Author Archives: russellmckinney

A Plea for Courtesy

Posted on October 25, 2023 by russellmckinney

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous. (1 Peter 3:8, N.K.J.V., emphasis mine) I want to use this post to address a problem that I believe has reached … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Children, Communication, Doing Good, Honesty, Humility, Influence, Leadership, Parenting, Personal, Personal Holiness, Priorities, Sports, Youth | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Transitioning Into the Afterlife

Posted on October 23, 2023 by russellmckinney

An old Scot lay on his death bed, and his family called for their local minister. As the minister entered the room and sat down in a chair next to the bed, he saw that another chair was pulled up … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Comfort, Death, Discipleship, God's Love, Heaven, Prayer, Reward, Salvation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ducking Those Spears & Arrows

Posted on October 20, 2023 by russellmckinney

In The Making of a Man of God: Studies in the Life of David, Alan Redpath gives us a wonderful quote concerning the man of God in relation to the people of the world. He writes: It is impossible for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Commitment, Courage, Criticism, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Work, Ministry, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How’s Your Contending?

Posted on October 18, 2023 by russellmckinney

Jude was the earthly half-brother of Jesus. He was also the writer of the Bible’s book of Jude, which is a letter he wrote to his fellow Christians. Jude’s original plan was to build the letter around the subject of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Christian Unity, Courage, Discernment, Discipleship, Doctrine, Faithfulness, God's Word, God's Work, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching, Salvation, Scripture, Service, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Word About the Media & Polling

Posted on October 16, 2023 by russellmckinney

An international automobile race was once held in the Soviet Union. With that country being under strict Communist control, the international media was forced to rely upon Pravda to report the race results. Pravda was the mouthpiece newspaper for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Bible Study, Capital Punishment, Current Events, Deception, Discernment, Discipleship, Doubt, God's Word, Homosexuality, Politics, Scripture, The Bible, The Death Penalty, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Need for Faith When Engaged in Spiritual Warfare

Posted on October 13, 2023 by russellmckinney

A boxer was getting absolutely pummeled in a title fight. His trainer knew how bad things were going, but he felt that it was his job to keep his fighter encouraged. So, when the boxer staggered back to the corner … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Demons, Discipleship, Doubt, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omnipotence, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Persistence

Posted on October 11, 2023 by russellmckinney

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9, N.K.J.V.) At 10:30 one night, a little girl called out from her bed, “Mommy, will you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Choices, Commitment, Disappointment, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Impatience, Marriage, Parenting, Patience, Perseverance, Problems, Temptation, Trials, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Did the Apostle Paul Miss God’s Will?

Posted on October 9, 2023 by russellmckinney

Did the apostle Paul miss the will of God in one of the most important decisions of his ministry? Such a question might seem ludicrous to those who rate Paul barely a notch below Jesus, but some sincere students of … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipleship, Disobedience, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Rebellion, Seeking Advice, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Bread & Stone

Posted on October 6, 2023 by russellmckinney

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Complaining, Desires, Disappointment, Family, Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Omniscience, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Marriage, Ministry, Parenting, Pastors, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Priorities, Service, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Matter of Uriah the Hittite

Posted on October 4, 2023 by russellmckinney

One night a man got drunk and ended up in a bar fight during which he received several cuts and bruises to his face. When he got home, he stood in front of the bathroom mirror and tried his best … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Change, Character, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Guilt, Lying, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments