Archives October 2016

Abide in Christ

“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us”

– 2 Corinthians 1:21 (ESV)

In my reading this morning, I came across this from Andrew Murray’s Abide in Christ:

“How many there are who can witness that this faith is just what they need! They continually mourn over the variableness of their spiritual life. Sometimes there are hours and days of deep earnestness, and even blessed experience of the grace of God. But how little is needed to mar their peace, to bring a cloud over their soul! And then, how their faith is shaken! All efforts to regain their standing appear utterly fruitless; and neither solemn vows, nor watching and prayer, avail to restore to them the peace they for a while had tasted. Could they but understand how just their own efforts are the cause of their failure, because it is God alone who can establish us in Christ Jesus. They would see that just as in justification they had to cease from their own working, and to accept in faith the promise that god would give them life in Christ, so now, in the matter of their sanctification, their first need is to cease from striving themselves to establish the connection with Christ more firmly, and to allow God to do it.”


I was just talking about this phenomenon of working hard to restore love for Christ with Doug Steinmetz last night. As we prepare to encourage and equip missionaries, this is first and foremost on our hearts. Many Christians have experienced this discouragement, distance and dryness in their walk. For most of us, help is just down the street in the form of fellowship with our brothers and sisters at church, having coffee, or over a meal. For many missionaries, they feel like they cannot share their struggles with their family and friends back home because it might cause them to struggle personally or doubt their support of the missionary. Missionaries, chaplains, and pastors feel the pressure to be a perfect example for others. Many Christians feel the same pressure as they live their faith in a world that seems to be cheering for their failure. 

So, how do we resolve this strain and restore fellowship and love for God? It seems that the phrase, “let go and let God,” is more than a catchy rhyme. Place your worries and anxieties before God. Confess your efforts to do what God has said he would do and ask for the faith to let him work. Let the faithful God complete the good work that he began in you. 

Don’t Be Anxious

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

– Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Every morning for the past several months, I have been startling awake with panicked thoughts of all that needs to be done before our departure on October 31st. My second thought has been to recite this verse as I lay all these anxious thoughts before the Lord. I do receive the peace of God, but it is fleeting. I get out of bed and start to attack as many of those things as I can in the 16 to 18 hours I have today.

I was convicted in church yesterday as I was trying to focus on the sermon and anxious thoughts of leaking blackwater hoses crept in. I thought about Saturday, as raw sewage ran down my leg and my hands were covered in, well, you know. This mental rabbit trail was prompted by something in the message. Ryan Bailey was guest preaching and was speaking about the church’s role in missions. He mentioned that one of our responsibilities is to encourage missionaries in the field who often feel isolated and alone. I thought, “Yeah! That’s exactly what we are going to do!” Then I got anxious about the fact that we are leaving THIS MONTH!!! There is so much to do. I thought about the missionaries who are so busy taking care of others and doing Kingdom work that they neglect their own spiritual care and physical and emotional needs.
The Holy Spirit held up a mirror to me and I realized that we have gotten so busy preparing for this work that we are exhausting ourselves. So, we redoubled our commitment to observe a Sabbath rest and to pray over every project.

 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.

– Psalm 127:1-2 (ESV)

In an effort to share prayer needs, here is a non-exhaustive (but exhausting) list of things that have to be done in the next four weeks:

  • Locate and fix blackwater leak in starboard head (closest alligator to the boat)
  • Repair / Replace potable water pump
  • Repair watermaker
  • Have sails inspected
  • Repair jib sail
  • Make tethers for kids
  • Lifeline netting
  • Replace three bent / broken stanchions
  • Replace all running rigging
  • Inventory gear
  • Stock up on diesel and gasoline
  • Provision food
  • Sell car, truck, van and camper
  • Set up household goods move
  • Finish hard top bimini
  • Install satellite radio
  • Tighten trampoline
  • Sew sheet bags
  • Replace battery bank
  • Repair mainsail cover
  • Sew sun shades / bug netting
  • Purchase life raft
  • Purchase homeschool curriculum
  • Make new dodger
  • Clean out storage unit
  • Cancel cable
  • Cancel cell phone service
  • File VA medical claim
  • Finish checking out of Navy
  • Fix VHF radio
  • Get Mexico TIP and fishing licenses
  • Finish stocking medical kit

Those are some of the things bouncing in our heads right now that constantly get laid before the throne of God in exchange for his surpassing peace. If anyone would like to join us in praying about these things, please, do so. Above all, pray that we would constantly be reminded that we are doing this for the glory of God and to serve his servants around the world.

May we stayed “Anchored in the Lord.”