605. Bill & Judy's Monthly Ministry Update - (#17) - July 26, 2024

[00:00:06] and I'll be your host. In this podcast we will be exploring the book of Proverbs. As snow and summer and rain and harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a floating sparrow, like a flying swallow, so occurs without cause shall not alight.

[00:00:56] A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey and a rod for the fool's back. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

[00:01:15] He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like the legs of the lame that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of fools, like one who binds a stone in a sling,

[00:01:32] as he who gives honor to a fool. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. The great god who formed everything gives the fool his hire and the transgressor, his wages.

[00:01:50] As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

[00:02:02] The lazy man says, there is a lion in the road. A fierce lion is in the streets. As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed.

[00:02:15] The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl. It worries him to bring it back to his mouth. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

[00:02:29] He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own, is like one who takes a dog up by the ears. Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says,

[00:02:44] I was only joking. Where there is no wood the fire goes out and where there is no tailbearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning holes and wood defire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

[00:03:02] The words of a tailbearer are like tasty trifles and they go down into the inmost body. Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver draws. He who hates disguises it with his lips and lays up to seat within himself.

[00:03:23] When he speaks kindly, do not believe him for there are seven abominations in his heart. Though his hatred is covered with deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

[00:03:37] Whoever digs a pit will fall into it and he who rolls a stone will have it rolled back on him. Align tongue hates those who are crushed by it and a flattering mouth works ruined.

[00:03:53] So, I'd like for you to share what verse you'd like to talk to the audience about today. I was thinking about verse 17, he who passes by in metal sent a quarrel not his own.

[00:04:07] It's like one who takes a dog by the ears just how we need to be wise and not metal and things that are not our own.

[00:04:16] Leave that to God and that's what I get out of that. We just shouldn't be meddling in the affairs and quarrels of another person. So, be all what about you? What verse seemed to speak to you today?

[00:04:29] Well, I was thinking about verse 11 and you know this is very graphic and you can literally see this as a dog returns to his own vomit.

[00:04:38] So, a fool repeats his folly and I can visualize the dog doing that. I've actually seen a dog do that before and you know he puts something in his mouth and he's having a hard time

[00:04:52] And he just kind of regurgitates it and just bits it back out and that's that's very real. But I mean the thing about that is is that a fool will repeat the mistakes.

[00:05:03] And that's one thing I really work on hard is when you make a mistake and you're found out sometimes it's embarrassing But try to learn from your mistakes. It's something that's so vital because God is going to give us test after test

[00:05:23] And we want to pass those tests because what I've learned about the test that God gives us if we fail that test he will give it to us another time. So, what are your thoughts on that?

[00:05:35] Right. I think a lot of us have knee jerk reactions and we think we've got other things. We think, oh, I'm not that way anymore and then something happens and we just have this knee jerk reaction

[00:05:47] And that is kind of returning to these ways, repeating things that are not good behaviors in our life and those are things that we get reminded about

[00:06:00] And we have to go to God about and ask him for wisdom and how to handle this and for him to give us the knowledge and the wisdom we need to overcome

[00:06:10] Well, you know, you really said that well and you know, I just want to reiterate how much I enjoy you coming on the last Friday of every month

[00:06:22] It has been four weeks since we've done this podcast and over the last four weeks, we had an opportunity to go to Europe, which is one of my favorite places to go

[00:06:33] And we visited five countries. So I mean it was awesome. We saw Italy. We saw Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia

[00:06:44] So I'm going to spend about six or seven minutes today. What I'd like to do is kind of get your thoughts on, you know, some of the favorite things that you enjoyed about our trip and then we'll go into something else

[00:06:57] So if you would, we flew into Venice but if we would share a little bit about Venice, what that experience was like and what you enjoyed most about that wonderful city

[00:07:10] Well, I just think Venice is beautiful with the canals, everywhere you turn, you can get a photo opportunity. It's beautiful there

[00:07:20] It was just fun to be there and see all the things that we hadn't seen before. We went there before but we were only there for a brief period of time, we got their late in the evening

[00:07:33] So all we got to do was see Saint Mark Square but not go into the church and we ate dinner there, but that was it. We had to leave early the next day

[00:07:43] So I said, I want to go back there and explore more. So this time we really did. We got to see a lot of the churches. We went to some museums while we were there. We ate good food. We went to a place Marano, which is a place where they make beautiful glass

[00:08:02] They have glass blowing and got some souvenirs from there. It was it was a fun.

