I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:9-18
WAYS YOU CAN PRAY:
- We can pray that those working with 20schemes would be encouraged that they are in the hands of the Good Shepherd. We can pray for God’s loving hand of protection over the 20schemes churches. We can also pray for people in the schemes who don’t know Jesus – that they would be saved and have abundant life!
- I want to praise God that I am not only funded to be able to go serve with 20schemes this fall, but I am also 2% away from being fully funded for the full two years of being a Ministry Intern. God has made a way where humanly-speaking there was no way at all – thanks be to Him!!
- I would also like to ask for your prayers about the visa process. The visa office is backlogged a few months-worth from shutting down for Covid, so it is uncertain how long the process will take. I’m asking the Lord for His peace, for patience, for trust in His timing, and that He may be honored as I wait on Him.
PICTURE FOR THIS WEEK:
I came across this hurried journal entry from the first of this year. I obviously had no idea what the year would hold, but the words of Psalm 100 are indeed fitting for everything that has taken place. Starting training and fundraising with 20schemes…“Serve the Lord with gladness!” Facing many obstacles to being able to go to the schemes this year…“Know that the Lord, he is God!” Waiting for the Lord’s provision…“It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Waiting for the visa…“Give thanks to him; bless his name!” Seeing from afar people in the schemes raised to newness of life…“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
The Lord is enthroned above all our circumstances and anxieties. Praise Him! And the Lord is so tenderly with us. Praise Him! “Come into his presence with singing!”
Cling to Jesus today,
Claire
Claire in Scotland 