Category Archives: Discernment

The Lord God of Truth

Posted on June 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #5) Here’s a trivia question for you. In our English translations of the Bible, what were the last words that Jesus spoke while hanging on the cross? Were they? A. “Father, into Your hands … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Decisions, Discernment, Doubt, God's Holiness, God's Guidance, God's Name, God's Will, God's Word, Lying, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Satan, Scripture, Series: "The Names of God", Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Bible, The Devil, The Old Testament Law, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Posted on May 13, 2026 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

Choosing the East Side of the Jordan

Posted on May 4, 2026 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

Be Careful About Signs

Posted on April 6, 2026 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 , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Breaking Away from Family & Upbringing

Posted on March 20, 2026 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 , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Road Signs

Posted on March 18, 2026 by russellmckinney

By the close of 1944, Adolph Hitler’s dreams of world domination were coming to an end. Just a few months later, on April 30, 1945, he would commit suicide, and May 8, 1945, would become the day Americans call V-E … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Word, Scripture, The Bible, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The First Church Scandal

Posted on February 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #9) I don’t care how smoothly a church is humming along, it isn’t immune from scandal. The problem is that people can’t help but be people. They are sin-marred individuals who are members … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Church, Deacons, Depravity, Discernment, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Lying, Ministry, Money, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tongues as a Prayer Language?

Posted on February 23, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #7) In my previous post, I explained that Acts 2:1-13 teaches that the Biblical definition of speaking in tongues is speaking in a known foreign language that you have never learned. Furthermore, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Church, Communication, Discernment, God's Word, Prayer, Scripture, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, The Bible, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

4 Basic Questions About Speaking in Tongues

Posted on February 20, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #6) We’re in a series on the early church of Jerusalem, and we’ve now reached a place where I’m going to devote a couple of posts to the issue of speaking in tongues. … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Communication, Discernment, Evangelism, Missions, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, The Holy Spirit, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rightly Understanding Peter’s Answer

Posted on February 16, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #4) Peter’s Pentecost sermon, which was the first sermon of the church age, caused his listeners to ask, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). His answer was, “Repent, and be baptized, every one … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Bible Study, Catholicism, Church, Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, God's Work, Repentance, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem" | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment