Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Page 148

Everyday is a good day to share the gospel and this Friday on the streets of Warwick was no exception.

S approached the bible table and asked how much for a bible, pointing to the signs pinned to each side of the table we said they were free. He said his 8 year old son would love to have one, so we gave him a hard cover CEV.

The CEV bible was donated by a young man some weeks ago who was impressed to see us out on the streets talking about God and giving away free bibles and resources, that he turned up with some extra bibles laying around home so that we could give them away - Praise God. This was explained to S who was really grateful to take this donated bible for his boy. S was asked if he himself is a believer - he said that his Grand Parents were. Glenda said that they would have been praying for him. He agreed they surely would have.

We took him through the law and gospel in which he was saying that he understands while nodding as he was answering, sometime was spent spent with him talking about eternal matters and what that meant personally for him and that there was nothing more important than getting right with God. He took a booklet about the ministry, we also gave him a resource on some basic facts about the bible and how to read it, that was given to us from our pastor’s wife, they have been quite useful to accompany the bibles we give out.

Please pray that God would draw S unto salvation and that the enemy wouldn't steal the planted word from him. Pray for his son as he now has a bible that our Lord will do the work in his life to bring him to faith in Jesus by His amazing grace.

A mum and her two kids stopped by to encourage us saying that this was a great thing that we were doing, she is a believer from Tamworth up here on holidays, so after having a chat we gave here some ministry info, tracts for her and her children. We encouraged her to look us up online and share the Gospel where she lives.

We spoke to M and then a bit later on J, two guy’s who believed in reincarnation, we asked where they got there information about there belief, M said it just sounded good to him. J said his mother told him when he was young about a truck driver who died the day he was born and when he grew up he became a truck driver. We told them that they were basing their belief on feelings not facts. Both were short chats but tried to plant a few bible truths with some gospel tracts, so we pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them of their false belief and bring them to a saving faith in Jesus.

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Redcliffe (QLD) Team

Today was our first Operation 513 outreach in Redcliffe for 2019. Team members from three different churches all gathered at the waterfront for a couple of hours of gospel work. It is always a joy to work with these brethren as they are passionate about the Lord Jesus. Personally, I find them quite encouraging in the work, especially in those times when I feel flat.

Over the past few months we have noticed that it has been increasingly difficult to get gospel conversations, so today we changed tactics. Instead of having our “Free Bible and Literature” table, we decided to split up into small teams so we could move around the whole area to witness.

I partnered with Mike and we set up his flip-chart and handed out a few tracts. It soon became very clear that our location was not good for conversations so we moved to the other side of the road to witness near the entrance to the pier.

Upon arrival in this new location, we noticed that Sheldon was locked into a deep conversation with a Jehovah’s Witness who was out spreading his heresy. Mike and I set up in the new location, and before too long gospel conversations were underway.

Mike managed to speak to a young man who seemed very open. The conversation went well with the young man taking a Bible. While Mike was talking to him, I managed to get into a discussion with the man’s mates. These young guys were out on the waterfront, just relaxing and planning to play some basketball. Initially I engaged them in some small talk over who was the best NBA player of all time (it is clearly Michael Jordan!), then from there I swung the conversation to the gospel.

I asked this group, “What do you think someone has to do in order to go to Heaven?” They all replied, “Accept God. Believe in God.” I followed up with another question, “Do you guys have any kind of religious background?” One said he had no religious upbringing, the other two said they went to church. It was then that one of them said, “I am a youth leader at my home church.” He then told me about the large Pentecostal church where he was a leader. Well, this information made me change my tactics. I said to the youth leader, “Ok, let me put you under some pressure. Imagine I have been stabbed in the back, I am bleeding out. I have three minutes to live. I am not a Christian. What will you say to me so I can go to Heaven?”

At this question his face went into a look of panic. “I don’t know!” was his reply. “Two minutes left!” I called out. The youth leader said, “Ummm… Believe in God.” “So, I just need to believe God is real?” “Yes!” was the reply. It was then I turned up the pressure even further, “The devil believes in God. Will he go to Heaven?” By this stage the youth leader seemed to be stumbling over his words and had no response.

The response from this youth leader is not uncommon. I have met many church leaders who cannot explain the gospel, which leads me to believe we have many unconverted men in leadership positions of churches. I cautioned this young man that James 3:1 warns us that all who teach will face a stricter judgement., and then I proceeded to share the gospel with him. As I explained the good news of Jesus, the church leader said, “That makes sense!” I gave him an in-depth tract, I encouraged him to read over it, and then to teach it to those whom he leads. He shook my hand and said he would be explaining to the youth what the gospel really is about.

After this, Vesa and I managed to get into a conversation with a lady who was very spiritual, and very confused. She is one of those lovely people (she was a really nice lady!) that could talk with a mouth full of gravel, so we spent much time listening. When we were able to talk we shared snippets of the gospel with her in the hope that some seed would be sown. She took a couple of tracts and promised to read them. Please pray for her.

At this stage I had to leave the outreach early in order to complete some other work, but as I was leaving Mike was locked in a conversation with a group of young men. I heard later that this was a good conversation.

Praise God that the message of Jesus continues to spread!

SDG!

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

The regular Sunday afternoon outreach for the Christchurch (NZ) team went well. Today we had a small team of members from 2 local churches. Due to the Buskers Festival, many people are in the central city. One of the performance areas is in Cathedral Square, and so we set up at the entrance.

At the end of each performance, there is a rush of people leaving, and it's a great opportunity to hand out tracts and start conversations - of which many were had (as per pictures). May God use the gospel message shared today to bring about salvation of souls -- for His glory alone!

Gearing up for the final week of the Summer Mission - please keep the Christchurch team in your prayers this week! :)

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Day 5 of the summer mission to Christchurch (NZ) is complete.  We are now officially half way through.  We appreciate your encouragement, prayer, and support that is allowing this mission to happen!

Today is the first day of the Buskers Festival, bringing many people into central Christchurch -- to hear the gospel!  But the day started slowly.  I was feeling tired, and I wasn't getting any takers for a conversation.  A little bit of doubt started to creep in.  Are we being effective?  Is it worth the effort we are putting in?  But as I thought this, my thoughts came back to something I often say: even if no one stops to chat, or I don't give away a single gospel tract - I'm still being effective, and it's still worth the effort - simply because I am obeying my Lord who has asked me to go.  At the very least, I will be worshipping Him, as I stand on the street looking like a fool for Him.  He is worthy.

And it's not foolish, soon after: a man stopped, a conversation had started, and he heard the precious gospel!  It was only up from there, person after person stopped to hear the gospel - they were wonderful conversations, all glory to God.

Then something special happened.  The previous day I had preached the gospel, to seemingly little effect.  Afterwards I had handed out tracts to the few that had listened - but none wanted to talk.  But today, a group of 3 came past the flip chart - 1 of whom had heard me preach the day before and had taken a tract from me.  Today he, and his friends wanted to talk - praise God.  The conversation was difficult initially, as questions were being fired, left, right and center.  I had to rely heavily on the wisdom of God's word, and the experience he has given me in dealing with these situations.  But through it all, I managed to steer the conversation through the law and the clear evidence of creation and conscience.  The bluster of the initial exchange eventually died down, and the questions became genuine and serious.  A somberness came upon the conversation, and in light of that, I was able to share of the amazing grace of Jesus.  Sadly, there was still resistance from all 3 in the group - but they all took tracts as they left (except for the 1 who had received one the prior day - he still had his).  I pray that the discussion about the law and the seriousness of sin, would weigh upon their minds and hearts, having a plowing effect, that they would eventually hear the gospel again and it would find fertile soil in their lives - all to the glory of God alone.

Today being Friday, we also ran our new evening outreach, and in spite of the rain, there were many opportunities to share the gospel.  With: a group of 4 men from Belgium across from the bars and restaurants on Oxford Terrace, a young Israeli man in Cathedral Square, and a lovely vegan lady who was with a group of animal rights activists who were bringing about awareness of their cause (see photo - it seemed quite effective, could be an idea for doing something similar in the battle against abortion?  But maybe without the masks!)

It was a little bit intimidating sharing the gospel with this lady surrounded by her activist friends.  But all need to hear the gospel, and God is with us!  I deliberately worked hard to make sure the conversation didn't turn into an argument.  I also did my best to understand what she believed and why, and what the differences were between her and her friends beliefs (e.g., she believed in a god, but others were atheist).  I did my best to share the gospel, but the conversation didn't follow the usual template.  I talked about how there was no death in creation before the fall, and that, one day, God would restore creation where the lion would lie with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6 "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb...").  But I talked about how God killed an animal and used the skin as a covering for Adam and Eve after the fall - which prophetically pointed to Jesus, the lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world.  Sin has drastic consequences - including the death of animals.  We parted with a hug, and she gladly accepted a gospel tract.  May she, and her friends, come to know the only hope there is for the problem of death: Jesus.

Saturday we will be taking a much needed rest, Sunday we will run our usual afternoon outreach, and then from Monday to Friday next week will be the 2nd, and final, week of the summer mission.  Please keep us in your prayers.

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Day 4 of the Summer Mission to Christchurch.  A hot day today, so we decided to hit Sumner Beach with a chilly bin of cold soft drinks to give away with the gospel message!  But first we headed to the central city to: hand out tracts, for some "walk up" & flip chart conversations, and to preach in the Square.

Once at the beach, we simply walked up to groups of people offering them a cold drink and starting a conversation.  Some people appreciated the drink, but it was clear they didn't want to hang around for too long - those conversations went quickly, but the law and gospel was still able to be presented.  Others were keen for a chat, and would ask great questions.  1 engaged young lady even said "I'd always wondered what Christianity was about" - now she knows, but she was warned that it wasn't simply something to understand intellectually, a call to repent and trust Jesus was given.

We appreciate your prayers as we head into Day 5 tomorrow, before taking a much needed rest on Saturday.

 

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Otara Markets 

The Lord blessed out time at the markets this week, personally I had gone through the flipchart with 5 individuals.. the first one was with a man that I came into contact just over a year ago his name was Collin, he was doing his fruit shopping at the time and saw that we had a free literature stand and wanted to stop for a chat. 

Colin had a Roman Catholic background and seemed like at the time all he wanted to do was argue, he said he wasn't involved with any church at the time and was on the fence with much of what the bible teaches about Christ though still wanted to challenge our views from what he had learned from his time at the Roman Catholic church, I urged him that the only way that he could have his sins forgiven and to be made right with God was through the Lord Jesus Christ and that there is no other way, he rejected the gospel and we said our goodbyes...

I'm sad to say, but this time when I saw Colin he was there doing his own version of evangelism for a group called the FFWPU - Family Federation for World Peace and Unification NZ, I'd never heard of them before but later looked up their website and see that they're a front group for the Moonies, with the Lord's help I again shared the gospel with Colin, he seemed more attentive to listen this time, I'm thankful that the Lord gave me the opportunity to give an apologetic for the objections he had.

He was there with a large group and I got to meet with Kenji who is their national leader, Kenji himself came over and wanted to meet me, and because I had never heard of them before I asked questions as to what they believed it started to become confusing and I believe the more I asked him questions the more he seemed confused about his own beliefs, so I stopped to take him through the flip chart and things got a bit uncomfortable for him when I talked about judgment and the hell punishment we deserve and his body language began to shift away...by God's grace I was able to tell him of Christ who took the hell punishment on the cross for sinners. It felt as though we were finally getting somewhere but we were suddenly interrupted by other members of their group and all of a sudden Kenji seemed different as though to act the part of 'National Leader' in the presence of his people and ended the conversation. (Here he is talking to me picture in the white hat.)

Please pray for Colin, Kenji and the FFWPU, there were approx 12 of them that day. 

Next I spoke with a young man named Isaiah, he was visiting up from Hamilton, walked past the flip chart stopped and smiled and continued to walk....I said "did you want to do the test?" he replied "no, i'm scared i'd fail"  I said "everyone fails this test....I'll show why" he seemed curious so he turned around, we had a wonderful conversation going through the chart and sharing the gospel with him, he had somewhat of an understanding of the Bible but this was the first time he came to understand the gospel and what Christ did on the cross. I pleaded with him to get right with God and to trust in Christ for his salvation, before he left I read to him from the book of Isaiah 1:18. Please pray for this young man. 

We praise our great God as others in our team also had conversations, some good some not so good, but none were a waste of time. What confidence the people of God ought to have when we truly believe that His Word does not return void but accomplishes that which He desires. There were hundreds of our Op513 tracts that went out on this day, it was a joy saying to people "Happy New Year, God bless you" and handing them one of our New Year tracts, or one of our "What will matter to you in 150 years time?" tracts. 

SDG 

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Day 3 of the Summer Mission to Christchurch (NZ).  Today I decided to do something different.  I didn't take the chilly bin, and instead stuffed as many 180 DVDs - a powerful pro-life documentary, that also shares the vital gospel message - as I could into my bag and headed to the hospital.  The road works between the main hospital complex, and the new building has been completed, and I wanted to find out if it would be a good spot for witnessing and a place to bring the gospel to the issue of abortion in Christchurch - something that happens right inside the hospital here.

There wasn't anywhere near as much foot traffic here as in the city, but I did manage to have some gospel conversations via the flip chart.  And I was able to hand out all but 2 of the DVDs (I was also handing out tracts with a link to the movie for those that don't have a DVD player).

Many hospital staff went past looking at me with curiosity.  I also had hospital security staff walk past, and they took copies of 180 (I've got nothing to hide).  One of them even came back and asked for another, as he said he'd given his to his boss - and he wanted one for himself.  I was able to take the opportunity to confirm if the spot I was standing on was public property, and if I was fine doing what I was doing.  I got a green light.

We desperately want to see abortion - the murder of innocent babies - ended in our city, nation, and beyond!  And some of us have been praying about what we can do.  I know my effort seems feeble - but it's something.  It's a start.  If it's something that God wants to happen, may He bless it, by opening up opportunities for ministry.  Please join us in prayer.  And it all starts with the gospel of Jesus. 

Without lives being transformed by this message: of justice and grace there won't be lasting change.  We can't just moralise our society; it needs Jesus - to see change now and for the hope of eternal life to come.  May those considering abortion hear the gospel and turn away.  May those who have had an abortion hear the gospel and know forgiveness in Jesus, through repentance and trust in him.  Amen.

As I was standing on my spot outside the hospital, I noticed a couple had been sitting at one of the benches just down from me for a long time.  So when I packed up, I decided to head down and offer them a DVD.  They gladly took one, and a conversation started. 

Sadly, one of them, who was dressed in a hospital gown, had just been informed that their cancer was inoperable!  It was terminal.  I expressed my deepest sympathy at this news.  With the subject matter already on death, I shared the gospel - of the hope for eternal life.  And gospel literature, with contact details, was given.  With plenty of time to read and think, while in a hospital bed, may God lead this person (and their friend) to repentance and faith in Him.  What a privilege to be able to share the gospel with them!

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As the team seeks to use 2019 for God's glory and the proclamation of His name, the outreaches have continued. In some locations there are much larger crowds than usual and in others it is quieter. Gold Coast is the former. There are hundreds of people in the mall during the earlier parts of the outreach, as many families are around on holiday.

This past Friday, the team took the busyness as an opportunity to preach. Some serious messages were preached, with the warning that God has not promised to anyone that they would survive this year. But it wasn't death that should be feared, but the God who all will stand before in judgement after death.

The crowd then heard why this judge is to be feared, how guilty each one of us are and that the only solution to not spending eternity in Hell, is to find forgiveness purchased for sinners by Christ.

During the preaching, around ten New Testaments were taken off the table as people walked up and picked them up. Some came up despite the protests of their friends or family and others came up in small groups. It was unexpected but exciting to see people taking a copy of God's Word.

As usual a time of outreach is filled with a range of different people. Early on a Jewish man, who had rejected Judaism and had subscribed to spiritualism spoke with the team. Next an "atheist" who loved sin, hated God and had no arguments just assertions spoke with the team and an older man, who said, "I don't want to think about death or talk about religion" was left with the serious question, "Will God send you to Heaven or Hell when you die?"

Two encouraging conversations were had with Marcella and Emma.

Marcella is a native Spanish speaker and had a decent amount of understanding about God. Sadly though she had never heard the Gospel before. So, 2019 became the year when she first heard the Gospel and came to understand what God has done to save sinners.

Marcella, saw through the law, how short she fell of God's standard and then came to understand how Jesus' death can atone for the guilt and how we should respond to Jesus. Please be praying that Marcella would read the Bible she has at home and that God would use this conversation and His word to bring her to salvation!

The conversation with Emma was a little different. She at first said she didn't think the team would want to speak with her because she is an atheist. It turns out that she had very little reason for being atheistic, she just decided that is what she wanted. She also had experience in a Pentecostal church youth group, in which her criticism was, "it is just blind following". She recounted how they just would sing songs and jump up and down and it was all about emotional feelings and fitting in with the crowd. Sadly, in her years at youth group, she never came to understand the Gospel, nor did she hear much about Jesus.

Thankfully, God had bought her to Cavill Mall, at the right time, so she could hear the Gospel. Emma as she heard the simple apologetic for God's existence said it made sense. Then Emma saw herself in the mirror of God's law. She came to understand that she was desperately guilty.

When asked what the solution was, Emma didn't know and as usual said, "try to be good". Instead Emma got to hear what God has done to save those who are not good and who cannot be good. Emma heard the good news and in a final serious challenge it was explained that no one knows the time of their death. "We aren't promised tomorrow, let alone another year".

At this Emma broke down in tears, she recently had someone close to her die. Thankfully, Liam her boyfriend had just arrived and was able to comfort her but they were left with the seriousness of eternity and the only solution to judgement.

Please be praying for Emma and Liam, that they would heed God's command to repent and believe and would find freedom from sin, forgiveness of sin and a love for God!

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What a change from 2 weeks ago. Then, most people appeared to be thinking of holidays. Today, it seemed to be that people were prepared to listen and engage quite openly. There were a couple of Asian lasses who got the good news from 2 separate teams and were thinking about this new (to them) offer of salvation. They had a Buddhist background. There were 2 Aussie lads, Kyle and Seb who had attended a R.C. educational institution but had no idea on how to get to heaven. By the end of the checking round, they understood God's offer. They parted with the gospel of John and our ongoing prayers. Similarly Johnny and Manny, 2 Sikh men parted with plenty to contemplate and check out.

     There was an extended family of 5 Muslims who politely listened but after engaging for a while, the spokesman said they would stick with what they had been raised with. When they are alone, maybe the Good Shepherd may call one or more?

     Likewise a Hindu family of 4 who never grasped the uniqueness of Jesus, nor the absolute righteousness that God requires but as they were parting stated that they (Hindus) had millions of saviors, so did not need Jesus!

     We need to keep going out for, e.g. Col spoke to a man who had never heard.

As always, there was more but of the work that the Holy Spirit sovereignly does, we can only wait in patient hope. For now, let us pray and give God the glory, 1 Cor. 10:31.

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Day 2 of the Summer Mission to Christchurch (NZ).  Today ended up being a day of a few long conversations rather than many short ones.  And only once did a conversation start via flip chart.  Today the chilly bin of cold drinks was used to start conversations with people enjoying the hot sun while on holiday, or during a break from work.

The first conversation was with 2 work men on a break under the trees.  Both were grateful for the free drink, and both thought they would go to heaven when they die.  But after looking at 4 of the 10 commandments, they quickly realised that, if that was the standard God would use on judgment day, then they wouldn't be going to heaven.  The good news of Jesus dying on the cross in payment for sin, and rising again giving us hope of eternal life was shared, with a call to repent and believe the gospel.  This conversation had to go quickly as they were on a break, and we didn't want them stealing any of their employers time. ;)

We then moved on and had 2 (separate) conversations with young tourists from Austria, and Germany respectively.  The Austrian, in particular, was keen to understand what we were saying, so the time was taken to explain the gospel and answer his questions.  Initially he turned down the offer of a cold drink, but after the long chat, and since the sun was beating down hard now - he gratefully accepted.

The preaching in Cathedral Square attracted a new heckler today, which lead to a lengthy 1 to 1 discussion with her.

We then moved to Cashel Mall, where the team split up, and we ended up having separate conversations (walk up).  Mine was with another German tourist, a very thoughtful young man who was challenged by the gospel presentation, and asked some wonderful questions afterwards.  He had a real appreciation for the blessings of life, and seemed to be genuinely counting the cost of following Jesus.  He gladly took a gospel booklet with his cold beverage and said he would read it.

A couple of other significant conversations were had today, but the 4 and half hours went quickly.  It's not just about numbers, but about the quality of the conversations and making sure people understand what is being communicated.  May gospel seed take root, for the glory of God alone.

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