Category Archives: Salvation

Praying in Jesus’ Name (part 6)

Posted on September 15, 2023 by russellmckinney

For the past several posts, I’ve been explaining what all is involved with praying “in Jesus’ name” (John 14:12-14). Thus far we’ve covered the following ground: 1. Praying in Jesus’ name can only be done by a Christian. 2. To … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Salvation, Series: "Praying in Jesus' Name" | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Praying in Jesus’ Name (part 1)

Posted on September 4, 2023 by russellmckinney

If you’ve spent much time in church, you’ve no doubt heard someone end a prayer by saying, “And we ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.” But have you ever wondered what all is involved with praying “in Jesus’ name”? Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Prayer Requests, Salvation, Series: "Praying in Jesus' Name" | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

An Unpleasant Truth

Posted on August 30, 2023 by russellmckinney

God gave the prophet Jeremiah a thankless task. Jeremiah was to prophesy, for decades, to his own people of Judah. Those people were a sinful, proud, stiff-necked bunch. Their nation stood on the precipice of being conquered by the Babylonians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Character, Coming Judgment, Depravity, Disobedience, God's Judgment, Preaching, Pride, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Contest No One Can Win

Posted on July 14, 2023 by russellmckinney

Imagine a contest where the stated goal is: “Jump up and touch the moon.” Contestant #1 is an eighty-year-old woman with a walker. She steps up to the line and gives it all she’s got, but her jump doesn’t even … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Bible Study, Depravity, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Perception Align with Reality

Posted on July 3, 2023 by russellmckinney

The owner of a candy store noticed that one of his salesgirls would have customers lined up waiting for her even as his other salesgirls stood by doing nothing. Perplexed by this, he went to the girl and asked for … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Change, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Faithfulness, God's Work, Honesty, Hypocrisy, Influence, Missions, Personal Holiness, Righteousness, Salvation, Service, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Now That’s a Good Question

Posted on June 30, 2023 by russellmckinney

A great debate was held between a devout Christian and a staunch atheist. The Christian was allowed to speak first, but without saying a word he simply pulled an orange from his pocket and began to peel it. Then, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, God's Love, God's Provision, Salvation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Young Man & His Reason

Posted on June 28, 2023 by russellmckinney

A Christian once asked a young man if he wanted to believe in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. The young man answered, “No.” When the Christian asked him to give a reason for his refusal, the young man said: … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Coming Judgment, Death, Evangelism, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Hell, Salvation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Clinched Fist of Joseph Stalin

Posted on June 16, 2023 by russellmckinney

Malcolm Muggeridge, the legendary English journalist, author, and media personality, spent some time with Svetlana Stalin, the daughter of Joseph Stalin, while they were working together on a BBC production on the life of her father. Joseph Stalin was, of … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Choices, Conviction, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Shipwrecked Christian

Posted on June 14, 2023 by russellmckinney

Maybe you’ve heard the old line, “The world has become so churchy and the church has become so worldly that you can’t tell the difference between the two.” Well, unfortunately, that line rings far too close to the truth. Backslidden … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Church Discipline, Confession, Demons, Heaven, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Forgiveness, But Not Change

Posted on May 15, 2023 by russellmckinney

I live in a small, rural county in the so-called “Bible belt.” It’s the kind of place where there is a church on every corner, down every sideroad, and up every holler. Consequently, it can be hard to find someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Change, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Disobedience, Drugs, Forgiveness, Hypocrisy, Personal, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sanctification, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment