Definition of DEPENDENCE
1: the quality or state of being dependent; especially : the quality or state of being influenced or determined by or subject to another
2: reliance, trust
3: one that is relied on
When we depend on anyone or anything other than God we will almost always be disappointed.Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 ¶Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Knowing God will often use other people to bless us means we have to lay down our pride and receive. But whether from man or God we have to remember all things originate from Him. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Also learning to ask for help, advise, assistance, and trusting that by our stepping out in faith He will provide for our need. What are you dependent on other then God?
3: one that is relied on
When we depend on anyone or anything other than God we will almost always be disappointed.Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 ¶Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Knowing God will often use other people to bless us means we have to lay down our pride and receive. But whether from man or God we have to remember all things originate from Him. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Also learning to ask for help, advise, assistance, and trusting that by our stepping out in faith He will provide for our need. What are you dependent on other then God?
Is it superficial (i.e. cloths, hairstyles, makeup, jewelry, nails), food, medicine, or even money? People, places, things? How often do we get caught up with the cares of this life and lose our focus? God must come first in ALL things. As women we long to feel a sense of stability and security in every area. God can fulfill that in a way that no man or thing ever can. We have to seek Him to be our security in our home, jobs, friends, finances, marriage, even emotional stability.
We are to be so focused on Him that the cares of this life pass away.Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
He is to be our Happiness-`Psalms 30:11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.`
Security-`Proverbs 18:10 ¶The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.`Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Joy- `Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Peace-John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Stability-`Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Strength-`Psalms 18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.Romans 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Fullness-Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.Psalms 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Fulfillment-`Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.`Psalms 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.`
Love-Psalms 63:3 ¶Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.Psalms 136
Deliverance- Hosea 13:4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
These things will all come from Him when we seek Him 1st. If we are having our needs met by God then all other interactions with friends, family, co-workers (when good) can be seen as a blessing no matter how small because we are not looking to them to fulfill our needs. It will also allow us to have more then sufficient to give to others.We will have enough left to give, left to fight satan, left to forgive, left to pour out of ourselves in service for Him.
If tonight God came to you and said this night your soul is required of you, as in Luke 12 . What would your reaction be? How would you answer Him? Jesus taught us that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Light (John 14:6 ) Do you trust Him completely with everything? Do you have confidence that you are living in obedience that even if He were to take you home tonight that He would have everything you are responsible for now taken care of? He has to be our #1 focus. Not even our selves and our responsibilities that he has given us can take priority over Him. Every day our prayer needs to be what can I do/ be for you today Jesus?
When we are young we have to ask Mom for and about everything. What we can eat, drink, wear, where we can go, who we can be with. God give this as an example on both ends of it I believe. He wants that relationship with us. Where we look to Him for our answers and guidence. As your children grow and mature we allow them to make decisions and act on their own. But how awesome it is when they still want your opinion or advice. God has given us His opinion snd advice in all things thru His word. In prayer he will also guide you. Have you reached maturity enough to not have to ask every time yet? Do you know how God thinks or feels about any particular situations? Do you take those things into consideration every time? Do you have those around you who you can be confident that they will give you Godly advice if you feel you need assistance? Would you actually listen and do what the bible says even if it is contrary to how you are feeling? In Proverbs 2 it tells us wisdom goes up and down the street calling and looking for those who would listen. Are we willing to listen? Willing to obey? Is your own pride or sense of how you feel about it getting in your way? We know that Pride is a sin we all can fall into.And that all that follows is pain and sorrow.Proverbs John sums sin up in 1 John 2:16 he tells us all sin is either lust or pride. And in 1John 1: if we say we have no sin we are liars and in double sin.
Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness in Matt 4. What did he try and tempt our Lord with? Lust and Pride. Lust of the eyes- things that looked good, food after 40 days, the treasure of the world. Lust of the flesh- safety, well being, life in the flesh, wealth, comfort.
And finally the Pride of Life- power and wealth, things.
The bible tells us in Heb 2:18 that Jesus suffered all manner of temptation and yet was without sin. Thats why he is our example. No human has or will ever succeed but we are to strive.`Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.`
When you think about Jesus and the way he would view your life, do you think he is pleased? Does he see you being all that he has called you to be? Are you striving to be that person or have you decided that its just too hard and given up? We need to fight the good fight and race till the end.`1 Corinthians 9:24 ¶Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.`
Is Gods way the easiest? Or the fastest? It doesn't always look or feel that way but in retrospect the answer is always yes.
Do you seek Him? The rewards and the fullness you recieve are far better then anything this earth has to offer. Feeling like you are out of direction and purpose? Seek Jesus.
`Jeremiah 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.`
