Author Archives: russellmckinney

Praying in Jesus’ Name (part 3)

Posted on September 8, 2023 by russellmckinney

“And we ask these things in Jesus’ name.” As a pastor, I’ve said those words at the close of prayers in church services more times than I can remember. Even more than that, I’ve said them at the close of scores … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaven, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Series: "Praying in Jesus' Name" | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Praying in Jesus’ Name (part 2)

Posted on September 6, 2023 by russellmckinney

I used my previous post to explain that Christians are the only people who can rightfully close their prayers with the words “in Jesus’ name.” Now, with this post, I want to offer a second fact about praying in Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Desires, Dying To Self, God's Will, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Series: "Praying in Jesus' Name", Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Praying in Jesus’ Name (part 1)

Posted on September 4, 2023 by russellmckinney

If you’ve spent much time in church, you’ve no doubt heard someone end a prayer by saying, “And we ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.” But have you ever wondered what all is involved with praying “in Jesus’ name”? Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Prayer Requests, Salvation, Series: "Praying in Jesus' Name" | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lynched by Mistake

Posted on September 1, 2023 by russellmckinney

In one Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown is lying in bed talking to Snoopy, who’s lying atop the covers at Charlie’s feet. Charlie says, “Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘Is life a multiple choice test or is … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Choices, Discernment, Faith, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Husbands, Obedience, Parenting, Personal, Prayer, Problems, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God, Work, Worry, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

An Unpleasant Truth

Posted on August 30, 2023 by russellmckinney

God gave the prophet Jeremiah a thankless task. Jeremiah was to prophesy, for decades, to his own people of Judah. Those people were a sinful, proud, stiff-necked bunch. Their nation stood on the precipice of being conquered by the Babylonians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Character, Coming Judgment, Depravity, Disobedience, God's Judgment, Preaching, Pride, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Water Lines & Old Paths

Posted on August 28, 2023 by russellmckinney

You don’t have to be a nautical expert to know that boats must be as solid below the water line as they are above it. A boat that looks good above the water line but is rotten below it will eventually sink. Well, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Bible Study, Church Attendance, Commitment, Confession, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Giving, Obedience, Perseverance, Prayer, Priorities, Repentance, Righteousness, Sanctification, Scripture, Service, Sin, Stewardship, The Bible, Trusting In God, Witnessing, Worry, Worship | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Who Are You Riding With?

Posted on August 26, 2023 by russellmckinney

The Lone Ranger and Tonto were in the desert. When 10,000 Indians attacked them from the north, the duo fled south. When 10,000 more Indians attacked them from the south, they fled east. When 10,000 more attacked them from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Children, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Fatherhood, Friendship, God's Will, Marriage, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Sports, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Humility Through Character-Building Experiences

Posted on August 23, 2023 by russellmckinney

The noted preacher and author Chuck Swindoll tells of a man who won a plaque for being the most humble man on earth. The man took the plaque home and placed it prominently on the mantle in his living room. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Disappointment, Faithfulness, God's Omniscience, Humility, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Personal Holiness, Pride, Problems, Sickness, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Hands of Jesus

Posted on August 21, 2023 by russellmckinney

“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

God Knows Best

Posted on August 18, 2023 by russellmckinney

A farm boy went off to college to get some big-city learning. By the time he returned home at the end of his first semester, he had some new ways of looking at things. No longer was he content to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Creation, Faith, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Humor, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments