September 14, 2013

Dear PTH Friends,

I’d say I’d like to share a “quick” note with you, but I have an inkling it is not going to be short.  If you don’t already have this realization, I pray that  by the end of this letter you will sense the great value and worth of your prayers.  Not just prayer coverage for this ministry; it is beyond that!  It is prayer coverage for the plans and purposes of the Lord as He leads you.   Furthermore, the Lord has been revealing His thoughts to Nancy about the upcoming year of 2014.  So soon? … you might be thinking??  Consider this, according to the Jewish calendar, the beginning of the 2014 new year in now.

Perhaps it might seem quiet on the frontline of the Point To Hope ministry schedule.  Yet, He tells us in Psalm 121:3b (NIV),  “He who watches over you will not slumber.”  That is an encouraging promise to know that where ever we are in life’s ministry, He does not slumber.  It is also an excellent time to be “Christ-like” in this manner:   We don’t want to be like the lesson Solomon observed:  
  “Then, as I looked, I learned this lesson:
     ‘A little extra sleep,
     A little more slumber,
     A little folding of the hands to rest’ …
         means that poverty will break in upon you suddenly like a robber and violently like a bandit.” (Prov. 24:32-34/L.

Quiet or busy, we always have an opponent … a constant and continuous opponent / enemy; perhaps more so when things are seemingly dormant on the frontline.  But the Lord’s remedy is:  “Keep awake! Watch at all times.  The devil is working against you.  He is walking around like a hungry lion with his mouth open. He is looking for someone to eat.” (1 Pet. 5:8/NLT)

Now, I’m sure none of us prefers to be eaten!  Thus, we must continue to take up our cross and follow Him  … finding our life by losing our life, for His sake ((Matt. 10:38/NIV); in the quietness or business of life’s forecast.  Pursuing God; putting Him first in front of our fathers, mothers, spouses, sisters, brothers, and children … self … is a requirement to be His disciple (Luke 14:26-27).

If you are one the Lord prompts to pray for Point To Hope Ministries, please know that your prayers are essential for God’s plans, provision, protection, assignments, etc.  Prayers cause the prowling lion to go hungry; prayer protects and provides on the road and during the quiet times.  Prayer knocks the lion down the food-chain!

Perhaps you’ve heard the news that the famous Dutch artist, Vincent VanGogh’s painting “Sunset at Montmajour” has been discovered. However, did you know that during VanGogh’s lifetime he received little recognition as an artist?  Even more surprising, he sold only one painting a few months before his death.  One of VanGogh’s earliest desires was to be a pastor.  He actually worked as a missionary a few years prior to painting his first major work, “The Potato Eaters”; which he considered his most successful painting.  Yet, both his brother and close friend criticized this painting, crippling his confidence of a God-given gift.  Unfortunately, VanGogh’s life ended tragically at age 37, allegedly by suicide following years of mental illness.  Still, today the labor of his hands, his time, his meditation are significant to many … highly valued and worth millions!

I suppose you may be wondering how VanGogh’s paintings fit into the Point To Hope picture?  The intend of “The Potato Eaters” was to depict hard working people of an everyday life-style, partaking in the fruit of their labor; eating with the very hands that tilted the land.  The characters were not beautiful or colorful.  They were ordinary, honest people captured in a painting which at the time had little worth.

Your prayers, though you may not see the worth now, capture every day people partaking of their every day tasks.  For some, your prayers are the colors that get them from one day to the next.  Your heart is for intercession and praying for God’s plans and purposes, yet you may be one who is criticized by your family or closest friends.   That special place in your life – that communion of prayer with the Father seems of little value to those around you.  Yet, in due season, your prayers become well known to those who over come life’s struggle or heartache.  Though they may never meet the artist in person, or perhaps in this lifetime, the value seems to increase.

Numbers, chapters 10 captures a strategic plan for the body of Christ.  A story painted long ago, yet it holds great value for us today in defeating the enemy.  Go with me as I pull some colors from this chapter, and you can paint the picture:

The Lord gives Moses, the leader, some orders:
sound the trumpet
a calling for a unified gathering
gather at the entrance of the tent of meetings; the cloud (the presence of the Lord)
one sound will be for leaders to assemble; another sound for the whole community
the sound will be when you go in to battle
the sound will be a call for the Lord to rescue us from our enemies
the sound will be that of rejoicing
the sound will be that of offerings
the sound will be a memorial before God that declares: He is the Lord our God.

Why the trumpet sound?
it was time for the believers to “set-out” … together … ; regardless of their level of belief; regardless what tribe / church they were from, etc.
there was an order under the commandment of Moses
some went first, others followed, some were the rear guard … but ALL were apart; and all went; they formed an “alliance”
All setting out for the place the Lord said, “I will give it to you.”

“Little Snag”:
Moses’ very own father-in-law said he didn’t want to go; he wanted to go back to his own land; own people …. stay where it was comfortable, familiar – perhaps didn’t see the value of his participation??? Discouraged??? Afraid of enemy??? Doubt … unbelief?

But this is what the leader, Moses did:  He saw a gift that was necessary for the “Body of Christ.”  Moses met his relative right were he was in his state of mind and encouraged him.   He recognized his father-in-law as one who knew the way through the wilderness … the one who could be the eyes for others.  (Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ, 1 Cor. 12:12/NIV).  

“Don’t Leave Without It”
the Lord went before them as a body of believers
unity was a necessity for victory

When ever Moses recognized the Lord’s presence, he made a sound:
sound of prayer
sound of praise
sound of prophecy

Which leads me to share with you, a little bit of what the Lord is stirring in Nancy’s heart for this upcoming 2014 year.

Last Saturday (9/7), I, as one in the tribe of Christ, followed “Moses” to where the Lord was leading.   The Lord had given Nancy a “sound” assignment:  To go up to a high place in Anchorage and blow the shofar three times for:  1) sound of prayer, 2) sound of praise, and 3) sound of prophecy.  So that is what we did and the most amazing thing happened before our eyes.  There were a few scattered clouds, but within seconds after the sound of the shofar, the clouds began to well up like billowing waves and move through the valley and depart upward (pictured above).  The Lord promised the sound would go around the world; the sound would not return void.

There are several scriptures in God’s Word where clouds signify the very presence of the Lord.   This view felt like a scene right from the Bible.  It was like we could hear the sound of the clouds.  

A key word the Lord has given Nancy about 2014 is “alliance.”  Alliance among believers; to come into unity and pray, praise and prophesy.  A coronation at the sound of the shofar.  LISTEN … what do you hear?  The King of kings, the Lord of lords is here!  Jesus is here!  Listen for His still small voice!

Sound of Prayer:  humbling ourselves with sincere prayers;  A new level of prayer; “Now, faith!” (Heb. 11:1) – praying what isn’t as if it is.  A timeless spiritual principle that has never changed.

Sound of Praise:  Praising the King of kings, from our innermost being. Praise, adoration, and outward expression from deep within of “I give, I give” rather than “I need, I need.”  Exalting and glorifying Him; He needs to be our main focus in order for us to move by the wind of His Spirit in 2014.

Sound of Prophecy:  Listen!  “Let all creation rejoice before the Lord” (Ps 96:13a).  His sound is evident everywhere.  Do we hear?  Are we listening?  Regardless the ever-present and persistent distractions, we have to listen to hear Him.

That is just a sampling of what is to come for 2014!  

Remembering the theme for this year:  The Kingdom of God Demonstrated: See His Glory, Sense His Presence, Know His Truth.  The Ketchikan PTH Conference is fast approaching.  Please check the website for details….

Sept. 4, 2013

Dear Point To Hope Friend,

Hard to believe it was last May 24th when Nancy and I (Sarah) left Alaska, along with the Stinson family to head to Lucknow, India.  From there, the path of the Lord for PTH included: Hong Kong, driving America’s Northern border (completing the last of the borders in America); continuing on to do the same around Israel’s borders and ending the ministry in the Georgia / South Carolina area.   Now, Nancy and Debbie G.(who traded places with me Aug. 12th) are making their way back to the great state of Alaska.

The Lord has proved Faithful to so many; young or elderly, new or seasoned christians, people from all walks of life and nationalities, etc.  If the Lord was given permission, lives touched by the Master.  And also, glory to the Lord for His blessing, favor, and protective mighty hand upon the leadership team of Point To Hope Ministries.  Additionally, so many of God’s faithful servants came along side to support PTH at various times to help house and carry out the plans of the Lord.  Thank you to all. 

Without your prayer support … well, how do I say it?  Like going fishing without a pole … going canoeing without a paddle … a battle without a weapon … sky diving without a parachute … high diving without water!  Somethings are designed to work together; God’s plans and prayer!  Thank you for your prayer support.

Don’t forget about the up coming PTH Holy Spirit Encounter Conference in Ketchikan, Alaska (Sept. 26-28, 2013).  It is going to be awesome!  The theme is “The Power of God Demonstrated.”  See the website for details:  www.pointtohope.org  “event calendar”

Blessing to all, and again, thank you for your faithful prayer coverage.

Sarah Tarter,
PTH Prayer Facilitator

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*  Below you will find a few testimonies from some of the PTH leadership who have been traveling with the ministry for the last several weeks:

South Carolina’s report of the great things that God has accomplished in this state.

People are being set free by hearing the Truth that the Holy Spirit has given Nancy Haney to share specifically with the people here in South Carolina.

The Testimonies that we have heard are living proof that the people have received what they have hard from the Holy Spirit.

We had a man come forward who wanted to receive more Power from God.
He gloriously received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

The next night, a woman who was very hungry for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit desired to be prayed for and received her prayer language.

A pastor from one of the churches was restored and encouraged by the outpouring of the God’s love and the Truth that was preached.  It was said later that the church services had doubled in size and that a spirit of unity was felt throughout all those that came.

Earlier this year, Nancy was invited to pray with a pastor and his wife concerning a fairly new ministry that serves specific needs for individuals.  There has been much development and growth to this outreach ministry, and people continue to be set free.

Matthew 13:7-9
Some seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop, a 100, 60 and 30 times what was sown.
“He who has ears, let them hear.”
And South Carolina has heard, thank you Jesus and Point to Hope Ministries and Intercessors!!!
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Our motto has been borrowed from the song “Bless the Lord…” We sing:  “Praise  the Lord, O my soul.  And all that is within me praise His Holy Name.”  In all things, we are to praise the Lord.  Even when, simple yet significant things went wrong like “no eggs at Wal-Mart,” we were praising the Lord as we went to another store.  Perhaps that may seem insignificant, but if time permitted telling the whole funny story, you’d believe …  eggs were a necessity!

The people are spiritually hungry and seeking more of God.  At least 5 people have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and they were younger people.  God is calling His people and they are answering the call.

We did a meeting at a small country church that was packed; nearly all the seats were filled.  Nancy sought a woman in the back of the room who looked like she could use a word of encouragement.  Nancy spoke over her and prayed.  There were tears, but when they passed, she left with joy all over her.  God is never finished with us.
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What I witnessed at the meetings I attended was many realizing that they had fallen away from their First Love and had allowed anger and disbelief in their heart. I saw many repent and their lives changed. Many realized they were walking in their form of godliness not staying filled with the Holy Spirit Power. They were walking in yesterdays anointing, but the Lord was gracious and poured out fresh oil on His people. Lives were reconciled, restored, revived, and some delivered. I witnessed a couple people being filled and baptized in the Holy Spirit. I saw grown men tear up as the Lord melted their hearts to come back closer to Him and believe. Many times we would go to a church and many that had a great level of believe, but at the end of the service, after the word of God went forth like a two edged sword, they were repenting at the altar for their level of doubt and walking in a form. I believe many were brought back to a more intimate walk with the Father through the Lord Jesus.
 

© Point to Hope Ministries