於2014-01-26發佈

產出新酒的堅固器皿與21天禱告聚焦

親愛的代禱者與朋友們:

我使用四種不同版本的聖經來閱讀以賽亞書,開始新的一年。這些版本分別為:擴大本(Amplified),新英文欽定譯本(New King James),消息譯本(The Message)以及另一新的版本,稱為發聲本(暫譯,The Voice)。我也從希伯來文的翻譯中,直接閱讀經文。以賽亞書41:10是我們未來的關鍵。在擴大本的聖經中,寫道: 

你不要害怕(沒甚麼好怕的),因為我與你同在;不要因環境驚惶並感到沮喪,因為我是你的神。我必堅固你勝過困難,是的,我必幫助你,是的,我必用我(得勝的)公義的右手扶持你。"

讓祂在你靈裏做一件新事,使你剛強起來面對周圍環境。這會容許你的器皿為新酒的澆灌來做預備(關於你未來的啟示)。

有一句先知性話語不斷迴響,說"拉到一旁,進入你的花園,並體驗新酒"。在創意與財富的領域中,未來會有許多的爭辯與爭戰。神吩咐我們可以創造財富,我感覺到我們不只需要禱告財富轉移,也是需要禱告有創意的能力來創造財富。因此,我相信假如我們對焦於要破門而入,進入"新的",我們將會看見新的爆發,這是要急迫進入"新"時刻。

耶穌宣告

在新約,耶穌常常使用葡萄園來比喻神的天國(太20:1-16)。那些想要進入天國的人,就好像首先拒絕在父親的葡萄園裏工作的兒子,但後來又後悔而去做(太21:28-32及平行的比喻)。最終,耶穌自述為"真葡萄樹"並他的門徒(基督徒)是枝子(約15:1-11)。在眾多經文中,關於進入"新的"這主題,有一段最棒的描述,記載在馬太福音9:17:"也沒有人把新酒裝在舊皮袋裏,若是這樣,皮袋就裂開,酒漏出來,連皮袋也壞了。惟獨把新酒裝在新皮袋裏,兩樣就都保全了。”

因著約翰的門徒質疑主訓練門徒的方式,於是祂用了一個比喻來強調,就是把布縫在舊衣裳,或是把新酒裝在舊皮袋中。在這裏我們也看見主的恩典,因為當祂要發展新的時候,祂同時保存舊的。祂也對約翰的門徒說,"不要用約翰已經做的來限制我,要期待我用新的方式運行"。因此,透過這個比喻,祂啟示祂將發展新酒,並且針對這新酒,發展出新的結構。

酒主要是從發酵的葡萄而產出的飲料,葡萄在古時的巴勒斯坦地到處可見,即便在雨水受限的地區,夜晚若有充分的露水,也足能支持興旺的葡萄園。從葡萄壓榨出的汁液產出酒,通常在一端有凹槽的大石缸中完成這過程。

汁液首先存放在水槽中,再倒入大的罐子、發酵,同時也存放在陰涼的、用岩石鑿成的貯水槽裏。新約時期,酒是被保存在皮製細頸酒瓶中,通常是用水稀釋。酒一般用在醫藥上或是做為消毒劑。聖經譴責醉酒與宴樂,但描述酒是古時進餐的一部分。沒有葡萄樹就不會有酒!(圖為酒榨,出於全球領域中心(Global Sphere Center))

Hear the clock ticking

聖經中,酒在最簡單的一頓飯食中,甚至是不可或缺的部分。酒與五穀是土產,豐盛的酒代表神滿溢的祝福。沒有酒的出產,就代表毀壞、災難或是貧瘠不結果。毫無疑問的,聖經適度的提到”酒能悅人心”,猶太的律法主義也將酒與舊皮袋或結構作關聯。我相信我們正觀看神在發展、產出新酒與新皮袋。

葡萄樹很重要!

任何沿著表面攀附、或攀爬在自然、或人工的支持物上,帶有容易曲折枝幹的植物,統稱為藤蔓。聖經上的"藤"這個字,大部分是指葡萄樹或葡萄園。巴勒斯坦地的氣候非常適合葡萄園。除了橄欖樹與無花果樹之外,整本舊約聖經使用葡萄樹來代表土地的多產。(申6:11;書24:13;撒上8:14;王下5:26;耶5:17;40:10;何2:12)

葡萄的栽培在於人們所未曾知道的過去古老風俗。聖經記載管理葡萄園的源頭可追溯到挪亞時代(創9:20-21)。栽種與管理一個葡萄園需要持續與精密的照顧。以賽亞書5:1-6對這樣的工作有鉅細靡遺的描述。祂是葡萄樹!

修剪是一項重要的過程!

在葡萄長在枝子上之後,葡萄樹需要被修剪(利25:4;賽18:5;約15:1-2)。這樣過程,使葡萄樹長出更堅固的枝子,並結出更多的果子。被修剪掉的枝子除了當燃料之外別無用途(結15:2-8)。大部分的葡萄樹會爬滿了地,雖然它們偶而會攀爬在附近的樹上(比較詩80:8-10;結15:2;19:11)。若是攀爬的葡萄樹,就可能讓人們可以"坐在他的葡萄樹下"(王上4:25)。

只有在羅馬時期,人造的格子棚才被引進。聖經常常使用葡萄樹或葡萄園做為符號。葡萄樹通常是指以色列,因此,以色列被描述為從埃及被挪出,栽在應許地上但又被撇棄(詩80:8-13;與賽5:1-7比較)。以色列是"被揀選的葡萄樹",反倒成為"野葡萄"(耶2:21;比較何10:1)。就如同乾枯的葡萄樹除了用做燃料之外一無是處,照樣,耶路撒冷也會被焚燒(結15:1-8;19:10-14)。葡萄樹的果實可以悅人心(詩104:15;傳10:19),並忘了苦楚(箴31:6-7)。

當神找到以色列時,以色列就像"曠野的葡萄"(何9:10),被擄回來的餘民被比擬為一串葡萄(賽65:8)。最後,葡萄樹的豐滿象徵即將來臨的榮耀世代,當踹葡萄的接續撒種的(阿9:13-15;與創49:10-12比較)。(圖片:月光下的葡萄園,出自於全球領域中心(Global Sphere Center))

They will bow their knees

容許你正經歷的修剪過程之完工,以致於更大的喜樂可在你生命中湧流出。喜樂製造力量,讓所有枯死的枝條從你身上剪除,並過去季節中的沮喪與失敗被移除淨盡,讓你成為在主手中甜美、新的飲料。

新酒是甚麼?

酒有許多種。"新"或"甜"酒是在葡萄要被壓榨之前,首先滴下來的酒。有一些釋經學家辯說新酒是未經發酵的。然而,提到新酒的一些經文,有暗示喝醉之效果(何4:11;徒2:13)。在高溫的環境之下,並冷藏技術發明之前,不可能將酒在收割季節過後,並開始發酵之前,保存數月之久。酸酒,可能混合油與醋,是當時工人很普遍的飲料(得2:14;路23:36)。酒也被視為一種奢侈品,可以悅人心(詩104:15)以及奪人心(賽28:7; 何4:11)。

我是這樣來定義新酒: "新酒就是神的恩膏,為要在祂百姓的生活中,釋放神豐盛的生命、喜樂以及祝福!"使徒行傳第二章有幅非常美的”新酒”澆灌的圖像。當神的靈落下,祂就是釋放神的生命在使徒們身上,因此,他們欣喜若狂,因著祂的同在喜樂滿溢,也讓旁觀者假設他們是醉酒了!眾人以為他們都喝醉了,但事實上,他們是被”新酒”充滿, 神要我們被新酒充滿,並帶著活潑的生命、完全的喜樂,全然與他同行!當神要開始釋放祂的新酒時,第一步總是讓我們驚奇。

神渴望要賜福!

