Author: Emily Wooten

by Emily Wooten
In Matthew 23:37 Jesus described God’s feelings for Jerusalem, “…how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”
Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
From these two scriptures we see a God who is merciful, loving, protective and empowering.
David knew God as protector. When he needed help he was not hesitant to call on our heavenly Father. We can know God even more closely than he did.
Psalm 18:2-3 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
God promised to send the comforter to teach us.
John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus provided peace. He provided the greatest teacher possible in Holy
Spirit. We see in scripture that Jesus is our healer. He left us this testimony in Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
We see that Jesus was a teacher, healer and friend.
John 15:14-15 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
God is our Father. His tender mercies are new every day. His love for us is boundless. God is everything a father should be providing peace, protection, wisdom and love. Let’s allow God to embrace us and share his love with us as we resist every work of unbelief, submitting ourselves and our families to God’s plan.

by Emily Wooten
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

It is God’s will that we know him in a personal and intimate fellowship. Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to pray that God would dwell in their hearts and they would comprehend the love of Christ.

Ephesians 3:14-19 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 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 fulness of God.

We believe the bible is meant for us, for our instruction and given to teach us. God is showing us through Paul’s prayer that he wants his church to know and understand him. How can we walk in his precepts if we don’t know them. In Paul’s prayer for the Colossians we see that God wants us to increase in the knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:9-12 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Scripture reveals to us God’s will to save us, heal us and know us. God, the eternal, self existing creator, who was and is and is to come: the God who can measure the entire universe with a grain of sand; the all powerful redeemer wants us to know him, not just know of him.
As we move into this week, let’s make it our purpose to be vulnerable with him. Let’s listen from his heart to be revealed to us and plan time to hear him and cherish his presence.

by Emily Wooten
Giving place to God’s word isn’t as simple as it sounds. We know we can worship God in church during the praise and worship service. Some might worship God when they pray or in daily devotions. How about when we are driving on the freeway and another driver cuts us off? Does that sound like an opportunity to worship?
We see in the scriptures that every day is a good day to worship: not just Sunday or Wednesday evening.
Perhaps we haven’t considered how we can worship God in traffic but that is an attitude God enjoys.
Acts 16:25-26 At midnight Paul and Silas we in chains, enclosed in the prison. They prayed and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.
As a result, the jail shook and their chains fell off. The first thing they did was share the gospel with the jailer. He and his entire family came to know Jesus as Lord.
Maybe you never considered that you could be the person who would reach someone with the good news. The teller at the bank, the young person in the drive-thru, and the mechanic at your repair shop are available if we utilize their services. There are lots of ways to start a conversation that praises God for all he has done in our lives.
Have we considered the opportunity to worship God while we are preparing supper? Paying the bills is another time when we can praise God for providing and worship him that we have the ability to manage our affairs.
A basic attitude of thanksgiving is an important part of being a Christian.
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Do all to the glory of God. It gives us a new perspective. We can give God glory walking across the street, changing the baby’s diaper and washing the car. Let’s look for ways to bring God glory.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Presenting our bodies as a sacrifice is worship. When we choose to give God glory when our feelings would suggest a different emotion, we are subduing our flesh while honoring God, which is well pleasing to him. Every choice we make can effect those around us. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our witness always caused others to be encouraged, edified and built up.

