7/16/97 New Wine
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
New Wine.
So often when I hear the term new wine, I recognize that the person is describing a move of the Spirit. And yet the last few weeks has been bringing me to a new, personal revelation.
When Jesus attended the wedding ceremony in Cana, where He turned water to wine, the wine was described as new wine. (Here is one of those crazy ideas I get-why was Jesus travelling 60 miles to a wedding, where He didn't plan to do a miracle, having not birthed His miracle ministry? Who were these people? Obviously friends of the family. Did He go to have fun???) The new wine that was saved for last. The best for last.
Frequently people describe this time and the outpourings as new wine. I have no problem with that. We are coming to the end of an age, despite doctrines, and there appears on the horizons, many earthshaking events. The other day I received a letter from a young man in Australia, who described a newly saved friend, who brought a congregation to their faces as he played his flute just as David did. Apparently the next two days were megachanges in this church. My mailbox is filled with reports from around the world of God's out pourings.
Our youth pastor described his vision last night at vacation Bible school, of 100 kids coming out of the youth, on fire for the Lord. That is happening a lot around the world.
But where does wine come from. In the sciptures it comes from grapes(sorry, dandelion lovers!). To make wine grapes were tread out or pressed. We see Biblical descriptions of wine presses.
Here's this seed, that becomes a grapevine, over a period of time. And as the vine thickens, the rains come, and the sun beats down, sweet grapes result. Full and thick, these clusters hang from the vine until picked. Sometimes we hear of a sour grape, that sets your teeth to edge. And these grapes are brought to a press. Run through, resulting in the liquid, trickling down and being collected. The results are placed in opaque containers where they set for a spell. No light. And then they are poured out again, removing all impurities. (from here, there may be more transfers.) Perhaps 1 or two times.
Now does that sound like my life? I don't know about you, but I was excited to become a fruit(?!?!?) when I became a Christian. To see the light come as I broke into the air. Sunning myself, thinking this was a great life. And then I was plucked. What!!!
I have been squeezed, set in a container, where it often felt like there was no light. But, I tell you the results were and are exciting.
I recognize that you may feel the squeeze in your life. Testings, trials. These are all opportunities to overcome, to walk in the victory you know you have been given in the cross. Overcomers says the book of Revelations, "by the word of their testimony and the blood of Jesus, living their lives even unto death."
And there needs to be joy in the pressing!!! Don't take my word for it, look to the Lord.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
New wine takes time. There was an old wine commercial.The paraphrase,"We sell no wine before its time."
And where there was no joy, was indicative of judgement. This was harvest time, a time of thanksgiving and rejoicing. These people shouted at press time.
Jeremiah 48:33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
You are being squeezed. There seems to be no end in sight. No light. Your body does look like your envisionment, doesn't resemble a grape. The trials are difficult. Brothers and sisters, the fact you are being squeezed is good news. There is wine coming. When it seems like it is too much, trust in Him, surrender to Him.
My heartfelt prayer is in this time of squeezing, rejoice. The Lord is good and worthy to be praised. The impurities that have hindered the fullness, will be removed. The Lord wants you. Read Hebrews 12. He will do that which it takes to bring you to fullness. I pray that you can realize even today, that this is for good, bringing forth new wine. Wine that please, that cures, that has been saved for the last.
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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Springfield, Vermont 05156
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Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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