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The spirit within me compels me. Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent. It is ready to burst like new wineskins. I will speak that I may find relief...

(Job 32:19-20a).


Let me talk wine science with you. It has spiritual application.

Wine is made by microorganisms called yeast converting sugars into ethyl alcohol. The conversion process happens when two atmospheric conditions are just right: the presence of heat and the lack of oxygen. The good news is that it is a natural process for the yeast to create their own perfect atmosphere. By fermenting the fruit the yeast naturally create heat, raising the temperature and furthering the fermentation process. Like all fungi, yeast like it warm, dark and wet. However, if there is no way for the heat to escape the yeast is literally killed off by its own doings. It cannot handle heat above 104 degrees F. Another by-product of fermentation is carbon dioxide (that's the fizzy stuff in your pop and the stuff you breathe out of your mouth after your body uses the oxygen up). CO2 is a harmless oxygen deprived gas. This is good because fermentation happens in an oxygen deprived atmosphere. However, if you create wine in a vat, barrel or wineskin but do not vent it the gases build pressure. The container bursts spilling all the wine on the ground. If you are a wine lover this is when you might say, "A wine is a terrible thing to waste." I know. It was bad but I couldn't resist.

God is pumping his Spirit yeast into our system right now. A fermentation process has begun in our spirit and God is creating His "new wine" in us. There are some natural byproducts as He ministers the Word to us, pours out His Spirit and works in our lives.
1. There is a level of excitement or effervescence. This is good.
2. There is a pungency and potency (like the alcohol) that develops in the church body. People begin to show the signs that they are "under the influence" of the Spirit. Praise God-I want to look and act like I am under the intoxicating influence of God's Spirit and presence in my life.
3. The heat level or intensity rises. God starts confronting sin and deep issues in our lives. You go God!

There is a danger in all this, friends. If we don't vent the move of the Spirit out into our world- the work place, neighbors, friends, "enemies," etc. the new wine in our lives will be wasted. The Church has historcally shown over and over again that when it doesn't vent into the world the people turn on each other, lose the ideal conditions for spiritual fermentation and die. The body of Christ needs to vent what God is doing inside. We take in the Word and in turn we must proclaim/share what God has spoken to us. We breathe in His Spirit, we go out under that potency and influence to minister to those in need of Jesus. Breathe, Church! Breathe! Breathe the breath of the Holy Spirit on the world around you. Let them "smell the intoxication of the new wine" in your life. I'm excited about the days ahead. Lord, more of you, lots more! Eph. 5:18-19