‘‘‘…New Wine Must Be Put Into New Wineskins…’’’ Matthew 9:17 CEV
In Bible times animal skins were cured and made into wine containers. At first they were flexible and easy to work with, but over time they grew rigid and lost their ability to expand. That’s why Jesus said, ‘‘No one pours new wine into old wineskins. [It] would…burst the old skins…[and] the wine would be lost…New wine must be put into new wineskins…’’. ‘Likewise, God can’t put fresh ideas into fossilised minds, or change your situation till you’re ready to change your thinking.
God’s Word says: ‘‘‘…don’t keep going over old history…I’m about to do something brand-new…’’’ (Isaiah 43:18-19 TM). So if you’re asking Him to enlarge your vision, you first need to make room mentally. Isaiah said, ‘‘Clear lots of ground… Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!” (Isaiah 54:2 TM). Remember, dreams always come a size too big so you can grow into them, so don’t settle for mediocrity in your work, your relationships and your walk with God.
Mark Twain said, ‘Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the wind. Explore. Dream. Discover’. Maybe you come from a background of addiction, poverty, depression, abuse and low self-esteem. Well God can enable you to rise up and put an end to that old mind-set of defeat. He’s ready to fill you with ‘new wine’, but first you need to ditch those old wineskins!
Soul Food Reading: Gen 37-39; Luke 9:1-17; Ps 134; Prov 4:5-13
Excerpt from The Word For Today, United Christian Broadcasters (UCB); PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
‘‘‘…In Pain You Shall Bring Forth Children, Yet Your Desire Shall Be For Your Husband…’’’ Genesis 3:16 NRS
In the Garden of Eden God told Eve, ‘‘‘…in pain you shall bring forth children…’’’ But He didn’t leave it there, He went on to say, ‘‘‘…yet your desire shall be for your husband…’’’ ‘God promised to restore the relationship between the man and the woman and that it’s return would be signified by rekindled desire. That’s because He knows there’s no cure for past pain like present desire. When the longing for something is powerful enough, it can wipe out the pain of the past, making the wounded and weary rise again with renewed energy and purpose. Ask any woman who’s just given birth to a much-anticipated child if it was worth all that she went through. Chances are she’d do it again in a heartbeat just to experience the joy of holding that little one in her arms.
Maybe you’ve experienced a tragedy that has left you feeling indifferent about the future, or a heartbreak that has you still reeling in pain. You may even have tried to rationalise it by telling yourself, ‘As long as I don’t care, it won’t hurt.’ The fear of being wounded again is very real; a burned child dreads the fire. But you can’t live the rest of your life in fear. God wants to revive your passion today and give you a future filled with hope (see Jeremiah 29:11 & Job 11:18). Are you willing to let Him renew your desire and wipe out the pain of the past? He will! All you have to do is surrender to His love today and He’ll do the rest.
Soul Food Reading: Ex 28-29; Luke 14:15-24; Ps 106:1-23; Prov 7:1-2
Excerpt from The Word For Today, United Christian Broadcasters (UCB); PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Seasoned long-distance runners have learned to focus on endurance, not just speed. They pace themselves so that as they approach the finish line they can pull out all the stops. Paul says, ‘…I’m running hard for the finish line…giving it everything I’ve got…I’m not going to get caught…telling everyone else…then missing out myself’ (Corinthians 9:26-27 TM). For spiritual long-distance runners, quitting isn’t an option. Despite some delays and disappointments along the way, they know they’d never be satisfied just sitting on the sidelines cheering for those who have paid the price to run the race. So if you’re that kind of person – one who needs to attain the hope of calling and fulfil your God-ordained purpose – go for it! And don’t forget, Jesus said, ‘‘‘…great gifts mean great responsibilities…’’’ (Luke12:48 TM). Winning will cost you in terms of pressure, criticism, loneliness and sacrifice.
So, what’s the secret to staying power? Paul said, ‘…Jesus…finished this race…Because He never lost sight of where He was headed…He could put up with anything…’ (Hebrews 12:2 TM). You’ll only endure the pain when you’ve something to look forward to. God exposes us to opposition and criticism to strengthen our character. That way when greater blessings (and responsibilities) come, we won’t crack. Success comes only when you’re committed and have the passion to cross the finish line. So the question is: can you stand to be blessed? When the pressure is on will you say, like Nehemiah, ‘‘‘My work is too important to stop…’’’ (Nehemiah 6:3 CEV)? If your answer is yes, get your eye on the goal, ‘‘‘…run to win,’ and you’re sure to cross the finish line!
Soul Food Reading: Ex 30-32; Luke 14:25-35; Ps 106:24-48; Prov 7:3-5
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The Word For Today
Fri 9th March 07
The Cost Of Being Blessed (2)
‘‘‘…Sit Down And Figure The cost…’’’ Luke 14:28 TM
How many times have you prayed for a particular thing without realizing how much it would ultimately cost you? Success always comes with a price tag. Being blessed can be hard work. Everything God gives us requires maintenance. When He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden, they still had to tend to it. Jesus said when you’re ‘‘‘…planning to build…sit down and figure the cost…’’’ For example, when God blesses you don’t expect everyone around you to rejoice. Some people will think your blessing came at their expense. That’s because they don’t want you to move ahead faster than they do. Or they want what God’s given you, but they’re not prepared to pay the price you’ve paid.
James say’s, ‘Where you have envy and selfish ambition…you find…every evil practise’ (James 3:16 NIV). And it’s not just your enemies you have to watch out for; betrayal often comes from within your own ranks. Jesus sat at the table with John the beloved and Judas the betrayer. One was close enough to lay his head on Jesus’ breast while the other had sufficient access to betray Him with a kiss. You need to know who’s sitting at your table!
However, as painful as it is to be criticised by people you respect and trust, it’s worse to veer from the course God’s charted for you in order to gain their acceptance. As good as it feels to be affirmed and applauded, at some point you need to stop and ask, ‘How much am I willing to sacrifice to be blessed?’ Your answer will determine your destiny!
Soul Food Reading: Ex 33-35; Luke 15:1-10; Ps 112; Prov 7:6-9
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
‘‘‘…You Were Loyal With Small Things, I Will Let You Care For…Greater Things…’’’ Matthew 25:23 NCV
To succeed at any worthwhile venture you need a thick skin when it comes to handling criticism. That’s what separates those who say they want something from God, from those who are prepared to pay the price to get it. For example, if you’ve been praying for a mate, ask yourself are you really ready for the sacrifice and responsibility that comes with marriage? Are you stable, unselfish and mature enough to provide for a family? Or, if you’re praying for an increase in your business, are you giving outstanding service to your current clients? Remember, a peacock that rests on its feathers is just another turkey! Sometimes we’re in love with the image of success, but we haven’t counted the actual cost of succeeding. That’s why it’s a good thing God doesn’t automatically give us everything we ask for! Often we want things because they look good in the lives of others, but God, in His wisdom, knows it would destroy us to receive what we’re not equipped to handle.
God tests you with what you already have in order to develop consistency and strength. He wants to see how you handle the pressures that accompany the blessings He’s already given you. He wants to get you to the place in Him where you’re immune to adversity; where you’ve learned to appreciate the Giver more than the gift. And when you get there you’ll hear Him say, ‘‘‘…You are a good…servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things…’’’ – and that will make it all worthwhile!
Soul Food Reading: Ex 36-38; Luke 15:11-31; Ps 27; Prov 7:10-20
Excerpt from The Word For Today, United Christian Broadcasters (UCB); PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Bob Ireland crossed the finish line on Thursday, November 6, 1986, as the New York City marathon’s 19,413th and final finisher – the first person to run the marathon with his arms instead of his legs! Bob, who was 40 years old, had his legs blown off in Vietnam. He recorded the slowest time in the marathon’s history: 4 days, 2 hours, 48 minutes, 17 seconds. When asked why he ran, he gave three reasons: 1) To show that being a Christian gives you a plus in life 2) To test his conditioning 3) To promote physical fitness and courage in others. ‘Success is not based on where you start’ he said, ‘it’s where you finish - and I finished’. Wow! With two good legs and all our faculties, most of us won’t even get out of bed an hour earlier to discover and pursue our God-given destiny.
Success always comes at a price. Cicero practised speaking before friends every day for 30 years to perfect his eloquence. Milton rose at 4 o’clock every morning to have enough hours writing his paradise lost. Gibbon spent 26 years on his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Noah Webster laboured 36 years writing his dictionary, crossing the Atlantic twice to gather material. Byron re-wrote one of his poetic masterpieces 99 times before publication, and it became a classic. Before Paul wrote: ‘…I have finished my course…’ he wrote: ‘…I have worked harder, been put in jail more frequently, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again and again’ (2 Corinthians 11:23 TLB). Go ahead, measure yourself by that standard! Then ask yourself ‘Am I willing to do what it takes?’
Soul Food Reading: Acts 2:1-21; Joel 2:23-32
Excerpt from The Word For Today, United Christian Broadcasters (UCB); PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
‘If You Love Someone…You Will Always Believe In Him, Always Expect The Best Of Him…’ 1 Corinthians 13:7 TLB
Let Go And Let God
To let go doesn’t mean to stop caring, it just means I can’t do it for someone else. To let go is not to cut myself off, it’s the realisation that I don’t control them. To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences. To let go is to admit my powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands. To let go is not to try and change or blame another, I can only change myself. To let go is not to care for, but to care about; not to fix, but to be supportive; not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being. To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to effect their own outcomes.
To let go is not to be protective, it’s to permit another to face reality. To let go is not to deny, but to accept. To let go is not to nag, scold or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and correct them. To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish each moment. To let go is not to criticise and regulate anyone, but to try to become what I dream I can be. To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future. To let go is to fear less and love more. To let go – is to let God!
Excerpt from The Word For Today, United Christian Broadcasters (UCB); PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
