Decked Out for Christmas

What an amazing year this has been! “Fabulous Outpourings From Heaven” was the word from The LORD for 2017. We have experienced some of the most outstanding and glorious demonstrations of the Holy Spirit we have ever seen. And the year is not quite over! Expect these last few days to include an avalanche of God’s goodness and provision. Deuteronomy 28:2 declares: “All these blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee.”

Thank you for being part of EMIC throughout 2017. God appreciates and rewards faithfulness. Proverbs 20:6 asks the question: “A faithful man who can find?” And Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings.” So be expecting what He says in Psalm 34:10 to come to pass in your life: “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek The LORD shall not want any good thing.” That’s you and me. We lack nothing. Second Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthily blessing) come to you in abundance” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition). God’s WORD never fails. Look to Him for the supply you need and rejoice in His abundant provision!

Let’s focus on the phrase “furnished in abundance.” The Berean Study Bible says, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” And, the New Living Translation says: “God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

While studying this scripture, The LORD had me meditate on and really consider the meaning of the word furnished. I thought about a home or apartment that is “fully furnished.” That means there is nothing missing for it to be occupied. Everything—all the furnishings and decorations—is there!

Pastor Terri and I have taken vacations at all-inclusive resorts that are totally self-contained. There is never any reason to leave the premises. Multiple restaurants, pools, beach areas, entertainment, snorkeling, and everything else you could want, are there. (Am I making you hungry for a vacation?)

While thinking about this, I looked online at the phrase “thoroughly furnished.” I found a great definition by our friend Rick Renner (who, by the way, will be speaking at our church on Sunday, Feb. 11).

He wrote, “The phrase ‘thoroughly furnished’ is from the Greek word exartidzo, which means to completely deck out or to fully supply. It was used to depict a ship that had previously been ill-equipped for traveling; but because its owner had decked it out with new equipment and gear, this ship had become thoroughly furnished to sail anywhere in the world. The boat was fully supplied, completely equipped, or thoroughly furnished.”

I really got excited when I found that quote. To be “furnished in abundance” means to be fully decked out. Everything you would ever need or want would be there. That means all the bells and whistles. Have you ever driven a “decked-out” car, for example? It’s amazing what kinds of equipment and innovations are in cars today. You can even have a heated back massage while you’re driving. There are at least 10 different vehicle models that feature massage seats!

Beside vehicles, God wants to fully furnish your home. Proverbs 24:3-4 in the International Standard Version tells us, “By wisdom a house is built; It is made secure through understanding. By knowledge its rooms are furnished with all sorts of expensive and beautiful goods.”

The LORD wants to completely “deck out” our lives. He wants to provide everything we need to supply our own needs and the needs of others. Thus, we are “furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation.” Second Corinthians 9:8 in The Twentieth Century New Testament says it this way: “God has power to shower [I like that phrase!] all kinds of blessings upon you, so that having, under all circumstances and on all occasions, all that you can need, you may be able to shower all kinds of benefits upon others.”

Let’s release our faith together. Even though there are only a few days left until the new year, believe God that supernatural, provisional miracles are going to take place. Say this out loud: “Father, I thank You that I am furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. You have fully supplied and completely decked out my life. I receive every need fully supplied, every debt totally wiped out, and I have more than enough to help others, in Jesus’ Name!”

Fully decked out with you!

Pastor George