Author Archives: russellmckinney

What Jesus Was Thankful For

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

Are You Willing to the Pay the Cost?

Author Lafcadio Hearn was known for his books about Japan. In particular, his collections of Japanese traditional stories and legends were very well received. One such story involved a Japanese farmer who owned a valuable rice field that covered a … Continue reading

Posted in Character, Christ's Death, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Giving, God's Work, Good Works, Humility, Ministry, Missions, Money, Problems, Service, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rainbows

“Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said: “This is the sign of … Continue reading

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Creation, Doubt, Eternal Security, Eternity, God's Omnipotence, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, God's Mercy, God's Sovereignty, Heaven, Prophecy, Restoration, Salvation, Scripture, The Bible, Trusting In God, Waiting, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Fresh Spark

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die…” (Revelation 3:3, N.K.J.V.) Dr. G. Curtis Jones tells the story of a board meeting he once attended at a city church where he was serving as pastor. … Continue reading

Posted in Attitude, Change, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Doing Good, Evangelism, Family, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Problems, Restoration, Service, Witnessing, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We Can’t Have the Best of Both Worlds

A Sunday School teacher told her children’s class the story of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:19-31). She said, “The rich man had a lot of money and lived in luxury every day. He had a beautiful … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Death, Disappointment, Eternity, Heaven, Hell, Human Life, Money, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Prosperity, Reward, Salvation, Scripture, Suffering, Sunday School, Trials, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fear Not

According to what I read somewhere there are over 500 Bible passages that mention the issue of fear. I’ve also read that the specific phrases “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” are used 103 times in the King James translation. … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Courage, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Grace, Needs, Peace, Problems, Scripture, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Tells You to Do Something

I’ve been friends with Beau Thomas for most of my life. We grew up together, attended school together, ran around together, and played a lot of ball together. When each of us became a father, we also coached our share … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Christ's Miracles, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Money, Obedience, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Disciple’s Road Bible Study Guide

There is a God. (Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1) a. Creation proves His existence: Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-6; Genesis chapters 1 and 2 b. Rain and fruitful harvests prove His existence: Acts 14:14-17; Matthew 5:43-45 c. The conscience within each individual … Continue reading

Posted in Bible Study, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Creation, Death, Eternity, Evangelism, God's Holiness, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Wrath, God's Foreknowledge, God's Judgment, God's Mercy, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Grace, Heaven, Hell, Holiness, Man's Freewill, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Resurrection, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Sin, Spiritual Gifts, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unopened Perfume

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15, N.K.J.V.) Donald Barnhouse was one of America’s best-known preachers. He pastored Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church from … Continue reading

Posted in Character, Commitment, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Submission, Talents, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

John Wesley & the Robber

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.) John Wesley was the father of the Methodist denomination. It is estimated that over the … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Comfort, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Work, Impatience, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Reward, Service, Sowing and Reaping, Waiting, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment