“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world, ye will have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

            Our faith must be tested through trials to prove its genuineness. I have been guilty of turning away from God when trials come because I believed that He was punishing me and that I did something wrong, but that’s just not true. If I really lean on His word, I know these momentary troubles won’t last and not only that, but I can find joy in tests and tribulations.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1: 2-4

Many are called to come to Christ, but few are chosen because most people can’t handle the intense crushing that has to take place to remove all of our impurities. Just like when making a quality wine, the grapes must be crushed to get wine. Crushing is essential to preparing the wine. When people crush wine with their feet like in the old days rather than mechanically, they have the ability to control the tannin levels and influence the wine’s character. That is exactly what God is doing when He allows these trials in your life. He knows what He’s doing a lot better than we do. He crushes us to produce the fruit of the Spirit and draws out the impurities from our souls.  He knows how to bring forth good wine/faith in all His children and it is not really our business to ask about His methods, but rather trust that He knows what He’s doing when He’s trying to shape you into the person He originally intended you to be.

Not only that, but the grapes then must be fermented then aged to bring about the perfect wine. The process of producing faith and the fruit of the Spirit is just like that. Faith gets stronger and better with age and increases even more when you start stepping out in faith. It is extremely important to trust in God and follow His directions and let Him lead you through the hard times. Just like wine, you must be crushed and purified to get to a state of total trust and dependence on the Vintner (winemaker) of your life. He says repeatedly, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6

When you doubt that God’s in control, worry and fear creeps in, which opens a doorway to the demonic to wreak havoc on your life. Faith is so important to our walk with Christ and is paramount to getting to the next level of your relationship with God. If you don’t step out in faith and trust, you can’t please God. During the time of crushing, God is molding you into who He originally intended you to be, and though it might take a while, after the process of making you into “new wine” is over, that is the time where your ministry can truly begin. It doesn’t matter if you want to be a pastor of a church. Not everyone is meant for that kind of ministry. Others are meant to work behind the scenes by praying in intercession, healing the sick, casting out demons, and most importantly, “putting on Christ” towards everyone they encounter. This can only be done properly when the purification and sanctification process is finished, or when God’s “winemaking process” is finished. I heard that if you still have wounds you haven’t dealt with and ongoing sin, you can’t help others and it’s true. Jesus Himself said this, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5.

God is the Ultimate Vintner (winemaker). Sometimes, the process of God making us into new wine can take a short time, or for others who rebel and/or led astray, it can take years. I used to think that I would always have to deal with offenses until one man, who had a very similar background to mine said that Jesus and His word have transformed his heart and mind so much that he has lived years without taking offense from anyone he has encountered. He couldn’t do it in his own strength but fully leaning on God’s word and getting the love of the Father in him, he came to a point where he could walk in love and live without offense. Isn’t that incredible?! I want to live from a place of pure love so much and now that I know it’s attainable, it has gotten me back into God’s word and seeking His face more. I just want people to know the love of God and I have been misrepresenting Him poorly, not because of anything He’s done but because of my stubbornness and unwillingness to strive for that relationship with Christ. My selfishness has kept me from experiencing the love of the Father, but I am working with God now more than ever to get to that state of being Christ-like.

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death… Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ.” Phillippians 3: 10, 12