Category Archives: Faithfulness

Nothing Important Happened Today

Posted on February 14, 2025 by russellmckinney

Sometimes the facts get in the way of a good story. For years, a legend persisted that on July 4, 1776, the day the American colonies declared their independence from England, King George III’s diary entry read: “Nothing important happened … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Personal, Priorities, Service, Submission | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Who Are You Dancing With?

Posted on January 24, 2025 by russellmckinney

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world….” (John 18:36, N.K.J.V.) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15, … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Alcohol, Backsliding, Business, Commitment, Desires, Drugs, Entertainment, Faithfulness, Gambling, Homosexuality, Lesbianism, Personal Holiness, Politics, Priorities, Sanctification, Satan, Sports, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self-Preservation & Jesus

Posted on January 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

A man interviewed for a job at a famous art gallery that housed dozens of priceless masterpieces. As part of the interview process, he was asked, “If a fire broke out in this gallery and you could only save one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Brokenness, Commitment, Courage, Crucifixion, Death, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Extending Forgiveness, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Revenge, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, Trials, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Profound Question

Posted on December 16, 2024 by russellmckinney

A missionary was once asked if he liked his work in Africa. His reply was as follows: Do I like this work? No. My wife and I do not like dirt. We have reasonably refined sensibilities. We do not like … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Perseverance, Problems, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Stewardship, Suffering, Sunday School, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Following God’s Instructions to the Letter

Posted on December 13, 2024 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 November 2, 2024 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When God Doesn’t Make a Way

Posted on October 29, 2024 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 , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Working Out Your Own Salvation

Posted on September 16, 2024 by russellmckinney

A man bought an acreage of hilly land dotted with boulders and covered with weeds and briars. He then began his work on the land. First, he paid a backhoe operator and a dump-truck driver to dig up the boulders … 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 , , , | 1 Comment

Responding When Life Punches You in the Mouth

Posted on August 24, 2024 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 , , , , , , | 1 Comment

God’s Worst Form of Earthly Judgment

Posted on August 12, 2024 by russellmckinney

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 God … 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 , , , , | 2 Comments