Ancient Future Ministries

Judges Introduction

This podcast introduces a new study of the book Judges in the Old Testament. Joshua has died and the individual tribes are asked to finish the job that the nation started. 

We see a cycle of God's blessing, the tribes fall away from God, he raises up an enemy to oppress the tribe(s). When the calls out to God and he raises up a judge to deliver the people of God, only to start the cycle again. 

Why does God command that some nations be utterly destroyed? We will look at the difference between dedicated vs. devoted and how these two words help explain God's commands.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Ruth 4:11-22

This podcast wraps up our study of the book of Ruth.

Of special issue in this study is the birth of Boaz and how his birth benefits not only Naomi but also the rest of his clan, his tribe, his nation, and ultimately all fo the world. It is interesting that God chooses to include a non-Israelite to be an ancestor of David and ultimately the Son of David - Jesus the Messiah. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Ruth 4:1-10

Ruth waits at home for Boaz to fulfill his promise redemption of Naomi's property and the Levitical law to raise up an heir for the deceased husband.

The kinsman redeemer is a wonderful example of hos Christ redeems us. A redeemer must be a near kinsman. Christ chose to be born into this world. The redeemer had to have the means to pay the redemptive price. And Jesus Christ had the ability to fully pay the price. Finally, the kinsman redeemer had to be willing to pay the price for the redemption. And Christ willingly offered the full payment for our redemption. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Ruth 3:1-18

Chapter three of Ruth is a study in acting honorably and self-control. Ruth listens to the advice of her mother-in-law to prepare for her encounter with Boaz. Like the priests of the OT she took the tike to cleans herself and anoint herself with oil and finally to put on her best clothes. I am reminded that we also as NT priests need to prepare before we meet with our Redeemer.

Throughout the OT oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In order to enter into God's presence, we need to be anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit. Finally, with our cleansing, God provides us with spotless raiment. 

When Ruth arrives home Naomi has one final command for Ruth and that is to wait. It is tough to wait! In this society, we are used to instant gratification but God often commands us to wait! We also are often asked to wait while our Redeemer finishes His preparation for our wedding celebration.

The overarching theme is integrity. Ruth decides to put away her widow rags and join the living. She presents herself to asks for Boaz to marry her. Boaz acts honorably by not taking advantage of Ruth. He also tells the truth that while he is interested in marrying her there is another who has a stronger claim to be Ruth's kinsman redeemer. 

Both people demonstrate Godlike hesed. They are not self-serving and think more highly of others. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Ruth 2

The recording of the first part of Ruth chapter two failed so the first portion of this podcast is a recap of the first verses 1-14. 

Warren Wiersbe said, "Before God changes our circumstances, he wants to change our hearts." For God to work in us there certain conditions that must be made. Ruth illustrates these condition in chapter two. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Ruth 1:5-22

In this podcast we look at how Naomi returns to Israel bitter and empty but Ruth chooses to cast her lot with Naomi, her people, and her God. Ruth chooses to reject her gods and follow the God of Israel. 

We begin to see how various people in this book display the same hesed that God displays to His people. (Hesed, sometimes spelled chesed, means kindness or love between people, of piety of people towards God as well as of love or mercy of God towards humanity. It is frequently used in Psalms in this sense, where it is often translated "lovingkindness") In this chapter Ruth shows her hesed to Naomi by her words and deeds.

We learn how Father wants us to display His hesed to all people in our actions and deeds. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Ruth Intro & Chapter1:1-4

In this introduction to Ruth, we look at how God teaches us through implication vs explanation. This means we must understand the culture and societal norms of the time. Otherwise, we will be tempted to draw the wrong conclusions based on 21st-century norms and culture.

We will be exploring God's Providence throughout this little book. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Acts 28

This podcast wraps up our study of the book of Acts. When you are in a predicament, whom do you trust to get you out of it? How do you act after a long day? Do you serve or are you served? 

After arriving in Rome Paul presented Jesus' claims to the Jews of Rome. It appears that many Jews rejected Christ as Messiah while an almost an equal number accepted Jesus. This seems to be a better average than Paul usually achieved. Was Paul satisfied with the result? What kind of results would make you happy?

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Acts 26:20-27:1-44

How do you respond to people who choose to not follow your advice? Especially when you end up being right and they are wrong?  What do you do when things get beyond your control?

These are just some of the questions Paul faced when a nor'easter blew his transport ship off course. What happens when you get blown off course? These and similar questions are covered in this podcast.

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.

Acts 26:1-19

The Apostle Paul presents his defense to King Agrippa. Governor Festus has granted Paul's appeals to Ceaser and now Festus must come up with a reason why he has not released Paul after the third time in two years the Roman leadership has declared Paul not guilty of any violation of Roman law.

Agrippa has the unique pedigree. He had a Roman education and was born a Jew. He understood the nuances of Jewish Law and the implications to Roman law.

Paul attempts to persuade Agrippa that Jesus is the promised Messiah the Jews had expected for centuries. Unfortunately, Agrippa refuses to accept Paul's arguments. But he does agree with Festus that Paul is not guilty of breaking any Roman law. 

These non-denominational Bible studies are led by Dr. Val and recorded live. Some 20-25 men meet weekly at 6:30 AM for an hour. They study and discuss a passage from Scripture. Questions are encouraged and often lead to interesting rabbit trails that help us discover and process additional Biblical truths.