Author Archives: russellmckinney

A Strange Proverb

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. (Proverbs 24:17-18, N.K.J.V.) Don’t rejoice … Continue reading

Posted in God's Chastening, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Revenge | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who Are You in Bed With?

“Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am … Continue reading

Posted in God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Idolatry, Influence, Separation, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did Paul Go Against James?

Eating meat that had previously been used in the worship of false gods was a major theological debate in the days of the early churches. The pagan priests would kill sacrificial animals, offer them as sacrifices upon the pagan altars … Continue reading

Posted in Choices, Christian Liberty, Discernment, Idolatry, Influence | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Radical Repentance

“Ezra” series: post #17 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt of Israel. Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers, and do His will; separate … Continue reading

Posted in Backsliding, God's Word, Leadership, Repentance, Series: "Ezra" | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mourning Over Sin

“Ezra” series (post #16) When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the … Continue reading

Posted in Backsliding, Confession, God's Word, Guilt, Intercessory Prayer, Leadership, Rebellion, Repentance, Series: "Ezra", Sin, The Old Testament Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finishing a Job

“Ezra” series: (post #15) Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Change, Christ's Death, Commitment, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Obedience, Perseverance, Series: "Ezra", Service, Work | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Right Way to Move

“Ezra” series (post #14) There might come a time in your life when God will relocate you. In the case of Ezra, He relocated him from Babylon to Judah by having him lead a group of Jews on that 900-mile, … Continue reading

Posted in Change, God's Timing, God's Will, Series: "Ezra" | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Fresh Help

“Ezra” series: (post #13) Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah…..this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe … Continue reading

Posted in God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Pastors, Praise, Prosperity, Series: "Ezra", Service, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Completion of the Second Temple

“Ezra” series: (post #12) Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. Then the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites … Continue reading

Posted in Encouragement, God's Work, Grace, Series: "Ezra" | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Should Heed God’s Preachers

“Ezra” series: (post #11) Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. So Zerubbabel the … Continue reading

Posted in God's Word, God's Work, Pastors, Preaching, Series: "Ezra" | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment