MONDAY
I REMEMBER THE CAMP REVD MARK RECALLS. ONE OF THE ADULTS TURNED UP IN HIGH HEELS – YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT THEY WERE LIKE AFTER OUR LATE-NIGHT WALK THROUGH MUDDY FIELDS AND OVER STILES. THE VIEW WAS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING, SPEAKING VOLUMES TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE. MARVELLOUS. ON TAKING BARNEY TO THE GROOMERS THIS MORNING THERE WAS A WONDERFUL SONG PLAYING ON PREMIER PRAISE. IT GIVES THAT SENSE OF WONDER WE SAW IN THE HEAVENS THAT NIGHT 30 YEARS AGO. ENJOY THE SONG:
10th November – Morning all… I recall quite a few years ago attending a Christian camp in Cleobury Mortimer. One evening, we went on a night walk through the quiet fields. I can remember stopping for a moment, looking up, and seeing the sky alive with stars, what seemed like millions of them, stretching from one horizon to the other. It was breathtaking, I just stood there, completely awed by the sheer vastness of it all. It made me feel small, but not in a lonely way. It was the kind of smallness that makes you wonder. The kind that humbles you and yet fills you with peace, because somehow, in that vast universe, you know you are seen. That night reminds me of this beautiful portion of scripture “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:4–5) Every time I think back to that night in Cleobury Mortimer, I remember this truth: if God calls the stars by name, how much more will He care for you and me? There are billions of stars, each burning with light across unimaginable distances, and He hasn’t misplaced a single one. You might feel small today. Perhaps unnoticed, tired, or unsure of your next step. But the One who keeps the stars in their place is the same One who keeps you. He hasn’t forgotten your name, your need, or your story. So, maybe tonight, step outside for a moment. Look up. Let the night sky remind you that you are known by the Creator of it all, and that His light still shines over you, even in the darkest places.
Revd Mark Spiers
TUESDAY
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!
11th November – Morning all… “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill Remembrance Day asks that question of us every year. Behind every name engraved on a war memorial is a story – of a life, a dream, a family, and of someone who, in a moment of unimaginable pressure, chose courage over comfort, duty over despair, love over fear. One such story is that of Private Jack Cornwell, a 16-year-old boy from London who served aboard HMS Chester during the Battle of Jutland in 1916. When enemy shells tore through the ship, killing and wounding many of his crewmates, Jack, though mortally injured himself stayed at his post, alone beside his gun, waiting faithfully for orders that would never come. He died a few days later and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his courage. Jack’s bravery wasn’t loud or grand – it was quiet, steady, and full of heart. He simply did what he believed was right. And in that steadfastness, we glimpse something sacred: the power of faithfulness in the face of fear. It’s that same hope that we hear echoed in the words of Scripture: Revelation 21:1–5, – Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “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 from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” When John wrote those words, he was exiled, lonely, and surrounded by suffering, yet God showed him a vision of what was still to come. A day when the brokenness of this world would finally be healed. A day when the pain and tears of all generations, including those who fell in battle, and those who grieved them, would be wiped away by God Himself. That is the hope we cling to as we remember. The courage of soldiers like Jack Cornwell points us toward a greater truth, that even in the darkest of nights, light still shines. That love is stronger than hate. That peace is stronger than war. And that Christ Himself will one day make all things new. Until that day comes, may we each stand faithful at our post, showing compassion, walking humbly, and being people of peace in a world that still so desperately needs it.
Revd Mark Spiers
WEDNESDAY
AS WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS AND HEALING MERCIES, ESPECIALLY FOR BRINGING REVD TERRY SAFELY THROUGH HIS OPERATION, WE NOW TURN OUR HEARTS TO GOD’S WORD AND LISTEN FOR HIS VOICE IN THE BOOK OF HAGGAI A TIMELY MESSAGE FOR ALL WHO LONG FOR RENEWAL AND DEEPER PEACE.
12th November – Morning all… Today we turn to the clean pages of our Bibles – to the book of Haggai. It’s a short book, easily passed over, but within its few verses lies a powerful message for weary hearts and distracted souls. I’m sure many of us have had one of those moments in life where we’re constantly busy, working hard, doing all the right things, and yet somehow, it feels like we’re running on empty? We tick off our to-do list, but our soul still feels tired. We try to move forward, but nothing seems to satisfy. That’s exactly how things were in the days of Haggai the prophet. God’s people had returned from exile, and life had started again,
homes were being rebuilt, fields planted, and routines re established. But something was missing. The Temple – the place that represented God’s presence among them – lay in ruins. Everyone was too caught up in their own concerns to notice. So God spoke through Haggai: “Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.’” (Haggai 1:5–6) Those words still speak powerfully today. Sometimes the emptiness we feel isn’t from doing too little, it’s from doing everything but the thing that matters most. God was calling His people to refocus, to rebuild not just their homes, but their hearts. When we put everything else before God, our work, our comfort, even our good intentions – life loses its centre. But when we make Him first again, everything else begins to find its place. Haggai’s message wasn’t about guilt; it was about grace. He was reminding them that true fulfilment doesn’t come from what we build with our hands, but from who builds within our hearts. Later, God gives this promise through Haggai: “From this day on I will bless you.” (Haggai 2:19) What a beautiful reminder – that God always meets us with mercy. The moment we turn back, He turns toward us. It’s never too late to rebuild. God isn’t waiting with disappointment – He’s waiting with blessing. He’s still the same God who takes what’s broken and fills it with His glory.
Revd Mark Spiers
THURSDAY
REVD MARK REMINDS ME OF A GOOD OLD HYMN – SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU, ALLELU, ALLELUIA! THE LAST VERSE SAYS – ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU, SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND, KNOCK AND THE DOOR SHALL BE OPENED UP TO YOU, ALLELU, ALLELUIA! (MP 590)
13th November – Morning all… Have you ever suddenly realised you’ve been doing all the right things outwardly, yet your heart feels tired on the inside? I know I’ve defiantly had those moments in my life when my faith felt more like a routine than relationship, when I’ve been busy for God but not still with God. Israel in the time of Amos found themselves in that very place too. Their worship was active, their rituals were polished, but their hearts had drifted. And into all their noise, God spoke these four simple words, “Seek me and live.” (Amos 5:4) Four words which carried the heartbeat of God. C.S. Lewis captured the same truth when he wrote, “Look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him, everything else.” When God becomes the focus again, everything else finds its place: peace returns, strength grows, even the pressures of life feel different. The problem is we often complicate faith far more than God does. We think we need to be sorted, steady, or strong. But His invitation is beautifully simple: Come as you are. Turn your heart toward Me. Seek Me sincerely, even quietly, and life will begin to breathe again. So today, don’t strive… seek. Don’t perform… draw near. Seek Him and truly live.
Revd Mark Spiers
FRIDAY
HERE’S A FEW ‘VICTORY-FILLED’ HYMNS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- CrownHim with Many Crowns – Majestic, Christ-centred, and always suitable; proclaims Christ’s reigning
- Atthe Name of Jesus – Highlights Christ’s exaltation and ultimate
- Ofor a Thousand Tongues to Sing – Celebrates Christ breaking the power of cancelled
- InChrist Alone (Getty/Townend) – Explicitly speaks of Christ “standing in victory”.
- Praise,My Soul, the King of Heaven – Triumphant praise of the victorious
- ToGod Be the Glory – Victory through redemption and
- Immortal,Invisible, God Only Wise – Not explicitly about the battle, but powerfully proclaims Christ’s sovereign
- ChristIs Risen, He Is Risen Indeed (Getty) – Joyful proclamation of resurrection
- SeeHim Coming (CityAlight) – A clear proclamation of Christ’s victorious return and
- LivingHope (Phil Wickham) – Strong resurrection victory
- Lionand the Lamb (Bethel) – Emphasises Christ as the conquering
- BeThou My Vision – Christ as “High King”—a quiet
- Rejoice,the Lord Is King – Joyful proclamation of Christ
- TellOut, My Soul – Magnifies God’s mighty acts and
14th November – Morning all… Have you ever felt too weak to face the challenges of today? Most of us do. Yet every day, in ways big and small, we face battles that require courage. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The enemy attacks with insults, setbacks, and lies. Bold moves often come with doubt: Am I crazy? What if this all blows up in my face? When we rely on ourselves, fear sneaks in – but we don’t have to fight alone. Listen to what verse 10 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” God gives us His strength. His armour is our protection. Our faith acts as a shield, blocking the enemy’s attacks and letting us keep moving forward. The arrows today might be anxiety, pressure, or discouraging news. But you have a choice: take the hit or lift your shield of faith. Faith strengthens, steadies, and equips us to face challenges with confidence. Stand firm today. Put on God’s armour. Trust His power. The battle is real – but victory is already yours in Christ.
Revd Mark Spiers