Category Archives: Obedience

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

“What Are You Doing Here?”

Posted on April 17, 2017 by russellmckinney

Elijah had recently experienced one of the greatest victories of his life in defeating and executing Queen Jezebel’s 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-40). Afterward, he probably hoped that Jezebel would admit defeat and stop her … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Backsliding, Change, Choices, Courage, Depression, Disobedience, Faith, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Problems, Service, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Fiddle

Posted on April 3, 2017 by russellmckinney

Bob Jones Sr., who founded Bob Jones University (a Christian university in Greenville, S.C.), used to tell the story of a student from North Carolina named Dorothy. Dorothy came from a family that wanted nothing to do with Jesus Christ … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Brokenness, Desires, Discipleship, Disobedience, Dying To Self, God's Name, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Joy, Music, Obedience, Priorities, Sanctification, Service, Submission, Talents | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kicking at the Goads

Posted on March 20, 2017 by russellmckinney

When the risen Jesus met Saul of Tarsus – who would become the apostle Paul – on the Damascus road, one of the things He told Saul was, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5). … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Choices, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Dying To Self, God's Chastening, God's Guidance, God's Will, Guilt, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Have You Dug Your Ditches?

Posted on December 15, 2016 by russellmckinney

And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Choices, Decisions, Faith, God's Timing, God's Will, God's Work, Needs, Obedience, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Christian & Government

Posted on November 12, 2016 by russellmckinney

Let me give you four facts that are all true. Fact #1: The Christian should submit to his or her governmental authorities. Fact #2: Not all governmental leaders are sanctioned by God. Fact #3: Some governmental leaders enact laws that … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Current Events, Disobedience, God's Will, Government, Homosexuality, Leadership, Lesbianism, Obedience, Politics, Rebellion, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons Learned From the Brink of Canaan

Posted on November 9, 2016 by russellmckinney

The book of Joshua is the Bible’s record of how the Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, claimed their promised land of Canaan. Unfortunately for the Israelites, however, four decades earlier their initial attempt at completing that assignment had produced disastrous results. … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Choices, Comfort, Courage, Disobedience, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Judgment, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

God’s Worst Form of Earthly Judgment

Posted on November 4, 2016 by russellmckinney

Okay, quick, name the worst judgment that God ever inflicted upon someone. If you answered, “Sending that person to hell,” give yourself a gold star. After all, there simply cannot be anything worse than eternal judgment. But eternal judgment involves … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Death, Decisions, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Homosexuality, Human Life, Idolatry, Lesbianism, Lust, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sex, Sin, The Heart, The Sin Unto Death, The Unpardonable Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment