Category Archives: Individuality

What Spiritual Gifts Does the Bible Name?

Posted on August 7, 2019 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 , , , | 3 Comments

Spiritual Gifts

Posted on August 5, 2019 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 , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Would You Give Up for Jesus?

Posted on June 28, 2019 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 May 15, 2019 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 March 15, 2019 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 February 13, 2019 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 , , , | 1 Comment

Baptizing Your Job into Service to Christ

Posted on February 11, 2019 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

Breaking Away from Family & Upbringing

Posted on November 28, 2018 by russellmckinney

If you are a Christian who was born into a “Christian” household, let me ask you a question: If you had been born into a household that was not “Christian,” would you have still believed in Jesus Christ at some … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Individuality, Obedience, Parenting, Salvation, Service, Submission, Trusting In God, Wives, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Pastor’s Main Job

Posted on November 7, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #11) What do you do when one group of members from your church claims that another group is showing favoritism in regards to church benevolence? If you are the 12 apostles — with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Church, God's Word, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Pastors, Prayer, Priorities, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Tells You to Do Something

Posted on July 25, 2018 by russellmckinney

I’ve been friends with Beau Thomas for most of my life. We grew up together, attended school together, ran around together, and played a lot of ball together. When each of us became a father, we also coached our share … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Christ's Miracles, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Money, Obedience, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment