S Luke 5:37-39 No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, “The old is good enough.”
O This last phrase really got my attention. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure it out. Why would anyone be satisfied with mediocrity unless they truly felt that the old wine is good? Maybe it fit their lifestyles better. Maybe the new wine would challenge … no, require them to change!
A I so want to be a fresh wineskin! If God is going to bring new wine to me, I must present Him with a new wineskin heart daily! The challenge, however, is this: even new wineskins, which were once supple and receptive to new wine, will eventually become old wineskins. All you have to add to a new wineskin to become old is time.
So, how can I stay a new wineskin? You see the option is a natural evolution, a natural tendency. You don’t have to do a thing to intentionally become an old wineskin.
But to retain a new wineskin heart, you have to be deliberate and intentional so the aging process will not victimize the once vibrant heart.
How do we keep our hearts like fresh wineskins?
Realize the process of atrophy and always be cognizant of its subtle yet debilitating forces.
Intentionally put out a plan to consistently battle that.
Keep new wine in the new wineskins by taking in the Word consistently.
Renew your heart every chance you get.
Apply what you are learning.
Be involved where life is
Never allow yourself to go on “auto pilot.” Rip that option out of the console and stay vigilant.
P Dear Father, I am always stirred by Your Word and how it is continually relevant to my life. Teach me to daily renew my heart, keeping it always ready to receive the new wine You can only pour into fresh new wineskins. In Jesus Name, Amen
