Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Page 158

On Thursday afternoon in Sunnybank the team was limited to undercover areas as the rain decided to stick around into the afternoon. This did also mean that people came to the team as they too desired shelter from the storm. This was the perfect opportunity to share with them the only shelter that can protect a person from God's wrath against sin.

One encouraging conversation was with a lady that had returned from the previous week to ask more questions. She had even gone along to a local Church the previous Sunday, as she was encouraged to. Praise God for the work He is doing in her life. May God be using these conversations and interactions to bring her to a knowledge of the truth.

As usual with the bus timetable many conversations are limited to ten or fifteen minutes. This was the case with the conversations had with John, Roy, and Shaun. They each heard of God as Creator and Judge. And were confronted by the expectations God has upon us and each were left to get on their bus as the question was posed, "How can a sinner who deserves God's judgement in Hell, be forgiven?". Each took a tract and said they would read it.

Please pray that they understood the clear explanation the tract gave and that it would lead them to trust in Jesus alone and to open their Bibles and start reading.

Another conversation was had with Latitia a young lady who goes to a local Church but didn't really understand the Gospel. She happily engaged, answered questions as best as she could and was slowly lead through the story of the Bible from front to back, so that she understood God's story of redemption. She said it was the first time she had heard it that way but was encouraged by it and was interested in knowing more. She too was encouraged to pick up her Bible and start reading it as well.

Please be praying for Latitia and her journey to knowing God. Please pray it is swift, so that even as she returns to Church this weekend, she desire to know God more.

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This afternoon a team of 10, headed out to a local area in Brisbane with the new "Life is Precious" gospel tract to do a letter box drop.

The intention was that the people in the local community would be informed of who God is, the beauty and complexity that God created us with and the expectations from God, that come as a result of this design. The tract also seeks to explain how desperately we have failed God's standards and then points us to the only solution, that God himself became apart of this Creation, taking on human flesh, living sinlessly, dying sacrificially and rising victoriously!

Over the two hours, around 2,000 tracts were put in mail boxes. Please be praying that God uses these tracts to change families from just being a normal "Australian" household, to being a covenant family, adopted into God's family.

You can read the tract here.

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On Wednesday in Brisbane City, the team was continuously swamped. Again, there were more people wanting to do flip charts, than there were flips charts, or people to man them! Although it is exciting that many people are wanting to engage in the Gospel and many more are hearing the Good News, the current limitation to the advancement of the Gospel in our Wednesday afternoons, is actually the amount of team members out. It is fitting to say, that the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.

Would you consider joining the team on a Wednesday afternoon (1-5pm), to, in the power of the Spirit, equipped with the Gospel of grace, declare to the people of Brisbane city, one conversation at a time, who God is and what He has done?

Outside of the flip charts, there were also many other conversations. Two conversations happened back to back. Firstly, with Fraser a young man. He raised all sorts of objections to Christianity and his original main point was, "there is no evidence of God". The response to this, that often stumps people (and had Fraser floundering) is, "What are you expecting as evidence?" "What would have to have done, for you to know He exists?"

A few simple explanations were given for things we would expect if there was a Creator. For example, a finely tuned functioning world, intelligently designed animals and humans, a standard of right and wrong. Fraser then went on to try and give other explanations for these things. One at a time as his explanations were shown to have holes or issues it was made clear that it wasn't that these ideas and theories were more plausible or gave real answers, rather it became clear that they were being used as excuses and scape goats to try and avoid God and ultimately to try and avoid God's judgement.

It was pointed out that our rejection of God isn't intellectual, we don't reject God on the basis of external evidence, rather we try and use anything that seems mildly plausible to try and convince ourselves and justify to ourselves, our prior rejection of God.

Fraser, understood. It was even further stressed that we use intellect as a scape goat from God's wrath (avoiding God's existence and therefore avoiding God's wrath), where in reality, the only one who can protect us from God's wrath, is God Himself. The Gospel was present to Fraser, the truth was explained and he was left to choose, to continue to live his own way in God's world and incur the wrath or to turn to the save that has done everything required for sinners to be forgiven, we simply have to trust in Him.

Fraser said he would consider it and was thankful for the conversation.

A conversation that backed straight off that one was with Emma. There were five highschoolers behind Fraser who had been listened, so when he left, the same question was posed to them, "What do you think will happen after you die?"

Four of the group weren't really interested and just day dreamed, made silly comments and ended up leaving. Where as Emma was interested and stayed and talked for almost sixty minutes. It was an encouraging conversation in which Emma came to understand the Christian message, the glory of the Gospel and the call it has on her life, to turn from sin, to Jesus.

She too was encouraged to consider what Christ commanded and was encouraged to pick up her Bible at home and start reading.

Please be praying for Fraser and Emma that they will each heed Christ's command and rely upon Christ's salvation.

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On Tuesday at Woodridge the afternoon was filled with conversations of many shapes and sizes. Along with the many cultures and people groups in Woodridge, come many religions and their attempts to make sinners right with God based on moral actions. This week the team had the chance to speak with Mormons, Muslims, JW's and a scattering of other beliefs as well.

The first conversation of the afternoon was with a lady named Teagan. Teagan had some knowledge of God but was not sure she could trust Him. As the Gospel was shared and explanations were given of who God is and what He was done it was made clear that we can trust God, because of His past history of trustworthiness. We can also know that Jesus can save because He has already paid the penalty, suffering the Hell punishment we deserve on the cross and then victoriously rising from the grave.

Teagan said the conversation was helpful in her understanding why she could trust Jesus and she was encouraged to trust in Him and what He has done for her salvation. Please be praying that Teagan does this!

Another conversation was had with a young man who speaks with the team regularly. He has a SDA background and has no assurance of salvation because he believes that we must be sinlessly perfect to get to Heaven! Despite many explanations given and passages touched on Jeffery is adamant that his theology is correct, whilst at the same time not knowing if he will ever get to Heaven. This is a sad position for him to be in. 

He was encouraged to read 2 Corinthians 5 and spend some time pondering what God has said about salvation through the Apostle Paul. Please be praying that God will work in his life, through the scriptures and lead him to an understanding of the fullness of the salvation that Christ has provided!

A lengthy conversation was had with the JW, Vas. She has spoken to the team on a number of occasions now and is extremely deep into the narrative the JW's sell. When she reads the Bible, she isn't interested in what the passage says, all she wants to do it read into the text things that she has been told are in it. This is a scary reality that she has been deceived into reading the Bible in a way that is desperately wrong based on a desire not to understand what the original authors meant but with the intention to read and alternative narrative into it.

This coming week the team will spend time with her in Romans 3-5 and ponder what the text says. Please be praying that this time will be fruitful, not with her trying to jump around outside the passage but that she will be lead to read the text and consider what point the Apostle Paul is making in the text.

Another final conversation was had with five highschoolers. Two were Muslim, One was an Agnostic and two claimed to be Christians. The team explained many things two these five and called them to give up their sin and turn to Christ. It was an interesting conversation as the two "Christian" girls made the conversation far harder with their arguments and their pride than did the other three.

Please be praying that these five would read the tracts they were given, consider the Gospel that was declared and turn from their sinful rebellion to the humble saviour!

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When you consider places to evangelise, Capalaba might not have even crossed your mind but this is always an exciting location. One person will growl at you simply for asking them if you can talk to them about eternity. The person sitting next to them on the other hand, will probably have never heard the Gospel and will happily talk with you until their bus arrives.

Although it comes with extremes, it is a place where God is using the simple conversations the team has to change peoples hearts. On Monday, between two team members over three hours, more than thirty people heard the Gospel!

The afternoon started with a sad conversation, with a lady named Micah. She stated that she was going to Heaven because her father was a priest for fifty years. Then she said that she was very good. She said she'd never lied or stolen and had lived her whole life God's way.

Then when asked about God's command not to commit adultery the conversation changed, she went from declaring how good she was, to attacking God. She said, "How can God call adultery a sin, when the Bible says incest is good?"

It was explained that the Bible doesn't commend incest, rather in the law of Moses it is outlawed. But it was clear what was taking place, Micah wanted to think she was a good person but the topic of adultery was something she knew she was guilty of. She then went on to share that she may have had her daughter before she was married but that didn't make her a bad person.

It was pointed out that she was right, it wasn't the sexual immorality made her a sinner, rather she was a sinner and therefore she was sexually immoral. Sadly Micah used emotionally driven arguments against God in an attempt to numb her conscience. 

The Gospel was explained quickly as her bus was arriving soon but she wasn't really interested in the saviour, rather she preferred to change the rules to suit herself and declare righteousness based on her own standards.

Please be praying for Micah that the Holy Spirit would convict her of sin, judgement and righteousness and that she would not be able to rest until she found forgiveness in Christ and His sacrifice.

Three conversations were had with five ladies. Tia and Caitlin, Taneesha and Charlie and Leah. All five heard of God's Holiness and His expectations of humanity. They heard of the wickedness and consequences of sin and were left with the offer of hope and Jesus' command to repent and believe.

All five said they would consider it and all five took tracts. Please be praying that this conversation is used by the Holy Spirit to transform their lives into ones of knowing God, being known by God and making God known.

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As the outreach began at Sunnybank yesterday, the worst of the rain ceased. Which allowed for the team to spread out as they usually do. The afternoon was filled with a range of conversations some were short and simple, others lengthy and encouraging, a few that were heart breaking and one particularly hostile one that ended surprisingly well.

There were three men, Saleh, Wayne and Jack, who all heard about why we can know there is a God and why that is a problem for us and sadly each had to leave before the conversation progressed too far. Please be praying that these men, heed the seriousness of the problem and don't just leave it there but seek out in God's Word the solution.

One longer conversation was had with Christany, she had a lutheran past but had left school and decided that she preferred "science" more. The conversation touched on God's Creation, God's purpose for humanity, our desperate state of rebellion and the question was posed, "What is the solution? How can a sinner be forgiven?"

Sadly even despite a lengthier conversation, her bus still arrived before it could progress further. She did not that she appreciated the conversation and would have to think more about the topic.

Lastly a conversation that was saddening and encouraging at the same was with a man who has come past before and was equally angry. Without going into all the details, he was very angry that people could be on the streets promoting and talking to the public about God.

He had a lot of arguments against Christianity, from the evils in the Church, to the age of the Bible and even was angry about hypocrisy in the Church. After some diagnostic questions, this man declared that there is no God "because there is no evidence". When provided with evidence, he declared that it wasn't good enough.

After some more questions, despite his anger it was pointed out that his arguments against God weren't based on intellect. It wasn't that he learnt things that had changed his mind about God, rather they were emotional, he was angry with God and therefore didn't want Him to exist.

He didn't disagree with this statement but kept on his attack. At one point he called the council (same as last time) to get us removed but during the conversation quietly walked off as he was told we were allowed to be there.

After talking to another guy, with a great desire to see this man come to a knowledge of the truth, he was carefully and gently approached again. He was asked, "What do you think the team comes here for? What do you think the purpose of Christianity is?"

As usual he was sure that it was all about trying to force people to live a certain way and follow rules so that God would "love" them. Unsurprisingly, he was extremely confused as the Gospel was explained, not as rules to follow to get forgiven but rather a gift of salvation for the guilty.

This was fleshed out a little for him and he was taken a back but still trying to be frustrated. Lastly just before his bus arrived he asked, "Well if you're already saved, what are you doing out here sharing with other people?"

To which the response was given, "We come out here, willing to be mocked, scorned, disrespected by people, in the hope that they will hear and understand God's offer of salvation and message of hope, because your eternity is far more important to me that my dignity".

This man was so confused, all he could do was make mocking noises as he hopped on his bus. Please be praying that this man's understanding of the Gospel and understanding that we care about him and his eternity would cause him to turn from his hatred toward God but rather that he would respond in repentance and faith.

Please be praying for all those spoken to, that they would heed God's command to turn from sin, to Him!
 

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This past Saturday the city was hit with scattered showers over the outreach but as usual the rain doesn't stop the Gospel from going forth.

Hear Trinity, a new team member, share about one of the exciting conversations she had, with a man who knew very little about God.

Hear Andrew share about a conversation he had with a young lady who goes to Church but was unsure of the Gospel.

And hear Ryan praising God for the work He did in the heart of a young man who heard the Gospel at the Riverfire outreach and came back for more!

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Just to be present in the streets is a blessing as we know God has kept open the doors for the Gospel to be received, either in tract form or heard by his servants and as we as a body pray together, He will call all those who will come to Faith in Jesus our Lord our saviour. The power He gives brings repentance and thankfulness, Praise God for saving grace He freely gives to sinful souls. None of us deserve His kindness but how much patience He has in bringing us to Himself. 

Thank Him for the work He is doing here in Warwick. This week I had so much encouragement from fellow believers, it spurs me on and i know the Lord is blessing every opportunity to share the truth of Eternal matters. It is of great importance to tell others of their fate of the punishment of eternal hell. Life here is short it is just a mist and His offer is there today so if you have not received His payment of sin I urge you, don’t put it off.

Jesus is the only way to the Father His sacrifice sets us free. The flip chart is impacting as in the visual where it shows Jesus on the cross as God poured out His wrath upon His Son Jesus instead of us. This wrath will be upon all who reject the kind offer to be saved. 

Nothing we do can save us, Jesus is the only way to have Eternal Life and be in God’s Kingdom forever. He rose again and proved His power over sin and death. Jesus said, "it is finished".

It is a love motive to share the way to flee from destruction. If we did not warn people, what sort of person are we? It is hard though as we are rejected and told that we are judgmental or we have lost our minds but we know it is true as we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good and the Bible is living and active in our lives. There is no greater love than the Fathers love.

Pray for R who just lost his wife and moved to Warwick to be with his son. He wanted a Bible as he has not been able to find his since the move. I shared the Gospel and he was in agreement but not sure if he has saving faith. He chatted for quite a time and I was a listening ear to him. Pray the tracts will stir his heart to a saving trust in Jesus.

T, R, H all Christians that stopped to ask about the ministry. Pray they will be active in sharing the Gospel in their area.

Pray for a family I was able to share with that has two small children. I was able to direct them to a Church that may be where the Lord will do the work needed and help their little boy who is struggling.

Thank you all for your commitment in prayers.

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Timaru (NZ) Team

Tell Me Christchurch conference Outreach & Leeston A&P Show Outreach 

On 6 October I was able to join the Tell Me Evangelism group in Christchurch for an hour. Two of the Tell Me members started with open air preaching and as I was getting to ready to open air as well, the local atheist heckler arrived & started his barrage of questions, never settling for an answer before asking his next question. Since I’ve never encountered him before I opted to observe the situation first, to see how the local Evangelism team dealt with him. 

I continued to hand out tracts & got into a long frustratingly sad conversation with ‘Lilly’, who professed being a ‘Christian’, kept insisting that a loving ‘god’ wouldn’t send anyone to an everlasting hell... her friend (an elderly lady) agreed with me it seems. In the end she thanked me for the chat, even though she still had the same thoughts as before.  

Today, 13 October, I again teamed up with the Tell Me Evangelism team at the Leeston A&P Show. I arrived at 10:00 and left just before 16:00. During this time I got to use the Flipchart donated by Operation 513, for the first time! It proved a wonderful, practical tool to engage people. 

I had quite a few conversations with mostly groups of young people. One such group ended up almost being a mini crowd. One of the youths in this particular group, tried to make fun of almost every aspect of the Flipchart and message. This ended up being part of the reason for the little group growing in numbers. They also asked provocative red herring questions, but by God’s Grace, was able to stress the point that His Law applies to all people, and stay on track. In the end the Law & Gospel was used to convey the message of salvation. It seemed that despite the distractions, that some in the group were seriously listening; a few of them even got talking to other Evangelism Outreach members.

Nearing the end of the day, I spotted a man with a Jesus cap, and offered him a tract. He was a fellow South African, and we had good conversation in Afrikaans :) He listens to Ray Comfort, and told me he is now a full time missionary. Upon some deeper follow up questions, he stated that he is not part of a specific church and prefers to spend time alone with God. I tried to stress the importance of the fellowship of believers. Again, by God’s Grace, was able to use Law & Gospel in the conversation. We shook hands and he left with a few tracts. 

It was a very long and productive day, with all the members of the Outreach giving 110%; one girl in particular was a real trooper, tirelessly handing out tracts and directing people to the space set up for the Flipcharts. It was Blessed & edifying time of fellowship. God graciously provided safe travels from Timaru, where I live, to Leeston and back.

Attached are a few photos of today ‘s Outreach :)

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West Country (UK) Team

Hello, its great to be back with Operation513 ministry again and to upload our first battlelog of 2018. A few of us have been going out together over the past few years when we can, as well as the University on Friday nights now that Freshers week has come. Plymouth has a joint University population of around 30,000 students so there are always many fresh faces to talk to when the evenings are dry before they hit the clubs and bars.

We have also been very fortunate to meet up with two twins from Derby that are based in Gunnislake, Cornwall for a year (and hopefully more) with Faith Mission and whose leaders I have found out were best friends with my Grandparents

(it's a small world.)

Plymouth city Centre on Saturday 29th September 2018

A couple of weeks ago a group of us met in Plymouth City Centre from 11-2.30pm to preach and hand out tracts to passers by and talk with people who would stop to see what was going on. Our team in Plymouth consists of four people, but we were able to join up with the Sons of Thunder, George and Harry from Faith Mission, as well as an Indian family they had met that have a small house fellowship that I had met previously when working for Dominoes (a few of them are delivery drivers.)

The weather was good to us, and we prayed that God would be gracious to us to cause people to stop and listen to what was being said as so many people are seemingly apathetic and pass by (unlike Exeter where we also preach) and as always, God is so much kinder to us that we can conceive with many people stopping to hear the preaching and take tracts.

The brothers from Faith Mission have a great preaching board they transport with visual scriptures and messages and tracts that catch peoples attention, and the Doctor that preached first was very loud and got many peoples attention for a small man. He told us of coming to the UK from India to preach the gospel to the UK and how through his work in medicine he had seen God do many miracles in healing people from diseases and sickness through medicine and prayer,a s well as the incomparability of evolution with Science and how his work testified to Gods glory in him seeing DNA and cells and everything made for a purpose, therefore man was without excuse in denying Gods existence.

Many people stopped to listen as again they were so shocked that such a seemingly small and quiet man could have such a loud preaching voice!

Indian Doctor preaching that is part of small house church in Plymouth

George and Harry both preached and used their scripture board to chat to a group of teenagers that actually attend the school I work at, and asked them many questions about what they learn in school and is this compatible to what they see around them in regards to evolution and design, as well as other religions that are taught and why Christianity is the only one that can save.

George preaching, one of two twins who are evangelists with Faith Mission that we often go out with

Simon then preached who also attends Grace Community Church in Torpoint with me, and has been stopped by Police before a few months ago when we preached, as a passer by had thought he was a Muslim hate preacher (probably because of his beard!) but when the Police actually spoke to us they were very sincere and nice and apologized as realized we were not doing anything wrong and the passer by was mistaken.

Simon preached on John 3 v 36 and the urgent message that Gods patience is short and that those without Christ are storing up wrath for the day of judgment unless they flee to the Son for shelter and forgiveness, which caused many of those sitting nearby to think.

Simon preaching, one of our team in Plymouth.

Della (with back to camera) who is also part of our team had some great conversations with two women who walked by and managed to share her testimony with them.

 

I Preached on John 9 and how Jesus said if you said you were blind, you would see, but those that say they see are still spiritually blind and people's need to humble themselves and turn to Jesus by 100 faith alone and not by any works as other false religions do to save us.

Between us we were able to hand out many tracts and had many conversations as were about 10 of us out altogether that day and hope to plan more outreaches in Plymouth, Exeter and Truro in the next few weeks.

If you are interested in joining our group please contact us through Operation513 or Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/117995602226495/

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