Category Archives: Spiritual Gifts

Doing Church Differently

Posted on February 21, 2012 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 , , , , , , | Comments Off on Doing Church Differently

Don’t Try to Wear Someone Else’s Armor

Posted on February 8, 2012 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 , , , , | Leave a comment

God Knows Your Size Exactly

Posted on November 3, 2011 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Harold & Ella Mae

Posted on July 13, 2011 by russellmckinney

Harold and Ella Mae were sitting on the front porch swing. Harold said, “Ella Mae, I wish I had the arms of the strongest man in the world. That way I could hold you like you ought to be held.” … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Work, Humor, Individuality, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Peter, Don’t Try to Be Paul

Posted on July 12, 2011 by russellmckinney

Have you ever read a passage that was written by the apostle Paul and thought, “That’s too hard for me to understand”? My guess is that most of us have been there. Even the apostle Peter sometimes had trouble with … Continue reading →

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

Missed Opportunities

Posted on May 26, 2011 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

A Job or A Ministry?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by russellmckinney

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry… (Ephesians 4:11-12, N.K.J.V.) I’ve highlighted the latter portion of this passage because … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Ministry, Pastors, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Beauty Untapped

Posted on February 9, 2011 by russellmckinney

Two men were driving down the road in a truck. Suddenly, the driver slowed down and said, “Look at that beautiful angel.” The passenger excitedly asked, “Where? Where?” The driver said, “Right there.” The passenger said, “I don’t see any … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Faith, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Work, Individuality, Salvation, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

One is Enough

Posted on January 29, 2011 by russellmckinney

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. (1 Corinthians 12:7, N.L.T.) When a person is born, he or she comes wired with certain talents, skills, and natural abilities. Obviously, these must be … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Doing Good, God's Provision, God's Work, Ministry, Salvation, Satan, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Devil, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Holy Spirit: The Secret to Serving Rightly

Posted on January 6, 2011 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment