Category Archives: Salvation

Praying in Jesus’ Name (part 1)

Posted on March 9, 2012 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”? … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Prayer Requests, Salvation, Series: "Praying in Jesus' Name" | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Contest No One Can Win

Posted on January 31, 2012 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 January 16, 2012 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 , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Now That’s a Good Question

Posted on January 11, 2012 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 January 5, 2012 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 Peace That Jesus Brings

Posted on December 23, 2011 by russellmckinney

In my last post I explained that even though Christ’s birth didn’t actually usher in a time of “peace on earth,” prophecy teaches that one day He will bring in such a time, one thousand years worth of it to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Birth, Christmas, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, Inner Peace, Personal, Personal Holiness, Salvation, The Sermon On The Mount, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Clinched Fist of Joseph Stalin

Posted on December 15, 2011 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Shipwrecked Christian

Posted on December 13, 2011 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 , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Genuine Pearls

Posted on December 8, 2011 by russellmckinney

Pearls have historically commanded high prices. Their expensiveness is the result of their rarity. Thousands upon thousands of oysters are examined each year, but only a small percentage of them contain genuine pearls. I’ve read that out of every three … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Salvation, The Heart | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Forgiveness, But Not Change

Posted on October 3, 2011 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 , , , , | 2 Comments