January 23, 2026

NEW WINE, NEW MIND

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins.”

Luke 5:37-38 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Years ago, I heard John Maxwell share a principle that challenged me to my core. I can still see the slide he projected: it was a man walking in circles with a caption that read, “If I always do what I’ve always done, I’ll always get what I’ve always gotten!”

It is fascinating how many people want a better life, a better marriage, or a deeper walk with God, yet aren’t willing to change their daily routine to get there. We often expect different results while repeating the same mistakes.

The Flexibility of the Wineskin

Jesus explains this through the imagery of wineskins. In those days, new wine was put into fresh goatskins. Because the wine was still fermenting and expanding, the new skin was soft and flexible enough to stretch with it. However, an old skin had become brittle; if you put new wine in it, the pressure would cause it to burst, ruining both the wine and the container.

The Holy Spirit is often referred to in Scripture as "New Wine." If we want a fresh move of the Spirit in our lives, we must be willing to become a "new wineskin." Our old habits, rigid attitudes, and outdated behaviors simply cannot hold the weight of the new work God wants to do in and through us.

The Cost of the New

The Apostle Paul understood that the "New Wine" of Christ was worth the sacrifice of the old. He declared:

“For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” — Philippians 3:8 (NLT)

Paul was willing to throw out his entire "old life" to ensure he was a vessel capable of holding the presence of Jesus.

The Audit

As we move further into this year, it’s time to perform a spiritual audit. To receive what God has for you next, what "old skins" do you need to discard?

• Which habits are keeping you in circles?

• Which attitudes have become too brittle to stretch?

• Which behaviors are causing you to leak the joy of the Spirit?

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, I want Your life flowing through me without restriction. I don't want to stay the same this year; I want to be a flexible, fresh vessel for Your presence. Show me the habits and attitudes that have become brittle in my daily life. Empower me to discard them so I can receive the new work You are doing. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”