New Wineskins 1 of 21 – How God’s Word Directly Applies to YOU Today

Pray for the Holy Spirit to tell you how His Word directly applies to YOU today:

Moses had been a student. He was well educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, but this was not the only qualification which he needed to prepare him for his work.

He was, in the providence of God, to learn patience, to temper his passions.

In a school of self-denial and hardships he was to receive an education which would be of the utmost importance to him. These trials would prepare him to exercise a fatherly care over all who needed his help.

No knowledge, no study, no eloquence, could be a substitute for this experience in trials to one who was to watch for souls as they that must give an account. (4T 343)

Dear Heavenly Father,

You warn the wise not to glory in their wisdom, nor the mighty to glory in their might, nor the rich to glory in their riches—I confess, I have done all of that.  I want to ask for forgiveness for the pride I have taken in my personal skills and my degrees, for times when I have credited success to my qualifications.  I have even gloated when things went my way at home. And Lord, I also confess that I lack self-control and patience with those who I’m in contact with each day, some  of whom look up to me as a child would a parent.  Oh God, I have had other gods before You!  I have made idols of my accomplishments!  I have put myself on the throne!

But today, I want to take to heart your words: “Let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord”!  Help me to remember that a knowledge of You is the “foundation of all true education and all true service.  It is the only real safeguard against temptation.  It is this alone that can make” me like You in character.

So God, I renounce all self-reliance for it cannot save me.  I “will not ride on horses, nor say anymore to the work of my hands, ‘you are my gods.’”  Help me welcome trials and everything else that, in your providence, You have planned, to develop in me those fruits of the Spirit I so desperately need: “love, joy, peace, patience(!), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control(!!)”  God, give them to me for I cannot attain them myself!  I desire to learn Your meekness, Your lowliness, Your patience and Your love so I do not dishonor You before my family, friends, colleagues, and brothers and sisters in the faith.  Make me a true representative of you!

I pray this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose life and death made this all possible, Amen!

Deeper Still:

“None who have fallen need despair…there is still hope.”

Read God’s message of hope to you in  Hosea 14.

Jer. 9:23,24; MH 409; Hos. 14:3; Gal. 5:22; AA214; PK 84