Category Archives: Persecution

Does Doing God’s Will Sometimes Make Situations Harder?

Posted on November 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #7) God got Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of their Egyptian bondage, but getting Moses to step into that role took some doing. First, God had to answer all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Criticism, Disappointment, Doing Good, Doubt, God's Will, Leadership, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Series: "Questions From Israel's Exodus", Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Can God’s Plan Take a Long Time to Play Out?

Posted on October 21, 2020 by russellmckinney

(Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #2) We expect God to do His work through angels, lightning bolts, and whirlwinds, but the fact is that He usually does it through people. More to the point, He oftentimes raises up just … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Coming Judgment, Disappointment, Doubt, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Work, Justice, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Prayer Requests, Problems, Series: "Questions From Israel's Exodus", Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Nahum (post #3)

Posted on October 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

This is what the Lord says: “Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be cut off and pass away. Although I have afflicted you, O Judah, I will afflict you no more. Now I will break their yoke … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Encouragement, God's Timing, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Patience, Persecution, Problems, Prophecy, Revenge, Series: "Nahum", Suffering, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dead Roses

Posted on August 28, 2020 by russellmckinney

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his plan and purpose. (Romans … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Brokenness, Christ's Death, Comfort, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Work, Grace, Persecution, Perseverance, Prayer, Problems, Reconciliation, Restoration, Revenge, Suffering, Suicide, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

God Saw That. He Really Did.

Posted on July 7, 2020 by russellmckinney

Consider the following passages from the Bible (all from the N.K.J.V.). Read them carefully and see if you can figure out the common theme that courses through each of them. The eyes of the Lord are in every place. Keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Comfort, Disappointment, Doing Good, God's Omnipresence, God's Omniscience, Persecution, Revenge, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How To Treat Your Enemy

Posted on May 30, 2020 by russellmckinney

The political climate in America these days is decidedly not good. Leading Republicans and Democrats can barely be civil toward one another, let alone work together for the common good of the country. Are there major ideological differences between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Character, Discipleship, Doing Good, Forgiveness, God's Work, Government, Love, Ministry, Persecution, Politics, Revenge, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

When God Makes You a Troublemaker

Posted on May 11, 2020 by russellmckinney

Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17, N.K.J.V.) Ahab was the king of Israel, which was the name the Jewish northern kingdom took for itself … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Work, Ministry, Persecution, Preaching, Prophecy, Reward, Service | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vance Havner’s Take on Worldly Christians

Posted on March 6, 2020 by russellmckinney

Vance Havner was born in Jugtown, North Carolina, in 1901, began preaching at the age of 14, and spent the next 70 years preaching, pastoring, writing, and speaking in revival services and Bible conferences. How much of a legend did … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Work, Holiness, Influence, Persecution, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Satan, Separation, Service, Sin, The Devil | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

How God Can Use Your Patmos

Posted on February 3, 2020 by russellmckinney

The apostle John lived into his eighties, perhaps into his nineties, and in so doing easily outlived all the other apostles. And how did he spend his “senior citizen” years? Post-Biblical church history provides strong documentation that he lived and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Complaining, Disappointment, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Sports, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Far Better

Posted on September 19, 2019 by russellmckinney

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Comfort, Death, Encouragement, Eternity, Heaven, Persecution, Personal, Problems, Restoration, Reward, Salvation, Sickness, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments