Category Archives: Discernment

Should the Christian Pray Imprecatory Prayers?

Posted on December 30, 2020 by russellmckinney

The word “imprecatory” means “to invoke evil upon” or “to curse.” In accordance with this definition, many passages from the Bible’s book of Psalms can be accurately described as being imprecatory prayers. Here are seven such examples (all from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Discernment, Discipleship, Forgiveness, Persecution, Prayer, Prayer Requests | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The CSS Shenandoah

Posted on December 28, 2020 by russellmckinney

The full-rigged sailing ship known as Sea King was a British merchant ship that was re-purposed as a raiding ship by the Confederate States Navy during the Civil War. The ship was renamed CSS Shenandoah and was deployed to raid … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, God's Will, Priorities, Reconciliation, Revenge, War | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Chimpanzee Christians

Posted on November 18, 2020 by russellmckinney

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, N.K.J.V.) Not everyone who carries the name “Christian” carries the name legitimately. While reports … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Discernment, Government, Leadership, Politics, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

What Two Monks Can Teach Us About Sin

Posted on October 12, 2020 by russellmckinney

There’s an old story that tells of a senior monk and a junior monk who were making their way from one monastery to another. It was a pleasant enough walk until they came to a certain crossing site at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Choices, Christian Liberty, Conscience, Decisions, Discernment, Faith, Personal Holiness, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bronze Shields in Place of Gold Shields

Posted on September 21, 2020 by russellmckinney

The reign of King Solomon’s son Rehoboam was fairly doomed from the start. On the one hand, many in Israel had grown weary not only of Solomon’s system of taxation (1 Kings 4:7) but also the labor force Solomon required … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Church, Decisions, Discernment, Disobedience, Eternal Security, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Separation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

When a Past Blessing Becomes a Present Problem

Posted on August 17, 2020 by russellmckinney

He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Christ's Death, Church, Church Attendance, Decisions, Discernment, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Price of a Miracle

Posted on August 15, 2020 by russellmckinney

Do you know about the popular website snopes.com? The site describes itself as “the internet’s definitive fact-checking resource.” It was founded by David Mikkelson and his wife Barbara in 1994 as a means whereby people can fact check stories and … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Discernment, Evangelism, God's Work, Lying, Preaching, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Entertainment In This Modern Age

Posted on May 21, 2020 by russellmckinney

“I have the right to do anything,” you say — but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” — but not everything is constructive. (1 Corinthians 10:23, N.I.V.) A Christian woman once gave the great preacher … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christian Liberty, Discernment, Discipleship, Entertainment, Music, Personal, Personal Holiness, Sanctification, Separation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Four Answers to Prayer Requests

Posted on May 18, 2020 by russellmckinney

Preachers love to come up with pithy little outlines to describe how God answers prayer requests. So, for today’s post I thought I’d share a couple such examples. Each of these has been passed around so much that I’m not … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Desires, Disappointment, Discernment, Discipleship, God's Love, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Needs, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Don’t All Christians Believe the Same Way?

Posted on May 15, 2020 by russellmckinney

People wonder how sincere Christians can come to such different opinions in regards to what the Bible teaches. Why are there so many denominations? Why are there so many Christian groups? Why are there so many offshoots? Why are there … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Bible Study, Church, Discernment, Discipleship, Doctrine, Eternal Security, Giving, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Greed, Marriage, Money, Scripture, The Bible, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment