(NOTE: This is the last in the two-year Word Traveler series of podcasts. The producers of Word Traveler sincerly hope you have enjoyed the teaching from the Bible. Please go back and listen to any one of the 313 podcasts any time you wish.)

Do you believe “the road to hell is paved with good intentions?” I don’t. It’s not a Bible saying. Nobody knows how this phrase evolved into popular language.[1] Many people dislike the idea of “good intentions” especially if they’re linked to inaction. But I think good intentions matter.

The problem of undocumented immigrants has been around for a long time. King Solomon dealt decisively with foreigners in Israel about three thousand years ago. He counted and documented them, legalized them, and gave them jobs. He found 153,600 aliens in the land so he made 70,000 of them common laborers. 80,000 became stone cutters, and 3,600 worked as foremen over the other 150,000 at the Temple construction project in Jerusalem.

This world is not my permanent home or possession. I will not forever keep my house, my clothes, or even my family. All of these precious things and people will be stripped away from me one day. I cannot stop the shadow of my life from shifting me towards its final destination. I have “no hope or expectation of remaining” here.

Hushai the Arkite fulfilled a unique role in King David’s life. He remained loyal to David at great risk of personal harm. Hushai earned the title “friend” and was the only person so named in the final days of the king’s reign.

Has God made a promise to you? Then He will fulfill His promise through you! Without Him you can’t. Without you He won’t.
You are an essential part of the equation. He boxed the ingredients of your destiny. You have all you need to fulfill His will. “Just Add [the] Water” of passion, hard work, and decisive action.

“Arise and work, and may the LORD be with you!” (1st Chronicles 22.16).

This week is the completes the two-year Word Traveler series having commenced on June 20, 2021. The final episode will be Friday, June 16, 2023, which will be the 313th Word Traveler podcast. The producers of Word Traveler sincerely hope you have enjoyed these Bible podcasts. Go back and listen anytime! Thank you for your support.

Joab and Abishai would have made good Marines. They exemplified the Marine Corps motto: Semper Fidelis. Joab and Abishai were “always faithful” to protect and defend each other in battle.

Not all ideas, even good ones, are in sync with God’s plans. Your good ideas may be right for someone, just not you. They may be right for a future time, just not now. Good ideas are exactly that... good ideas and nothing more.

God has ideas of His own. 

I cannot succeed in marriage, parenting, business, ministry, or any other noble endeavor without facing the possibility of my own death... death of my income, image, reputation, or friendships. I must quit running, take a stand, and defend some ground.

Running away is slow death. Death of the spirit. It would be better to die valiantly attempting something great than to wither up and die from the shame of knowing I never had the guts to face my nemesis.

What is smaller than a fleeting thought? Not much. The number of thoughts passing daily through a person’s mind ranges from 12,000 to 65,000. That’s a lot of thinking; a new thought every single waking second! If “a penny for your thoughts” came true, it’s an easy $500.00 per day or over $180,000 per year. Plenty for most folks to retire on.

Unfortunately most of our thoughts aren’t even worth “a penny.”