GET SOAKED

Luke 5:37-38 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

There are some new concepts and terminology you have to become familiar with when you begin to enter the world of renewal. One of the things that has become common in our services at Victory over the last twenty years has been soaking in the Spirit. To those who have not experienced the renewing power of the Spirit, “soaking” is a foreign term. If people who have not experienced the profound power of the Spirit observe people soaking in the Spirit, it may seem strange or unimportant. To those who are continuing to experience the power of His love, soaking becomes a daily part of your life. The Holy Spirit’s presence is real, it is tangible and powerful. Extended time spent in His presence can have a lasting impact on our lives. Here is John Arnott’s explanation of soaking.

“What is a wine skin? In ancient times, people took a goatskin and made a leather bag out of it. They worked and prepared the leather, then filled it with new wine. The wine, of course, was fermenting; therefore, it would stretch the bag. When the bag became empty; it would be flattened out and put aside.
What happens to a leather bag that is used to being moist and then is folded up and put it away somewhere? It becomes dry and stiff. The leather bag then needs to be renewed by soaking it in water- thoroughly immersing it. That is what the Holy Spirit is doing with some of us- just soaking us! That is why we believe in soaking prayer.”

Maybe your wine skin is dry and stiff. That is what happens to a Christian that doesn’t value the anointing and doesn’t take time to soak in His presence. What is the solution? There is only one; soaking. This practice of soaking became a regular part of our services in New Orleans since we began to experience His mighty outpouring in our church in 1994. In most all of our services we have opportunity for personal prayer through the laying on of hands. Many people find themselves on the floor “resting in His presence”. They are encouraged not to rush and drag themselves off of the floor. Stay there for awhile, this is the place of change. I think its time for all of us to get soaked.