Friday Devotion: Complete Salvation

Keona Tann | @ICFWriters

In Luke 22:19 Jesus asked His disciples to partake in communion in remembrance of Him:

“And when He had taken bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke ‭22:19‬ ‭Amplified)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

There were so many things that Jesus could have asked His disciples to remember Him for. But He wanted them to take communion with Him, to remember that moment, the moment that was the start of the cross.

We are given powerful access to Jesus when we remember the cross. There is power in declaring the complete work of the cross, for the cross is the centre of victory:

The process that Jesus endured was one that gives us access to complete salvation:

Jesus secured emotional healing in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus went there to pray and He cried out: “Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke‬ ‭22:42 NLT‬‬‬

More explanation is provided of just how distressed Jesus was, in verse 44 Jesus is described as being in agony; deeply distressed; and anguished. It even states in the Amplified version that Jesus was “almost to the point of death”. He prayed with such deep intensity that “his sweat became like drops of blood, falling down onto the ground.” (Luke‬ ‭22: 44‬ ‭NIV‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬

You might be able to relate to Jesus’ feelings because you might be there right now, in that place of despair. Can I encourage you grasp hold of these words:

I’m overwhelmed right now, Lord let Your will be done.

I’m facing an impossible situation, please Lord let Your will be done.

I can’t see a way forward, Lord let Your will be done.

We have mental healing because of the crown of thorns that Jesus bore as described in Matthew‬ ‭27:29‬a (NIV): the guards “twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.” ‬‬‬

But more importantly we are healed because Jesus is now “crowned with glory and honor” as declared in Hebrews‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭(NIV‬‬).‬‬‬‬‬‬

Our physical healing and wholeness comes from the physical punishment Jesus endured, this is described in Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬: Jesus was wounded for my transgressions; He was crushed because of my wickedness; my sins and my wrongdoings were his undoing. Jesus was pierced because of my rebellion. The punishment that should fall upon me was taken by Jesus. He was beaten so that I could be whole. He was whipped so that I could be healed. Because of what my precious Savior Jesus endured, I can boldly declare: ‘by His stripes and wounds I am healed and made whole!’ (Amplified version paraphrased).‬‬‬

Our spiritual healing comes from the complete work of the cross, when he cried upon the cross: ‘it is finished’ (John 19:30), it was a declaration that the price was paid for our sins. It was a declaration that the enemy’s grip upon us was broken! It was a declaration that Jesus holds the victory. Philippians‬ ‭2:9-11‬ declares that God elevated Him to the place of highest honour. Jesus’ name is the name above all names. At the name of Jesus Christ every knee shall bow and every single tongue will declare that He is Lord. All for the glory of God the Father. (NLT paraphrased)‬‬‬

Romans‬ ‭8:11 declares that the Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead. We are promised that the very same spirit resides in us, therefore giving life to our bodies! God’s Spirit of Resurrection breathes life into us. (NLT paraphrased)‬‬‬

Now that’s a very complex and wonderful promise and something that is hard to comprehend but If we can truly grasp the complete work of the cross and Jesus’ resurrection, I know it will be life changing!

If we live our lives walking in the victory of the cross and Jesus’ resurrection, I know we can change the world around us.

I pray that this Easter you can reflect on the complete work of the cross. I pray that you can find time to thank Jesus, the triumphant and conquering Lamb, the Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14).

Here is a prayer that you can you boldly pray today:

Precious Jesus, thank You so very much for the sacrifice You made for me. Thank You for the extravagant love You displayed.

Jesus, I declare boldly over my life that I have received complete salvation. I am emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually healed because You are my Saviour.

Jesus, I thank You for Your precious blood that You so willingly shed for me. I ask that You would cleanse me afresh and fill me with Your amazing grace and transforming love. Lord let Your will be done in every area and aspect of my life.

Thank You Jesus. All glory and honour to You forever and ever, Amen!

Many blessings, Keona

About Keona:

I’ve lived most of my life in Tasmania, which is one of the beautiful Australian states. Deliriously happily married to my college sweetheart for over 20 years, we consider ourselves extremely blessed to be raising 2 wonderful teenagers. Hubby and I have also been long time child sponsors with Compassion so we have overseas kids!

I struggled with illness and disease for most of my life. The biggest battles were: endometriosis for 28 years and adrenal/chronic fatigue which was severe for 28 months. In September 2016 healing was declared over my life, praise God, this set me on a path of deep inner healing, restoration and transformation. My passion to write was reignited and I wrote out a mission statement:

“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:3 (NLT)

I desire to impact the world through the words I share. I long to enrich, empower and encourage others whilst delivering my stories with empathy and understanding.

In my new-found boldness I’ve started a weekly blog which you can find at: https://keonajtann.wordpress.com/

DEVOTION: A Double Portion ~ Jan Cline

Note from Shirley: On this special Friday, we take a look at one of the well-known figures of Old Testament times. Long before the physical birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, there was one man who was taken up to God in a whirlwind. What an incredible thing to witness. Before he went, he offered an amazing thing to his successor. Read about it in this devotional message by Jan Cline, and allow the Lord to speak into your heart this Easter time.

“When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.”  2 Kings 2: 9

Elisha had been following Elijah around for some time. He had observed miracles and seen first hand the blessings of God on the life of this prophet. This follower knew Elijah had been promised by God he would be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. He was the only prophet to be given an alternative to physical death.

As time for that big event approached, Elisha stuck as close as he could to his mentor, not wanting to miss anything. Elisha was to be Elijah’s successor as prophet, so Elijah decided to grant him a special request. I wonder if he was surprised at Elisha’s choice—a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.

Elijah had built a legacy of faith and favor from God, and Elisha wanted to inherit this blessing. He didn’t ask to be left with riches or possessions, he wanted the blessing of powerful service. A double portion, please! He hungered for the kind of life that would draw others to God, and he was ready to do it without the comforts of the world. He took his new mission seriously.

I wish I could say I was 100% sure I wouldn’t sneak in a small request for riches or fame if I were Elisha. Most of us are too fond of the world we live in, and the desires of our hearts are not always for the things of God. Guess what, God knows that. He’s aware we often operate below our potential and gives us grace. But He waits for us to ask for the blessing. He longs to hear the words from our heart that we are ready for a double portion of his Spirit, ready to spread the good news of Jesus.

Pastor Craig Lauterbach writes in his book, The Father Revealed, “As Christians, when we enter into an intimate knowledge or oneness of knowledge with the Father, then we will begin to comprehend and draw from his glory. The secret is not getting more glory, but releasing the glory that is already at our disposal.”

Are you ready for a double portion? Are you ready to release the glory God is waiting to share with you? Read, pray, listen, share. Stick close to God so you can succeed at the mission. If you enlarge the capacity of your heart and mind, God will fill them with a larger portion than you thought possible.

Let's Pray: Father, show me how to enter into oneness of knowledge with you. I pray You will help me be ready for the mission you have in store for me. Bring the harvest, Lord.

OVER TO YOU: What is preventing you from asking for a double portion?

Jan Cline is an author and speaker from the Pacific Northwest, USA. She is also founder and director of the Inland NW Christian Writers conference and leads a writers group in her area. You may learn more about her at www.jancline.net.

Author of A Heart Out of Hiding
Also available on Amazon

A Bad Day and the Day After

A bad day. We got a call from the vet that my dog had been hit by a car. She was still alive when we got there and we had to decide whether or not to try and keep her that way. She was an old dog – somewhere between fifteen and eighteen, we think, and she was in pain, so we did what was merciful.

Then I got home to find an email from an editor saying he was rejecting a manuscript I’d sent him a few months ago. I was kind of numb as I read it. The words took a while to sink in.

I was expecting my dog to die. She was old a long time ago. I was pretty sure that manuscript would be rejected by that editor. It isn’t ready to be published.

But it was still a bad day. A day when someone or something dies always is.

But now that the day is over and I look back on it, I see there were some good things in that space of twenty-four hours. I was able to put my hand over my dog’s beating heart one more time and cry a little before having to go on with a day full of things that needed to be done. I was able to be thankful for the fifteen years that little ball of fur and bone was underfoot. I was able to be thankful for friends that make you feel better just by sitting across a table sipping tea; for days full of mundane things that are so beautiful in their rhythm that you hardly notice. And for that word, ‘hardly,’ because I did notice, just a bit; for the hope that gives me. And for editors whose rejections leave you still believing in the dreams you have for words strung across a page.

There are always things to be thankful for, even on a day when death becomes a reality. There is always hope for a new day, hope that the darkness won’t always seem impenetrable.

There is always hope because our Redeemer lives. It was a dark day when He died -literally, according to the scriptures - but Jesus didn’t stay wrapped in death. He rose and walked among his friends again, spoke to them, encouraged them, ate with them. He not only gave them hope for a new day, he gave them life forever after, life lived in the presence of God.

The Apostle John wrote that “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30,31).

We no longer live within the day on which death seemed victorious. We live in the day that came three days after. We call it Easter.

And Jesus said – “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29b).

Marcia’s inspirational writing has won awards in both Canada and the U.S. Her devotionals are distributed to thousands and her novel, One Smooth Stone, won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award in 2006. Marcia is also a sought-after speaker for women’s events. Visit her at www.vinemarc.com