Category Archives: Adversity

Something to Consider When Troubles Come Your Way

Posted on June 15, 2026 by russellmckinney

You have to love Gideon. As he lived in a time when God seemed to be a million miles from Israel, and as he dealt each day with the fallout from that situation, he became a realist. And as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Faithfulness, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Prayer, Problems, Restoration, Service, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Time to Fight & A Time to Cease Fighting

Posted on June 12, 2026 by russellmckinney

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30:19, N.K.J.V.) A knight rode up … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Balance, Choices, God's Timing, God's Wrath, God's Guidance, God's Judgment, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Peace, Persecution, Problems, Service, War | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord My Refuge

Posted on May 29, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #3) One of the three rounds of temptation that Satan inflicted upon Jesus involved the suggestion that Jesus leap from the pinnacle of the Jewish temple and expect God the Father to dispatch angels … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Balance, Christ's Death, Disappointment, God's Chastening, God's Name, God's Sovereignty, God's Word, Human Life, Persecution, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Satan, Series: "The Names of God", Suffering, The Devil, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord of Hosts

Posted on May 25, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #1) The Bible’s Old Testament provides a long list of names for God. Unfortunately, most of us can’t read the Old Testament in its original Hebrew, and so we miss out on these names. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Demons, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Name, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Persecution, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Satan, Series: "The Names of God", Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dying Chickens

Posted on May 22, 2026 by russellmckinney

A farmer had 600 chickens. Half of them died and the other half started acting sickly. He called the local agricultural agent, told him the situation, and asked, “What should I do?” The agent said, “You need to give the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Change, Children, Church, Counsel, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Family, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Word, Marriage, Money, Needs, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Problems, Rebellion, Scripture, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

You Never Know

Posted on May 20, 2026 by russellmckinney

With each passing year the name “Billy Graham” becomes less recognizable to the younger folks. This seems strange to those of us who grew up watching Graham’s crusades on television, reading his Decision magazine, buying his books, hearing all about the Billy Graham … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Business, Complaining, Disappointment, Doubt, Faith, Friendship, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Foreknowledge, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Needs, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Baptizing Your Job Into Service to Christ

Posted on May 8, 2026 by russellmckinney

There once was a young man named Arsene who lived in Paris, France. Arsene worked as a grocer, but he absolutely hated his job because he felt like he was meant for bigger things. In his mind, circumstances created by … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Brokenness, Business, Christ's Birth, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Desires, Disappointment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Greed, Humility, Individuality, Influence, Inner Peace, Ministry, Missions, Money, Prosperity, Service, Submission, Suicide, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Will Explain Later

Posted on May 2, 2026 by russellmckinney

In his day, Dr. Thomas Guthrie was one of Scotland’s most popular and respected preachers. On the subject of the Christian life oftentimes being difficult, perplexing, and downright confusing, Guthrie said: A man standing on the summit of a lofty … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Eternity, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Heaven, Impatience, Loneliness, Patience, Persecution, Problems, Salvation, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Hard to Be Still

Posted on April 30, 2026 by russellmckinney

Be still, and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10, N.K.J.V.) Royce was our child who couldn’t sit still. He was hyper, fidgety, squirmy, active, and all sorts of other wiggly. He could sit and play his PlayStation for hours, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Church Attendance, Comfort, Contentment, Courage, Depression, Doubt, Dying To Self, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Word, Impatience, Joy, Needs, Parenting, Patience, Peace, Personal, Problems, Revenge, Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Give God All There Is of You

Posted on April 24, 2026 by russellmckinney

William Booth was one of the most famous ministers who ever lived. When he became a Christian at the age of 15, he wrote in his diary, “God shall have all there is of William Booth.” He then spent the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Christ's Death, Commitment, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Submission, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment