Category Archives: Prayer

If in This Life Only…

Posted on April 28, 2026 by russellmckinney

Sometimes you’ll hear a preacher make the statement, “Even if there is no heaven, the benefits you receive in this life make it worth it to follow Jesus.” I remember saying this myself a time or two in my younger … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible Study, Christ's Resurrection, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Eternity, Forgiveness, Heaven, Missions, Money, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Revenge, Reward, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Stewardship, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Can Prayer Change God’s Mind?

Posted on April 8, 2026 by russellmckinney

A reader, Paula Jarvis Garland, wrote to me: “Here’s my question: If everything is predestined, then how does prayer change things? Can our prayers cause God to change his mind?” The question is actually two questions, one concerning predestination and … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Desires, Election, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Influence, Man's Freewill, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Reward, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

It’s Not Enough Just to Start

Posted on March 25, 2026 by russellmckinney

A retired couple were advised by their doctor to get more exercise. So, they decided to start walking two miles a day. Since they lived at the end of a long road in a rural area, they planned to daily … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Bible Study, Church Attendance, Commitment, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Marriage, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Service | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Pastor’s Main Job

Posted on March 5, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #11) What do you do when one group of members from your church claims that another group is showing favoritism in regards to church benevolence? If you are the 12 apostles — with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Church, God's Word, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Pastors, Prayer, Priorities, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The World’s First Megachurch

Posted on February 25, 2026 by russellmckinney

A megachurch is generally defined as being any Christian congregation that has a sustained weekly attendance of 2,000 people or more in its worship services. With that definition in mind we can say that the world’s first church was also … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Bible Study, Christian Liberty, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Word, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Money, Needs, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Salvation, Scripture, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Stewardship, Sunday School, The Bible, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tongues as a Prayer Language?

Posted on February 23, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #7) In my previous post, I explained that Acts 2:1-13 teaches that the Biblical definition of speaking in tongues is speaking in a known foreign language that you have never learned. Furthermore, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Church, Communication, Discernment, God's Word, Prayer, Scripture, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, The Bible, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Lou Gehrig Can Teach Us About God’s Will

Posted on February 4, 2026 by russellmckinney

…Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. (Psalm 143:8, N.K.J.V.) Lou Gehrig was one of the most iconic players in the history of baseball. He played for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Decisions, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Prayer, Sports, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Persistently Praying for Someone Else

Posted on January 30, 2026 by russellmckinney

And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, God's Timing, God's Provision, God's Word, Intercessory Prayer, Ministry, Needs, Perseverance, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Scripture, The Bible, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A New Way to Pray

Posted on January 9, 2026 by russellmckinney

In his book No Common Task, Anglican Bishop George Reindorp tells the story of a nurse who once taught a patient how to pray. Before learning the nurse’s lesson, the patient was an angry, gloomy, bitter type whose life had no … Continue reading →

Posted in Intercessory Prayer, Prayer, Prayer Requests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is It Time for You to Make a Change?

Posted on December 3, 2025 by russellmckinney

People often fall into one of two erroneous camps in regards to making changes. One camp holds that change is never good, while the other camp holds that it is always good. But the truth is that sometimes change is of God and sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Church, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Personal, Prayer, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment