was had with Kelly. She too didn't believe in God but karma. When asked who was in charge of karma, she said, everyone is individually. It was shown to her how foolish this was, not only because it was exactly the temptation Satan had bought to Adam and Eve but also because that would mean everyone could live however they wanted and as long as they felt okay about it, that would be rewarded.

She then went on to explain how good she was yet at the same time shared that all she wanted to do was live her way, without anyone to question her decisions.

Two more quick conversations were had with Edgar and Sam.

Edgar has spoken to another team member and was still struggling to comprehend the idea of faith alone. It was re-explained to him, with another analogy and this time it seemed to make sense.

He was asked, "If you were to stand before God on judgement day and he was to say to you, 'Why should I let you into heaven?' what would be a good answer?" He struggled with this question a bit but then when asked, "What would be a bad answer?" He said, "me and my good works".

This time he understood. It was explained once more that the difference between heaven and hell is as simple as the difference between trusting in Christ alone or ourselves. He said this made sense and hopped on his bus.

Sam, unlike everyone else was not hopping on a bus. She had hopped off and was waiting for some friends to pick her up. She didn't really believe in God but as the Gospel was preached said she it made sense. Point after point she engaged with things God has said and heard them and asked questions. But in the end she was still against believing in God.

Sadly as the conversation came to a close, she had to head off quickly. She took a tract and left. Please be praying that she will never again be the same, instead of being reserved toward God, that she would realise her sinfulness and surrender to Him, trusting in Him alone as the only reason she is forgiven.

Please also pray for Edgar, that his new understanding of grace would lead him to trust in Christ alone.

Please also pray for all those who the team were able to speak with today, that God would use these simple conversations as life changing events.

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