Category Archives: Desires

Three Factors in Determining God’s Will

Posted on November 15, 2023 by russellmckinney

Like a lot of preachers, I have an extensive collection of file folders where I keep illustrations. For example, in my “A” files I have folders for: “Abortion,” “Alcoholism,” “America,” “Angels,” “Animal Rights,” “Astrology,” and “Atheism.” Next, the “B” files … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Bread & Stone

Posted on October 6, 2023 by russellmckinney

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Complaining, Desires, Disappointment, Family, Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Omniscience, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Marriage, Ministry, Parenting, Pastors, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Priorities, Service, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Do Your Building with God

Posted on September 29, 2023 by russellmckinney

Psalm 127:1 is one of my favorite verses from the book of Psalms. The first part of that verse reads: Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it… (K.J.V.) The Bible’s best illustration of these … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Disobedience, God's Will, Obedience, Priorities, Prosperity, Temptation, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What’s Your Sign?

Posted on September 18, 2023 by russellmckinney

As a woman was waiting in the checkout line of a grocery store, she noticed a young mother standing in line in front of her. The mother had a baby strapped to her back in one of those baby-backpacks. Attached … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Anger, Backsliding, Baptism, Change, Christ's Death, Christian Liberty, Confession, Conviction, Depravity, Desires, Drugs, Forgiveness, Gambling, Gluttony, Guilt, Lust, Lying, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Praying in Jesus’ Name (part 4)

Posted on September 11, 2023 by russellmckinney

I want to use this post to deal with yet another aspect of what it means to pray in Jesus’ name. The new aspect goes like this: To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray with an understanding of the limitless … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Miracles, Desires, God's Omnipotence, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Series: "Praying in Jesus' Name" | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Praying in Jesus’ Name (part 2)

Posted on September 6, 2023 by russellmckinney

I used my previous post to explain that Christians are the only people who can rightfully close their prayers with the words “in Jesus’ name.” Now, with this post, I want to offer a second fact about praying in Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Desires, Dying To Self, God's Will, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Series: "Praying in Jesus' Name", Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Wonder of Being Childlike

Posted on August 9, 2023 by russellmckinney

My oldest son, Ryan, was a freshman on his high school’s j.v. baseball team, and the team had an away game against a school that was located an hour and a half away. So, I made the drive to watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Belief, Children, Desires, Faith, Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Will, Grace, Needs, Parenting, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Sports, Trusting In God, Worry, Youth | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Just Do Your Best TODAY

Posted on August 7, 2023 by russellmckinney

I’d like to use this post to offer some good thoughts from a couple of well-known Independent Baptist preachers who have gone on to be with the Lord. The first one comes from Tom Malone. After quoting Deuteronomy 33:25, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Attitude, Commitment, Contentment, Depression, Desires, Doing Good, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Service, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Don’t Try to Wear Someone Else’s Armor

Posted on July 22, 2023 by russellmckinney

When King Saul heard that a teenage boy named David had volunteered to fight the giant Goliath, he called for David and tried to talk him out of it. He said, “David, you are not able to go against this … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, God's Will, Individuality, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment