DON'T RUIN THE WINE

NEW WINE NEEDS FRESH WINESKINS

Wikipedia gives the definition of wineskins as: a bota bag or wineskin is a traditional Spanish liquid receptacle. Typically, it is made of leather (when made of goatskin it is known as a goatskin itself), and is typically used to carry wine, although any liquid can be filled into it.

Scripture states that new wine needs fresh wineskins:

Mark 2:21 (KJV)
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Take a look at the picture of the wineskins below.  Analyze them with the scripture-

Look at the texture, form and specifics. 

The old wineskin is soft and has already expanded.  It's brittle and appears to have reach it's stretching capacity.  There's a possibility of leakage if new wine is placed into it.

When wine is new it is in a state of fermentation, and it expands as fermentation gases are released.  It can expand more than the capacity of the old wineskin and you can lose both the wine and wineskin. 

TODAY'S FOCUS:  MAKE PROVISION FOR NEW WINE

It is important to put new wine in new wineskins because new wineskin can absorb and handle the expansion as they slowly age until the process of fermentation is completed. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                             

This picture reflects the damage and loss of the wine and wineskin.  The old wineskin cannot take the pressure of the fermentation process. 

So likewise the old you cannot take on a new process if you are not made NEW!

It is very important that you apply this principle to every area of your life. 

You need a new mindset if you are to change bad habits

You must take a shower to put on clean clothes

Here's some Food for Thoughts:

You must be born again to have God's spirit living in you.  The old man must be released so the New Man can reign.

If you are set in your old ways, you will not adapt to change.  Don't get set or stuck in old habits and paradigms.  

Don't shortchange yourself by having a limit expansion of your wineskin.  Don't lose your wine by being too lazy to change your wineskin.

Check your habits and unconscious behaviors/patterns- they may be the cause of your "new wine in old wineskins" culprit. 

If you don't change behaviors and habits you will cause severe damage to anything new. Let's discuss some old wineskins:

You cannot have old boyfriend/girlfriend if you want a new/good relationship

You cannot have a closet full of old clothes if you want a new wardrobe
You cannot have old behaviors for new resolutions
You cannot bad friends and expect to attract good ones
You cannot loose weight with old eating habits
You cannot get well with bad sleeping and unhealthy lifestyle
And more.....................

You cannot grow without the capacity to grow- Don't look for temporary growth. Therefore you must evaluate your wineskin (environment , ideas, religious doctrine, personal theories...) Don't stress the old wineskin- Replace it! 

It is a time to reflect and evaluate if you stand a chance of loosing your wine.  If you are brittle and has lost your expansion, it's time to make a switch- NOT a substitute. The old wineskin has reached its capacity.  Make room for the new ideas, new revelation, new makeover and much more by allowing this to be a way of life for you with anything new venture out on or endeavor to do. 

Remember, Don't ruin good wine.  Old wineskins are brittle and has lost their expansion capacity.  To get the new, you must get rid of the old- therefore, fresh wine must be put into fresh wineskins.  Just like you cannot put new wine in old wineskins, God will not put His spirit in an unclean vessel. A new mindset is necessary to make changes. Old habits and behaviors must die.  If you don't make the switch you will loose the wine and the wineskin. 

God Bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

ROYAL RULE OF LOVE

RESPECT OF PERSONS

External circumstances and public opinion should not influence the way you treat others. You should see everyone as a potential citizen of the kingdom of God. As you read and reflect on the following scripture think on the following:

Are you a respecter of persons?

How have you shown preference or favoritism?

Do you fulfill the royal law?

James 2:1-9 (KJV)

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

God is not partial and operates differently - The poor may lack material wealth and riches, but they are rich in faith. God also chooses them, (the down-and-outs), as heirs of the kingdom.

James 2: 5

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Your motives play and important role in your decisions to treat others fairly and equitably. It's a heart matter. One that produces love or favoritism. If your respect is given because you view the rich as more important or perhaps they can influence or be of greater benefit to your establishment than the poor, then you are partial and judges of evil thoughts.

TODAY'S FOCUS: THE MOTIVES OF FAVORITISM

The faith of the Lord Jesus Christ does not require you to have respecter of person whether they are rich or poor. However, as you reflect on the verses above express your opinion of the following questions:

Do you think a drunk and highly intoxicated person should sit next to you in the front row of your church?

Do you think a dirty, smelly, homeless person should be allowed to sit up front with pastors, dignitaries or other distinguished guests?

Would you allow a person who is known as a notorious thief or criminal to be unsupervised or be given special treatment?

Should a backslider or sinner be treated with less respect and honor as the upright saint?

The scripture ask that you should not regard the rich over the poor, the expensively clad to those in rags or disrespect the sinner over the saints. Neither should you segregate or reserve the best for those who can extend courtesies and favors. However you should also use wisdom as not to cause offense or expose others to threats.

In the royal rule of love, you must love and help your neighbors just as much as you love and take care of yourself. Don't play up to the so called important people. The high and mighty may exploit you, while the poor has much faith.

When making decisions in respect to giving respect of persons,ask yourself..

Have I applied the golden rule?

Am I abusing the kingdom citizens or showing favoritism?

If your motives are clean and you are not judging by wealth, status or favoritism then you are not breaking the royal rule.

Remember, the kingdom of God is promised to those who love God. You cannot belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and look down on people who are less privileged. You should not show favoritism to a certain class and not the other because God loves every one equally. It is also wise to use discretion and observe other principles to ensure the safety and well being of others. Do well, and fulfill the royal law of love by doing to others what you would like done to you.

God Bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

BEWARE OF PHILOSOPHERS

BE CAUTIOUS AND ALERT

Today many are led astray by popular individuals or groups who are known for temporary successes.  Many are enticed by the sound of words, logical reasoning and feel good senses. It seems that the more bigger the crowd, the better a thing is.  This has caused many to loose their footing and foundation.  Some have even lose their faith and the things they once believed in. 

You are warned to watch out for those who would try to destroy your faith and joy with their philosophies and vain deceitful words. 


Colossians 2:8-10 (KJV)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Many have gone back to ordinances and rituals that were part of the old law, using philosophy and traditions to convict.  You must realize that God's ways are not ordinary.  Some things will be inconvenient to the flesh and can also be very opposed to natural reasoning.  

You have all things when you are in Christ Jesus, and you should not have to do any thing else to receive salvation.  Jesus has already done it all. 

The fullness of power is in Christ and not in anyone else!  Therefore, you must watch out for red flag indicators that reflect personal ideas instead of what Christ says in the word.  He is the highest Ruler with all authority and power. 

TODAY'S FOCUS:  RED FLAGS

The scripture above ask you to watch out for individuals who would try to spoil your faith.  Here are some red flags that you can detect  that they are deceitful from the scripture: 
Shallow reasoning
Men thoughts and ideas
Philosophy and vain deceit 
Traditions
Worldly sanctions 

What other  red flags can you name that indicate vain philosophers?

You must also be aware of dazzlers and intellectual double talkers who try to drag you into arguments that are drawn out and or empty.   They make traditions and customs a guide instead of giving place and honor to Christ and the Holy Spirit. 
 

These are definitely not the ways of Christ, because every thing of God gets expressed in Him and is seen clearly as Him.  Additionally, they give way to superstitions, horoscope and other readings, and try to implement them as the doctrine and teachings of Christ. 

Remember, watch out for the red flags.  When you come to Christ, His power extends and is over everything.  The rudiments of this world and intellectual reasoning will never complete you.  There is no need for anything else for all and everything is complete only in Him.  He is the head of all principality and power. 

God Bless you, and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel