Rev. Luke Powell Daily Devotions

Wilberforce worked hard to become more patient, gentle and considerate of others. It was something he had to practise until he had mastered it... You and I also need to train ourselves to do this, with the help of God's Holy Spirit.

John Wesley was famous for writing letters, and his last letter was to William Wilberforce, encouraging him to carry on with the good work he was doing. Is there someone you can encourage with a letter - or even a WhatsApp or phone call - today?

Wilberforce was a very busy man, but he still found time for prayer, devotion and meditation. In these busy times, how we can learn from his dedication!

Wilberforce's great friend was William Pitt. They had their differences, but still managed to stay friends, even when they opposed each other. Do you have a special friend who can "wound" you in love, for your own good?

We can learn from Wilberforce's commitment to self-improvement: he often searched his motives and conduct to make sure they were God-focused. Christians have done this throughout the years, and maybe we should do it more often!

Wilberforce agreed with Christian thinking for some time before it really "hit his heart". When he finally gave himself to God fully, everything changed, and he had a great peace like never before! Maybe you need to move from just agreeing intellectually with Christianity, to surrendering to the God who loves you.

William Wilberforce was well respected - even by people who didn't agree with his religious or political views, much like Demetrius in the Bible. Can the same be said of us? May we be so committed to good, that all people can respect us as Christ-followers.

Without the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can easily read the Bible and yet miss the great truths it contains. Be sure to pray, pray, pray - before you read, while you read, and after you read!

If you want to reap the rewards of inspiration and delight the Bible offers, be sure to read it consistently and not haphazardly. You wouldn't only eat every other day - don't treat your spiritual health that way either!

If you see the Bible as a textbook you will surely get bored of it. But it you see it as a love letter, or a treasure chest, what a difference it makes! Search the pages of your Bible for God's beauty and wonder this year - read to be amazed and find joy in the God who loves you.

The Bible is a great source of advice, inspiration and help for all people. As someone has said, it is our Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. Let's go deep into our Bibles this year!

John Wesley was very well read - yet he called himself a "man of one book". How committed to Bible reading will we be in 2021?

Wesley taught his followers to strive for "perfect love" for God and others - something the Corinthian believers seemed to embody. But Paul had to remind them to also excel in giving. Will 2021 be a year of much love and much giving for us? May it be.

It's so easy to slip into "cruise-control" when it comes to our faith, over the Christmas/New Year period. But let's remember our desperate need for GOd and seek Him earnestly this year.

Another thing Paul commended the Corinthian Christians for was their excellent knowledge. Will you pursue greater knowledge of God this year? If you do, be sure not to get puffed up by what you learned - rather be humbled.

According to Paul, the Corinthian believers excelled in speech. Are you and I ready to explain our faith and hope if someone asks? Will we also "excel" in our speech when we tell others of our God?

Paul commended the Corinthians for excelling in faith. Let's also excel in our faith this year!

It's 2021! Let this be a year of recommitting to God totally. Let's go deeper than ever in our faith. Let's follow Jesus with all our hearts. Let's reach the end of the year having walked with Him faithfully.

COVID has been relentless... but perhaps it's time for you and I to relent, or "let go" and trust God once again. 2020 has not changed the fact that He is faithful, and we can still rely on Him.

It's not too late to repair the broken relationships that 2020 caused. Forgive... apologize... while you still can.

Can we rejoice for 2020? If our joy is in our circumstances, then no... but if our joy is in our God, then yes!

What words will define 2020 for you? How about "realize"... Before the year is done, REALIZE that He was with you every step of the way.

Scrooge learned to honour Christmas in his heart and became "as good a man" as he could be. With Christ is our hearts this is possible! May you be blessed this Christmas, and may Christ transform you from a crusty Scrooge to the person you are called to be.

The Cratchits enjoy a Christmas of love and laughter and warmth - even though they have little material gain to show for it. Will you find joy in simplicity this Christmas?

A little boy on crutches reminds the world that the one we celebrate at Christmas was a healer and a compassionate friend. This is what Christmas is about - reaching out to the vulnerable.