Category Archives: Faith

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

“Why Sit Here Until We Die?”

Posted on April 22, 2019 by russellmckinney

“Why sit here until we die?” That question is at the heart of one of the Bible’s most incredible stories, 2 Kings 7:1-20, and it’s a question that still has relevance in a multitude of situations today. Let’s talk about … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Attitude, Change, Choices, Church, Contentment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Faith, Fear, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Will, Inner Peace, Needs, Problems, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Something To Believe In

Posted on March 29, 2019 by russellmckinney

A pastor’s family got home from church following a Sunday morning service and started preparing for lunch. After everyone had changed out of their Sunday best clothes the mother began heating up some leftovers from the previous night. When the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Atheism, Attitude, Belief, Complaining, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Human Life, Problems, Salvation, Suffering, Suicide, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

You Never Know

Posted on February 22, 2019 by russellmckinney

With each passing year the name “Billy Graham” becomes less recognizable to the younger folks. This seems strange to those of us who grew up watching Graham’s crusades on television, reading his Decision magazine, buying his books, hearing all about the Billy … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Business, Complaining, Disappointment, Doubt, Faith, Friendship, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Foreknowledge, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Needs, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Will Explain Later

Posted on February 4, 2019 by russellmckinney

In his day, Dr. Thomas Guthrie was one of Scotland’s most popular and respected preachers. On the subject of the Christian life oftentimes being difficult, perplexing, and downright confusing, Guthrie said: A man standing on the summit of a lofty … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Eternity, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Heaven, Impatience, Loneliness, Patience, Persecution, Problems, Salvation, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Hard to Be Still

Posted on February 1, 2019 by russellmckinney

Be still, and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10, N.K.J.V.) Royce was our child who couldn’t sit still. He was hyper, fidgety, squirmy, active, and all sorts of other wiggly. He could sit and play his PlayStation for hours, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Church Attendance, Comfort, Contentment, Courage, Depression, Doubt, Dying To Self, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Word, Impatience, Joy, Needs, Parenting, Patience, Peace, Personal, Problems, Revenge, Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can Prayer Change God’s Mind?

Posted on January 8, 2019 by russellmckinney

A reader, Paula Jarvis Garland, wrote to me: “Here’s my question: If everything is predestined, then how does prayer change things? Can our prayers cause God to change his mind?” The question is actually two questions, one concerning predestination and … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Desires, Election, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Influence, Man's Freewill, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Reward, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments