The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Endless (01/09/14)
    The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need. (Proverbs 13:25 NAS)

As I was not a brilliant student, I spent much of my time in the relentless pursuit of reading as many books as possible in my attempt to get good grades during my high school days. Consequently, I neglected my duties as a youth ministry leader and Bible study in church.

Then one day, the pastor-in-charge of the youth ministry approached me. Quoting the verse Ecclesiastes 12:12, he read to me “But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.” His advice for me: let God work His plan in my life to balance my studies and service in the Lord.

Devoting ourselves to books or something else that means a lot to us is of course nothing wrong. Many of us pursue after things of our own desire, interest or to better ourselves. Whether it is wisdom, knowledge, fame, popularity, beauty, wealth, a hobby or things that are ‘in’ or ‘hot’ at this point of time, we can enjoy what we like doing. When our pursuit becomes relentless, and sometimes endless, just to satisfy our appetites, whim or ego, however, such can distract us from what really is important.

Are we in endless pursuit to satisfy our desires and appetites? Are we frequently feeling we are not having enough and always asking God for more? The Bible says to delight ourselves in the LORD and He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31). For the righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked suffers want (Proverbs 13:25).

Taking the advice of my pastor, I chose to seek God first and God saw to it that my grades were better than before. What is our choice today in our endless pursuit to do better or to satisfy our heart’s desires?

Dear God, forgive us for the many times we fail to set our priorities right in our endless pursuit to satisfy our own foolish and harmful desires. Help us Lord to always put You first in all we do and to delight ourselves in You to fulfill Your will. Guide us Holy Spirit so we might not set our desire against You in doing the things we please. Lead us O God that we might not fall into temptation or a snare, but seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 951 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Karen Locklear
01/16/14
This is great. I need the reminder of "what should I be doing" to further the kingdom often.

Sara Harricharan
01/23/14
Your title set this devotional up really well. Good job. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/25/14
Outstanding devotion. I think I may send it to my son who is at Duke in the process of becoming an ordained minister. I could see him in your words. I also could see myself in them. Thank you for you faithful service. It means a lot to me and countless others.