Category Archives: Influence

What Satan Did to Peter: Sifting

Posted on March 7, 2018 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #11) And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31, N.K.J.V.) The Jews of ancient Israel were well acquainted with sifting. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Persecution, Personal, Problems, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Mixed Multitude

Posted on August 18, 2017 by russellmckinney

Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds — a great deal of livestock. (Exodus 12:38, N.K.J.V.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Complaining, Contentment, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipleship, Friendship, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Provision, Greed, Influence, Lust, Prayer Requests, Rebellion, Separation, Service, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Look Out for Those Unequal Yokes

Posted on July 22, 2017 by russellmckinney

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Business, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Doctrine, God's Will, God's Work, Government, Homosexuality, Influence, Lesbianism, Marriage, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Speak Up Or Shut Up?

Posted on May 31, 2017 by russellmckinney

The Bible is a big, rich, complex book, one that can be used to seemingly prove virtually anything. This is the primary reason why Christian denominations find it impossible to get together 100% on doctrine. Furthermore, to make matters worse, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Choices, Communication, Complaining, Counsel, Evangelism, God's Timing, God's Will, Influence, The Holy Spirit, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Should Have Been

Posted on May 5, 2017 by russellmckinney

I was a little under two years into my first pastorate when one afternoon, as I was driving in my car, I happened to drive past the sign for a certain church in our area. It was a sign that … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Counsel, Decisions, Disappointment, Discernment, Disobedience, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Patience, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Rebellion, Service, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why I Don’t Fill Out a NCAA Bracket

Posted on March 24, 2017 by russellmckinney

Well, it’s March, which means that a whole bunch of people will be enjoying the games of the NCAA basketball tournament. We don’t call it “March Madness” for nothing! For many people, half the fun of the tournament is trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Current Events, Disappointment, Doing Good, Fear, Gambling, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Humor, Influence, Ministry, Personal, Salvation, Service, Sports, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John Wesley’s Pound Notes

Posted on March 10, 2017 by russellmckinney

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:8, N.K.J.V.) The … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, Encouragement, Giving, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Money, Needs, Service | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Incident on a School Bus

Posted on December 17, 2016 by russellmckinney

During some of my college years, I had a part-time job driving a school bus for elementary and middle school students. Since I myself hadn’t been a kid for a while, that job served to remind me just how cruel … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Children, Doing Good, God's Work, Influence, Mercy, Ministry, Personal, Service, The Sermon On The Mount, The Tongue | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Rebuked & The Rebuker

Posted on December 7, 2016 by russellmckinney

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:5, N.K.J.V.) …Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:8, N.K.J.V.) …a scoffer does not listen … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Counsel, Courage, Criticism, God's Work, Honesty, Influence, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Sports, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Micah’s “Church” (part 2 of 2)

Posted on December 3, 2016 by russellmckinney

As we pick back up with our story, the young Levite named Jonathan has just been hired to serve as the priest of the “church” that Micah has set up at his home. This “church” is a shrine Micah has … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Disobedience, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Influence, Ministry, Preaching, Temptation, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment