Author: Emily Wooten

by Emily Wooten

After the resurrection, when Jesus appeared to various members of His followers, He explained that He was going to His Father—to His God and our God. What did that mean for us?
John 20:17 — The first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary at the tomb. He told her to go and tell His brethren that He was going to the Father.
Matthew 28:7 — The angel of the Lord told the women to go and tell the disciples that He had risen from the dead.
John 20:21–23 — Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”
Just before Jesus ascended to sit at the Father’s right hand, He made this promise:
Acts 1:8 — “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Matthew 28:18–20 — And Jesus came and spoke to 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.”
People across the globe celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Even those who have not been to church all year are seen attending. It is up to those of us who have come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior to keep that message alive. Just as if Jesus were standing in our presence today, He is saying: Go! Tell! Teach and baptize!
Acts 2:38–39 — Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
There is nothing more important than declaring the message that Jesus is alive and saving whoever calls upon His name.
In John 10:10, it is recorded that Jesus said, “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.”

by Emily Wooten
Psalms 23:5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
God is laying out a spread of abundance in the very face of our enemies. To prepare is to arrange, set or lay in order, set in array. Perhaps you are struggling with some things that desperately need to be laid in order? God has furnished us with the tools and resources.
Luke 4:18. 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, 19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to heal the sick, raise the dead and all the things Isaiah said he would do. Just before Jesus left to take his place at the right hand of God, he left these words.
Mark 16:15 …Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. 17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18. 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.
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. 39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who once and for all paid our price–purchasing our salvation, and any who will believe on the name of Jesus, repent or turn from sin and take him at his word are promised the same anointing to take his word and declare it too.
John 3:16. 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.
Psalms 23: 6. 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.
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 bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 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.

by Emily Wooten
Psalms 23:4 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.
God, through David, paints a picture of a nurturing God. Psalms 23:1–3 speaks to God’s peace, provision, and comfort. In verse four, we see the writer acknowledging that life has challenges. We need to recognize those challenges when they come and do what God has instructed to get through them.
We will not fear what man can do to us. Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The psalmist said, “thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” In ancient times, a shepherd’s rod and staff were instruments of protection and direction. Carved on the staff were family symbols. When those who met you saw your staff, they could see your bloodline and all the tribes that were your allies. A little boy might not have looked ominous or threatening, but give him a staff that signified his entire family was behind him, and even a warrior would be hesitant to tangle with him.
A perfect example is David, the little shepherd boy facing the giant. In and of himself, David couldn’t fight or win against the terrible giant. But David knew the secret that Goliath did not understand. Paul said it in Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Whatever we face, we know Romans 8:31… If God be for us, who can be against us? Nobody!
God has given us clear instructions in His Word. It is up to us to arm ourselves with His Word so that we are prepared when challenges come. We won’t fall prey to the enemy’s attack because we have God’s promises to protect our minds from fear. 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. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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.
All the demons, angels, and people will quickly recognize that we have a champion defending us when we take His words and make them our own. That’s what David did when he faced his giant. He said in 1 Samuel 17: 45 You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the Lord deliver you into my hand;
David knew—and we can know—that comfort too. Everywhere we go, in all we do, we are ambassadors of Jesus Christ. His whole army is set in defense of us if we use God’s word as a weapon. We have to know it in order to be able to use it.

by Emily Wooten
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
We read here that if we want to be saved, we must confess with our mouth and believe in our heart.
How do we get the word of faith in our heart? One way is to hear God’s word in preaching. It is our responsibility to pray for our pastors and teachers that God would anoint them (Ephesians 6:18–20). It is also our responsibility not only to listen, but also to attend to or practice what we hear.
We also get God’s word in our heart by reading it out loud to ourselves. Notice: Scripture did not say faith comes by reading. No. It said faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If you look up the word in Romans 10:17 that was translated word in “word of God,” it means “that which is or has been uttered by a living voice, or a thing spoken.”
We need to see what has been spoken by God so we can give our attention to it.
In salvation, God has provided all we need to have and attend to life, and that more abundantly. Perhaps you heard the 23rd Psalm when you were very young. Maybe you can quote it, but can you say you attend to it?
1.The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack or be without).
2.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
In these two Scriptures we see God’s provision. He causes us to rest in a beautiful or pleasant place. When it’s time to go, He leads us in peace and calm.
3.He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
We can attend to God’s word, believe in our heart, and confess with our mouth: Jesus is Lord over me and mine, and we do not lack any good thing. According to Philippians 4:19, God shall supply all our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He keeps me and leads me in perfect peace according to Isaiah 26:3.

by Emily Wooten
Colossians 1:9 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; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Knowledge of who we are in Christ should produce godly character which will be apparent to all we meet.
2 Peter 1: 3 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: 4 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. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Our knowledge of who we are in Christ should produce fruits that precede us in a room like a sweet smelling fragrance. When we leave, like a fragrance, our presence should linger.
Ephesians 5: 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
It is God’s will that all should come to the knowledge of God.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 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.

by Emily Wooten
Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 fullness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Paul said in Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Here, Paul was saying as we concentrate on the word of God as a mirror of who we are supposed to be, we see the glory of the Lord and are transformed from where we are, to be more like Jesus Christ, who is our example of God’s grace operating in humans.
How do we get there from here? One step is speaking the truth in love.
We humans, are created in the image of God. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The truth begins with 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.
Paul left us this example of prayer. We can ask for and have strength, might and love. Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
What was the objective? To be filled with all the fullness of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

by Emily Wooten
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
We are called to fight. Our fight is not with flesh and blood and it is not fought with our fist, guns or tanks.
Ephesians 6:12-14 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
If faith is the way to overcome the world and hearing the word is the way we get faith, it appears that our knowlege of God’s word and using it is essential to overcome.
Men and women who are in war do not train, learning how to fight, only to sit down and relax. On the contrary, even trained soldiers, who have passed basic training, continue to train, exercise and learn skills.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
First we need to recognize who we are in him and who he is in us.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
When we come to Jesus, Isaiah 43:25 says, God blots out our transgressions, and he will not remember our sins. The old man, who was sinful, is buried with Jesus in his death and the new man is raised with him in new life. We stand as ambassadors of Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:4-7 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
So we can have faith in our place with God and learn to look at our situation from God’s perspective, taking his word and speaking it as his ambassadors, bringing life with us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Isaiah 1:18-19 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be (white) as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
2 Timothy 1:6-7 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

by Emily Wooten
Romans 6:2–4…How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
February 18th through April 2, 2026, some denominations will be observing Lent. What is Lent? Lent marks a six-week period in some Church calendars, starting with Ash Wednesday and concluding on Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday. People practice what they believe to be acts of submission and sacrifice, denying their flesh to try and endeavor to be closer to God.
Paul did tell us in Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Thank God we are not left there. Verse 24 continues to qualify: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
Romans 6 continues in verses 7–12: For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 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.
We aren’t made overcomers by works of the flesh. Revelations 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;
2 Corinthians 10:3–5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
All year long we are instructed to cast down unruly thoughts. James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Every temptation, addiction, or weakness can be overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony or agreeing with what God has said about us.
Fasting is one way to submit our flesh. How about Hebrews 13:15: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Worship can help to bring our fles into submission.
Romans 12:1–2 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. 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.
24/7, 365 days a year, we have the opportunity through the tools God has given us to keep our flesh under or in subjection.
Romans 8:13–14 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 6:13-14 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
In John 5, we see Jesus interacting with a man who had been crippled for 38 years. He was lying at the pool of Bethesda, waiting for a miracle. It was obvious why he was there. So why did Jesus ask him, “Wilt thou be made whole?”
Why did the man not answer with an emphatic YES? He had no clue who he was talking to.
In our lives, we have the opportunity to talk with the Creator every day. That same Jesus who raised up Lazarus from the dead, healed the lame man, and spoke to the winds and waves, “Peace Be Still,” is the same Jesus of whom Isaiah 53 says, “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.” When Jesus was beaten, He took every grief, sickness and disease and bore them for us so we don’t have to.
The man at the pool knew his story of what had happened every other year. Someone had always beaten him to the pool. He didn’t have anyone to help him, so previously he had left as broken as he came. This year was going to be different. Jesus was about to be his someone. Jesus saith unto him, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” This time the man’s answer came from a different place. The anointing of Jesus Christ took hold of the infirmity in his body and he was transformed. John 5:8 says, “…immediately the man was made whole.”
That is the same Jesus who purchased our salvation and, in the same work, purchased everything we need to have life and have it more abundantly.
We need to recognize just who it is with whom we are fellowshipping. In His ministry, Jesus didn’t make people beg Him. He never said, “No, you need to suffer some more so I can teach you something.” Jesus said things like, “I will; be thou clean” (Matthew 8:3). “Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee” (Matthew 8:13). “Thy faith hath made thee whole” (Mark 5:34).
It wasn’t enough that Jesus went about doing good. We see in Matthew 10:1, “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” He gave those who follow Him the resources to do the same. Matthew 28:18-19 says, “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:”
When Jesus was preparing His disciples for what was about to happen, He said in John 18:20, “Neither pray I for these alone, speaking of the disciples, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;” That is us. If we have believed in Jesus as the only begotten Son of God who redeemed us, we are included. Jesus said in John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Let’s be doers! James 1:22

by Emily Wooten

Divine Appointments
(From Genesis 29:1–20) Jacob had been traveling to his uncle’s house when he stopped at a well. This well was important because it was where all the shepherds brought their flocks for water. He saw some shepherds who were waiting to water their sheep. Jacob asked, “Do you know a man named Laban, the son of Nahor?” They told him yes, and that his uncle was doing well.
While they were still talking, Rachel arrived, leading her father’s sheep. When Jacob saw Rachel, he was excited. Jacob went up to her, kissed her, and suddenly burst into tears. He told her who he was, and Rachel was excited too. She ran as fast as she could to tell her father the news..
This is the story of how Israel and the twelve tribes of Israel began. A young girl who was faithful was in the right place at the right time. Because of her faithfulness, a nation was born.
(From Mark 14:13-14) Jesus told his disciples, “Go into the city. As soon as you enter, you will see a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him. When he goes into a house, speak to the owner and say, ‘The teacher asks where he may eat the Passover with his disciples.’”
The man showed the disciples where the upper room was, and they prepared for the Passover meal. The man obeyed and the disciples followed instruction.
(From 1 Kings 17:7-6) God had arranged for a widow woman to feed Elijah. When he came to the gate of the city, the widow was there gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and asked her to bring him water to drink and a little bread to eat. She explained that she was preparing the last of her oil and meal for herself and her son. Elijah told her not to worry. God had a plan of provision for both the widow woman and Elijah. They obeyed God’s instructions and ate well.
In all these stories, obedience was necessary for God to successfully arrange their divine appointments. We have a role to play in receiving God’s provision.
In Jacob’s case, both he and his future wife needed to be in the right place at the right time—and they were. With the man who helped the disciples find the place where Jesus would eat the Passover meal, something as simple as being in the city street with a pitcher of water made it possible for God to move.
The woman and her son trusted God and did what they were told. Obedience caused them to have provision when those around them suffered lack.
We need to listen to our inward witness and follow God’s plan for us. A simple act of obedience could facilitate a major move of God. Obedience is the key to receiving from God. Faithfulness is the key to being where and when we need to be.