Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Page 156

On Thursday afternoon at Sunnybank the team were blessed with many conversations. One noticeable mention is that often older men are scared to talk about eternal matters. Many will acknowledge that they have thought about it but rarely will they be willing to hear God's truth. They will often try and pass off the conversation, through humour, arrogance or anger. This plays out in all locations but was just noticed this past Thursday.

That being said there were some wonderful conversations. One man Frank declared that it was his adherence to the ten commandments that was getting him to Heaven. This was scary to hear as he said he went to a local Church. Frank heard the Gospel and God's real offer of salvation and was challenged to stop trying to convince himself, that he will be okay based on his own actions.

A sad conversation was had with Joan, she was an older lady who was a little hesitant to talk because she said that religion was all about power and fear. This was interesting to hear but she couldn't really explain why she thought that. Although she did say that she would never want to worship a God who had power over her. It was explained to her that God's laws aren't for the purpose of oppression rather, true freedom and liberty is found in the flourishing that God's design brings.

Her bus arrived and she had to leave. But please be praying for Joan that she is stripped of her pride, thinking she knows better than God and is bought to submission to Him.

One encouraging conversation was had with Jesse. He heard the Gospel for the first time, without any arguments and said he would consider it. Please be praying that Jesse searches out the scriptures and is bought to a knowledge of the truth.

Among other conversations Sia a lady who goes to an SDA Church and had been let into some confusion by what they taught, heard the Gospel and of imputation. It has been noted that in America, there is often a strong emphasis on repentance being a "turning from sin". Where as in Australia, this leads people often into confusion. It must be clearly stated that repentance isn't just "turning from sin... and trying to be good". Rather it is turning from sin, to trust God. And that will result in a changed life.

In Australia, legalism seems to be a far more common vice, than anti-nomianism.

Lastly an encouraging conversation was had with Stephanie. She knew about Heaven and Hell and had heard the name Jesus but that was about the limit of her understanding. God as Creator, Holy, Judge and Saviour was explained alongside sin, judgement and righteousness and she was left to ponder, would she turn and trust in Christ, or continue living in sin.

Please be praying for all those who heard the Good News, that they would repent and believe. Praise God for allowing conversations to flow and for bringing people along to hear His glorious Gospel!

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The primary reason that Christians think that all non-Christians are hostile and vehemently against talking about the Gospel is because the only people Christians have to engage with are the ones hostile enough to raise it themselves.

Oppositely, when we as Christians start to raise the topic of eternity, we will find out how open most people really are. This shows itself in different ways at different outreaches. In Brisbane city some of the team members use the flip charts on the footpath. Others sit down next to people and ask simple questions such as, "Where do you think you will go after you die?" This sitting down method, has around a fifty percent success rate. One in two people will be happy to talk. Most of those who cannot aren't hostile they just are busy or otherwise occupied.

As you are about to be encouraged in some conversations from this past Wednesday, ponder this, How could you implement this simple question and strategy to engage with people in your life, for the sake of the Gospel?

If you are worried about what to say next, you're more than welcome to join a local team and stand next to someone else, listening to what they have to say and how they negotiate a Gospel conversation.

Wednesday was filled with conversations but for the sake of time here are five people to specifically be praying for.

An early conversation was had with Paula. She had a Catholic background and had "worshiped" the Catholic way, doing all the right things for years. A few weeks earlier her mother (another devout Catholic) had died and as a result she had completely rejected God. She was angry with Him and wanted nothing to do with Him. Please be praying that God would use the simple conversation had to leave Paula away from her self-righteous hatred of God, to a total surrender and trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Following from that conversation was one with two tourist, Dani and Alexis (male). These two started out saying they didn't think there was a God but ended up hearing the Gospel and saying that it made sense.

Interestingly, as is often pointed out in these battle log reports, most people's problem with Christianity is not found in the intellectual arguments they make. This was the case with Dani and Alexis. They argued for evolution (against Creation). They argued for the corruption of the Bible (against its truthfulness). They argued for the non-existence of miracles (rather than their existence) and they argued against God's law (trying to replace it with their own). On each occasion and in the final summary it was explicitly stated that, it isn't that their main problem was Creation, the Bible, Miracles or God's law rather it was the God of Creation, the God of the Bible, the God of Miracles and the God who gives the law.

They didn't want God and so they were "hell-bent" on using anything they could muster up to try and convince themselves that He didn't exist and therefore wouldn't judge them for their sin. Sadly they were seeking to try and avoid their guilt by pretending they weren't guilty, rather than coming in repentant faith to the one who can actually remove the guilt and save a sinner.

Please be praying that these two will give up their sinful self-love and turn to the sinless, selfless Saviour.

An exciting conversation was had with Shaun. He had almost no Christian understanding, except for Jesus' name. He heard the Gospel simply and clearly. He said he understood it and at the end he even said he would consider it. He took a Gospel of John. Please be praying for Shaun, that he would consider who Jesus is and what He has done and therefore turn from sin, to Christ in total surrender.

There is also a man named Darren who has been quite against talking (this isn't uncommon for middle aged men). A few comments and questions have been exchanged but sadly Darren is currently closed off to even discussing further than his desire to "not think about death". Please be praying that God would bring along an opportunity, for a friend, relative or even the team to be able to speak with Darren, to share with him the words of eternal life.

Lastly, the team spoke with a lady named Tristana. She was broken. Due to a string of recent tragedies, he life was in shambles and she had nowhere to turn. She also didn't understand sin and its consequences or the cross of Christ and its victories. The Gospel was explained to her, a tract was given and the team prayed that God would use this scenario to lead Tristana to seeking and knowing God. as C.S. Lewis wisely said, "Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world".

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The recent rain here in Warwick and surrounding towns have been a reminder of God’s care for all people. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. It’s the same grace that is given to us in the air we breathe. Pray for the people here in the country that they come to know our Father God and give thanks to Him for providing our daily needs. Pray that they know their greatest need is to be made right in His sight by faith in His Son Jesus. The drought is not broken though, it’s green, but the dams are empty. It’s what they call a green drought. Much like how we can look good on the outside and our inward heart be not filled with God’s Spirit.

The Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation!!! We know that this is the solution to the sin problem of our heart. May God’s mercy rain in our hearts and cause us to shine His saving  grace in our lives, as we serve Him out of gratefulness and love for saving sinners. Even when we are saved we need the Gospel each and every day!  

The flip chart is a wonderful tool to present the Gospel either in one on one or to a group. One of my opportunities last week was to have 4 teenagers stop and engage in the good person test using the flip chart. They were engaged in the questions and answered with humbleness and when asked if they were guilty the all said they were and they deserve to be sent to hell for eternity. When asked if that concerned them they laughed and had no fear or concern. Before sharing the good news of the Gospel with them I explained that sin keeps us from even wanting to know God and that we need to listen to our conscience and know that sin separates us from a just and righteous God who is the judge of our souls. Hell is not a fun place where you are going to party with your mates. Life is short even though you are young i reminded them many young people die. They acknowledged what was said and I shared the good news how Jesus died on the cross and took the wrath of God upon himself to set us free.

The flip chart is so visually impacting as it shows a ball of fire upon Jesus on the cross and a person being shielded from the eternal punishment. Thank You Jesus! As we flip to the next page there is a cross with no more Jesus there. This is showing that Jesus said it is finished the fine is paid, He defeated sin and death eternal,  He has risen from the grave and is alive forever more.

Because Jesus is God and He loves us so much, He took what we what we deserve and offers us a way to Eternal life and not hell punishment. They were given the bad news and the good news and urged to consider the message they had heard.  The 3 boys and 1 girl were encouraged to read through their comic book tracts they each had received. Pray they may be brought in by the irresistible grace of God to salvation.  Pray for all the people who received tracts this fortnight and for the tracts given out at the Rodeo Street Parade on Saturday. It has been a joy to serve God, All for His glory and honour.

Thank you for praying for the people of Warwick and those in surrounding towns. Also pray for the people visiting the town may receive the Gospel on their travels.

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Over the past two weeks on the Tuesday outreach at Warwick many more tracts were handed out.  God always leads some to want to stop and ask questions.

Even those who walk past are seeing the free offer of Bibles and resources, it is a beautiful way to reach out with love and share the free gift of Salvation. Last week I was in a conversation with someone when another person tried to hand me a $5 note that they had found on the ground. I told them it wasn’t mine when they tried to give it to me, instead I grabbed a million dollar tract and gave it to them and added “Here is a million dollars with a message on it worth more than silver or gold”.  So he found much more than $5 dollars that day!!! Pray the message will be treasure to his heart. It’s great to take every opportunity to share the Gospel. Having a variety of tracts with different ice breaker words and themes helps so much.

