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And no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins;
the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.
No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. - Luke 5:37-38
This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters...
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland."
-Isaiah 43:16, 18-19
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins;
the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.
No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. - Luke 5:37-38
Whenever the Holy Spirit fills people with "new wine," the structure or organization in which they function must change. Old wineskins rip. New wineskins must be used to hold the additional life and power of God.... The time for God to move is at hand. Therefore, we should expect our present wineskins to rip.
- taken from The Complete Wineskin by Harold R. Eberly
- taken from The Complete Wineskin by Harold R. Eberly
A wineskin is a bag made of the skin of an animal, such as a goat, and is used for holding and dispensing wine.
Over time, an old wineskin becomes thin and brittle; it loses its elasticity. Thus, when new wine is poured into it, it is not strong enough to withstand the fermentation process. As carbon dioxide builds up inside, the bag is required to expand. But the old wineskin is no longer flexible... sooner or later, it will burst under the pressure of the gas build up.
The new wine spills out, and the bag is destroyed.
For some days now, God has been speaking to me about becoming a new wineskin for the new season I am in.
Many things are required to embrace the new things God is doing. Without the willingness to change, I miss out on many valuable things that my Father in heaven desires to pour into my life.
And I do not want that to happen...
No... I don't want to miss the hour of God's visitation just because my life has been focused on what pleases or satisfies me.
It has been shared on my recent blog posts that God is calling me to live in my Lidia season... a season of openness, a season of humility, a season of being broken before Him. A season of allowing my heart to be made pliable in His hands.
God's brought me to another stripping season, where the things that I have held on to for comfort and security are being taken away... but I'm also in a season of receiving new... and better things.
To be a woman after God's heart, a sifting process is always required that what is unnecessary may be removed, and only what is essential will remain.
How easy it is to be saddled with what doesn't count for eternity!
Let me move on in life, not weighed down by a heart bound up in offense... unforgiveness... a litany of unresolved grudges and resentment, but rather freed up to walk into my new season with readiness to learn and to receive!
God is calling me to freedom! A new wisdom is required, a new perspective, a willingness to go into uncharted territory and deeper waters.
I am entering a season of giving thanks!
The sharing of my journey, both in real life and on cyberspace, is done with discretion and much prayer. I let people enter my world (I do not block anyone from reading my blog entries) knowing that God is the manager of my reputation and the author of my life story!
There really is no separation between what is spiritual and secular. For me, everything is spiritual! It is easy to present a different picture of oneself on cyberspace. But I'd rather be real. Who I am at home, in real life, is who I am on facebook, or on blogger.
Life is so much easier lived in transparency, honesty, and truth. There is no pretending to be who I am not... for after all, the heavenly Father sees everything.
My goal is to live my life before an audience of One.
And so, my life is an "open book."
However, discretion demands that I not throw my precious pearls to be trampled on by those who do not really care or understand. Wisdom dictates that I choose what stories to share and write about.
Sharing also requires a sifting process, because onlookers and bystanders who have no real involvement in my sacred journey will not really understand.
These days I have been judged, labeled, misunderstood.
In my younger days I would have taken great effort to defend and protect myself. But now I am walking down a different road, taking comfort in knowing that God is the manager of my reputation and the author of my story.
My desire as I live out the rest of my days here on earth is to be ever willing to change, to keep growing to my full spiritual potential, and for God the Father be honored and glorified by the choices I make. May my thoughts, words, and actions truly become more and more Christlike with every passing day!
May the wineskin of my heart not be hard and brittle but ever soft, with room to expand as new wine is poured in!
And so, as another month comes to an end, another prayer of blessing for my second grandson Elijah is being offered.
My dear grandson,
This is your eleventh month of life! And I can only pray for you the blessings that I am praying for my self... that my words be not empty and hollow... but sincere and heavy with substance.
In this season, dear one I am praying not only for you, the youngest member of our family - but for all of us, starting with me... down to my two sons, their wives, my daughter, and Forerunner, my other grandson. I also apply this prayer to my future son in law, and all my future grandchildren yet unborn.
Elijah with his father and Aunt Obedient One during a recent trip to Manila
Today I am declaring that as a family, we are becoming new wineskins for the new season God is bringing us to.
In many ways, we each go through our separate journeys. Each of us is in varying stages of growth and maturity, none of us is a finished product. Each one is under construction... until we reach the finished line.
But there is also a sense in which we travel down the road together... sharing our lives, learning from one another.
May we all learn the lessons God is teaching us in this season: to be forgiving and kind, to be willing to let go of hindrances and weights that get in the way of our forward movement.
It requires humility, and a willingness to walk as fellow travelers, having the same goal, and the same destination.
To become a new wineskin for the new wine that God is pouring out in this new season... this is my prayer for you, Elijah, as well as for the rest of our family, starting with me.
Dear Father, my role is so crucial, pour on me a special anointing to carry out my spiritual assignment.
It is easy to become complacent.
But God, You are ever near! You remind me not to slacken my pace, or to loosen my grip on You. You ask me to not give up, but to keep praying until the breakthrough comes! You remind me to never let go of the javelin of authority that You have placed in my hand!
I pray this very thing for you - you may be young... but your spirit is not limited! There is so much spiritual potential in you, my dear grandson.
I declare that you are learning to stand on your God given authority as you grow up!
You are a Samuel... one who remained humble, and pliable, because at a young age he purposed in his heart to follow God all the days of his life.
I decree today that your heart is being prepared for the new wine that God is pouring out into vessels ready and waiting for the glorious return of His son!
It will be soon, Elijah... it will be soon! From the signs of the times, I sense that Jesus is coming back in your generation.
And as we are entering the last days of the end times, may we all be aware of the urgency of the times. There really is no time to lose.
So I am believing for a vertical leap movement - for you, for your parents, for all of us who are responsible to bring you up and serve as godly models for you to follow.
This is my prayer and faith declaration for you on this the eleventh month of your life!
Much love
Nana
I often go to the fresh produce market a few streets away from our house. We ride on a "tricycle" - a motorcyle with a sidecar for passengers. Here I am early in the morning with my two grandsons and my faithful maid, Daku, on our way to buy fresh vegetables. This is Elijah's first tricyle ride ever!
Over time, an old wineskin becomes thin and brittle; it loses its elasticity. Thus, when new wine is poured into it, it is not strong enough to withstand the fermentation process. As carbon dioxide builds up inside, the bag is required to expand. But the old wineskin is no longer flexible... sooner or later, it will burst under the pressure of the gas build up.
The new wine spills out, and the bag is destroyed.
For some days now, God has been speaking to me about becoming a new wineskin for the new season I am in.
Many things are required to embrace the new things God is doing. Without the willingness to change, I miss out on many valuable things that my Father in heaven desires to pour into my life.
And I do not want that to happen...
No... I don't want to miss the hour of God's visitation just because my life has been focused on what pleases or satisfies me.
It has been shared on my recent blog posts that God is calling me to live in my Lidia season... a season of openness, a season of humility, a season of being broken before Him. A season of allowing my heart to be made pliable in His hands.
God's brought me to another stripping season, where the things that I have held on to for comfort and security are being taken away... but I'm also in a season of receiving new... and better things.
To be a woman after God's heart, a sifting process is always required that what is unnecessary may be removed, and only what is essential will remain.
How easy it is to be saddled with what doesn't count for eternity!
Let me move on in life, not weighed down by a heart bound up in offense... unforgiveness... a litany of unresolved grudges and resentment, but rather freed up to walk into my new season with readiness to learn and to receive!
God is calling me to freedom! A new wisdom is required, a new perspective, a willingness to go into uncharted territory and deeper waters.
I am entering a season of giving thanks!
The sharing of my journey, both in real life and on cyberspace, is done with discretion and much prayer. I let people enter my world (I do not block anyone from reading my blog entries) knowing that God is the manager of my reputation and the author of my life story!
There really is no separation between what is spiritual and secular. For me, everything is spiritual! It is easy to present a different picture of oneself on cyberspace. But I'd rather be real. Who I am at home, in real life, is who I am on facebook, or on blogger.
Life is so much easier lived in transparency, honesty, and truth. There is no pretending to be who I am not... for after all, the heavenly Father sees everything.
My goal is to live my life before an audience of One.
And so, my life is an "open book."
However, discretion demands that I not throw my precious pearls to be trampled on by those who do not really care or understand. Wisdom dictates that I choose what stories to share and write about.
Sharing also requires a sifting process, because onlookers and bystanders who have no real involvement in my sacred journey will not really understand.
These days I have been judged, labeled, misunderstood.
In my younger days I would have taken great effort to defend and protect myself. But now I am walking down a different road, taking comfort in knowing that God is the manager of my reputation and the author of my story.
My desire as I live out the rest of my days here on earth is to be ever willing to change, to keep growing to my full spiritual potential, and for God the Father be honored and glorified by the choices I make. May my thoughts, words, and actions truly become more and more Christlike with every passing day!
May the wineskin of my heart not be hard and brittle but ever soft, with room to expand as new wine is poured in!
And so, as another month comes to an end, another prayer of blessing for my second grandson Elijah is being offered.
My dear grandson,
This is your eleventh month of life! And I can only pray for you the blessings that I am praying for my self... that my words be not empty and hollow... but sincere and heavy with substance.
In this season, dear one I am praying not only for you, the youngest member of our family - but for all of us, starting with me... down to my two sons, their wives, my daughter, and Forerunner, my other grandson. I also apply this prayer to my future son in law, and all my future grandchildren yet unborn.
Elijah with his father and Aunt Obedient One during a recent trip to ManilaToday I am declaring that as a family, we are becoming new wineskins for the new season God is bringing us to.
In many ways, we each go through our separate journeys. Each of us is in varying stages of growth and maturity, none of us is a finished product. Each one is under construction... until we reach the finished line.
But there is also a sense in which we travel down the road together... sharing our lives, learning from one another.
May we all learn the lessons God is teaching us in this season: to be forgiving and kind, to be willing to let go of hindrances and weights that get in the way of our forward movement.
It requires humility, and a willingness to walk as fellow travelers, having the same goal, and the same destination.
To become a new wineskin for the new wine that God is pouring out in this new season... this is my prayer for you, Elijah, as well as for the rest of our family, starting with me.
Dear Father, my role is so crucial, pour on me a special anointing to carry out my spiritual assignment.
It is easy to become complacent.
But God, You are ever near! You remind me not to slacken my pace, or to loosen my grip on You. You ask me to not give up, but to keep praying until the breakthrough comes! You remind me to never let go of the javelin of authority that You have placed in my hand!
I pray this very thing for you - you may be young... but your spirit is not limited! There is so much spiritual potential in you, my dear grandson.
I declare that you are learning to stand on your God given authority as you grow up!
You are a Samuel... one who remained humble, and pliable, because at a young age he purposed in his heart to follow God all the days of his life.
I decree today that your heart is being prepared for the new wine that God is pouring out into vessels ready and waiting for the glorious return of His son!
It will be soon, Elijah... it will be soon! From the signs of the times, I sense that Jesus is coming back in your generation.
And as we are entering the last days of the end times, may we all be aware of the urgency of the times. There really is no time to lose.
So I am believing for a vertical leap movement - for you, for your parents, for all of us who are responsible to bring you up and serve as godly models for you to follow.
This is my prayer and faith declaration for you on this the eleventh month of your life!
Much love
Nana
I often go to the fresh produce market a few streets away from our house. We ride on a "tricycle" - a motorcyle with a sidecar for passengers. Here I am early in the morning with my two grandsons and my faithful maid, Daku, on our way to buy fresh vegetables. This is Elijah's first tricyle ride ever!This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters...
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland."
-Isaiah 43:16, 18-19
11 comments:
Hi Lidj -
Thank you for sharing about your grandson. It seems just a bit ago that he was born.
He is precious and it is so rich that he is loved by his family - but most of all - loved by GOD!
Dear Lidia,
I'm so happy every time I see pictures of your friends and happy family. I know you have had a lot to go through, but also that you have been blessed in many ways. Your shining eyes when you're with your loved speak volumes.
We have been praying for Elijah since before he was born. It's so wonderful to see him growing and thriving.
Indeed he's been a blessing to all of us.
I am looking for way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
I also know I must learn that my daily manna will continue to last for one day at a time.
I thank you for prayers and am glad to tell that my mother found her Rehoboth.
God is far greater and also far nearer than I can possibly understand.
Oh Lidia, it is so much better to live transparant, see-through lives, but so few Christians do so. I truly believe it makes a monumental difference to unbelievers when they see a Christian who is willing to be transparent about their victories and their mistakes. God bless you, dear one.
Dear Lidia...what a blessing you are! You have such a sweet, forgiving spirit and kind heart.
As I read your posts, I can sense that you are led by the Holy Spirit, thay God directs your path and Jesus shines from your inner most being. Your words have blessed me this morning...thank you.
Love,
trish
Were the sifting easy, it would be something we could do on our own. May God strengthen you in this time when the cares of this world surround you on your heaven-ward path. Keep your eyes on Him! And love that grandson. My how he has grown.
lidia. you are such a blessing and inspiration to me. my grandson is also 10 months. how the time passes.
Oh, Lidia, I am holding my new grandbaby (4 months) as I type and read...so blessed by your heart and grace-filled post. The music in the background soothes my weary soul and I thank God for you, my sister in Christ....many miles separate us but never our spirit in Christ. Blessings on you, my friend. Love seeing your family photos and reading the prayers of your heart.
Thank you for never ceasing to encourage me in my own journey, when I'm weary, you remind me of the strength we have from Him. When I feel I'm losing, you're quick to remind me that in reality, we are victors! As I come to visit you now, you have stirred something in my spirit because I have been meditating on these about having new wineskins when a new wine needs to be poured into it. Your heart after the Lord makes you able to explain things the way I would have seen it in a different light. Thank you for this.
Of course, as usual, I enjoy seeing how fast your grandsons are growing and how I love the prayers you pray for them. Thank you sister Lidia and no need to explain, I got from the "get-go" how real you've been the moment I visited you here the first time. That's a rare gem and I'm fortunate to have found a sister like you. God bless you and protect you and your family.
Dear Lidia, wow Elijah is a natural already on that tricycle! :) Love catching up on here again and hearing what God is saying to you. It would be wonderful to sit and chat with you, and perhaps that will happen one day! I'm so sorry to hear your recent struggles. You always seem to be able to be strong and courageous throughout. I pray now that you would know more and more deeply the love of friends and family who DO know you as you REALLY are. And that God would continue to be your most rich and verdant foundation, a neverending source of life, oxygen, light and water. He is the source of all good things we need. I'm so blessed with your friendship here online. xx Beloved
Oh and PS, I'm considering moving to Israel next year. Any tips? I'm simply planning to take a short trip soon and pray there, that's my first step! Your Israel pics inspired me to ask, but if no tips for now that's OK! :))
Dear Lidia,
You have touched on the same things which God has been ministering to me and to my friend and prayer partner: humility, forgiveness, and love. The love which covers a multitude of sins.
I agree with your prayer for Elijah, and pray for your continued obedience to the Father as he makes you pliable for his work.
Thank you for your condolences on the passing of my aunt. She was 99 and ready to go.
The circles are the ends of pipes. If you are interested to see them from a wider perspective, please stop by:
Meditations of My Heart
I love this: Life is so much easier lived in transparency, honesty, and truth. There is no pretending to be who I am not... for after all, the heavenly Father sees everything.
Yes. I so agree fully, both about being vulnerable and not throwing pearls to swine.
so glad you linked up. Can't wait to hear more of your heart.
later, I'm going to check out your grief journey. i have a "my grief" tab, too.
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