Around the age of 20, I discovered the best keyword tool on earth. And it has nothing to do with Google searches. Keep reading and I'll reveal it.
To improve my search engine optimization skills, I've been re-studying the use of keywords for the last several weeks. I've studied keyword tools in the past. Not much has changed since my last review over 10 years ago.
Content writers and marketers use keywords to help an audience find helpful resources. A search engine provides a list of all the websites that might include the searched word.
Many online tools exist that highlight best practices to connect with prospective audiences. There are hundreds of online training seminars, classes and videos available for study.
The keyword training I've subscribed to does little to point us to answers to our search for spiritual truth.
In my devotion this morning in the Book of Acts I read again about Tabitha (Dorcas):
"Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means Dorcas): this woman was excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually" (Acts 9:36, NASB)
What a terrific lesson on loving leadership. Tabitha worked with habitual acts of kindness and love. When she became ill and died, her friends sent for Peter:
"So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the room upstairs; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them" (Acts 11:39).
The widows showed Peter Tabitha's resume of tunics and garments to persuade him to pray for her. Leaders leave a legacy of helps.
After reading these passages, I wanted to study the simple word "kindness." So I called on the best key word tool I've ever used: Strong's Exhaustive Bible Concordance.
I carried Strong's Concordance and the Scofield Study Bible to every church service. I've used these books for almost 50 years. Neither of the books is in great shape today. You may recall the hardback version of the concordance was large and bulky. I used the book for sermons, small groups and arm curl workouts.
I also used the concordance as a tool to find every verse in the Bible with the keyword from a verse. It's amazing how one word in a verse can affect personal theology and behavior.
Today, we can search the Bible for a keyword from our smartphones. I'm not sure how many people in the church want to do a word search in Strong's these days. But I remember my charismatic church of the '70s had a building full of people who knew verses and the accompanying Strong's word numbers.
Thankfully, most of us do not need to do a word search for kindness. We know it when we see it. We know how to do it. We don't need to watch a YouTube video for further instructions on kindness.
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Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.
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