Category Archives: Temptation

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 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 April 10, 2019 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 , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Lord God of Truth

Posted on March 7, 2019 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 February 15, 2019 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 February 6, 2019 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

There

Posted on December 26, 2018 by russellmckinney

Some anonymous Christian writer has penned the following words: There is no place just as good as “THERE,” the place of God’s purpose. We try to strike bargains with the Lord, offer to do something else, seek a compromise or … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Commitment, Desires, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dreams, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Family, Friendship, God's Timing, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, New Year, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Priorities, Rebellion, Repentance, Service, Submission, Temptation, Trusting In God, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Gold Star

Posted on December 17, 2018 by russellmckinney

People familiar with American military custom know that a star has long been used as a symbol to represent a loved one. During World War I it became common practice for any family who had a family member in service … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Christmas, Crucifixion, Demons, Heaven, Resurrection, Salvation, Temptation, Virgin Birth | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 First Church Scandal

Posted on November 3, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #9) I don’t care how smoothly a church is humming along, it isn’t immune from scandal. The problem is that people can’t help but be people. They are sin-marred individuals who are members … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Church, Deacons, Depravity, Discernment, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Lying, Ministry, Money, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Repairman Cometh

Posted on October 1, 2018 by russellmckinney

Well, it’s Monday, a day I’ve been dreading since this past Saturday. I say that because Saturday was the day I found out that Monday would most likely be the day when the repairman would come to fix our home’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Comfort, Courage, Creation, Depression, Disappointment, Entertainment, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Human Life, Needs, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Salvation, Sickness, Submission, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment