...SO IS A FAIR WOMAN WITHOUT DISCRETION

Photo's provided by Amy Jennifer Bryd 

A gracious woman retaineth honour: 

and strong men retain riches. The

merciful man doeth good to his own soul:
but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to
him that soweth righteousness shall be a
sure reward.  As righteousness tendeth to life:
so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his
own death.  They that are of a froward heart
are abomination to the LORD: but such as are
upright in their way are his delight. Though hand
join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished:
but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a 

fair woman which is without discretion.

The desire of the righteous is only good: 

but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Proverbs 11:16-23

AND THIS IS THE WORD......

Photo provided by Amy Jennifer Bryd

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not 

redeemed with corruptible things, as silver
and gold, from your vain conversation
received by tradition from your fathers;

But with the precious blood of Christ, 

as of a lamb without blemish and without 

spot: Who verily was foreordained before the 

foundation of the world, but was manifest in 

these last times for you, Who by him do 

believe in God, that raised him up from the 

dead, and gave him glory; that your faith 

and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have 

purified your souls in obeying the truth through 

the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, 

see that ye love one another with a pure heart 

fervently  Being born again, not of corruptible 

seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of 

God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory 

of man as the flower of grass. The grass 

withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. 

And this is the word which by the gospel is 

preached unto you.

I Peter 1:18-25

SHOW THY MARVELOUS LOVINGKINDNESS

Photo provided by Amy Jennifer Bryd

Because thou hast been my help, 

therefore in the shadow of thy 

wings will I rejoice. My soul 

followeth hard after thee: thy 

right hand upholdeth me.

Psalm 63:7-8

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, 

O thou that savest by thy right hand them 

which put their trust in thee from those 

that rise up against them. Keep me 

as the apple of the eye, hide me 

under the shadow of thy wings,

Psalm 17:7-8

 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful 

unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: 

yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I 

make my refuge, until these calamities 

be overpast.

Psalm 57:1

WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSING ON?

Photo provided by Amy Jennifer Bryd 

The Lord gave me an new perspective on Psalm 19

this year.  As I was traveling to speak to a group of

ladies it seemed the Lord put this on my heart to share

with them..  I even questioned it but the more I have 

thought about it the more I see that it is true.  

We as Christians, whether in our personal 

lives, our jobs or our church relationships, we often 

view things based on all the good that is going on.

We seldom look at the bad and think about it being 

good for us.  At least, I personally don't often view

it as so. 

This year our church went through some major storms. 

Literally, many of our members had their homes and 

cars damaged severely by two storms that swept through 

the area.  We began some projects at our church that 

seemed to come to a stand still for a long period of time 

and we had several families within our church that 

had some major medical issues going on within 

their family.  It seemed week after week like things

were getting more and more difficult and you 

could sense a discouragement.    

In the midst of all the stings and pain and suffering 

I felt the Lord wanted us to focus on the honey and not

the sting.  Keep focusing on His glory and not the 

despair going on.  Sure we all need to encourage,

love and support each other through the storms but

we are not to loose our focus on the harvest of the 

honey  Our pastor began to use this phrase,
"Glancing at our problems and gazing
our our God"! 

You see, you can't have honey without the bees!
And we surely had a swarm of bees stinging.

The Lord gave our pastor a vision!
A vision that we would have a big
footprint on our world.

Where there is no vision, the people perish:

Proverbs 29:18

It took months of having hope and faith

that the Lord was going to bring us through the

sting and we would find the honey.  

We have truly found that more to be desired

than gold, yea, than much fine gold, sweeter also

than the honey, and the honeycomb.  

The last few months we have had a continual flow

of salvation's and baptism and nearly every Sunday

someone new is being baptized and becoming a 

part of our big family.  

Would we have chosen to have the storms?  Certainly not,

but if we were being tested and tried to see if we would

focus on the pain of the sting or if we would look past the

pain and focus on the cross, then I would say, the 

focus was where it needed to be and now we are finding

something so much sweeter than the honey and even the

honeycomb.  

Our children's ministry is growing, the ladies ministry 

is growing, the missions outreach is growing 

and more importantly we are spiritually 

growing together into one body that is focused

on taking the gospel of Christ and placing a 

giant print on our world.  It all starts with baby 

steps in our own community and not stopping but

moving outward with a focus on God's 

plan, not our own.

May we keep looking past our own sufferings and
looking for the blessed hope that the Lord
has promised.  

Where there is no vision the people perish!

We have a vision and the Lord is opening doors,
sending people and paving the way for this little
church to be a shining light into the the vast world
we live in. 

Our parking lot still isn't paved but their have been

far greater paths paved over the last few months 

than the physical eye can see.  The paths of
people saved,  baptized and the church growth.
This year we have seen the blog expand
and go into forty-eight countries with  28,395 hits.
We are able to share Jesus Christ
with an average of fifty people each day.
May we continue to glance at our problems,
and gaze at our Savior.

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the 

dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, 

through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Make you perfect in every good work to do 

his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing 

in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be 

glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20

HOW TO PRESENT OURSELVES TO GOD

Photo provided by Amy Jennifer Bryd

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a 

spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to 

offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable 

to God by Jesus Christ.

I Peter 2:5

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1

And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace 

offerings unto the LORD to accomplish 

his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves 

or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; 

there shall be no blemish therein.

