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Newsletters
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January 2012
WRITTEN_BY
Ira Milligan
Servant Ministries, Inc.
Issue No. 164 Ira & Judy Milligan January 1, 2012
The Prophet’s
Perspective
The Doctrine of Baptisms VII The Baptism of Suffering
One primary purpose of the baptism of fire, which we briefly discussed in the last two newsletters, is to sever our affections for the things of this world and bring us into maturity. John said, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him"
(1 John 2:15).
Jesus said that even loving one’s own family members more than Him disqualifies us from partaking of His eternal Kingdom: "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me"
(Matt. 10:37-38).
This is seen in God’s dealings with Abraham when He told him to leave his father’s house and sojourn with Him in a strange land, which He promised to give to his descendants. Also, here we see an inherent principal imbedded in the Gospel covenant. God always promises us an eternal (not temporary) reward for being obedient. The eternal versus temporary aspect of this reward is seen in the fact that Abraham only sojourned in the land; he never personally owned it.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after[ward] receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God"
(Heb. 11:9-10). Stephen makes this point in his final address to his persecutors right before they stoned him: "And God gave [Abraham] no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on... [yet] He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him" (Acts 7:4-5). Thus it is clear that the promise of inheritance was a future, eternal promise, not one that was immediate and temporary.
Why is it of vital importance that we understand this principal of eternal reward? Because obedience to the Gospel requires us to leave this world and its goods to those who are "of this world" and take up our cross of self-denial and follow Christ. Our strength to endure the pain of persecution and the high cost of sacrifice and service comes only by looking beyond the cross to the promised crown of glory
(1 Pet. 5:4).
Even Moses was motivated by what he saw through the eyes of faith: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward"
(Heb. 11:24-26). And concerning the promised resurrection with its accompanying rewards, Paul said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor. 15:19).
Faith in God’s faithfulness is the one thing that enables us to endure the suffering of this last and final baptism, the baptism of willing sacrifice and suffering.
This is God’s ultimate purpose in all His dealings with us as He, through fiery trials, conforms us into the image of His Son – so that we, without complaint, willingly serve, cheerfully give and patiently endure the fellowship of His sufferings. As Israel was called out of Egypt to follow Moses on a three day journey into the wilderness and sacrifice, we, too, are called to go out of this world on a three day (stage) journey to offer a sacrifice to God, and our present life is the sacrifice that God is asking for.
Paul put it this way, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good ... and perfect will of God"
(Rom. 12:1-2).
What are the three stages of our journey? Salvation, Sanctification and Glorification. We are saved by faith when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, sanctified by faith as we are led into the fellowship of His suffering by the Spirit of Holiness and glorified as we patiently serve with Him in the Gospel
(Phil. 3:10; 1 Pet. 4:1).
"Helping Hands"
Once again we’ve come to the end of the year and thanks to your generosity, in spite of the downturn in the economy, we’ve been able to continue supporting the three missionaries that we adopted several years ago. We would like to add more to the list, and by God’s grace, we soon will! Thanks, fellows!
Prayer Partners’ Update
I want to offer a personal, heartfelt "thank you!" to those who so diligently and faithfully prayed for and supported us during these last three years as we fought the most intense spiritual warfare that we’ve ever encountered. Through your faithfulness and God’s marvelous grace, He brought us through it all and gave us the victory. Praise God for being merciful!
Please continue to pray for the finances to be provided to launch the school of ministry in Colorado. Thanks again for your prayers!
Tentative Schedule – Jan - Feb
Call 318-640-6993
Feb 12 Campti, Louisiana
2012 Conference Schedule
Mark your 2012 calendar now so you won’t miss it. Registration will be required. I’ll send the registration form in the February newsletter.
Mark your 2012 calendar now so you won’t miss it. Registration will be required. I’ll send the registration form in the February newsletter.
Mar 29-31 Branson, Missouri
Mark your 2012 calendar now so you won’t miss it. Registration will be required. I’ll send the registration form in the February newsletter.
Team Ministry Concepts
I believe God. I believe that we will, before long, establish a school of ministry called Team Ministry Concepts, which will be located in Colorado. And, unless God shows me otherwise (and I have no reason to think that He will), I believe it will be housed in the lodge described and pictured on our two web pages,
www.Godsgold.net/ and www.servant-ministries.org/.
If you haven’t yet visited these two sites and seen this property I encourage you to do so now. We need both your prayer and financial support to bring this vision into reality. We will also need many "hands on" laborers and ministers to make it a successful work, but that’s all in the making! Several have contacted us and offered their help and pledged their financial and prayer support. Thanks! Let us hear from the rest of you about this!
Just Thinking
America is heavily dependant upon foreign trade, foreign oil and foreign money. Europe buys half of our exports and instead of being "the lender and not the borrower", we owe China over a trillion dollars in treasury notes. Europe is now on the verge of utter financial ruin and China is becoming the biggest threat to our national security since the Soviet Union collapsed!
If Europe goes under and can no longer afford our exports, they will drag us under with them, making our economy so bad we won’t be able to buy foreign oil nor will we be in any condition to defend our-selves against Chinese aggression. The future could hold some nasty surprises for America if she doesn’t repent and she doesn’t appear to be considering doing so! Better pray and if you haven’t already, stock up plenty of food and other essentials!
Written on Wednesday, 21 December 2011 18:38 in Newsletters
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Articles
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Colorado!!!
WRITTEN_BY
Ira Milligan
These photographs are of a 6800 Sq. Ft. Lodge located 40 miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado that Servant Ministries, Inc. is presently planning to purchase for a ministry center to conduct a school of ministry and missions training facility. If you are interested in attending, supporting or being a part of this ministry, please use the “donation” tab on this web site and make a contribution to help us acquire this property. You may also contribute with check or MO. Mail your offering to Servant Ministries, Inc., PO Box 1120 Tioga, LA 71477. All donations are tax deductible and very much appreciated.Thank you and may God bless you,Ira & Judy Milligan
Written on Tuesday, 01 November 2011 14:34 in Articles
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