“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
“He will cover you with His pinions,
and under His wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” – Psalm 91:4
“I know this ministry is tiring, and I know it is very tough for some of you out there right now. We can sometimes feel our failures more deeply than we rejoice in His victories. But, press on. The harvest is still plentiful. There is still a crop to be had. Some of it will turn out bad and some of it will be magnificent. Don’t let a bad winter stop you from planting again next year, from getting out there and doing it all again.
‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ (Gal. 6:9).”
– Mez McConnell (to read the full article, click here)
Ways you can pray:
- Scotland is on lockdown because of the virus with gatherings of over two people forbidden (you can see the PM’s rules here). Please continue to pray for the churches and ministry of 20schemes during this time (including prayers for creativity and endurance and courage). Pray for some of the new Christians who are isolated and struggling with addiction. And pray that doors would open to share the Gospel because of this lockdown. May God’s good purposes be done in this!
- Please continue to pray that I would not waste my waiting – that I would not lose heart, that I would prepare well, and that I would lean into Jesus more and more as I wait for the Lord’s timing for me to go to the schemes.
- Praise the Lord that He covers us with His wings! No matter what we face, from viruses to depression to seemingly fruitless ministry to you-name-it, God tenderly protects and sustains His children. We can give praise that we rest in the shadow of Shaddai.
Picture for this week:
This picture is of a panel discussion from last year with Sinclair Ferguson, Paul Levy, Michael Reeves, Jeremy Walker, and our dear Mez McConnell representing 20schemes. Mez is second from right – in the beanie 🙂
It’s amazing to see how, after generations of spiritual darkness in the schemes, God has raised up Mez with the passion and vision to bring the light of the Gospel to Scotland’s poorest. Thank God for this great mercy. Please pray for the Lord to continue to strengthen Mez and give him wisdom as he leads 20schemes and shepherds his own church in Niddrie.
If you’re wondering, “Who is Mez McConnell?”…click here.
Stick close to Jesus,
Claire
Claire in Scotland 