Category Archives: Personal Holiness

A Dry Land

Posted on April 4, 2022 by russellmckinney

When a drought hits a land, springs go dry, wells stop working, and creeks run low. There is, however, another kind of drought, one that is mentioned in Psalm 68:5-6. Those verses say: A father of the fatherless, a defender … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Character, Choices, Confession, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Chastening, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Pride, Problems, Rebellion, Repentance, Reward, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Submission, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Your Toes Stepped On

Posted on March 16, 2022 by russellmckinney

A preacher had just finished a very strong sermon on the subject of sin. One of the officers of his church came to him and asked for a private word in the preacher’s study. Once there, the scolding began. The officer said, “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, God's Judgment, God's Word, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Pastors, Personal, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Rebellion, Sin, Truth | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Temptation’s Cliff

Posted on March 14, 2022 by russellmckinney

Once there was a man who lived in a mountainous region. The road to his house ran along a steep cliff. When the man set about to hire a coachman, three candidates applied for the position. The man called in the first candidate … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Choices, Idolatry, Personal Holiness, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Family Resemblance

Posted on March 11, 2022 by russellmckinney

Let me shock you: God’s chief characteristic is not love. “Then what is it it?” you ask. Answer: holiness. Psalm 47:8 doesn’t say God sits upon his “loving” throne. It says He sits upon His “holy” throne. When Moses stood before the burning … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Disobedience, Fatherhood, God's Holiness, God's Love, Heaven, Hell, Holiness, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sanctification, Sin, Temptation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Divine Link Between Growing & Learning

Posted on February 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… (Matthew 11:29, N.K.J.V.) There was a preacher who had been in the ministry for twenty years. In a conversation he had with one of his church members, he said with pride, … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discernment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Preaching, Sanctification, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Posted on February 7, 2022 by russellmckinney

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ… (Philippians 1:27, N.K.J.V.) A man was sitting in his car at a red light one morning. When the light changed to green, the woman driving the car in front … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Character, Complaining, Criticism, Discipleship, Doing Good, Holiness, Humor, Impatience, Influence, Patience, Personal Holiness, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Excuses for Your Sins

Posted on February 2, 2022 by russellmckinney

Four old codgers were playing poker for money in the back of their local store. Suddenly, the sheriff walked in on them and said, “Gambling again, eh? This time I’m going to arrest you fellows just to teach you a … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Attitude, Backsliding, Change, Disobedience, Drugs, Gambling, Gluttony, Lust, Lying, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Problems, Racism, Rebellion, Repentance, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, The Tongue, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Lord, Send Us Rattlesnakes”

Posted on January 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

Once upon a time there was a family of backslidden church members. The family consisted of a father and three sons. They had all once been very active in church but lately had fallen away completely. Many people visited the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Church Attendance, Discipline, Disobedience, Obedience, Parenting, Personal Holiness, Prayer Requests, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil

Posted on December 17, 2021 by russellmckinney

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Choices, Commitment, Conscience, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Word, Lust, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Righteousness, Sanctification, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Best Reference Possible

Posted on November 2, 2021 by russellmckinney

Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people. Cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth.” (Jeremiah 15:1, N.K.J.V.) The word of … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Current Events, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's Work, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Righteousness, Sanctification, Service | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment