Author Archives: russellmckinney

Your Prayers Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Posted on July 17, 2026 by russellmckinney

Acts 12:1-19 records the story of Peter’s prison break. The story begins with Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, having Peter arrested and incarcerated in a Roman prison in Jerusalem. Herod is riding high because he has … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Comfort, Confession, Discipleship, Doubt, Dying To Self, Encouragement, Faith, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Grace, Honesty, Influence, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Repentance, Submission, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Bubba Smith Learned Too Late

Posted on July 15, 2026 by russellmckinney

Bubba Smith was an All-American football player at Michigan State. He is one of only three players from that program to have his jersey number retired. Following his collegiate career, he was the #1 overall pick of the 1967 NFL … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Character, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Entertainment, Family, Gambling, God's Will, Holiness, Honesty, Influence, Justice, Personal Holiness, Righteousness, Sanctification, Separation, Sin, Sports, Temptation, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Doesn’t Seem to Care

Posted on July 13, 2026 by russellmckinney

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Christ's Death, Comfort, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fatherhood, God's Love, Honesty, Needs, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“Why Sit Here Until We Die?”

Posted on July 10, 2026 by russellmckinney

“Why sit here until we die?” That question is at the heart of one of the Bible’s most incredible stories, 2 Kings 7:1-20, and it’s a question that still has relevance to a multitude of situations today. So, let’s talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Attitude, Change, Choices, Church, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Faith, Fear, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Provision, God's Will, Inner Peace, Needs, Problems, Seeking Advice, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

By His Stripes We Are Healed

Posted on July 8, 2026 by russellmckinney

Religious television programming has been dominated by preachers of the Charismatic/Pentecostal persuasion since the first day satellites started beaming such programming into our homes. Consequently, because one of the tenets of Charismatic/Pentecostal doctrine is that it’s always God’s will to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Creation, Discernment, Eternity, God's Will, God's Word, Heaven, Human Life, Prophecy, Restoration, Resurrection, Salvation, Scripture, Sickness, Sin, Suffering, The Bible, The Gospel, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Strange Looking Bread & Fish

Posted on July 6, 2026 by russellmckinney

“Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Complaining, Contentment, Desires, Disappointment, Discernment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Impatience, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Tip for Determining God’s Will

Posted on July 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Like everybody else I make about a zillion decisions each day. Some are as simple as, “Should I have a ham sandwich or a tuna fish sandwich for lunch?” Others are as complex as, “Should we list our house with … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Personal, Prayer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Thy Rod & Thy Staff They Comfort Me

Posted on July 1, 2026 by russellmckinney

The 23rd Psalm is all about how the Lord leads His people. One of my favorite parts of the Psalm is verse 2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (K.J.V.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Comfort, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Discipline, Disobedience, Encouragement, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, Temptation, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Word About Greatness

Posted on June 29, 2026 by russellmckinney

“…whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Work, Humility, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Service | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Difference Between Pit Stops & Racing

Posted on June 26, 2026 by russellmckinney

It’s been said that Christians need to be the church rather than just go to church. Truer words were never spoken. When church is a once-a-week-event rather than a seven-day-a-week lifestyle, it runs the risk of becoming little more than a couple of hours … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Sports, Talents, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment