Category Archives: Ministry

Does God Accept Excuses?

Posted on October 30, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #6) Forty years had passed since Moses had killed an Egyptian taskmaster, fled from Egypt, and settled down in Midian. His Pharaoh grandfather, the one who had sought his death for killing that taskmaster, … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Courage, Decisions, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Series: "Questions From Israel's Exodus", Service, Submission | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Does God Call the Qualified or Qualify the Called?

Posted on October 28, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #5) In a very real sense, Moses was uniquely qualified to be the man through whom God would deliver the Israelites from their Egyptian bondage. For one thing, he was an Egyptian by upbringing … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, Discipleship, God's Provision, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Obedience, Preaching, Series: "Questions From Israel's Exodus", Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Does Moral Failure Disqualify a Person From God’s Service?

Posted on October 23, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #3) After Moses became the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he spent the first forty years of his life riding high. Acts 7:22 says: “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Deacons, God's Work, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Sin | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How D.L. Moody Won a Little Girl to Christ

Posted on September 19, 2020 by russellmckinney

For many years, R.A. Torrey helped famed evangelist D.L. Moody in Moody’s work. Torrey himself told the following story about one of Moody’s converts. I offer Torrey’s account verbatim: On one occasion in Chicago, Mr. Moody saw a little girl … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Evangelism, Family, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Salvation, Service, Sunday School, The Gospel, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Spiritual Leaders & Preachers’ Kids (post #2 of 2)

Posted on September 5, 2020 by russellmckinney

People tend to think that being called of God to spiritual leadership somehow causes the called to put on a magic cloak that miraculously changes everything about the person. The cloak corrects wrong thinking, fixes longstanding problems, strengthens weaknesses, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Anger, Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Deacons, Depravity, Family, Forgiveness, God's Work, Hypocrisy, Leadership, Lust, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Temptation, The Death Penalty, The Old Testament Law | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Leaders & Preachers’ Kids (post #1 of 2)

Posted on September 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

Maybe you’ve heard about the recent troubles of Jerry Falwell Jr. After a string of scandals, he has now been ousted as the President of Liberty University, the school his father founded. The whole story has given Christianity yet another … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Depravity, God's Work, Husbands, Hypocrisy, Lust, Marriage, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Politics, Preaching, Service, Sex, Sin, Temptation, Wives | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Are You Doing What You Are Supposed to Be Doing Here?

Posted on August 12, 2020 by russellmckinney

Yogi Berra was the catcher for the New York Yankees. Hank Aaron was the right-fielder for the Milwaukee (now Atlanta) Braves. Both men would get elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame following their illustrious playing careers. As a famous story goes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Obedience, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Little Boy & The Old Man

Posted on July 15, 2020 by russellmckinney

(The following story is my embellished version of the story “Twinkies and Root Beer” from an unknown author. The story was first published by Warner Press’ “Christian Art.” I started with the original, reworked it by adding quite a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Children, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Work, Grace, Influence, Ministry, Needs, Service | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Do You Have to Get the Credit?

Posted on June 22, 2020 by russellmckinney

Have you ever performed an uncredited act of service for the Lord? I’m talking about a deed for which your name went totally without mention and you received no worldly credit whatsoever. If you have, then you can relate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, God's Work, Humility, Ministry, Missions, Pride, Service | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fanning Your Inner Flame

Posted on June 12, 2020 by russellmckinney

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you… (2 Timothy 1:6, N.K.J.V.) J. Glenn Campbell tells the story of a family who many years ago ran a sheep farm in Australia. Each year … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment