Author: Emily Wooten

by Emily Wooten

In Acts 7, Stephen shares the story of Joseph’s betrayal and redemption, noting that Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. Scripture shows that Joseph was chosen and anointed by God as a leader of His people. However, he did not begin his journey from a place of honor. On the contrary, he was mistreated and regarded as anything but a leader.

If we pick up the story in Genesis 37, we see a 17-year-old boy reporting his older brothers’ bad behavior to their father. Scripture also tells us that Joseph bragged to them about his dreams, repeatedly sharing his vision of them bowing down to him. When we hear the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers, we should not overlook these details. Their resentment was fueled not only by jealousy, but also by Joseph’s lack of wisdom and his father’s obvious favoritism. While his brothers were wrong, there was plenty of wrongdoing to go around.

Genesis 37:3–5 states:

Now Israel (Jacob, Joseph’s father) loved Joseph more than all his children. When his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

The truth is that all of us are human. We share similar emotions and can suffer from diminished self-worth or exaggerated worth. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that even Jesus was challenged by temptation: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

In Matthew 26:41, Jesus tells His disciples, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This moment illustrates that even those closest to Jesus struggled with human frailty.

Paul reminds us in Hebrews 12:1 …let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. And in Romans 12:3 …To every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. 

It is up to us to regulate our behavior and not allow our thoughts to cause us to sin. 

by Emily Wooten

The bread symbolizes his body broken for us, and the wine his shed blood, reminding us of his life being poured out for us and the new life and relationship with God it offers.
Luke 22:19-20, Mark 14:22-24 and Matthew 26:26-28 are similar.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
1 Corinthians 11:20-30 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
It is a call for personal introspection, confessing unrepentant sin, and ensuring one’s heart is right with God, and focusing on Christ. Failing to understand that the bread and wine represent Christ’s broken body and shed blood, can result in Christians not being able to receive the blessings God offers. We are to search our heart and submit any weakness or sin to God, asking for his forgiveness and taking our redemption.

by Emily Wooten

Matthew 27:50, 59-60 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
In Colossians 2:15 Paul said that Jesus spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
When Jesus body was laid in the tomb, that wasn’t the end of his ministry. In Revelation 1:18 Jesus told John, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Jesus not only suffered in our place, taking our sins on him, he took away any right the devil had to torment us.
John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
In the past weeks, we have celebrated the birth of our savior and enjoyed the miraculous story of his deliverance from Herod and every enemy who tried to kill him before he could teach salvation. Jesus walked this earth teaching humans they can be saved from sin, addiction, sickness, mental torture, and all the works of the enemy. We can start the new year in faith, remembering what he has given us. Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

by Emily Wooten

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. A savior, deliverer and preserver was born to provide safety, soundness, deliverance and share God’s love.
Luke 2: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The next time someone says in your presence, “What kind of God would let that happen?” Too often people want to use the terrible things that are happening in the earth to portray our God as cruel and heartless. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Matthew 1:22-23 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Have you ever thought of the work God did to be able to dwell among us and live in us? Jesus being born in Bethlehem was not the beginning of the story. When Adam disobeyed God and surrendered his authority to the devil, God had to work to bring a savior into this world. Many throughout the years spoke and declared a child would be born who would take away the sins of the world.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Isaiah 12:6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

by Emily Wooten

Zacharias and Elisabeth were faithful in the ministry. Scripture tells us they walked blamelessly. They were doing what they had done for years, as was expected of people who loved and obeyed God. It was an ordinary day in Zacharias’ life, but things were about to change.
As he attended to his duties, an angel appeared to Zacharias. Scripture says that Zacharias was troubled. It was unsettling to him.
Luke 1:13-15 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
Zacharias and Elisabeth were not strangers to the things of God, but this news was beyond anything they had experienced. Standard operating procedure had not been working in Elisabeth’s body. God chose to do a new thing.
Luke 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well stricken in years.
He was looking at their circumstance and judging their reality by the familiar.
John was conceived and born with purpose. His ministry was unique and brief but powerful.
Luke 1:26-28 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
God was doing something miraculous for these two families that would affect the world. If God was planning to do something miraculous in our lives, could we overlook the fears to receive all he has for us? There was only one John the Baptist. But there is only one you. The body of Christ needs to continue to be expecting God to do something miraculous.

by Emily Wooten

It is normal for a person to look for purpose. Without it we roam aimlessly through life without direction. God offers insight into his plan. He invites us to join him in his purpose.
Proverbs 19:20-21 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
Romans 8: 26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
The scriptures provide a picture of the devil pacing back and forth searching for a way to tangle us up.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
God wants to show us how to successfully navigate through this life, his way.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
The scripture continues to say, “You chose foolishly, therfore you will have war.’ Peace is better. God’s way is better.
We have the example of the father of our faith, Abraham.
Romans 4:20-21 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. God has a purpose for each of us. Ask God to reveal his plan for you and obey what he shows you.

by Emily Wooten

There is a difference in being thankful and giving thanks. Being thankful is the internal feeling or emotion of gratitude, while giving thanks is the external action of expressing that gratitude. Being thankful is the feeling itself, whereas giving thanks is the act of voicing it through words, actions, or praise. It isn’t enough to be grateful we are called to give thanks.
Paul left us this encouragement.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Colossians 3:17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
We can learn from David’s example of praise in
1 Chronicles 29:11-13 Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
In Jesus’ example when he was raising Lazarus from the dead he said, in John 11:41, ” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”
That is three witnesses who showed us by example, we need too show our thanksgiving by expressing it out loud.
Don’t know how to start? Try this from Psalms 100:1-2, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 95:1-2 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

by Emily Wooten

God is moved by our acknowledgment that we need him.
Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
We are warned that God is a force to be reckoned with.
In verse 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
The Pharisees of Jesus’ day tried to dismiss him and disregard his sayings. There is no room to disregard, ignore or dismiss Jesus. It is through Jesus that we obtain eternal life. Our God desires a people who will honor him. He wants his people to come to him with the smallest of concerns to the largest. We are his people and God want us to recognize how much we need him. He looks for ways to show himself big for us.
Who is it that gets the ear of God? Scripture tells us to seek and we will find. We are to knock and the door will be opened. He said to ask anything in Jesus name and it would be done of our Father which is in heaven.
Have we taken the time to acknowledge God in our family, our work, and our home? Every aspect of what effects our family is of interest to God. He is certainly worthy of our time, our praise and our thanksgiving. Have we given God our time, allowed him to speak to us and looked for ways to please him?
God is moved by the individual who will humble themselves before God and ask for his help. Unfortunately we get complacent and forget to set aside time for an intimate relationship with God. Yes he is almighty, who is and was and is to come. But he is also our Father. He wants us to recognize how much we need him and want his help.
James 4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

by Emily Wooten
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Men and women from every walk of life have devoted their lives to protecting others. Today we take the opportunity to say
Thank You For Your Service!
Jesus, our Lord and Savior gave the ultimate sacrifice, laying aside his deity in order to come to earth and take on himself our sins.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and victorious resurrection from the dead, we have been bought with a price, redeemed to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Now we are his very own. He invites anyone who will believe in the son of God to join the war on sin.
Romans 6:11-14 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

by Emily Wooten
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth 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.
John 5:24: Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
In the book of John, if you had never read any other book of the bible, it is evident–God sent his son to provide for us eternal life beyond this world and abundant life now in this life.
1 John 4:8-9 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. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
John knew God loved humans. He knew God sent his son to save anyone who would ask.
Paul wrote in Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
and in Galatians 4:4-5: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Ask Jesus to be your savior and tell someone Jesus is your Lord.