Category Archives: Addiction

Why God Hates Gambling

Posted on February 1, 2024 by russellmckinney

God hates gambling. Perhaps your response to that simple statement is, “But what’s wrong with me having a little fun? I can buy a lottery ticket every now and then, go to a casino a couple of weekends a year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Christ's Death, Christian Liberty, Contentment, Gambling, God's Will, Greed, Money, Personal Holiness, Prosperity, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Lesson From Nob

Posted on December 6, 2023 by russellmckinney

Even those who criticize the Bible have to admit that it doesn’t shy away from painting its characters warts and all. Is Noah the man of obedience and faith who saved the human race from extinction? Yes (Genesis chapters 6-8). … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Character, Choices, Decisions, Desires, Disobedience, Gambling, Gluttony, Homosexuality, Influence, Lesbianism, Lust, Lying, Rebellion, Sin, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What’s Your Weakness?

Posted on November 10, 2023 by russellmckinney

Chuck Swindoll, in his study guide on Samson, makes an excellent point about the value of understanding one’s own weaknesses. He writes: It is important to know your strengths. But it is life-or-death essential to know your weaknesses….it was Samson’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Anger, Backsliding, Choices, Depravity, Discipleship, Drugs, Gambling, Gluttony, Money, Personal Holiness, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Mud

Posted on October 30, 2023 by russellmckinney

Following a summer storm, a mischievous little boy raced outside and proceeded to splash the water out of every mudhole he could find. By the time he was finished, the mudholes were all dry and he was covered in mud … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Holiness, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What’s Your Sign?

Posted on September 18, 2023 by russellmckinney

As a woman was waiting in the checkout line of a grocery store, she noticed a young mother standing in line in front of her. The mother had a baby strapped to her back in one of those baby-backpacks. Attached … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Anger, Backsliding, Baptism, Change, Christ's Death, Christian Liberty, Confession, Conviction, Depravity, Desires, Drugs, Forgiveness, Gambling, Gluttony, Guilt, Lust, Lying, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

An Unpleasant Truth

Posted on August 30, 2023 by russellmckinney

God gave the prophet Jeremiah a thankless task. Jeremiah was to prophesy, for decades, to his own people of Judah. Those people were a sinful, proud, stiff-necked bunch. Their nation stood on the precipice of being conquered by the Babylonians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Character, Coming Judgment, Depravity, Disobedience, God's Judgment, Preaching, Pride, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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