Skip to content
Laura R Bailey Tagline

Laura R Bailey

inviting woment to live fully & abundantly

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Children
    • Hospitality
  • About
  • Contact
  • Publications
  • Speaking

Publications

Proverbs 31 Devotion: Running on Empty

Embracing a Simpler Life: Read your Bible, Pray Everyday- More Easily said than Done

Spirit Filled Woman Magazine: Sometimes it’s worth the Fight

Focus on the Family Magazine ( Print):

  • Correcting a Child’s Conclusion ( October/ November 2019)

Share to Encourage Others:

  • Email
  • Tweet

Like this:

Like Loading...

Archives

Newsletter

Subscribe to receive devotions straight your inbox!

* indicates required

Contributing Writer

Subscribe to receive devotions straight your inbox!

* indicates required

laurabaileywrites

Instagram post 2185798901026307268_8203944958 What's On Your Christmas List?
.
.
This Christmas I wanted to share what tools I use to study the Bible, books I recommend, and resources for Christian living. Many items on the list below I have received as gifts, or they are on my current wish list. ( plus a few extra items if you need to give your hubby a hint!

I pray that we give generously, serve selflessly, host happily, and above all, remember Jesus is the reason for Season! Merry Christmas!  VIEW THE LIST ON THE BLOG  www.laurarbailey.com ( link in profile)

Ornaments: @maggieviskart
Instagram post 2182171570288521194_8203944958 Twice this week the Holy Spirit convicted me of my Pharisaical actions. .
.
After writing an article about the power of patience, I completely lost it on the service woman at the internet company.  I know the importance of community but, I almost declined a breakfast invitation with dear sisters in Christ because, “ that’s nap time and I needed that hour to myself to get things done.”
.
.
I am guilty of reading the words of my Bible, spending hours dissecting verses, discussing theology, only to neglect putting my lessons into practice. All  the above mentioned are not bad on their own, we just need to guard against only a “head knowledge “ for God- and not a true heart for Him. .
.
Are we focused more on appearing spiritual, that we miss the opportunity to walk daily in the Spirit?
Instagram post 2180675253410423809_8203944958 Excited to share the news- officially a contributing writer for Proverbs 31, Encouragement for today.

The times are numerous ( I expressed concern just last week- I felt like giving up this "writing" thing) when I doubt God's calling for me to write and teach His word. 
I am neither eloquent, a grammar queen, or a Bible scholar. My " thorns" are great ( 2 Corinthians 12:7-8), I stumble, I let my flesh rule, and wrestle with my identity in Christ alone. 
BUT, oh how wonderful that I can rest in these words from Paul: " But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 
God calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things- through HIM. Do not let the Enemy whisper lies convincing you otherwise - God is powerful  and able to work through you for His Glory.

https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/our-writers/laura-bailey

@proverbs31ministries  sign up to receive daily devotions!
Instagram post 2172028219687792277_8203944958 Do Our Actions Reflect or Reject the Gospel?
.
.
.
Quick to speak, easy to anger, and slow to listen--that's me--the exact opposite of the apostle James’ admonition to believers in the early church (James 1:19)

I find myself asking, " Do my actions reflect the gospel to a lost world or turn them away?" Read More on the Blog.... Link in Profile
.
.
.
#christianblogger #bookofjames #thursdaytruth #heavenlyminded #controlingouractions #pausebeforeyouspeak #quicktolistenslowtospeak #proverbswoman
Instagram post 2166084009250301197_8203944958 Wanted Share this podcast today from @risenmotherhood about our postpartum bodies. It hit home with me and I am sure many women can use the encouragement from this message. .
.
.
“Stretch marks, loose skin, and under-eye circles—oh my! Many moms stand a little awkwardly before the mirror, examining their postpartum bodies. We may know the world’s standard isn’t a true one, but how do we find peace with our new bodies? In this episode, Emily and Laura invite five women to share how the gospel changes their outlook on their postpartum bodies. While we’re tempted to focus on what we think our bodies should be today, the gospel reminds us that our hope isn’t in our flesh. Instead, these bodies reminds us that our hope is in Jesus alone—who willingly bore our sins, scarring his perfect body to give us life. This hope gives us grateful hearts, so we can care for and steward the body we have today as a vessel for good works.”
.
.
Listen on iTunes : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/risen-motherhood/id1072833310?i=1000453717493
Instagram post 2162510863913746435_8203944958 I remember the first time a blank sheet of paper held my chair hostage. My teacher gave us a verse and asked us to write it out in our own words. I sat for what seemed like an eternity- why was this so hard for me? .
.
Living off fast food Bible study and devotions to give me sustenance, I held the Bible as a study book for theologians, not for little ole me.
.
.
Taking time pause, pray, and patient practice our Heavenly Father, made the verses come alive.
.
.
If you want to dig deeper in God’s word, feel stuck, or simply have a desire to know God more- I encourage you to adopt this practice : Take a verse of the Bible ( or verses) and write them out in your OWN words.
You will be amazed how God will speak to your heart.
.
.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:25-27
Instagram post 2156777719690213399_8203944958 Are You Watering Your Weeds? .
.
.
"Our harried, hurried lives beckon us away from watering our souls with time in
 God’s Word. The busy and familiar drum of routine pulls us away from Jesus, the
 One true source of life. Before we know it, we’re dumping water all over the
 weeds and wondering why we feel so parched inside."
.
.
.
Read more on the blog, link in profile.
Instagram post 2150429324912704849_8203944958 Excited to be a contributor to this month’s Focus on the Family!
Instagram post 2149460982072759389_8203944958 I heard this today from @malinda.fuller  in a podcast with @rebekahhargraves.  Such a powerful reminder .
.
I am plagued with the notions that I will do all work and what if there are no {earthly} results.  May we all rest that God is responsible and we can leave even the smallest of details in his hands.
.
.
Excited to read @malinda.fuller book #obedienceoverhustlebook
Instagram post 2146570212592448480_8203944958 After years of telling myself I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, skinny enough or “fill-in-the-blank” enough, I began believing I’d never be enough for myself or anyone else.

Our key verse, Isaiah 64:8, declares we are intentionally and purposefully sculpted: “But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” God views us as His work of art — His masterpiece.

Not only that, but God created us in His image, which means we bear some of His qualities. When we believe in Him, we are made into a new creation in Christ.

So, the next time we’re tempted to speak hurtful words to ourselves, let’s stop and ask: “Is this what my Creator would say to me?” Let us be women who not only speak Truth into others, but soak in the Truth ourselves.

Lord, help me shift my temporal, self-demeaning perspective to an eternal, Christ-honoring one. Please grant me victory in this realm of my life as I truly desire to be an example to my children and others around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Declare it with us today: I am God' Masterpiece

@proverbs31ministries @laurabaileywrites
Instagram post 2135679784045261073_8203944958 Editing away! Which title would peak your interest to pick up the book?
#thestruggleisreal #beyondthenoise
Instagram post 2135637778661333674_8203944958 My oldest daughter ( much like her momma)!l has BIG emotions. This book is great for breaking down all the emotions your little ones feel ( especially in new situations like school) through a sweet story about a little boy and show and tell day.  It also comes with a pull out feelings chart.
.
.
If you need help navigating your little’s emotions - check out this book! It’s a good message for adults too! .
.
@joshua.straub @christistraub #whatamifeeling #twentytwosixparenting
Instagram post 2131410641861108894_8203944958 I want to be Hospitable but, I don't know how! 😳
.
.
.
If you are one of those people who lament, " I want to be hospitable but I just do not know where to start." Well, this post is for you!

HERE IS THE TRUTH: Hospitality is NOT about what you serve, it is not about the size of your home, and it is not about you. Hospitality IS about, having a servant's heart, the willingness to invite people into your personal space, and showing the love of God.
.
.
.
Join me on the Blog to Read More
Instagram post 2129961507756670758_8203944958 Marriage, Family, Friendships, TAKE WORK. LOTS AND LOTS OF WORK! Want strong friendships?  Make space on your calendar, invite people into your home, share your struggles and successes.  Do your friends push you to be more like Jesus or the world?  Are they challenging you to make God a priority in your life? Do they pray with you and for you?  Are YOU this type of friend? ⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
⁠
#christianblogger #heavenlyminded #romans121 #lovethelord #hemustincrease #weoverme #momsforjesus #livingfullyandabubdantly
Instagram post 2126337731876483425_8203944958 The enemy wants us to stay trapped in our sins. He wants us to believe that we will never overcome, we always just "be this way," and we can never truly be forgiven.⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
⁠
Jesus paid the price, for our sins yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the only one who can wash us " white as snow." But, he gave us other Christians to support, lift us up, and encourage us in our daily battles.⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
Confessions leads to transformation. Let us acknowledge our shortcomings, rest in God's  Grace, and move  forward in sanctification. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
⁠
⁠
#christianblogger #heavenlyminded #romans121 #lovethelord #hemustincrease #weoverme #momsforjesus #livingfullyandabubdantly ⁠
#thestruggleisreal #lieswebelieve #powerinredemption #powerovertheenemy #truthinaworldofnoise #Romans121⁠
Instagram post 2124888309046217623_8203944958 " He must increase, I must decrease." John 30:30⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
⁠
#christianblogger #heavenlyminded #romans121 #lovethelord #hemustincrease #weoverme #momsforjesus #livingfullyandabubdantly
Instagram post 2121265757795826678_8203944958 Why do I lack meaningful Relationships?

I recently heard a talk  called Connected, But Alone?, which made me think . . . why do we hide behind our phones, texting instead of calling?  Why do we meet people at Starbucks or Panera Bread instead of inviting them over to our house? (Yep, you read correctly -- “invite, house” -- those words, practically foreign to us these days.) Why do we freely share opinions through our Facebook status but can barely manage a conversation for more than five minutes face-to-face? .
.
.
Join me on the Blog to read more! Link in Profile
Instagram post 2119796921936868586_8203944958 Y'all the doors to our hearts and homes are shut too tightly. In a world of picture-perfect, we prefer to keep our relationships at bay with a like or a comment on a perfectly staged kitchen table or family outing.⁠
..⁠
Real life is messy. Relationships are messy. We are messy.⁠
⁠
..⁠
Stop listening to the enemy tell you, " Your home is not big enough,  your cooking does not rate with Paula Deen, and no one wants to see your ugly."⁠
⁠
..⁠
We are made for community- what are you wrestling with today? Don't keep it hidden, cry out to your Heavenly Father and ask him for friends who are willing to open their homes and speak truth into you. BE A FRIEND, who puts on a fresh pot of coffee at 10pm in your pjs, listening to your sister in Christ because she needs comfort.⁠
..⁠
⁠
Lord, helps us seek Godly friends. Help me every day be open to your spirit directing my paths. Help me always have an open home and heart. Amen.⁠
⁠
..⁠
⁠
⁠
#thestruggleisreal #lieswebelieve #powerinredemption #powerovertheenemy #truthinaworldofnoise #Romans121⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#christianblogger #heavenlyminded #romans121 #lovethelord #hemustincrease #weoverme #momsforjesus #livingfullyandabubdantly
Instagram post 2116016636938116579_8203944958 I pray everyone has a friend like the one above. { Her message in grey}. Y'all she is my constant cheerleader, the forever faithful friend, and spiritually solid sister in Christ. She is sweet to my salty. I am a better person because of her and her friendship. #everyoneneedsagodlyfriend #sheistheencouragementthatkeepsmegoing .. I told her about an Author/Speaker I thought was the best thing since sliced bread.  In a constant comparison game, I allow the enemy's lies ;" You are not good enough, you will never be Her," take control of my thoughts far too often. ..
But, you know what? . I am not HER, you are not HER, and YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HER! These words were truth my friend plucked from our Heavenly Father's garden, rich and life-giving.
.. Praying for you friend, comparison kills joy. These words I printed out and posted where I write- reminding me I only need to be me. .. #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #mytribe #encourageoneanother #liftoneanotherinwordanddeed #GodmadeYOUjustasheplanned

#christianblogger #heavenlyminded #romans121 #lovethelord #hemustincrease #weoverme #momsforjesus #livingfullyandabubdantly
Instagram post 2114982819545457888_8203944958 Image for post 2114982819545457888_8203944958
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: