Category Archives: Faithfulness

Following God’s Instructions to the Letter

Posted on May 25, 2017 by russellmckinney

The story of Israel’s conquest of the promised land of Canaan is messy, convoluted, and plays out over many decades. Its record covers the entire book of Joshua, spills over into the book of Judges, and is filled with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Obedience, Rebellion, Sanctification, Service, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Judgment Seat of Christ

Posted on April 7, 2017 by russellmckinney

It has been said that Satan gives his rewards up front, while God gives His on the back end. This raises the question, “How does God give His rewards?” The answer is: the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment seat … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Christ's Return, Coming Judgment, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's Work, Grace, Heaven, Perseverance, Resurrection, Reward, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, The Judgment Seat of Christ, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Doesn’t Make a Way

Posted on April 1, 2017 by russellmckinney

My previous post was entitled “God Can Make a Way” and was based upon the story found in Acts 12:1-19. That post focused upon how God made a way of escape for Peter as Peter sat in a Roman prison … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Bible Study, Death, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Human Life, Justice, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Problems, Scripture, Suffering, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Working Out Your Own Salvation

Posted on December 26, 2016 by russellmckinney

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12, N.K.J.V.) A man bought an acreage of hilly … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Priorities, Salvation, Service, Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Responding When Life Punches You in the Mouth

Posted on November 15, 2016 by russellmckinney

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, used to say of his opponents and their strategies to beat him, “Everybody has plans until they get hit for the first time.” Likewise, it is said of military strategies, “No plan survives … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

God’s Worst Form of Earthly Judgment

Posted on November 4, 2016 by russellmckinney

Okay, quick, name the worst judgment that God ever inflicted upon someone. If you answered, “Sending that person to hell,” give yourself a gold star. After all, there simply cannot be anything worse than eternal judgment. But eternal judgment involves … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Death, Decisions, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Homosexuality, Human Life, Idolatry, Lesbianism, Lust, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sex, Sin, The Heart, The Sin Unto Death, The Unpardonable Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

When Your Life Becomes an Object Lesson

Posted on October 31, 2016 by russellmckinney

One of the hardest roles God ever calls one of His servants to play is that of a walking/talking object lesson. Since you’ve probably never heard a sermon on this topic, I’ll use a prime example from the Bible as … Continue reading →

Posted in Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Love, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Marriage, Ministry, Prophecy, Reconciliation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Lord, Why Am I Having to Wait?”

Posted on October 27, 2016 by russellmckinney

I was driving down the interstate one day, listening to a Christian radio station, when I happened to hear one of those little call-in promos such stations do. This promo featured a woman who had called the station to voice … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Comfort, Commitment, Desires, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Impatience, Needs, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Prophecy, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

“Surely the Wrath of Man Shall Praise Thee”

Posted on October 23, 2016 by russellmckinney

The title for this post is taken directly from Psalm 76:10, the full text of which says: Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee; the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. (K.J.V.) But what does “Surely the wrath of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Omnipotence, God's Judgment, God's Work, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Revenge, Reward, Sowing and Reaping, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Word American Christians Don’t Want to Hear

Posted on October 19, 2016 by russellmckinney

But the Lord said him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Children, Commitment, Courage, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Loneliness, Ministry, Money, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Perseverance, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Suffering, Tithing, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments