Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Page 167

This afternoon in Woodridge there were a number of exciting conversations. Among a mixture of usual Gospel conversations with local muslims, islanders and other school kids, one team member had the chance to speak with a man who had recently become a Christian simply by reading His Bible and another spoke with a man that he had shared the Gospel with on Saturday night in Brisbane city!

The team had just finished praying to start the outreach when an interaction started with a man named Ben. This man had become a Christian, by reading his bible, just over a month earlier. He had been convicted of his sin and turned to Jesus. He hadn't yet joined a local church but will be in the Brisbane area for another three weeks. We recommended a Church for him to attend. It was exciting to hear of God working through His Word!

Another conversation was with a man named Cameron. This young man had spoken to the team on Saturday night. On Saturday he had mocked the Gospel a little but had interacted through an entire Gospel presentation. He also had asked some good questions. This afternoon it was a little different, he remembered most of what was discussed but had to rush off to catch a train. Cameron was reminded once again the importance of surrendering to Jesus.

An opportunity also arose to speak with two "trouble makers" named Jack and Hollex. They were being silly and carrying on but also held some respect for the Gospel. They listened intently at times and seemed to understand the Gospel. Occasionally, they would get distracted and start laughing about something they had said but would regain composure and continue on the discussion.

Hollex was more honest about his life, acknowledging that his sin wasn't satisfying. He even said the life he lived was definitely not the one God wanted him to.

Jack, seemed shocked by the honesty but was trying to make out that he was "satisfied and happy" with his life. He soon admitted that it was pretty tough.

A range of different topics were discussed, these included, who God is, His plan for our lives, failure to obey God's expectations means we miss out on the beautiful life we were designed for and incur God's wrath and finally and most importantly that Jesus comes as a sinless sacrifice, to redeem us from sin and its consequences.

Please be praying for Ben, Cameron, Hollex and Jack that they may ponder the things they heard today and to live lives of repentant trust in Jesus Christ.

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It was a quiet start for our time but a couple walking by were invited to do the Good Person test and started to do so. The lady left when the spiritual meaning of lust was explained. However Paul, who has no religious background, stayed and heard it all. He has taken a copy of John's gospel and is counting the cost.  While Ryan was doing the presentation with Paul, a lady who is very loud sat nearby and made numerous sounds to disrupt the hearing of God's  'good news'. 

There needs to be prayers offered to our God to use these 'spiritual attacks' (in other locations as well) for the progress of His name. May He shut down some and use others to attract more people to hear the gospel or whatever He knows will yield the best outcome in each individual case.

In God's providence, two other conversations were had with young men, both named Daniel. Both were "spiritual" in their beliefs but neither understood God's Holiness or their desperate need for a Saviour.

The first Daniel had Buddhist leanings and was all about "enlightenment" and finding inner peace through meditation. He acknowledge that we sin but it took him a while to understand that we are sinners (not just good people who make mistakes).

By the end of the conversation he intellectually understood the Gospel and why it was needed but sadly his bus came and the discussion was cut short.

The second Daniel believed in the Aboriginal dream time and its "spirits". He had gone to a Catholic school but had a range of struggles with Christianity.

The discussion went for almost 40 minutes but the final question he asked, after saying many times "I understand what you believe but I disagree" was, "So if I do want Jesus as my Saviour, how can I have Him?"

With one final summary, Daniel left and promised to read the Gospel of John.

Amongst a range of other conversations with people who had varying levels of understanding of the Gospel, a conversation was had with Brittany.

This young lady had spoken to the team three times prior. She had heard the Gospel and understood it mostly. The only real issue in her understanding was that she thought Jesus' sacrifice was on behalf of all people, whether or not they believed.

This meant she thought that even if she didn't trust in Jesus, she was still going to Heaven.

It was explained to her that Jesus' sacrifice is for those who believe. It was stated, "Simply knowing that He can save you, isn't enough for you to be saved, you must trust Him".

Brittany understood this and was left with a choice to make, will I trust Jesus or myself.

Please be praying for those who were spoken to this afternoon that they may come to Jesus and find forgiveness and life.

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One flip chart at the jetty and another on the western side of the point were in use today. Twice people came up and asked to do the test while someone else was already being taken through. In those instances, the ones who had done the test were handed over to another to finish the gospel presentation. pray for those like Evony and Ruth who are now counting the cost. At one point the objection had been raised that one was too lazy to do anything about Jesus. Ryan asked her if she were crossing a road and saw a speeding car heading for her, wouldn't she try to evade it? As eternal punishment in God's prison is so much more serious, he needs to take the claim of Christ on her very seriously - today! They each received a copy of John's gospel.

       Brad went through the test with Harry and had a few more questions answered before he had to leave. His Dad also listened to it all and thanked us.

     There were some instances of people using the examples of church-going people they knew who went and confessed their sins and then did the same sins once again and again. Judgment is not based on a sliding scale but each person has to give account of their own life. May God soften hearts so an individual will deal realistically with his own need to be forgiven of his sins and suxch would flee to Christ for refuge.

To God alone be the glory great things He has done and continues to do until His people are all gathered in.

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Tonight three Muslims heard of the unequalled Holiness of God, the desperate wickedness of sin and that our only hope is in God's saviour.

In another extremely sad conversation, another man was greatly offended by God's expectations of him and was offended to think that he would need a saviour.

As you hear each recount, please be praying for these men that they may surrender to Christ and find forgiveness and life.

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Hear one team member give an exciting account of God's providence in humbling hearts and bringing about perfect timing for two young men and women to hear the Gospel. 

Hear another explain how they were able to share the Gospel with a professing Christian who thought he was going to Heaven because he was good.
 

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This afternoon in the team was 6 members strong. This was a real blessing as we were able to cover two areas nearby each other and reach more people. The team also had two native mandarin speakers who were able to engage with some who had little or no English ability.

One stand out conversation was with a young man named Will. He has had some exposure to Christianity evidenced by his answers but for the most part was simply living as a pagan. He had a Chinese-Buddhist background but even that was more cultural than binding.

Will came to understand that God designed us to bring Him glory by obedience to Him but that we had instead chosen to worship ourselves by living how we want. Will seemed to struggle with the idea that God would punish "decent" people. It was emphasised that we're not good people who make mistakes, rather we are rebels who wilfully defy God.

This made sense and he came to understand God's judgement and anger toward sinners. Will was left to ponder the question, "Will I choose sin and God's wrath or will I surrender to Jesus and find life and love?"

Please be praying for Will and all those who took tracts, engaged in conversations or were asked a simple question as they walked past. Please be praying that God would use these encounters to bring about their salvation.

As you read the posts over the coming weeks, would you also consider joining the team if they have a team in your area: https://www.operation513.com/street-evangelism-teams/

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Praise God for a lady named Wendy who walked past then on her way back stopped and asked for a Bible for her son who has just become a believer.

Wendy is a Christian. Please pray for her son Matthew. She was so happy as she was on her way to meet up with Matthew to be able to give him his own Bible. I gave a few resources and Gospel tracts that may help Mathew in his growth.

Anne from Inglewood wanted a Bible. She says her old one is falling apart. She was not able to chat for long so I gave her tracts with the Gospel message. She knows the family I have been able to give some Bibles to previously who are also from Inglewood - Douglas & Emma and their nine children. Pray for them all.

Pray for Alan who says he is born again but he also said a few things that I don't agree with in salvation. He says we have a choice. I believe we have the responsibility to respond in trust and obedience but God is Sovereign in it all - by drawing us by His Spirit convicting us of sin and our need for Jesus to save us. God opens our heart and saves us.  He gives us a new heart that loves Jesus and the glorious Gospel! 

We will want to follow His ways even though we still sin, we are Righteous in His sight only by the grace from our heavenly Father through His one and only Son Jesus. It sounds like he has Jesus plus our works. When I was saying works is fruit but does not save, he said that we have a part in Salvation (which is adding works to be saved).

He says he will come back next week with some Bible verses. This is a difficult truth for many but God's ways are not our ways. The Bible teaches that we are chosen by God for good works, but it is all by His grace we are saved not works. So pray I have wisdom and use scripture to point to God's Sovereignty in Salvation & encourage him in the Gospel. 

Thanks for praying and for the people of God who donate to the Ministry.

All Glory be to God.
God bless.

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Hear two team members share how God used them to share the Gospel with people on the street. First with two Muslims and then with an atheist named Peter.

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Hear one team member share about a Cambodian man that didn't want a Bible because he has his own relationship with God. Then hear about how three young men heard God's offer of salvation.

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As the team heads out into Brisbane city again tonight, here are the photos from last week's outreach.

The team were encouraged with the various gospel conversations that were had, with some people coming to grasp the gospel for the very first time. This included a lady named Jacinta, who attends a Catholic Church but thought her own goodness would get her to heaven.

When she heard that salvation is a free gift simply received through faith in Jesus, it was like a light bulb turned on in her head. She was then encouraged to count the cost of following Jesus, but at the same time to not delay.

To God be all the glory!

 

 

 

 

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