A typical phrase upon the lips of many people on Thanksgiving Day usually
goes something like this, "Oh, I'm so FULL!" I can't help but wonder why
this isn't a typical phrase upon the lips of God's people… "Oh, I'm so
FULL!" should be the testimony of every Christian, amen? I hope that whenever
you hear this expression during the holiday season, and even thereafter,
it will cause you to do a heart check! As a matter of fact, let's do one
today as we look at some verses that deal with the fulness of God....
John 1:16
And of his FULNESS have all we received, and grace for grace.
Colossians 1:19
For it pleased the Father that in him should all FULNESS dwell;
Col. 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the FULNESS of the Godhead bodily.
Ephes. 1:23
Which is his body, the FULNESS of him that filleth all in all.
Those who have called upon the name of the Lord for salvation have received
Christ, the fulness of God. Through Jesus name, believers have received
grace that we do not deserve and the Bible says we are FULL of it, from
top to bottom! He completes us and makes us whole. God the Father is pleased
when He sees that His children are full, just as we parents are happy
when we know our children are not suffering any lack. Christians experience
a spiritual fullness similar to what the world experiences after they
have consumed their Thanksgiving dinner - completely satisfied within
and feeling almost like they are going to bust! Ladies, the richness that
we are full of should automatically overflow into the lives of others,
even the most difficult to deal with...
Psalm 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
So often we are quick to avoid the presence of our enemies, or even the
company of those that have not one ounce of the Spirit of God within them.
But we find here in Scripture that the Lord actually prepares us a table
right smack dab in the middle of a disagreeable group of people! Furthermore,
He is not expecting us to hastily snatch a meal at this table, there should
be no hurry to leave, for the Lord has deposited something in our life
He wants to fill theirs - the Holy Spirit of God! Spiritual work takes
time (God's time, not ours!) and grace should season every dinner…
Col. 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Perhaps you did not realize this, but many times sheep had to find their
food among thorns and thistles, yet the oil that the shepherd anointed
their heads with soothed the wounds that were caused because of such abrasive
circumstances. And ladies, the great Shepherd will do the same for us!
The Lord has anointed us with the Holy Spirit that He might relieve any
wounds we may receive from our enemies. Therefore, we who have the benefit
of the fullness of God through Christ are free to happily eat among the
prickles and pokes that unsaved folks might send our way. Christians need
not worry about any coarseness that might come in being near those who
know not the Lord! Instead, we can peacefully dine while focused on allowing
the Spirit of God within us to spill over and touch people's hearts. Remember
that this holiday season, won't you? The Lord prepared your seat at that
hostile table, now sit down in confidence and be faithful! Any situation
can be made pleasant when the Holy Spirit is in control. Purpose in your
heart to make your presence a blessing; attend those get-togethers with
a scriptural and ministry mindset, just as the verse below says...
Romans 15:29
And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the FULNESS
of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
Yes, the fullness of God imparts to us the love of Christ! Filled vessels
cannot help but spill God's love out on others. You see, ladies, it is
God's love that passeth knowledge, not human love! God's love is unlike
the world's love, which says, "Behave a certain way and I'll love you."
God's love deliberately sits down at a table in the presence of enemies
and loves the unlovable! Some individuals won't be able to understand
how or why you are tender toward a people so hardened to God. How profitable
it is to have the gospel with the fullness of its blessings! What wonderful
effects it produces…
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
Are you guilty of making individuals perform appropriately before you'll
extend the love of God toward him or her?? How confusing to the unsaved
this message of God's love is if this is the case with you! Ladies, don't
wait for your lost family and friends to be made whole before you exemplify
the love of God toward them - show them while they are yet sinners, just
as God illustrated His love! You and I were not worthy of God's grace,
were we? No, of course not! Then how can we who have experienced such
fullness in the Lord turn around and starve people of the proper attention?
Don't you want empty souls to know how much God loves them?? Then demonstrate
it, so they too can be filled...
Ephes. 3:19
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might
be filled with all the FULNESS of God.
"How long must I love them?" you might say. Until the supply is all used
up! Do you think God's love will ever run out? I don't! "Thou PREPAREST
a table before me in the presence of mine enemies..." This means that
gathering among our enemies is an ongoing event, not a one-time session!
Our necessary work is far from being accomplished, amen? May our actions
be God's actions, our words His words... As long or as often as the Lord
prepares you a table in the presence of your enemies you must willingly
take your seat and love your neighbors as He would, year after year, until
they come to the knowledge of the truth. It is God's desire for ALL mankind
to know the fullness of His Son, not just you!!
Ephes. 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
FULNESS of Christ:
If you are responsible for preparing a Thanksgiving feast this year in
your home, may I challenge you to pray for each seat at your table as
you set it? Pray for the conversations that will be shared among the group,
that God may be thought of and spoken of with respect and gratitude. Then,
as you lay the place setting for that lost relative or friend to be seated
at your table, stop and pray that each may personally come to know the
fullness of God through Jesus.
Luke 14:13
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the
blind:
No one should be left out, or neglected from being invited to partake
in the spiritual feast the Lord has prepared for all who would come and
sit at His table. Our heavenly Father longs to hear everyone say, "Oh,
I'm so FULL!"
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 1999 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003
