Paul and Debbie Howells talk about the importance of community development that the Lord has had us do over more than 30 years. They acknowledge the importance of their reliance on the Lord as they ministered in the mission field.

Bible Reference:  Acts 20:34-38; Ezekiel 33:1-9; Ezekiel 3: 17-21 Each and everyone has a ministry - reconciliation. Every person with potential.   The potential to know Jesus Christ.   While we were sinners,  Christ died for us.  Once we are saved, God calls us to serve.  Sometimes we look at people and think how can they come to know Jesus?  But someone may have thought that about me. We are conscripts in God's army.  We don't have the choice to say the food isn't good or we don't like what we've been asked to do.  We are called to obey and serve. We are to hear God's Word and then we are to speak out His Word.  If we don't warn those who don't know Christ,  they will die in sin.  To finish the course,  Paul said he had to testify to the truth of the Gospel.   We are not all missionaries,  we are not all 'Paul's ', but we are to testify to the truth.  If we don't tell our nation about Jesus, they will wander , lost. I

Bible reference:  Acts 20:22-24 Some tele-evangelists seem to portray that being a Christian makes everything great.  But Scripture doesn't line up with this thinking. People hated Jesus.  We enter by the narrow gate. Everyone has a ministry.   It is a 24/7 ministry.  God has given every Christian a ministry of reconciliation.   We are conscripts, not volunteers.  We obey God.  Ananias went when the Lord directed him to go to Paul.  Paul went as the Lord directed him.   Why didn't Paul think that these afflictions seemed easy.  He didn't see himself as a volunteer but as a servant,  a soldier,  there under orders to serve his Commander. Example:  Chaplin McKenzie (in first world war).  He served his Commander,  Jesus Christ on the battlefield. Scripture does not call us volunteers.   The problem is that volunteers can choose to serve, not to serve, or leave all together.   Conscripts obey.  Jesus goes with us, to toughen up.   If we don't toughen up,  we will fall

Bible reference:  Acts 20:24 In life, it's easy to start something new.  A new diet, an exercise program,  a new job, new relationships,  a new beginning.   But life isn't a 50 yard dash, but a marathon.   There are lots of good starters, but poor finishers.  I  have known many who have started well with a bang, but finish with a whimper. People start with a bang, then get hit with criticism.   There are lots of people who say things that put you down.  Sometimes the stress spills over into marriage and cause problems.   People sometimes leave ministry with a broken heart.   Paul did not want this to happen to the elders in Ephesus.   He wants us to reach the finish line.   Paul was sharing from his own life the trials and perseverance.  2 Timothy 4:7 Paul in Acts 20:24 had a difficult task.  Paul did not consider his own life more important than what Jesus called him to.  He put his trust in Jesus.   God is in control,  that's all we need to know.   God is most importan

Bible References: Acts 20:24; Acts 1:5; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:16-20; Matthew 5:3; Matthew 5:4; John 8:32; Ephesians 1:3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor  and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,  and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise     instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-5 In this prophetic scripture, we see the ministry of Christ attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit when it says, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me.” By the empowering of the Spirit, Jes