Category Archives: Heaven

Are Hades & Hell the Same Place? (post #1 of 2)

Posted on January 18, 2019 by russellmckinney

For centuries the classic King James translation of the Bible was the favored one for the English-speaking world. Many of us grew up reading the K.J.V. and memorizing its verses, and it is undoubtedly a solid translation for the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Death, Demons, Eternity, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Satan, The Devil | 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

God’s Gold Star

Posted on December 17, 2018 by russellmckinney

People familiar with American military custom know that a star has long been used as a symbol to represent a loved one. During World War I it became common practice for any family who had a family member in service … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Christmas, Crucifixion, Demons, Heaven, Resurrection, Salvation, Temptation, Virgin Birth | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mary: The Slave of the Lord

Posted on December 14, 2018 by russellmckinney

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38, N.K.J.V.) Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she was the woman chosen by God to bring … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Commitment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Work, Heaven, Humility, Ministry, Obedience, Pride, Rebellion, Reward, Righteousness, Salvation, Service, Slavery, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Church’s First Martyr

Posted on November 12, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #13) I take no pleasure in reporting that much of what a lot of Christians believe about God really doesn’t stand up to the test of scripture. “God wouldn’t let me remain sick.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Death, Church, Commitment, Death, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Old Testament Law, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An Important Reminder About Hurricanes

Posted on September 17, 2018 by russellmckinney

We cancelled services yesterday at Oak Grove Baptist Church because of the threat of flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Florence. The forecast was for our Nebo, N.C., area to receive 6 to 12 inches of rain, with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Return, Creation, Death, Demons, Depravity, Eternity, God's Timing, Heaven, Hell, Human Life, Prophecy, Restoration, Satan, Sin, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Joy Comes in the Morning

Posted on September 14, 2018 by russellmckinney

…Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5, N.K.J.V.) English missionary James Hannington was the first Anglican bishop of East Africa. His initial missionary visit to Africa only lasted a few months because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Comfort, Courage, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Heaven, Human Life, Inner Peace, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classified Falsely

Posted on September 10, 2018 by russellmckinney

Private First Class Alan Barton, an American soldier fighting in the Vietnam War, was reported missing from his base in South Vietnam on July 28, 1970. 32 days later his commanding officer notified his mother that her son was now … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Coming Judgment, Criticism, Deception, Eternity, God's Judgment, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, Heaven, Justice, Patience, Persecution, Reward, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Everyday Evidences of Adam & Eve’s Fall (post #3)

Posted on August 31, 2018 by russellmckinney

This post is the third and last in our series “Everyday Evidences of Adam & Eve’s Fall.” Thus far we’ve identified the evidences associated with God’s judgments upon the serpent/Satan and Eve. By way of a reminder, those evidences are: … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Belief, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Christ's Return, Coming Judgment, Creation, Death, Depravity, Eternity, God's Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Prophecy, Rebellion, Restoration, Resurrection, Salvation, Series: "Everyday Evidences of Adam & Eve's Fall", Sin, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Everyday Evidences of Adam & Eve’s Fall (post #2)

Posted on August 29, 2018 by russellmckinney

After God had spoken His words of judgment against the serpent and Satan, He turned His attention to Eve. Even though she had been legitimately deceived by Satan (2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:14), she still had to suffer the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bible Study, Children, Choices, Christ's Death, Disobedience, Eternity, Forgiveness, God's Holiness, Heaven, Hell, Husbands, Man's Freewill, Marriage, Obedience, Rebellion, Salvation, Series: "Everyday Evidences of Adam & Eve's Fall", Sin, Submission, Temptation, The Bible, Wives | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment