Category Archives: Counsel

Did the Apostle Paul Miss God’s Will?

Posted on October 9, 2023 by russellmckinney

Did the apostle Paul miss the will of God in one of the most important decisions of his ministry? Such a question might seem ludicrous to those who rate Paul barely a notch below Jesus, but some sincere students of … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipleship, Disobedience, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Rebellion, Seeking Advice, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Bear Hunting

Posted on January 25, 2023 by russellmckinney

A big man and a little man were talking as they sat on a porch. The little man leaned over, felt the big man’s biceps, and said, “If I was as big as you and had muscles like that, I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Complaining, Counsel, Discernment, Hypocrisy, Influence, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Seeking Advice, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Walking in Truth

Posted on December 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3rd John 1:3, N.K.J.V.) A man was on trial for murder. All the circumstantial evidence strongly indicated his guilt, but the police hadn’t been able to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Counsel, Deception, Decisions, Demons, Discernment, Doubt, God's Will, God's Word, Satan, Seeking Advice, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Devil, Truth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Respecting the Elderly

Posted on April 23, 2020 by russellmckinney

You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:32, N.K.J.V.) Every pastor feels the not-so-subtle pressure to keep the young people (and their parents) … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Church, Counsel, Elderly, Youth | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dying Chickens

Posted on March 9, 2019 by russellmckinney

A farmer had 600 chickens. Half of them died and the other half started acting sickly. He called the local agricultural agent, told him the situation, and asked, “What should I do?” The agent said, “You need to give the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Change, Children, Church, Counsel, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Family, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Word, Marriage, Money, Needs, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Problems, Rebellion, Scripture, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Going Backward in Life

Posted on June 29, 2018 by russellmckinney

“But this I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ Yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Choices, Coming Judgment, Counsel, Decisions, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Word, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Personal, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Scripture, Sin, The Bible, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Following Your Own Counsel

Posted on December 30, 2017 by russellmckinney

If you ask me to name the #1 problem that Christians exhibit in their daily conduct, my answer might surprise you. It wouldn’t be “sin,” even though we certainly do sin far too much. It wouldn’t be “a lack of … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Seeking Advice, The Heart, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mixed Multitude

Posted on August 18, 2017 by russellmckinney

Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds — a great deal of livestock. (Exodus 12:38, N.K.J.V.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Complaining, Contentment, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipleship, Friendship, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Provision, Greed, Influence, Lust, Prayer Requests, Rebellion, Separation, Service, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Speak Up Or Shut Up?

Posted on May 31, 2017 by russellmckinney

The Bible is a big, rich, complex book, one that can be used to seemingly prove virtually anything. This is the primary reason why Christian denominations find it impossible to get together 100% on doctrine. Furthermore, to make matters worse, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Choices, Communication, Complaining, Counsel, Evangelism, God's Timing, God's Will, Influence, The Holy Spirit, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Should Have Been

Posted on May 5, 2017 by russellmckinney

I was a little under two years into my first pastorate when one afternoon, as I was driving in my car, I happened to drive past the sign for a certain church in our area. It was a sign that … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Counsel, Decisions, Disappointment, Discernment, Disobedience, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Patience, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Rebellion, Service, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment