When studying the books of the Bible, it is wise for the Bible student to possess (1) an outline of the book or (2) an overview (general view or survey) of the book in order to get

This past Thursday evening, (April 1st 2004) we went to the Berryville Community Center and watched a high school choir production of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” You may be familiar with the story. An emperor is more concerned with his own vanities than he is with the affairs of his […]

Because This Is My Father’s World, I will Praise Him, Praise Him for all He has done for me. Love Lifted Me from the depths of sin there At The Cross. Because of this, I can go Anywhere With Jesus, for I know He will be there. As I go, Each Day I’ll Do a […]

The gospel of Christ is: Free — Even the poor can obtain it: “The poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:5 KJV). Plain — Even the uneducated can understand it (Mark 12:37 KJV) : “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge” (Ephesians 3:1-6 KJV).

Some men have a tongue as rough as a cat’s, and biting as an adder. If you have a good temper, keep it. If you have a bad temper, don’t lose it! Gossip is something negative that is developed and then enlarged. The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his […]

Recently a learned man made the following statement: “We worship our work, we work at our play, we play at our worship.” We believe this is a fair appraisal of folk in our time. Too often, that which is first is, alas, last!

It may sound strange but one can receive a blessing and at the same time despise it. Beyond question, this is exactly what happened to ancient Israel as they wandered in the wilderness before entering the land of Canaan. The blessings God had given them were manifold. They needed leadership; God provided it (Exodus 14-16). […]

The Bible is divided into two great parts – the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament, commonly called “The Law” (2 Kings 17:13; Jeremiah 2:8; Lamentations 2:9; Ephesians 3:4; Zechariah 7:12; Matthew 7:13; John 1:45; Acts 24:14; Acts 28:23) was written to guide and direct God’s people before the coming of Christ […]

On page 9 and page 19 of the July-September, 2010 issue of the Magnolia Messenger, is the above titled article, written by brother Dave Verret, who now resides in Mililani, Hawaii. Brother Alfred Franks (see page 2 by clicking on the above link), editor of the Magnolia Messenger, writes the following note in preface to […]

The trip to De Leon, Texas was productive on a number of levels. I had a wonderful opportunity to spend time with my grandmother both going to De Leon and on the return trip. She lives in Graham, Texas, just south of Wichita Falls. My grandmother

Let no one think this is a blanket condemnation of motorcycles. It is not. Illustrations from life and personal experiences, however, sometimes can be helpful in understanding principles. When I was seven or eight years old, my oldest sister married a long, tall, thin drink of water named “Jack.” Jack loved motorcycles. He owned the […]

THE ANCIENT LINES OF CAIN AND SETH CONTRASTED We are given some insight here into our ancestor’s ingenuity and industry. They were not cave men but had highly advanced intellects. Perhaps God wants us to know that the line of Cain had choices. They were not oppressed or deprived or disadvantaged. The decisions they made […]

A querist asks, “Can a man biblically have more than one wife? The Bible says that a bishop should be the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6). That means that if

The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said about enthusiasm: “Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is due to the triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it.” Charles Schwab once made this statement: “A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.” What is […]

Do we realize that we are an absolutely unique person, a Christ-redeemed human being who could never be replaced or duplicated?

You are ushering in another day Untouched and freshly new So here I come to ask you, God. If You’ll renew me, too. Forgive the many errors That I made yesterday And let me try again, dear God. To walk closer in Thy way…. But, Father, I am well aware I can’t make it on […]

Have we ever thought of where we would be without God? Without God, there would be no purpose for our existence — no mission — no challenge. Without God, there would be no courage — no honor — no destiny. It was said of an atheist who was lying in his coffin with his best […]

In the well known narrative of Jesus’ temptation, the Scripture says, “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth […]

There is a striking parallel between a misread compass and false biblical teaching. Both can cause a disastrous shipwreck. In fact, Paul warns us against “fables and endless genealogies” (1 Timothy 1:4) doing just that (1 Timothy 1:19). Alexander (see 5.) and Hymenaeus were two individuals who opposed the Word of God by placing false […]

From the 2010, volume 48, number 3 edition of The Sword and Staff publication, pg. 2, comes the following proverbs of wisdom (appropriate Scriptures and related articles have been added):