Category Archives: Adversity

A Time to Fight; A Time to Cease Fighting

Posted on March 18, 2019 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, Choices, Comfort, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Peace, Persecution, Service | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord My Refuge

Posted on March 2, 2019 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, Balance, Christ's Death, Disappointment, God's Name, Persecution, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Series: "The Names of God", Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Lord of Hosts

Posted on February 25, 2019 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #1) The Bible provides a long list of names for God. The reason most of us miss this fact is because we don’t read the Old Testament in its original Hebrew. For example, if … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Demons, God's Name, God's Sovereignty, Persecution, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Satan, Series: "The Names of God", Spiritual Warfare | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

You Never Know

Posted on February 22, 2019 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 t.v., reading his Decision magazine, buying his books, hearing all about the Billy Graham … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Disappointment, Encouragement, God's Timing, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Problems, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Will Explain Later

Posted on February 4, 2019 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, Disappointment, Doubt, Eternity, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Omniscience, Heaven, Patience, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Hard to Be Still

Posted on February 1, 2019 by russellmckinney

Be still, and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10, N.K.J.V.) Our son Royce is 18 years old now, and sitting still continues to be a challenge for him. He’s hyper. He’s active. He’s fidgety. He’s squirmy. He’s, well, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Contentment, Depression, Dying To Self, Faith, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Impatience, Joy, Needs, Patience, Peace, Personal, Problems, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Give God All There is of You

Posted on January 28, 2019 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, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Beasts at Ephesus

Posted on January 16, 2019 by russellmckinney

…I have fought with the beasts at Ephesus… (1 Corinthians 15:32, N.K.J.V.) In 1 Corinthians 15:32, the apostle Paul says that he fought with beasts at Ephesus. Some translations add the adjective “wild” to describe the beasts. But is Paul … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Courage, God's Work, Ministry, Persecution, Perseverance, Spiritual Warfare | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

It’s Not Enough Just to Start

Posted on December 3, 2018 by russellmckinney

A retired couple were advised by their doctor to get more exercise. So, they decided to start walking two miles a day. Since they lived at the end of a long road in a rural area, they planned to daily … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Bible Study, Church Attendance, Commitment, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Marriage, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Service | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How God Brought Good Out of Persecution

Posted on November 14, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #14) It takes quite a bit of time and energy for a mob to literally stone someone to death. Coats and outer garments must be taken off so that rocks can be gathered … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Church, Contentment, Evangelism, God's Guidance, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment