Category Archives: Spiritual Gifts

The Truth About Church

Posted on August 4, 2025 by russellmckinney

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Evangelism, Giving, God's Work, Ministry, Prayer, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Sunday School, Talents, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are You a Duck, an Eagle, a Rabbit, or a Turtle?

Posted on November 25, 2024 by russellmckinney

In his book “Criswell’s Guidebook For Pastors,” W.A. Criswell, the longtime pastor of 1st Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, offers the following illustration: The animals had a school. The curriculum consisted of running, climbing, flying, and swimming. All the animals took all … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Doing Good, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Respecting God’s Man

Posted on August 16, 2024 by russellmckinney

Then he (Elisha) went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” So he … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Criticism, God's Work, Ministry, Preaching, Spiritual Gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Holy Spirit: The Secret to Serving Rightly

Posted on April 30, 2024 by russellmckinney

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5, N.I.V.) Christian, you’ve probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Discernment, Doing Good, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Right Tool for the Job

Posted on September 22, 2023 by russellmckinney

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to … Continue reading →

Posted in Faithfulness, God's Will, Individuality, Ministry, Obedience, Personal, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Hands of Jesus

Posted on August 21, 2023 by russellmckinney

“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Doing Church Differently

Posted on July 29, 2023 by russellmckinney

The churches of Asia greet you, Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1 Corinthians 16:19, N.K.J.V.) Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Balance, Change, Church, Church Discipline, Giving, God's Work, Ministry, Money, Music, Prayer, Preaching, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Sunday School, Teaching, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Don’t Try to Wear Someone Else’s Armor

Posted on July 22, 2023 by russellmckinney

When King Saul heard that a teenage boy named David had volunteered to fight the giant Goliath, he called for David and tried to talk him out of it. He said, “David, you are not able to go against this … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, God's Will, Individuality, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

God Knows Your Size Exactly

Posted on May 22, 2023 by russellmckinney

The Cornish preacher Billy Bray was a well-known Methodist minister of another day. He was once approached by a Quaker who said in his Old English manner of speaking, “I have often observed thy unselfish life and feel much interested … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Missed Opportunities

Posted on February 27, 2023 by russellmckinney

When Alexander Graham Bell was trying to market the telephone, he went to wealthy financier Chauncey DePew and offered him a one-sixth interest in the new invention for the price of $10,000. DePew took a week to consider the offer … Continue reading →

Posted in Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Omnipotence, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment