Category Archives: Adversity

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

God & Evil

Posted on January 14, 2019 by russellmckinney

Mathew 5:48 says that God is “perfect.” 1st John 1:5 says: “…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” James 1:13 says: “…God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” Genesis 1:31 says … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Addiction, Adultery, Adversity, Aging, Alcohol, Angels, Anger, Creation, Death, Demons, Depravity, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Greed, Lust, Lying, Man's Freewill, Persecution, Polygamy, Pride, Problems, Racism, Rebellion, Satan, Sickness, Sin, Slavery, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Suicide, The Devil, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

The Church’s First Martyr

Posted on November 12, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #13) I take no pleasure in reporting that much of what a lot of Christians believe about God really doesn’t stand up to the test of scripture. “God wouldn’t let me remain sick.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Death, Church, Commitment, Death, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Old Testament Law, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Repairman Cometh

Posted on October 1, 2018 by russellmckinney

Well, it’s Monday, a day I’ve been dreading since this past Saturday. I say that because Saturday was the day I found out that Monday would most likely be the day when the repairman would come to fix our home’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Comfort, Courage, Creation, Depression, Disappointment, Entertainment, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Human Life, Needs, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Salvation, Sickness, Submission, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Holy Spirit as Comforter

Posted on September 26, 2018 by russellmckinney

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipresence, God's Provision, Inner Peace, Peace, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Suffering, The Holy Spirit, Trials, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Story About the Value of Waiting Just a Little Bit Longer

Posted on September 24, 2018 by russellmckinney

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord! (Psalm 27:14, N.K.J.V.) In his booklet When Everything Goes Wrong, Adrian Rogers tells the story of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Solzhenitsyn, who was … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Conviction, Decisions, Depression, Faith, God's Timing, God's Foreknowledge, God's Guidance, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Problems, Suffering, Suicide, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

He Will Make It Plain

Posted on September 19, 2018 by russellmckinney

In his wonderful little book, The Red Sea Rules, Robert J. Morgan shares a story from the life of William Cowper. Cowper was a famous English poet and hymn writer who struggled with severe mental issues, bordering on insanity, until he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Mercy, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Patience, Perseverance, Suffering, Suicide, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Joy Comes in the Morning

Posted on September 14, 2018 by russellmckinney

…Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5, N.K.J.V.) English missionary James Hannington was the first Anglican bishop of East Africa. His initial missionary visit to Africa only lasted a few months because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Comfort, Courage, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Heaven, Human Life, Inner Peace, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment