God is Bigger!

by Emily Wooten

For all the situations life presents God is El Shaddai. The word El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) is first seen in Genesis 17:1 and is used 48 times in scripture.

God announced to Abram that he, God, was almighty or All-Powerful.
Romans 8: 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?


If the all-powerful, almighty creator is for us there is no force or circumstance that can prevail. What are the qualifications for tapping into the resources of an almighty, self-existing deity?

1. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

We have to first understand that we didn’t get good enough to be saved and it wasn’t because of works that we were welcomed into the family or kingdom of God. We shouldn’t get the idea that we can work our way into access.

2. Ephesians 2: 8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Christ died for us, taking our place. Now with God’s help, we can live in the benefits Jesus provided. That includes health, provision, boldness and deliverance. All the blessings offered under a covenant with God Almighty is already included.

Galatians 3:13-14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

If the blessings of Abraham are ours through faith, we need to find out what those blessings are before we can lay claim to them. Deuteronomy 28: 1-14 explains the blessings or covenant rights of a born-again Christian. God tells us clearly what he expects and what he is willing to do for us.

3. Deuteronomy 28: 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

He is just getting started. Pray in the spirit daily and listen for God to reveal himself to you through his word.

Head knowledge vs heart knowledge

By Emily Wooten

In Mark 9:23, Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.”
According to this and other verses in the Bible, what we believe determines what we receive.
Jesus, the head of the church, author of our salvation and soon coming king said in Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.
It isn’t enough to have mental asset or acknowledge the scripture exist. That is head knowledge.
Perhaps before you believed with your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you may have been able to acknowledge there was a God. Perhaps you could have agreed there was a Christ child, angels, a heaven and hell. That alone did not cause your spirit to be reborn.
Scripture tells us in Matthew 18:16 …in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Matthew agrees with Mark’s account in Matthew 21:22 …all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Both agree Jesus said ask or pray and believe. In Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. In Romans 10: 9 Paul said, “…if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The “way” to faith is being persuaded or convinced in our heart. It isn’t a magic wand or a spell we cast. When we take the words God has given us and speak them to the situation we are acting on our covenant with God, accessing available resources and being obedient in the face of obstacles.
We can’t take the word saying it if we don’t know it.
Know: to perceive directly: have direct cognition (to reason or recall): to have understanding of.
We do not recite the word or just memorize scriptures. We have to be able to understand their function and apply them in our situation. Before we say, we have to check our heart. If there is doubt we review the scriptures or promises we are standing on until we “Know” as if we could see it with our eyes because our heart sees what God says is true.

Basic Christian Behavior

By Emily Wooten
Anytime we learn something new, it might be necessary to take baby steps when we first start practicing what we learn.
Confessing Jesus has saved us from sin is a step one takes when they first acknowledge they need what is offered in Jesus’ plan to help us. Romans 10 is about as basic as it gets.
Verse 9 says: That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
We could talk all day about the exhaustive list of things from which we have been made free but let’s start with eternal death. The second death and all its evil (addiction, murder, hate, fear, and more) is destroyed by the redemption Jesus has provided.
Romans 8:1 says: …if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
Again, God’s instruction is telling us to confess with our mouth what we believe in our heart. Verse 2 tells us what it does: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made (and continues to make) me free from the law of sin and death.
Here’s how those function in the person who has believed and confessed Jesus is Lord. Scripture says your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. He is looking for someone who will take his lies into their mouth and confess them as truth. That opens the door for the law of sin and death to have its way in us. The enemy of our faith is an outlaw and will push to get by with as much as we let him.
That is not what God planned. Romans 10:10 is what God planned. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. God planned for us to constantly be agreeing with his plan for our life. Mark 16: 15-17 is the last thing Jesus said before he went to heaven. You go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved (The act of water baptism is public confession of your agreement with God); but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Basic Christian Behavior!