葡萄樹與葡萄園的豐盛,常常被視為是神恩寵的表達。聖經上,神祝福的豐滿通常用"五穀、新酒和油"(耶31:12) 來描述。詩篇104:15告訴我們,酒能悅人心,油能潤人面(榮光),以及糧(五穀)能養人心。那也就是神對我們每一個人的渴望。

神要我們有能力能站立敵擋仇敵,祂要我們帶著祂的榮耀興起發光,並完成我們在地上的命定。祂也要我們在地上活出滿溢、豐盛的生命。神要我們在每一個季節中,都充滿祂完全豐滿的祝福,然而也有一些季節,祂會專注在祂的祝福之某一層面。我們現正處於神的靈要在祂的教會釋放新酒的新鮮供應之季節。

的酒醡!

製酒的第一步就是"重踹"。直到葡萄被重踹之後,才能釋放出新酒!從葡萄表皮會生出製造發酵的酵母,汁液卻是在裡面。假如葡萄皮沒破,發酵過程則不能開始,那麼葡萄最終會縮水並變成葡萄乾!但是呢,當葡萄被重踹後,葡萄皮會裂開,所以酵母會與汁液混合,新酒就出來了。那也就是神如何處理我們肉體的寫照。

Hear the clock ticking

當神給我們一個異象時,我們的肉體會抓住它並試著用肉體的力氣"讓它發生"。然而肉體不能取悅神。所以,神必須將我們的慾望及雄心放入酒醡,並且重踹,直到除掉我們的肉體為止!

奮力前進到新的異象!

這過程稱為"異象之死"。異象之死是每一位聖經人物所經歷的品格磨塑過程,為要進到神的祝福。神應許亞伯拉罕得子,直到他深深察覺到自己根本無能力"讓此事發生"時,已經等了25年;神恩膏大衛成為君王,但祂也容許大衛被掃羅追趕,直等到他完全將自己的未來交託神;神興起摩西釋放以色列得自由,然後將他放到曠野後方,直等到他治死自己的能力。

神容許你的異象被重踹!祂會等候你的異象死去,然後祂會以超自然的能力使之復活。神總是透過生命、死亡以及復活來做工!如果你正處於你的盼望與夢想似乎正在被重踹的一個季節,我有好消息告訴你!復活正臨到! 神正預備在你生命中釋放祂的新酒

忍耐產生祂完美的工作!

如果你在酒醡中,容許重踹以達到完全的效果是非常重要的。假如我們抗拒重踹,新酒就無法湧出;假如我們拒絕治死我們的慾望與雄心,所流出來的就不是新酒,而是舊酒!當我們看到我們的盼望與雄心遭遇挫敗時,我們就開始喋喋不休與抱怨,"我不明白為什麼會這樣!神啊!這不是你所應許的!"舊酒充滿挫敗、苦毒以及憤怒!這絕不會帶下神所要的結果。假如神把你放在酒醡裏,祂正在尋找一個轉移!祂要你轉移



• 從雄心到降服
• 從嚐試到信靠
• 從我們過去的方式、計畫、心態,到信心的步伐
• 從"我可以做成"的態度,到"神,你會來做!"

從這轉移中,流出聖靈的新酒!假如你在酒醡裏,停止回到舊又熟悉的模式是非常重要的。治死你"可以做成"的能力。憑信心宣告神的話。完全相信神會做成祂已經應許的!

看守你的葡萄園

通常圍繞葡萄園所建造的石牆與樹籬,是用來保護葡萄免於竊賊或是飢餓的動物之侵襲(雅歌2:15;耶49:9)。望樓也是因此目的而建造,提供更進一步的保護。從大缸或酒醡的砍伐,完成了葡萄園的設備(賽5:2)。在收割的季節,葡萄園的主人會住在草棚裏,為要看守他價值連城的農作物(賽1:8)。

葡萄的收割通常在八月或九月。現在看,今年秋天你將看見新的碩果上市。

產生新酒的禱告聚焦

第1天,閱讀以賽亞書41章與28:23-29。
我們必須經歷壓傷與破碎,不要抗拒被重踹。除非表皮要裂開,否則我們最終將會是葡萄乾。太多在舊皮袋中的人拒絕被破碎。宣告在你裏頭所有的種子將會甦醒並且出現。進入你個人的豐收。禱告主使你成為新的、快齒打糧的器具。

第2天,閱讀雅各書第4章。
獻上你的恩賜,並在神給你的權柄之下站立。在神栽種你的地方開花,親近主,並且要忠心!

第3天,閱讀希伯來書第4章與第12章。
不要活在過去,這只會導向悔恨與苦毒。假如你已經悔改,神的恩典會遮蓋過去的罪與失敗。容讓你的過去被修剪;你將會變成甜美的酒,代替苦的酒,獻上給主。

第4天,閱讀耶利米書第29章。
不要活在未來,但要知道你有一個美好的未來。神對你有個未來,然而現在就要在祂裏面找到喜樂與滿足!

第5天,閱讀約翰福音第14、15與16章。
容許修剪的過程在你生命中產生"新"。現在就在祂裏面尋求你的喜樂。在祂裏面,有勢不可擋的生命與喜樂。迫切親近祂!更靠近祂!當你這麼做,新酒便開始湧流 !

第6天,閱讀馬太福音第6章。
不要為任何事憂慮。列出你生命中的前五項優先次序。先求祂的國和祂的義,然後各樣事就都會到位了。

第7天,閱讀詩篇第4篇。
容許神為未來將你分別為聖。燃起新的喜樂與歡欣,宣告你會安然睡覺,並且在神同在中,充滿安全感。

第8天,閱讀申命記33:26-29。新酒帶來神完全的保護與供應。

第9天,閱讀約珥書第2與3章。
新酒是神與祂百姓同在的象徵,以及你的土地被恢復並充滿喜樂。

第10天,閱讀耶利米書第31章。
”新”是你的。新酒是主的豐盛的一部份。

第11天,閱讀雅歌第2、3與4章。
求主啟示正在嚐試要毀壞產出新酒的葡萄之小狐狸,為你的未來身分領受異象,禱告主賜下新的風並且吹進你的園子。

第12天,閱讀箴言3:1-10。
問主要如何獻上你倍增的初熟果實,以致於你的酒醡將溢出新酒。了解並經歷神的祝福。

第13天,閱讀雅歌第8章與詩篇16章。
求主進入你的葡萄園,讓祂以先知性眼光來啟示你關於你未來即將產出的果實。進入你的應許之產業。

第14天,閱讀馬太第16章。
求主賜下啟示。求主啟示你未來的建造計畫。求主賜你鑰匙,如同彼得與天上的父連結一樣,你與父連結要進到某種程度,然後你會開始解開在你裏面的神國。

第15天,閱讀何西阿書2:14-23。
打開你希望之門。認識在你的亞割谷的盼望。求主打開新的希望之門,求主憐憫。更新你與神的約,當天與地同證時,新酒就發生了。

第16天,閱讀啟示錄14:14-20,宣告列國的收割會入酒醡。

第17天,閱讀詩篇119:81-88。宣告任何僵硬或未熟的老化要開始從你身上崩落,並且你將成為新皮袋。

第18天,閱讀以西結書37章。宣告曾經分散的將會一起回來,進入新的結構。

第19天,閱讀以弗所書第4章。
禱告神的治理臨到你的地區,要能夠產出新酒,神的治理必須被建立起來,並完全的彰顯。

第20天,閱讀約翰福音第2章。
讓神將你的水變為酒。祂使用宗教儀式用途的水缸來裝滿新酒。求神挪走在你身上所有宗教之靈,讓祂的榮耀開始發光。

第21天,閱讀馬太9與14章。
要樂意放掉任何在你生命、教會、事業中運作的舊方式,要注意耶穌在皮袋之後的教導。有一位患了12年血漏的婦人往前推擠並觸摸耶穌,耶穌當時正往睚魯家的途中,要喚醒他12歲的女兒。宣告這是迫切進入”新”的時刻,即便在你的軟弱;宣告任何需要甦醒的現在就要甦醒;舊季節總有結束的時刻,當施洗約翰被斬頭時,舊季節就結束了。讓”舊的”結束,”新的”開始。

這是新酒的時刻!這是新皮袋的時刻!兩者正在出現,要進入!

祝福你
恰克‧皮爾斯(Chuck D. Pierce)


Chuck D. Pierce:
A Hardened Vessel for Bringing Forth New Wine and 21-Day Prayer Focus

Dear Friends and Intercessors:

I started the year reading Isaiah, in the Word of God, in four different translations of the Bible: The Amplified, New King James, The Message, and a new version, The Voice. I also went to one of the Hebrew translations and read the passage directly. Isaiah 41:10 is key to our future. In the Amplified, it states:

"Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice." Let Him do a new work in your spirit to harden you to circumstances around you. This will allow your vessel to be prepared for the pouring of new wine (revelation for your future).

There is a prophetic word that keeps speaking that says: "Pull aside, enter your garden, and experience new wine." There are many contentions and much warfare ahead in the areas of creativity and wealth. God tells us that we can create wealth. I feel like we need to pray not only for transference of wealth but also for the creative power to create wealth.Therefore, I believe if we focus on breaking into "the new" then we will see much new break forth. It's time to press into the new.

Jesus Declared the NEW!

In the New Testament, Jesus often used the vineyard as an analogy for the Kingdom of God (Matt. 20:1-16). Those who hope to enter the Kingdom must be like the son who at first refused to work in his father's vineyard, but later repented (Matt. 21:28-32 and parallels). Ultimately, Jesus Himself is described as the "true vine" and His disciples (Christians) as the branches (John 15:1-11). One of the best descriptions for entering into the new comes fromMatthew 9:17"Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

The Lord is addressing John's disciples because they are questioning the methods He is using to train up His disciples. He then makes the analogy of putting a patch on an old garment, or putting new wine into an old wineskin. We also see the grace of the Lord in this because He wants to preserve the old as He develops the new. He is also saying to John's disciples, "Don't limit Me to just what John did, but expect Me to move in a new way." Therefore, through this analogy, He reveals that He will develop new wine and He will develop a new structure for that wine.

WINE is a beverage primarily made from fermented grapes. Grapes grew throughout ancient Palestine. Even in areas with limited rainfall, enough dew fell at night to support thriving vineyards. Pressing the juice from the grapes produces wine. This is done in large stone vats with a small drain at one end.

Hear the clock tickingThe juice was collected in troughs, poured into large jars, and allowed to ferment, while stored in cool, rock cisterns. In New Testament times, wine was kept in skin flasks and was often diluted with water. It was also used as a medicine and disinfectant. Scripture condemns drunkenness and overindulgence, but pictured wine as part of the typical ancient meal. You can't have wine without a vine! (Photo of the winepress at the Global Spheres Center)

In the Bible, wine was a necessary part of even the simplest meal. Wine and grain were staples. The abundance of wine signified God's overflowing blessings. Failure to have a wine crop indicated destruction, calamity or barrenness. There was no problem, Biblically with a moderate "gladdening of the heart" through wine. Jewish legalism was also linked with the concept of old wineskins or structures. I believe we are watching the Lord develop a new wine to bring forth, as well as a new wineskin.

The Vine is Important!

Any plant having a flexible stem supported by creeping along a surface or by climbing a natural or artificial support is known as a VINE. The word vine in the Bible almost always refers to the grapevine or vineyard. The climate of Palestine was well suited for vineyards. Along with the olive and fig trees, the grapevine is used throughout the Old Testament to symbolize the fertility of the land (Deut. 6:11; Josh. 24:13; 1 Sam. 8:14; 2 Kings 5:26; Jer. 5:17; 40:10; Hos. 2:12).

The origin of viticulture lies in the antiquity of the unknown past. The Bible traces the origin of caring for vineyards to the time of Noah (Gen. 9:20-21). The planting and care of a vineyard required constant and intensive care. The most detailed description of the work involved is found in Isaiah 5:1-6. He is the vine!

Pruning is an Important Process!

After the grapes had set on the branches, the vines were pruned (Lev. 25:4; Isa. 18:5; John 15:1-2). This process produced stronger branches and a greater fruit yield. The pruned branches were useless except to be used as fuel (Ezek. 15:2-8). The vines for the most part were allowed to run on the ground, though occasionally they might climb a nearby tree (compare Ps. 80:8-10; Ezek. 15:2; 19:11). Perhaps it was this latter occurrence that made it possible for a man to "sit under" his vine (1 Kings 4:25).

Only in the Roman period were artificial trellises introduced. The Bible frequently uses vine or vineyard as a symbol. Vine is often used in speaking of Israel. Thus, Israel is said to have been brought out of Egypt and planted as a vine on the land but was forsaken (Ps. 80:8-13; compare Isa. 5:1-7). Israel was planted a "choice vine," but became a "wild vine" (Jer. 2:21; compare Hos. 10:1). As the dead wood of a vine is good for nothing but fuel, so the inhabitants of Jerusalem would be consumed (Ezek. 15:1-8; 19:10-14). The fruit of the vine gladdens the heart of humankind (Ps. 104:15; Eccl. 10:19) and suppresses pain and misery (Prov. 31:6-7).

They will bow their kneesIsrael was "like grapes in the wilderness" when God found them (Hos. 9:10), and the remnant surviving the Exile is compared to a cluster of grapes (Isa. 65:8). Finally, an abundance of the vine symbolizes the glorious age to come when the treader of the grapes will overtake the one who sows the seed (Amos 9:13-15; compare Gen. 49:10-12). (Photo: Vineyard at the Global Spheres Center in moonlight)

Allow the completion of the pruning process you are in so a greater joy can come forth in your life. Joy produces strength. Let all the dead wood be cut off of you. Let the sorrow and failures of the past season be removed so you become a sweet, new, drink in the hands of the Lord.

What is the New Wine?

Several types of wine were consumed. "New" or "sweet" wine was likely wine from the first drippings of juice before the grapes had been trodden. Some interpreters argue that new wine was unfermented. Some texts in which it is mentioned, however, allude to its intoxicating effects (Hos. 4:11; Acts 2:13). In a hot climate, before the invention of refrigeration, it was not possible to keep wine many months past the harvest, before fermentation began. Sour wine, perhaps vinegar mixed with oil, was a common drink of day laborers (Ruth 2:14; Luke 23:36). Wine was considered a luxury item which could both gladden the heart (Ps. 104:15) or cloud the mind (Isa. 28:7; Hos. 4:11).

I define new wine this way, "The New Wine is the anointing of God to release the abundance of God's life, joy and blessing in the lives of His people!" A good picture of the "New Wine" anointing is found in Acts Chapter Two. When the Spirit of God fell on the apostles, He released the life of God upon them. They were so overwhelmed by the overflowing joy of His presence, observers assumed they were drunk! The crowd thought they were drunk with wine, but really they were filled with NEW WINE! God wants us to be "filled with New Wine" and to walk in fullness of joy, with a vibrant spirit, full of life!When God begins to release His New Wine, the first step may surprise us.

God Longs to Bless!

The abundance of vines and vineyards were seen as expressions of God's favor. In the Bible, the fullness of God's blessing is described as "grain, new wine and oil" (Jer. 31:12). Psalm 104:15 tells us that wine makes the heart glad, oil makes our face shine (glory), and bread (grain) gives us strength. That is God's desire, for each one of us.

God wants us to have strength to stand against the enemy. He wants us to shine with His glory and fulfill our destiny in the earth. He also wants us to walk in overflowing, abundant life here in the earth-realm! God wants us to have the fullness of His blessing in every season, but there are seasons when He focuses on a particular aspect of His blessing. We are in a season when the Spirit of God wants to release a fresh supply of New Wine to His Church.

The Winepress for the NEW!

Hear the clock tickingThe first step in wine making is the "stomping." New wine cannot be released until grapes are stomped! The yeast that produces fermentation grows on the outside of the grape skin. The juice is on the inside. If the grape skin remains unbroken, the process of fermentation cannot begin, and the grape will eventually shrivel up and turn into a raisin! But, when the grapes are stomped, the grape skin is broken. The yeast mixes with the juice, and new wine comes forth. That's a picture of how God deals with our flesh.

When God gives us a vision, our flesh grabs it and tries to "make it happen" in fleshly energy. But the flesh cannot please God. So God has to put our desires and ambitions into the winepress and stomp them, until our flesh lets go!

Press Forth Into New Vision!

This process is called "death of a vision." Death of a vision is a process every character in the Bible went through, to come into a place of God's blessing. God promised Abraham a son, then waited 25 years until Abraham's recognized his own inability to "make it happen." God anointed David to be king, but then allowed David to be hunted by Saul until David entrusted his future entirely to God. God raised up Moses to set Israel free, then sent him out to the backside of the desert until he died to his own abilities.

God will allow your vision to be stomped! He will wait for it to die, then He will resurrect it in supernatural power. God always works through life, death, and resurrection! If you are in a season where it seems all your hopes and dreams are being stomped, I have good news! Resurrection is coming! God is preparing to release His NEW WINE in you!

Let Patience Bring Forth Her Perfect Work!

If you are in the winepress, it's important to allow the stomping to have its full effect. If we resist stomping, the new wine cannot flow. If we refuse to die to our own desires and ambitions, what comes out is not the New Wine, but the old whine! We see our hopes and ambitions frustrated, and we start to murmur and complain, "I don't see why this is happening! God, this isn't what You promised!" Old whine is full of frustration, bitterness and anger! It will never bring the results God wants. If God has you in the winepress, He is looking for a shift!He wants you to shift:

• from ambition to submission.
• from trying to trusting.
• from our old ways, plans, mindsets, to a walk of faith.
• from the attitude, "I can make it happen," to "God, You will do it!"

Out of that shifting flows the new wine of the Spirit! If you are in the winepress, it's important that you stop reaching back to the old and familiar. Die to your ability to make it happen. Declare God's word, by faith. Trust God completely to do all that He has promised!

Watching After Your Vineyard!

Stone walls and/or hedges were usually built around the vineyard to protect the grapes from thirsty animals and from thieves (Song of Sol. 2:15; Jer. 49:9). Watchtowers were also built to provide further protection. The hewing out of a winepress or vat completed the vineyard installation (Isa. 5:2). During the harvesting season, the owner of the vineyard might live in a booth, to stay close to his valuable crop (Isa. 1:8).

The harvest of the grapes took place in August or September. Watch now, so you see the full fruit of the new coming forth this fall.
 

Prayer Focus for Bringing Forth New Wine:

Day 1. Read Isaiah 41 and 28:23-29. There is a bruising and a breaking that we must go through. Don't resist the stomping. Unless the skin is broken, we will end up as a raisin. So many in the old wineskin have resisted being broken. Declare all the seeds that are within you will awaken and come forth. Enter into your personal harvest. Ask the Lord to make you into a new, sharp threshing instrument.

Day 2. Read James 4. Submit your gifts and stand under the authority God is giving you. Bloom where God has planted you. Draw near to God and be faithful!

Day 3. Read Hebrews 4 and 12. Don't live in the past. This leads only to regret and bitterness. If you have repented, God's grace will cover past sins and failings. Allow your past to be pruned away; instead of being a bitter drink offering, you will become a sweet drink offering to the Lord.

Day 4. Read Jeremiah 29. Don't live in the future, but know that you have a good future. God has a future for you, but joy and fulfillment are found in HIM now!

Day 5. Read John 14, 15 and 16. Allow the pruning process to bring forth the new in you. Seek your joy in Him now. There is a place of overwhelming life and joy in Him. Press in to Him! Draw closer to Him! As you do, the New Wine begins to flow!

Day 6. Read Matthew 6. Be anxious for nothing. List the top five priorities in your life. Seek Him first and His Kingdom and His righteousness and then everything else will fall in place.

Day 7. Read Psalm 4. Allow the Lord to set you apart for the future. Let new joy and gladness arise. Declare you will sleep in peace and you will feel safe in the presence of God.

Day 8. Read Deuteronomy 33:26-29. New wine brings the fullness of God's security and provision.

Day 9. Read Joel 2 and 3. New wine is a sign of God's presence dwelling with His people and your land being restored and rejoicing.

Hear the clock tickingDay 10. Read Jeremiah 31. The new is for you. New wine is part of the bounty of the Lord.

Day 11. Read Song of Solomon 2, 3 and 4. Ask the Lord to reveal to you the little foxes that are trying to crush the vine that will bring forth the new wine. Get a vision of your future identity. Ask the Lord to send a new wind and blow upon your garden.

Day 12. Read Proverbs 3:1-10. Ask the Lord how to give the first fruits of your increase so your vats will run over with new wine. Understand and experience God's blessing.

Day 13. Read Song of Solomon 8 and Psalm 16. Ask the Lord to come into your vineyard. Let Him prophetically reveal to you the fruit you are going to bring forth in the future. Enter into your promised inheritance.

Day 14. Read Matthew 16. Ask the Lord for revelation. Ask the Lord for the building plan for your future. Ask the Lord for keys. Just as Peter connected with the Father in Heaven, connect with the Father in a way that you begin to unlock the Kingdom of God within you.

Day 15. Read Hosea 2:14-23. Unlock your door of hope. Know that there is hope in your Valley of Achor. Ask God for that new door of hope to open up. Ask the Lord for mercy. Renew your covenant with God. New wine occurs when Heaven and earth agree.

Day 16. Read Revelation 14:14-20. Declare that the harvest in the nations will come into the winepress.

Day 17. Read Psalm 119:81-88. Declare that any premature aging or stiffness will begin to break from you and you will become a new wineskin.

Day 18. Read Ezekiel 37. Declare that which has been scattered will come back together into a new structure.

Day 19. Read Ephesians 4. Pray for the government of God in your region. For new wine to come forth, the government of God must be established in its fullness.

Day 20. Read John 2. Let the Lord change your water into new wine. He used the pots of religious ritualism to fill them with new wine. Ask the Lord to remove the spirit of religion from you. Let His glory begin to shine.

Day 21. Read Matthew 9 and 14. Be willing to let go of any old method that is operating in your life, business, church, etc. Notice the teaching after the wineskin. The lady who had an issue of blood for 12 years pressed through and touched Jesus. Jesus was on His way to awaken the 12-year-old daughter of Jairus. Declare that now is the time to press through into the new, even in your weakness. Declare that what needs to wake up will wake up now. There is a time when the old season ends. When John the Baptist was beheaded, the old season ended. Allow the old to end and the new to begin.

It's time for new wine. It's time for the new wine skin. Both are coming forth. Enter in!

Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce