Category Archives: Belief

A Night in the Barn

Posted on July 11, 2019 by russellmckinney

One day a young boy committed a very serious offense. When the boy’s strict father heard about it, he said to the boy, “Son, no one can commit such an act and still sleep under my roof. You must spend … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Children, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Discipline, Fatherhood, God's Holiness, God's Love, Guilt, Parenting, Salvation, Sin, Youth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Did Jesus Believe the Opening Chapters of Genesis?

Posted on June 22, 2019 by russellmckinney

I can’t think of any section of the Bible that is as doubted, maligned, and ridiculed as the opening chapters of Genesis. There are even some professing Christians who claim to love Jesus while doing interpretative backflips around the straightforward … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible Study, Christ's Return, Creation, God's Word, Scripture, The Bible, Truth | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Becoming a Citizen of Christ’s Kingdom

Posted on June 8, 2019 by russellmckinney

Series: “Christ’s Kingdom” (post #3) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ… (Philippians 3:20, N.K.J.V.) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Eternity, Heaven, Salvation, Series: "Christ's Kingdom", The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Has God Told You Something Lately?

Posted on May 13, 2019 by russellmckinney

In my previous post, I mentioned that Jesus remained completely silent when He stood before Herod Antipas for questioning (Luke 23:6-12). Nothing Herod said or asked could get a response. What made Christ’s behavior so strange was the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Choices, Commitment, Conviction, Decisions, Disobedience, God's Wrath, God's Will, Idolatry, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sin, The Gospel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Your Prayers Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Posted on April 30, 2019 by russellmckinney

Acts 12:1-19 records the story of Peter’s prison break. The story begins with Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, having Peter arrested and incarcerated in a Roman prison in Jerusalem. Herod is feeling his oats because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Comfort, Confession, Discipleship, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fatherhood, God's Mercy, God's Provision, God's Work, Grace, Honesty, Influence, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Something To Believe In

Posted on March 29, 2019 by russellmckinney

A pastor’s family got home from church following a Sunday morning service and started preparing for lunch. After everyone had changed out of their Sunday best clothes, the mother began heating up some leftovers from the previous night. When the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Atheism, Attitude, Belief, Complaining, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Human Life, Problems, Salvation, Suffering, Suicide, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Lord Our Provider

Posted on February 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #2) Most Bible readers know the story of God testing Abraham by asking him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering (Genesis 22:1-19). What isn’t so well known is that the story … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Crucifixion, Eternal Security, Eternity, Forgiveness, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Mercy, God's Name, God's Provision, Grace, Heaven, Hell, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Sacrifice, Salvation, Series: "The Names of God", Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If In This Life Only…

Posted on January 30, 2019 by russellmckinney

Sometimes you’ll hear a preacher make the statement, “Even if there is no heaven, the benefits you receive in this life make it worth it to follow Jesus.” I remember saying this myself a time or two in my younger … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible Study, Christ's Resurrection, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Eternity, Forgiveness, Heaven, Missions, Money, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Revenge, Reward, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Stewardship, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can Prayer Change God’s Mind?

Posted on January 8, 2019 by russellmckinney

A reader, Paula Jarvis Garland, wrote to me: “Here’s my question: If everything is predestined, then how does prayer change things? Can our prayers cause God to change his mind?” The question is actually two questions, one concerning predestination and … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Desires, Election, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Influence, Man's Freewill, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Reward, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

God’s Gold Star

Posted on December 17, 2018 by russellmckinney

People familiar with American military custom know that a star has long been used as a symbol to represent a loved one. During World War I it became common practice for any family who had a family member in service … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Christmas, Crucifixion, Demons, Heaven, Resurrection, Salvation, Temptation, Virgin Birth | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments