Category Archives: Influence

What Would Jesus Do?

Posted on May 11, 2019 by russellmckinney

“What Would Jesus Do?” has become a popular catchphrase in Christian circles. The acronym WWJD can be found on bracelets, t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. in Christian bookstores everywhere. Few Christians today, however, know the origin of WWJD. Rev. Charles Sheldon … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Miracles, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Scripture, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Plowing of the Wicked Is Sin

Posted on May 1, 2019 by russellmckinney

A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. (Proverbs 21:4, N.K.J.V.) It’s easy to understand why God classifies a haughty (conceited) look as sin. It’s equally easy to understand why He classifies a proud … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Brokenness, Commitment, Decisions, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Obedience, Rebellion, Reward, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Submission, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Your Prayers Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Posted on April 30, 2019 by russellmckinney

Acts 12:1-19 records the story of Peter’s prison break. The story begins with Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, having Peter arrested and incarcerated in a Roman prison in Jerusalem. Herod is riding high because he has … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Comfort, Confession, Discipleship, Doubt, Dying To Self, Encouragement, Faith, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Grace, Honesty, Influence, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Repentance, Submission, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Bubba Smith Learned Too Late

Posted on April 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

Bubba Smith was an All-American football player at Michigan State. He is one of only three players from that program to have his jersey number retired. Following his collegiate career, he was the #1 overall pick of the 1967 NFL … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Character, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Entertainment, Family, Gambling, God's Will, Holiness, Honesty, Influence, Justice, Personal Holiness, Righteousness, Sanctification, Separation, Sin, Sports, Temptation, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Word About Greatness

Posted on April 8, 2019 by russellmckinney

“…whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Work, Humility, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Service | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Something to Consider When Troubles Come Your Way

Posted on March 20, 2019 by russellmckinney

You have to love Gideon. As he lived in a time when God seemed to be a million miles from Israel, and as he dealt each day with the fallout from that situation, he became a realist. And as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Faithfulness, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Prayer, Problems, Restoration, Service, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Time to Fight & A Time to Cease Fighting

Posted on March 18, 2019 by russellmckinney

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30:19, N.K.J.V.) A knight rode up … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Balance, Choices, God's Timing, God's Wrath, God's Guidance, God's Judgment, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Peace, Persecution, Problems, Service, War | 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

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

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