“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

Leonard Ravenhill wrote, “If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, he would never have been crucified.”

There is nothing wrong with building a Godly family, God-honoring marriage. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a better husband, wife, or parents. We should all strive to manage our money and time better.

There is nothing wrong with any of these things.

But this is not the message of the gospel. What got Jesus killed was the declaration that he is holy, that he is God. What got him killed was the message that we – high priests, rabbis, and the everyday Joe – are sinners in need of a Savior. That because he is a holy and just God, every sinner will be judged and punished by God’s holy wrath.

Until we get that gospel message straight, nothing else matters.

The gospel is this: that while we were sinners God sent his Son to die for us, that not one should perish. That everyone who believes in the Son of God and receives him as Lord and Savior will not perish but have everlasting life.

It is because of the gospel that disciples aspire to honor God through our marriage, families, and financial stewardship.

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

What pleases God our Savior? The knowledge of the truth.

What is the knowledge of the truth? That there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

Thanks be to God!

Good morning, friends! It has been a while.

We have been uploading the Lenten Devotional as the Verse of the Day during Lent. I have missed being with you.

Today, instead of getting only a verse or two for the day, you are going to get many verses to reflect on. They all share a common theme: suffering.

It is much easier to preach health and wealth. It is much easier to preach about how things will all work out for us when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Only one problem: that’s not what the Bible teaches. Here are some verses to reflect on:

• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds – James 1:2
• To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his ways – 1 Peter 2:21
• Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. but rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed – 1 Peter 4:12-13
• In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted – 2 Timothy 3:12
• For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him – Philippians 1:29
• If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first – John 15:19

Recognize a common theme regarding Christian suffering?

Suffering is not the totality of the Christian experience. However, for the Christian, suffering is not the exception but a part of following Jesus in a fallen world. There are many good days for the Christian here on planet earth, but there will also be suffering. Any teaching that claims that God wants all Christians to be healthy and wealthy is just flat out heresy. It is false teaching.

Our God promises to be with us through our highs and lows. Remember, this is not our home. We will receive glory. There will be a day when there is no more suffering. But, until Christ comes again, we are soldiers in Christ’s army for his kingdom cause.

Have a great day, soldiers!