Think for a moment about Paul’s experiences facing hardened, slanderous religious leaders, demonic forces, and an entire city in a mindless mob ready to destroy him. But in the midst of it all we read these words: The Word of the Lord spread and prevailed (Acts 19:20).

If you are a genuine follower of Christ, you will have a passion to serve Him so that others may come to know Him. You will see it as your highest task and noblest privilege. And you will give yourself—at various seasons in various ways—to His service.

Counting the Cost

But it would be wise as you begin to count the cost, just as Jesus advised (Luke 14:25-33). Ministry is simple in one sense. Paul models it over and over again for us. Notice how he conducted his work in Acts 19.

After these events, Paul resolved by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. (Acts 19:21)

Paul was wise enough to know that the Spirit must direct and empower his work or it would be “wood, hay, and stubble” and bear no lasting fruit. The simplicity of ministry is that we can be assured of His leadership for the humble-hearted. We must simply listen to the Spirit and follow His promptings. He provides the direction, the power, and even promises to give us the words to say as needed.

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