Author Archives: russellmckinney

The Chain Is Off

Posted on September 5, 2022 by russellmckinney

A mailman was given a new route. His first day he approached the mailbox of a home that had a big German shepherd crouched on the porch. When the mailman put his hand toward the mailbox, the dog started barking … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Choices, Disobedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Should We Pray Silently to Keep Satan from Hearing?

Posted on September 2, 2022 by russellmckinney

A fellow preacher and I once had an interesting conversation concerning people praying aloud and Satan being able to listen in on those prayers. The question we kicked around was this: Is it smarter to pray silently so that Satan … Continue reading →

Posted in Demons, God's Omnipotence, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Third Suit

Posted on August 31, 2022 by russellmckinney

Here’s a story that plays off my previous post about the original Sunday Schools. In one of Scotland’s manufacturing towns, a young lady applied to the superintendent of a Sunday School and asked for a class. He advised her to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Influence, Patience, Perseverance, Sunday School, Teaching, Youth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunday School

Posted on August 29, 2022 by russellmckinney

Most people don’t know that the Sunday Schools of today’s churches bear little resemblance to the original Sunday Schools of England’s late 1700s. Those schools were quite literally places of basic education where poor children could learn to read and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Children, Church, Discipline, God's Work, Influence, Scripture, Sunday School, Teaching, The Bible, Youth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Awesome Seriousness of Unbelief

Posted on August 26, 2022 by russellmckinney

There are only two possible eternal destinies for each person, and Revelation 21:7-8 contrasts the two. First, in verse 7, Jesus says: He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be His God and he shall be My … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Coming Judgment, Death, Faith, Forgiveness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be a Good Neighbor

Posted on August 24, 2022 by russellmckinney

He who despises his neighbor sins… (Proverbs 14:21, N.K.J.V.) Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10, N.K.J.V.) Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God will all … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Contentment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, Influence, Personal Holiness, Problems | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Foolish Prince

Posted on August 22, 2022 by russellmckinney

A prince left the ease and safety of his father’s castle in order to seek adventure in the world. He left all his riches behind and eventually reached such a low state that he was forced to dress in rags … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Backsliding, Change, Children, Disobedience, Dress and Appearance, Eternal Security, God's Love, God's Provision, Grace, Husbands, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, Wives, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Headed North

Posted on August 19, 2022 by russellmckinney

Is it possible for a person to be moving north and south at the same time? Sure. Imagine a man walking south on the deck of a ship that is headed north. As we live the Christian life, we oftentimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Comfort, Demons, Eternal Security, Heaven, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Satan, Sowing and Reaping, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Find That Treasure

Posted on August 17, 2022 by russellmckinney

William Randolph Hearst, the legendary newspaper publishing magnate, was one of the wealthiest men of his time. His great wealth allowed him to spend millions of dollars collecting art treasures from around the world. One day he read the description … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Covetousness, Desires, God's Provision, Greed, Lust, Needs, Prosperity, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Next Day

Posted on August 15, 2022 by russellmckinney

Let a man consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, N.K.J.V.) One day some of Napoleon’s officers came to him … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Work, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Priorities, Righteousness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment