Category Archives: Backsliding

A Strange Prayer Request

Posted on April 9, 2018 by russellmckinney

A man and his wife joined a local church. Since the couple was out of work and had precious little food and clothing, it wasn’t long before they asked the church for help. The church lovingly obliged by providing plenty … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Provision, Husbands, Money, Pastors, Prayer Requests, Priorities, Prosperity, Repentance, Service, Stewardship, Thankfulness, Wives, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Satan Did to Ananias & Sapphira: Motivation

Posted on March 10, 2018 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #12) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?” (Acts 5:3, N.K.J.V.) The … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Church, God's Holiness, Lying, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Sin, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An Interesting Question

Posted on January 3, 2018 by russellmckinney

I once ministered to an elderly man, a member of my church, who was dying from various health issues. During one of our visits, he asked me a question that no one had ever asked me. His question was, “If … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Doubt, Eternal Security, Evangelism, Faith, Forgiveness, God's Work, Grace, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Salvation, Service, Sin, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Going Back Home

Posted on December 27, 2017 by russellmckinney

New York’s Bowery Mission was founded in 1879 and still serves today as a rescue mission and men’s shelter. Sam Hadley was once the superintendent there and told a certain story about the place. I’d like to share that story … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Belief, Brokenness, Change, Children, Confession, Conviction, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, Forgiveness, God's Love, Grace, Guilt, Love, Missions, New Year, Parenting, Problems, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Repentance, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, Youth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Flesh & its Drag Effect

Posted on December 10, 2017 by russellmckinney

“…The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41, N.K.J.V.) For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other… (Galatians … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Alcohol, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Depravity, Dieting, Doing Good, Drugs, Gambling, Giving, Gluttony, Lust, Perseverance, Prayer, Problems, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Special Antenna

Posted on December 7, 2017 by russellmckinney

As a Christian, I sometimes get frustrated with people who just can’t seem to grasp spiritual issues. No matter how many Bible passages I cite, how many illustrations I use, or how eloquently I explain a subject, these folks simply … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Communication, Discernment, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Guidance, God's Work, Personal, Salvation, The Holy Spirit, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Oak Tree’s Fall

Posted on December 5, 2017 by russellmckinney

In the center of a town stood a giant oak tree that had been planted there many decades earlier to mark the founding of the town. The tree was massive and had proven that it could withstand any storm. Through … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Anger, Backsliding, Christ's Death, Conviction, Covetousness, Desires, Disobedience, Drugs, Forgiveness, Gambling, God's Judgment, Guilt, Idolatry, Jealousy, Lust, Lying, Pride, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sex, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation, The Tongue | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons from Habakkuk

Posted on October 20, 2017 by russellmckinney

The Old Testament book of the prophet Habakkuk isn’t one that often gets preached. But that doesn’t mean that it won’t “preach.” This is evidenced by the fact that it is quoted multiple times in the New Testament. The apostle … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Belief, Coming Judgment, Complaining, Disappointment, Disobedience, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Chastening, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Judgment, God's Sovereignty, Impatience, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fall & You

Posted on October 16, 2017 by russellmckinney

One look out my window today here in the mountains of western North Carolina proves that Fall has arrived. I’ve already got a yard full of dead leaves that have officially made the “fall” from their trees to the ground, … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Conviction, Creation, God's Will, Personal, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sanctification, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Sin Costs the Christian

Posted on August 25, 2017 by russellmckinney

New Testament Christianity teaches that salvation comes by way of faith (belief) in Jesus Christ. John 3:16 can’t be much clearer: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Bible Study, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Faith, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, Guilt, Holiness, Inner Peace, Joy, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment