Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 40, 51, 54; Genesis 40:1-23; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Mark 2:13-17

Today’s Writer: Gwen Blaylock Beeby

Let us become fresh wineskins for the new wine – our Risen Savior Jesus Christ (Mark 2:22b).

This Lenten season, let us become a new wineskin with a clean heart, an expectant heart, a without limitation heart. A new wineskin that waits patiently for the Lord, because only then will He, incline to us and hear our cry (Ps 40.1).

Let us stop and remember that Our Lord is our only hope when the troubles come, and even when they do not come. As David cried out to the Lord, For strangers have risen against me and violent men have sought my life (Psalm 54:3); and as Joseph was forgotten by the chief cupbearer (Gen 40:23). Our God is the only one who can bring us out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay (Ps 40:2a). He is the only one who can set our feet upon a rock making our footsteps firm (v. 2b). Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul (Ps 54:4). Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Ps 51:7).

We need to actively kick out the old and comfortable, so that we make room for the new and sometimes uncomfortable. Not a new Gospel…but a fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you (I Cor 3:16)? Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Ps 51:10).

This new infusion of the Holy Spirit changes our worship and praise.
O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. (Ps 95:1-2)

In our new wineskins, infused with the new wine of Jesus Christ, the light of Christ shines in us a little brighter. As others draw closer to the light, they see not us the wineskins, but Jesus the wine. The world needs this light, our Jesus. In a world where people are dying and going to hell every day without ever knowing the love of Christ, we can make a difference. We can be that light that beckons people home, home to a waiting Jesus.