Battle Log

Page 156

Page 1 . . . 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 . . . 282

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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!

---

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

---

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!

---

Thursday, Chuck Bosio joined up with the U.S. outreach Bobby McCreery's 'To the end of the earth' ministries in Stratford, London, for street outreach. Stratford is a very diverse area of London and turned out to be very receptive to the Gospel message.

Good conversations were had with a man from Bangladesh and Uzbekistan as well as a gay porn actor/director who was hanging out, listening to Bobby preach. I let Luke tell me about his life story as he was excommunicated from the Mormons and kicked out of his house by his father for being gay at age fourteen. He was proud of his wealth and what he had accomplished, but I warned him that his wealth, his health and his hedonistic lifestyle  would one day fail him.

I asked him whether he could forgive his father and the Mormon elders, whom he deeply resented. I told him how Jesus first revealed himself to Mary Magdalene at the resurrection. He took my tract and I encouraged him to seek Jesus as his Lord and saviour. I pray that God will grant Luke the grace to repent and the faith to believe. 

---

Andy Noble joined up with Bobby McCreery's U.S. outreach team on Wednesday, October 24th, in Trafalgar Square, London.

This is a main tourist attraction in the centre of London with a large area reserved for pedestrians, street artists, buskers and people hanging out from all over the world. Andy had a lot of good conversations with people and many tracts were handed out while people in Bobby's team preached the Gospel of Christ.

---

The Essex Team went to Romford on a warm late fall afternoon.  Romford is a busy market town 15 miles northeast of London.  The High Street is a pedestrian zone and well-suited for outreach.  Jacob and I were handing out tracts, talking to people and I preached for over an hour from Psalm 103 and Romans 8.  Jacob and a woman named Tem spoke for a long time, both coming from Zimbabwe.  We spoke in front of a group trying to get people to switch energy companies didn't mind our outreach and in fact spoke with us at length.

Please pray for Fiona and Kyle that they may receive the grace to repent and the faith to believe in the finished work or Jesus Christ.  Jacob said that he would speak next time, so I continued until I couldn't go any further.  As I finished, a young woman named Sophie came up to me and said that it was really good hearing Romans 8 from memory.  (We say that we love God's word, but I wished to demonstrate it by memorizing long passages of God's word.)  Some regulars had to work on that Saturday, but I hope that we'll get more people out next time.  

---

On Friday night at Surfers Paradise, the team showed up and had the wonderful opportunity to declare God's glorious gospel!

Hear John share about an encouragement, that he was able to hand out many tracts due to the crowds and even have a few short conversations. He was continuing in simple obedience knowing that God's Word does not return void.

He mentioned another brief interaction as well, where two young men were offered tracts, one angrily rejected and the other happily accepted, then engaged in a Gospel conversation. It is moments like this that show us God is working in hearts, despite those around us.

Hear Matt also share about an encouraging conversation had with two young men, Tommy and Jarrad.

Please be praying for the tracts that went out that God would use them as He sees fit. Please be praying for the conversations had that God would bring salvation to people through them, leading them to a knowledge of the truth and bringing them out to return to declare the gospel to others!

---

Page 1 . . . 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 . . . 282

---