[00:08:09] You know not only did we get souvenirs, but you know everybody wants glass from Barrono so we bought one for my daughter and we bought one for your son and we bought one for your daughter

[00:08:22] So I think they all enjoyed their gift and you know after Venice we flew to Budapest in Hungary and we didn't get to spend all that much time there

[00:08:33] But we did get to spend a little bit of time kind of good a flavor this city. Tell the audience a bit about Budapest Well, they don't say Budapest like like we do they say Budapest And I thought that was interesting too.

[00:08:51] Learning how people pronounce or say their city name is kind of interesting because like Florence we say Florence I say Fira's we say Rome they say Roma There's this kind of naples is not really it's interesting to see how what they call their cities

[00:09:11] But I loved the Budapest. I thought it was just a beautiful beautiful churches buildings architect I thought the people from Hungary were just really really very nice too. We really thought that too

[00:09:28] And even though we didn't speak the language we felt we were able to get around just fine Usually what we would do is we would find a young person because it seems like the young people know English better than the older people

[00:09:42] So we were able to find find somebody to talk to if we needed to get around And you know that's that's so good and one thing we were able to do is we did rent a car when we were in Venice for the week

[00:09:56] And then we rented a car also in Budapest And so we were staying actually in what is called a country club a little bit different than what you see here in America There wasn't a golf course, but they called it a country club and it was really neat

[00:10:13] But we were within one mile of the Slovenian border So we got to enter into Slovenia spend a couple days there got to actually play golf Which I thought was amazing but what are your thoughts of the country of Slovenia and your fondness memories

[00:10:30] Well, I never thought I would ever go to Slovenia that was never on my bucket list or anything on my mind And also Croatia too, which we were right next to never thought about going to Croatia We went to both of them for a day

[00:10:44] But the countryside is beautiful I felt like you know the people keep up their I mean the places were well-capped It was just beautiful scenery. I love looking at all that then you're in separate where Just beautiful beautiful scenery everywhere we went

[00:11:00] That's what I really enjoyed very much in just visiting the little towns And the little villages that they had to You know and I'm thankful that you brought that up because we had been to Europe previously in 2001 And we had our kids with us at the time

[00:11:19] So that was way back in 2001 We took a trip the best of France We had a wonderful time We went back in 2006 and we went to a lot of Italy at that time We also went to the northern part of France and we just had a good time

[00:11:36] So it had been 18 years since we had been And I wanted to make a point that you not only saw the big cities But you also saw the smaller villages And I really kind of like that actually better than the larger cities But we ended with Vienna

[00:11:56] And Vienna is just a fabulous city Of course, it's a large cosmopolitan type city Lots of things to do in Vienna So how did you enjoy our final stop of the trip in Vienna? Well one of our highlights was to go see a Mozart opera

[00:12:12] And it's one that I had new from my college days And with Tulsa Opera We saw a cozy fun to today And that was really interesting because it wasn't It was a modern take on it They were wearing modern clothes A modern version of it Still the Italian

[00:12:32] And Still the libretto And everything But just a whole new take Putting all these characters in a modern day setting A modern day clothes It was interesting And the opera house is beautiful But I think the highlight for me Vienna was going to St. Stephen's church

[00:12:53] And we got there Just as I said, well the bells were ringing And I was thinking, you know what? I think it's time for mass And so we decided that we would go in and sit down And go to the mass It was Sunday

[00:13:07] So it was really a neat experience To do that The choir was beautiful The organ was just magnificent I mean the acoustics and the plays It was just you know I feel like you're in heaven When you're there And just seeing all the beautiful Stanglas

[00:13:24] And all the artwork Everywhere The statues Just Every the frescoes Everything was just you know Beautiful Well you know I I will promise anyone listening today That we will be revisiting This trip over the next couple Months And I'll just share a little bit

[00:13:47] Because there is so much But one thing I really wanted to also talk about Is the passion That the pastor at that church And of course he's not a pastor This is a Catholic mass So he's the priest But he had such passion

[00:14:03] And as he's really delivering the message I was just thinking of myself I really wish I understood the German language Because he was passionate And what I really admired And liked what I saw Was that they're probably We're about 300 people At the mass

[00:14:22] And you know a lot of times here in America We think about The fact everybody tells us That it's all atheists Over in Europe But I really sensed A deep love for God For everyone That was in that service And you know when it was time

[00:14:38] To respond to what the priest said Everybody was involved Everybody was vocal Everybody was involved In the mass And it was really really It gave me a lot of hope For Europe That there is still a God And he is recognized And honored by the people of Europe

[00:14:58] So what I'd like to do I'd like to kind of switch gears It's been a while Since we talked a little bit And I know Now I was just thinking about this Because it's been just about 14 months now Since we've been a carousel Bible college Since we graduated

[00:15:15] We graduated in May of last year And I know at that time You mentioned that your primary ministry Is helping your daughter And her four kids Are grandkids And for us And we have had an opportunity The last 10 days To spend a lot of time

[00:15:38] They've been over here all four of them So if you would just share With the audience once again How vitally it is Important is to share with them To teach them the word of God To get to know them Each individually And try to speak into their lives

[00:15:58] Yes, there's nothing better than spending time With the grandkids And we try to talk to them about things About the word of God And we get into some interesting conversations To They do know a lot of Bible stories And they are going to church So they're really aware

[00:16:18] Spirituality of a lot of things And it does make for some interesting conversations And the other night Bill was reading the word And he tries to do that every time they're here To, well, he does it anyway Every day we read The Daily Reading

[00:16:33] The Old Testament New Testament Psalm Proverbs And read through the Bible every year And so we were reading through the Old Testament And it was just He was getting very animated And the kids were getting very engrossed with it And even the five-year-old Keep raising his hand

[00:16:49] Asking questions And that really is precious It really is You know It's not only precious But I mean, we're reading second chronicles And I'm explaining to them Everything that's happening And you know, I love the fact And I'm so grateful

[00:17:07] That God has given me the gift of teaching Because I absolutely love Sharing the Gospel And nobody I'd rather share with Then with you And with my grandkids Your thoughts on that Yes And there's so many voices in this world And for them to hear the word

[00:17:28] And see how we respect the word so Imagine And it's important that our lives And the importance of their family life You just really That's priceless You know, when I'm going to bring this point up And I have brought it up Several times on my podcast

[00:17:46] And you know, for those listening You know, I just recorded my 600 separate podcast And you know, I've been doing this Almost two and a half years And actually anything that you practice Enough You just become better at And you know, I I'm thinking about the words of Jesus

[00:18:06] And he says, I have food That you know not of And Jesus is talking about Scripture there And he is discipling His disciples His chosen 12 Which followed him basically For three and a half years Everywhere he went And he had to remind them Of the importance of Scripture

[00:18:32] And I know this comes across pretty funny But I actually believe It's more important that we Eat the word of God Read the word of God It is equally as important As eating Regular food And it's a little may say I don't think so But it is

[00:18:55] And you're going to get more Out of reading the word of God Than you are even a fine steak It just is that impactful And can change your life Every time you read it What are your thoughts on that Yes, and I think that

[00:19:11] The children are grasping that I think they realize How passionate you are about it And the importance of doing it Every night daily And I think that We have some other traditions We do where we sing Our little song Every time they get ready to eat a meal

[00:19:31] And if one of them gets ahead Of the other when or something They stop and they start singing And everybody joins in And then at night time They all want to be They want to be tucked in And they want us to sing The blessing over them

[00:19:46] You know, and you're who point on the head And the little one Three years old And I don't want to mention names We're talking about four of the grandkids And they know who they are And the parents know who they are

[00:19:58] But we have the little three year old And the other day when I was reading And I'm reading the Bible And he just jumped up in my lap And comes up And he gives me a kiss While I'm reading And I'm sitting there thinking How precious is that

[00:20:13] And you know, I often sometimes talk about You know, leaving a legacy And the legacy I want I want my kids I want my grandkids If they say what Was Paul Bill like What do you remember most about him What I really hope

[00:20:32] That they remember more than anything As I was a man of God I followed the word of God I read the word of God I did my podcast And that's what I want them to remember most About me Is I lived and I breath The word of God

[00:20:48] Your thoughts on that Well, I think there are three things They're going to remember you for golf You're going to remember you for golf You're going to remember you for how you work Out in our yard all the time And for reading the Bible

[00:21:02] You know, and really there is no better legacy than that Because working in the yard It's important to teach your kids the value of working And working in the yard may not be a regular job But, and my stage of life That is my regular job

[00:21:22] It's going and doing my podcast on a daily basis And it's going out to work in the yard And I would kind of like to give just a bit of an update I have recently finished the book of the Cleasy Astees

[00:21:37] In my Bible reading, I've now completed 520 chapters This week I'm beginning the book of Daniel And I'm excited about that Daniel, one of my favorite books A short 12 chapter book The Daniel is a prophetic book in the Bible What he and all like I said

[00:21:57] One of my favorites, so I look forward to dig in into that And, you know, before we close What I'd like to do is ask you Is there anything else that the Lord has been speaking with you about A word here, a word there, anything at all

[00:22:13] That you feel that you're supposed to be doing Maybe in the next month I think the most important thing is just to stand To stand for to not give into things Things around us that could be distractions And to just stand for him in the Word of God

[00:22:35] And to just keep going, keep doing Don't stop You know, and recently we have been involved With, we're starting to get The political aspect of things And you know, we're heading near voting season And, you know, I do want to remind everyone that we will be voting

[00:23:01] For our next president of the United States in November And it's vitally important that everyone That is able to vote, get out there And let the people know who you stand for And vote It is a privilege to be able to vote And everybody in the country over 18

[00:23:21] Should go out there to the polls Make sure you talk to your neighbors about it And let's get going Let's turn this country around You know, one thing I thought was interesting Is that in Austria We found this out going to Parliament

[00:23:37] In Vienna that they vote at the age of 16 When I first heard it, I thought I had not heard it right And I asked him again, when do they vote And when can they vote? And he said 16 So I thought that's really different Think about that

[00:23:53] And actually, when I think about that, I think that's awfully scary Because I kind of think an 18 year old is still kind of learning the ropes And most 18 year olds don't pay attention To politics they really are not that involved

[00:24:11] And to think of a 16 year old kid going And making decisions that can affect your country Is a little bit scary to make I know I never thought about any I don't think I'd thought about anything political For many, many years certainly not at 16 That's for sure

[00:24:30] So anyway, what I'd like for you to do is just share And there are people listening today Maybe have yet to make that decision to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior And what I'd like to do is just go ahead and share what you usually do

[00:24:46] That God is important And it's important, it's vital to have him in our life So if you would just briefly share your thoughts of the love of God And usher people into the kingdom with a prayer I just want to say that God is love

[00:25:05] He is love and He loves you And that's really very, very important to think about To meditate on To just think God loves me He loves you no matter what And you don't need to hide anything from him Keep anything back, he knows who you are

[00:25:25] And he loves you anyway I think about my grandchildren and how I love them even when they make mistakes Or they're not nice to each other Or they are, you know, hit each other whatever I think I love them I love them still

[00:25:40] God feels that way about us His love is infinite Everlasting It never ends, he's the same yesterday today and forever And if you would put your trust in him He is going to see you through whatever it is you're going through

[00:25:56] And I would just invite you today to just say Lord Jesus I want you in my life I want to know your love Show me your love, show me your love today And I want to commit my life to you

[00:26:11] And follow you the rest of my days in Jesus' name, amen Well that was really beautiful prayer And for anyone who said that prayer You are now a bona fide member Of the family of God I'd like to welcome you to the family

[00:26:26] And just make a brief comment That this is only the first step That you need to find a local church I suggest you go online Look at churches in your area That you might be interested in attending What you do, mate, you might want to try

[00:26:44] Various churches, try two or three Which one gets you feeling like you're at home And get to know the people in the church We need to surround ourselves with like-minded people Who can encourage us and help us in our new walk

[00:27:01] Friends, it's going to be five weeks until we meet again We will be reconvening in the 30th of August So until then, may the Lord bless you and keep you The Lord makes face shine upon you And be gracious to you

[00:27:18] The Lord lift up his countenance upon you And give you peace Friends, have a great weekend And I will see you on Monday As we further explore Wisdom