DEAR ALL
REVD MARK AND I WERE PRAYING TOGETHER THIS MORNING, AS WE DO EVERY WEDNESDAY, KNOWING THAT THE DAY AHEAD FOR BOTH OF US, BUT ESPECIALLY MARK, WOULD BE A TOUGH ONE WITH MEETINGS AND ENDLESS DEADLINES TO ACHIEVE. HOWEVER, BY GOD’S GRACE WE GOT THROUGH IT. WHEN LIFE FEELS CHAOTIC AND NOTHING SEEMS TO GO RIGHT, THIS DEVOTIONAL OFFERS A TIMELY REMINDER OF GOD’S STEADY HAND IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL.
Morning all,,, Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to go right? You spill your coffee, the traffic is terrible, your plans unravel, and it feels like the universe is against you. When that happens, it’s tempting to let frustration take over. But today I want to remind you that Scripture invites us to see our circumstances differently. Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” All things. Not just the easy, smooth days. Even the messy, inconvenient ones. God doesn’t promise life will be perfect, but He promises that nothing is wasted. He’s weaving the good, the bad, and the ugly into a tapestry of grace. So, next time things fall apart, just stop, take a deep breath. Ask, “God, what are You teaching me here?” Maybe it’s patience. Maybe it’s trust. Maybe it’s the reminder that your joy isn’t dependent on your day, but on your Saviour. Today, even if things go sideways, remember – God is still at work. And He’s got this.
SOMETIMES GOD SPEAKS THROUGH THE QUIET BEAUTY OF EVERYDAY MOMENTS. WHAT BEGAN AS A SIMPLE MORNING DRIVE FOR REVD MARK, TURNED INTO A REMINDER OF THE STRENGTH FOUND IN UNITY. MAY THIS REFLECTION ENCOURAGE YOU AND OUR BELOVED DENOMINATION TO SEE THE VALUE OF WALKING CLOSELY WITH OTHERS IN LOVE AND FAITH.
Morning all… Whilst driving into work this morning, I saw a flock of birds flying together in perfect formation – gliding, turning, rising as one, I have to say it was a wonderful sight. It was fascinating to see how they moved in such harmony, and how they followed each other instinctively. This made me think about community, about how we’re called to walk together, support each other, and to move in unity. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.” Life was never meant to be lived alone. When one of us stumbles, the others can help. When someone rejoices, we celebrate together. And when life is hard, this is when we should draw near to one another – not to fix, but to be there. That’s the power of godly community. It’s not about having all the answers, but about being present. So, as you reflect on this, why not ask God to show you who you can encourage, support, or simply check in on today. Maybe a kind word, a listening ear, or even a prayer – be reassured this can lift anyone’s burden. And when your turn comes to need help, don’t be afraid to receive it. We were made to fly together.
THESE DAYS I NEED A VERY LARGE FONT FOR SERMONS, FUNERALS AND WEDDINGS. EVEN FOR THE CONSECRATIONS I HAD A LARGE PRINT BOOK SO I COULD COPE WITH THE PLETHORA OF WORDS SAID. SO, STEP INTO TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND DISCOVER HOW GOD’S WORD, LIKE A GENTLE LAMP IN THE NIGHT, LIGHTS YOUR WAY THROUGH LIFE’S SHADOWS, ONE STEP AT A TIME. HAVE A SPIRIT-FILLED WEEKEND.
Morning all… Have you ever tried to read in the dark? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? The words are right in front of you, but without light, they’re nothing but shadows and shapes. It’s light that makes all the difference, bringing clarity, direction, and safety. Spiritually, the same is true. We live in a world full of distractions, dilemmas, and a lot of uncertainty. Without light, it’s easy to stumble, lose our way, or even stand still in fear of the unknown. But I want you to remember we haven’t been left in darkness. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” What we need to remember is that God doesn’t always illuminate the entire journey at once, He often reveals just enough for the next step. And that’s all we need. His Word speaks wisdom when we’re confused, peace when we’re anxious, correction when we’ve drifted, and hope when we’re weary. It’s not just a book – it’s our spiritual torch, our compass, and our anchor in life’s storms. C.S. Lewis once said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen – not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” God’s Word doesn’t just show us the way; it helps us see everything else rightly – our decisions, relationships, trials, and more importantly our blessings. The question is: are we letting that light in? Are we opening the Bible, or are we stumbling through life trying to find our way in the dark? Today, take time to open Scripture. Read it slowly, reflect deeply, and invite God to shine His truth into your heart. You don’t have to walk blindly. His Word lights the path, step by step.
LAST WEEK I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE GIRL WHO WAS TAKING AN ECG WHICH I WAS ASKED TO ATTEND DUE TO A CHANGE OF TABLETS. SHE ASKED ABOUT MY GENERAL HEALTH AND AFTER TELLING HER ALL MY ACHES AND PAINS, I DID SAY THAT I WAS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND THAT ONE DAY I WILL BE PERFECT. SHE GOT THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF MY REPLY AS SHE TOO WAS A BELIEVER IN CHRIST.
Morning all… There’s a house I pass every morning on my way to work. For months now, it’s been under renovation. Outside, there’s a huge pile of rubble – broken bricks, old planks of wood, pipes, bits of tile – all stacked haphazardly like a miniature junkyard. To anyone passing by, it looks like a complete mess – dusty, and chaotic. But here’s the thing: the builder sees something different. He knows what he’s doing (well at least I hope so). That pile of rubble isn’t just waste – some of it will be reused, reshaped, or replaced. Every beam, every brick, even the mess itself, is part of the process. It’s not destruction, it’s transformation. It’s a bit like our lives – sometimes it feels like everything’s in pieces, struggles, setbacks, unanswered prayers, things not going how we expected. To us, it might look like chaos, like nothing good is happening. But God isn’t fazed by the mess. Philippians 1:6 reminds us: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God is the Master Builder, and He’s not done with us. Even when we can’t see it, He’s working. The dust, the noise, the waiting – it’s all part of His plan to build something beautiful in us. Don’t judge your life by how it looks right now. You’re under construction. And when God’s finished, the result will be worth it. Take heart. The mess doesn’t mean failure – it means progress. Trust the Builder. He knows exactly what He’s doing.
YESTERDAY I DECIDED THAT MY OLD ANTIQUE MOBILE PHONE HAD TO GO. EVEN WITHOUT USING IT MUCH IT NEEDED CHARGING AT LEAST THREE TIMES A DAY. SO I TRADED IT IN FOR A NEW MODEL. MOST OF THE INFORMATION ON MY OLD PHONE TRANSFERED PRETTY QUICKLY, EXCEPT THE BANKING APPS. IT NEEDED USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS LONG SINCE FORGOTTEN. AFTER A FRUSTRATING MORNING, I HAVE DONE IT! PRAISE THE LORD!
Morning all… The other day I was standing in the supermarket, and as usual, I picked what I thought was the shortest queue. But it turned out to be the slowest, first a price check, then a lost barcode, and then the customer in front of me decided in pay for their entire trolley in coupons and all the change she had in her purse. I just stood there getting increasingly irritated. There was no way out the person behind me had already started getting things out of their basket. Waiting is hard. Whether it’s in a queue, in traffic, or on hold with customer services (just one more minute, they say…), delays test our patience and our sanity. And life’s waiting rooms can be just as frustrating waiting for a door to open, for prayers to be answered, or for clarity to come. But here’s the thing: God doesn’t waste the wait. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” Waiting on God isn’t like waiting for your tea to brew or for your Wi-Fi to stop buffering – it’s active. It’s leaning in with expectation, trusting that even though nothing seems to be happening, God is up to something behind the scenes. It’s swapping foot-tapping frustration for soul-strengthening faith. So, if you find yourself waiting today, maybe for answers, or even for that next step – remember, you’re not stuck, you’re being prepared. God’s timing is never off. His delays are not His denials. He’s never in a rush, but He’s never late either. And when His answer comes, you’ll realise the wait was worth it.
I SUGGEST YOU READ THE DEVOTIONAL FIRST, THEN COMING BACK TO THE INTRODUCTION.
Several hymns beautifully reflect the themes of spiritual renewal, restoration, and surrendering hidden burdens to God. Here are a few that connect particularly well:
- “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
- Key lyric:“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it / Prone to leave the God I love.”
- This hymn echoes the idea of subtle drift and the need for God’s restoring grace — much like the devotional’s image of unnoticed drains on our spirit.
- “I Need Thee Every Hour”
- Key lyric:“I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.”
- This hymn resonates with the idea that without regular returning to God, we can become depleted without realising it.
- “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
- Key lyric:“Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew…”
- Captures the idea of restoration and spiritual refreshment — inviting God to renew what’s been drained.
- “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”
- Key lyric:“Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past.”
- This one reflects the soul’s need for refuge and restoration, especially when overwhelmed by hidden or internal burdens.
- “He Giveth More Grace”
- Key lyric:“When we have exhausted our store of endurance… His love has no limit…”
- A hymn especially suited to the message of running on empty and being met by God’s abundant grace.
ENJOY
Morning all, have you ever realised something was draining you only after you started feeling completely run down? This morning, I noticed my phone battery was almost dead, even though I hadn’t used it that much. When I checked to see why, I realised I had several apps running in the background quietly using my power without me noticing. They weren’t doing anything useful, but they were steadily draining the battery. It struck me how often this happens to us spiritually. We go about our days, wondering why we feel tired, irritable, anxious, or just lacking in joy. Often, we don’t realise there are things running in the background of our hearts – worry, comparison, unforgiveness, or just relentless busyness, quietly sapping our energy and peace without us even being aware. Psalm 23:3 says, “He restores my soul.” God doesn’t just give us a quick recharge; He offers full restoration. But restoration requires us to pause and ask, “Lord, what’s been running in the background of my life? What’s been quietly draining me?” Maybe today it’s time for a spiritual reset – to close the ‘apps’ that aren’t helping, to bring the hidden drains to God, and let Him restore you. Don’t wait until you’re on empty. Let Him fill you again today.
Revd Mark Spiers