Since I have started here in Warwick there has been a handful of people who offer me money to donate to the ministry,. It is a lovely offer and I give them a Gospel tract and show them the Ministry website where they can donate, it’s also good opportunity to give information about the Ministry and tell of the wonderful support of Christians that donate so we can give free Bibles and resources. Praise our wonderful Lord God for the hearts of these givers pray they have or will receive salvation by God’s grace.

One conversation from last week with a sweet young mother and her little baby was a highlight to my day, as we spoke, I could see how much she needed to hear about God’s care and especially needed to hear the free gift of salvation. This young lady was thinking she had to do the best she could to get to heaven. We went over the Gospel a few times and she left with tracts and some Bible verses to read up on about grace and not works. She had a Catholic upbringing and has a bible, pray she will start to read and understand with God’s Spirit’s work to know her heavenly Father through Jesus our saviour. Pray for C and her baby boy J.

Pray for C and L who have a love for the Gospel and share in their little town just out of Warwick. They took a variety of tracts and wanted to know how to purchase some.

This week I had a man approach me just as I was setting up for the day. T was interested in hearing about why and what my purpose was in the resources I was handing out, he said he already has a Bible. I wasn’t able to share the Gospel with him. He was more into psychology and his opinions. I listen and when I spoke I would ground everything in God’s Word. He didn’t like that. The conscience, sin, heaven, hell and our responsibility to respond to God was most of what I tried to talk about, he took tracts and a booklet on where the races come from. Pray for T that he will read the Eternity Gospel tract and for God to open his eye’s.

Pray for a lady who keeps visiting me and always mocks the message. I thank God that He is bringing her back because I always kindly answer her and point to her need for Jesus in her life. Praise the Lord for this opportunity to keep sharing truth in love and pray she will come to repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you again for praying as God works big things in the little we do.

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West Country (UK) Team

On Saturday 27th October I drove to Exeter to meet George, while Della and her boyfriend got the train to meet us later. Simon was unable to come due to work, and Harry had been at a wedding and so there were just a few of us today. Fortunately though George had made contact with another Indian Church nearby who came out to support us.

It was a very cold windy day, and unfortunately there were many buskers and sports cars in the square for people to look at, which forced us to move further down the high street to preach. This area still had around three busker within earshot playing drums, electric guitars and a didgeridoo and so it was very difficult for people to hear us, even with amplification. We prayed, and then George preached while people listened in and tried to give out tracts to people who would not stop to listen, and unfortunately very few people stopped due to the nature of where we were and the cold.

However God drew one man to stop and talk to Della about what was being said, who in turn was happy to take a Bible and some literature from her.

Later on I preached with amplification and spoke about the many distractions the devil tries to use to put peoples minds off of God, and that our business in life could not put off the fact of our facing eternity. I spoke for a while about Halloween and people preferring darkness rather than light, less there deeds be exposed, and the reasons why people didn't like acknowledging God's existence unless it suited them because of their sin, and how easy it is to blame God for things in life not going according to our plans, but people seldom thank God for all the good things He gives us everyday that we take for granted.

Again a few people slowed down to listen and various tracts were given out, but on the outside it did not appear such a successful day compared to where we normally set up by the square. However we discussed this afterwards as a team and trust that the conversations we had and where we ended up preaching was for a reason and that just one person hearing the gospel and being saved would be worth it.

We are meeting this week at my huse to hopefully all watch the new film 'American gospel' together which should encourage us to continue to persue God and make sure we persue sound doctrine and teach truth.

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Tuesday afternoon in Woodridge was quieter than normal but with less constant foot traffic, there were actually many conversations. The team had around thirty conversations over the three hours.

There were a number of short and simple ones. Josh heard the bad news, that God created us to bring Him glory by obeying Him and we have all willfully rebelled in sin, leading us to deserve Hell eternally. Lawrence's sister was talking to another team member and while that went on he was taken through the flip chart, seeing how God's law condemned him and he too left before he could hear the Gospel. Omar heard of God as Creator, Judge and his bus arrived before he could hear the extent of God's offer of salvation.

A lengthier conversation was had with Al an Irish man who said he had left "Christianity" twenty years earlier as he was Irish. He had a strong Catholic background and shared that Catholicism didn't help his marriage, nor could it help the world as religion causes wars. It was explained that the reason we have no peace between countries, in cities, in workplaces or in our homes is because we have no peace in our hearts. It isn't religion that causes wars, it is the selfish intention of sin human beings who love themselves more than anything else.

It was explained that this causes major problems, firstly, God will not let the guilty go unpunished and secondly this causes everyone to be at enmity with others over their own pride and desires.

The Gospel was offered as the only solution, the one which can change desires and atone for sin but Al sadly wasn't really interested in God's solution. Although he had rejected the Catholic "gospel" that you can work yourself into righteousness, he had left the Catholic church but had declared that he would now work himself into righteousness. It was sad to hear and he was seriously offered the Gospel and given Jesus' command to repent and believe but sadly he was not willing to during the conversation.

Please be praying that he heeds the offer of salvation and surrenders to Christ in repentant faith.

Another exciting conversation was had with Grace. She had been attending a local Church but was sure that she needed to work for her righteousness. When the Gospel was explained as a free gift from God in which He pays for sin and provides the perfect righteousness Grace was overjoyed and said that today she would trust in Jesus alone for her forgiveness!

One final chat was had with two young men, Caden and Zac. They spoke to one team member for around thirty minutes and got quite upset because he wanted to keep explaining the Gospel but they wanted to espouse their own ideas. After they stormed off in a huff, another team member approached them and continued the conversation. It took time letting them speak and answering their objections but by the end, these two men said, "We have learnt more this afternoon about Christianity than we did in our entire childhoods growing up in a "Christian" home." That was encouraging.

They did also declare that they were unwilling to give up their lives of sin, for Jesus' offer of salvation at this point but they certainly seemed less resolute in that position by the end. Please be praying that God would use this conversation and the love and care shown to lead them away from lives of self-reliance to one of total surrender to Christ.

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What is the best way to avoid feeling stale and out of touch with evangelism? Evangelising! It might surprise you to know that even a single day between Saturday's outreach and Monday's outreach is enough to forget simple analogies and explanations. It is also enough time to forget how important it is to be patient and Christ-like whilst evangelising.

It makes sense that as Christian's we struggle to declare the Gospel to people, to find the words to say or the patience to share, if we only do it once a week, once a month or once a year. Thankfully Capalaba is a location that brings a very quick reminder that overcoming evangelism is not primarily about learning more apologetics or memorising answers but it is about trusting in God, relying on the Spirit, fearing God more than men and being motivated by God's great love for us, in Christ.

This Monday as usual was filled with humility, hostility and hope.

A surprising conversation early in the afternoon was had with Erica. She had just the night before stumbled across and watched a Joseph story.

This was unusual but it was a good opportunity to explain not just the Gospel by how the entire Bible speaks of God's sovereign plan to save the human race, through, the Son, Jesus Christ, for His own glory. Erica also heard the bad news of sin and the hope found in Christ alone for salvation.

She said that she would count the cost of trusting in Christ and took a tract. She also was encouraged to read her Bible!

A sad conversation was had with Jeff. He declared that he had tried all types of Christianity, Catholic, SDA and Mormon. This was really sad to hear because somehow in his searches, he had missed actual Christianity. Jeff had a number of arguments against God and also claimed that none of the groups had worked for him.

As the Gospel was explained Jeff was surprised and said that he had never heard it before but then he jumped to his own defense and said, "no Christian wants to help me, they just want to condemn me".

It was pointed out that in the very conversation he was making that claim, a team member was listening to him, was offering him hope and help and was encouraging him to trust entirely upon Jesus for salvation. Sadly the conversation was cut off there as his bus arrived. Please be praying that Jeff was impacted by the patience, remembers the Gospel and turns to God, not just to a set of rules and laws.

Another encouraging (and funny) conversation was had with Kiana and Deagon. Kiana was unchurched and had very little understanding of the Gospel and Deagon professed to be a Christian but didn't know the Gospel either. The conversation was quite straight forward, God as Creator, Judge and Saviour was presented and the two understood it. As the Gospel was explained the pair said they'd never heard it before. As the required response was shared Deagon said, "I already believe in Jesus". To which, without a moment's hesitation, Kiana responded, "Just because you say that you're a Christian and go to Church, doesn't mean you trust in Jesus!"

