Category Archives: Change

The Blessing of Changing a Sermon

Posted on May 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

On Sunday, July 1st, 2009, I had in mind to preach a sermon on prayer. Specifically, I planned to preach on the so-called “Lord’s Prayer.” But as I began to ease into my studying and preparing for that sermon, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Change, Children, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Disobedience, Forgiveness, Obedience, Parenting, Personal, Preaching, Reward, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Change

Posted on April 23, 2022 by russellmckinney

In her newspaper column on gardening, Jan Riggenbach gives us a good word on how to plant bedding plants. She writes: Giving new bedding plants some rough treatment at planting time may be the best thing you can do to … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Change, Choices, Elderly, Faith, Fear, God's Will, Obedience, Reward, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Link Between Christ’s Resurrection and the Christian’s Repentance

Posted on April 11, 2022 by russellmckinney

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11, N.K.J.V.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Christ's Resurrection, Easter, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Dry Land

Posted on April 4, 2022 by russellmckinney

When a drought hits a land, springs go dry, wells stop working, and creeks run low. There is, however, another kind of drought, one that is mentioned in Psalm 68:5-6. Those verses say: A father of the fatherless, a defender … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Character, Choices, Confession, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Chastening, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Pride, Problems, Rebellion, Repentance, Reward, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Submission, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Crossroad in Life

Posted on February 25, 2022 by russellmckinney

The word “crossroad” probably brings up a certain mental image to you. I myself envision a dirt road out in the middle of nowhere that comes to a four-way intersection with three other dirt roads. The person who comes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Business, Change, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Dying To Self, God's Will, Leadership, Obedience, Submission, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tragedy of Living the Wrong Life

Posted on February 21, 2022 by russellmckinney

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4, N.K.J.V.) In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Individuality, Influence, Priorities, Service, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Making Excuses For Your Sins

Posted on February 2, 2022 by russellmckinney

Four old codgers were playing poker for money in the back of their local store. Suddenly, the sheriff walked in on them and said, “Gambling again, eh? This time I’m going to arrest you fellows just to teach you a … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Attitude, Backsliding, Change, Disobedience, Personal Holiness, Problems, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Addiction

Posted on January 31, 2022 by russellmckinney

A group of scientists set about to train a chimpanzee to talk. For fifteen long years they pampered the chimp and taught him different sounds. Finally, the day came when he was to verbalize his first words. With anxious anticipation … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Backsliding, Belief, Change, Gambling, Gluttony, Homosexuality, Lust, Salvation, Sex, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Boll Weevil Experience

Posted on January 17, 2022 by russellmckinney

In his book It Is Toward Evening, Vance Havner tells the story of a group of cotton farmers in the deep South. Year after year these men grew cotton, put their profits back into it, and set all of their fields in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Disappointment, Encouragement, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Work, Ministry, Perseverance, Service, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stopping Short (post #3 of 3)

Posted on November 19, 2021 by russellmckinney

So the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah died in Haran. (Genesis 11:32, N.K.J.V.) The Bible doesn’t tell us how long Abram, Sarai, Terah, and Lot lived in the city of Haran. It does, however, … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Children, Choices, Commitment, Death, Discipleship, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Obedience, Parenting, Rebellion, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment