Author: Melissa Lynne

¹⁴ Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? ¹⁵ And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. ¹⁶ No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. ¹⁷ Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. ~ Matthew 9:14-17

On Tuesday nights, I usually attend an online Bible Study and prayer meeting with some friends from all over the world. Last night we read Matthew 9:14-17 about new cloth on old garments and new wine in old wine bottles.

The following statement was made by the one leading the study. “New bottles (new wine skins) for the new wine is about the next and the new season. You can’t keep everything of the old season when God is taking you into the new. God wants you to lay it all down, and He will take away whatever is necessary so that the new wine is His best wine.”

I felt it was a Word straight from God’s heart into mine.

Then today, as I looked up this scripture, this song, “New Wine,”  came up. I have listened to it all day and pondered it. Now, I share it here – as a devotion and a prayer—one of the most personal songs I have ever shared.

“So make me Your vessel
Make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
God, I came here with nothing
But all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me!”

~ Brooke Ligertwood

Yesterday I was challenged to get into the Word and seek the Lord for seven verses to stand on in the midst of the trials and circumstance of my life. Now verses! Living Words to declare over my current situation that God has given to me. They may be different tomorrow, but for tomorrow’s troubles there is also a Word. As the Lord challenged me, I then challenged others. Here are my seven with headings related to my circumstances (and a few notes for context).

Isaiah 26:3 (Peace)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: cause he trusteth in thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (Loneliness)

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Note: What a strange season. I guess we all face times of loneliness and I do as well. Mine are sometimes very intense and seem to come out of nowhere. Years ago, God told me when this happens to go to those that are lonelier than I. I started visiting the nursing home residents and shut-ins of our church and it was life changing. Maybe now it is time to pray for someone else or make a few calls. It surely is a time to declare this verse over my life.

Exodus 15:26 (Health and Healing)

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

Genesis 26:1, 12. (Sowing and Reaping)

26:1 – And there was a famine in the Land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.

26:12 – Then Isaac sowed in that land, and receive in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him.

Note: These two verses I counted as one. In Genesis 26 there was a famine in the land but when Isaac sowed in the time of this trial, THAT SAME YEAR he was blessed an hundredfold. Wow! What a season we are living in to sow and to reap.

Jeremiah 29:11 (God’s thoughts about me)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Philippians 1:6 (God will complete His work in me)

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 4:9 (God is with me; Peace)

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Note: I intentionally started this and end it with a verse about “peace.” No matter what I deal with presently, I want to be a peaceful (peace filled) woman of God with God’s peace flowing out of my life. Please grant it, Lord…In Jesus Name! Amen!!!