Ouch! All Deagon could do was try and defend himself but he knew she was right. Then moments later, Kiana who seemed to have comprehended the Gospel and its response, when asked, "When will you trust in Jesus?" said, "I think I will at sometime." She was then asked, "Why not now? If you don't want to trust in Him now..." Finishing the question she said "Why will I wanted to trust in Him later?"

It was clear Kiana understood what God required of her. Please be praying for Deagon that her question was used by the Spirit to cut him to the heart. Please be praying that Kiana takes the truth she has heard and turns to Jesus alone for her salvation!

A final sad conversation was had with Jake. He heard the Gospel and many different explanations and answers to his questions but sadly after all was said and done he declared, "I understand what you're saying but I don't want to trust in Jesus because I love marijuana too much".

Please be praying that God in his severe mercy, would do everything required to strip Jake's foolish reliance on drugs away, that he will be bought unto salvation.

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Yesterday afternoon, as is the yearly tradition, many people dress up for the Manly Halloween Festival. As the team usually do, they headed down to distribute clear and relevant Gospel tracts. Over the course of the afternoon a few thousand were handed out.

There were also a range of conversations that were had. One extremely sad chat was with a man named Logan. His parents were missionaries and after twenty years of professing Christ, he had rejected God and the Gospel all together. Sadly he didn't really want to speak for too long but the things he said were extremely heart breaking.

He was a man who hadn't ever really known the love and grace of the Gospel, had rejected all things to do with God based on his love for sin. Please be praying for Logan.

There were many other conversations and simple Gospel presentations. Including one with Rupert and Matt and another with John and Genevieve. These simple conversations started with the question, "Where do you think you will go after you die?"

As a result these four heard the Gospel, had some simple objections answered and were left to ponder the question, "When will you turn from sin to trust in Jesus?"

Please be praying for those who took tracts, that they would not be tricked about their eternity, but would trust in Jesus and have the treat of Heaven!

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Speakers Corner 

The Lord blessed our time over the last 2 Wednesday's (17th and 24th October) at Speaker's Corner, 

Some highlights was seeing brother Tim engage with some tourist that were from Argentina who stayed to listen to him preach and then talk more about his message & address questions they had from the Scriptures, they were happy to take some tracts with them, also, on this same day I had a young man from the University who stood afar behind me and listened to the preaching, I had not seen him while I was up giving my message but he later came up to me when I had finished to say that he appreciated hearing the gospel, but that he was an atheist and didn't want to engage further, I tried to engage further but he was not willing, though he also was happy to take some tracts. 

Last week myself, Trevor, Graham, Tim and Alistair met at Speaker's Corner, we had a good flow of pedestrians, one particular lady came as I preached and laid down to listen, she stayed for the whole message & also a few others stopped to listen, We praise our great God who has given us this freedom to cry aloud the life-saving message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Please pray for all those who came into contact with us, We plan to head to Speakers Corner the same time tomorrow DV

SDG

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There was a gentle cooling breeze walking down the hill to W.Pt. Once there, it took 2 of us to hold the flip chart as the breeze became a gale. God brought John and his brother Andrew along to do the test. While John engaged, Andrew seemed to withdraw. Maybe his English was limited? While Ryan continued through a detailed presentation of God's good news, John came to understand what the Bible was all about. He may be able to help Andrew. Andrew had been engaged by Lee-Anne and taken from his disinterest through to where he was challenged to consider his need for Christ who alone can save him from from his sins and the eternal consequence of hell. He 'may not have tomorrow'. Please pray for these brothers that they might each submit to Christ Jesus.

M., a Maltese lady whom Railee befriended years ago (when Sue Paine & Glenda were also present),  came and did some of the good person test. Being illiterate and attending an orthodox church, M. would only admit to maybe lying and she maintained that these were not enough to keep her out of heaven. M. has heard the gospel message before and her friends have read our tracts to her but thus far, no angels rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. May God grant her mercy - somehow!

There were more 'good people' we spoke with, e.g. one man did not acknowledge Adam's fall from grace and was living by the golden rule although he ignored the Bible in favor of Tai Chi meditation....

We thank God for enabling us to tell forth His gospel and give Him all the glory!

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