Author: Pastor Bailey

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28) I received a phone call that caught me by surprise. It was a blistering, angry, message that burned my ears and bruised my heart. “Most disgusting service I ever attended”, the voice said. I…

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) Here are two more things you need to know: People will hurt you. There are…

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) As I entered the long hall of the nursing floor, I saw a special friend, her small frame dwarfed by her wheelchair. She had lost some of her stature, but her…

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7) You must take responsibility for your life instead of blaming others. In the Garden of Eden when God asked Adam why he had eaten from the tree, he blamed his wife: “The woman whom You gave…

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Not everyone who starts the race finishes it. Paul writes: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain…

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) The Bible tells us, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an…

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) I guarantee if you are reading this, at some point in your life you’ve encountered a setback. I’m willing to bet you have encountered resistance as you’ve tried to put out fires, make things happen, or set out to accomplish your…

“Be joyful always;” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) Ever find yourself asking, “Why me, Lord? How come You don’t answer my prayers? Why doesn’t Your Word work for me like it does for others?” Well-meaning friends tell you to keep your chin up, things will get better, but you can’t see any light at the end of…

” … give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Giving thanks infuses joy and resilience into your daily life. British theologian John Henry Jowett said, “Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.” Without gratitude your faith becomes a…