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.