West Wind Church - Philippines

19/09/2015

MINISTRY OF TEARS

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping,
bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5, 6

Tears play a unique role in spiritual breakthrough. This text tells us that the planting of seeds accompanied by a spirit of brokenness will not only bring a spiritual harvest of results, but will leave the sower with a spirit of rejoicing in the process. Scripture teaches us that tears have a variety of purposes and functions related to what might be termed “the ministry of tears.”

Tears of sorrow (2 Kin.20:5) are brought on by the helplessness of our physical frailty. Tears of joy (Gen. 33:4) rejoice in relationships restored. There are tears of compassion (John 11:35) in caring for the pain of others. Then there are tears of desperation (Esth. 4:1, 3), crying out for the help only God can give. We weep tears of travail (Is. 42:14) in bearing down to give birth to the new thing God has promised to do. There are tears of repentance (Joel 2:12,13), weeping because of our sin.

It is in our heart, softened by tears, where we must plant. And in such fertile soil, the precious seeds will grow and bring a joyous and abundant harvest.


Visit the ministry of Pastor Jack Hayford at www.jackhayford.org

Radio and TV programs by Pastor Jack Hayford of The Church on the Way in San Fernando Valley, CA.

20/08/2015

"Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.".
Psalm 31:4.

Our spiritual foes are of the serpent's brood, and seek to ensnare us by subtlety.
The prayer before us supposes the possibility of the believer being caught like a bird.
So deftly does the fowler do his work, that simple ones are soon surrounded by the net.
The text asks that even out of Satan's meshes the captive one may be delivered; this is a proper petition, and one which can be granted: from between the jaws of the lion, and out of the belly of hell, can eternal love rescue the saint.
It may need a sharp pull to save a soul from the net of temptations, and a mighty pull to extricate a man from the snares of malicious cunning, but the Lord is equal to every emergency, and the most skilfully placed nets of the hunter shall never be able to hold his chosen ones.
Woe unto those who are so clever at net laying; they who tempt others shall be destroyed themselves.
"For thou art my strength." What an inexpressible sweetness is to be found in these few words! How joyfully may we encounter toils, and how cheerfully may we endure sufferings, when we can lay hold upon celestial strength.
Divine power will rend asunder all the toils of our enemies, confound their politics, and frustrate their knavish tricks; he is a happy man who has such matchless might engaged upon his side.
Our own strength would be of little service when embarrassed in the nets of base cunning, but the Lord's strength is ever available; we have but to invoke it, and we shall find it near at hand.
If by faith we are depending alone upon the strength of the mighty God of Israel, we may use our holy reliance as a plea in supplication.
"Lord, evermore thy face we seek:.
Tempted we are, and poor, and weak;.
Keep us with lowly hearts, and meek.
Let us not fall.
Let us not fall.".

19/08/2015

I KNOW THEIR SORROWS
Exodus 3:7.
The child is cheered as he sings, "This my father knows;" and shall not we be comforted as we discern that our dear Friend and tender soul-husband knows all about us?.
1.
He is the Physician, and if he knows all, there is no need that the patient should know.
Hush, thou silly, fluttering heart, prying, peeping, and suspecting! What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter, and meanwhile Jesus, the beloved Physician, knows thy soul in adversities.
Why need the patient analyze all the medicine, or estimate all the symptoms? This is the Physician's work, not mine; it is my business to trust, and his to prescribe.
If he shall write his prescription in uncouth characters which I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that account, but rely upon his unfailing skill to make all plain in the result, however mysterious in the working.
2.
He is the Master, and his knowledge is to serve us instead of our own; we are to obey, not to judge: "The servant knoweth not what his lord doeth." Shall the architect explain his plans to every hodman on the works? If he knows his own intent, is it not enough? The vessel on the wheel cannot guess to what pattern it shall be conformed, but if the potter understands his art, what matters the ignorance of the clay? My Lord must not be cross-questioned any more by one so ignorant as I am.
3.
He is the Head.
All understanding centres there.
What judgment has the arm? What comprehension has the foot? All the power to know lies in the head.
Why should the member have a brain of its own when the head fulfils for it every intellectual office? Here, then, must the believer rest his comfort in sickness, not that he himself can see the end, but that Jesus knows all.
Sweet Lord, be thou forever eye, and soul, and head for us, and let us be content to know only what thou choosest to reveal.

31/07/2015