Category Archives: Addiction

So Far, So Good

Posted on June 5, 2023 by russellmckinney

A man jumped off the Empire State building. As he went plunging down past the 50th floor, an onlooker spoke to him from an open window and said, “Well, how does it feel?” The jumper answered, “So far, so good.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Backsliding, Coming Judgment, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Forgiveness, Gambling, Gluttony, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Guilt, Homosexuality, Lust, Lying, Making Restitution, Personal Holiness, Racism, Rebellion, Repentance, Sex, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When the Stick Breaks

Posted on April 11, 2023 by russellmckinney

Here’s a true story. A man caught a large rattlesnake and kept it in a cage. One day he decided to use the snake to jokingly give his wife a good scare. He opened up the cage, firmly placed a … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Choices, Personal Holiness, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Addiction

Posted on April 10, 2023 by russellmckinney

A group consisting of linguists and animal trainers set about to train a chimpanzee to talk. For years they pampered the chimp and taught him different sounds. Finally, the day came when he was to verbalize his first words. With … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Backsliding, Belief, Change, Desires, Gambling, Gluttony, Homosexuality, Lust, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sex, Sin, Slavery, Temptation, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Examined Yourself Lately?

Posted on March 24, 2023 by russellmckinney

In the closing decades of the 1800s, the world’s most well-known evangelist was a man named D.L. Moody. Moody’s quick wit and humor made him immensely likable. He once met a drunk who was tottering along, barely able to walk. … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Change, Character, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Homosexuality, Lust, Lying, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sanctification, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is God Judging America?

Posted on January 20, 2023 by russellmckinney

The question is often asked, “Is God judging America?” My answer is an emphatic, “YES.” You say, “I haven’t seen any fire and brimstone raining from the sky.” Well, neither have I, but fire and brimstone are not how God … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Addiction, Adultery, Choices, Coming Judgment, Current Events, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, Drugs, Gambling, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Government, Homosexuality, Idolatry, Lesbianism, Lust, Lying, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Politics, Racism, Rebellion, Sex, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Sports, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Maybe it’s Time to Sharpen Your Blade

Posted on January 4, 2023 by russellmckinney

If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. (Ecclesiastes 10:10, N.K.J.V.) This verse teaches us the value of working smarter rather than harder. Obviously, sharpening the edge of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Church Attendance, Commitment, Confession, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, New Year, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Repentance, Sanctification, Scripture, Sin, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Blame God

Posted on November 7, 2022 by russellmckinney

“But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:40, N.K.J.V.) A barber and a minister found themselves having to travel through a rather seedy part of town. Disgusted by the conditions he saw, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Belief, Change, Choices, Depravity, Disobedience, Dress and Appearance, God's Love, Man's Freewill, Rebellion, Salvation | 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

A Walking Civil War

Posted on May 20, 2022 by russellmckinney

William Barclay wrote, “Every man is a walking civil war. Within him there is the tension, the division, the battle between right and wrong, between good and evil, between passion and reason, between the instincts and the will.” Truer words … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Choices, Comfort, Covetousness, Disobedience, Doing Good, Encouragement, Eternity, Heaven, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, War | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Got Your Baptismal Certificate with You?

Posted on May 13, 2022 by russellmckinney

The two ordinances that God has given the church are the Lord’s Supper and Believer’s Baptism. The Lord’s Supper points us to Christ’s death, and Believer’s Baptism points us to His resurrection. Each ordinance hinges upon a right understanding of … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Backsliding, Baptism, Character, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Commitment, Conviction, Crucifixion, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Dying To Self, Eternity, Faithfulness, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Idolatry, Lust, Lying, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Racism, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Temptation, The Lord's Supper | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment