TFTD: August 3rd

Today’s the day when in 1861 the last episode of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens was published. The famous story of Pip, a poor orphan, who believes he will inherit a great fortune, had been serialised in a magazine and readers eagerly purchased the final instalment to discover how the story ends. Many people today have great expectations of what lies ahead for them in life. Some are more realistic than others! But no one has such great expectations as a Christian who believes that a wonderful heaven awaits them after their life in this world. These words from Revelation 21 describe that great expectation:

Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people and he will dwell with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear form their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

TFTD: August 2nd

Today’s the day when in 1961 a little-known group called The Beatles played their first gig as house band at The Cavern Club in Liverpool. Over the next two years they made 292 appearances at the club and the rest…as they say… is history. Who would have guessed what a worldwide phenomenon would emerge from those humble beginnings? And who would have guessed what a worldwide impact a teacher with humble origins in Galilee would have? In Mark chapter 4 Jesus says:

The kingdom of God… is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.

Some people despise Jesus for his humble origins because they have not discovered that God loves to take small things and make something great out of them. Maybe there are some small actions you do today that will have a big effect in God’s purposes.

TFTD: August 1st

Today’s the day when in 1914 the First World War erupted in Europe. Germany and Russia declared war against each other and the first German army units crossed into Luxembourg to prepare for the invasion of France. This marked the beginning of four horrendous years of fighting which resulted in the deaths of about 20 million people. You can’t help asking what fears and grudges and selfish ambitions could have fuelled such relentless conflict. And more importantly, how can we live at peace with one another? In Romans 12 the Bible gives us some practical advice which we can start putting into practice today:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:

If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.