“And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise’.” (Luke 23:43) The Bible reports that sometime between His crucifixion and His resurrection, Jesus went to hell. In fact, Ephesians 4:9 says that Jesus “first descended into the lower parts of the earth.” Why? The Bible says it was to set the captives free and to take the very keys to hell away from Satan. Otherwise, how could we ever claim to have victory over death? That’s what Jesus meant […]

“Do your utmost to come before winter.” (2 Timothy 4:21) January can be one of the most depressing months of the year. Credit card bills come in from all that Christmas overspending, and winter is already here, which means that we have very few days over the next couple of months that will permit us to pursue all those outdoor activities that we enjoy. Winter doesn’t have to be a dark, dreary time in our lives. In fact, the Apostle Paul in one of the last letters he […]

“But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.” (Psalms 109:21) I have a friend who had a near-fatal accident several years ago. She was returning home from a church outing in moderate rain when her mini-van began to hydroplane. The vehicle plummeted down a steep embankment, turning over several times. She, and the teenagers who were with her, escaped serious injury in spite of the circumstances. She knew she was more than lucky and […]

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:33) Christmas is over and the new year is here. If you’re like me, you’ve already decided that 2011 is going to bring some major changes in your life. These “New Year’s Resolutions” are nothing more than outward and visible signs of things that are frustrating us in life. They are remedies to the failures that we have experienced. Interestingly, they often point to some our most glaring […]