Category Archives: Service

John Wesley’s Pound Notes

Posted on September 20, 2024 by russellmckinney

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:8, N.K.J.V.) The … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, Encouragement, Giving, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Money, Needs, Service | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Working Out Your Own Salvation

Posted on September 16, 2024 by russellmckinney

A man bought an acreage of hilly land dotted with boulders and covered with weeds and briars. He then began his work on the land. First, he paid a backhoe operator and a dump-truck driver to dig up the boulders … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Priorities, Salvation, Service, Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Incident on a School Bus

Posted on September 13, 2024 by russellmckinney

During some of my college years, I had a part-time job driving a school bus for elementary and middle school students. Since I myself hadn’t been a kid for a while, that job served to remind me just how cruel … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Children, Doing Good, God's Work, Influence, Mercy, Ministry, Personal, Service, The Sermon On The Mount, The Tongue | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Reaping in Due Season

Posted on August 28, 2024 by russellmckinney

Dean Smith was the legendary basketball coach at the University of North Carolina. During his 36 years at the school, his teams amassed 879 victories, won 17 ACC regular season titles, 13 ACC tournament titles, qualified for the NCAA national … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Eternity, God's Omniscience, God's Work, Heaven, Impatience, Ministry, Perseverance, Prosperity, Reward, Sacrifice, Service, Sports, Suffering, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Responding When Life Punches You in the Mouth

Posted on August 24, 2024 by russellmckinney

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, used to say of his opponents and their strategies to beat him, “Everybody has plans until they get hit for the first time.” Likewise, it is said of military strategies, “No plan survives … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Word American Christians Don’t Want to Hear

Posted on July 24, 2024 by russellmckinney

But the Lord said him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Children, Commitment, Courage, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Loneliness, Ministry, Money, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Perseverance, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Suffering, Tithing, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

God: Heavenly Father or Heavenly Commander in Chief?

Posted on July 19, 2024 by russellmckinney

Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, I was a huge fan of the t.v. show M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). For that matter, I’ve continued to watch the reruns ever since. I know all the characters, all the episodes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Commitment, Courage, Demons, Dying To Self, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Satan, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Mayonnaise Jar

Posted on June 24, 2024 by russellmckinney

A philosophy professor stood before his class and began an object lesson. First, he sat an empty mayonnaise jar on the table in front of him. Next, he brought out a box of rocks that were each about two inches … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Dying To Self, Family, Friendship, God's Will, Human Life, Needs, Priorities, Salvation, Sanctification, Service | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Jesus & Nazareth

Posted on June 21, 2024 by russellmckinney

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4, N.K.J.V.) With the exception of the times when I was attending Appalachian State … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Miracles, Doing Good, Evangelism, Family, Friendship, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Pastors, Personal, Preaching, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Have You Been a Good Samaritan Lately?

Posted on June 17, 2024 by russellmckinney

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Depravity, Discipleship, Doing Good, Evangelism, Extending Forgiveness, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Service, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment