newsletter
Servant Ministries, Inc.
Issue No. 112 Ira & Judy Milligan Sept 1, 2007

Moving ?? Send Us Your Forwarding Address!

Every month several of our readers move without first giving us their forwarding address. Because of the high cost of printing, postage and envelopes we have no other choice but drop them from the mailing list. So, if you are moving and would like to keep receiving the newsletter, be sure to send us your new address.

Foreign Missions Update

My whirlwind trip to L.A. and Mexico went even better than I anticipated. The meetings were powerful. Saturday, we ministered in Baja California (northen Mexico). Although the temperature was 111 degrees, the people didn’t seem to mind. They were hungry for God! Then, on Sunday we ministered three services in pastor Solano’s church in North Hollywood. Several received the Holy Spirit baptism as we ministered. They are yearning to learn more about prophecy and healing.

Joshua Conference

We look forward to seeing you in Joshua, Texas at our Fall, United Ministers’ Fellowship conference. We are anticipating a rather large turnout, but more importantly, we are expecting God to show up in a marvelous way! Healing evangelist Jack Coe Jr. will be ministering Thursday and Friday night, so bring a friend and come expecting to see and experience the wonderful, manifest presence of God. See you in Joshua!

The Prophet’s Perspective
Contending for the Faith (Part II)

Last month, I addressed the biblical progression of prayer and quoting from Jude, exhorted everyone to, “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). The progression is simple. First, we petition God for whatever we need, then, based upon the authority that we have in Christ, we aggressively confront our adversary and take our desired objective. Afterward, we glorify God and show our appreciation by publicly offering Him thanks and praising Him for giving us the victory.

After Jude exhorted the brethren to “earnestly contend for the faith”, he gave them an important directive in verse 20: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit”. Likewise, Paul observed that, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies [builds up] himself” (1 Cor. 14:4). When we pray in tongues we strengthen ourselves for the inevitable struggle that lies ahead – Satan doesn’t surrender without a fight. We shouldn’t be surprised at his resistance. Jesus said, “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt. 11:12). An alternate rendering of this verse is, “the kingdom of heaven is to be seized, and the violent seize it by force.”

After departing Egypt, the Israelites expected God to give them the Promise Land on a silver platter, but that is not the way He operates! They failed to understand that God expected them to fight for what they wanted. God said, “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways” ... "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways" (Psalm 95:10; Isaiah 55:8). God’s ways never change. He gives us everything we need, and often even the desires of our hearts, but always in a way that will bring glory to His name (see Psalm 37:4; 2 Cor. 1:20).

He responds to our prayers by giving us the authority and ability (grace) to take from our adversary whatever we are asking for. He said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Jesus gives us authority (Gk: exousia) over all of Satan’s power (Gk: dunamis)!

Besides expecting to confront considerable resistance, we should also be aware that God’s ways require sacrifice. Greater rewards usually require greater effort and sacrifice. What kind of sacrifice? God’s requirements vary, but when we meet others’ needs we justify God in meeting ours. Paul said, “But I have all, and abound... having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:18-19).

“Helping Hands”

Most of you know that our hearts are toward foreign missions and recently God has been talking to us about ministering in northern Europe. We are anticipating a trip next year into Scandinavia (Finland) and possibly another trip to Scotland. Foreign travel is expensive so we are asking for your help – and, on behalf of all who are blessed by this ministry – Thank You, and may God richly reward you for your sacrifice!

Prayer Partners’ Update

We are traveling again in a limited measure, but our heart’s desire is to go to new places where we haven’t ministered before. Help us pray that God would open new doors, at home and abroad, where our ministry can be the most effective. Also, we need more financial support than we are presently receiving since we aren’t traveling within the States as much as we used to. Thank you for supporting us with your prayers, and God bless you!

Covenant Obligations

Many Saints know that God has promised us many, wonderful blessings through our covenant with Him, but far too many are completely unaware that the Gospel also places certain obligations upon those who come under its covering.

Besides being conditional, the Gospel covenant is reciprocal – meaning, for example, that since the Gospel promises that God will be an enemy to our enemies and an adversary to our adversaries, God’s enemies automatically become our enemies and His adversaries our adversaries (see Exod. 23:22). Likewise, the same holds true for natural provision. We cannot expect God to care for us if we harden our hearts toward others who are in need, regardless of how many scriptural promises we are able to quote. John shows us that keeping this part of the Gospel covenant is directly related to getting our prayers answered!

He said, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him... Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:16-22).

Although the Gospel promises us many precious benefits, they are conditional.