Category Archives: Persecution

What Ever Happened to the Original Church of Jerusalem?

Posted on March 16, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #16) The church of Jerusalem, the megachurch that was the world’s first church (Acts 8:1; 11:22), was never intended to be the planet’s only church. God’s plan was always for those believers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Evangelism, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Pastors, Persecution, Preaching, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Most Shocking Convert Ever

Posted on March 14, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #15) Imagine Osama Bin Laden becoming a Christian and asking to speak in Christian churches. Imagine Adolph Hitler converting to Judaism and asking to speak in Jewish synagogues. Imagine the Grand Wizard of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Change, Church, Conscience, Conviction, Dying To Self, Evangelism, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Submission, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How God Brought Good Out of Persecution

Posted on March 12, 2026 by russellmckinney

It takes quite a bit of time and energy for a mob to literally stone someone to death. Coats and outer garments must be taken off so that rocks can be gathered and thrown most effectively. But what should be … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Church, Contentment, Evangelism, God's Guidance, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Church’s First Martyr

Posted on March 9, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #13) I take no pleasure in reporting that much of what a lot of Christians believe about God really doesn’t stand up to the test of scripture. “God wouldn’t let me remain sick.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Death, Church, Commitment, Death, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Old Testament Law, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Joy Comes in the Morning

Posted on January 5, 2026 by russellmckinney

…Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5, N.K.J.V.) English missionary James Hannington was the first Anglican bishop of East Africa. His initial missionary visit to Africa only lasted a few months because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Comfort, Courage, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Heaven, Human Life, Inner Peace, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classified Falsely

Posted on December 30, 2025 by russellmckinney

Private First Class Alan Barton, an American soldier fighting in the Vietnam War, was reported missing from his base in South Vietnam on July 28, 1970. 32 days later his commanding officer notified his mother that her son was now … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Coming Judgment, Criticism, Deception, Eternity, God's Judgment, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, Heaven, Justice, Patience, Persecution, Reward, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

We Can’t Have the Best of Both Worlds

Posted on November 17, 2025 by russellmckinney

A Sunday School teacher told her children’s class the story of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar (Luke 16:19-31). She said, “The rich man had a lot of money and lived in luxury every day. He had a beautiful … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Death, Disappointment, Eternity, Heaven, Hell, Human Life, Money, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Prosperity, Reward, Salvation, Scripture, Suffering, Sunday School, Trials, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“This Is Good!”

Posted on October 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

A king in Africa had a close friend who had a habit of looking at any situation and proclaiming, “This is good!” One day, as the two were hunting, the friend had the job of loading the king’s gun. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Balance, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Death, Decisions, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Friendship, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Grace, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Sickness, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What God Will Do to Satan: Eternal Punishment

Posted on October 1, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #20) “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…” (Matthew 25:41, N.K.J.V.) This post … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Christ's Second Coming, Coming Judgment, Eternity, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Hell, Missions, Persecution, Personal, Prophecy, Rebellion, Resurrection, Salvation, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Satan Did to the Christians of Smyrna: Imprisonment

Posted on September 17, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #14) “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Eternity, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Work, Heaven, Persecution, Reward, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment