August 9, 2019

Dear Point To Hope Friends,
Since leaving Alaska on July 18, we have completed 7 more countries (7 more to visit before returning to AK this month). Our travels have been very smooth; every connection, every transportation arrangement, every hotel stay. We have had much favor and much to be thankful for. Truly, the Lord’s hand of the protection has been upon us. Thank you for your continued prayer coverage and support. We surely feel the presence of your prayer! I mentioned 7 countries, but that is just counting the actual capital city for prayer. Many times we have travel through the same countries multiple times because of the flight schedules, etc. That means lots of airports, taxis, hotels, unpacking and packing, etc. I share that because I want you to know the effectiveness of your prayers; sustaining our every step!

After leaving Alaska, we had a layover in Hong Kong. During a devotional time, the Lord showed Nancy a picture of jets flying into HK and said that these jets are full of angels; God is releasing His anointing on the land.

Hmmm … Jets? Angels? Signs and Wonders? Hebrews 2:1 says, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” And in verse 4a, “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles.”
I opened the curtain in our hotel room, and you will never believe the sight before our eyes! A huge jet flying over a sign that read “All Destinations”. And as you can see in the picture, our view also included: boats, barges, buses, taxis, cars, and railways. Yes, the highways and byways of life! Luke 14:23 states, “And the Lord said unto the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.” According to Strong’s Concordance, a more descriptive meaning of hedge is: that which separates, prevents two from coming together.
We experienced this division right out of the starting gate. Many of you probably have seen in the news lately about the conflict(s) in Hong Kong. There was actually a protest happening upon one of our arrivals into HK, but our plans were not impacted at all. These ‘hedges’ are present every where; in America, Mexico, Israel, and the list goes on and on. Further, these hedges take on all shapes and sizes: churches, families, government, politics, etc. Divisions of all sorts that prevent two sides from coming together in a workable agreement… sound familiar? Sometimes there is even division in our own thinking or heart. It may seem like the devil is hard at work, and that is true. Still, the Lord said, ‘go into the highways and hedges.’ The enemy may be busy, but this is also true: God is Lord overall! “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,’ (Rev. 19:16). Thus, no matter how things may appear on the surface, watch the signs and wonders, because God has a plan, a strategy, and we can pull it down with prayer.
So, as we all go, by prayer or by foot, who would not appreciate a big ole’ billboard in life that points the way to All Destinations!? Well, we have it! It is called the Bible! But, we have a part, too. First, open it. Look for the signs and wonders in what the Lord is saying in this hour. He will give us signs and wonders to our destination(s) – His plans for us, but just like the hotel window, we have to open the curtains … lift the blinds. Ask for the Lord to remove blinders so we can clearly see which direction we should go. Easy right? … just follow the sign! Well, on this very same billboard, there is also a yellow sign that reads “Road Closed Ahead”. Don’t think for a moment the road to your destination will be without resistance; there will be other signs posted along the way. Sometimes, those other signs leave you in a state of ‘wonder’, and not in a good way!
Let us pay attention and be ever so mindful to whom or what we lend our ear. Why? Because there are a lot of loud voices rumbling from every direction – in every nation, vying to get audience with your ears. And what about all the reports and news in the media?
Listen to this report from the media. The caption read: “Couple surprised on wedding day by a man who received their 11 year old son’s heart: It’s something we’ve always wanted”. The couple’s son died unexpectedly 7 years prior, and he was an organ donor. For a wedding present, the family arranged for the man with their son’s heart to attend the wedding reception. At the proper time, the man appeared before the couple, and with stethoscope in hand said, “Listen to your son’s heart.”
Can you hear what the Spirit is saying to us in this news report? The Lord is standing before us, with stethoscope extended saying, “Listen to My Son’s heart!” John 14:1 says, Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” This is fake news to those who do not believe in the power of Jesus’s name and the blood of Christ. Still, we are commissioned to ‘go to the highways and hedges’ because the sound of the Father’s heart is that His house be filled.
So, be careful what earbuds you put in your ears! There are nations, as well as individuals, in need of a heart transplant. Does it seem hopeless? Far-fetched … Impossible? Is the sound of the world too loud? How many opportunities will we get to hear the Son’s heart? Interestingly enough, the man in this article had already received five transplants, but to no avail. But this time … this time, the new heart was accepted!
How many times has the Father tried to give a nation a new heart, but it failed because it was rejected? Will this be the time a nation’s heart accepts a transplant from the Father? GOD’S PROMISES ARE YES AND AMEN! AND PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS AVAIL MUCH!
The thing about a stethoscope is that it picks up amazing and intricate secrets of the heart. And, once you put the earbuds in your ears, the excess noise is filtered away – voices of every kind; the ‘nay-sayers’ – that strive to compete with the sound of the heart of Jesus. However, pay close attention because if you fail to keep the diaphragm (chest-piece of the stethoscope) on the heart, you’ll get a lot of unwanted and uncomfortable clanging and clatter in your ears.
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On another note, it is time for another prayer target for the month. A simple, yet unified strategy, that no matter where we are geographically, we can in essence, be on the same page.

Prayer Target for August:
“The Lord’s Strategy in ALL things! Ask for it; Declare it!“
Continue to pray for the Lord’s strategy in this global assignment to pray in every country; for Henry as he listens closely to the Holy Sprit to put together the itineraries.
Global sounds overwhelming, but consider it like eating an elephant … one bite at a time… strategy!

I saw this boat in Tonga and immediately the expression ‘High and Dry’ came to mind. We must be strategic and intentional in our prayers… keep the earbuds of the stethoscope in ears at all times and we will not miss a heartbeat.

Pray for the strategy of state leaders and government officials.
Pray for a strategy for our President … how to break through the hedge. Be intentional about praying for President Trump. This is not political, it is biblical! Ask the Lord for His strategy to direct our prayers.
It may seem far away, but START NOW praying for the fairness and justice at the election booths. And that ALL eligible people will exercise their privilege to vote. If we do not start now with our pray coverage, we will be like this boat … left high and dry. Funny thing about the boat is, it is a great boat, but rendered totally useless – missed the timing…. START NOW

 Again, I want to thank you sincerely for your prayer coverage over Nancy and myself, our husbands, and all who we love … and that includes you!  Thank you intercessors!  We are praying for you as well!

I will close with a question and a few thoughts:
1) Do you desire to live godly in Christ Jesus? Indeed, you say! Well, here is the other part: expect to be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12). And just a side note, persecuted does not mean defeated!

2) No doubt the bible was written long ago, but we still find it full of situations, illustration, and scenarios that are just as relevant today; It is alive and active. Back then, Jesus spoke from the hillsides and in the market places, etc. Well, what about today? I wonder if he would have a Twitter account? Can you imagine: #Jesus: “You brood of vipers!” (Matt. 12:34a).
And, I’d like to add, scientifically, vipers are a large family of snakes, and all vipers are venomous and have long, hinged fangs. #Yikes!
Is He, His word, not the same yesterday, today, and forever? So, I’ll say it again, we need His strategy in all things; Listen to His heart and you’ll not miss a beat.

Blessings to all,

Sincerely,
Sarah Tarter,
PTH Prayer Facilitator