New Times - New Wine Skins

Greetings,

I'm excited to share the highlights from our recent training on "New Wine Skins." This teaching is crucial for anyone seeking to move with God in this season, especially those with prophetic callings and leadership responsibilities.

The Biblical Foundation

Jesus taught a profound principle in Matthew 9:16-17 when He said: "Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

In Jesus' time, new wine was stored in fresh, flexible animal skins. As the wine fermented and expanded, old brittle skins would burst under pressure. This metaphor perfectly illustrates how God works:

• The wine represents God's move—the Holy Spirit, fresh revelation, revival

• The wineskin is the structure or mindset that holds it

The principle is clear: God does not pour new moves, revelation, or assignments into outdated mindsets, methods, or leadership structures.

Why We Need New Wineskins Now

God is always doing "a new thing" (Isaiah 43:19). For believers with prophetic gifts, being current with the Spirit means letting go of what once worked to embrace what God is saying now.

If we try to pour today's revelation into yesterday's structure, we risk "bursting"—experiencing burnout, confusion, or losing the freshness of God's move.

Characteristics of Old Wineskins

We must be honest about recognizing old wineskin tendencies in our lives:

• Rigid tradition: Unwillingness to adapt methods or structures

• Pride in the past: Overvaluing past experiences or revivals

• Fear of change: Insecurity about letting go

• Control and comfort: Clinging to what's familiar rather than yielding to God

These manifest as a "we've always done it this way" mentality, harshly judging new expressions of faith, and valuing routine over intimacy with God.

Characteristics of New Wineskins

In contrast, new wineskins display:

• Flexibility: Willingness to change, adapt, and grow

• Humility: Recognizing we don't have all the answers

• Unity and Collaboration: Working with new people and gifts God sends

• Dependency on the Spirit: Letting the Holy Spirit lead, even when uncomfortable

• Obedience: Quick to obey fresh directions

How to Become a New Wineskin

1.     Repentance & Surrender:

• Ask God to reveal areas where you're holding on to old patterns

• Repent for resisting change; surrender your comfort zone

2.     Renew Your Mind (Romans 12:2):

• Spend time in the Word with an open heart

• Meditate and invite God to renew your mindset

3.     Stay Teachable:

• Learn from others, even those younger or different than you

• Embrace feedback and correction

4.     Prioritize Presence Over Programs:

• Let worship, prayer, and listening become your foundation

• Don't let "how things have always been done" dominate planning

5.     Build Relationally:

• Invest in authentic community, mentoring, and accountability

• Regularly examine your heart and motives (Psalm 139:23-24)

End Times Connection

This teaching has profound implications for end-time readiness:

• Just as old wineskins become rigid, believers who cling to outdated mindsets may not recognize God's final movements on earth

• End times require spiritual flexibility and openness to how God might work in unprecedented ways

• Only prepared and flexible vessels will be able to contain the final outpouring of God's Spirit

Prophetic Application

Take time this week to ask God:

1. What is the new wine You are pouring out for this season in my life and ministry?

2. Where do I need to adjust my wineskin?

3. Am I clinging to an outdated mindset, or am I open to how the Spirit wants to teach and stretch me today?

Remember, the call to be a new wineskin isn't about changing the unchangeable truth of God's Word. It's about distinguishing between divine principles (which never change) and human methodologies (which must adapt).

Let's be those who say 'yes' to the shift. The new wine is precious—it's God's fresh outpouring for this prophetic generation. But it demands a new wineskin—a heart and structure that is supple, surrendered, and Holy Spirit-led.

Grace and peace!

Rev. Paula

#NewWineSkins #PropheticShift #BiblicalTeaching #PropheticMinistry #SpiritualGrowth #RevivalPreparation #KingdomMindset #ChristianLeadership #PropheticWord #SpiritualFlexibility #EndTimesPreparation #MatthewNineSeventeen #RenewedMindset #ChurchGrowth #HolySpirit #PropheticRevelation #FaithJourney #SpiritualTransformation #Covet2Prophesy #ChristianCommunity