Author Archives: russellmckinney

A True Masterpiece

An artist visited a museum where one of his masterpieces was on exhibit. He approached the painting and noticed that the museum had placed one of his earlier, lesser-known works beside it. As he stood there comparing both paintings, he … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Atheism, Belief, Bible Study, Children, Church Attendance, Disappointment, Doubt, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, God's Work, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Salvation, Scripture, Service, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Christian’s Paradoxical Life

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them … Continue reading

Posted in Belief, Brokenness, Current Events, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Personal Holiness, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Trusting In God, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Missed Opportunities

When Alexander Graham Bell was trying to market the telephone, he went to wealthy financier Chauncey DePew and offered him a one-sixth interest in the new invention for the price of $10,000. DePew took a week to consider the offer … Continue reading

Posted in Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Omnipotence, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Year by Year

As the story in 1 Samuel chapter 1 begins, a woman named Hannah is barren. She has a husband, Elkanah, who loves her very much, but she cannot give him children. Perhaps that is why he has a second wife. … Continue reading

Posted in Disappointment, Encouragement, Faith, God's Love, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Will, Impatience, Needs, Patience, Perseverance, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Too Close to His Price

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are … Continue reading

Posted in Character, Choices, Depravity, Doing Good, Personal Holiness, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Stretch Your Soul

Many years ago The Alabama Baptist ran the following story told by R. Lee Sharpe: I was just a kid. One spring day, father told me to go with him to old man Trussell’s blacksmith shop. He had left a rake and … Continue reading

Posted in Character, Doing Good, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Service | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Right Praying in Old Testament Days

Who prayed true prayers to the true God in the days of the Old Testament? Well, we must keep in mind that God didn’t reveal Himself in that era as fully as He would in the New Testament era. Therefore, … Continue reading

Posted in God's Name, Prayer, Scripture, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Does a Worm Get Inside an Apple?

Most people think the worm burrows down inside the apple from the outside. In actuality, however, the worm was born inside the apple. It’s an interesting process. I’ve read this in various places, but for this post I’ll quote directly … Continue reading

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Depravity, Rebellion, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should Women Wear Head Coverings?

Did you know that various Christian denominations around the world require women to wear head coverings in church? Some denominations even extend the requirement to settings outside the church. As for what type of covering the women wear, that depends … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Liberty, Church, Discernment, Dress and Appearance, Headship, Husbands, Marriage, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Rebellion, Submission, Wives, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Illegitimate Praying

“These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.” (Matthew 15:8-9, N.L.T.) The Bible speaks of many different people praying to … Continue reading

Posted in Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Creation, Demons, God's Will, Idolatry, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment