Category Archives: Persecution

The Importance of Speaking Up

Posted on December 13, 2022 by russellmckinney

In the summer of 2011, Tonya and I loaded the boys into the Dodge Caravan and headed down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for a vacation. Ryan was fourteen years old at the time and Royce was ten. One experience … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Discipline, Commitment, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Honesty, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Personal, Problems, Reward, Sanctification, Service, Sin, The Tongue, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Danger of Silence

Posted on November 18, 2022 by russellmckinney

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Adultery, Coming Judgment, Commitment, Communication, Criticism, Current Events, Doctrine, Doing Good, Drugs, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Homosexuality, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Politics, Preaching, Scripture, Service, Sin, The Bible, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Criticism

Posted on November 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

I once heard Jack Graham, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, tell a great story in his sermon. The story went as follows. A man and his wife walked into a store. A parrot sitting on a perch … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Commitment, Criticism, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, Humor, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Suffering

Posted on October 24, 2022 by russellmckinney

We live in a culture in which we are taught to avoid suffering. After all, avoiding it does seem to make perfect sense. But the problem is that God, who oftentimes delights in making little or no sense, uses suffering … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Sanctification, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Revenge: It’s Not a Job for You

Posted on October 7, 2022 by russellmckinney

Back when Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States, news reporter Sam Donaldson was gaining a reputation for his aggressive, in-your-face, annoying style of questioning. During the height of the energy crisis, Donaldson was assigned to accompany Carter … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Extending Forgiveness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Persecution, Personal Holiness, Revenge, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Different Way to Preach the Gospel

Posted on September 7, 2022 by russellmckinney

An army private became a Christian and began to experience some persecution from his fellow soldiers. One rainy night he came in very tired and wet, but he still got down on his knees and prayed before he went to … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Doing Good, Evangelism, Extending Forgiveness, Humility, Influence, Mercy, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Salvation, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Prayer Worth Praying

Posted on May 30, 2022 by russellmckinney

My friend Malcolm Woody once sent me an e-mail that included an awesome prayer. The prayer came from John Baillie, the Scottish theologian who wrote the classic book A Diary of Private Prayer. The prayer goes like this: Teach me, O’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Courage, Disappointment, Fear, God's Sovereignty, Humility, Loneliness, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Problems, Sanctification, Sickness, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Fleas

Posted on March 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

Corrie ten Boom was a Jewish Christian who lived in Germany during World War II. She and her older sister, Betsy, were rounded up by the Nazis and taken by train to one of the worst concentration camps in all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Omnipotence, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Through Many Tribulations

Posted on January 26, 2022 by russellmckinney

…”We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22, N.K.J.V.) David Livingstone was born in Scotland to poor parents. The family was so poor that he went to work in a cotton factory when he was only … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Sickness, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Vengeance Is Mine,” Says the Lord

Posted on January 13, 2022 by russellmckinney

For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” (Hebrews 10:30, N.K.J.V.) If you have any fight in you at all, it can be almost impossible … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Coming Judgment, Disappointment, Forgiveness, God's Timing, God's Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Justice, Persecution, Perseverance, Revenge, Reward, Suffering, The Judgment Seat of Christ, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment