Dependence on the Father

Life continues to be busy at York St and we are thankful for all the new things God is doing. What a joy to partner with Him in His plans for our church family and our city!

I am constantly amazed by the stamina and devotion of the ministry staff as they work hard at serving our church family with such great passion. Please pray that God will continue to give them the energy they need to serve us well. As well, pray that God will continue to bring in quality volunteers to help ease the load. How fortunate we are to work as a body together.

This segue’s well into Tim’s message from last Sunday which was “Jesus Dependence Upon the Father”. Jesus never operated solely on His own. He only did the things that the Father asked of Him. Many times before and after Jesus was found doing ministry he withdrew to be with the Father. He was often found alone praying. When you spend time with someone you really get to know their heart.

I would suggest taking some time and looking at the passages of scriptures highlighted below that prove Jesus’ deep and intimate relationship with the Father.

• Luke 5:15-16 “After Jesus heals the man with leprosy, he withdraws to a lonely place to pray”
• Mark 1:31-35 “After Jesus heals many sick and demon possessed people, he rises early in the morning to go to a solitary place”
• Luke 6:12 “Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath much to the astonishment of the Pharisees. Afterwards Jesus went up the mountainside to pray all night”
• John 6:15 “After feeding the 5000+ people, he withdrew to mountain by himself”
• Luke 9:28 Took Peter John and James to pray in the mountains and afterwards heals a boy with an evil spirit”
• Matt 14:23 “Before Jesus walks on wather he went to the mountain side to pray and be alone”
• Luke 22:39 “Withdrew to pray on Mt Olives before His crucifixion”

It is obviously so important to spend time with the Father especially when you are in ministry. Even when Jesus knew He was to die, he asked the Father to take the burden from Him, but said “not my will, but Yours be done.”

When we spend time with God our hearts align to what is on His heart.

When was the last time you withdrew yourself to spend time with the Father? I pray that you will find time today to create the same kind of dependency on Him, and are able to have an intimate relationship with Father as Jesus did.

With Blessings