What is OUR Responsibility after we Come to Know the Lord?

Many times I have asked myself that same question and yet I really knew that answer all the time.  We believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and we accept the fact that His blood was shed for us and then where do we go from there?  I have heard many say I am praying to know the will of God for my life and yet the answer to their prayer was staring them straight in the face. When we make a decision to leave our past life of sin we often find ourselves in limbo or just too satisfied with our life.  Many of us are left wondering what we do next and sad to say many don't even care.

It doesn't matter  if you are Baptist, Non-Denominational, Pentecostal, Catholic, whatever the denomination  you have decided to be part of, you need to know that turning from your old ways and giving Christ full reign in your life is a decision that must be followed thru.  "Followed thru" you say....Uh hu.....followed thru with if you want to experience full joy and satisfaction in your life.

William Booth founder of The Salvation Army had two "S" on his lapels and all those in the army had the same.  The "S" stood for Saved to Serve....

How many of us who go around thinking or knowing we are on our way to heaven really SERVE?

I met a Priest a few months back who really touched my life.  I attended his church thinking I was going to have 30 minutes of peace.....No phone calls, no kids fighting and yet what happened to me changed me for the rest of my life.

I saw in this man, not only the robes he wore but someone who really loved JESUS CHRIST and was always willing to share his love with others.  I could see in his eyes the compassion that only comes from God.                                            Father William Allegretto of Our Lady of Lebanon Parish, located on  Niagara St. was that man. Some of you reading right now must think "A Priest"  "Catholic"  oh no they don't believe the same way I do, how could they have "Jesus" shining from them?   It is only the ___________ put in your denomination in the blank space if you wish and see what it sounds like....that have the right doctrine, all the others are off base...God help us!

The body of Christ is made up of many members, just like our body.  We have feet, hands, stomach, head, toes and I could go on and on.  They all do their own job.  The feet walk, the hands pick up food that go into our mouth that make that stomach look like it does and yet we are all of one body.  As Christians we are all put together to reach the same goal.  Don't you think I am right?

What do people see in our eyes when they look into them?

What do people hear when we talk?

What do people think of when they leave our presence?  Do we encourage?

Do we live the life that we should?  Are we so dedicated to Jesus and serving others that we die to our own selfish desires and live only for Christ.

We are all the body of Christ and need to get along with each other.  If we could only make a decision to do just that..

Christians can't even get along with Christians.....So what does that tell you?

Souls are dying around us from drugs, fights, just plain sin and what are we doing about it?

Pentecostal snubbing the Baptist...Baptist fighting with
Non denominational.  Presbyterians talking only to Presbyterians.  City Missions who talk the talk of Christ and yet have Gay leadership.....are we missing something here?   What does Jesus say......Do we know?   Those who have given their lives over to serving Jesus Christ belong to the BODY OF CHRIST...why can't we all get along and live like the Bible tells us to do, with NO compromising.

I did a study last summer in Revelations and was so surprised to hear what was being said to the different CHURCH's......It made me stop and think about what "I" was doing?   No, don't get me wrong I am no where near where I should be but I do know that people are in need in our City of Niagara Falls and we can help them.  LOVE is the answer so let's lay aside "US"   "ME"  "MINE"  "I" in us and get busy spreading the good news of Jesus.

There is a scripture that has stayed with me alot these past few weeks...

"Take Up YOUR Cross and FOLLOW ME"    Taking up our cross and we all have one big or small and following the Master is really the only way to go.

So now what is "Our Responsibility after we give our life to CHRIST?"  I would say it is to embrace the body of Christ as our Family.  When we as Christians can get along I know this City will see change.  Stop trying to keep to ourselves and have our own ministry or count our statistics and feel WE are doing good.

Each denomination that I have known have a few different ideas at what Christ expects of us and they try to say that they are the right ones, shunning everyone else who says they follow Christ.  IT'S TIME FOR US TO CHANGE..We are all different in some way, some have a big nose others big feet, some are fat others thin, some like raspberry shakes others vanilla, same in the body of Christ but let's work together in LOVE & UNITY and see souls reached for Christ.  One big issue among those who do not follow Christ is the saying "Even the Christians can't get along so why should I become one?"  What a shame..

Those who know me, know that I don't pull any punches I tell it like it is and this has really been on my heart lately.  Let's keep praying for our Brothers and Sisters, be they Catholic, Protestant or whatever and lend a helping hand where needed.

Since I have been in Niagara Falls which is about 12 years I have seen at least 20 people pass from this world.  I often wonder if my actions, my tongue, my life showed the LOVE of JESUS.  I know I have failed many times at being that humble servant that Christ expects of me and I can only pray that I seek HIM more and ask for HIS forgiveness so that I may continue on working for HIM.

Its not about money, fame, recognition.  It's about being a SERVANT. There is a wonderful Catholic Song that I love, it is called "WE ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST"...We do not stand alone....If I could get music on this page that is the song that would be playing....Have a great day and let's reach out to our Brothers and Sisters, especially those of a different faith but are on the same road as us.....The Road to JESUS...

                                                                                                God bless....

                                                                                                        Ann