by Marie | Nov 10, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
William Wilberforce’s biographer, Eric Metaxas, points out that the abolition of the British slave trade had even greater implications: ‘We had suddenly entered a world in which we would never again ask whether it was our responsibility as a society to help the poor and suffering. We would only quibble about how…Once this idea was loosed upon the world, the world changed. Slavery and the slave trade would soon be largely abolished, but many lesser social evils would be abolished too. For the first time in history, groups sprang up for every possible social cause.’ That’s why Metaxas calls Wilberforce ‘The greatest social reformer in the history of the world.’ Metaxas goes on to say: ‘The world he was born into in 1759 and the world he departed in 1833 were as different as lead and gold. Wilberforce presided over a social earthquake that rearranged the continents, and whose magnitude we are only now beginning to fully appreciate.’ During his first years in Parliament, Wilberforce wined and dined each night and was touted as the ‘the wittiest man in all of England.’ Looking back on it he wrote, ‘For the first years I was in Parliament I did nothing—nothing of any purpose.’ But in committing to Christ he discovered his life’s purpose. It was not about achieving personal greatness, but
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by Marie | Nov 8, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
William Wilberforce grew up as a child of privilege, attending Cambridge University. Two weeks after his twenty-first birthday, he was elected to Parliament, where he became a brilliant orator and politician. Then he met John Newton, author of the hymn ‘Amazing Grace.’ A former slave ship captain, Newton had found Christ, repented of his old life and became a minister. Upon meeting Newton, seeds were sown in Wilberforce’s heart that were destined to change history. In 1787, Wilberforce initiated a campaign to make Great Britain aware of the atrocities of slavery and to vote for its abolition. It was a fierce fight. Besides politicians and industrialists, religious leaders who had their own slaves opposed him. From his deathbed John Wesley wrote to Wilberforce: ‘If God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O, be not weary in well doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of His might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it.’ Wilberforce persevered because he knew what was at stake: the lives of millions of people. Finally, on February 23, 1807, the Slave Trade Act outlawing traffic in slaves was passed in the House of Commons by a vote of 283 to 16.
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by Marie | Nov 7, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
You shouldn’t be overlooked because of your age, gender, nationality, education, or financial status. People will try to put you down, but if you trust God, He will lift you. Timothy started preaching in his teens. He became Paul’s travelling companion, which was no small honour. However, in those days, society believed that one didn’t reach maturity until thirty, so Timothy was not considered qualified for leadership. Since Timothy was facing criticism, Paul wrote, ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…’ With God, it’s not the length of your life that qualifies you, but the depth of it. Look at Timothy’s credentials: ‘From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures…’ (2 Timothy 3:15 NKJV). Timothy was nurtured in God’s Word and grounded in the truth. ‘When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also’ (2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV). So Paul writes to the Philippian church and says: ‘I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly…For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son
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by Marie | Nov 6, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
A pastor who went to the railroad station every night to watch the express train roar through town. His congregation wondered why. When suspicions arose, a deacon followed him, watched him, and asked what he was doing. He replied, ‘This train is the only thing that comes through this town that I don’t have to push!’ God hasn’t called your pastor to do everything in church, He’s called them ‘to prepare [you] for works of service.’ So, have you found your area of service yet? Are you functioning in it? Paul writes: ‘Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body…God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can, as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful. If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it. If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. Meditation:
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by Marie | Nov 5, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
It’s easy to forget why God saved you, what He’s called you to do, and how you’re supposed to live. So here’s a memo from heaven: ‘Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honouring each other. Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble and prayerful always. When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out… If someone mistreats you… pray that God will bless him. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone will see you are honest clear through. Don’t quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible… never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said that He will repay those who deserve it… Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry.
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