Author: Emily Wooten

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.

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.