Category Archives: Discipleship

For the Furtherance of the Gospel

Posted on April 12, 2021 by russellmckinney

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. (Philippians 1:12, N.K.J.V.) The traditional view is that Paul wrote the books of Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Change, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Suffering, The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

So-So

Posted on March 29, 2021 by russellmckinney

In Jones county, Mississippi, there is a little town called Soso. There are different stories regarding how the town got its name. One says that an early settler of the area used to always reply, “So-so” whenever someone asked him … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Christ's Death, Complaining, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Holiness, God's Love, God's Mercy, God's Work, Grace, Ministry, Obedience, Perseverance, Priorities, Repentance, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Suffering, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sometimes a Rebuke Is in Order

Posted on March 5, 2021 by russellmckinney

Living the Christian life isn’t easy. Along with our turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-39), loving our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48), not judging (Matthew 7:1-6), forgiving those who have sinned against us (Luke 11:4), showing mercy (Luke 6:36), and being kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Discipleship, God's Word, God's Work, Scripture, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When It Doesn’t Make Sense

Posted on March 1, 2021 by russellmckinney

Most of us have had to endure times when life didn’t make sense. For that matter, some of us are there right now. What’s especially difficult about such times is the fact that God, who is normally the source to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Sovereignty, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Sad Fact

Posted on February 19, 2021 by russellmckinney

Here’s a true story from Queensland, Australia. One night a patrolman sat stealthily in his car outside a popular tavern in the expectation of writing someone up for drunk driving. Sure enough, late that evening, a man staggered out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Decisions, Demons, Discernment, Discipleship, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Middle

Posted on February 15, 2021 by russellmckinney

Did you watch the Super Bowl this year? If so, did you see Jeep’s commercial featuring Bruce Springsteen? The commercial was called “The Middle” and featured Springsteen visiting a tiny chapel that purportedly stands on the site of the exact … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Coming Judgment, Current Events, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Perseverance, Personal, Politics, Salvation, Scripture, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to Use Your Bad Experience

Posted on January 22, 2021 by russellmckinney

Tom Wallace tells the story of a time when he received a phone call in which he was told that a certain family was in need of pastoral comfort in the emergency room of the local hospital. Tragically, the family’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Problems, Service, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Major Differences

Posted on January 20, 2021 by russellmckinney

(all references are from the N.K.J.V.) Authentic Christians often get perplexed as to how lost people can hold to certain opinions, believe certain things, promote certain lifestyles, live out certain standards, etc., etc., etc. They ask, “How can they do … Continue reading →

Posted in Desires, Discipleship, Heaven, Hell, Salvation, Satan, Sin | Tagged | Leave a comment

For Such a Time as This

Posted on January 13, 2021 by russellmckinney

“…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, N.K.J.V.) The book of Esther opens up with Esther, Mordecai, and their fellow Jews living under the rule of the Persians. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Service | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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