“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” – Hebrews 11:13-16
“We can endure this race because heaven is to come. What keeps the marathon runner going? The finish line. What keeps a pregnant lady going? The birth of a child. What keeps us going when work is hard? Holiday! What keep us going to the end? Heaven!
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”(Matthew 19:29)
Some of us are in uncomfortable places. We are out of our comfort zones. Some of us have left family and homes behind. But, all of it will be rewarded on the day of Christ Jesus. And here is the thing. When we get to heaven, we won’t remember the toil as we will be wrapped up in worshipping Christ!
Therefore, be encouraged. Jesus is alive and reigning. He is building his church. He is with us. He will not let his people be lost. He will give us rest along the journey. AND one day he will take us to be with him forever!
Whoever you are, whatever you are doing, and whatever is eating away at you—take it to the Lord Jesus. He understands. Honestly, he does!” – Andy Constable
WAYS YOU CAN PRAY:
- Let’s continue to pray for the Pastors, Gospel Workers, Missions Interns, and Short-Term Interns as they labor on in the Lord’s harvest in the schemes. Pray that they would not grow weary when the cost of following Jesus seems weighty – pray that they would endure and flourish in their ministries knowing that they do this for the Lord Jesus!
- Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Mez over the last few weeks. He is doing well! Please do keep praying for him and for his full recovery, his family, Niddrie Community Church, and Mez’s work with 20schemes and Church in Hard Places.
- I would appreciate your continued prayers for myself, as well. I have about a month left before I will know if I have sufficient funds to be able to go to Scotland this year or if I will have to wait until next year. Please pray that the glory of God would be foremost on my heart and mind during this season of waiting. Please also pray that the Lord would provide the needed $15,000 if it is His will.
- Some of you may remember that back in February we were praying that the Millar family would be able to find a house near their church in Maryhill, Glasgow (they have been searching since last year). (If you are new to these posts or want to find out more about the Millars and the scheme of Maryhill, click here.) Let’s praise God that they have found a home! This is a wonderful answer to prayer! See below, Tommy Millar working on their new home.
PICTURE FOR THIS WEEK:
This Andy Constable who is the co-pastor of Niddrie Community Church. Andy and his wife and kids serve alongside the McConnells and many others in the scheme of Niddrie (which is in Edinburgh). Would you ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you pray for the Constables this week? Let’s pray that the ministry of Niddrie Community Church would be able to produce much fruit, too, in the midst of virus lockdown.
Christ’s yoke is easy & His burden is light,
Claire
“We all get tired. We all get weary. Our ministry in the schemes can be particularly mentally and spiritually exhausting as we deal with needy people day in and day out. Our kind of ministry is not a 9–5 type of job. We can’t, ‘Leave it at the office.” Leaders are constantly praying for their people. But Jesus says that if we are weary and burdened, then he can bring us rest deep down in our souls. What does he mean by rest? Does he mean we can be lazy and watch TV all day? Does he mean go on holiday? He’s not saying don’t work. He’s not saying be lazy. He’s not saying that things aren’t going to be tough. But he is saying that the rest he offers us enables us to get on with life without feeling a burden that we can’t go on. His rest restores us and keep us going.
Why do we get so burdened as Christians? We get burdened because we take on things that are too great for us. We get worried about things that are out of our control. We are proud hearted. But, when we are humble and rely on Christ, we can work for him wholeheartedly without feeling a burden that is going to drag us down. He gives us rest to go on. Jesus says we learn from him.” — Andy Constable (you can read the full article here).
Claire in Scotland 