Category Archives: Temptation

The Intersection of Death

Posted on October 21, 2026 by russellmckinney

Imagine a horizontal line running west to east across the center of your computer screen. This line represents your will in a decision. Now imagine a vertical line running north to south right through the center of your screen. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Choices, Christ's Death, Decisions, Desires, Disobedience, Dying To Self, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Obedience, Rebellion, Submission, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When False Teeth Become a Problem

Posted on October 2, 2026 by russellmckinney

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, N.K.J.V.) In his booklet How to Kill a Church Without Really … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Business, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Gambling, God's Holiness, God's Work, Holiness, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy, Influence, Lying, Making Restitution, Money, Personal Holiness, Racism, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Christians Bringing a Touch of Christ’s Kingdom to Earth

Posted on September 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “Christ’s Kingdom” (post #5) Jesus spent His three-and-a-half-year earthly ministry bringing a touch of His heavenly kingdom to the earth. Then, after being crucified, He resurrected and ascended back to heaven. This left a gaping hole in regards to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Anger, Character, Discernment, Discipleship, Disobedience, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Giving, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Good Works, Influence, Lust, Marriage, Ministry, Needs, Obedience, Persecution, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Priorities, Prosperity, Reconciliation, Revenge, Reward, Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Series: "Christ's Kingdom", Service, Temptation, The Bible, The Heart, The Old Testament Law, The Sermon On The Mount, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Trouble Travels

Posted on August 5, 2026 by russellmckinney

Here’s a true story. A retired couple found themselves greatly worried by the threat of nuclear war. So, they decided that their best course of action was to settle down in the place that was the least likely in all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Fear, God's Will, Human Life, Inner Peace, Peace, Problems, Temptation, Trials, War, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Druthers

Posted on August 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Mark Twain featured the characters of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer in multiple books. One of them is Tom Sawyer, Detective. As part of that book’s conversations between Huck and Tom, Huck says, “Any way you druther have it, that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Commitment, Crucifixion, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Obedience, Prayer, Sacrifice, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Bubba Smith Learned Too Late

Posted on July 15, 2026 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 NFL … Continue reading →

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

Thy Rod & Thy Staff They Comfort Me

Posted on July 1, 2026 by russellmckinney

The 23rd Psalm is all about how the Lord leads His people. One of my favorite parts of the Psalm is verse 2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (K.J.V.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Comfort, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Discipline, Disobedience, Encouragement, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, Temptation, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord God of Truth

Posted on June 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #5) Here’s a trivia question for you. In our English translations of the Bible, what were the last words that Jesus spoke while hanging on the cross? Were they? A. “Father, into Your hands … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Decisions, Discernment, Doubt, God's Holiness, God's Guidance, God's Name, God's Will, God's Word, Lying, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Satan, Scripture, Series: "The Names of God", Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Bible, The Devil, The Old Testament Law, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Posted on May 13, 2026 by russellmckinney

A farmer had lived on the same farm all his life. He’d been born and raised there and had received the farm as an inheritance when his parents had died. It was a good farm, but the farmer had begun … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, God's Guidance, God's Will, Obedience, Personal, Temptation, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Choosing the East Side of the Jordan

Posted on May 4, 2026 by russellmckinney

Numbers chapter 32 provides us with a fascinating twist in the history of Moses and the Israelites. The twist involves the tribes of Reuben and Gad as well as half the tribe of Manasseh, and it holds multiple metaphorical lessons … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Business, Choices, Commitment, Contentment, Courage, Covetousness, Deception, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Disobedience, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Lust, Obedience, Patience, Prosperity, Rebellion, Reward, Temptation, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment