Category Archives: Desires

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Posted on February 15, 2019 by russellmckinney

A farmer had lived on the same farm all his life. He’d been born and raised there and had received the farm as an inheritance when his parents had died. It was a good farm, but the farmer had begun … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Personal, Temptation, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Baptizing Your Job into Service to Christ

Posted on February 11, 2019 by russellmckinney

There once was a young man named Arsene who lived in Paris, France. Arsene worked as a grocer, but he absolutely hated his job because he felt like he was meant for bigger things. In his mind, circumstances created by … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Brokenness, Business, Christ's Birth, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Desires, Disappointment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Greed, Humility, Individuality, Influence, Inner Peace, Ministry, Missions, Money, Prosperity, Service, Submission, Suicide, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Choosing the East Side of the Jordan

Posted on February 6, 2019 by russellmckinney

Numbers chapter 32 provides us with a fascinating twist in the history of Moses and the Israelites. The twist involves the tribes of Reuben and Gad as well as half the tribe of Manasseh, and it holds multiple metaphorical lessons … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Business, Choices, Commitment, Contentment, Courage, Covetousness, Deception, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Disobedience, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Lust, Obedience, Patience, Prosperity, Rebellion, Reward, Temptation, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can Prayer Change God’s Mind?

Posted on January 8, 2019 by russellmckinney

A reader, Paula Jarvis Garland, wrote to me: “Here’s my question: If everything is predestined, then how does prayer change things? Can our prayers cause God to change his mind?” The question is actually two questions, one concerning predestination and … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Desires, Election, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Influence, Man's Freewill, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Reward, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Be Careful About Signs

Posted on January 5, 2019 by russellmckinney

Dr. Lehman Strauss was one of the best preachers America has ever produced. Over the course of his sixty-year ministry, he successfully served in the various roles of pastor, evangelist, teacher, and commentator. He truly was a great man of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Choices, Desires, Discernment, Dreams, God's Will, Inner Peace, Preaching, Scripture, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A New Year’s Resolution Solomon Could Appreciate

Posted on December 31, 2018 by russellmckinney

When Solomon’s father, King David, died and Solomon became the King of Israel, the transition wasn’t without bloodshed. First, just before David died he instructed Solomon to kill two of David’s enemies — Joab (1 Kings 2:1-6) and Shimei (1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Desires, Discernment, Dreams, Money, New Year, Prayer Requests, Problems, Revenge, Seeking Advice, The Ark of the Covenant, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Problem With Chasing “It”

Posted on December 28, 2018 by russellmckinney

There once was a man who was constantly searching for “it.” When he was a child, “it” was the cookie jar on the shelf. When he became a teenager, “it” was a nice car. When he got a little older, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Christ's Death, Contentment, Desires, Impatience, Sowing and Reaping, Thankfulness, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

There

Posted on December 26, 2018 by russellmckinney

Some anonymous Christian writer has penned the following words: There is no place just as good as “THERE,” the place of God’s purpose. We try to strike bargains with the Lord, offer to do something else, seek a compromise or … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Commitment, Desires, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dreams, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Family, Friendship, God's Timing, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, New Year, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Priorities, Rebellion, Repentance, Service, Submission, Temptation, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Settling for Pig Food

Posted on December 7, 2018 by russellmckinney

Let’s say that a kid wants the newest, hottest, super-duper-deluxe video-game system for Christmas. The thing costs $450. Now let’s say that the kid’s parents just can’t afford to spend that much on a Christmas present. So what do they … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Confession, Desires, Disappointment, God's Timing, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Perseverance, Repentance, Reward, Sin, Temptation, Trials, Waiting | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Breaking Away from Family & Upbringing

Posted on November 28, 2018 by russellmckinney

If you are a Christian who was born into a “Christian” household, let me ask you a question: If you had been born into a household that was not “Christian,” would you have still believed in Jesus Christ at some … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Individuality, Obedience, Parenting, Salvation, Service, Submission, Trusting In God, Wives, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment