Category Archives: Adversity

Attempting to Define Faith

Posted on June 26, 2021 by russellmckinney

Faith is one of those things that is hard to pin down to a simple definition. As evidence of this, Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary offers the following definitions: “allegiance to duty or a person” (as in, “lost faith in the company’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Commitment, Doubt, Faith, God's Sovereignty, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Have the Courage of a Lion

Posted on June 23, 2021 by russellmckinney

I read about a mouse who was terrified of cats until a magician turned it into a cat. That gave the mouse-turned-cat great courage until it was chased by a dog. The magician then turned it into a dog, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Courage, Faith, Fear, Problems, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Being an Overcomer

Posted on June 2, 2021 by russellmckinney

1 John series: (post #8) With this post we launch into the list of the final five evidences of salvation that are named in 1 John. The first five evidences were: You desire fellowship with your fellow Christians. You walk … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Assurance of Salvation, Backsliding, Belief, Confession, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Faith, Grace, Ministry, Pastors, Perseverance, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Series: "1 John", Sin, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bringing Down Giant Walls & Giant Men

Posted on April 22, 2021 by russellmckinney

In a devotion entitled “Spiritual Battles,” Ed Young Sr. uses Israel’s defeat of the walled city of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27) as an illustration of how we Christians must overcome our own strongholds if we want to enjoy all the blessings … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Dying To Self, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Obedience, Prayer Requests, Problems, Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Limburger Cheese, Traffic, & Roses

Posted on April 16, 2021 by russellmckinney

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4, N.K.J.V.) R.T. Kendall tells the story of some youngsters who played a prank on a man who had … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Mercy, God's Provision, Grace, Human Life, Personal, Praise, Problems, Thankfulness, Work | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

For the Furtherance of the Gospel

Posted on April 12, 2021 by russellmckinney

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. (Philippians 1:12, N.K.J.V.) The traditional view is that Paul wrote the books of Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Change, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Suffering, The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cursed Crown

Posted on April 2, 2021 by russellmckinney

Crowns have historically been the ultimate sign of power and authority. Only kings and queens get to legitimately wear legitimate crowns. The most valuable crown in the world these days is St. Edward’s Crown, which is the centerpiece of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Coming Judgment, Creation, Depravity, Easter, Encouragement, God's Judgment, God's Sovereignty, Good Friday, Grace, Perseverance, Problems, Prophecy, Reward, Salvation, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No Faith for the Present

Posted on March 26, 2021 by russellmckinney

Every true Christian has faith in Jesus in regards to what happened in the past. That list includes: His virgin birth, sinless life, teachings, miracles, substitutionary death, resurrection, and ascension. By faith, we accept these scriptural facts about who Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Comfort, Courage, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Needs, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Posted on March 11, 2021 by russellmckinney

We live in a world that is deeply scarred by suffering. Some people suffer physically, while others suffer emotionally, mentally, psychologically, or financially. But whatever your specific brand of suffering happens to be, no one gets out of this world … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, God's Sovereignty, Problems, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

When It Doesn’t Make Sense

Posted on March 1, 2021 by russellmckinney

Most of us have had to endure times when life didn’t make sense. For that matter, some of us are there right now. What’s especially difficult about such times is the fact that God, who is normally the source to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Sovereignty, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment