Episode: 13: 2 Samuel 3:6-11 -- Concubines, Revenge, and God Uses It All.

In this passage, we learn a lot about revenge, guilt, accusations, historically understood protocol involving kings and their concubines. These are big lessons for us too. Join us as we study 2 Samuel 3:6-11 on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/5bp91GoIm1E

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David goes down the wrong road and sets a bad example for Solomon to fol...

In this passage of 2 Samuel (3:1-5) we learn about 5 of David's sons and their ultimate fate. But more importantly, we learn of David's start on his road to sin. And this happens to many even today. Join us for this study on mistresses and multiple wives. On YouTube here: https://youtu.be/5idcVr6dWOw

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Avoiding Bloodshed in the O.T. & Nuclear War Today. (2 Samuel 2:24-32).

In this passage we see some parallels between leaders then and now. Can bloodshed and/or nuclear war be avoided? You decide. But study 2nd Samuel 2:24-32 along with us on YouTube. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/tbE8uxfK-XU

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Fear Has Gripped the World -- opinion article by Ken Godevenos

                        photo: nytimes.com

 Fear Has Gripped the World

By Ken Godevenos

 

It has been said that two things are certain in life – death and taxes. I’d like to suggest a third – fear.  Before I was prepared to stick my neck out saying that I tried to think of some human being, either in history or alive today, who, if the truth be known, whether they admitted it or not, was not afraid of something.  I could not come up with anyone. So, I propose that three things are certain in life – death, taxes, and fear of something.

Although I can’t prove it with hard stats, it seems to me that the use of the word fear in media of all sorts, and from all sources, has increased considerably in the last three years. People now more than ever are afraid of losing their job. They’re afraid of being sued. They’re afraid of their investments disappearing and their dollar’s buying power reducing to the point where they cannot feed their family.  They’re afraid of being attacked on public transit, experiencing carjacking at gun point, being assaulted in broad daylight, and even of being shot – intentionally or randomly.

Many are afraid of climate change, shortages in grocery stores, and the fact that they can’t afford to buy gasoline for their cars to get to work or elsewhere. Some are afraid of the impacts of 5G towers on their health. And a good chunk of people are afraid of being at odds with their government on a whole slew of things, the least of which is so-called covid mandates. And many more are afraid because they seem to have lost any faith they had in their politicians or mainstream media. It seems there is nowhere to turn to for facts and an unbiased report on where things stand on any issue. We are constantly being lied to by someone.

Young people are afraid of not fitting in with their friends and they desperately will try anything to assure that doesn’t happen.  Meanwhile, parents are afraid they may lose their child for that very reason. Those that don’t turn to drugs still fear whether they’ll have a chance at as good a life as their parents had.

I am sure I could fill many more paragraphs describing fears. I’ll spare you.  Feel free to add your own.  Let me just add one – the fear of being under socialism one day soon. More on that later.  Fears have been around since the beginning of man.  The word fear itself appears 310 times in the New American Standard Bible, the majority of instances in the Old Testament starting with Genesis chapter 9, verse 2, when God put the fear of man in all the creatures of the earth, and gave Noah and his sons authority over them.

Since the beginning of time, children who later become adults, are taught to fear certain things for their protection.  Fire burns. Hot water scalds. Kitchen knives can also cut fingers. Hasty movement in darkness increases the likelihood of stumbling, and so on.  Like almost everything else, including death and taxes, fear too has its pluses and minuses. Again, I’ll leave those up to you.

I do, however, notice, that what the world seems to fear for the most part is all related to the actions or lack thereof of people.  The source of most of our fear is bad decisions by bad leaders.  Those who are supposed to look out for our welfare have done anything but. And while there are ‘fears’ that are intended to improve our lives or to keep us alive (see above), most fears today are harmful. As if there’s an agenda behind them collectively. And that agenda is evil.

It's an agenda against all but the elites of this world.  It’s an agenda that says to us – in the thinking of the leader of the World Economic Forum -- that we will eventually “own nothing and be happy”. Well, I doubt that the ‘be happy’ part, since just about every North American and European adult alive today was raised in Madonna’s “Materialistic Girl” (or boy) world. Unless of course, they first intend to degrade us and reduce us to savage animals in the true sense of the world who’s only goal is to somehow survive, even if we must beg our masters for crumbs.  Although, sadly to say, if it came to that, I am convinced many would prefer suicide.

Another thing I notice from both our leaders and most ordinary people as well, is that we seem to have ‘lost’ some fear.  I have all the time in the world if you’d like to try to convince me that most of our leaders have not lost their fear of God – at least, publicly.  Their our words, policies, actions, and disrespect against Him and those who believe in Him all help to convict them of the claim I’m making. Just this past week, the American president showed his lack of respect, not to mention his lack of understanding of God, when he said, “Exxon made more money this year than God.”  How idiotic of him.  Earlier the American Speaker of the House, also a Democrat, was upset her Bishop wouldn’t let her take communion because of her adamant pro-abortion stance. Of course, she claims to be a strong Catholic.  Need I say more?

Let me take this to the personal level.  I am aware of a lot of the fears mentioned above. They no longer bother me because I have come to the realization that my earthly enemies, including politicians and elites, can at worse, only destroy my body and not my soul. In Matthew 10:28, I read these words: “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

You see, for me, as a believer in God and as one who has accepted His gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, I no longer fear the loss of my body or death, and I also no longer fear God Who could have also destroyed my soul in hell, but because of Christ, will not. That is the joy and the hope and the peace of a Christian.

But still there is a fear that remains even for me. It is the fear of the consequence of that verse for those who have not accepted God’s gift of life. And that includes some of my friends, associates, and even relatives.  I do fear for them.  And it breaks my heart. I can only pray that as things get worse, as the screws are tightened on us all, as they inevitably will, many of them will see my faith in whom I have believed and my lack of fear for myself.  And then allow me to share my secret with them.

If you are a Christian today, you are blessed. You will get through this if you remain strong in your faith.  You can also make a difference to others. Do not give up.  Hang in there.  In the second last verse of the entire Bible, in Revelation chapter 22, verse 20, Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” And we respond, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”  His Grace is sufficient.

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Comments

Hi Ken, 

That’s a great piece, Ken.  Fear is one of the greatest weapons the enemy has to control us. The words “Fear not” appear 365 times in the Bible and not once was it said by Satan or any of his minions. Fear is what the gov’t likes to use against us and it will increase. The day when God’s wrath is unleashed upon mankind, though, will produce a degree of fear never before known in the history of the world. Rev 6:15-17 describes it this way “ ¹⁵ And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:¹⁷ For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? As you have pointed out in your article, as a child of God, all fear is gone as I look forward to an eternity with the Lord. But we do need to use the short time remaining to reach our loved ones and others that have not accepted God’s offer of salvation before it’s too late. I wonder if it is possible that God in His unspeakable grace and mercy might yet provide a window of opportunity whereby people in the US and Canada will seize the opportunity to turn back to God as a result of the wickedness that has enveloped society causing this great fear. Only God knows the future but we can always pray.  -- Bob N.

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You may be fast, but that isn't always enough. [2 Samuel 2:18-23]

In this short passage (2 Samuel 2:18-23), the Old Testament teaches us the importance of not making assumptions about our strengths or assets, and the value of mentorship or wisdom from older folks, and from God, in advance of any action we take. Join us on YouTube for our study. Click here: https://youtu.be/8dBIQR8-d38

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Sinful men left to their own resources cause death -- 2 Samuel 2:12-17

When we take matters into our own hands, things often go very badly. As in this case. A game turns deadly and requires a battle to resolve the matter. Join us as we study 2nd Samuel, chapter 2, verses 12-17. Catch it here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ve6w7GSjzYI

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Fear Has Gripped the World by Ken Godevenos

photo: Forbes.com

 I invite you to read my latest article and to comment accordingly.

https://www.linkedin.com/post/edit/6941862742777634816/

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2 Samuel 2:8-11 -- Israel Gets Two Kings (Not What God Had in Mind)

A short passage (2 Samuel 8:11) about Israel getting two kings and setting the stage for trouble. Throughout it all, God is totally in control. We get to watch. Join us as we learn about relatives who prefer to satisfy their greed for power rather than God's will for their nation. Wait, we have some politicians like that today. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/8eg8f-03ITs

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Timing is Everything w.r.t. When to Ask God for Input

In 2nd Samuel 2:1-7 we see David being anointed again and explain why. We also see David's great character coming through in his actions. Finally, we learn a lot about when God wants to be consulted. Join us on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/pH6Q3l0wKHk

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Would you mourn someone who tried to kill you several times? David did.

In 2nd Samuel 1:17-27, we see David mourning the death of someone who tried to kill him several times. He shows him great respect and provides a great example for us. Join us we once again see God at work in the midst of havoc and what folks meant as evil. Here's the YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/1o4yifJv2CY

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Touch Not the Lord's Anointed

 Today we study 2 Samuel 1:11-16. David takes some strong action in defence of his belief that we are not to touch the Lord's anointed. But what does that mean for us today? Check it out and give us your thoughts. Here's the link to our YouTube study: https://youtu.be/xvNh9PqUHNk

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