Category Archives: Obedience

Following Your Own Counsel

Posted on December 30, 2017 by russellmckinney

If you ask me to name the #1 problem that Christians exhibit in their daily conduct, my answer might surprise you. It wouldn’t be “sin,” even though we certainly do sin far too much. It wouldn’t be “a lack of … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Seeking Advice, The Heart, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Do It Now

Posted on October 9, 2017 by russellmckinney

Here’s a true story. A church in San Antonio, Texas, committed to a fundraising drive to build a new building. On a chosen Sunday morning, a special offering would be taken up to help toward reaching the monetary goal. Each … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Disobedience, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Money, Obedience, Service | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Perspective

Posted on October 6, 2017 by russellmckinney

A man was having a particularly intimate conversation with God by way of prayer. The man asked, “God, how long is a million years to you?” God answered, “It’s just like a second of time for you, My child.” The … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Belief, Commitment, Disappointment, Discernment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Impatience, Money, Needs, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Prayer Requests, Problems, Prosperity, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity

Posted on August 14, 2017 by russellmckinney

In Mark 6:45-52, we find the story of Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee to rescue His chosen 12 apostles. At the time, they are in a boat, struggling to make their way to the opposite shore through the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Change, Choices, Christ's Miracles, Courage, Decisions, Discernment, Doubt, Faith, Fear, God's Timing, God's Will, Ministry, Obedience, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Little Taste of the Law

Posted on August 8, 2017 by russellmckinney

The Old Testament Law (post #4) This post will finish up our short series on the Old Testament law. I make no claims that the series has been particularly thorough, but I trust that I’ve at least provided some help … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Bestiality, Capital Punishment, Choices, Christian Liberty, Disobedience, God's Word, Homosexuality, Making Restitution, Obedience, Series: "The Old Testament Law", The Death Penalty, The Old Testament Law | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self-Preservation & Jesus

Posted on June 19, 2017 by russellmckinney

A man interviewed for a job at a famous art gallery that housed dozens of priceless masterpieces. As part of the interview process, he was asked, “If a fire broke out in this gallery and you could only save one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Brokenness, Commitment, Courage, Crucifixion, Death, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Extending Forgiveness, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Revenge, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, Trials, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus as a Friend?

Posted on June 6, 2017 by russellmckinney

In the 15th chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus makes a point of explaining to His remaining 11 apostles that He will now call them “friends” rather than “servants.” He says to them: Greater love has no one than … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Disobedience, Friendship, God's Love, Loneliness, Obedience, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Following God’s Instructions to the Letter

Posted on May 25, 2017 by russellmckinney

The story of Israel’s conquest of the promised land of Canaan is messy, convoluted, and plays out over many decades. Its record covers the entire book of Joshua, spills over into the book of Judges, and is filled with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Obedience, Rebellion, Sanctification, Service, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Devil You Know

Posted on May 18, 2017 by russellmckinney

A five-year-old boy was visiting his aunt overnight. At bedtime he asked her to leave his door open and the light on in the hall. Surprised, the aunt said, “Why? You’re not afraid of the dark when you are at … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Courage, Faith, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Problems, Service, Trusting In God, Worry | 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