Jan. 30,2018

(Left to Right: Sarah, Debbie G.,Lisa, Nancy)

Dear PTH Friends,

Hard to believe February is almost upon us! “February” – derived from ‘februare’ (Latin), meaning to “purify”. To ancient Rome, it was the month of purification. Perhaps doesn’t sound not ‘fun’ but necessary.

Paul said he did not run his spiritual race aimlessly but beat his body (his flesh/mindsets) to make them a slave to what he believed; what he preached! (1 Cor. 9:26 &27/paraphrased). Water baptism is a semblance of the old self being washed away and the new man coming forth. However, that ‘old self’ doesn’t always drowned so easily … might need a holy ‘beating’ to keep the old submerged!

Thus, February might be the month of purification, but don’t forget about the other 11 months. This is one instance where it is okay to ‘beat your (old) self up.”

As shared in earlier website posts, Nancy’s first message was about “The Letter” the Lord dictated to her and what the Lord requires of all of us. The next part of the message is about “Bondage” and “Freedom”.

2018 is “Redemptive Bondage” (#20=redemption; #18=bondage). Bondage is the result SIN – and unconfessed SIN separates us from God. Nancy presented a ‘very long list’ of some obvious and some not-so-obvious sins that keep us in bondage. And to be honest, it seemed like for every one sin mentioned, there could have been five more to go with it … in other words – there is a long list of things we might be in bondage to and don’t realized or recognize them:

unbelief
mindsets
stubbornness
embracing fear
anxiety
bitterness
anger
apathy
complaining
abusive language
critical
blaming
criticizing
coveting
drunkenness
deceitfulness
not sharing faith
selfishness
unforgiveness
rebellion
hatred
rage
grudges
failure to love wives
failure to respect husbands
slander
pride
greed
aggregation
lying
lack of compassion / kindness
embracing false doctrine
disobedience to parents
division among believers
adultery (in mind or heart)
not helping widows & orphans
cheating on taxes (give to Caesar what is his)
chronic lateness (others depending on you?)
putting doctrine, tradition, culture above God’s Word
know to do the right thing and don’t is sin (Ja. 3:17)

…. as you can see, the list seems endless …

But here is the good news: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
And, if we are willing, the Holy Spirit will continue to show us those areas in us so that everyday can be a day of PURIFICATION by the blood of Jesus (not just ‘February’. Personally, I’m not sure if it is better to hope for a short list or a long list!

Freedom in Christ! If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed (Jo.8:36)… and “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17).

On another note, Nancy and I will be in the Georgia / South Carolina area through February and first week of March. Thank you for your continued prayer support for health, strength (physical & spiritual), and protection!

Also, please keep in prayer, the upcoming Anchorage, AK PTH Conference; April 26-28, 2018. It is closer than it seems! (see details: www.pointtohope.org ). Prayer is vital for this conference and we would also appreciate any help in spreading the ‘good news’ of this upcoming event!

Blessings to all!
Sincerely,
Sarah Tarter

(Left to Right:  Sarah, Nancy, Debbie A.,Liz)

PS… I’ll leave you with this testimony below from Liz:
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Testimony from Liz Stinson (Anchorage, Alaska) :
I  returned from the Grovetown, Georgia conference last weekend feeling reinvigorated. The PTH conference brought peace into a my life.  I found myself singing and praising God for the gift of being able to attend the conference.
The workshops on the 10 commandments and the Royal Law were phenomenal.  They reminded me of the covenant that God made with Moses and the children of Israel after bringing them out of bondage from Egypt .  They were in a new place physically but yet had to be set free of those old mindsets.

For me, this weekend was about touching ‘home-base’ (connecting with God’s heart of love and forgiveness).  It was a time of repentance as an opportunity to make things right with the Lord.  God, in His faithfulness, touched my heart with the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus. I felt the difference immediately. The cobwebs came off my mind and the distraction left.  The joy came back in – anything seemed possible!

I thank God that as we stand condemned for our sin (for we are all sinners) Jesus, our Advocate, stands ready to defend us.  He’s already paid for it.  Not only that, He is our Atonement; Our freedom from that condemnation.  The Royal  command is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength, and love your neighbor as yourself’. It’s pretty amazing how the truth is really very simple.  The act of surrendering to God’s way.  The workshops helped me realize my personal struggle.  I was not putting God first and attempting what only He can do.  He is God and I needed to repent to let Him take his rightful place. What a relief !

I really appreciated Nancy, the PTH team, and everyone at the conference who encouraged me.  There was new strength returning home.  A new purpose through word and prayer connected me to God’s plan for life.  I am reminded when my six year old son said “God is a hard worker – He sure works out on me!”
Thankful for His unconditional, relentless Love!