Category Archives: Commitment

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 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

A Simple Reminder

Posted on May 22, 2019 by russellmckinney

A little girl was prepped and ready for a dangerous operation that could potentially end in her death. In his efforts to comfort her, the surgeon said, “Before we can make you well, we must first put you to sleep.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Good Works, Influence, Ministry, Service, Witnessing, Work | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Druthers

Posted on May 15, 2019 by russellmckinney

Mark Twain featured the characters of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer in multiple books. One of them is Tom Sawyer, Detective. As part of that book’s conversations between Huck and Tom, Huck says, “Any way you druther have it, that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Commitment, Crucifixion, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Individuality, Obedience, Prayer, Sacrifice, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Temptation, Trusting In God | 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

Lessons Learned From Wee Bobby

Posted on May 9, 2019 by russellmckinney

Many years ago, in a small village church in southern Scotland, the church leaders were questioning the elderly pastor as to why the church wasn’t growing. To those leaders, a dismissal seemed in order. They said to the pastor, “No … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Discipleship, Giving, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Missions, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Submission, The Holy Spirit, Youth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Plowing of the Wicked Is Sin

Posted on May 1, 2019 by russellmckinney

A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. (Proverbs 21:4, N.K.J.V.) It’s easy to understand why God classifies a haughty (conceited) look as sin. It’s equally easy to understand why He classifies a proud … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Brokenness, Christmas, Church Attendance, Commitment, Decisions, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Marriage, Obedience, Rebellion, Reward, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Stewardship, Submission, Trusting In God, Work, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Tale of Emanuel Nenger

Posted on March 15, 2019 by russellmckinney

Emanuel Nenger arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey from Germany sometime around 1876. He got work as a sign painter and eventually bought a farm in Westfield, New Jersey. Nenger’s true profession, however, was counterfeiter. Even though government officials didn’t yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bullseye Shooting

Posted on March 11, 2019 by russellmckinney

A man was driving through the countryside when he noticed a house that had a barn beside it. Painted onto the side of the barn were several bullseye targets. Inside the center of each target was a bullet hole. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Commitment, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Obedience, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Lord My Shepherd

Posted on March 5, 2019 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #4) “The Lord is my shepherd.” These opening words of the 23rd Psalm are probably the most well known words in the Bible, only rivaled by the words of John 3:16. Far less known, … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Commitment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Provision, Heaven, Leadership, Needs, Obedience, Salvation, Series: "The Names of God", Service, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Being in a Relationship With a Jealous God

Posted on February 20, 2019 by russellmckinney

A.B. Simpson, the great Canadian preacher, used to tell the story of a father and a daughter. One day the father was sitting in his library reading one of his many books. At his feet was his little girl. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Desires, Faithfulness, God's Name, Jealousy, Obedience, Priorities, Reward, Service, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment