Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Page 149

The New Year has begun and the crowds that bring people to the shops in the Christmas period has gone back to a slower pace. This has been good in a way, as it gives a bit more time for conversation. Never ever think just because there are not many people around that it’s a negative.

Today seemed very quite but at the end of the day both Rick and myself were so thankful that God had prepared seeking hearts given to us by Him in a few of the conversations we had.

Praise God for R who I have spoken to in the past. He got to meet Rick and we were both able to spend time listening and chatting with him. Wow, it was wonderful as we could see how the Lord was showing him some very critical things in his heart. Checking to see if he truly is of the faith.

R is not able to read and much of his understanding is from his early years. There were a few things he shared with us that we were able to explain through God’s word what we are to obey in the call to salvation. We went through the flip chart and like we find in the majority of people, R said he was guilty but he thought he would be going to heaven, when asked why? he said that he was trying to do good works. He thought he wasn’t so bad. When we explained the Holiness of God and the wrath of God that we all deserve as we have all sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. R was wanting to listen, it was so great to see how God had his ears ready to hear more.

Justice was explained using the earthly courtroom analogy and how there needs to be a payment of the fine in breaking the law, that just saying I won’t do it again doesn’t make what was done go away. But just like in a earthly courtroom when you are guilty the law requires the penalty to be fully made so justice is upheld. Our earthly court is only an example of the perfect courtroom where there is perfect justice and judgment.

God’s courtroom is so much higher and on judgment day, we all will face God. We need to know there is none of us who are good, no not one, we all have broken God’s Holy laws as we check ourselves by the ten commandments, we know we are guilty, the Bible, God’s Word, declares the penalty for sin is death, not only physical death but even worse, it is spiritual, the penalty for sin is punishment in a place called Hell for eternity.

That’s bad news, But God has given good news and provided a way we can have our fine paid, that is through God’s one and only Son Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect life He never sinned, Jesus came to die in our place to pay the penalty for all those who will believe upon Him and trust in His righteousness, in His life, death, and resurrection. Jesus paid it all. We broke the law, Jesus paid our fine. He defeated sin and death and offers us Eternal life as we come to Him with a humble heart and put out trust in Him.

God promises to give us Grace and a new heart that is repentant of our unbelief, self reliance and good works. His covering of righteousness makes us justified, God gives us Eternal Life and we can enter heaven. Not because we deserve it but because of mercy and grace given by God through Jesus our Saviour and Lord.

God receives all that are His and all the Glory is His. No one can boast, it is all His work and He deserves all Glory and Honour our love for Jesus is to worship Him and follow Him with grateful hearts. As we spoke all these truths to R we trust God in his life and we pray he be saved and have a desire to know His Saviour. We showed R how to download audio Bible and we had him listen on my phone to the book of John, all of Chapter 3, he was listening intently. He asked us about a Bible on CD, if he can buy it. We told him we would look into it for him. He said he will be back for the information next week or the week after. We urged him not to put off salvation. As we don’t know the day we die and we need to make that the first step with God. 

S was another conversation that was very good. Hopefully we will get to talk with him again as he was meeting his wife and had to go. Pray for H who we have talked with before, he thinks he is ok but he is trusting in works as the way he will get to heaven and doesn’t seem to have conviction of sin or desire for God. We took him through the law and the Gospel and he has a tract again, only God can do the work we know.

Praise our wonderful God for another great day sharing the Gospel.

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Every year, the Christchurch team organise a short term mission trip to... Christchurch!  It means money can be saved on travel, we can sleep in our own bed, and we don't have to adjust to a new climate, culture, and time zone, but we still get the benefit of giving glory to God by bringing the good news of Jesus to the lost.  Today was day 1 of the mission.  Tracts were distributed, conversations were had, people heard the gospel by way of open air preaching, and soft drinks were given away.

Today was about continuing conversations that were started on the New Year's Eve outreach.  Of 2 young men the team had a long conversation with prior, 1 of them walked past with his girlfriend.  He was identified by name, and so stopped.  This led to a great follow up conversation starting with his thoughts about what was discussed the first time.  Eventually evolution was put forward as the excuse this young couple were using to suppress the truth of God.  This was addressed, after re-covering the subjects of the serious nature of sin, and the good news of Jesus.  They were asked to consider the cost, repent and trust in Jesus before it's too late.

Another young man, first encountered on New Year's Eve, has been encountered at least 2 more times since then.  And every time, I'd say hello, using his name, as he walked past.  Today he was sitting with 2 friends in Cashel Mall.  I approached, and he was happy to see me.  They were grateful to receive a free cold drink to enjoy, and were very open to a gospel conversation - via flip chart.  It was a wonderful conversation, as they seemed very open to the message of the gospel.  I hope to see these young men again.

Earlier, I preached in Cathedral Square.  To draw a crowd, I used trivia questions giving away free drinks as prizes.  It was wonderful seeing people gather and get involved.  I then offered $5 (to buy a coffee from the local vendor) to the person who could pass the good person test, based off the ten commandments.  Sadly, once people realised I was a Christian, they started to disperse and I couldn't convince anyone to try for the fiver.  But I still took the opportunity to proclaim the serious nature of sin, and what Jesus has done to defeat death and bring us hope.  Some stayed to listen.  But please pray that we would become more effective in sharing the gospel.

Finally, we met a lady who watched one of the flip chart presentations.  Initially, I thought she was going to get angry at us telling people about sin, but to my surprise she encouraged us!  A Christian from a local Baptist church, she said she would be keen to join us, and took my email address.  May she get in touch, and get involved, for the glory of God.  How about you?

Please continue to pray for the Christchurch Summer Mission!  And join us if you can :)

  

 

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Today I set up my flip chart in Cashel Mall, and then walked down a bit to meet team members coming to join me.  We turned around to head back to the chart, and a small group of people had already gathered around it!  1 of the team took the initiative and jumped in and a gospel conversation was away - as easy as that.

We had a new team member today, so a 2nd chart was set up on the other side of the mall and a quick demonstration on how to use it started.  But then we noticed a guy watching us, so we invited him over and a real flip chart gospel conversation occurred!  Nothing better than a live demonstration :)

Gospel conversations were started - with and without the flip chart.  There was even an opportunity to pull out a Bible and have a discussion around the correct meaning of a verse.

Tomorrow, the yearly summer mission will start - a 2 week short term mission to... Christchurch!  We have a chilly bin, ice, and cans of drink ready to give away and as a conversation starter.  Please keep the Christchurch team in your prayers over the coming 2 weeks of outreach.  Regular reports will be posted.

 

 

 

  

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This is the first week of my break from work (they close for two weeks) so I was able to join my wife an hour earlier for our usual Friday outreach in Warwick. The streets were a little bit quieter but busy enough to have a few conversations  and hand out some tracts.

M is a young man who has received a few Gospel tracts before from Glenda so when she saw him coming she asked me to engage him in a chat. I said g’day and asked him if he had read any of the tracts he had previously received, he said yes and still has them at home. I asked, "What did you think of them?"  He said they were alright but didn't’t seam too fazed about them, so I stressed the point about all being guilty and took him through the law and judgment and the eternality of our hell punishment but all to no avail. Sadly, he just had no care about the future and was hard to get much out of him, he just said its not for me. We said to please look into these things for no one knows how long we have on this earth, any of us might not see tomorrow. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to awaken him to the truth of the gospel.

We were able to hand out a bible and a couple of books of John to a family from out of town and plant a few seeds. It’s great to see someone desiring to have the word of God and what a blessing to have these resources to give away free of charge.

We handed a tract to a couple who came back and wanted to ask us a few things about what they read and we said "no, we’re too busy" (only kidding) we said "fire away!". They had questions about the law and especially about the Sabbath so we quickly ascertained that they were from the Adventist movement and had quite a lengthy discussion about scripture and Ellen G. White’s teachings. They asked if they could meet us next week and further discuss our differences. Please pray that God would prepare their heart to receive the good news of salvation through Grace alone through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for all our sins - past, present and future. Please pray that our Lord would speak the Gospel truth through us which is His power unto salvation.

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

There were many people out in central Christchurch sharing their beliefs today.  Some out of their passion: those protesting the department store selling fur.  Some, maybe, out of fear (earning salvation?) and obligation: various religious groups.  And it struck me: 1) they wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't worthwhile, and 2) there is nothing more worthwhile than sharing the gospel - not out of fear or obligation - but out of genuine love for the one who has saved us from sin and hell: Jesus; and who has asked us to go because of His great love for the lost. 

