THE MAKING OF NEW WINESKINS
I’ve been doing much thinking and meditation about change and new wineskins. As stated in my last blog, Jesus gave the “wineskin” illustration to us in reference to understanding new revelation and stewarding change. Therefore, lately there’s been much firing of my synapses concerning this matter. My problem is not receiving change (new wine) rather housing it (new wineskins). I believe here is where we seem to fail most of the time.
In my thinking, I believe that first of all, in building a new wineskin there has to be the willingness to think differently. There has to be a compliance to be reshaped, reinvented and recreated. The willingness to be reshaped is the means for a reformation. When that is established, then we can continue in our new wineskin construction process…
A new wineskin is a new culture. And in a new culture there are new operating practices, goals, strategies and distribution systems. All of these must carry elasticity in order to house the new. And these must be well defined as well in maintaining the new (wine) concept, direction, etc.
This is not an easy process. But when the Lord directs change in our lives, we must enact. All the heroes of the Bible had to do it… In order to go where God wants us to go and do what God wants us to do, we must be willing to embrace both the unknown and the uncomfortable. Noah built an ark when there had not yet been rain; Abraham went out not knowing where he was going and Moses chose to suffer with God’s people than to live as a prince in Egypt, for he saw something bigger and better for his life! I like what Pastor Craig Groeschel said, “In order to reach the people no one else is reaching we must be willing to do the things that no one else is doing.”
Anxious to read your thoughts,
Pastor Manny
We must be flexible in Christ, meaning we must be willing to have HIm shape us into what He wants and open our hearts and minds to the new ideas He gives us. Rigidity and refusal to change will only hold us back.
The new wineskin subject has been keeping me thinking a lot. It is not just a physical change, but and mental change. I pray that we as MHC can embrace the change and see what this season of out church has for us.
Amen! May MHC embark on the journey of corporate change and I pray that we are not afraid to take risk and be obedient to GOD. In our generation we are going to see the city of Miami impacted. May God set the atmosphere.
That’s good. Kind of what I’m feeling. You’re told to do something and you just do it, you follow through. The “unknown and the uncomfortable”.
I agree with you, storing the new wine is that hardest thing, we most think outside the box to reach the new level. And also we know that God will not spend it treasure in places that are not wanted or that are not ready. Just a bishop he comes to check, so that if he sees a positive report he will reward. But if he doesn’t then he will aline and wait until the place is mature. So with that said is it fine to say that God will not give new wine ( ideas, revelations, promotions, etc) to a wineskin that is not ready or renew?
Well Pastor thats true we need to make changes if we want to get to the next level because if you don’t change the way you are and everything you prayed for won’t come to past.
The verse below should give us some parameters on how to keep building our wineskin. I like how the word “clothe” is translated in the Portuguese Bible because it give us the idea that we should “undress” the old and put on the new, “re-clothing” (if this is a word) ourselves with those virtues…
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (New International Version)
Willingness, obedience,discipline, total surrender!!!…To keep on working my salvation everyday and my hunger for Him…not to conform with a little like before but to keep in mind that lives are at risk and it’s my responsibility too.
Willing and ready for change no matter if it is unknown or uncomfortable. I must stay in HIS presence and allow him to do his will. New wineskin for MHC.
I guess it has always been easier to stay in the box but since I have been
a part of Miami Harvest Church I have been fighting hard to break down the
walls of the box. With the news of our life groups being desolved, I threw
a temper tantrum but I am O.K. now. Just because I won’t be in my
comfort zone does not mean I will lose my connection with my ladies in
my life group but this will give us all a chance to become closer with other
members of my church. If we cannot get out of the box how can we share
our love and compassion we will all lose in the end. Pastor, I know you are
doing this because that is what GOD has told you for our good and what is
best for our vision for Miami Harvest Church.
Yes we have to be willing to think differently and be compliant to God so that He can reshape and reform us.
I used to be so afraid of change; however, as I grow in Christ, I am learning more and more to embrace change rather than run from it. Now I’m ready for the new, the changes ahead of us are huge and I believe they will be great for where God is taking our church.
Change and fear tend to come hand in hand. The Holy spirit is our source, so whom and what shall we fear? Where he goes you go; where you go we go…
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