No Place for Evil

By Emily Wooten

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

God wants us to understand who we are in Christ Jesus. He also wants us to understand the devil has no place in our lives. We can be adamant. Evil has no place with us.

Ephesians 4:22-27 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

James 4:6-8 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

One minute, one hour, one day, that is how we win the battle. One step in front of the other, repenting when we miss it and not allowing Satan to guilt us into a spirit of condemnation. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. We should not let the devil remind us of things we did in the past. We should proclaim: I AM the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We call the shots! We can constantly be saying no to Satan and yes to Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit Himself

Romans 8:16-17 {AMP}
The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.

John 14:26 {AMP}
But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

1 John 5:6 {AMP} It is the [Holy] Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. [He is the essence and origin of truth itself.]

John 14:16-17 {AMP}
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [c]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.

In the amplified version the word calls Holy Spirit he and himself. Jesus called him, He and Himself. We desperately need to recognize our comforter Holy Spirit as the third person of the Godhead. He is not a thing, and he is not human, but he has been sent to all humans who call on God. It is his great pleasure to help, teach, reveal and strengthen all who will ask.
Jesus encouraged us to seek, ask and knock. If we do, he promised we would find, receive and things will be opened to us.

Romans 13:7 (KJV)
Paul tells us to render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

As we honor Holy Spirit, respecting him and his authority, he will be happy to come along side us revealing things in the spirit realm, the natural realm and in the kingdom of God; what was and is and is to come.
Tap into the resources God has provided for his children who are heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Make yourself available to hear from God through the ministry of Holy Spirit working in you. Welcome Holy Spirit. Fellowship with him in praise to our God offering words of praise. Experience the words of your mouth as they become holy praise exalting Jesus as Lord of All in power.

Love one another for God is love

1John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.

Ephesians 4: 31-32 and Epesians 5: 1-2 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Chist’s sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Colossians 3: 12-16 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

God wants us to love him with his love

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
When Paul was praying for the church at Ephesus he said,
Ephesians 3:17-19
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
We see the fullness of God is found in love.
1Corinthians 13:2
Paul said, Even if he had the gift of prophecy, and understood all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though he had all faith, without love he would be nothing.
As we study to learn more about the force of love, we begin to realize it isn’t us operating in love but love operating in us and through us. No addiction, weakness, sin or stronghold can stand or prevail where love has its perfect work.
1 John 4: 16-18
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
God has provided in us the DNA of love. As we experience God’s love working in us to motivate, teach and empower us, it becomes more clear that the answer to every question and the solution to every problem was delivered through Christ’s death and resurrection over 2,000 years ago. Allowing the dynamic and powerful love of God to have voice in our soul eliminates all forms of darkness as his love is made perfect in us.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 & Ephesians 4:15
Cast down, bring into captivity and be ready. All these are done by speaking the truth in love, so we may grow up into him in all things.

God wants us to know him

We can know God up close and in person.

by Emily Wooten
Psalms 107:20-21
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
John 3:16-17, 36
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on (Jesus) the Son hath everlasting life:
God offers every human the same opportunity, to believe he is and he is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith or believing him it is impossible to please Him.
You may have seen or heard a human’s name. That does not mean you know that person. God is more than the God of the Old Testament or a name in a book. The same God who was God to Noah, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, and Adam wants to be God to you. The mighty things God did through these men is not the end of the story.
Psalms 23:4-6 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
When the psalmist says God prepares a table or provision, he isn’t speaking for himself alone. These words are true for us as well. This world is the valley of the shadow of death but we don’t have cause to fear. Our love from and for God casts out fear and the story continues in us.
John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
Psalms 145: 6-8 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
If you believe Jesus as your savior, these scriptures are talking to you and about you. You can stop fear from finding a place in you because you have known him in love.

Praise: the door to prayer

by Emily Wooten
Praise is how we eliminate wasteful behavior. Communicating with the creator who is all powerful, all knowing, all present God should be very illuminating. We don’t want to waste our time with him chanting vain repetitious phrases. We want our words with him to be an expression of love and adoration from our heart.
The Psalms are a good example of praise to God. Prayer is essential. How are we to know the heart of God if we fail to seek the heart of God? One way we seek his heart is in prayer.
In prayer we come to God acknowledging his excellence. Our words are not to impress others who may hear us. Our words are formed to exalt Jesus as Lord of Lords in our life. We praise God for his love, mercy and mighty works but it is based on our experience with him. Who is God to us?

Have you known God to be a faithful savior and provider?
Sometimes by faith we celebrate God for who he is in scripture. We see what he did for others and understand that God is our God. He is the same and does not change.
As we enter into prayer communicating with God it is good to talk to him about the things we see in scripture. We can ask for understanding and as we talk with God, and listen for his answers, he reveals his plan for us.
Sometimes our prayer becomes a confession to God as we choose to embrace who he is. When the Hebrew’s faced the Red Sea in front and Pharaoh’s army behind they were forced to make a decision to trust God. They were told to stand still and see the salvation of God. You and I were not there. We didn’t time travel and see the miracle as they walked through on dry land but we choose to believe God did and they did. The same way we choose to accept that scripture as truth we can choose to accept and claim other scriptures as our truth.
Philippians 4:19 we see where Paul proclaimed, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness so we can be furnished or prepared to all good works. Trusting the scripture we can believe if God said it to the early church, he also included us with the rest of the body of Christ. That is our instructions too. We can take his words in 2 Timothy 3 and ask him to supply all our needs, thank him for supplying all our needs and expect God will supply all our needs. That is how we begin to know him as our provider.

Who are Prayer Warriors?

That is a term that was thrown around in church circles referring to a human who was given to prayer. Every Christian should be a prayer warrior and a praise promoter.

We have to count the cost of what we subject our mind to. Paul described our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit. He said it was our reasonable service to submit our bodies as a living sacrifice. The more we yield our members to fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit working in us, the more likely we are to see, experience and function in the gifts, manifestations and dispensations of Holy Spirit. It is God’s desire that we receive insight from Holy Spirit by a word of wisdom, word of knowledge, prophecy, gifts of healing, special faith, diversity of tongues, interpretation, working of miracles, and discerning of spirits. If we give God place, rejecting unfruitful behavior and recreation, we will experience God working in and through us mightily.

This is how we eliminate wasteful behavior. The Psalms are a good example of praise to God. If we look at Jesus’ example and see David’s examples, we understand that prayer is essential. We come to God acknowledging his excellence. Our words are not to impress others with our speaking. The words are formed to exalt Jesus as Lord of Lords. We praise God for his love, mercy and mighty works. The human who is entering in to pray should praise God with words from their experience. Who is God to you? That is the way you honor him and praise him with words that reflect the reality of God in your spirit.

We enter into prayer with praise. We continue as the Spirit of God leads us in asking our heavenly father for help. We start with those things the Holy Spirit brings to our thoughts. With every prayer we need to know what our request is. What we need from God can be discerned. The circumstances may not show us the root of the problem. Holy Spirit will show us how to ask God. If we have read scriptures, he will bring to our memory scriptures that confirm God’s desire to help us with our need. It is okay to ask God to help us see the source of the problem and how to pray effectual prayers. We were instructed to pray for those who are in authority over us. We should pray for our teachers, leaders, workers, and family. The wonderful truth is, Holy Spirit is eagerly waiting for us to enter into prayer so he can help!
John 14:12-14 Jesus told the disciples they would do the works he did. He said, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. In verse 16 he said, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever. The Spirit of Truth is Holy Spirit.
In John 16:23-24 it is recorded where Jesus gave instructions how to pray after he left this earth. In that day you shall ask me nothing. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name: ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full. Verse 27: At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not to you that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
The dynamic changed when Jesus went to sit at the right hand of God. He showed us to ask our Father God, in Jesus’ name to receive anything from God.
Matthew 6:6 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.