Author Archives: russellmckinney

The Test of Prosperity

Quick, name the toughest test to pass spiritually. Did you say, “Disease”? Did you say, “The death of a loved one”? Did you say, “Troubles?” Did you say, “Disappointment”? Well, there’s no doubt that none of those tests are spiritual … Continue reading

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Provision, Greed, Lust, Personal Holiness, Prosperity, Sex, Sin, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The One Requirement Even the Christian Must Meet for Prayer

Did you know there is a certain requirement that even the Christian must meet to ensure that God will hear his prayer? As you read the following passages (all from the N.K.J.V.), see if you can spot it: If I regard … Continue reading

Posted in Children, Disobedience, Fatherhood, Forgiveness, God's Holiness, God's Love, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Repentance, Seeking Forgiveness, Separation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Does God Hear the Prayers of Lost People (part 3)

The New Testament stories of God hearing the prayers of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48) and the tax collector from Christ’s parable (Luke 18:9-14) shouldn’t surprise us. I say that because even in the Old Testament we find examples of God showing … Continue reading

Posted in Brokenness, Children, Grace, Humility, Mercy, Prayer, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Does God Hear the Prayers of Lost People? (part 2)

In Luke 18:9-14, we find another example of a lost man who, like Cornelius, had God hear his sincere prayer. His prayer is what some call “the sinner’s prayer.” Actually, the man isn’t a literal person but is, instead, merely … Continue reading

Posted in Brokenness, Grace, Humility, Mercy, Prayer, Salvation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Does God Hear the Prayers of Lost People? (part 1)

Acts 10:1-6 tells the story of a man named Cornelius: There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, … Continue reading

Posted in Prayer, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The New Testament, Prayer, & Jesus

The New Testament era officially began with the birth of Jesus. As God in the flesh, He ushered in a new age and revealed God more intimately than any Old Testament Jew could have ever imagined. The “one” Lord God … Continue reading

Posted in Bible Study, Doctrine, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Salvation, Scripture, The Holy Spirit, The Trinity | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wilted Roses

Somewhere along the way, I picked up a little story about a Sunday School teacher’s efforts to win one of her young students to Christ. I doubt that the story actually happened, but maybe it did. Even if it didn’t, … Continue reading

Posted in Children, Parenting, Salvation, Sunday School, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Conflict Within the Church

W.B. Riley, who served as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for some fifty years, told the following story: In my first pastorate, three of my church officials had refused for three full years to speak to … Continue reading

Posted in Anger, Christian Unity, Church, Church Discipline, Confession, Deacons, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, Forgiveness, God's Work, Influence, Pastors | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All You Need to Know

The teacher of a children’s Sunday School class gave her students one month to memorize the 23rd Psalm. Little Bobby gave it his best, but by month’s end he still couldn’t quote all the Psalm. So, when it came his … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Eternal Security, God's Love, God's Omnipresence, God's Provision, Needs, Problems, Sunday School, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Different Way to Preach the Gospel

An army private became a Christian and began to experience some persecution from his fellow soldiers. One rainy night he came in very tired and wet, but he still got down on his knees and prayed before he went to … Continue reading

Posted in Character, Doing Good, Evangelism, Extending Forgiveness, Humility, Influence, Mercy, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Salvation, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment