“The ultimate purpose of life is to show that Jesus is more precious than life.” – John Piper
WAYS YOU CAN PRAY:
- Let’s give thanks to the Lord that many of the 20schemes churches were able to meet together this last Sunday for the first time since Covid-shutdown in Scotland. What a grace!
- Let’s pray, too, for the Lord to send encouragement to the 20schemes churches and to all those serving with 20schemes as Pastors, Gospel Workers, Ministry Interns, and Short-Term Interns. I pray that the Lord raises up a whole bunch of Barnabas-like people to come serve with 20schemes.
- Please also keep praying for me as I prepare to serve with 20schemes in October while also waiting to get approved for a visa. Please pray that the visa process would go through in time for an October arrival if that is God’s desire, that the Lord would give me His peace as I wait, and that I would surrender all of my own desires and timetables to our Good Father. —Thank you so much for your faithful prayers! They are such an encouragement!
PICTURE FOR THIS WEEK:
In space #23 in a parking lot along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, there’s a small grey stone placed in the tarmac. Below it is this explanation plaque which I took a picture of while I was in Scotland last fall:
“The above stone marks the approximate site of the burial in St. Giles graveyard of John Knox who died 24 Nov 1572.”
John Knox, great hero of the Reformation, lies buried under a parking lot. But the sadder truth is that this gravesite is kind of an illustration of what Christianity is like in Scotland today. There are remnants of Gospel fruit in Scotland, yes, but the schemes are proof that much has been forgotten. And many are still yet to be reached, too. The vast majority of schemes in Scotland don’t have a Gospel-preaching church, and many schemes do not even have a Gospel witness. There are thousands of people there who don’t know Jesus. Sometimes all the statistics make me feel kind of weary.
But, Jesus is not dead.
He is not buried under tarmac.
He is risen.
Yes, He’s alive!
And He is sitting at the right hand of the Father.
And He delights to save.
And His Word does not return void.
And His church will endure.
Praise Him! May God’s Kingdom come and will be done in the schemes as it is in Heaven.
“For the suffering, dying Jesus is the Christ upon the throne / And the hearts of men are stirring,”
Claire
Claire in Scotland 