Category Archives: Discernment

Everybody Is Not Your Friend

Posted on November 1, 2023 by russellmckinney

The story that I want to use for this post is an old one that has been passed around in preachers’ circles for quite a while. I have no idea whether or not the story is true, and if it … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Death, Communication, Deception, Discernment, Friendship, Humor, Truth, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How’s Your Contending?

Posted on October 18, 2023 by russellmckinney

Jude was the earthly half-brother of Jesus. He was also the writer of the Bible’s book of Jude, which is a letter he wrote to his fellow Christians. Jude’s original plan was to build the letter around the subject of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Christian Unity, Courage, Discernment, Discipleship, Doctrine, Faithfulness, God's Word, God's Work, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching, Salvation, Scripture, Service, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Word About the Media & Polling

Posted on October 16, 2023 by russellmckinney

An international automobile race was once held in the Soviet Union. With that country being under strict Communist control, the international media was forced to rely upon Pravda to report the race results. Pravda was the mouthpiece newspaper for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Bible Study, Capital Punishment, Current Events, Deception, Discernment, Discipleship, Doubt, God's Word, Homosexuality, Politics, Scripture, The Bible, The Death Penalty, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

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

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

Born Liars

Posted on September 20, 2023 by russellmckinney

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. (Proverbs 12: 22, N.K.J.V.) A paratrooper finished basic training and went up for his first jump. As he was about to leap from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Communication, Deception, Discernment, Honesty, Lying, Personal Holiness, Sin, The Tongue, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lynched by Mistake

Posted on September 1, 2023 by russellmckinney

In one Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown is lying in bed talking to Snoopy, who’s lying atop the covers at Charlie’s feet. Charlie says, “Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘Is life a multiple choice test or is … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Choices, Discernment, Faith, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Husbands, Obedience, Parenting, Personal, Prayer, Problems, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God, Work, Worry, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What a Bird’s Nest Can Teach Us About God’s Will

Posted on June 9, 2023 by russellmckinney

Snugly tucked away in the Old Testament book of Proverbs is one of the Bible’s most beautiful verses on the subject of God’s will. Proverbs 27:8 says: Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Will, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Common Sense & God’s Will

Posted on May 29, 2023 by russellmckinney

Today I’d like to share with you one of my biggest pet peeves about Christians. It’s this whole idea that God’s will for a specific situation must always be the logical, rational, “smart” plan of attack. Oh, I’ve heard the … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Courage, Decisions, Discernment, Faith, God's Will, Obedience, Reward, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

1,500 Sheep

Posted on May 1, 2023 by russellmckinney

A few years ago the Associated Press ran a story that came out of Gavas, a town in eastern Turkey. According to the story, one sheep from a very large flock walked to the edge of a cliff and jumped … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Choices, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipline, Dress and Appearance, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Influence, Motherhood, Parenting, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments