Category Archives: Salvation

Give God All There Is of You

Posted on January 28, 2019 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

Will Tartarus Ever Be Emptied?

Posted on January 24, 2019 by russellmckinney

We get the noun “Tartarus” from the Greek verb tartaroo. That verb is used in 2 Peter 2:4 in reference to a certain group of fallen angels that God has cast down and delivered into chains of darkness. Most translations (K.J.V., N.K.J.V., N.I.V., N.A.S.V., … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Return, Coming Judgment, Demons, Disobedience, Eternity, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Hell, Prophecy, Salvation, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Are Hades & Hell the Same Place? (post #2)

Posted on January 21, 2019 by russellmckinney

In my previous post, I offered the first half of my answer to the question, “Are Hades and Hell the same place?” I won’t rehash every last sentence of that information, but here are the highlights: Hades (a Greek word … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Resurrection, Coming Judgment, Death, Demons, Eternity, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Human Life, Prophecy, Resurrection, Salvation, Satan, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can Prayer Change God’s Mind?

Posted on January 8, 2019 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 , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

God’s Gold Star

Posted on December 17, 2018 by russellmckinney

People familiar with American military custom know that a star has long been used as a symbol to represent a loved one. During World War I it became common practice for any family who had a family member in service … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Christmas, Crucifixion, Demons, Heaven, Resurrection, Salvation, Temptation, Virgin Birth | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mary: The Slave of the Lord

Posted on December 14, 2018 by russellmckinney

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38, N.K.J.V.) Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she was the woman chosen by God to bring … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Commitment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, God's Work, Heaven, Humility, Ministry, Obedience, Pride, Rebellion, Reward, Righteousness, Salvation, Service, Slavery, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Sure You’re a Soldier?

Posted on December 12, 2018 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

Something Must Have Happened Here

Posted on December 10, 2018 by russellmckinney

In the early 1800s, an adventurous trapper decided to see for himself what America’s western frontier looked like. Day and night he rode, seeing new sites daily, always trekking westward. Finally he came upon the Grand Canyon, which of course … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Christ's Return, Christmas, Evangelism, Salvation, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Breaking Away from Family & Upbringing

Posted on November 28, 2018 by russellmckinney

If you are a Christian who was born into a “Christian” household, let me ask you a question: If you had been born into a household that was not “Christian,” would you have still believed in Jesus Christ at some … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Individuality, Obedience, Parenting, Salvation, Service, Submission, Trusting In God, Wives, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Most Shocking Convert Ever

Posted on November 16, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #15) Imagine Osama Bin Laden becoming a Christian and asking to speak in Christian churches. Imagine Adolph Hitler converting to Judaism and asking to speak in Jewish synagogues. Imagine the Grand Wizard of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Change, Church, Conscience, Conviction, Dying To Self, Evangelism, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Submission, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments