inCHRISTalone

John 15v2 - "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

Fruitfulness is both a blessing from God and a mandate we must fulfill. God expects fruits

1 Corinthians 10v23 - "All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up."

Until we are built up, we can't do the things we are expected to do as disciples of Christ

1 Corinthians 6v12 - "“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything."

A good question to ask, in our walk with God, about the things we do (apart from whether they are sins or not) is whether they are helpful or they dominate us.

Acts 10v38 - "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."

Pray gives us access to divine help

Luke 6v12 - "Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

Why did God incarnate have to pray while on earth? The reasons offer great examples and insight for our own personal walk with God

Mark 1v35 - "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed"

A prayerful person develops a consistent discipline of prayer.

Also, a prayerful person doesn't postpone prayer when there is an immediate need for prayer

Daniel 6v10 - "When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously."

Prayer is an expression of our faith and spirituality. Our lives in Christ are built on Prayer

Psalm 91v1 - "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

Personal intimacy with God demands genuineness, vulnerability, and time and attention.

Psalm 42v1-2

"As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God"

"John 17v3 - And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

If we will lose anything in life, we must not lose our intimate personal relationship with Christ. It is the practical evidence of our eternal life