by Emily Wooten
Have you ever had a family member in the hospital? Perhaps you were the one caring for them. In those moments, it is natural to watch the door and eagerly wait for the doctor to come in with good news. When we find ourselves in difficult situations, it can be easy to place all of our expectations on what medicine can do. Yet for those who have accepted Jesus as Savior, there is hope that reaches far beyond medical science.
We are grateful for physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals. It is entirely appropriate to pray for them and ask God to give them wisdom, insight, and effective treatments that aid the healing process. God has placed these individuals in positions where they can help people in times of need, and we should be thankful for their dedication and care.
At the same time, medicine is not the final answer. Healthcare professionals do everything they can, but ultimately our trust must rest in God.
When a loved one is suffering, anxiety often tries to make itself at home in our thoughts. Uncertainty can create fear, and fear can challenge our faith. Yet scripture reminds us:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
As we sit in a hospital room and face an uncertain future, we can choose where we place our focus. We can look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When doctors deliver reports that show little or no improvement, we are presented with a choice. We can allow fear to dominate our thoughts, or we can turn to our heavenly father and ask for his help. We can acknowledge his power to do what we cannot. We can choose to hope.
Anxiety does more than affect our emotions. It can also impact our physical health. The digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, and immune systems can all be affected by prolonged stress and worry. God never intended for us to carry burdens.
Consider these promises from His Word:
Philippians 4:6–7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 26:3–4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in you. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.
These are only a few of the many scriptures that encourage us to keep our minds fixed on God rather than on our circumstances. We can choose to meditate on what he says instead.
Court date coming up? Choose to ask God for help and insight, then trust in his ability.
Need to have a procedure done? What is the confidence in your spirit? Pray, asking for God’s wisdom and talk to God like you would an old and trusted friend. You will find that he is waiting to share his thoughts with you.
Perhaps you are a new mother who finds herself second-guessing every decision. Your heavenly father cares deeply about every detail of your life, and he knows exactly what you need. As you seek him, he will provide direction and peace.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
You control your thinking and only you can choose to trust and have faith or doubt and fear.

by Emily Wooten
Our scripture reference is taken from Luke 15. There was a man who had two sons. One son asked his father for his share of the family wealth, and soon after, he took it and left for a distant country. There, he spent everything recklessly and ended up in great need when a famine struck. Finally, he realized that even his father’s hired workers had plenty to eat while he was starving. He decided to return home. He planned to ask to be treated as a servant. But his father saw him, was filled with compassion, and ran to embrace him.
Meanwhile, the other son had stayed home and didn’t squander what was entrusted to him. While he stayed at home and worked, we see an attitude that was anything but Godly. When his father embraced his brother and celebrated his homecoming, the son who hadn’t left was jealous. See what he said to his father. ” Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gave me a goat, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which has devoured your living wasted it, you have killed for him the fatted calf.” His words paint a picture of a man who feels abused, slighted and suffering loss. He had dotted the i’s and crossed the T’s in obedience but he had failed to recognize all the blessings he had around him. He didn’t have confidence to take advantage of the opportunities that were available and his for the taking.
His father said, “You have been here with me always, and all that I have is thine.” That son had just assumed his father would not want him to party with his friends or enjoy the benefits of being his son. He assumed the worst. We see a man who had everything but failed to acknowledge the benefits of being a child of a well-to-do man.
When Jesus bore our sins, God set into motion everything that was required to purchase our place in the Kingdom of God. We are not without a portion. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord, confessed he is the son of God, you have accessed eternal life. When you accept Jesus as Lord, eternal life is only one of the benefits. Healing, Peace, Joy, Love and Faith were included in the price he paid for our redemption physically, spiritually and emotionally. We are children of the living God, heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. In our Father’s house is provision for every thing we might ever need.
In the story of the prodigal son we recognize the prodigal son’s error but are we guilty of not recognizing the grace and favor God has made available to us? Are we going through the motions, crossing the T’s and dotting every i, while missing the fact that our father has always loved us and provided for us? He said in James 4:2, we have not because we ask not.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
We have already escaped and knowledge of God helps us continue to escape because we refuse to yield our members to ungodly behavior. Ungodly behavior includes attributing lack and harm to God our Father when Satan is the god of this world. He is the one who goes about seeking whom he may devour. Refuse to be lunch! Instead be an overcomer by the blood of the lamb and word of your testimony.

by Emily Wooten

“Set your house in order, for you are going to die.” In Isaiah 38, we see a human faced with some of the worst news a person can receive: Hezekiah was sick unto death. What happened next is surprising. After receiving the message from God that his time was up, Hezekiah didn’t go find his neighbors and complain. He didn’t start making funeral arrangements.
In verses 2–3 we read: “Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed unto the Lord, and said, ‘Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.’”
Scripture says he wept sorely. Can you imagine Hezekiah, torn inside with grief? In anguish, he turned to God his Father—the God whom he recognized as Deliverer, Champion, and the Salvation of Israel. He didn’t accuse God, and he didn’t accept the diagnosis as the final authority. He asked God for mercy, and God heard him. He really heard him. Hezekiah sought the Lord; He heard and answered him.
Maybe you or someone you love is facing challenges. If we learn anything from Hezekiah’s story, it should be that we can turn to our Father and expect change.
Hebrews 4:14–16: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 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. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Paul told us to come to that throne, where Jesus, the Son of God, is making intercession for us.
Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
Matthew 11:28–30: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
We have an open invitation to come to the maker of solutions, the Creator who knows the end from the beginning.
John 15:7: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Psalms 103:1–5:“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
There it is! God has the capacity to redeem our lives from destruction. Knowing God in an intimate and personal relationship is very important if we expect to receive anything from Him. We can choose to acknowledge God as Savior, Healer, and Deliverer, and speak the words He gave us, knowing the peace and confidence only He can give.

by Emily Wooten
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way .
Psalms 139: 1-4 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Psalms 139:13-16 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
In 1 Samuel 17: 40-50 we see where David went out to fight the giant but he had inside information. He followed God’s direction, doing things God’s way and prevailed.
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalms 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Romans 8:28 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.
Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
Psalms 18:32-33 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
2 Samuel 22:33-34 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
David the shepherd boy, giant slayer, king and friend of God had inside information. He recognized God as the all powerful, all knowing, ever present Lord of all. He learned to surrender his thoughts and order his words to acknowledge God in all his ways.
Proverbs 3-6 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 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.
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

by Emily Wooten
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
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.
Time and time again God sent us a simple message. We can choose.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Who is Lord in your life?
Many claim to know Jesus but they only know of him. The relationship God wants with us is not casual. What Jesus did for us when he bore our sins, sickness and poverty was not casual. We can’t afford to be casual with Jesus.
Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:12-13 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,
Every day we make choices. What we say, what we think on and how we treat others is just part of making Jesus Lord of our life. Every time we choose to do things
our way, without even asking Jesus his opinion, we have chosen to make us Lord.
Colossians 3:4-15 tells us love and peace are the most important. Paul exhorts us to put on love and cause peace to rule in our hearts.
From the moment we open our eyes, till the time we close them to sleep, we are making choices.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
That is the relationship God desires, that we love, honor and obey his word being doers of the word.
Romans 12: I-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

by Emily Wooten
It was days after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Scripture says there were 120 in the upper room waiting.
Acts 2:1–4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Scripture tells us there were people from every nation under heaven, and they all heard the gospel spoken in their own languages.
Everything God does is on purpose. He had a reason for sending His Son Jesus to die for our sin. He also had a reason for sending the Holy Spirit.
In John 14, Jesus said: 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Romans 8:26–28 Likewise the (Holy) Spirit also helps our weaknesses: 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 Holy Spirit has been sent to the body of Christ to comfort, teach, make intercession, and heal.
When Jesus was on earth, He read from Isaiah, and when He finished reading, He said, “This day this scripture is fulfilled.”
Luke 4:18–19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
These are the types of things the Holy Spirit will do in and through us today, if we give Him the opportunity. Remember what Jesus did?
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Jesus expects us to take His Word the same way He took the Father’s words. With the anointing of the Holy Spirit working in us, we too can go about doing good.
Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? This is something every born again Christian can experience.
Ephesians 5:18-20 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

by Emily Wooten

1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
Paul shared his hope with us, and it is our hope. We can see in God’s word where he promised life beyond this world. What we have here is not the end of our journey. We are just getting started.
For some of us, this is a time for planning and looking for direction. With graduation just weeks away, some will be looking at relocating to pursue their education. Others will be changing employment and seeking advancement. God promised us he would be present with us through all our decisions if we let him.
Did you know God has already designed a direction for your life? If you haven’t asked him, don’t hesitate another moment. Ask God to show you his design and purpose for your life.
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
In Luke 1 we see where John the Baptist was anointed and filled with the Holy Ghost, before he was born. Ask yourself, “Am I fulfilling God’s design for my life?” Have you asked God’s opinion or just followed the natural course?
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 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Stop! Check your plans. Does the Holy Spirit give you peace about your decisions or are you uneasy? When God orchestrates a plan it cannot fail.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.