Category Archives: Choices

The Danger of Leaving God’s Pasture

Posted on March 4, 2020 by russellmckinney

An old shepherd once attended a church service and was called upon to pray. The prayer he offered spoke of three things: his Christianity, his occupation of shepherd, and his experience with stepping outside God’s will. He prayed, “Lord, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, God's Will, Temptation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Moved By the Holy Spirit

Posted on January 13, 2020 by russellmckinney

for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21, N.K.J.V.) The Greek word translated as “moved” in this verse is phero. The word … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Decisions, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Will, Service, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Satan Leads Us to Our Own Destruction

Posted on December 7, 2019 by russellmckinney

Noted British pastor Charles Spurgeon once told the story of a preacher who was taking a leisurely stroll through a small village. As the preacher walked along, he saw a farmer leading a herd of pigs down the road. Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, God's Will, Satan, Sin, Temptation, The Devil | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Strengthen the Things Which Remain

Posted on November 2, 2019 by russellmckinney

“Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die…” (Revelation 3:2, N.K.J.V.) According to Ecclesiastes 3:1, everything has its season and every purpose its time under heaven. Certainly that includes a time to leave and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Decisions, God's Will, God's Work, Parenting, Prayer Requests, Problems, Service, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gamaliel’s Advice

Posted on September 28, 2019 by russellmckinney

“And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Perseverance, Preaching, Problems, Prosperity, Reward, Service, Sowing and Reaping, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is God Calling You to Deal with a Problem?

Posted on August 22, 2019 by russellmckinney

David Livingston, the legendary missionary to Africa, was a man who understood that some jobs God asks us to do aren’t for the faint of heart. On the subject of Livingstone’s work in Africa, one man wrote him, “I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Courage, Discernment, Doing Good, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Problems, Service | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wandering Around

Posted on August 14, 2019 by russellmckinney

In his daily devotional book, The Believer’s Code, O.S. Hawkins offers an excellent word about sheep. He writes: Have you ever been to a circus? If so, you probably saw an array of trained animals. Huge elephants can be trained to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Good Works, Heaven, Human Life, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Submission, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Intersection of Death

Posted on August 3, 2019 by russellmckinney

Imagine a horizontal line running west to east across the center of your computer screen. This line represents your will in a decision. Now imagine a vertical line running north to south right through the center of your screen. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Choices, Christ's Death, Decisions, Desires, Disobedience, Dying To Self, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Obedience, Rebellion, Submission, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Would You Give Up for Jesus?

Posted on June 28, 2019 by russellmckinney

One day a certain ruler, probably a ruler in a local synagogue, came to Jesus with a question. This ruler was young (Matthew 19:20), wealthy (Matthew 19:22), and lived a moral life by striving to keep God’s commandments (Matthew 19:17-20). … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Brokenness, Business, Change, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, Greed, Idolatry, Individuality, Money, Obedience, Politics, Priorities, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Times When God Blessed Lying (post 1 of 2)

Posted on June 24, 2019 by russellmckinney

Egypt’s new Pharaoh was dealing with what he believed was a national crisis. Years earlier a race of non-Egyptians — Jews to be precise — had settled in Egypt and had since multiplied so prolifically that they had become a … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Communication, Decisions, God's Will, God's Work, Lying, Personal Holiness, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment