694. Bill & Judy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Podcast - November 28. 2024

[00:00:06] Welcome to Wisdom Today. My name is Bill Kelley and I'll be your host. In this podcast we will be exploring the book of Proverbs.

[00:00:21] We give thanks to you Lord for this beautiful fall day, for all your provisions, for all your blessings. We just bless your holy name. Bless this time we have together. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[00:00:34] This is Proverb 28 beginning in verse 1.

[00:00:38] The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes. But by a man of understanding and knowledge, right will be prolonged.

[00:00:54] A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.

[00:01:08] Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

[00:01:22] Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father. One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

[00:01:37] One who turns away his ear from hearing the law. Even his prayer is an abomination. Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he himself will fall into his own pit. But the blameless will inherit good.

[00:01:55] The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding searches him out. When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory. But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

[00:02:09] He who covers his sin will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

[00:02:24] Like a roaring lion and a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

[00:02:39] A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit. Let no one help him. Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, but he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

[00:02:52] He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

[00:03:08] To show partiality is not good, because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye hastens after riches and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

[00:03:22] He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with a tongue. Whoever robs his father or his mother and says it is no transgression, the same is companion to a destroyer.

[00:03:38] He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

[00:03:46] He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

[00:03:53] He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

[00:04:00] When the wicked arise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

[00:04:08] So, hon, what I'd like to do first is just to thank anyone who is paying attention to this podcast today, and I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

[00:04:19] It is a day when we can reflect on the goodness of God and everything he has done in our life.

[00:04:26] But before we begin today's lesson, hon, I'd like to ask you which one of these verses today spoke to you that you'd like to share.

[00:04:35] Well, I just think that the whole chapter 28 is just there's a theme there, a theme about doing right and things will go well for you,

[00:04:46] and about living a life that walks with integrity before God, and then you're going to be prospered.

[00:04:54] So, you know, even the ending verse there, well, this is 26.

[00:05:00] He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

[00:05:05] That's the whole theme of Proverbs 28.

[00:05:09] Which one did you notice today?

[00:05:12] Well, I like verse 14, and it says,

[00:05:16] Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

[00:05:24] I want to break both of those down.

[00:05:27] The first part talks about a man who understands his place.

[00:05:32] He understands who God is, and he's always reverent and mindful of the fact that God is God and we are not.

[00:05:43] And it's important that we live our lives that way, with a feeling of humility, and just dwell in that all the time.

[00:05:51] But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

[00:05:55] You know, when I think of people hardening their heart, I think of the word backsliding,

[00:06:00] and I have mentioned that on a couple podcasts recently.

[00:06:04] And backsliding means that you once had a vibrant relationship with Jesus,

[00:06:11] but for some reason you have grown cold towards him.

[00:06:16] And a lot of times we revert back to the way we were before we, you know, invited Jesus into our hearts.

[00:06:23] And it's not a good place to be.

[00:06:26] But what I'd like to do to start this podcast, hon, is to go over the three things

[00:06:30] that I feel are the most important decision that I have ever made in my life.

[00:06:36] And the first one is that I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

[00:06:42] So I just want to give my thanks to God for the Bible itself.

[00:06:49] And the word of God is vibrant.

[00:06:52] It's alive.

[00:06:53] And it says every word is God-breathed and inspired by the Holy Spirit.

[00:06:58] So I'm always thankful that I have a Bible I can open and read the Word of God every day.

[00:07:06] Your thoughts on that?

[00:07:07] Yes, it's sharper than a two-edged sword.

[00:07:11] And that is God speaking to us.

[00:07:15] That is how God communicates with us really mostly is through His Word.

[00:07:21] And we need to take that seriously.

[00:07:24] You know, sometimes we're looking for big affirmations, for big signs,

[00:07:29] when all we really need to do is go to the Word and read it.

[00:07:32] And He will speak to us through every word that we read in the Bible.

[00:07:36] You know, it's so funny.

[00:07:38] Before I became a Christian, and, you know, I became a Christian way back in 1995.

[00:07:43] And it seems like so long ago.

[00:07:46] And it's hard for me really to go back before that time.

[00:07:52] Because at that time, I'd never opened the Bible, never had any desire to open the Bible.

[00:07:58] And many people living their lives today don't do that.

[00:08:02] And I think if you just rely on yourself and just live your entire life without opening the Bible.

[00:08:11] Personally, hon, I don't know how people do that.

[00:08:14] I really don't.

[00:08:15] Because it's reading the Bible that your faith will grow.

[00:08:19] You know, in Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 10, verse 17, it says,

[00:08:23] And faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

[00:08:29] So without the knowledge of God and hearing the Word of God, we are not going to have any faith.

[00:08:38] And it's hard for me to imagine living your entire life without faith.

[00:08:44] Because Paul tells us that we live by faith and not by sight.

[00:08:50] Your thoughts on that?

[00:08:52] Well, I think so many people, without God, you just are living by your own personal feelings.

[00:09:00] And feelings can't be trusted.

[00:09:02] I found that out.

[00:09:05] If you live by feelings, you're going to be up and down and all over the place.

[00:09:10] You need to get settled.

[00:09:12] And to be settled, you need to have God in your life.

[00:09:15] Be reading the Word and knowing that we need to trust in Him and not in our feelings.

[00:09:22] You know, and James is very clear about that in the first chapter of James.

[00:09:26] And for any of you listening today and are not familiar with that book of James,

[00:09:32] that will be my homework assignment for you tonight.

[00:09:35] You know, when you're sitting there and before you go to bed,

[00:09:39] I invite you to open up the Bible and read the first chapter of James.

[00:09:43] It talks about the double-minded man.

[00:09:46] We can't live our life that way.

[00:09:50] And if you do, you're going to have consequences.

[00:09:53] But the second thing, hon, I am thankful for is you.

[00:09:58] You know, the Bible tells us in Genesis chapter 2 that man was not meant to be alone.

[00:10:04] And I had a previous wife, and things did not go well.

[00:10:09] It was really never.

[00:10:11] We never really were on the same page.

[00:10:13] But we're here reading ready to celebrate our 29th anniversary in a couple months.

[00:10:18] And I give thanks every day to God for you,

[00:10:23] because you have come in and straightened out my life.

[00:10:28] You know, you keep me in check.

[00:10:30] And I'm just always thankful whenever I think of you,

[00:10:33] I think of the Proverb 31 woman,

[00:10:36] that you are just judicious in everything you do.

[00:10:39] You run the household well.

[00:10:41] You just seem to always be in charge of everything.

[00:10:45] And I just marvel when I watch you and how you operate.

[00:10:51] Well, thank you, Bill.

[00:10:57] I thank God for you, too.

[00:10:59] You know, it's great to be on the same page

[00:11:03] and to be headed in the same direction spiritually.

[00:11:08] And, you know, I find that the areas that I'm weak in,

[00:11:12] he can be strong and help me out there.

[00:11:17] He helps me out in many, many, many ways.

[00:11:20] So he's kind to me.

[00:11:22] He always tells me I'm beautiful.

[00:11:24] And, you know, he just tries to make me feel loved.

[00:11:29] And even though sometimes we have differences,

[00:11:33] it doesn't ever break us because we can go to God and ask him for help

[00:11:40] and go to each other and say,

[00:11:42] hey, I probably shouldn't have said that.

[00:11:45] I'm sorry.

[00:11:45] And then we just keep on with our relationship

[00:11:49] and knowing that we're meant to be together

[00:11:53] and that he will lead us and guide us.

[00:11:57] And I do like the ways that we, you know,

[00:12:01] I know that there are certain areas that I'm stronger than he is,

[00:12:04] are better at doing certain things,

[00:12:06] and the same with him.

[00:12:08] And he really, really gives me strength.

[00:12:12] And that's, that's really good.

[00:12:14] And he always points me back to God too.

[00:12:16] And if I get a little off in my words,

[00:12:18] sometimes he'll say to me,

[00:12:20] do you hear what you're saying?

[00:12:21] Do you really want to say that?

[00:12:23] You know, and remind me to not be negative.

[00:12:26] He's more of a glass half full.

[00:12:28] And sometimes I'm a half empty, glass half empty person.

[00:12:32] And I don't like to be like that,

[00:12:34] and I don't even sometimes realize I am.

[00:12:37] So it's good to have a partner that can,

[00:12:41] you know, say to you the things that you need to hear.

[00:12:44] And if you don't take offense to it,

[00:12:47] that's a really good thing too.

[00:12:49] You know, and thank you for those kind words.

[00:12:53] And the third thing that I am thankful for

[00:12:56] is the fact that we were able to attend

[00:12:59] Keiris Bible College.

[00:13:00] And yes, I'm going to make a plug for Bible College.

[00:13:04] Because I feel if you study the Word of God,

[00:13:07] and we did that for two years,

[00:13:09] it basically has brought a little more structure to my life.

[00:13:13] It has given my life purpose.

[00:13:15] Because as we were attending Keiris Bible College,

[00:13:18] the Holy Spirit spoke to me and asked me to begin a podcast,

[00:13:23] which you are listening to right now.

[00:13:26] And this is episode number 694.

[00:13:30] And we're almost into this for,

[00:13:33] you know, I'm finishing up the third year.

[00:13:35] And I like the fact that I have purpose.

[00:13:38] I mean, I spend quite a bit of time on this podcast,

[00:13:42] and in addition to my YouTube channel,

[00:13:44] which I have more stuff that people can listen to.

[00:13:48] But I'm just thankful that we did go and hear the Word of God.

[00:13:52] And we did this five days a week for four hours a day.

[00:13:56] And we were totally immersed.

[00:13:58] And not only that,

[00:14:00] we were able to meet a number of people

[00:14:02] in which I am still in contact with.

[00:14:05] And I'm just thankful for those people as well.

[00:14:09] So your thoughts on attending Keiris

[00:14:12] and any more remembrances you have of that.

[00:14:14] Yes, I had for many years thought about Keiris.

[00:14:18] I started listening to Andrew back, oh goodness,

[00:14:23] in the 90s maybe, or early 2000s maybe.

[00:14:29] Maybe it was more early 2000s.

[00:14:31] But I happened on him one of the times

[00:14:35] when I just was home lying around on the couch.

[00:14:38] I was a school teacher,

[00:14:39] and then I picked up something

[00:14:41] and wasn't feeling well that day.

[00:14:42] And I was at home,

[00:14:43] and I was channel surfing and found him

[00:14:45] and just listened to him

[00:14:47] and was just so struck by just the honesty,

[00:14:50] his presentation, so straightforward.

[00:14:53] And it just grabbed me.

[00:14:55] So I started faithfully listening to him.

[00:14:57] And at that point, you know,

[00:14:59] it wasn't really the right time to quit everything.

[00:15:03] And I had responsibilities and go to Bible school.

[00:15:06] But that was in my heart.

[00:15:07] And finally, when we retired,

[00:15:10] and Bill also liked Andrew too,

[00:15:15] we just thought about it.

[00:15:16] And one day, sitting on the back porch,

[00:15:19] just made that decision,

[00:15:20] we're going to go to Bible college.

[00:15:21] And it was really, really a wonderful time out.

[00:15:25] For us too, it was like right after COVID,

[00:15:28] things in the world seemed to be falling apart.

[00:15:30] And I just felt like I needed that time,

[00:15:34] time out, time alone with God,

[00:15:36] time to concentrate on his word.

[00:15:38] And we did that.

[00:15:39] And I feel that much fruit has come from it,

[00:15:43] personally, but also friends.

[00:15:45] And we had some friends

[00:15:47] that would never have grabbed onto this

[00:15:51] and be where they are today

[00:15:52] if we hadn't made the step to go to Karis.

[00:15:55] And they came and visited us.

[00:15:58] And lo and behold,

[00:16:01] it really grabbed a hold of them.

[00:16:03] And they are now faithfully serving God.

[00:16:06] And it's just actually miraculous,

[00:16:11] miraculous what God can do

[00:16:13] and how he can use you.

[00:16:16] And I'm just, I'm very thankful too.

[00:16:19] Thankful for that experience.

[00:16:20] You know, and I'm going to give you an opportunity

[00:16:23] to say some of the things that you're thankful for

[00:16:27] and just add to what we've talked about thus far.

[00:16:31] Well, I'm definitely thankful for the three things

[00:16:34] that you're thankful for.

[00:16:35] And in addition to that,

[00:16:37] the other family I'm thankful for.

[00:16:39] Like right now,

[00:16:40] we're enjoying time with my sisters

[00:16:41] and their husbands,

[00:16:42] my cousin and her son

[00:16:45] and a daughter-in-law

[00:16:48] or maybe soon to be daughter-in-law.

[00:16:51] Anyway, we're enjoying time out with them.

[00:16:54] And it's just so wonderful.

[00:16:56] I love my family,

[00:16:57] love my children,

[00:16:58] my grandchildren.

[00:16:59] They're all special to me.

[00:17:01] And I'm so thankful,

[00:17:03] so thankful to God

[00:17:04] that I have each and every one of them in my life.

[00:17:08] You know, and it's just so easy.

[00:17:10] And I just really feel the need to throw this out

[00:17:13] because I think it's so,

[00:17:15] I don't know,

[00:17:17] many people live their life

[00:17:19] just kind of going day by day.

[00:17:21] And a lot of times we take for granted

[00:17:24] the loved ones that God has placed in our life.

[00:17:28] We take for granted the material possessions

[00:17:31] that we have,

[00:17:32] our homes,

[00:17:33] our cars,

[00:17:34] our automobiles,

[00:17:35] the things that we have use of,

[00:17:38] our refrigerator,

[00:17:39] washer and dryer,

[00:17:41] just the simple things in life.

[00:17:42] And a lot of times we just tend to just,

[00:17:45] just accept them.

[00:17:47] And we often forget about the fact

[00:17:51] that we really should be thankful

[00:17:53] and grateful for all that has given us.

[00:17:57] But I think you brought up a good point

[00:17:59] is the fact that family and human relationships

[00:18:04] are much more valuable

[00:18:07] than material possessions

[00:18:09] or inanimate objects.

[00:18:11] Your thoughts on that, hon?

[00:18:12] Well, yeah,

[00:18:13] when I'm thinking of all the things

[00:18:14] we're thankful for,

[00:18:16] we didn't mention the material things.

[00:18:18] And I'm glad you mentioned that

[00:18:20] because we do,

[00:18:21] we are thankful for those.

[00:18:23] And we don't want to be negligent

[00:18:25] and being thankful for the things

[00:18:26] that God has blessed us with.

[00:18:28] But the main thing

[00:18:30] is our relationships

[00:18:32] with our family and friends.

[00:18:35] Yeah, and I do want to mention this,

[00:18:37] you know,

[00:18:38] material things are important

[00:18:39] and God has placed them in our hands.

[00:18:42] So I just want to remind people

[00:18:45] that those are basically given to us by God

[00:18:50] and that we are to steward

[00:18:52] the stuff that God has given us,

[00:18:55] whether it's your yard,

[00:18:57] your house,

[00:18:59] your car,

[00:19:00] always try to keep them functioning

[00:19:02] and running in the best way possible.

[00:19:05] And that takes a lot of time and effort.

[00:19:08] A lot of times we have to do that.

[00:19:10] And like I said,

[00:19:11] be mindful of everything

[00:19:13] that God has given us

[00:19:14] and let's take care of those things.

[00:19:18] And I believe that if you take care

[00:19:21] of the things that God has given us,

[00:19:23] he will give us even better things

[00:19:25] in the future.

[00:19:26] Your thoughts on that?

[00:19:28] Oh, I do.

[00:19:30] I think I'm so thankful for everything

[00:19:32] and thankful for God's protecting hand too on us.

[00:19:37] Like we're traveling

[00:19:39] and so I always ask God to protect us,

[00:19:42] protect the vehicle we're traveling in

[00:19:44] and those that are traveling around us too,

[00:19:46] that they be safe

[00:19:47] and we cause no harm to them

[00:19:48] and no harm come to us.

[00:19:50] But I believe that God helps us

[00:19:52] to take care of our things

[00:19:54] and he protects us.

[00:19:55] And I'm so thankful for his protection.

[00:19:58] Well, that's good.

[00:19:59] And you know,

[00:20:00] I often ask you to close us in prayer.

[00:20:03] But before we do that today,

[00:20:05] I'd like to just sing a song,

[00:20:08] give thanks with a grateful heart.

[00:20:12] And then I'll ask you to go ahead and pray.

[00:20:15] Give thanks with a grateful heart.

[00:20:21] Give thanks to the Holy One.

[00:20:27] Give thanks because he's given

[00:20:31] Jesus Christ his Son.

[00:20:36] And now let the weak say I am strong.

[00:20:46] Let the poor say I am rich

[00:20:51] because of what the Lord has done for us.

[00:21:00] Give thanks with a grateful heart.

[00:21:06] Give thanks to the Holy One.

[00:21:12] Give thanks because he's given

[00:21:17] Jesus Christ his Son.

[00:21:25] So, Hon, if you would invite anyone

[00:21:28] who has yet to receive Jesus

[00:21:30] as their Lord and Savior

[00:21:32] and then close us in prayer.

[00:21:36] If you have never made that decision

[00:21:38] to make Jesus Lord of your life,

[00:21:40] I invite you to do so now.

[00:21:42] You'll never, ever regret it.

[00:21:46] Father God,

[00:21:47] I just ask that you come into my heart,

[00:21:50] that you forgive me of all of my sins,

[00:21:54] I thank you most of all

[00:21:56] for sending Jesus,

[00:21:58] Jesus to earth,

[00:21:59] to bring salvation,

[00:22:01] to bring us back in relationship with God.

[00:22:05] Thank you for doing this.

[00:22:07] Thank you for dying on the cross.

[00:22:08] Thank you that you rose again

[00:22:10] and that I can live eternally with you.

[00:22:13] I give my heart and my life to you

[00:22:16] and I want you to lead me

[00:22:17] and guide me from this day forward.

[00:22:19] In Jesus' name,

[00:22:21] I pray, amen.

[00:22:23] Now, may the Lord bless you

[00:22:26] and keep you.

[00:22:27] The Lord make his face shine upon you

[00:22:30] and be gracious to you.

[00:22:31] The Lord lift up his countenance upon you

[00:22:34] and give you peace.

[00:22:36] Friends, please join Judy and I tomorrow

[00:22:39] as we have our last Friday of the month

[00:22:43] ministry update.

[00:22:45] Please join us

[00:22:46] as we further explore wisdom today.

[00:22:49] moneyوع lay sauve is surveyed on hundreds of FORMES,

[00:22:50] by Andrew Mitchell Siek chuckle.

[00:22:50] and always wielkan sat down