Regular gospel outreaches are being established in Christchurch - 6 days a week, if you know the love and grace of Jesus, why don't you come and get involved?  Get in touch!

Every outreach this week, God has provided more than 1 labourer, but I thought I was going to be on my own today, until I came across Garry (pictured).  Garry is a guy who attends a local church and we have gotten to know over the years as he is often out on the streets of central Christchurch.  Yet he has never actually joined us in outreach.  Well today was the day, and he plucked up his courage and asked for a few tracts to hand out.

It was wonderful watching him step past his fears, and politely ask people if they would like a tract.  Of the 12 people who went past him, 3 took one.  Praise God.  May those 3 people read those tracts and hear of the glorious good news of Christ and come to repentance and faith in Him.  Maybe it's time for you to step past your fears and get involved?  Have a few hours spare?  There will be no obligation or pressure to do anything you are not ready for: get involved - Jesus is so worthy! :)

 

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It has been a while since the team has gotten a video encouragement up but in this video you can hear some testimonies from an outreach in early December last year.

Daniel, gives the encouragement that there are many people to share the Gospel with and specfically shares about a conversation that he had, where it seemed as if God had been preparing this young man to hear.

Over the course of eight minutes, Daniel was able to share the Gospel clearly to this man.

Next Tim, who was just travelling through, decided to stop for a few hours before continuing on home and as a result God used him to share the Gospel with a range of people, specfically you can hear about a conversation he had with a man named Hero.

Please be praying for these two conversations as well the team as they endeavour to share God's glorious Gospel with the lost day after day.

And consider Daniel's final encouragement, to join us in this Mission, to be ambassador's for Christ, to this lost and perishing world.

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

After the earlier day outreach, we ran our 2nd Friday night outreach in central Christchurch.

In the first spot we set up (corner of Cashel Mall / Oxford Terrace), there was less foot traffic than expected, so we had to approach people to start conversations.  This led to an amazing conversation with a man on holiday from Nelson, who had spiritual encounters in the past and wanted to talk about them to make sense of them.  He also heard a clear presentation of the law and the gospel, with a call to repent - flee - from sin to God.  At the end of the conversation, the man said, "thank you, I appreciate it" - so very encouraging knowing people are interested in the gospel and are happy to be approached for a conversation!

We ended up moving to Cathedral Square, where the market and food stalls were still happening - and a band was setting up to provide entertainment.  There were plenty of people around which lead to many more gospel conversations.

At the end of the night, a very sad conversation occurred with a young lady who when asked: "have you ever murdered anyone?" said "yes, I had an abortion".  She seemed completely at ease about this, in spite of the fact that she had acknowledged (maybe without realising it) that she was a murderer.  It revealed how easy people can justify sin and sear their conscience.  The focus of the conversation remained on the reality of God and his justice, the standard of his law (we can pretend to live in our own bubble of "reality" - but we will all have to face the truth on judgment day), and also on the fact that forgiveness is available through repentance and faith in Jesus.  She was resistant, but happy to chat.  I had a fresh realisation of the incredible love of Jesus, that even when we were His enemies, He died for us!  May this young lady come to know this great love and forgiveness!

   

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Praise be to God, central Christchurch is being saturated with the gospel of Jesus - by just a few, humble, weak followers of Christ - heading out daily.  More and more, we are encountering people who have already been through the flip chart presentation of the gospel - including today, with a young man.  Interestingly, he was open to going through it again - with his friend who had not been through it before.  May this young man, and his friend, keep encountering Christians sharing the gospel till they finally surrender in understanding, repentance, and faith.  Are you ready to continue the conversation?

Yet, the most encouraging gospel interaction of the day was with a young man waiting for his girlfriend outside a shop.  A tract was offered with the question, "Will you go to heaven when you die?".  There was not an opportunity to explain the whole gospel - but he took the tract (which does), and as we were parting ways he said, "Thank you so much, I appreciate it".  The next time you fear starting that gospel conversation, remember - there are many who will appreciate it!  Yes, many will not be interested - but what's the worst that can happen?  Just say, "have a nice day", and move on.  :)

To finish the day, the team went through Cathedral Square having walk up gospel conversations.  And as we were not able to preach at our usual time due to other Christians out reading the scriptures in the open air, we finished with preaching instead.  Our most vocal heckler was there; but we decided to preach anyway.  The law and the gospel was proclaimed, and on que the heckling started.  Yet, a small gathering of people were listening, with people accepting tracts afterwards.  May those that heard the gospel be saved, for God's glory alone, through the "foolishness" of the preaching today.

  

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New Year's Eve Outreach - Clendon 

During the early hours of the afternoon my sister Eliza and I also with my 3 year old son Elihu - Went out and distributed some of our Church calendars door to door, it is a ministry of our church where we give these out door to door to the residents that are in close proximity of our church building. It was a good reminder of how much in need for the gospel this area has but what an opportunity the Lord gave us, as many were willingly able to take a calendar, the calendars themselves have a text of scripture in each month followed by a gospel tract in the end page, our hope is that the people will see that each and every day belongs to the Lord and that their days are numbered. May the Lord take the text of Holy Scripture off the walls from the calendars and allow for His word to inwardly digest into the hearts of the people of Clendon. 

Later in the afternoon when we had finished our run - I dropped Eliza and Elihu home and met with my Pastor at the Clendon Shopping Centre, it's been difficult trying to do evangelism here as the town center has come under new management, am thankful that by the end of our time here we were given leads to the right people to talk to, so please pray that we can have more of a presence here in the year to come. I was able to go through 2 presentations with the flipchart here 1 was with a young man along with his sister, in the beginning I got to establish good rapport with them both but as we got into the flipshart their mother started yelling out for them to get in the car, this started to become somewhat awkward, at first the sister turned around and left to go but the young man in his mid to late teens wanted to stay, you see we had got through the law in the chart and he saw that if God were to judge him according to standard of His perfect law he would be guilty and sent to hell. By God's grace I was able to get to the last page and continue to encourage him to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved from eternal judgment. He seemed happy to hear of how God saves from judgment and took a tract, please pray for that young man his sister and their mother. 

The following photo is of Andrew, this was my last conversation and one that I would never forget, he wanted to go through the chart so we did, he became really interested in the gospel, he had been through so much in his life he needed to understand how is it that God as the judge is able to judge anyone, this gave a good opportunity to talk about God's attributes, the Goodness of God, the Holiness of God, and how man is sinful and a good God who is all powerful does not look upon sin lightly and must bring judgment, and by God's grace he seemed to come away understanding what Christ had done on the cross and how to be saved, a personal highlight for me was at the end I had given him some tracts and one of our church calendars, moments later as I drove home I saw him walking on the footpath reading the literature I gave him. Also, during this conversation a man who I do not remember what he looked like put insisted I take the $20 he slipped into my hand for a drink along with other Christians from other local churches who the Lord had sent to encourage us. 

What a glorious gospel! What a glorious Savior! May the Lord of the harvest send more labourers in 2019 because worthy is the Lamb who sits on the throne! 

SDG  

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Otara Markets - Christmas Outreach 

Every year on the Saturday before Christmas day thousands of people around Auckland flock to the Otara markets, as early as 6.30am parking was difficult with people in a mad rush to secure their spot, it is the busiest time of the year for this market and in the past 3 years now the Lord has allowed us to be here for this particular Saturday. 

Many of our soldiers who would of loved to come were unable to today, and so, terrified as I was, the Lord gave me courage to setup the flipchart and almost immediately I got into a conversation with a couple who were interested in going through it. By God's grace I was able to go through the entire chart and even at the end they continued to stay and want to talk more about the gospel. 

Almost all of my flipchart conversations were like this where people were willing to stay for lengthy conversations where all ending with an encouragement to the hearer that they turn away from their sin and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ as He is the only One who can save them from the wrath to come.

I wasn't expecting to speak to so many and that the flipchart would draw the amount of people that it did as there were times where I was having to raise my voice for certain flipchart presentations as there would be a crowd of people who would stop to listen and by the end of the day I felt as though I had lost my voice from all the conversations. Praise the Lord! 

In between these encounters I handed out a great amount of our Op513 Christmas tracts and later on my sister Eliza also joined and helped with the distribution, she was able to capture some photos of my last conversation with this couple who were wanting to go through the chart.

I found them both to be active listeners that seemed to be amazed at how God would forgive sinners, I was able to tell them that this was what Christmas is about, that God would send His Son to die for sinners and also that Christ would willingly lay down His life for them. We rejoiced at the work that was done on this day.

Soli Deo Gloria, Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

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