Battle Log

Page 153

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On Wednesday the heat of summer came out to play, it was a cool 38 degrees, leaving people hiding in the shade. This meant that the team too were able to head to the shade and have many conversations with people.

The first conversation of the afternoon was had with a man named John. Throughout the conversation John shared a number of things about his personal life including saying, "I could never believe in a God who tells me who I love is sinful". The conversation continued about God's reasoning for the law as well as the main point for Christianity. John was actually gobsmacked at this, he had never heard the value of the law or the glory of the Gospel before and actually didn't have a response.

It was at this moment a lady sitting nearby, decided to chime in, "Mate, stop trying to force someone who's gay, to believe in God" She monologue for a moment about pushing beliefs on other people and how he obviously wasn't interested because God doesn't like people like him.

What was sad was that this lady, in her desire to "help" this young man had done two things, firstly she had assumed that he, a grown man, was unable to have this conversation on his own and he was so helpless that he needed her help and secondly, without listening she had assumed the content of the conversation and had stopped the Gospel from being fully explained.

John, a little intimidated by her, finished with a comment about not wanting to believe in God because he was gay and left quite quickly. The lady seemed very pleased with herself, she had won. Sadly in her ignorance, she had stopped him from fully understanding or coming to grasp the fullness of God's love for sinners and she had stopped him from hearing the words of eternal life.

Following this conversation two guys sat down on the same seat. They were tourists named JD and Miguel. Miguel didn't have very good english so JD did most of the talking. He shared about his background growing up in the reformed church in South Africa but how he had left the church and Christianity because, it was filled with people who were selfish that were trying to earn their way to Heaven.

Then, in one of the greatest displays of blindness, when asked, "Why do you think God will let you into Heaven?" he said, "Because I am a good person". He was the very person he had criticised his church for being.

This was pointed out, that Gospel was explained and JD was challenged to consider the Gospel. But sadly, he seemed blinded to his own sinfulness and to the hypocrisy of his pride.

Shortly after JD and Miguel had left, Brad sat down and he too was happy to chat. Brad engaged in a discussion about God and the way to Heaven but he too was thought he was too good to need a saviour. It was sad to see. He really struggled to comprehend the Gospel because he was so soaked in self-salvation. Sadly at the end of it all Brad left to head back to work, being quite sure that he would be fine on judgement day.

Cain was the next man to sit down and he then proceeded to try and avoid the real topic at hand by talking about robots and how that will change our world. It was pointed out that he was just trying to avoid reality by talking about things that didn't exist. He acknowledged this and the conversation continued.

On a number of occasions he tried to refer back to that idea and again it was pointed out as a rabbit trail to avoid reality, rather than a legitimate argument against anything.

Cain heard the Gospel, was surprised that it was all about Jesus' work and took a tract before heading back to work.

Last in this queue of people who sat in the same seats was Tamara. She was talking about how no one should criticse anyone else because everyone has their own beliefs. As soon as she finished sharing her own thoughts and ideas, it was pointed out that this idea is exceedingly flawed. People are not sources of infallible understanding or knowledge, therefore things we believe should constantly be shown for what they are, perversions and distortions of the truth.

It was interesting to see Tamara squirm as her idea was challenged and it was interesting to see that she really was unable to defend her position, rather all she could do was try and say it again, this time with a little more strength.

In the end, she declared that it was her goodness that made her right before God, she too was a "model" human being and therefore she did not need a saviour. She was so sure of this that she didn't want a tract and was quite happy to stand before on judgement day in her own "righteousness".

As you read these recounts you hopefully noticed that the universal problem for humanity is their own sinful, so sinful that they have convinced themselves that it isn't that bad and they are actually good. This is the problem everyone must be stripped of before they will ever see their need for a saviour. This is the reason for using the law in evangelism, it reveals the things about ourselves that we would really rather pretend weren't there.

Consider the people in your life, that are blinded by their sin and look for opportunities where you can declare God's truth to them!

Please also be praying for those the team were able to speak with this past Wednesday!

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On Tuesday afternoon at Woodridge the team covered the area well and were able to engage with many people for the sake of the Gospel. Early on one couple walked past and took tracts. They were then asked, "Do you think you will read it tonight?", to which the guy responded, "Probably not". The girl was a little embarrassed by this answer.

The response was given, "Thanks for being honest, but please consider the seriousness of the message, you may never have another opportunity to hear how you can be made right with God. You may not have tomorrow."

To which the guy responded, "I am going to read it right now!"

One lady who spoke to the team early on was named Malvey. She had some understanding of the Gospel and happily listened. She didn't have any arguments and even asked a few questions and as her bus arrived took a tract and said she would consider what was said.

Another lady Carrie, said she had been looking for God and was attending a local church. She sadly still thought that it was her goodness that was getting her to Heaven and the conversation was cut just short of the final explanation of the Gospel, as her bus arrived. Please be praying that Carrie reads the tract and that there is a local member of the church she is attending that will be able to speak with her and share with her the truth of the Gospel.

A young man Taava, said he had spoken to the team before and said he was trusting in Jesus. He did seem to know the Gospel but he said he wasn't really reading his Bible. Taava was encouraged to consider that those who know the love God has for them in Christ Jesus, will want nothing more than to find out who God is. Please be praying that Taava is trusting in Jesus and is just yet to grow in his discipline and obedience to God.

A sad conversation was with Brad. He had gone to church for six years, around a decade earlier but had been seriously hurt by the Church, had since watched a movie about how the Bible is completely made up and as a result has completely rejected God. Brad's arguments were founded on nothing apart from what seemed to be emotional trauma from the past. A short conversation was had with him as he was encouraged to read the Bible.

It was clear from the things he was saying that he had never really read much of the Bible, especially not with the intention of understanding what the authors meant when they wrote it. Brad wasn't really interested in doing so but please pray that God would change his heart.

One final conversation was had with Dan and Candice. At first this couple said they were hoping for reincarnation but as they heard the Gospel they began asking questions, wanting to know more and even expressed that they were really grateful for the conversation.

The came to understand sin and the condemnation of the law. The understood why many lives couple be of no help because we can never live perfect on our own. They came to understand how pervasive sin is and why the world is as we see it today. They then were also pointed to the only solution, someone else taking the penalty for our actions, justifying us with their life and giving us a new heart with new desires.

Dan and Candice said it made a lot of sense. They had spoken to the team a number of times before but please be praying that today would be their day of salvation!

Please raise up before God the others who heard the Good News, those who took tracts and even those who were hostile to the Gospel. Please be praying that God would use any interaction to bring people to salvation!

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On Monday afternoon at Capalaba the atmosphere was very different to the Schoolies outreach of the previous week. None the less, God used the smaller team, in a quieter location to proclaim the truth of the Gospel so that people may come to know God.

One exciting point to mention is that the team occasionally run into people who say, "I have a friend at work (or school) that has been telling me about this!" This is a massive encouragement in a number of ways, firstly, it is wonderful to hear that other people are hopping out of their comfort zone and boldly obeying Christ, even in places where they will have to see these people again!

A secondary encouragement though, is that often the people mentioning it, aren't angry but are excited! They are happy to tell us about their friend who has been sharing this with them. They aren't looking back in frustration but it is usually an enjoyable moment when someone else shares the same message of salvation with them. They rejoice in their friend.

May that encourage you, most Gospel conversations are not events to look back upon angrily, but ones that people remember, especially when it is a friend that shares with them.

On Monday there was a scary theme, church goers who had no idea about the Gospel. One man Peter, had been in a protestant church for almost seventy-five years and he said, "I am hoping that I will have done enough for God to let me into Heaven". What a scary thought, that this man could have sat in church, almost four thousand times and never understand the truth of the Gospel.

There were also two ladies Nikita and Julianna, who equally attended Church but that had only been for around three to five years during their high schooling. Again neither of them were clear on the Gospel, they barely knew who Jesus was at all. This is scary to see the state of the youth groups in our day, that someone could attend one hundred or more times and never clearly and explicitly be told the main point of Christianity.

A third conversation in this category was with Reagan, he too went to Church and similarly was unsure about the way to Heaven. At first he brushed the conversation off because he said he already knew it all but after going through the good person test, seeing his guilt before a Holy God and being left with the serious decision between choosing sin or Christ Reagan said he would think about it.

It was a privilege to be able to take the opportunity to be the person that articulated the Gospel to him and left in a position knowing that the Gospel called him to repent or perish. Please be praying that Reagan sees the sinfulness of his sin and turns to trust in Christ alone for salvation.

Two other exciting conversations were had with Erin and Nicola and Chloe.

Erin was happy to talk even though she had no religious background. She listened to the law and how all it can do is condemn us. She then made a side note about other religions which was answered by pointing out that they simply have a law but no saviour, leaving anyone who tries to follow them, guilty and without hope.

Erin said this made sense and then proceeded to ask more questions about Heaven and Hell. As the Gospel was being explained her bus arrived and she was left knowing half of what Jesus accomplished. Please be praying that Erin would read the tract she took and desire to know God intimately as a result!

