newsletter
Servant Ministries, Inc.
Issue No. 101 Ira & Judy Milligan Oct 1, 2006

Joshua, Holy Spirit Conference Report
 
God didn’t just meet our  expectations, He exceeded them! He provided anointed ministers to heal, deliver and minister prophetically to His people (when I hold a conference, that is always my greatest concern, that enough qualified ministers will attend who are willing to give themselves to do the work of the ministry – thanks, fellows!). The people were blessed, and I was blessed to be a part of His work. 
One thing that I enjoy is the tremendous variety that God has for us. He sets His table with new dishes at every conference. Although we always follow the same simple pattern – fellowship, prayer and then follow the leading of the Spirit, He never tires of showing us new things.
 
Hidden Mysteries of the Bible, Vol I

The first volume has arrived from the printers and I’ve filled all the advanced orders that came in. I will mail everyone who ordered both volumes their second book as soon as I receive them (the printers should send it the last of October). If you haven’t ordered yours yet, the price is $19.95 each, but you can order both courses at once for $34.95 and I’ll pay the shipping.

These books are 8 ½ by 11, 120 pages each. They are spiral bound for ease of use. They can be used for personal study or in small groups. Bulk discounts for small groups and churches are available upon request.
 
 The Prophet’s      Perspective
 God’s Requirements
 
I once heard James Robinson say that before Milton Green administered deliverance to him, he thought he had an anointing to “straighten out” the Saints. Afterward, he realized that his “anointing” wasn’t from God, but rather he had been motivated and anointed by a demon of anger!
This problem is two sided. It is easy for the minister to become angry at the people, or the people to be angry at the minister, especially with the demands of today’s Church. Many of the people have a Burger King mentality – we want it our way and we want it now! One lady became offended at me for not delivering her from her demons when I ministered at her church. She spent thirty years entertaining the devil and she expected me to set her free in the short time that I was there. God’s not running a fast food, takeout joint!

On the other side of this coin, we have ministers angry at the Saints for varied and sundry reasons. The sad part is if you try to counsel a fellow minister about his or her anger, they often turn it loose on you! It’s like trying to get a thorn out of a dog’s paw – you can get bit even it you approach them in meekness and love (see Gal. 6:1).

I encountered one minister who was angry at his people because they had repeatedly ignored his admonitions to forsake their religious traditions and change. They stubbornly refused to follow his advice. In reality, this is a control issue. It is not our responsibility to convict the people and make them obey. That is the Holy Spirit’s job. Our job is to teach them the Word and help them change if they choose to do so. If they choose otherwise, they have to answer to God, not to us. If we try to make them obey, we’re trying to be their god! That’s not our job or place!

An example is Paul’s relationship with Apollos. “Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.” (1 Cor. 16:12).

Although Paul could have been frustrated with Apollos for not going, it doesn’t sound like he was. Paul understood a cardinal rule of ministry – carnal control cannot produce spiritual liberty. Whether you are dealing with God’s sheep, or His shepherds. Anger should be reserved for their enemies, not used to lash out at them (see Mark 3:5).

One thing I’ve learned, offense is to hatred what an acorn is to an oak tree. Give either one enough time and substance and it will grow into an immovable obstacle that will overshadow your entire life. Isaiah  52:11 says, “Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the Lord”. Wash your heart and hands of anger. This is what God requires of us: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). We must not give place to the devil (Eph. 4:27).

 “Helping Hands”
 
Several of you have asked how the Central American “hands up” project is going. I don’t have room to give a full report, but Mitch says Martin has finished work on the goat pen, including installing automatic waterers, and has purchased several Swiss goats. Three already have kids. They are developing worm beds to turn the goat droppings into fertilizer to use in the gardens. They have the money for a tractor and are looking for just the right one to buy now. Another project they have going is they are buying sewing machines for the women to make clothing to sell. They are also holding baking classes to teach them to make bread to sell. Thanks, everyone. God bless you!
 
       Prayer Partners’ Update
 
We appreciate your continual prayer support for ourselves, our family and our ministry. God has changed our ministry this last year, so we are venturing into new territory!
  
                   Just Thinking
 
As expected, I received several letters and e-mails about my comments in last month’s newsletter concerning “prophetic business men” associations and “market place apostles.” One writer even asked what “market place apostles” were?

I've been concerned about the covetous practices of some of those who organize "prophetic business men" organizations since the first one was announced in the late-eighties. I believe those who are teaching people to use the gifts of the Spirit to make money are prostituting the gifts of the Spirit (see Jude 1:11). There is no biblical record of anyone ever teaching the Saints to use spiritual gifts to make money – there is only the example of the girl using divination to make money! (Acts 16:16)

The teaching of "market place apostles" is also without biblical support. This idea arises from the fact that Paul made tents to support himself and those he traveled with, similar to what most of us have done at one time or another. (I ministered and ran my own contracting business for 15 years until God called me to lay my business aside and go into full-time ministry.) Although Paul’s tent making shows that it is not wrong to work a secular job and minister at the same time, it doesn't support the idea that God’s apostles are always supposed to “pay their own way”. In fact, some even teach that those who are called and gifted to operate businesses and provide for the ministry are actually “market place apostles”.

Let’s get things straight. Apostles are called to establish churches, not support churches! They are to give themselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word! (see Acts 6:4) The church needs to quit its covetous practices and get back to preaching the simplicity of the Gospel, including repentance!

As for the apostles’ primary means of support, Paul’s example not withstanding, the scriptures clearly teach that those men and women who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. (“Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” – 1 Cor. 9:14.) Interestingly enough, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write that verse of scripture instead of choosing Peter to write it! I wonder why?