Category Archives: Trials

When Lightning Strikes You

Posted on October 21, 2021 by russellmckinney

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Death, Christ's Return, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Attempting to Define Faith

Posted on June 26, 2021 by russellmckinney

Faith is one of those things that is hard to pin down to a simple definition. As evidence of this, Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary offers the following definitions: “allegiance to duty or a person” (as in, “lost faith in the company’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Commitment, Doubt, Faith, God's Sovereignty, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bringing Down Giant Walls & Giant Men

Posted on April 22, 2021 by russellmckinney

In a devotion entitled “Spiritual Battles,” Ed Young Sr. uses Israel’s defeat of the walled city of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27) as an illustration of how we Christians must overcome our own strongholds if we want to enjoy all the blessings … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Dying To Self, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Obedience, Prayer Requests, Problems, Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

For the Furtherance of the Gospel

Posted on April 12, 2021 by russellmckinney

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. (Philippians 1:12, N.K.J.V.) The traditional view is that Paul wrote the books of Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Change, Complaining, Disappointment, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Suffering, The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cursed Crown

Posted on April 2, 2021 by russellmckinney

Crowns have historically been the ultimate sign of power and authority. Only kings and queens get to legitimately wear legitimate crowns. The most valuable crown in the world these days is St. Edward’s Crown, which is the centerpiece of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Coming Judgment, Creation, Depravity, Easter, Encouragement, God's Judgment, God's Sovereignty, Good Friday, Grace, Perseverance, Problems, Prophecy, Reward, Salvation, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No Faith for the Present

Posted on March 26, 2021 by russellmckinney

Every true Christian has faith in Jesus in regards to what happened in the past. That list includes: His virgin birth, sinless life, teachings, miracles, substitutionary death, resurrection, and ascension. By faith, we accept these scriptural facts about who Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Comfort, Courage, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Needs, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Posted on March 11, 2021 by russellmckinney

We live in a world that is deeply scarred by suffering. Some people suffer physically, while others suffer emotionally, mentally, psychologically, or financially. But whatever your specific brand of suffering happens to be, no one gets out of this world … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, God's Sovereignty, Problems, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

When It Doesn’t Make Sense

Posted on March 1, 2021 by russellmckinney

Most of us have had to endure times when life didn’t make sense. For that matter, some of us are there right now. What’s especially difficult about such times is the fact that God, who is normally the source to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Sovereignty, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Enduring Hardship

Posted on February 11, 2021 by russellmckinney

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3, N.K.J.V.) Adoniram Judson had been formally appointed as a missionary to India by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and he was all … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Marriage, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Sacrifice, Service, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to Use Your Bad Experience

Posted on January 22, 2021 by russellmckinney

Tom Wallace tells the story of a time when he received a phone call in which he was told that a certain family was in need of pastoral comfort in the emergency room of the local hospital. Tragically, the family’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Problems, Service, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment