Category Archives: Grace

Got Mercy?

Posted on April 17, 2024 by russellmckinney

“The Beatitudes” series: (post #5) “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7, N.K.J.V.) The Greek noun our New Testaments translate as “mercy” is eleos. Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the word as being: the outward manifestation of pity; it … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, Grace, Humility, Mercy, Revenge, Salvation, Series: "The Beatitudes", The Sermon On The Mount | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Burned Spot

Posted on April 4, 2024 by russellmckinney

In the days when America’s west was being settled, prairie fires were one of the scourges of the land. The very thought of these fires struck terror into the hearts of the people. With dry grass standing high, sometimes as … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Christ's Death, Coming Judgment, Crucifixion, Eternal Security, Forgiveness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Good Friday, Grace, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

You Need Jesus as a Savior More Than as an Example

Posted on December 1, 2023 by russellmckinney

There is a mindset that exalts Jesus as merely being the ultimate example of human potential. Those who hold to this mindset talk about Him as the great teacher and the ideal role model, but they express doubt about His … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Christ's Death, Church, Depravity, Faith, Forgiveness, God's Holiness, God's Love, Grace, Preaching, Repentance, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Wonder of Being Childlike

Posted on August 9, 2023 by russellmckinney

My oldest son, Ryan, was a freshman on his high school’s j.v. baseball team, and the team had an away game against a school that was located an hour and a half away. So, I made the drive to watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Belief, Children, Desires, Faith, Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Will, Grace, Needs, Parenting, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Sports, Trusting In God, Worry, Youth | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How You Get In

Posted on March 29, 2023 by russellmckinney

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, N.K.J.V.) Dr. Thomas John Barnardo was revered in London for his work with … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Death, Forgiveness, God's Holiness, God's Love, God's Mercy, Grace, Heaven, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why the Christian Will Be in Heaven

Posted on March 13, 2023 by russellmckinney

“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Death, Eternal Security, Eternity, Evangelism, Faith, God's Love, God's Provision, Grace, Heaven, Praise, Salvation, Thankfulness, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mona Lisa

Posted on March 6, 2023 by russellmckinney

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. (James 1:17, N.K.J.V.) In 1911, the famous Mona Lisa painting was stolen from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Complaining, Contentment, Covetousness, God's Love, God's Provision, Grace, Praise, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Recalculating

Posted on December 17, 2022 by russellmckinney

In my last post, I mentioned G.P.S. systems as examples of the otherworldly technology that now passes for our normal, everyday lives. I remember the first time that Tonya and I used one of those systems for our family’s vacation … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Disobedience, God's Love, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Grace, Obedience, Repentance, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Does God Hear the Prayers of Lost People (part 3)

Posted on September 23, 2022 by russellmckinney

The New Testament stories of God hearing the prayers of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48) and the tax collector from Christ’s parable (Luke 18:9-14) shouldn’t surprise us. I say that because even in the Old Testament we find examples of God showing … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Children, Grace, Humility, Mercy, Prayer, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Does God Hear the Prayers of Lost People? (part 2)

Posted on September 21, 2022 by russellmckinney

In Luke 18:9-14, we find another example of a lost man who, like Cornelius, had God hear his sincere prayer. His prayer is what some call “the sinner’s prayer.” Actually, the man isn’t a literal person but is, instead, merely … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Grace, Humility, Mercy, Prayer, Salvation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment