I am sure that you have heard the phrase, “You can’t put new wine into old wineskins”. This phrase is actually a scripture which is repeated several times within the Bible. For the advantage of this posting, I am referencing the version listed in Luke 5: 37-39 (NLT) which reads, “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. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”

In my desire to obtain as much knowledge as possible, I researched the literal wine preservation method. According to my research, old wineskins loose their elasticity over time which result in the skins becoming stiff and brittle. As new wine ferments, it produces gases which cause the vessel preserving it to expand. So if new wine is placed in an old wineskin, the decreased elasticity of the old wineskin would explode as the gases from the new wine are released during the fermentation process. So to preserve new wine, it is essential to utilize a new wineskin. Let’s talk!

We know that Jesus spoke in parables, and “those that get it, get it”. It takes Holy Spirit for the words within the Bible to transition from being read as a story book to being read as the living truth relevant and applicable to our lives today. With that being stated, Jesus was not literally referring to wine and wineskins. The old wineskins equate to an old way of thinking, an old set of traditions, old church culture, and religious teachings and practices which tend to hold believers captive and keep us stagnant. New wine equates to the image of Christ via the transformation of the believer by Holy Spirit. So if I am being transformed by Holy Spirit, I cannot allow my old mindset, set of traditions, church culture, or religious practices and teachings to limit or stagnate me in the spiritual realm. I must take on a new wineskin (new mindset) which possesses the necessary elasticity to expand and adjust as I “ferment”.

After writing the blog titled, “The Shifting”, God gave me revelation on what I was experiencing. He revealed that I am being transformed into His image so I must leave behind and be pruned of any association with the old wine and old wineskins in order to properly ferment. He revealed that I am being shifted out of the old wineskins that I had allowed to limit and stagnate me and into my necessary new wineskin which would allow for my transformation. But there was an issue which is revealed in Luke 5:39. I was having an issue with the shifting due to being used to drinking the old wine and living within the old wineskin. Although I had tasted of the new wine, my flesh did not desire it. My flesh did not desire to be uncomfortable or die. I was having an issue with unlearning and releasing the “churched” way of life that I had been taught in my upbringing. I desired for the new wine to make the old wineskin work. But that is not possible within the natural realm or the spiritual realm. So God began to question me: How can you expect to be transformed into My image without experiencing a shift from the old to the new? How can you expect to hold on to your old mindset, routines, thoughts, traditions, inner circle, cycles, lifestyles, and religious practices yet be transformed into My image? How can you be led by My Spirit while still considering the religious teachings and practices from your past? How can I be the Lord over your life when you are allowing your flesh to be fulfilled? How do you expect an old place to accompany a new you? Now that’s some real talk!

And today, my friend, I am asking you those same questions. Reflect on the above mentioned scriptures and the answers to those questions. Consider making the answers prayer requests so that God can lead you out of your old ways and into His new ways. Ttyl.

Godly sorrow can be defined as a deep, heartfelt grief for sinning against God. It leads to true repentance and salvation and is motivated by a desire to heal one’s relationship with God. It is a core part of making a radical change in one’s life. Worldly sorrow includes the shame of getting caught and the pain of punishment. It can lead to self-loathing or a desire to simply sin in secret. The result of worldly sorrow is spiritual death.

The key verses for this blog posting are 2 Corinthians 7: 8-10. Before getting into these specific verses, I would like to provide some background. Paul wrote two letters to the members of the Church of Corinth (1st and 2nd Corinthians). In the first letter, he called them out for: using human wisdom instead of spiritual wisdom, being jealous of one another, being divided, being spiritually prideful, judging others, engaging in sexual sin, not being disciplined, engaging in idolatry, amongst other things. Due to the severity of the first letter and the possible pain it would cause the people, Paul was conflicted emotionally (2 Corinthians 7:5-6); that was until he received report from Titus stating the people had received the letter well and had repented of their wrongdoing (2 Corinthians 7:7). This is where our key verses come into play. Second Corinthians 7:8-10 read, “I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants His people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks experience, results in spiritual death”. As you can see, Paul started off by telling the people that he was initially sorry for the severity of the letter due to the pain that it would cause, but he was glad that he sent it because it caused them to repent and change their ways. The people had experienced Godly sorrow.

Have you ever had your pastor, leader, or friend call you out for your wrongdoing as Paul did in his first letter? Did that particular sermon, counseling session, or dinner date conversation sound harsh but caused a change within you? Well, my friend, you have experienced Godly sorrow. But to be quite frank, a lot of us either have had or still have an issue with being corrected or held accountable for our actions. We have read about Jesus correcting His disciples, followers, crowds, and even the religious teachers. Sometimes, His correction was harsh or sarcastic; at other times, His correction was gentle. The situation dictated the type of correction. We have read verses like 2 Timothy 3:16 which tells us that Holy Spirit corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do right. And I can only speak for myself, but Holy Spirit’s correction doesn’t always sound good or feel good, but I know that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). I believe that we have defined correcting “in love” as using gentle words that are appeasing to our flesh, emotions, mind, and heart. But to be honest, correcting out of love is not a feeling. If someone cares enough about you to have a tough conversation regarding your soul and eternal life, there should not be a question as to whether or not they love you. Every corrective conversation you may have will not always sound or feel good. But it should always lead you towards Godly sorrow and away from worldly sorrow.

Disclaimer: This posting is not a promotion of harsh, abusive-like correction.

Recently, I began to feel a shifting within my life both spiritually and physically. The spiritual aspect of this shifting involved an urge to completely surrender everything and everyone to Christ, walking in a greater level of faith, amongst other things. The physical aspect of this shifting involved coming out of my old “routines”/patterns and becoming more disciplined.

In hindsight, prior to this shifting, my morning “routine” was quite hectic and unorganized. But I did not view it in that manner due to the fact that I was able to check off things listed on my todo list. I would wake up, pray, wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed for the gym, take my son to school, go to the gym, workout, go home to freshen up for work, and rush out the door to work. Although performing my morning skin care routine made me feel better, I did it inconsistently due to having “no time”. Everything felt rushed, and savoring each moment did not exist. Truthfully, completing my routine at the gym was the primary focus of my mornings, but even my time at the gym wasn’t enjoyable due to the time restraints. Day by day, I felt more unfulfilled and desiring more.

You may be wondering what the shifting felt/looked like, so let me explain. I felt the need to be more flexible instead of rigidly set in my ways. I began to have an urgency to pray in the evening time instead of the morning time. I began to listen to my body and rest when I needed rest instead of forcing myself to work out. I began to choose healthier food options and pay attention to my consumption specifically denying myself of eating unhealthy when emotional. I felt the need to ‘go with the flow” instead of following a set plan. These things were not thoughts at the forefront of my mind. Instead, it felt as if my body began to follow the directions and promptings from within me.

A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with COVID and forced to sit down, rest, and regroup. I reached out to my spiritual mentor and explained what I had been feeling and requested some guidance. Even after I received the guidance, I did not fully surrender to the shifting. While all of this was occurring, I was finishing up my study of the book of Matthew and beginning my study of the books of Corinthians. I would like to mention 1 Corinthians 9: 25-27 here; these verses reference being disciplined in training, running with purpose, disciplining one’s body like an athlete, and training the body to do what it should. After reading these verses, I heard “kill the flesh”. This was not the first time I had heard this phrase. God had spoken these very words to me beforehand, but I was not obedient due to my lack of intentionality. Reading these scriptures resonated within my mind. Just because you are not engaging in the things the world deems “big sins” does not mean you do not need to kill your flesh. If overeating is an issue, you need to work at killing your flesh. If you lack self-control, you need to kill your flesh. So on and so forth.

As I was journaling to God this week, I received a revelation from Him. He is shifting me to be more disciplined. He is establishing routine within me. He is teaching me how to kill my flesh. He is preparing me for what’s ahead. And although I do not see it now, I know that it is coming. I have been praying, “Lord, prepare me for what’s ahead and Your promises”. The shifting is a portion of my answer to that prayer. There has to be a preparatory season where things are set into order prior to God elevating me. I cannot enter this next season of my life rushing through moments, unorganized, not disciplined, neglecting myself by not checking in with my body/mind, eating unhealthy foods without restraint, lacking sleep, attempting to prepare for the day ahead while not savoring the present moment, etc. I must be led by the Spirit of God moment by moment. Because when He calls for me to pivot, I need to be in the proper position to do so without hesitation.

Since surrendering to the shifting, my morning routine looks like: wake up, quiet time with God (meditation, prayer, worship, praise/whatever He leads me to do), brush my teeth, wash my face, perform my skin care routine, take my son to school, go back home, drink my coffee while reading my Bible, take notes from my Bible reading, write a blog/journal… enjoy every moment. Afterwards, I look over my charts for my patients I will see that day, freshen up, get dressed for work, and go to work. I have felt AMAZING! I have felt so much calmer and freer both mentally and physically!! I am grateful for the shifting and God’s guidance in every aspect of it.

I want to encourage you to surrender to the shifting. It is for your betterment, and God is preparing you for your future. Do not stay stagnant just because the place ahead of you is unknown and unfamiliar to you. Have faith that even though you do not see what is occurring, God sees everything and will take care of you!

Hey friends! I pray that you all have read my recent postings covering the book of Matthew. If you haven’t just yet, I encourage you to read the chapter in your Bible and compile your own reflective points prior to reading my summary/reflective points. Leave a comment if you receive any revelations from your readings. I will be happy for you to share them with me! Now let’s talk!

Approximately two months ago, my father experienced a recurrent syncopal episode which raised concerns so I proceeded to have him evaluated. On my way to meet him at his follow-up doctor’s appointment where we would receive his testing results, I began to become nervous and fearful. I attempted to pray my emotions away because I initially processed them as an attack on my faith. But God began to deal with me in that very moment regarding my misinterpretation of my emotions. He explained that I am human, and therefore, I cannot “escape that human experience”. When facing the unknown, it is normal to experience many emotions, but it is our response to those emotions that truly matters. We, as believers, are charged in those moments to acknowledge our emotions, process them, invite God into that space, seek guidance, and respond appropriately. This is where a lot of us miss the mark though; instead, we acknowledge our emotions, validate them as real and true, and respond however we FEEL is appropriate. I am becoming more emotionally mature, and the description of this moment attests to that. Although I was nervous and fearful, I did not desire for those emotions to overwhelm me or drive my response. I felt relieved that God had provided clarity in that moment. So after arriving at the doctor’s office, I sat in the car to gather myself when I heard Him whisper, “Be strong and courageous”. Immediately I thought, “now God, the Bible says in my weakness, You are made strong so what do You mean I need to be strong? You’re the strong one, right?” But in hindsight, God was preparing me!! He did not allow me to be blindsighted with the results. Although I did not know them at that time, I assumed that they would not be good from His words. As we received the results, I felt the tears swelling up as I looked to my father who appeared so disappointed and sad. I remembered God’s words, contained myself, and listened attentively to the NP. My father looked to me to be his pillar of strength in that moment, and I was able to provide a beacon of hope to him as I expressed my faith in my Heavenly Father’s ability to heal.

Deuteronomy chapter 31 verse six states, “So be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you”. Joshua chapter one verse nine states, “This is my command—be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. When God whispered, “Be strong and courageous” to me, He was reminding me that He had gone before me, was with me, and would never leave me. He was reiterating my safety in Him and exalting His power over the fleeting emotions that I was feeling. God is saying that very thing to you today! Be strong and courageous no matter what situations are surrounding you, no matter what battles are coming up against me, no matter the circumstances you are facing in your life, no matter what is taking place in the world, no matter if you are feeling certain emotions, no matter what… GOD IS WITH ME and His Spirit dwells within me! Be encouraged! Be empowered! Be strong and courageous!

This chapter details Jesus’ resurrection. The Marys went to check on the tomb and had an encounter with an angel of the Lord. The angel instructed the women to view the inside of the tomb and go tell the disciples that Jesus had risen just as He said He would. He instructed them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee to meet Jesus. So as the women went to deliver the message, they encountered Jesus and worshipped Him. He gave them the same instructions as the angel gave. The guards who had witnesssed the angel appear went into the city to tell the leading priests what had happened. To cover up the truth, they bribed the guards into telling the people that the disciples had come and stolen Jesus’ body. They took the bribe and began to spread the lie; that lie is still being spread today. Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples at the appointed place and bestowed the Great Commission upon them. He told them to go make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey all the commands He had given them. He ensured them that He would be with them always, even at the end of the age.

I only have a few reflective points. Tell the truth! Do not compromise and do not be bribed. A group of people knew the truth and a group of people believed the lie. Don’t be a part of the latter group, friend. Jesus is the truth, and His resurrection happened just as it was detailed within this chapter. When Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples, although they worshipped Him, some of them doubted. Don’t be like the doubting disciples, friend. When Jesus reveals Himself to you in a certain way, believe it from that point forward. That is your proof, and you dare not need further confirmation. Lastly, you have the same purpose bestowed upon you as the disciples did. Go make disciples!

The chapter opens with the leading priests and elders making plans to put Jesus to death. They bound Him and led Him to Pilate, the Roman governor. Judas realized that Jesus was condemned to death and felt remorse. So he returned those 30 pieces of silver to the leading priests and admitted that he had betrayed an innocent man. After that, Judas hang himself. Jesus stood trial before Pilate who knew the religious leaders were envious of Jesus and had no real charges to place against Him. He allowed the crowd to choose between him releasing Barabbas or Jesus, and they chose for Barabbas. They desired for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate allowed them to choose and accept responsibility for Jesus’ death because he knew Jesus was innocent. Everyone mocked Jesus for claiming to be the King of the Jews. They flogged Him, spit on Him, and beat Him before finally crucifying Him. And while He hung on that cross, they continued to mock Him telling Him to save Himself. Jesus gave up His Spirit. The Roman officer and soldiers realized that He was the Son of God after the events surrounding His death. He was placed in a tomb, and a stone was rolled over the entrance. But that wasn’t enough for the leading priests and Pharisees. They had remembered that Jesus had said He would rise from the dead in three days. So they went to Pilate and asked for the tomb to be sealed. Pilate abliged and ordered for guards to be placed at the tomb as well. Jesus placed our sins (that cross) on His shoulders and carried them to His death. He was nailed to our sins and released His Spirit as payment. Friend, Jesus died on that cross as an innocent man on a mission. That mission was for you and I to have eternal life. His death gave us access.

This chapter is the longest chapter, but it is essential to read. Topics within this chapter include the plot to kill Jesus, the woman anointing Jesus, Judas betraying Jesus, the last supper, Jesus praying in Gethsemane, Jesus arrested, Jesus being found guilty, and Peter denying Jesus.

All this time, the people had been trying to trap Jesus so that they could kill Him. They missed recognizing the Messiah due to their eyesight being focused on the wrong things. Their desires to understand who Jesus was, how He was performing such miracles, how He was so brilliant, who His power came from amongst other things blinded them. But they would soon come to know that He was exactly who He professed to be. I can only imagine Jesus relaxing when this woman comes to Him with an alabaster jar and began to anoint Him. She took her expensive perfumes and poured them all over Jesus for what He explained was for the preparation for His burial. At the last supper, Jesus revealed to all of the disciples that Judas would betray Him. It is also during this setting that the disciples partake in what we call communion. After leaving the last supper and being on their way to the Mount of Olives, Jesus revealed that Peter would deny Him three times. Despite that fact, Jesus took Peter, James and John into Gethsamane to pray. He left them at a certain spot to keep watch, and He went a little further. Jesus came back to that spot twice to see if they were keeping watch, but He found them sleeping. Jesus prayed three times in Gethsamane, and as soon as He was done, Judas handed Him over in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Peter trailed Jesus to the high priest’s house to hear of the verdict from the council. After He was found guilty, Peter denied Jesus to three different people. The rooster crowed, and Peter remembered Jesus’ prophesy. He went away weeping bitterly. A few points that I gathered: stop trying to figure Jesus’ next move out and just focus on ensuring that I am in right standing with Him; never allow the expense to detour me from honoring the Messiah; keep watch; always reference the One that I serve; nothing is more precious than His presence so stay locked in. Stay focused on Him!

This chapter opens up with the very familiar parable of the ten virgins (bridesmaids) (verses one through 12). There were 5 foolish virgins and 5 wise virgins; the foolish ones were not prepared and the wise ones were prepared. When the bridegroom came to get the bridesmaids, the five foolish were left behind and locked out of the wedding. When they got back to the waiting area, they attempted to get in but were denied access. Verse 13 is the key verse for this parable; Jesus said, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return”. We must be ready for Jesus’ return. We will not have time to get ourselves together for as the previous chapter mentioned the moment will be as quick as a lightening flash. Friend, will you be ready?

In verses 14 through 29, we read about the parable of the three servants. The master was going on a long trip and left his servants behind to tend the his affairs. He distributed his money to each of the for the amount of time he would be gone and according to each servant’s ability. When he returned, two of the servants had doubled what they received, but the one that received the least earned nothing in addition to it. The master was pleased with the two who doubled what they received and gave them additional responsibilities as they had stewarded their talents well. But the one who didn’t gain interest was condemned and sent away. As mentioned in chapter 24, we must steward what God gives us well. God gives us talents according to our individual abilities. He expects multiplication just as the master did. Our gifts and talents are not for our personal gain, but instead, they are for His glory and the saving of souls. Don’t be like the one who sat on his talent and offered no return when his master called him forth.

Jesus said, in verse 29, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This verse reiterates precious points. Friend, don’t be a useless, hell-bound servant due to sitting on your talent.

In verses 31 through 40, Jesus talked about the final judgment. Jesus will sit upon His thrown with His angels. All the people will be gathered; the sheep will stand to His right and the goats to His left. Jesus will say to the sheep, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. Thirsty, you gave me drink. A stranger, you invited me into your home. Naked, you clothed me. Sick, you cared for me. In prison, you visited me”. They will reply, “When did we do all these things”. Jesus will reply, “When you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you were doing it for Me”. But in verses 41 through 46, we read of the goats being sent away for refusing to do the things the sheep had done. They are destined for eternal punishment while the sheep are destined for eternal life. Are you a sheep or a goat? Where will you spend eternity?

In this entire chapter, Jesus teaches about the future. When reading this chapter, consider it a prophecy. We have all heard of the Anti-Christ, false prophets, etc. In verses three through five, Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives when His disciples came to Him asking about the signs of His return and the end of the world. Jesus told them to not be deceived for many people will come claiming to be the Messiah. In verses six through 12, signs are detailed. But there is hope in verses 13 and 22. Verse 13 (NLT) reads, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved”. Friend, ENDURE! Do not give up and do not give in! Verse 22 (NLT) reads “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S CHOSEN ONES. Friend, MAKE SURE YOU ARE A PART OF THE REMNANT…God’s chosen ones. For even during the times of calamity, He will be looking after those that are His. As followers of Christ, we have no worries when it comes to the end times if we remain in God.

In verse 24, Jesus told the disciples false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even God’s chosen ones. Even God’s chosen ones? YES! We must remain ready and vigilant while keeping watch over our temples as mentioned in verses 42 through 44 so that we will not be deceived.

Verses 27 through 41 continue to describe the end of times and Jesus’ coming. In verses 45 through 47, Jesus describes a faithful, sensible servant as one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. When the master returns and finds the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward; the master will put the servant in charge of all he owns. This is encouragement for us; we must steward whatever God gives you well. We have to prove that we have the capacity and ability to manage what He gives us well before He promotes us over more. Learn to steward all things well!

In verses one through 36, Jesus criticized the religious leaders. You remember the ones who were attempting to trap Him with their questions? Yeah…them. I would like to point out a few of the verses. In verses one through five, Jesus told the crowds that they should practice and obey the teachings of the religious leaders and Pharisees; but they should not follow their examples as they do not practice what they teach. He also told them that everything they did was for show and called them hypocrites. I am not sure about you, but when I was growing up, I heard a certain phrase many times. That phrase was, “Do as I say and not as I do”. This is basically what Jesus was telling the crowd regarding the religious leaders. It’s a shame that the leaders of that time taught right and enforced what they taught, but they decided against living what they taught. Unfortunately, we have the same issue within the body of Christ now. Friend, be the example. Don’t just know the word of God; abide by it. Don’t be a hypocrite as the religious leaders and Pharisees were.

In verses 11 and 12, Jesus mentions the greatest in the kingdom is a servant. He also said that those who are humbled will be exalted while those who exalt themselves will be humbled. SERVE! We are called to serve! Servitude does not require a title or a platform. It requires love and compassion for God’s people. Make those prayer points every single day of your life. I don’t know about you, but God has had to humble me a few times when I climbed up on my high horse. We are nothing without Him, and we should keep that in mind anytime we even think about exalting ourselves.

I have always searched the New Testament for verses on tithing. Well, I found one. Verse 23 in the NLT version says, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from the herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things”. You should tithe AND exhibit righteousness, mercy, and faith.

In verses 25 and 26, Jesus calls the religious leaders out for attempting to clean their outer appearances but leaving their internal states unclean. He told them that if they cleaned their internal states first, their outer appearances would be cleaned too. Outwardly, they looked righteous but inwardly, their hearts were filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. I know you’ve heard the phrase “Come as you are”. Well my friend, these verses remind me of that phrase. We are filthy, but God can clean us up from the inside out. We need His power and presence to be cleaned and transformed. It is not something that we ourselves can do.

In verse 37, Jesus expressed grief for Jerusalem calling it the city that killed prophets and stoned God’s messengers. Even after saying that, Jesus said He desired to save them by gathering them under His wings; but they wouldn’t let Him. And that is exactly how He is with us. Although we have been hypocrites, lawless, and sinful, He still desires to forgive us and save us. Allow Him to take you under His wings.