Category Archives: Faith

How God Can Use Your Patmos

Posted on February 3, 2020 by russellmckinney

The apostle John lived into his eighties, perhaps into his nineties, and in so doing easily outlived all the other apostles. And how did he spend his “senior citizen” years? Post-Biblical church history provides strong documentation that he lived and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Complaining, Disappointment, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Sports, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Snowstorm That Helped Charles Spurgeon Get Saved

Posted on January 6, 2020 by russellmckinney

This past Saturday night we got a little skiff of snow that created some slick roads and icy parking lots early Sunday morning. Consequently, like some other churches in our area, we cancelled Sunday School and 11:00 p.m. worship service … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Church Attendance, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Salvation, Scripture, The Bible, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Good That Can Come From Your Day of Trouble

Posted on December 3, 2019 by russellmckinney

The residents of a remote area of Alaska were having serious trouble with wolves. In desperation the residents posted a $5,000 reward for each wolf brought in dead. That sizable reward prompted Bill and Joe to try their luck. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Sovereignty, Perseverance, Trials, Trusting In God | Leave a comment

How Can You Give Thanks for Bad Things?

Posted on November 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20, N.K.J.V.) In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Complaining, Death, Disappointment, Faith, Perseverance, Problems, Sickness, Suffering, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Trials | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Doesn’t Change, But Don’t Try to Put Him in a Box

Posted on October 17, 2019 by russellmckinney

“For I am the Lord, I do not change…” (Malachi 3:6, N.K.J.V.) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Provision, God's Will, Needs, Prayer Requests, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Clinic Built By a Tornado

Posted on September 30, 2019 by russellmckinney

The city of Rochester, Minnesota, was founded in 1854 and incorporated as a town in 1858. The area had previously served as a stagecoach stop, and the new city experienced rapid growth once the railroad began making stops there in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

No, We Don’t Preach “Easy Believism”

Posted on September 6, 2019 by russellmckinney

Baptists frequently get labeled with the accusation that we preach “easy believism.”  People say, “C’mon, there must be more to getting saved than praying a simple prayer in which you ask Jesus to be your Savior.” My response to that … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Eternity, Faith, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Mercy, Good Works, Grace, Heaven, Hell, Salvation, The Gospel, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Spiritual Gifts Does the Bible Name?

Posted on August 7, 2019 by russellmckinney

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #2) To find out what spiritual gifts the Bible names, you have to consult three separate passages of scripture. The passages are Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-30, and Ephesians 4:7-16. By combining the lists from all … Continue reading →

Posted in Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, God's Work, Individuality, Leadership, Mercy, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Warfare, Teaching, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Your Prayers Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Posted on April 30, 2019 by russellmckinney

Acts 12:1-19 records the story of Peter’s prison break. The story begins with Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, having Peter arrested and incarcerated in a Roman prison in Jerusalem. Herod is feeling his oats because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Comfort, Confession, Discipleship, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fatherhood, God's Mercy, God's Provision, God's Work, Grace, Honesty, Influence, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Doesn’t Seem to Care

Posted on April 24, 2019 by russellmckinney

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Christ's Death, Comfort, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fatherhood, Honesty, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Personal, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment