Category Archives: God's Chastening

Is God Good All the Time? (post 2 of 3)

Posted on July 10, 2024 by russellmckinney

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” Genesis 1:31 (N.K.J.V.) “Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father…” James 1:17 (N.K.J.V.) In 1 Peter 3:15, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Backsliding, Choices, Demons, Depravity, Disobedience, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, God's Sovereignty, Justice, Problems, Rebellion, Satan, Series: "Is God Good All the Time?", Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Devil, War | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Matter of Uriah the Hittite

Posted on October 4, 2023 by russellmckinney

One night a man got drunk and ended up in a bar fight during which he received several cuts and bruises to his face. When he got home, he stood in front of the bathroom mirror and tried his best … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Change, Character, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Guilt, Lying, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Swimming at Your Own Risk

Posted on December 26, 2022 by russellmckinney

One summer, when the boys were young, we had one day left on our beach vacation. So, we used that day to give the boys a final opportunity to enjoy the ocean and pool. This had been the first year … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Confession, Disobedience, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Word, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Dry Land

Posted on April 4, 2022 by russellmckinney

When a drought hits a land, springs go dry, wells stop working, and creeks run low. There is, however, another kind of drought, one that is mentioned in Psalm 68:5-6. Those verses say: A father of the fatherless, a defender … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Character, Choices, Confession, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Chastening, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Pride, Problems, Rebellion, Repentance, Reward, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Submission, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Your Toes Stepped On

Posted on March 16, 2022 by russellmckinney

A preacher had just finished a very strong sermon on the subject of sin. One of the officers of his church came to him and asked for a private word in the preacher’s study. Once there, the scolding began. The officer said, “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, God's Judgment, God's Word, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Pastors, Personal, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Rebellion, Sin, Truth | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

A Strange Proverb

Posted on September 28, 2021 by russellmckinney

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. (Proverbs 24:17-18, N.K.J.V.) Don’t rejoice … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Chastening, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Revenge | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who Are You in Bed With?

Posted on September 24, 2021 by russellmckinney

“Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Idolatry, Influence, Separation, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Will God Make You Do His Will?

Posted on November 6, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #9) God reigns as sovereign over all His creation. However, He does not exercise His sovereignty in a way that forces people to do what He wants them to do. Instead, He wants people … Continue reading →

Posted in Disobedience, God's Chastening, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Prepare to Meet Your God

Posted on July 13, 2020 by russellmckinney

…Prepare to meet your God, O Israel! (Amos 4:12, N.K.J.V.) Is there someone whom you’d just as soon never see again? Perhaps it’s someone from your past, maybe an ex-boyfriend or an ex-girlfriend. Perhaps it’s someone from your present, maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Coming Judgment, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Prophecy, Rebellion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The First Church Scandal

Posted on November 3, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #9) I don’t care how smoothly a church is humming along, it isn’t immune from scandal. The problem is that people can’t help but be people. They are sin-marred individuals who are members … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Church, Deacons, Depravity, Discernment, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Lying, Ministry, Money, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment