Category Archives: Sacrifice

What Would You Give Up for Jesus?

Posted on September 11, 2026 by russellmckinney

One day a certain ruler, probably a ruler in a local synagogue, came to Jesus with a question. This ruler was young (Matthew 19:20), wealthy (Matthew 19:22), and lived a moral life by striving to keep God’s commandments (Matthew 19:17-20). … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Brokenness, Business, Change, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, Greed, Idolatry, Individuality, Money, Obedience, Politics, Priorities, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Druthers

Posted on August 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Mark Twain featured the characters of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer in multiple books. One of them is Tom Sawyer, Detective. As part of that book’s conversations between Huck and Tom, Huck says, “Any way you druther have it, that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Commitment, Crucifixion, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Obedience, Prayer, Sacrifice, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons Learned From Wee Bobby

Posted on July 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

Many years ago, in a small village church in southern Scotland, the church leaders were questioning the elderly pastor as to why the church wasn’t growing. To those leaders, a dismissal seemed in order. They said to the pastor, “No … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Evangelism, Giving, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Parenting, Pastors, Preaching, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Submission, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Plowing of the Wicked Is Sin

Posted on July 20, 2026 by russellmckinney

A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. (Proverbs 21:4, N.K.J.V.) It’s easy to understand why God classifies a haughty (conceited) look as sin. It’s equally easy to understand why He classifies a proud … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Brokenness, Commitment, Decisions, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Obedience, Rebellion, Reward, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Submission, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord Our Provider

Posted on May 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #2) Most Bible readers know the story of God testing Abraham by asking him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering (Genesis 22:1-19). What isn’t so well known is that the story … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Crucifixion, Eternal Security, Eternity, Forgiveness, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Mercy, God's Name, God's Provision, Grace, Heaven, Hell, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Sacrifice, Salvation, Series: "The Names of God", Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Give God All There Is of You

Posted on April 24, 2026 by russellmckinney

William Booth was one of the most famous ministers who ever lived. When he became a Christian at the age of 15, he wrote in his diary, “God shall have all there is of William Booth.” He then spent the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Christ's Death, Commitment, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Submission, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The 12 Hours of Good Friday

Posted on April 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

In the Jerusalem of Christ’s day, time could be reckoned according to the Jewish system or the Roman system. Both were commonly used. A 24-hour day in the Jewish system began at 6:00 p.m. sundown and ended at 6:00 p.m. … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Crucifixion, Easter, Good Friday, Sacrifice, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Sure You’re a Soldier?

Posted on March 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

An elderly gentleman found himself seated next to a young man who was dressed rather sloppily. The elderly gentleman struck up a conversation to pass the time. After exchanging names and pleasant greetings, he asked the young man, “Son, what … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Disobedience, Dress and Appearance, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Separation, Service, Spiritual Warfare, The Bible | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The People Had a Mind to Work

Posted on January 26, 2026 by russellmckinney

So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6, N.K.J.V.) The book of Nehemiah tells the story of a Jew named Nehemiah. … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Complaining, Deacons, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Money, Pastors, Sacrifice, Service, Sunday School, Work, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment