PTH: Thank You for Time!

Nov. 3, 2013

Dear Point To Hope Friends,

It is hard to believe, in the last six weeks,  PTH has just finished hosting two Holy Spirit Encounter conferences (Ketchikan & Ohio), and multiple ministry meetings in between.  “Where are the reports, you might be asking????”   As a special education teacher in the public school system, I’ve come to realized some students just do their homework in their heads, instead of on paper.  So that is where the report has been… in my head. 

Still, miracles and “His Power Demonstrated” continue with or without reports; thank you for your prayers!  God is doing so many individual and corporate miracles and healings in this hour.  Subtle and bold, He is always working on our behalf, whether we can see it or not, or know of it.  In fact, He causes “all things” to work together for us…  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” (Ro. 8:28/NAS.

Yet, though you’ve not received a timely report, you’ve been faithful to pray and intercede for this ministry; for the plans and purposes God has in store for His glory and power to be demonstrated to those who believe, and don’t believe.  He proves Himself faithful!

Thank you for your time!  Time issues are relevant.  In the world, business invades time.  Still, God’s time is eternal.  That is His nature and His name; “The Eternal God” (Gen.21:33), the Lord’s eternal love (1 Ki 10:9), His Word is eternal (Ps 119:89).  And Satan, too has his take on time: he owns the short stick on time:  “He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” (Rev. 12:12)

Over 2000 years ago, there was an eternal prayer spoken, recorded in His Word and it is for now.  “I pray for them.  I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are Yours.” (Jo. 17:9).  

Jesus himself, did not even pray for the whole world, just those whom the Father had given to Him.  Thus, when time feels like it is pressing in and there is not enough time to do one more thing, pray for one more thing just remember.  We don’t have to be bound by time in the world: Your world … my world – the things that are around us; they don’t have to consume our time – our prayers!  Only what the Father gives … pray what He gives.  To some of you, the Lord has given a portion of Point To Hope Ministries to pray for … Just as Jesus was given specific things or people to pray for; ministries; countries, etc.  We only have to pray what He asks.  He beckons us to take His yoke and learn; His yoke is easy! (Matt. 11:29-30).

The Lord also had a couple more things for us to do:   “Go” and “Stay.”  Sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it.  In Mark 16:15, He says:  “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Then, in Luke 24:49, the Lord says: “Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord (Zech 4:6).
 
Waiting in the Upper Room, those who gathered, “They all joined together constantly in prayer…” (Acts 1:14).

So, we don’t have to “take on the world;” we can do both – “Go & Stay”.  And we can all “join together” constantly.  How can that be?  A closer look at “joined together” means (Greek) “same mind / same Spirit.”  UNITY!  As we pray only what the Father has us to pray, go and stay, we are all joining together in unity, clothed in power by the Holy Spirit.

We need not worry, and especially not worry about time!  Worry works against the Holy Spirit.  When something comes to our heart or pricks our heart … ask this simple questions:  Is this a call to pray or worry?  Worry is a thief!  Worry robs our prayer life; worry is a time robber!

Remember, Jesus said we didn’t have to worry about everything / everyone (in the world) … but only pray for what / who the Father gives us.  “Make up your mind not to worry beforehand. (Lk. 21:14).

An inevitable thing happens when we spend time like this:
– doing only what He asks
– “going & staying”
– clothed with the Holy Spirit
– join together by His Spirit
– pray, not worry

…… “The inevitable” should be exciting if we want to go deeper:  We can attend our own funeral!  If we go deeper in Him, “self” has to give up ground.  The more selfless we become, the more we become like HIM!  Die to self = Give up self.  As Paul said:  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)  Living according to the flesh feeds fleshly desires; Living according to the Spirit aligns us with what the Spirit desires (Ro. 8:5)

There are things the Lord has in store for those who love Him, and the only way we can experience what He has is to make His Word our time; walking in accordance with His Spirit.  No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived, the things God has for us! (1 Cor. 2:9).  

That old song that surfaces every now and then, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy…”  That is a God thought!  He tells us in His Word not to worry (Lk 12:22) and “The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10)

Thank you for your prayers as He leads you.

Also, just a note for what is ahead … I don’t know … but here is what I do know about PTH:
– doing only what He asks
– “going & staying”
– clothed with the Holy Spirit
– join together by His Spirit
– pray, not worry

Though it may seem quiet on the ministry schedule, please know that your prayer coverages for Nancy and the PTH team is so appreciated.  We all know “The harvest is plentiful…” (Matt. 9:37) … and there is much to do … but only what HE says to do.

Blessings to all,

Sincerely,
Sarah Tarter
PTH Prayer Facilitator

© Point to Hope Ministries