Category Archives: Individuality

Is God Calling You to Deal with a Problem?

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellmckinney

David Livingston, the legendary missionary to Africa, was a man who understood that some jobs God asks us to do aren’t for the faint of heart. On the subject of Livingstone’s work in Africa, one man wrote him, “I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Courage, Discernment, Doing Good, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Problems, Service | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Identifying Your Spiritual Gift (Gifts)

Posted on November 2, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #4) Just about every time I preach on the subject of spiritual gifts some sincere Christian will ask me, “How can I know what my spiritual gift is?” Each time I hear that question I find … Continue reading →

Posted in Counsel, Discernment, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Seeking Advice, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Spiritual Gifts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Spiritual Gifts Does the Bible Name?

Posted on October 28, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #2) To find out what spiritual gifts the Bible names you have to consult three separate passages of scripture. The passages are Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-30, and Ephesians 4:7-16. By combining the lists from all … Continue reading →

Posted in Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, God's Work, Individuality, Leadership, Mercy, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching, Sanctification, Seeking Advice, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Warfare, Teaching, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Gifts

Posted on October 26, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #1) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant. (1 Corinthians 12:1, N.K.J.V.) The apostle Paul told the Christians of Corinth that he didn’t want them to be ignorant (uninformed) concerning … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wandering Around

Posted on October 23, 2026 by russellmckinney

In his daily devotional book, The Believer’s Code, O.S. Hawkins offers an excellent word about sheep. He writes: Have you ever been to a circus? If so, you probably saw an array of trained animals. Huge elephants can be trained … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Good Works, Heaven, Human Life, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Submission, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Would You Give Up for Jesus?

Posted on September 11, 2026 by russellmckinney

One day a certain ruler, probably a ruler in a local synagogue, came to Jesus with a question. This ruler was young (Matthew 19:20), wealthy (Matthew 19:22), and lived a moral life by striving to keep God’s commandments (Matthew 19:17-20). … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Brokenness, Business, Change, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, Greed, Idolatry, Individuality, Money, Obedience, Politics, Priorities, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Druthers

Posted on August 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Mark Twain featured the characters of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer in multiple books. One of them is Tom Sawyer, Detective. As part of that book’s conversations between Huck and Tom, Huck says, “Any way you druther have it, that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Commitment, Crucifixion, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Obedience, Prayer, Sacrifice, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tale of Emanuel Nenger

Posted on June 10, 2026 by russellmckinney

Emanuel Nenger arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, from Germany sometime around 1876. He got work as a sign painter and eventually bought a farm in Westfield, New Jersey. But all of that was more or less just a front. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mechanic

Posted on May 11, 2026 by russellmckinney

As an old story goes in the early 1900s a husband and his wife purchased one of those newfangled Model T Fords. They took it out for a drive one day, but something happened to the engine and the car … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Creation, Dying To Self, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Individuality, Needs, Problems, Reconciliation, Salvation, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Baptizing Your Job Into Service to Christ

Posted on May 8, 2026 by russellmckinney

There once was a young man named Arsene who lived in Paris, France. Arsene worked as a grocer, but he absolutely hated his job because he felt like he was meant for bigger things. In his mind, circumstances created by … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Brokenness, Business, Christ's Birth, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Desires, Disappointment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Greed, Humility, Individuality, Influence, Inner Peace, Ministry, Missions, Money, Prosperity, Service, Submission, Suicide, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments