Category Archives: Sin

Satan Has a Kingdom

Posted on June 5, 2019 by russellmckinney

Series: “Christ’s Kingdom” (post #2) In the first post from this series, I explained that Jesus left His heavenly kingdom and came down to the kingdom of this world. But if we stop and think about it, isn’t Jesus (God … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Choices, Creation, Demons, Depravity, God's Sovereignty, Salvation, Satan, Series: "Christ's Kingdom", Sin, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Has God Told You Something Lately?

Posted on May 13, 2019 by russellmckinney

In my previous post, I mentioned that Jesus remained completely silent when He stood before Herod Antipas for questioning (Luke 23:6-12). Nothing Herod said or asked could get a response. What made Christ’s behavior so strange was the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Choices, Commitment, Conviction, Decisions, Disobedience, God's Wrath, God's Will, Idolatry, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sin, The Gospel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Only Real Fix

Posted on May 4, 2019 by russellmckinney

Evangelist D.L. Moody once told the story of a man who bought a farm that had a well as its water source. The well water was accessed by way of a pump handle that was situated atop a platform. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Change, Depravity, Desires, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Restoration, Salvation, Sin, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Plowing of the Wicked Is Sin

Posted on May 1, 2019 by russellmckinney

A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. (Proverbs 21:4, N.K.J.V.) It’s easy to understand why God classifies a haughty (conceited) look as sin. It’s equally easy to understand why He classifies a proud … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Brokenness, Christmas, Church Attendance, Commitment, Decisions, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Marriage, Obedience, Rebellion, Reward, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Stewardship, Submission, Trusting In God, Work, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Bubba Smith Learned Too Late

Posted on April 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

Bubba Smith was an All American football player at Michigan State. He is one of only three players from that program to have his jersey number retired. Following his collegiate career, he was the #1 overall pick of the 1967 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Character, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Entertainment, Family, God's Will, Holiness, Honesty, Influence, Justice, Righteousness, Sanctification, Separation, Sin, Sports, Truth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

By His Stripes We Are Healed?

Posted on April 17, 2019 by russellmckinney

Religious television programming has been dominated by preachers of the Charismatic/Pentecostal persuasion since the first day satellites started beaming such programming into our homes. Consequently, because one of the tenets of Charismatic/Pentecostal doctrine is that it’s always God’s will to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Death, Creation, Discernment, God's Will, God's Word, Human Life, Prophecy, Restoration, Resurrection, Scripture, Sickness, Sin, Suffering, The Bible, Truth, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Right About Being Wrong

Posted on February 18, 2019 by russellmckinney

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13, N.K.J.V.) A businessman stopped at a restaurant and ordered a cup of coffee. The waitress didn’t even try to disguise her … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Attitude, Backsliding, Change, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Mercy, Lying, Making Restitution, Obedience, Rebellion, Restoration, Sin | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

God & Evil

Posted on January 14, 2019 by russellmckinney

Malcolm Woody has asked: “If God is all good, and all knowing, and all powerful, and all loving, why is there evil in the world?” Mathew 5:48 says that God is “perfect.” 1st John 1:5 says: “…God is light and … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Aging, Angels, Creation, Death, Demons, God's Sovereignty, Pride, Satan, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Settling for Pig Food

Posted on December 7, 2018 by russellmckinney

Let’s say that a kid wants the newest, hottest, super-duper-deluxe video-game system for Christmas. The thing costs $450. Now let’s say that the kid’s parents just can’t afford to spend that much on a Christmas present. So what do they … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Confession, Desires, Disappointment, God's Timing, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Perseverance, Repentance, Reward, Sin, Temptation, Trials, Waiting | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Church’s First Martyr

Posted on November 12, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #13) I take no pleasure in reporting that much of what a lot of Christians believe about God really doesn’t stand up to the test of scripture. “God wouldn’t let me remain sick.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Death, Church, Commitment, Death, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Old Testament Law, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments