Tag Archives: Obedience

Abraham, Ishmael, & Obedience

Posted on September 10, 2012 by russellmckinney

  Most of us know the story of how God tested Abraham by asking him to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-19). However, in Genesis 21:1-21, we find another story in which God asks Abraham to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Desires, Disappointment, Discipleship, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's Word, Obedience, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Just Never Know

Posted on February 21, 2011 by russellmckinney

Lyman Beecher was one of the most famous Presbyterian preachers of the 1800s. Early in his ministry, he once exchanged pulpits for a Sunday with the pastor of a small country church. It was in the middle of winter, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, God's Work, Obedience, Preaching, Reward, Salvation, Sowing and Reaping, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Arms of God

Posted on January 28, 2011 by russellmckinney

A family was awakened one night by the blaring of their smoke detector. Sure enough, the house was on fire. The father immediately raced into the kids’ room and came out carrying his 18-month old baby with one arm and holding his four-year-old … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Choices, Faith, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Obedience, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Lord, Send Us Rattlesnakes”

Posted on September 15, 2009 by russellmckinney

Once upon a time there was a family of backslidden church members. They had once been very active in church but lately had fallen away completely. The family consisted of a father and three sons.  Many people had visited the family and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Obedience, Parenting, Rebellion, Repentance | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Blessing Of Changing A Sermon

Posted on July 15, 2009 by russellmckinney

Two Sundays ago I had in mind to preach a sermon on prayer. Specifically, I planned to preach on the so-called “Lord’s Prayer.” But as I began to ease into my studying and preparing for that sermon, the Lord made … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Change, Children, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Disobedience, Forgiveness, Obedience, Parenting, Personal, Preaching, Reward, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Dry Land

Posted on May 18, 2009 by russellmckinney

Lately we’ve been getting quite a bit of rain here in western North Carolina. That’s good news because for the past couple of years we’ve been in a drought of some historic proportions. Wells have gone dry. Rivers and creeks have run … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Choices, Doing Good, Obedience, Rebellion, Reward, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Good Example of Discipleship

Posted on March 3, 2009 by russellmckinney

In Acts 9:10, a man named Ananias is called “a certain disciple.” To me, he serves as one of the Bible’s best examples of discipleship. What marks him is his obedience to God. Through a vision, God told Ananias to go to Saul of Tarsus … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment