Category Archives: Belief

An Interesting Question

Posted on May 2, 2025 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

The Very Real Problem of Fear

Posted on April 2, 2025 by russellmckinney

One hot day in July, a farmer sat lazily on the porch of his shack, whittling on a piece of wood. A neighbor dropped by for a visit and asked him, “Did you get your cotton harvested yet?” Without looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Belief, Comfort, Courage, Death, Doubt, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Inner Peace, Needs, Problems, Sickness, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons from Habakkuk

Posted on March 28, 2025 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

When You Can’t See God Working

Posted on March 26, 2025 by russellmckinney

In his book Looking On the Heart, Dale Ralph Davis relays the story of a B-17 bombing run over a German city during World War II. As one of the B-17s approached the city, the plane was struck by the shells … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Comfort, Depression, Disappointment, Doing Good, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Omnipresence, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Grace, Impatience, Needs, Patience, Perseverance, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Perspective

Posted on March 19, 2025 by russellmckinney

A man was having a particularly intimate conversation with God by way of prayer. The man asked, “God, how long is a million years to you?” God answered, “It’s just like a second of time for you, My child.” The … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Belief, Commitment, Disappointment, Discernment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Impatience, Money, Needs, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Prayer Requests, Problems, Prosperity, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

A Hard Truth

Posted on March 17, 2025 by russellmckinney

Samson was conceived in the womb of his previously barren mother. And why did God choose to open her womb at that time? It was because Israel needed a leader (a Judge) to deal with the Philistines. As is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Atheism, Belief, Bible Study, Death, Disappointment, Faith, God's Timing, Honesty, Patience, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Scripture, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Jesus: The Cosmic Santa Claus

Posted on March 5, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Jesus You Know” series (post #5) I was licensed to preach in October of 1992 and formally ordained into the ministry in February of 1993. Upon my ordination, I began my first pastorate. So, if we do the math, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Belief, Bible Study, Covetousness, Desires, Doctrine, Faith, Giving, God's Will, God's Word, Money, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Problems, Prosperity, Scripture, Series: "The Jesus You Know", The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Becoming Childlike

Posted on February 21, 2025 by russellmckinney

A man was driving down a treacherous mountain road. Suddenly, a deer bolted out in front of him, causing him to instinctively jerk the steering wheel to his left. The next thing he knew he was headed off a steep … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Children, Doubt, Faith, Fear, God's Provision, Heaven, Needs, Problems, Salvation, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Sin Costs the Christian

Posted on February 17, 2025 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 , , , , | Leave a comment

The Relationship Between Salvation & the Truth

Posted on November 9, 2024 by russellmckinney

In the last part of 1 Timothy 4:3, the apostle Paul describes Christians as “those who believe and know the truth.” This description ties in with 1 Timothy 2:4 where he says that God “desires all men to be saved … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Eternity, Heaven, Salvation, Satan, The Devil, The Gospel, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment