Category Archives: Adversity

When Lightning Strikes You

Posted on October 21, 2021 by russellmckinney

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Death, Christ's Return, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“We Don’t Know What to Do, but Our Eyes Are Upon You”

Posted on October 8, 2021 by russellmckinney

“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12, N.K.J.V.) Jehoshaphat … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Decisions, Discernment, Dying To Self, Entertainment, God's Will, Personal, Problems, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Tear Bottles

Posted on October 4, 2021 by russellmckinney

You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? (Psalm 56:8 N.K.J.V.) Life can sure make us cry. We lose loved ones. Disease strikes. Tragedy occurs. We suffer setbacks. We get our hearts … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Disappointment, Encouragement, Eternity, God's Love, Heaven, Suffering | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Finishing a Job

Posted on September 13, 2021 by russellmckinney

“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

Don’t Let Delays Discourage You

Posted on September 1, 2021 by russellmckinney

“Ezra” series: (post #10) Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, God's Will, God's Work, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Series: "Ezra", Waiting | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Flips a Script

Posted on August 12, 2021 by russellmckinney

“Ezra” series: (post #2) Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, God's Omnipresence, God's Judgment, Justice, Persecution, Problems, Prophecy, Restoration, Series: "Ezra", The Ark of the Covenant | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

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