Ancient Words, Modern Message

In 1956 a young senator from Massachusetts named John F. Kennedy and co-author Ted Sorenson published a book entitled Profiles in Courage featuring the biographies of eight U. S. senators who demonstrated remarkable courage in standing for what they believed was right at crucial periods in United States history.  The book became an immediate bestseller and ultimately was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.

In 760 B.C. a simple man who worked...

We don’t normally think of a farmer as one who writes poetry, which is why it is so surprising to learn that Amos,  the 8th century B.C. shepherd and farmer from Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel, presented his entire prophetic announcement to the Northern Kingdom of Israel in poetic form.

In this third study in the series, “Amos:  Simple Man, Profound Message,” Roger Wambold discusses the uniqueness of Hebrew poetry and the ...

While a careful study of the Old Testament prophetic scriptures can sometimes appear to be a very daunting prospect, the richness of truth and relevance to us today make such a study well worth the time and effort.  So it is with this series of studies in the Old Testament book of Amos.  

It has often been said that with privilege comes responsibility, and that is certainly evident in the Holy Spirit-inspired words of the eighth ...

In 2014 the Wambolds, Roger and Phyllis, began an informational and teaching ministry called “Shmooze, News, and Views.”  Over the years, “Shmooze” (as it is affectionately known) has grown numerically and in popularity, with over twenty churches represented in attendance.

Each session of Shmooze includes a Bible study, with most of the studies drawn from the Old Testament, including little known and seldom taught sections of the...

In our vast collection of personal memories, each one of us has some which are particularly meaningful for a variety of reasons.

In this Bagel-side Chat #4 Roger Wambold recalls two particularly meaningful memories of his many times spent in Israel, their relevance to the founding of the mission which he directs, and to the situation in which the Jewish people find themselves today.

Join us as Roger reflects on the past, with a...

The Bible is full of accounts of dramatic events involving the people of God, events in which God has displayed His unique character and power.  One of these events took place during the reign of the thirteenth king of the Southern Kingdom of Israel, King Hezekiah.  

When it appeared that defeat and destruction at the hands of the mighty Assyrian army was inevitable, in response to the prayers of Hezekiah and Isaiah the Prophet, ...

In 1980 country singer Mac Davis recorded a song he had written with the whimsical lyric:  “Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.”  That record quickly climbed to the top of the charts, probably because it was so outrageous for anyone to claim to be perfect! 

Nearly everyone is aware of his or her own flaws and imperfections, but the good news is that God delights in using people who are not at all pe...

There are a number of time honored mottos which have been a great encouragement to Christians throughout the ages, among which is this one:  “Prayer changes things!”

While the Bible is full of instances in which “things” were “changed” by prayer, one of the most dramatic is found in the Old Testament record of the life and reign of King Hezekiah.

In this early part of a new year, perhaps more than ever we need a reminder of the...

While there is no certain answer regarding where the expression, “It’s lonely at the top,” came from, we do know that the expression, “The buck stops here,” was a sign that President Harry S. Truman kept on his desk in the oval office.

These are just two sayings having to do with leadership, but there are many, many more.

It is sometimes said that in a certain nation at a certain time in history there was “a crisis in leaders...

Shalom, and thank you for tuning in to this podcast, “Ancient Words, Modern Message.”

I’m your host, Roger Wambold.

In facing the enormous challenges posed by the societal and spiritual decline of our day, it is natural to ask the question:  “What can I do, I am only one person and the task is so great.”

A man named Hanani was sent by God during a time of monumental crises of all types in the Southern Kingdom of Israel under ...

Welcome to this edition of “Ancient Words, Modern Message.”  I’m your host Roger Wambold and today I invite you to settle in for the third of our “Bagel-side Chats” entitled “The Light of the World in the Festival of Lights.”

In the month of December nearly all of the 15.2 million Jewish people around the world will enjoy the festive holiday of Hanukkah, with all of its traditional features, but many people, including most of the...

Shalom!

I’m your host Roger Wambold.

In a recent series of “Shmooze, News, and Views” sessions I presented six Bible studies on the life and reign of King Hezekiah as recorded in the Old Testament.  In view of current events unfolding in Israel and the Middle East, beginning on October 7, I believe that now, more than ever, we need to be reminded to look to God and His Word for solutions to situations and circumstances so compl...

In this episode of “Ancient Words, Modern Message,” Roger Wambold shares thoughts from the heart and personal experience regarding the War in Israel.  He directs attention to the quest for real and lasting peace and how it can be achieved.  Join us and listen in to “Bagel-side Chat #2.”

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Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday.

Ancient Words, Modern Message is sup...

In one of the more difficult passages of Old Testament prophetic scripture to understand, Zechariah uses an easily understood metaphor to describe Israel’s past history and future destiny.  Within the passage are several very specific prophecies, one of which was precisely and amazingly  fulfilled in the betrayal of Jesus by Judas five hundred years later, and others which remain to unfold.

Join us as we carefully make sense of t...

The old Gospel song written by Civil War Veteran Daniel Webster Whittle includes the line,

“Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need:

Mercy-drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead.”

Those lines express the idea that while we are experiencing God’s blessing now, there is an even greater blessing that could lie before us, that for which we plead.

The Jewish people of Zechariah’s day who had returned from exil...

The Jews who returned home from exile in Babylon in the sixth century B.C. faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and their temple in Jerusalem, dealing with opposition from hostile neighbors and their own frailties.  Through His prophet God encouraged them with an amazing glimpse of what He would do for them in the future as a promise of His help in the present.  Join us for a study entitled, “Strength for Today, Bright...

Have you ever noticed how easily we can be distracted from pursuing that which is most important by the allure of that which is of secondary importance?  The Jewish people of the sixth century B.C. were released from exile in Babylon for the express purpose of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, but they were soon sidetracked and neglected that most important work, resulting in a lack of real fulfillment and satisfaction.  The prop...

In this second in a series of studies from Zechariah seven through eleven entitled, “Promises Made, Promises Kept,” the Old Testament prophet declares God’s message regarding the future of the land of Israel and its largest city, Jerusalem, a future radically different from its past, a future which can only be brought about by an almighty God.  Join us in this study of “This Land is HIS Land!”

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Thank you for listening to Ancient...

In this latest episode of “Ancient Words, Modern Message” Roger Wambold introduces a new series of studies from the book of Zechariah entitled, “Promises Made, Promises Kept,” focusing on chapters seven through eleven of this amazing piece of Old Testament Literature.  Join us as we consider the prophet’s challenge to his fellow Jews and to us as, through him, God points to the serious results of spiritual amnesia.

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Thank you fo...