Author Archives: russellmckinney

Put on the Whole Armor of God

Posted on December 17, 2025 by russellmckinney

Ephesians 6:10-17 is the famous “armor of God” passage. There Paul tells us that we must put on the whole armor of God if we are to be successful in the midst of spiritual, demonic warfare. That armor consists of: … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Commitment, Deception, Demons, Discernment, Discipleship, Evangelism, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Righteousness, Salvation, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, The Bible, The Devil, The Gospel, The Heart, Trials, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Give God Time

Posted on December 15, 2025 by russellmckinney

The Bible makes no attempt at all to contradict the statement: “Timing is everything.” It tells us that God the Father didn’t send Jesus to the earth until “the fullness of the time had come” (Galatians 4:4, N.K.J.V.). It tells us … Continue reading →

Posted in Desires, Disappointment, Doubt, Faith, God's Timing, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Prayer Requests, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Depression

Posted on December 12, 2025 by russellmckinney

Depression is a real thing. According to the website http://www.healthline.com, it’s estimated that 21 million adults in the United States have at least one major bout with depression each year. Of course, that number is probably low given the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Brokenness, Depression, Discipleship, Encouragement, God's Work, Humility, Loneliness, Ministry, Perseverance, Preaching, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What I Didn’t Know Back Then

Posted on December 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

I was 27 years old when I accepted what is commonly referred to as “the call to preach.” 32 years have passed now. And what have I learned in those years? I’ve learned what I didn’t know back then. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, God's Work, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Service | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Fresh Word from God

Posted on December 8, 2025 by russellmckinney

Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. (1 Samuel 3:1, N.K.J.V.) The Hebrew word translated as “widespread revelation” in this verse … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Commitment, Confession, Discernment, Disobedience, Faithfulness, Fatherhood, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Word, Greed, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Scripture, Sex, Sin, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Trouble with Family

Posted on December 5, 2025 by russellmckinney

The Ishmaelites were descendants of Abraham through Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant (Genesis 16:1-16). The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah, the wife he took after the death of Sarah (Genesis 25:1-2). Over the course of time, the Ishmaelites and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Children, Family, Fatherhood, God's Sovereignty, Husbands, Motherhood, Parenting, Perseverance, Polygamy, Problems, Slavery, Wives | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is It Time for You to Make a Change?

Posted on December 3, 2025 by russellmckinney

People often fall into one of two erroneous camps in regards to making changes. One camp holds that change is never good, while the other camp holds that it is always good. But the truth is that sometimes change is of God and sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Church, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Personal, Prayer, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Posted on December 1, 2025 by russellmckinney

Colder weather and the holiday season bring an uptick in requests from various causes and ministries. That makes this time of year a good time for a word about “the social gospel.” So, I’d like to use this post to … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Return, Communication, Discernment, Doing Good, Evangelism, God's Work, Good Works, Hell, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Needs, Priorities, Salvation, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Traveling with Jesus

Posted on November 28, 2025 by russellmckinney

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27, N.K.J.V.) During my teenage years I ran around a lot with my friend, Jerry Willis. Jerry had a 1970 Chevy Nova Super Sport muscle car … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Personal, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What Jesus Was Thankful For

Posted on November 26, 2025 by russellmckinney

The Bible specifically mentions four things for which Jesus was thankful. So, with your permission, I’d like to walk us through the list. Here we go. #1: In John 6:11, Jesus gives thanks for the food by which He feeds … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Death, Crucifixion, Eternity, God's Work, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Salvation, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment