The Banished Son

This podcast is an overview of week 18 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments:

WARNING: The following podcast contains plenty of biblical sex and violence. This is an “R-rated” Bible story. Reader beware...

When we act hastily without consulting the Lord, people get hurt. When they do, like King David, we may become angry and blame others including God. Our indignation turns to fear. We’re afraid to risk another serious consequence for what we thought was a trivial oversight or minor error. For a time, we may even refuse to serve God altogether.

“Mephibosheth”
Verse 1:
Once there was a certain nurse who had a little boy;
She cared for him as if he was her own.
She helped him learn to read and write, and taught him how to love.
They played and sang and laughed and had some fun.
Chorus:
Mephibosheth, can you ever forgive me?
Mephibosheth, patron saint of all hurt children,
I’m so sad I caused you all this pain;
Please come and heal the broken heart in me.

“...David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God,” (1st Samuel 30.6).

God inspired David to chase down and defeat the Amalekites. He went from villain to hero because he was able to ‘strengthen himself in the Lord.’

David’s response to tough times gives me hope. I too can ‘strengthen myself in the Lord’ and be the hero my family and loved ones deserve.

Imagine the loss of all things, no attachments at all. No family, no home, no income, no friends, no status. Would you truly believe in your own value? Would you believe yourself to be lovable by God and others? Jesus loves even the stripped down version of you. He lived and preached that “life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot” (Luke 12.15 “The Message”).

I have more than my fair share of emotional and physical attachments. I hope they never get stripped away. But if they did, would I believe I still had value?

This podcast is an overview of week 17 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments:

The problem with problems is they always require a decision of me. That’s the real problem! I don’t like to make decisions. Decision-making scares me. My decisions will positively or adversely affect my future and that of my loved ones.

That’s where Jesus comes in. It would be wise for me to seek His guidance in every important decision before I make it. 

There’s only one way to keep from being 'picked off' by the enemy of my soul. Remain near Jesus and His people. If I’m close to the edge, I’m an easy target.

I must vigilantly remain of my own vulnerability and stay far removed from the outer limits of barely permissible, unwise, or isolated activities.