Category Archives: Salvation

A Weekly Reminder

Posted on May 6, 2026 by russellmckinney

The April 16, 1990, edition of People magazine featured the story of a young man who was in the midst of paying off an interesting sentence for drunk driving. Eight years earlier his drinking and driving had resulted in the death of … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Christ's Death, Comfort, Confession, Conscience, Eternal Security, Forgiveness, God's Mercy, Grace, Guilt, Making Restitution, Peace, Salvation, Satan, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Will Explain Later

Posted on May 2, 2026 by russellmckinney

In his day, Dr. Thomas Guthrie was one of Scotland’s most popular and respected preachers. On the subject of the Christian life oftentimes being difficult, perplexing, and downright confusing, Guthrie said: A man standing on the summit of a lofty … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Eternity, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Heaven, Impatience, Loneliness, Patience, Persecution, Problems, Salvation, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Wisdom | 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

Will Tartarus Ever Be Emptied?

Posted on April 20, 2026 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., E.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 , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on April 17, 2026 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 from the New Testament) is … 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, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are Hades & Hell the Same Place? (post #1 of 2)

Posted on April 15, 2026 by russellmckinney

For centuries the classic King James translation of the Bible was the favored one for the English-speaking world. Many of us grew up reading the K.J.V. and memorizing its verses, and it is undoubtedly a solid translation for the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Death, Demons, Eternity, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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

They Should Have Known

Posted on March 30, 2026 by russellmckinney

Consider the following passages (all from the N.K.J.V., emphasis mine): From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Doubt, Easter, Resurrection, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment