Category Archives: Seeking Advice

What Spiritual Gifts Does the Bible Name?

Posted on October 28, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #2) To find out what spiritual gifts the Bible names you have to consult three separate passages of scripture. The passages are Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-30, and Ephesians 4:7-16. By combining the lists from all … Continue reading →

Posted in Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, God's Work, Individuality, Leadership, Mercy, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching, Sanctification, Seeking Advice, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Warfare, Teaching, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Why Sit Here Until We Die?”

Posted on July 10, 2026 by russellmckinney

“Why sit here until we die?” That question is at the heart of one of the Bible’s most incredible stories, 2 Kings 7:1-20, and it’s a question that still has relevance to a multitude of situations today. So, let’s talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Attitude, Change, Choices, Church, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Faith, Fear, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Provision, God's Will, Inner Peace, Needs, Problems, Seeking Advice, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When You Know What to Do But Don’t Do It

Posted on January 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

“And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” (Luke 12:47, N.K.J.V.) It’s one thing when you honestly don’t know what to do about … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Coming Judgment, Conscience, Conviction, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Fear, God's Will, Obedience, Problems, Rebellion, Seeking Advice, Stewardship, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Following Your Own Counsel

Posted on April 30, 2025 by russellmckinney

If you ask me to name the #1 problem that Christians exhibit in their daily conduct, my answer might surprise you. It wouldn’t be “sin,” even though we certainly do sin far too much. It wouldn’t be “a lack of … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Seeking Advice, The Heart, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Do Sequoia Trees Have to Do with Christians?

Posted on June 19, 2024 by russellmckinney

Many times, I have ended a conversation with some fellow Christian by saying, “I’ll pray for you, and you pray for me.” As you might guess, these words have come at the end of talks in which we’ve shared our … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Unity, Communication, Friendship, Influence, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Seeking Advice, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sin’s Progression

Posted on March 13, 2024 by russellmckinney

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (Psalm 1:1, N.K.J.V.) In my previous post, I outlined Psalm 1:1-3 under … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Choices, Counsel, Doing Good, Holiness, Husbands, Influence, Marriage, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Seeking Advice, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Don’t Be Fooled by Those South Winds

Posted on November 21, 2023 by russellmckinney

The main point of today’s post takes a little bit of time to set up, so I hope you’ll bear with me as I lay all the groundwork. That groundwork involves a brief overview of Acts chapter 27. In that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Counsel, Deception, Decisions, Discernment, God's Will, Problems, Seeking Advice, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Weather | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Did the Apostle Paul Miss God’s Will?

Posted on October 9, 2023 by russellmckinney

Did the apostle Paul miss the will of God in one of the most important decisions of his ministry? Such a question might seem ludicrous to those who rate Paul barely a notch below Jesus, but some sincere students of … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipleship, Disobedience, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Rebellion, Seeking Advice, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Bear Hunting

Posted on January 25, 2023 by russellmckinney

A big man and a little man were talking as they sat on a porch. The little man leaned over, felt the big man’s biceps, and said, “If I was as big as you and had muscles like that, I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Complaining, Counsel, Discernment, Hypocrisy, Influence, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Seeking Advice, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Walking in Truth

Posted on December 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3rd John 1:3, N.K.J.V.) A man was on trial for murder. All the circumstantial evidence strongly indicated his guilt, but the police hadn’t been able to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Counsel, Deception, Decisions, Demons, Discernment, Doubt, God's Will, God's Word, Satan, Seeking Advice, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Devil, Truth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment