DEAR ALL
LIFE IS FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES, YET GOD MEETS US IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL. THESE SHORT DAILY DEVOTIONALS ARE WRITTEN BY REVD MARK TO HELP US PAUSE, REFLECT, AND BE REMINDED OF HIS PRESENCE IN ORDINARY MOMENTS. WHETHER DRAWING ON SCRIPTURE, THE CHANGING SEASONS, OR THE EVERYDAY STRUGGLES WE ALL FACE, THEY POINT US BACK TO THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND THE STEADY HAND OF GOD GUIDING US THROUGH EACH SEASON. MAY THEY ENCOURAGE YOU TO FIND PEACE, JOY AND HOPE IN HIM TODAY.
Morning all…Have you ever noticed how easy it is to tie your joy and peace to circumstances? We tell ourselves, “When work calms down… when the bills are paid… when the house is tidy… then I’ll finally feel at rest.” But life rarely gives us that perfect day. Something unexpected always crops up, and if joy depends on perfection, it will always slip through our fingers. That’s why Paul’s words in Galatians 5:22–23 are so powerful: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Notice this, joy and peace are not rewards for getting life right, but gifts that flow from God’s Spirit at work within us. They don’t depend on a flawless schedule or a stress-free week; they grow quietly and steadily in our hearts, even in the middle of ordinary struggles and messy moments. So today, don’t wait for perfection. Look for the Spirit’s fruit in small, simple ways. Let love guide your interactions, let kindness shape your choices, and let joy rise up even wen the world feels messy. Sometimes the greatest testimony we can live out is showing that God’s Spirit is enough to bring peace in an imperfect day.
Morning all… Have you ever felt unsettled when change creeps in, when the familiar gives way to something new, and you’re not quite ready? The other day, I noticed the first hints of autumn, with leaves falling from the trees and many of them turning yellow. Seasons shift quietly, sometimes almost unnoticed, until one day everything looks different. Scripture reminds us of this in Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Life, like nature, has its rhythms. Some seasons feel warm and fruitful, others cold and barren. Some bring joy, others bring challenge. And yet, all are held within the wisdom and timing of God. We all know change can be uncomfortable. But just as trees shed their leaves to prepare for new growth, God sometimes calls us to release certain things so He can prepare us for what’s next. Pruning can feel painful, but it makes way for deeper roots and stronger growth. Think about the seasons you’ve walked through – times of waiting, of loss, of growth, of blessing. Each one has shaped you in ways you may not have seen in the moment. God doesn’t waste a single season. Even the ones we would never choose carry lessons, resilience, and a deeper trust in Him. So today, rather than resisting change, ask God to help you embrace His timing. Trust that ery season, expected or unexpected, easy or difficult – is woven into His greater plan for your good
IN THIS DEVOTIONAL, REVD MARK REFLECTS ON HOW GOD VALUES EVEN THE SMALLEST ACTS OF KINDNESS. INSPIRED BY A SIMPLE MOMENT OF A CHILD HELPING HER NAN, HE REMINDS US THAT UNSEEN DEEDS OF LOVE ARE NEVER WASTED. ROOTED IN GALATIANS, HIS WORDS ENCOURAGE US TO KEEP SOWING SEEDS OF GOODNESS WITH PATIENCE AND FAITH, TRUSTING THAT GOD SEES AND WILL BRING A HARVEST IN HIS PERFECT TIME
Morning all… The other day I watched a young girl help her nan carry a heavy bag to the car. It was such a small gesture, barely noticeable, and yet, it made me think. How often do we do little things for others that go unseen? We smile at a stranger, hold a door open, offer a listening ear, or send a simple message of encouragement. These acts may feel small, even insignificant, and sometimes they go unnoticed. And truthfully, it’s easy to grow weary when the impact of our kindness isn’t immediately visible. That’s exactly why Galatians 6:9-10 is so important: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” The apostle Paul reminds us that every act of goodness matters, even the smallest ones. We may not see the results today, and we may feel like our efforts are too small to make a difference – but God does. He sees evey seed planted, every word spoken, every deed done out of love. A gentle act of patience can ripple out, shaping relationships, building trust, and reflecting God’s love in ways you might never witness. So, I encourage you today, to look for ways to do good, even in tiny ways. Speak encouragement, lend a hand, show patience, or simply offer a listening ear. Don’t worry if it goes unnoticed, God sees, and His timing is perfect. And remember, your kindness doesn’t just help the person you’re reaching, it reflects the heart of God to the world around you. Keep planting seeds of love. Keep doing good. The harvest is coming, and it will be far greater than you can imagine.HAVING READ REVD MARK’S DEVOTIONAL, THE FOLLOWING HYMNS COME TO MIND:
- Jesus Bids Us Shine– perfect image of small lights making a big difference. Can’t remember when I last sang that!
- Take My Life, and Let It Be– consecrating even the smallest acts to God.
- I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus– surrendering all, even in the ordinary.
- Trust and Obey– simple, everyday faithfulness in action.
- Jesus Loves Me, This I Know– simple, childlike trust that God values. We still sing this in Messy Church
Morning all… Have you ever noticed how it’s often the smallest things that change the course of a whole day? A smile exchanged at just the right moment, a kind word spoken when someone feels unseen, a pause to really listen when the world is rushing by. These may feel so tiny, almost insignificant, yet they shift the atmosphere in ways we don’t always realise. Jesus put it beautifully: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10). God isn’t just watching how we handle the big, dramatic moments of life; He pays attention to the hidden places where faithfulness is quietly lived out. A whispered prayer before the day begins. A patient word to a child when frustration rises. A choice to forgive when resentment feels easier. These are not small in God’s eyes – they are treasures of faith. Heaven notices what earth often overlooks. And here’s the wonder: God doesn’t just see those little acts, He multiplies them. A seed of kindness grows into fruit in someone else’s life. A moment of prayer moves mountains unseen. A decision to love becomes a testimony that ripples further than we will ever know. So today, don’t underestimate the power of the little things. A little faith. A small kindness. A gentle act of love. Place them in God’s hands – and watch Him do immeasurably more than you could ever imagine.PLEASE HOLD REVD MARK AND ALL HIS STAFF IN PRAYER – SUCH AN ANXIOUS TIME FOR THEM ALL
Morning all… Today brings the anticipation (and perhaps anxiety) of the forthcoming Ofsted inspection in Children’s Services. It’s natural to feel the pressure when we know every detail of our work will be under a watchful eye. But as I reflected on this last night, I was reminded: we already live every day under the loving gaze of our heavenly Father. The psalmist says: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24). God’s “inspection” is not about fault-finding but about refining, guiding, and strengthening us. While Ofsted look for outomes and processes, God looks at the heart. And the wonderful truth is this: we don’t have to strive to impress Him, because we are already accepted and loved in Christ. As we prepare for the inspection, remember – you’re not defined by a grade or a report. You are defined by the One who calls you His child. So, go into the week with peace, knowing God equips you to stand, to serve, and to shine
ONLY YESTERDAY, WHEN SHOPPING FOR TODAY’S LUNCHEON CLUB, A YOUNG LADY ASKED IF SHE COULD PUSH IN THE QUEUE AT TESCO AS SHE HAD ONLY ONE ITEM. WE LET HER THROUGH AND EVEN SCANNED MY CLUBCARD SO SHE COULD HAVE £5 OFF A PAIR OF TROUSERS. AFTER WHICH SHE PAID AND JUST WALKED AWAY. EVEN THE LADY ON THE TILL COMMENTED THAT A ‘THANK YOU’ WOULD NOT HAVE GONE AMISS.
Morning all… Have you ever noticed how easy it is to ask for help, but how often we forget to say “thank you” once help arrives? Whether it’s receiving a lift when our car breaks down, or someone holding the door when our hands are full, gratitude is often the part we overlook. In Luke 17:11–19, Jesus healed ten men with leprosy. It was an incredible miracle – lives restored, futures reopened, families reunited. Yet out of the ten, only one came back to say thank you. The other nine hurried off to embrace their freedom, forgetting the One who had given it. Jesus asks a piercing question: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (v.17). It’s easy to point fingers at the nine, but if we’re honest, aren’t we often the same? We pray desperately in times of trouble, but when God answers, we sometimes rush on with life, forgetting to return in gratitude. Giving thanks is more than good manners, it’s a spiritual discipline. When we stop to say, “thank You, Lord,” we shift our eyes from our needs to His goodness. Gratitude deepens faith, strengthens joy, and reminds us that everything we have is a gift of grace. Today, like the one leper who turned back, let us fall at Jesus’ feet with a grateful heart. Whether big or small, name the blessings in your life. Breathe out thanks for His love, His provision, His mercy, and His presence
Revd Mark Spiers