Fully Dependant on Christ

I want you to consider something.

Jesus is at this moment in your life training you to become more and more dependent on Him. Jesus is training you to be dependent on Him. And it is a sweet training.

Think about the following question:

Is Jesus pleased with your level of dependence on Him?

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 NKJV

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Psalm 23:1-2 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”

Psalm 23:1–2 NKJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

Jesus very intentionally taught Peter dependence on Him over the years they were together. I want you to consider the ways that Jesus taught Peter to be dependent and ask yourself the question, “In what ways is Jesus teaching me to be dependent on Him?”

Consider who Peter was when he first met Jesus

He was zealous and fiercely independent. Several times Jesus had to reprimand Him. When he first met Jesus he was fishing - nevertheless at your Word. He makes mistake after mistake. He attacks Jesus’ captors, Jesus reprimands Him, He told Jesus that he will never be killed, Jesus said, get behind me Satan. When Jesus went to wash peters feet, Peter said no- Every time Jesus has a plan, Peter seems to have a better plan. Jesus is going to teach Peter to trust in Him,

Eventually Peter goes from being fiercely independent, zealous strong man to the Apostle who declares these words:

1 Peter 5:6–11 NKJV

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

4 truths of growing dependent upon Jesus

Jesus delights in working dependency into your life- Luke 22:31-34

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.””

Luke 22:31–34 (NKJV)

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

The biggest failure of Peters life- denies being a follower of Christ. Jesus still prays and Jesus concerns himself with Peters development even at Christs darkest hour.

As He is on His throne he will still be concerned with your spiritual development. Does Jesus know your failures that are upcoming? He prays for you, He guides and Shepherds

Along with the trials He promises rest- He leads us to trials and leads us to rest- Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28 NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

4 truths of growing dependent upon Jesus

2. Growing dependent naturally happens through trials.

Luke 22:61-62 “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.”

Luke 22:61–62 NKJV

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Morning and Evening Morning, February 18

for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains his soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service.

Any other times that Jesus tried to teach Peter to depend in Him?

The New King James Version Chapter 14

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Truly!- the desires effect! When we depend upon Jesus and Jesus comes though we see Him more clearly.

Truth for Today October 7: The Joy That Awaits

The joy we experience from our trials can be some of the greatest joy we know. Since one of the major reasons God sends trials into our lives is to test the genuineness of our faith, what more fitting occasion to have joy than in and after an experience of suffering that has proved the reality of our salvation? A strengthened assurance of our salvation and confidence that God cares for us, as manifest in the reality that our suffering could neither break our faith nor sever us from His love, is cause for the highest happiness.

True joy does not come cheaply or as a fleeting, superficial emotion. Real joy is produced by much deeper factors than the circumstances that produce superficial happiness. If you are struggling through the negative circumstances of life, floundering in doubt and dismay, you have forgotten that genuine joy resides in the confidence that your life is hidden with Christ in God. In God’s providence, that joy and assurance can be most strong during a trial.

4 Truths of growing dependent upon Jesus

Jesus is quick to come to the aid of the dependent praying Christian.

Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.”

Matthew 23:11-12 The New King James Version (Chapter 23)

11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

4 Truths of growing dependent upon Jesus

You don't have to wait until trials come. You can invite Christ in to your situation and your day right now!

Rev 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Joe Humrichous -

Think of your favorite scene of Jesus in the gospels.

there is no situation in the gospels that Jesus was not totally in charge

Story of Jacob being lost at a t-ball practice- Kindergarten