Servant Ministries, Inc.
Issue No. 118 Ira & Judy Milligan
March 1, 2008
Branson United
Ministers’ Fellowship Conference
So many people have registered for the conference that
it’s doubtful we will be able to get everyone into
the meeting room at the same time. So please don’t
bring any unregistered guests with you when you come. We
don’t have room for any more! I’ve tried to
keep it down to standing- room-only but I’m wondering
if it isn’t going to exceed even that!
But, regardless of the logistical problems I’m really
looking forward to this conference. Since everyone has such
high hopes and expectations we should have a divine
encounter above and beyond anything we’ve ever
experienced before, and anyone who has been to Branson with
us in the past knows that that will be quite a heavenly
visitation!
Brother Joe Brock and Johnny Foote (and, as always, Tony
and I) will be ministering. If you weren’t one of the
ones who registered in time, try to make it to our
conference in Joshua, Texas in September. We have quite a
treat planned for you then.
Also, Lord willing, next year we are going to move the
Branson conference to a new location where we will have
more room. It really grieves me when I have to tell some of
the people they can’t come because the place
isn’t big enough to accommodate them, too!
To get the reduced rate of $45.00 per night when you make
your personal reservations at the motel, you must tell them
you are attending the United Ministers’ Fellowship
Conference. See you in Branson!
The Prophet’s Perspective
It’s Time for
Change!
Recently, I was struck by some-thing one of the
commentators on a NASA television program said. He
explained the drive behind NASA’s incessant search of
the heavens to discover the origin of the universe. He said
a study of history shows that every civilization that
ceases to explore and expand its frontiers soon perishes
and ceases to exist. What a perfect parallel to the
Kingdom!
Under Joshua’s wise leadership the Israeli kingdom
swiftly expanded into the territory that God wanted them to
have, but soon after Joshua died the people became
complacent and ceased driving out the Canaanites. Before
long they were enslaved by the very people they were
supposed to conquer. This is similar to what has happened
in the Church.
The early Church was launched around 30 AD but within 60
years we find John having to reprove them for having left
their first love (see Rev. 2:4). The same thing has
happened in the Charismatic movement. It was birthed in the
early sixties by hungry souls thirsting for more of God.
Their enthusiasm was more than contagious –it was
compelling! Thousands chose to rebel against their
denominational barriers and religious traditions and
earnestly sought God for the precious new wine. Just as He
promised, God poured out His Spirit upon all flesh.
Catholics, Baptists and Methodists began speaking in other
tongues and prophesying (see Acts 2:17). Even the
Presbyterians (jokingly known as “God’s
frozen-chosen”) thawed out and began lifting their
hands in sincere worship. Thousands were saved in coffee
shops and home Bible studies. All night prayer meetings
were nothing unusual and fasting was commonplace. God did
special miracles just as He had in Bible days. But it
didn’t last.
Times changed and the revival slowly died. “The House
of Prayer” gradually became “The House of
Praise” as praise became accepted as a substitute for
prayer. Personal ambition and ministerial jealousy raised
their ugly heads and political manipulation began operating
from the pulpits. Radical Christianity was condemned and
zealous seekers were discouraged and told to conform
– or leave. Those who left dead churches to seek the
manifest presence of God were vilified and condemned as
“cruise-matics” and miracle-chasers.
Instead of the Church setting the standard for the world to
emulate, the world’s cultural mores were accepted and
adopted by the Church. Adultery and divorce are
commonplace, even among the ministers. While Protestants
judge Catholics for the rampant homo-sexually existing in
the priesthood, they themselves are consumed by pornography
and sexual deviancy. Rise up, Church! It’s time to,
“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter
rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them
showers of rain, to every one grass in the field”
(Zech. 10:1).
“Helping Hands”
So far, we’ve raised a little over $6000 for
missions. Initially, in addition to Scotland we planned on
ministering in Finland but those doors haven’t opened
so we’ve shifted our focus over to Ireland. God is
opening several doors for us there. I want to offer a great
big thank you to everyone who is helping make this trip
possible!
Prayer Partners’ Update
Please remember to pray for the Branson conference. God
touches and changes more peoples’ lives during these
conferences than any of us will ever know – that is,
we won’t until we stand before Him in judgment, and
according to Paul, that will be a wonderful and glorious
day for those who have faithfully labored and sacrificed
for His Name’s sake.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and
ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake (2 Cor. 4:5).
This ministry is solely supported by your voluntary
contributions.
Just Thinking
The Ministry of
Angels
The writer of Hebrews tells us that when the church
assembles together we are attended by, “an
innumerable company of angels” (Heb. 12:22).
Although some have thought that we can command angels to do
our bidding, the Bible teaches otherwise – it’s
the angels who do the commanding! After David made the
mistake of yielding to his pride and “numbering
Israel”, God sent a pestilence among the people. When
it came time to stop the pestilence, “the angel of
the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should
go up, and set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshing
floor of Ornan the Jebusite” (1 Chron. 21:18).
Even Jesus didn’t attempt to order the angels around.
After Peter tried defending Him in the Garden Jesus told
him to put up his sword and asked, “Or do you think
that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me
with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matt.
26:53).
So, when we find ourselves in need, we should take the hint
and ask our Heavenly Father to provide us with angels who
will take up our case. For, after all, “Are they not
all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them
who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb. 1:14).
All to often we, “receive not because we ask
not” (see James 4:2), or we may ask, but we
aren’t specific enough in our requests. Although it
is not wise to dictate to God exactly how we want
some-thing accomplished, it is wise to ask for the proper
workers to get the job done. After all, we don’t call
for an electrician when we need the roof repaired! Be
specific, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