The second with Nicola and Chloe was similar. Throughout the conversation Chloe shared that everyone around her said religion was rubbish and asked why she should consider what the Bible says but she also shared that she was scared of death. Through this conversation the two girls heard why we should be scared of death not because death is the end but because after death comes a day of judgement, when everyone, if being judged based on their actions will be found guilty and deserving of Hell.

But that God has acted in history, and the Bible records the things God did, said and promised, so we can see what God has done so that sinners can be made right with Him. The girls heard the Gospel and were left to ponder the question, will I surrender to Christ or defy Him?

Please be praying for those the team was able to speak with that they would heed the call of the Gospel and not leave it another day or another year.

Please be praying for your local Church that they would faithfully in all their ministries preach the Gospel.

Please be praying for yourself, that you would be emboldened to step out in obedience to God and share the Gospel with your friends, family or colleagues.

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23rd November
It has been great to have Rick with me as we are meeting people I have previously talked with and to have a man chat with other men is a blessing, as it is sometimes a better outcome. It’s great too when we meet couples, then we can talk one to one.

On the first week this fortnight we met a couple from an LDS Church. N & L stopped to ask about the ministry and we had quite a bit of time one on one with them. When the discussion on hell punishment came up, this is when they suddenly wanted to walk on. They took tracts but please pray that there will be another time we will see them and that God’s grace will be showing them truth in His Word. 

We got to talk with an paramedic who assisted me earlier in the year. I had shared the Gospel with him and he told me I was preaching to the choir. It was easter and he had been given an easter tract by Rick & myself back in April.

Rick recognised him and he remembered us too. We had a great chat with him and he has a good knowledge of the Gospel. He also wanted to know more about the ministry and received some resources. Pray for him and the work he does daily as an emergency worker, they do a wonderful work. Pray for M, L, C & G.

Rick had the opportunity to talk with a believer from out of town and he also was encouraged and interested in the work of evangelism, pray for S. 

Rick also got to speak with a man I have shared with many times in the past and have given tracts, also a booklet of John. He was wanting a Bible from Rick so praise our Lord for this man's seeking of God’s Word, pray for him (R).

We also got to share with the man who sold us our house here from 2 years ago. We had given him tracts back then and I have seen him and shared the Gospel at other times. Last Friday Rick and myself were able to challenge him more in his need to be made right with our Holy God.

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30th November
This week was only myself as Rick had injured himself at work. I had a good amount of conversations. One that was sad to my heart was a elderly man saying he wanted to end his life. Please pray for D who I pleaded with and shared the need for him to come to salvation. I asked him to come meet us next week to talk with Rick. Pray the Lord's mercy will protect him and bring him to saving faith so he will have reason to love his life. 

God gave me the privilege to have encouragement from two older ladies who are believers, they had stopped to express their thoughts on the need for Christian influence in the public like this ministry does. They shared some of their hearts needs so we are able to pray for them. One lady (M) asked for something for her two granddaughters (in their 20's) to explain the Gospel, so she was given a couple of comic book tracts and I encouraged her to have them check out the website and look at the 5 minute video that explains the Gospel.

The other lady (P) has her husband in the final stages of his life. He is a believer but she is having family trying to take over her say in looking after him. I prayed with her and she said she would come visit me again on a Friday. 

Thank you again for all you who pray for this work. God is bringing these opportunities of sharing the Gospel either by our speaking or handing out a tract. And also the blessing of encouragement and equipping fellow believers to share Jesus.

The Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation. Praise His Holy Name!

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The Essex UK Team met on the Romford High Street, an old market town 20 miles east of London, on Saturday, NOVEMBER 24.  Jacob, Andy and I preached, handed out tracts and sought conversations.  

The crowds were pretty good with a lot of Christmas shoppers, but the atmosphere seemed subdued.  Most adults did not stop to listen to the street preaching, but children and young adults listened.  I preached first from 2 Corinthians 5:17. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. The Lord takes out the heart of stone and puts in a heart of flesh.  What better gift to give to your family than a new new?  Come to Jesus and He will make you a new creation in Christ through repentance and faith.  It was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but I noticed couples looking at each other at the thought of a new man who loved the wife or a new woman.who respected the husband and new children who obeyed the parents and did their homework.  I also touched on Dicken's Christmas Carol and how Jacob Marley had created the heavy chain he had to bear through eternity through his own deeds.  I finished with a recitation of Psalm 103.  A girl of 8 was fascinated with my street preaching.  She kept listening. Finally her mother got her to leave, but she and her two siblings all waved good-bye with broad smiles.  I gave a New Testament to Laurence in a wheelchair.  He said, "No one has seen God!"  "Yes", I replied.  "Now we only see through a glass darkly, but then we will see face to face."  

Andy preached next from Mark 7:20.  It is what comes out of a man that defiles him. A boy came up and interrupted him and offered him a sweet.  Two youth about 14 listened Andy for several minutes but they didn't seek out a conversation.  

"Have a sweet!" 

 

Jacob handed out tracts and had a number of conversations.  He spoke quite a while with three young men about the truth of God's words.  They were skeptical, but Jacob defended the veracity of the Bible and the good news of the Gospel.  

 

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5 of us in split shifts today with Ryan being the anchor man. It was a glorious day in which to serve our glorious God. Pray for these persons to seriously deal with the gospel now: Today is the day of salvation.

     -Noah, R.C. who had never heard the gospel presented so clearly and was deeply moved

     -Hung, Chinese who said it was all new to him. He was shown the historicity of the Bible account. He was going to consider later, but he was urged to commit today.

     -Josh & Ashley; he started in no man's land and with the aid of some analogies, ended up thankful, She also expressed appreciation of being challenged to trust Christ alone to be reconciled to God.

     -Gustavo, Mexican R.C. heard gospel clearly.

     -Jack had been inoculated against religion and had a long involved chat with Ryan using frequent checking questions to check his understanding. Finally, parted cordially with a tract and a request for him to read the gospels... His friend Christian was getting involved in witnessing to Jack later in the conversation.

Whatever the sovereign Lord does with His gospel is right and always to the praise of His glorious grace.

p.s. Please uphold the health of team members in your prayers.

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This week has been an exciting and encouraging week and it still isn't finished!

Throughout the evening different team members would come up jumping with joy, often with tears in their eyes celebrating. It was a night filled with God at work through His Spirit and bringing many soft hearts to hear the Gospel.

Many of the conversations were free from lengthy arguments or discussions. These people heard the Gospel, understood it and almost instantly declared a desire to trust in Christ.

In this video you can hear Harry share about the conversation he started with Emily, who subsequently professed a desire to trust in Christ.

Then you can hear Matt, talk about the conversation he had with Curtis, who also shared his desire to trust in Christ.

Please be praying for these two that God would be working in their hearts and even now leading them to a greater understanding of Himself!

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Tonight, without giving away too much information before the other videos are released, this video is the beginning of a lot of GREAT news! Tonight over the course of two hours, eleven people professed a desire to trust in Jesus alone for their salvation! The team was jumping with joy, weeping in happiness and praising God for using unworthy vessels such as us to be the means of some coming to salvation.

You can hear Elaura share about three conversations back to back with people who said they wanted to trust in Christ. You can hear he excited, after a tough start to the evening declaring praise to God for who He is and what He did in the hearts of these schoolies.

You can hear Giulliano declaring praise to God for enabling him to share the Gospel with a young man who subsequently professed a desire to know Christ as his Lord and Saviour!

Please be praying for these four, that they would be serious about what they said with their mouth, that the Spirit would be changing their hearts and that they would be relying on Christ alone and forever be changed!

Please also pray for the team as due to the continual conversations, many members didn't get to sleep until the early daylight hours of Friday. Please pray for rest, stamina and the ability to honour God despite tiredness for the final day of the outreach!

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In this short clip you can hear Jackson share, in humility, that despite his lack of great oratory skills, God still uses him as an ambassador for Christ. He also encourages you, no matter your knowledge of Christian apologetics to head on out, in simple obedience to God, and share the Gospel wherever you can!

You also get to hear from a very tired Glen, who has travelled over from New Zealand for a few days to join the team in the evangelism efforts! Hear his excitement as he was able to lovingly, yet clearly, engage with two homosexuals and a "Christian" who were down for schoolies week.

Hear Giuliano sharing about a night of many conversations, with those from many different world views and the sharpening of his faith that was a result!

How can you be obedient to Christ's call for disciple making this week?

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At Schoolies on Tuesday night there was a large team out. It was exciting to be a part of. Despite the large team, there were still plenty of opportunities for conversations. There are over twenty thousand schoolies out and about and only around twenty team members. There is always room for more labourers.

From this evening you can hear John, who travelled down from Brisbane just for one night, share about the night that he had sharing the Gospel.

You can also hear Ryan and Bek, two team members down for the whole week sharing how, even whilst they were off getting a quick snack at McDonalds, they were able to share the Gospel with a man named Alex.

Please keep the team in prayer as the week progresses, knowing that it is only by God's strength that they can persevere.

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