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

“A Simple and Singular Solution”

Thoughts for Today:

In my travels, I so often see burned out pastors and congregations. The fire that was once so bright and shining has run out of gas. How does this happen? It usually can be traced to preaching, teaching and ministry that have placed too much emphasis on pursuing the latest trends and doctrines. Why? It's simple. Churches want to be more relevant. They want to be practical. The congregation says, "We need more than hearing about Christ crucified. We have problems in our marriages, with our children, in our neighborhoods, classrooms and workplaces. We need Jesus to be applicable to our situation." By trying to solve those problems, churches often chase the most popular programs.

However, if a church consistently attempts to be on the cutting edge of modern Christian thought and practice, it will only lead to fatigue in the pastor and frustration in the congregation. In our passage today, we gain insight into why we never see Paul burn out. It's because he always had a simple and singular message (from which he never deviated or changed): "I came to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Throughout his letter to the Corinthians we'll see Paul offer a straightforward solution to every problem they (or we) will ever encounter. And it's always the same. Can you guess the answer? That's right -- Jesus Christ!

Questions to Ponder:

Have you been seeking an answer to your problems from the latest trend in Christian thought and practice? What is Jesus' solution? Have you pursued Him? He will never disappoint. Jeremiah 17:7-8: "Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

View latest devotional

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.