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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Search Engine (10/06/11)
    You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 23:13 NAS)
When we search for information on the Web, all we need to do is to enter the keywords in the search box of the search engine, and click the ‘Search’ button. That is simple enough, and if we have chosen the right keywords for the search, a list of related links would appear. If we have not chosen the right keywords, however, we would be returned with irrelevant or unrelated information.

Many business owners know the importance of keywords, how they can help search engines find their websites. This is why businesses, especially those relying on their websites to generate leads, are willing to spend time and resources on search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is a technique that uses keywords research to find the words people use when searching for information on the Web, in order to make one’s own website rank high on search engines. Such a research can be time consuming, but if done correctly, it can bring in the desired traffic and customers to the site by simply adding the targeted keywords in the web pages.

Like keywords researching, many people today seek and search hard to find things to fulfill their lives and satisfy their souls. Sadly, however, many of them search for the wrong things and go to the wrong places to find what they think can appease their inner cravings and desires. Some search for ways to get themselves rich by gaining material things. Others seek for fulfillment in pleasure through eating, drinking, making merry (Ecclesiastes 8:15; Luke 12:19-20), and engaging in online activities that claim to offer self gratification.

All these pursuits are vanity and striving after wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14), for what good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul (Matthew 16:26)? All the things in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, are not from the Father, but from the world (1 John 2:16). Should we then waste our time storing up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19)?

Let us learn from the way we use the search engine. We know we need to enter the right keywords to find what we want. Likewise, in searching for fulfillment and satisfaction, we need to enter through the right gate to find the road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13). If we do not enter the right keywords and receive irrelevant or unrelated information, we can expect bombardment in our lives that may lead to destruction if we fail to enter the right way. For small and narrow is the way that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:14).

Like the SEO which seeks out the keywords people use to lead them to find the related links, God has also taken the lead in choosing us to follow Him (John 12:32; 15:16; Ephesians 1:4). All we need to do, therefore, is to seek Him—not other things—and we will find Him, when we search for Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 23:13). We ought not to let our flesh set its desires against the Spirit, for the two are in opposition to one another, that we may not do the things we please (Galatians 5:17). Walk by the Spirit, and we will not carry out the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

Forgive us dear Lord for sometimes seeking that which are not from the Father—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. We know in our hearts Lord that there is no fulfillment or satisfaction we can derive from earth. Only in You, O God, can we truly live meaningful lives and be satisfied. Draw us to You Lord, and lead us when we are searching for the right direction. Keep us focus on You so we may not fall prey to the temptations of this world. Renew and guide us, Holy Spirit, so that we will not carry out the desires of our flesh, but enter through the right gate and walk on the road that leads to life.
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This article has been read 1329 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
10/21/11
I can hardly believe I am the first to comment on this lovely entry.

First of all it was spot on with the subject/topic. And, you have managed in a very clever way- to utilize it fully by intermingling passages from the bible, bringing forth a powerful message.

Thank you-I loved it. Beautiful devotion. God Bless you~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
10/21/11
I like the creative way you brought the topic into your devotion. You gave me a lot to think about. I know you have a passion to share scripture with others but it feels a tad overwhelming to have so many scripture references. Maybe if you gave the reader a suggested Bible reading and just focused on one or two verses it wouldn't be as overwhelming especially to someone new to devotions. Your prayer is awesome and so heartfelt.
Leola Ogle
10/22/11
An excellent devotional with deep nuggets of truth tied in superbly with this week's topic. I loved the prayer at the end. God bless!
Noel Mitaxa 
10/22/11
Very strong parallels worked through this devotional work. I tend to agree with Shann about a few too many scripture references, though you could pick your main two or three and allude to the others as a lead-in to them to assist the flow.
Linda Goergen
10/22/11
As always your devotional and following prayer is filled with truth and a blessing to read! Our hearts are the search engine God looks at when seeing what our desires really are. Good job!
Patricia Protzman
10/22/11
An awesome devotion. I agree with others about too many Scriptures in the entry. Otherwise, a heartfelt and inspirational piece.
Terry Lee
10/22/11
Would it be annoying if I said I too, agree about the scripture references?

What I like is the energy that comes through in your message. There's a passion and lovingkindness, that reveals how much you love Christ and how much you want others to know this love. This is a beautiful thing. The message is relevant to the topic, relevant to all life on earth.

Reminds me of something Therese of Lisieux was often quoted as saying, "I want what God wants." Her obsessive focus on this desire is what filled her cup; it's what helped her find joy in suffering; and it's what eventually made her a saint.

Danielle King 
10/25/11
This is a wonderful devotional and you have incorporated the topic spot on! Too many scripture references or not, it's definitly one of my favourites this week.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/05/11
Congratulations for ranking 7th in level 3!