newsletter
Servant Ministries, Inc.
Issue No. 114 Ira & Judy Milligan Nov 1, 2007

Dry Wells

When God called for a drought upon Israel, He sent Elijah to the brook Cherith to sustain him. But, when the brook ran dry He didn’t send a thunder storm, rather He sent Elijah to a widow woman’s house in Zarephath. Today, many Christians are experiencing similar conditions. The well has run dry in their local assembly and there isn’t a rain cloud in sight! Unlike what you may think, fervent prayer for rain isn’t the answer. In fact, a rain dance won’t even help! Instead, it’s time for the Church to repent and seek God! He didn’t send rain until Israel turned their hearts back to Him (see 1 Kings 17:1-16, 18:37-39).

Many who thirst for God have left their traditional church and wandered over to another only to discover that one dry well is as bad as another – none can satisfy their thirst for living water. But, those who have left traditional religion and ventured over to the widow woman’s house have found an unending supply of food and drink – in fact, they even have plenty extra to share with others!

If you are presently dwelling in a dry and thirsty land and are longing for living water, find yourself a small prayer group to bond with and enjoy! There’s certainly one around. Just ask God to send His angel to open your eyes and direct you to the well like He did for Hagar (see Gen. 21:17-19). And if it just so happens there’s none to be found, then dig one yourself like Isaac did when he was in need. There’s water in abundance, if you search for it (see Gen. 26:18-22).


The Prophet’s Perspective
On Poverty and Riches

In spite of numerous warnings in Scripture, several decades ago an insidious heresy was introduced into the Church. It was readily received because it seemingly corrected an error that was well established in the Pentecostal branch of the Faith. This error, simply stated, was that poverty equaled humility and righteousness. Riches were esteemed as evil. The truth is, both poverty and riches can be evil, but neither are evil within themselves.
The writer of Proverbs prayed for God’s protection from this heresy, while at the same time showing us the proper balance between these two extremes: “Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches – Feed me with the food allotted to me” (Prov. 30:8). The key word here is “allotted”.

Some are allotted more, some less. Jesus shows us this principle in the parable of the talents (see Matt. 25:14-30). This parable also shows us that we are accountable to God for the way we use our allotment! Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required” (Luke 12:48). In other words, when eternal judgment is brought into the equation, more isn’t always better! (See also Luke 12:16-21).

Jesus warned everyone to beware of covetousness because riches are inherently deceitful – they seem good but in reality they are the source of much grief and heartache (see Luke 12:15; Matt. 13:22). Likewise, Paul instructed us to set our affections on things above, not upon things on this earth (Col.3:2). Nevertheless, in spite of all this when the prosperity doctrine was first introduced it took root and grew like a weed in rich garden soil – and like most weeds, it is difficult to eradicate! Mixed with doctrines like “Seed Faith” and the “Word of Faith”, instead of poverty equaling humility and righteousness, gain soon became equated with godliness! This second error was worst than the first! (See 1 Tim. 6:5).

Although all heresies are difficult to uproot, this one is particularly stubborn because it has widespread support from many, well respected ministers and ministries. Although it was reintroduced into the Church in the early seventies, it isn’t new. It is as old as humanity, itself. Paul warned Timothy against it two thousand years ago: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Tim. 6:9-11). Perhaps Proverbs 23:4-5 sums it up the best: “Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven”

“Helping Hands”

We are presently saving toward going into northern Europe in 2008. If you want to support this mission simply write “Europe” on your check and I will apply it properly. Several ministers will be going with us and I will be supplying most of the money, so it will take several thousand dollars for us to be able to go. I don’t have details on dates yet, but I will be announcing it in the newsletter as soon as we finalize the plans.

Prayer Partners’ Update

Besides praying for next year’s conference in Branson and for finances for our 2008 mission trip to Scotland and Finland as mentioned above, there are still some details to work out concerning ministering here in the States. We are anticipating traveling in our travel trailer to certain areas and ministering for about a month before going on to another area, so we need God’s guidance as to place and timing. And as always, many thanks!

Fulfilling Prophecy

Everyone undergoes a three step process when fulfilling personal prophecy. We first receive the revelation of God’s will, next we walk out the interpretive process of fulfilment, then we experience the actual application as His promises are brought to fruition in our lives. Normally, personal prophecy only contains the first, revelation portion of the process, so sometimes the interpretive process catches us completely off guard.
I was reminded of this recently by a pastor friend in Oklahoma. While I was there ministering a little over a year ago I saw a new church building for them. Although they immediately thought they were going to get a new building in the town they were presently meeting in, it turned out that God was actually talking about giving them a building in a neighboring town where they could start a new “sister” church.

God’s prophecies seldom mean what we think they mean when He first speaks to us. He tells us this in Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”. From this, one can see the importance of waiting for God to reveal His true meaning before we run out and try to make things happen on our own.

In addition to what God is talking about, the way He plans on bringing things into fulfillment is always different than we think it will be. Also, it is important to note that His ways always require sacrifice, so the interpretive process always requires us to make a specific sacrifice before we can obtain what He has promised.