What now?

Living a Life in Christ

First, the Bible is food for the spiritual life. Read the Bible on a daily basis. The Bible is God's inspired Word. Besides revealing the Good News about forgiveness and eternal life, it can also answer the many questions you will have as you try to live a life that pleases God. It will enable you to be "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17).

Here are some suggestions as you begin reading the Bible on a daily basis:

1. Try reading the New Testament books in this order:
   • First, read through the Gospel of Luke, a chapter a day. This will help you understand the basic facts about the Gospel.
   • Then read Acts, for the exciting story of how Christ's first disciples spread the Good News of His death and resurrection.
   • Next, read some of the letters that Christ's apostles wrote to these first disciples--all of whom were new in their faith, just like you. These letters include Romans through 3 John.
   • Then, go back and read one of the other three gospels: Matthew, Mark or John.
2. Think about what you read; study and analyze it. Ask your pastor or a mature Christian friend to recommend a good Bible study guide. The Bible not only reveals God to us; it contains greater wisdom than all the other books in the world.
3. Read through the Psalms--the Old Testament book of worship--to enrich your devotion to God.
4. Read Proverbs to gain wisdom and common sense, and to strengthen your relationships with other people.
5. Pray for understanding. The Holy Spirit will help you (Psalm 119:18), and you will begin to see life from God's perspective.
6. Whenever you can, talk with others about what you are learning.

Second, prayer is your lifeline to God. Take all your problems and burdens to God, because He is interested in everything you do. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Prayers should be simple and earnest desires of the person praying or the person being prayed for. Personal prayer to Jesus is a conversation. Talk to Him and ask that he reveal Himself to you. Pray for a continuous infilling of the Spirit. Develop a personal relationship with Jesus and commit everything to Him. In prayer you experience personally the presence of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Praise and thank God for who He is and for what He has done for you. Admit your weaknesses. Confess each specific sin that you are aware of. Pray for others that they, too, may receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Suggestions for your daily devotional time:

• Plan a definite time, preferably in the morning when your mind is fresh and rested. Make it a habit.
• Select a quiet place where you can be alone with God.
• Make a list of requests, for others as well as yourself.
• Read and meditate on a portion of Scripture, then spend time in prayer.
• As you end your daily time with God, commit the day and yourself to Him.
• Pray for renewed infilling of the Spirit and for His guidance in all you do.

Third, a Christian is to be Christ's witness. To read more about being an effective witness, read Telling Others.

Fourth, learn to depend on the Holy Spirit God is actually three persons in one: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit actually lives within every true believer in Christ. (See John 14:16-17.)

The Bible says that the Holy Spirit, as He lives inside you, is your counselor, to help you understand the truth revealed in God's Word: "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).

The Holy Spirit will:

• teach you
• guide you
• strengthen you in your times of need

Fifth, you can't be an effective Christian on your own. Join a Church where the Word of God is faithfully proclaimed. 

Church Membership

Many Christians get caught up in endless debate and conflict over which Church (denomination) is the "right one". Stay away from these discussions. All the major Christian denominations faithfully proclaim the Word of God. Whether you decide to join the Anglican, Protestant, Methodist, Orthodox, Pentecostal, or Catholic Church should be the result of personal prayer. Trust in the Spirit to guide you in making your decision. Pray earnestly for guidance. Church membership is essential for the further development and formation as a Christian. Each denomination has some form of rite for acceptance into their church. These rites must be respected.

Within the Catholic Church you have the opportunity to participate in the Sacraments once you have been Baptised and Confirmed. 

To become a member of the Catholic Church contact your local Parish or contact us for details of a local Parish.

We believe in Baptism, and new converts must be Confirmed into the Church by attending a RCIA (Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults) course. Once confirmed, initiates may receive the Eucharist in communion with fellow Christians during Mass. Thereafter, you may either join one of the many active Ministries in the Church, start a Small Faith Sharing Group or pursue some other role in the Church in keeping with your Giftings and personal character.

• You will grow in understanding by hearing God's Word preached and taught.
• You can ask questions and discuss Scripture with others.
• You will learn to worship God, which means praising Him for all that He is and thanking Him for all that He has done for you.
• As you worship, learn and serve with other Christians, you will find individuals with whom you can form lasting friendships (friendships that will last for all eternity!).

Sixth, continue to grow in Faith and Wisdom. Using discernment or obtaining guidance from a Priest or Pastor, read Christian literature or the works of the early Christian authors. Listen to or read some of the many online resources on this website. Be of service to others and be a witness for Jesus. Being a Christian is not easy.

• There may be some big failures in your Christian life.
• You may find yourself thinking about things that you feel Christians just shouldn't be thinking about.
• You may be troubled by some unconfessed sin.

Too often our lives become filled with anxiety. We worry ourselves sick about what might happen tomorrow. We try to cross our bridges before ever coming to them!

• The Bible says we are not to be anxious about what might happen tomorrow. (See Matthew 6:33-34.)
• The Bible also promises that, "Your strength will equal your days" (Deuteronomy 33:25). In other words, God's grace will be sufficient to meet the challenges of each new day.

• Instead of "going to pieces," you can be strengthened.
• Instead of being a burden to others, you can be a blessing. As you realize God's power, comfort and strength through life's experiences, you will grow in your faith.

The Bible says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Matthew 26:41). When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He replied to the devil by quoting Scripture. Three times He said, "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Be prepared for temptation, through prayer and through your knowledge of God's Word.

The Bible says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Be prepared to take advantage of God's "way out" of temptation, whether it means that you "flee" the scene of the temptation (1 Timothy 6:11), or that you stay on the scene and "resist" it (James 4:7).