Category Archives: Character

How God Can Use Your Patmos

Posted on February 3, 2020 by russellmckinney

The apostle John lived into his eighties, perhaps into his nineties, and in so doing easily outlived all the other apostles. And how did he spend his “senior citizen” years? Post-Biblical church history provides strong documentation that he lived and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Complaining, Disappointment, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Sports, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How God Taught Nebuchadnezzar a Lesson

Posted on October 11, 2019 by russellmckinney

Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, was on top of the world. His army was the most formidable one seen to date, his empire was the largest in existence, and he was the unquestioned ruler over it all. He seemed invincible and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Attitude, Brokenness, Character, Dreams, God's Judgment, God's Sovereignty, Humility, Politics, Pride | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

When False Teeth Become a Problem

Posted on July 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, N.K.J.V.) In his booklet How to Kill a Church Without Really … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Character, Church, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, God's Holiness, God's Work, Holiness, Homosexuality, Influence, Lying, Making Restitution, Money, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Mirror

Posted on July 6, 2019 by russellmckinney

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Change, Character, Discernment, God's Will, God's Word, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Scripture, The Bible | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Christians Bringing a Touch of Christ’s Kingdom to Earth

Posted on June 13, 2019 by russellmckinney

Series: “Christ’s Kingdom” (post #5) Jesus spent His three-and-a-half-year earthly ministry bringing a touch of His heavenly kingdom to the earth. Then, after being crucified, He resurrected and ascended back to heaven. This left a gaping hole in regards to … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Character, Discernment, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Giving, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Good Works, Influence, Lust, Marriage, Ministry, Needs, Obedience, Persecution, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Priorities, Prosperity, Reconciliation, Revenge, Reward, Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Series: "Christ's Kingdom", Service, Temptation, The Bible, The Heart, The Old Testament Law, The Sermon On The Mount, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Bubba Smith Learned Too Late

Posted on April 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

Bubba Smith was an All American football player at Michigan State. He is one of only three players from that program to have his jersey number retired. Following his collegiate career, he was the #1 overall pick of the 1967 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Character, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Entertainment, Family, God's Will, Holiness, Honesty, Influence, Justice, Righteousness, Sanctification, Separation, Sin, Sports, Truth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lies & Dishonest Scales

Posted on November 30, 2018 by russellmckinney

Two college boys foolishly spent the week before their final Physics exam drinking and partying at their off-campus apartment. They didn’t sober up until the morning of the exam, and that’s when it dawned on them how much trouble they … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Character, Communication, Honesty, Lying, Personal Holiness, Work | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Make Your Bed

Posted on November 23, 2018 by russellmckinney

Naval Admiral William McRaven served as the ninth commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command from August 8, 2011, to August 28, 2014. On May 17, 2014, he gave the commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin. His … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Character, Commitment, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Leadership, Perseverance, Service, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Trouble with Power

Posted on October 5, 2018 by russellmckinney

Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, “Not during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Character, Church, God's Will, God's Work, Greed, Headship, Leadership, Pastors, Politics, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Fresh Word from God

Posted on August 17, 2018 by russellmckinney

Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. (1 Samuel 3:1, N.K.J.V.) The Hebrew word translated as “widespread revelation” in this verse … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Commitment, Confession, Discernment, Disobedience, Faithfulness, Fatherhood, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Word, Greed, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Scripture, Sex, Sin, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment