Here's your daily devotional!

If you wish to receive these free devotionals every weekday by E-mail, click the button below. Note: you'll have to log in or create your membership account first. Membership in the League is free. Join now!

Sign up to receive the Daily Devotional

“Keep the Main Thing About the Main Thing”

Thoughts for Today:

Paul understood who he was in Christ Jesus. As a result we have all been incredibly blessed. Think about it: On the basis of his God-appointed office (the Apostle to the Gentiles), which came to him through the grace of God, he is exercising the responsibility and right of that office by writing this Epistle to the Romans. But even more -- he is "ministering" to them, and by extension -- us as well. This perspective gives me an even greater insight into Paul's writing.

So what has Paul been "ministering" about? He has instructed us to stay away from esoteric discussions, meaningless dialogue, dietary competitiveness, and general legalism. With all the instruction one might begin to feel a little lost. In our passage today, Paul takes a moment to bring us back to his central theme and why he does what he is doing: It's all about Jesus. He reminds us to keep the main thing about the main thing -- and the main thing is Jesus Christ.

It's a great reminder for me as well. Sometimes I get so caught up in the business of living that I forget for whose pleasure I'm living -- the Lord's. Psalms 147:10-11: "His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Questions to Ponder:

Have you become a little too enamored by your own strengths? Or, perhaps just the opposite -- defeated by perceived limitations before you start? Neither is the place God wants us. He wants us to acknowledge that He alone is God ("fear Him"), and trust in the sacrifice His Son Jesus made for us ("put their hope in His unfailing love"). Have you lost sight of Jesus in your life? How can you bring Him back to the center?

Sign up to receive the Daily Devotional

There's nothing like God's Word to create purpose in your life that lasts the entire day and beyond. We encourage you to Read, Carry and Share the Word of God. Pocket Devotions are sent by E-mail every weekday (Monday to Friday). On weekends we encourage you to be creative and study on your own in any area of Scripture where God leads you.

You can start from Day 1 at any time. Messages are sent automatically. Subscribe now! You may unsubscribe at any time.

About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.