How to avoid a guilt trip!

Most of us feel guilty from time to time. We often wish that we could turn the clock back and do things differently!

There are times when it is right to feel guilty. If we have genuinely wronged someone guilt is the God given mechanism that warns us that ‘action needs to be taken’. Sometimes we can rectify the problem and make amends. Other times it is outside of our power to reverse the effect of our actions. It is only right that we should fix the problems that we have caused where possible.

Having said this, many mistakes in life are not really significant in the general scheme of things and will not make a big difference in our lives. Courtesy and true friendship, decency and honesty will however ensure that we behave in ways that are commendable.

A more worrying aspect of life is that of human beings and their relationship with God. In our current society we are in danger of being unaware that we have disobeyed our Creator (and therefore owner) and that he does not tolerate people who break his law. I was aware from childhood of the fact that God had stated his principles (the 10 commandments in the Bible) and that I was incapable of living up to them. The passage in the Bible that explains God’s standards is Exodus 20. The New Testament passage that states that we are not capable of living up to these standards is Romans 3:23 ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’.

Now, contrary to public opinion God gave his Law to make us feel guilty and not to make us feel good. The Bible says ‘Now we know that what things so ever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God’. The reality is that when you and I hear the Bible preached and become aware that God is holy and has his standards; we then realise that we cannot live up to his standards and get feelings of guilt. I lied, I lusted, I took something that did not belong to me (time, emotions, things etc) and as a result I am guilty and am limited as to what I can do to rectify the situation. My offence is firstly against God (Psalm 51:4) and will also often be against a fellow human being.

So we all need to go on a guilt trip – but not for long. When the awareness of our wrong living is heightened and guilt is triggered we will be forced do something about it. That is God’s plan.

What can we do? Again God in the Bible tells us what there is no point in doing! God says in Romans 3:20 that no action on our part will satisfy him because our problem is one we were born with (Psalm 51:5). The problem is reflected in our actions and behaviours but it is deeper than that. God says rather bluntly in the Old Testament that all the right things we do are like filthy clothes. We can never be good enough for God, ‘There is none righteous, no not one’.

I say again ‘what can we do’? The answer again comes from God. He says ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved’. The Lord Jesus says ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’. The early Christian preachers preached ‘neither is their salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved’. God’s Son (The Lord Jesus) came to earth, lived and then was put to death on a cross. God was punishing him for sin, sin that he did not commit (for he is God and perfect) but that sin that he was prepared to atone for. He paid the price God demanded to put away sin and to provide forgiveness for us.

Go on a guilt trip? No way - admit your guilt to God and then accept his offer of salvation through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. You will experience inexplicable joy.

For more information and further explanations of the message of the bible via videos, blogs and podcasts please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

#LFC Anthem - You'll Never Walk Alone

Ask the average Liverpool fan what the club’s most famous song is 

and I have no doubt the answer would be 'You'll never walk alone'. 

Many supporters find that singing the song creates a feeling of 

passion in their hearts and memories of many great games.

Songs are very emotive and help us store memories. Try stopping someone in the street and asking what song from church they remember. It could be ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘All things bright and beautiful’ or ‘the old rugged cross’. Lots of people will say Psalm 23. That’s because it’s one song that is repeatedly sung at weddings and funerals. It could be the best-known hymn in the United Kingdom, but you are probably thinking, ‘I’ve never heard of it’. That’s a shame, as it has very inspiring words. Actually, the sentiment of 'You'll never walk alone' is not so different.

Verse four of the Psalm says, 'though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me'. It reminds me that we all face the 'valley of the shadow of death' one day. Our path through life is tough at times, and it is certain that we all face death at the end of life. The reason we all die is explained in the Bible by the statement 'the wages of sin is death'.

The Bible makes it clear that physical death is the means of moving from this life to the next. At the end of the psalm, the writer states, 'I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever'. The writer is sure that there is life after death. Other writers in the Bible make it clear that God has revealed that there are two places of destiny. One is called Heaven, and the other is called Hell. You may wonder why the writer of Psalm 23 is so sure that he will be in heaven. The answer lies in the fact that he can say, 'the Lord is my shepherd'.

The Bible records that the Lord Jesus Christ 'came into the world to save sinners'. He said one day, 'I am the good shepherd the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep'. The Bible describes human beings as wandering sheep when it states that 'all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way'. But it also explains that 'the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all’. This means that Jesus took the punishment for our guilt so that we can be forgiven. He rose from the dead on the third day and returned to heaven forty days later, where he is now.

Sadly there are times in life when we do walk alone. But it doesn’t need to be like that. You could know the God of peace in your life today. It is an amazing thing to know God personally and to have His peace in your heart and soul.

How is it possible? There are two parts to this – ‘Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’. A change of attitude is required. The way you think about yourself, and God will change when you realize that he is right and we are wrong. When you get to that point, you will be ready to trust Jesus Christ as the only one who can forgive sins and eternally bless you.

For more information and further explanations of the message of the bible via videos, blogs and podcasts, please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

4 Tests of a real Christian - 1 John 5:1-12

These verses are quite amazing. Read them and think about them. There are proof texts in this chapter so that a person can know if they truly are a Christian.

Test 1 - If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the one sent by God and the one chosen by God then you are in God's family. You will only understand this when God opens your eyes to see and understand the truth about Jesus (verse 1). You cannot accept this truth while holding on to your sin. You need forgiveness which can only come when you repent (turn) and trust Christ for salvation.

Test 2 - Love for our fellow believer is evidenced in the fact that we love God and do his commandments (verse 2)

Test 3 - People who are born of God (i.e. in God's family) overcome the world. This means that they don't love the pleasures of world or fall under it's spell. Believers live to please God and not the world around them (verse 5,6)

Test 4 - The person who believes in the Son of God has an internal witness in themselves. This is as a result of the Holy Spirit of God indwelling them.

The internal witness teaches you that God has given eternal life and that life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he does not have the Son of God does not have life.

How does this match up to your life!

1 John 5King James Version (KJV)

5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

this site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Your personal advocate - 1 John 2:1-6

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ you will no doubt get frustrated at the times when you make mistakes and you end up sinning. It can be so annoying! You don't intent to; in fact you mean to keep your mind clear but you get caught out. There are a couple of passages in the New Testament that deal with these situations.

But first, in the Old Testament we have some healthy guidance in about this topic. The overall lesson of the Psalm 119 is that the word of God is vital and essential to our survival. For instance verse 9 says 'with what shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word'. Verse 11 states 'I have hidden your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You'. This is all great advice to prevent a believer from sinning!

But what happens when we do sin!

That is where today's passage helps, as does yesterdays!

Yesterday we read in verse 9 - 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'. On our part when we realise that we have sinned we should admit it (confess to God) and God will keep his part of the bargain - Forgive us and cleanse us!

Today we read in 1 John 2:1"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous'. This verse is teaching that when we sin the Lord Jesus draws along side His Father in heaven on our behalf. He is our advocate, that is the one who represents us before God. He (Jesus) is righteous. He, as a result of his death, made us righteous before God or right with God. On account of his sacrifice (that dealt with our sins) he also maintains our right standing before God.

My dear fellow believer do not give up in despair when you sin. The Lord Jesus who saved you will forgive and cleanse you when you confess your sins but before that even happens he has dealt with the issue in the presence of God. Your confession ensures that you consciously enjoy the benefits of what he has done for you.

1 John 2King James Version (KJV)

2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Please visit our webpage www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Time to move on!

Migration of people from Africa and Middle Eastern Countries to Europe is a major problem for the leaders and politicians of all the nations that comprise the European Union. Why are there thousands of people who want to move on from their home and family and friends, to go to a foreign land and people who do not speak their language? There are numerous reasons, some are fleeing for their lives, their homeland being torn apart by war and the violence of wicked men and women. Some see that in their homeland that they will always be poor, with no prospect of improving the quality of their living.

One could ask who or what is causing all this distress to thousands of people making them uproot from the land of their birth to risk body and soul on perilous jouirneys, moving on to a better life and place? Religion must be held responsible for many lives being lost, and exploitation of the poor by rich businesses, politicians and landowners, the list could go on, but I must move on.

If there is security and prosperity to be found in Europe why are there terrorists from Africa and the Middle East who want to kill and maime folk, taking their own life in the act of bombing innocent people in European Countries. It is senseless murder!

Personal relationships can sometimes hit troubled waters and tears are shed. Thankfully, those experiences can sometimes deepen the love and trust between folk and move on to happier days. Sad to say, the opposite can be true. Often because of selfishness, one is let down by the behaviour or lack of love by one, and the other chooses that it is time to move on. If that is the case with a married couple then that is a tragedy. Men and women should be able and responsible to sort out their problems under their own roof and not walk away. It is adisgrace that there are so many broken homes with one parent families on the increase. When a wife or husband chooses to move on into another relationship, sadness and heartbreak is often left behind, particularly with children.

In work relating matters it is good at times to stand still and take stock of what is happening in the workaday life, or, we can get into a rut and things become mudane. It is good when a person loves their work and is being adequately rewarded for their effort.

There are times along life’s journey when you are wronged financially, which can be very distressing, particularly when friends or relations are involved. It can take years to resolve but sometimes it cannot be resolved and you have to walk away from the trouble. 

It is always good to seek God’s will and direction in life, and when one does that He will move you on to bigger and better things for family and livelihood. The gospel is not a health and wealth message but those who trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour are in His hands and are kept by the mighty power of God. It is great to move on with  the Lord.

The Bible reveals many examples of moving on, going forward to something better, leaving behind disturbing unhappy situations into the mists of time.

In Noah’s day things were horrific, Genesis 6:5 and 11 reads, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” God gave to Noah instructions and plans to build the Ark, a massive vessel with sufficient accommodation for any who would go on board. Only eight people believed that God was going to bring a universal judgement by flooding the world and destroying all flesh upon the earth. It took 120 years for Noah and his family to finish the Ark.

Did you ever think of the vastness of that work that Noah undertook, for example, how many tons of pitch did they use to cover the vessel inside and out? Incidentally, the word ‘pitch’ is the Hebrew word ‘Kaphar’ which means ‘to cover over’, it is also translated ‘atonement’, meaning to propitiate. The blood of the sacrifice covered sin in the Old Testament, the blood of Christ takes away sin in the New Testament. The pitch covered the Ark and protected all that were inside from the judgement waters outside.

Moving on, Jesus said in Matthew 24:37, “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”  The Ark was the means of salvation for eight souls, only a few were saved, the majority, who did not believe, perished. Christ is the means of salvation today, for all who believe and receive Him as their Lord and Saviour.

The children of Israel were glad to move on, away from their slavery and bondage in Egypt, to the promised land and their inheritance. God is good! What He promises He fulfills, and He always will for it is impossible for God to lie.

The Apostle Paul was always moving on in his service for the Lord, for he had set his sights high, he said in Phil.3:13, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” He had expressed his choice in ch.1:23, “having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” And so it is!

Last week I attended the funeral of an aged sister in Christ, she was the same age as the Queen. During her working life she was in the Police Force moving on through the ranks to become the first woman Police Inspector in Northampton. When the coffin had been lowered into the grave I said quietly to her younger sister, “She won’t be here long, the Lord is coming!”

When that lady died her soul and spirit went to be with Chist. She left the ranks of the Police and now she has moved on to join the ranks of the Christians in Heaven. It will not be long before the SHOUT is heard, and the dead are raised. It’s moving on time.

Written by a Guest Blogger for FTMP.


For more information and further explanations of the message of the bible via videos, blogs and podcasts please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

The Compassion of Christ - Tuesday - The Diary of a Bible Blogger

Mark 6  - Summary

• The people marvelled at the wisdom of the Lord Jesus
• They recognised that his powers were not normal but they didn't know where the power came from
• They knew his family i.e. his brothers and sisters
• People were offended because they could not accept that the carpenter of Nazareth was the miracle worker, the Messiah and the Son of God
• Jesus taught a lot as well as performing miracles
• The twelve disciples were given instructions to preach and to perform miracles but they were told to live a simple life
• Rejecting the disciples equated to rejecting God and His Son
• Herod, the King, was captivated by John the Baptist but had him murdered because his (the King's) mistress asked
• The disciples were shocked and needed a break, but it wasn't going to happen
• Jesus fed the people after he had preach to them - the truth about your heart and soul is of more importance than food
• The Lord sent the disciples into the very boat where they were going to face a major storm
• Jesus went up a mountain to pray (for them - we don't know)
• He came to the disciples when they needed him most - he still does!
• The very presence of Jesus in the boat calmed the storm
• As soon as they were on dry land people brought sick folk to be healed

Mark 6 King James Version (KJV)

6 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

14 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

42 And they did all eat, and were filled.

43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.