April 21, 2018

Dear PTH Friends,

Yes – ‘You” … are personally invited to the Point To Hope Holy Spirit Encounter Conference: “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is, There Is Freedom”. More details available at: https://www.pointtohope.org/conference-2018.html .

It is fast approaching …  Next week!

The only “NO’s” about the conference: No fee and No childcare provided (but ALL are welcome).

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PTH Ministry Report:

Many of you may or may not know, Nancy was scheduled to take time in March to address some medical needs. Thank you, on behalf of Nancy and Henry for all your prayer support. Because the procedure was out of state, many plans and preparations had to be made in advance. Thus, they made the proper arrangements, but the Lord had other marching orders for this season; As His Word declares: “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps,” (Prov. 16:9). And the direction of His steps led to Israel.

Wow, couldn’t have planned that better! Israel during the Easter season! Thus, Nancy and I headed to Israel ( March 22-April 5th). Not only does the Lord direct steps, but they are awesome steps!

Homeland Security. Did you know we all work for Homeland Security? Who would have ever dreamed of actually working for Homeland Security? And for free! True … yet, it may cost everything! As a believer in Jesus, as an intercessor: “For this world is not or home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven,” (Heb. 13:14/TLB). And to get to this everlasting home (heaven), we have to surrender our heart; Our HOMELAND!

“… The Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 6:7b/NIV); “For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be” (Matt. 6:21/NIV); “Above all else, guard your heart” (Prov. 4:23a/NIV). – Hence, Homeland Security!

So what does this ‘homeland security’ have to do with Israel? God’s assignment to Nancy was to go to Israel and pray / intercede for “High Places’ (spiritually speaking). Is not the heart a spiritual high place? It is more than just your heart and my heart! It is about the heart of His Bride … One Bride, One Heart – the Lord’s Homeland! Repent for it, pray for it, proclaim God’s grace and mercy over it; cleanse it by the power of the blood of Jesus that His Light may shine throughout the world, throughout the hearts of the human race. Nancy and I went in the physical. Those of you who pray for PTH also went … regardless if you knew of this assignment or not. To be honest, we didn’t get much notice ourselves; Instant in & out of season for us all! Nonetheless, thank you for your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit; your prayers of intercession were effective, and protective. I know the three branches of government (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) are grateful for your faithful service to Homeland Security.

… PS: A disclaimer if you literally work for Homeland Security … I guess you could say you have double-duty … or double portion!

A Few High Places in Israel’s Assignment:

Let me start by saying, there is much to much to share in this report. Your prayers of protection and favor, etc. were so evident in our every step. Many of the holy sites or high places in Israel are controlled by either Israeli Defense Forces or Palestinian National Security Forces. Thus, Palestinians and Israelis are not permitted to cross through checkpoints / borders into each others’ territory. I’d say it is like going into another country (through Custom Patrol) but it is more than that: they are just not permitted on the other side of designated territories (some exceptions apply, but few). Plus, these ‘boundary lines’ are sporadic throughout the country of Israel. So, you can imagine ‘tourists or outsiders’ are essentially escorted like the mail system. We felt safe, but sometimes the tension could be felts among drivers. (Side note: If you felt the unction or weightiness of the Holy Spirit to pray for us, “THANK YOU!” We were very safe, but we may never know until eternity, the protection your prayers availed to us.)

(pictured left: Nancy standing just outside of Sederot; Gaza Strip about a mile in background.)

Perhaps some of you have seen on the news regarding the current conflict / protest happening in Israel along the Gaza Strip. The day before the onset of the protest, Nancy and I went to Sederot, as close to the Gaza Strip as we could safely be, and prayed and declared a wall of perfection and peace. Oxymoron, but sometimes peace comes via conflict. One of the things the Lord told Nancy was that ‘Not one hair on the head of an Israeli would be harmed.’

Perhaps you are like me and this thought crossed your mind: ’What about the hair on the head of a Palestinian? … I know they are not all bald.’ God is no respecter of persons and Jesus died for ALL who will call on His name; not wanting one to perish. Not to debate this complex issue regarding Israel and the Gaza Strip, but I think what the Lord showed me was in regard to our His specific assignment, and I’ll refer back to Homeland Security / the heart of man. When we walk in His way, then protecting one’s heart /homeland from the attack of an adversary should not bring death, but life. Israeli Military Forces could not stand idly by lest they forfeit their homeland. No one wants to be an idler. Let us be “All We Can Be” for Christ. Thus, this was a high place of protecting our God given rights!

Another ‘High Place’ we went to was the “Shepherds’ Field” in Bethlehem (pictured below). It looks like an ordinary field for the most part, but it represents the account when the angel announced the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds (Luke 2). There is no other name above the name of Jesus (Phil. 2:9-11). Israel and the world needed to hear this announcement once again. Just a side note, during that era, being a shepherd was considered among the most despised occupations. That gives me great hope … that the angels of the Lord aren’t looking for the ‘world’s greatest’ leaders; or the most elite!

I will admit, it was awesome to be in the Holy Land during the Easter season. One would think the land where Jesus walked would bring such an infilling of His presence. And it does, to a degree. But what I found was that, even though I stood in the regions where Jesus did, trying to imagine Him walking and talking; ministering, etc. So close, yet so far! I still longed for – CRAVED His very essence – His Spirit – His very presence within my own homeland. There is nothing like the Lord in your own ‘homeland’.

Which leads me to one more high place we visited: The Sycamore Tree where Jesus called to Zacchaeus and said He was going to his house (Luke 19:5). That’s what I am talking about – getting my craving met: Jesus coming to stay in ‘my house’. See why this was a high place? Jesus is saying that to all mankind!

(Sycamore Tree in Jericho, Israel)

Like I stated earlier, there is too much to mention in this report. Much more will be shared at the conference about Israel and this spiritual assignment of high places. In fact, I am pretty sure Nancy will have an impartation regarding our visit to Mt. Tabor (place of transfiguration).

Thank you again for your prayer support. I know there are so many warriors around the globe who answer the assignments given by the Lord, even if you are not able to leave your own home. I am so humbled to be a little part of such a vast army of the Most High! I am thankful he doesn’t require perfection, and helps us with obedience as we yield to Him completely.

Overlooking Mt. Tabor, Israel  (Sarah & Nancy)

Blessings to all,

Sincerely,
Sarah Tarter
PTH Prayer Facilitator