Leviticus 22:21

 Let the words of my mouth, and the 

meditation of my heart, be acceptable 

in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, 

and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

The sacrifices of God are a broken 

spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, 

O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 51:17

ENTER HIS COURTS WITH THANKSGIVING

Photo provided by David Dedwylder

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, 

all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with 

gladness: come before his presence 

with singing. Know ye that the LORD 

he is God: it is he that hath made us, 

and not we ourselves; we are his 

people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, 

and into his courts with praise: 

be thankful unto him, and bless 

his name.  For the LORD is good; 

his mercy is everlasting; and his 

truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100

BLESSED IS.......

Photo provided by Jeannie Faverino

Blessed is every one that feareth the 

LORD; that walketh in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of 

thine hands: happy shalt thou be,

and it shall be well with thee.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful 

vine by the sides of thine house: 

thy children like olive plants 

round about thy table.  Behold, 

that thus shall the man be 

blessed that feareth the LORD.

The LORD shall bless thee out 

of Zion: and thou shalt see the 

good of Jerusalem all the days 

of thy life.  Yea, thou shalt see 

thy children’s children, and 

peace upon Israel.

Psalm 127

I AM THAT I AM

Photo provided by Bud Guffey 

I AM'S OF CHRIST

 After these things the word of the LORD came 

unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, 

Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding 

great reward.

Genesis 15:1

Who hath wrought and done it, calling 

the generations from the beginning? 

I the LORD, the first, and with the last; 

I am he.

Isaiah 41:4

Thou shalt also suck the milk of the 

Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: 

and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy 

Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty 

One of Jacob.

Isaiah 60:15

And Jesus said unto them, I am the 

bread of life: he that cometh to me 

shall never hunger; and he that believeth 

on me shall never thirst.

John 6:35

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 

I am the light of the world: he that followeth 

me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have 

the light of life.

John 8:12

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, 

verily, I say unto you, I am the door 

of the sheep.  All that ever came before me 

are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did 

not hear them. I am the door: by me if any 

man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall 

go in and out, and find pasture. The thief 

cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, 

and to destroy: I am come that they might 

have life, and that they might have it 

more abundantly.  I am the good shepherd: 

the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:7-11

 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, 

and the life: he that believeth in me, 

though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 11:25

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, 

and the life: no man cometh unto the 

Father, but by me.

John 14:6

I am the true vine, and my Father 

is the husbandman. Every branch in me 

that beareth not fruit he taketh away: 

and every branch that beareth fruit, 

he purgeth it, that it may bring forth 

more fruit.  Now ye are clean through 

the word which I have spoken unto you.  

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch 

cannot bear fruit of itself, except it 

abide in the vine; no more can ye, except 

ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the 

branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without 

me ye can do nothing.

John 15:1-5

THE TIME HAS ARRIVED

Photo Provided Becky Whiteman-Sparks

The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh 

leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the 

hills.  My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: 

behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh 

forth at the windows, shewing himself through the 

lattice.  My beloved spake, and said unto me, 

Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.  

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over 

and gone;  The flowers appear on the earth; 

the time of the singing of birds is come, and 

the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, 

and the vines with the tender grape give 

a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair 

one, and come away.  O my dove, that 

art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret 

places of the stairs, let me see thy 

countenance, let me hear thy voice; for 

sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance 

is comely.  Take us the foxes, the little foxes, 

that spoil the vines: for our vines have 

tender grapes.  My beloved is mine, and 

I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

Until the day break, and the shadows 

flee away, turn, my beloved, and be 

thou like a roe or a young hart upon 

the mountains of Bether.

SONG OF SOLOMON 2:12

WHAT A WONDERFUL YEN YANG FEELING! DON'T YOU THINK?

Reflecting back over my adult life; these thoughts crossed 

my mind yesterday.  The teaching of "Yen Yang, No Fear, and
the fight for Equal Rights (in all area's) has really made
us better.  Don't you think?

  The new theory is, "We are going to change
the way you think and act, which will bring forth a better
place to live for all of us.   Don't teach us what you 

believe because it might be offensive.  Start 

believing in people, even if they are not good people 

because you can always find a good trait in every 

person.  The list goes on and on as to how, if we all

change, this world will be a much better place.

So, just go get a pair of yoga pants and let's all
meditate and merge into one beautiful place to
live and the America that has had division in the
past but will soon become the Yen Yang and instead
of everyone being divided, we will all merge and be
perfect people walking in unity and loving
one another.    

Now, let's not use the same words you've always
used when speaking about other nationalities, even
though some of those words were not wrong, you are
now wrong for using them. I must agree some of them
needed changing but some were perfectly fine yet
became words, if used, you were scolded like
you were a child and made to believe you were just
a horrible person for even thinking it much less
saying it.

Over the last fifteen years I've watched these
idea's grow and produce your new America.

Just the way we all wanted it to look like.
Don't you think?

As I was taking the train home from work yesterday a 

co-worker sat beside me and he said, "I have been an 

American my whole entire life but I have never lived

in the day and age like this.  Were we not the generation

that came out of being racially divided?   Yet now, for
the black person in America he said, I fear more now
than I did as a child growing up in the 60's."  He asked,
"What could have possibly happened to our country that 

we became so divided?  We were told our lives
would become better, people were going to become
better people and we would all live in a better world."

Let me remind everyone of something, it's not my
age group out on the streets screaming, shooting
and killing people.  I am seeing the younger generation
and the generation that told us to lay back and just merge
and all would be alright.  Well what I see on the streets
in the huge city I work in, is far from being alright.
It's not better people, a better place and better
leadership.  I see a city filled with more hate and
destruction than ever before.

The generation that believed in bowing the knee
was a far better generation than the one who refuses
to bow the knee.  The generation that believed
there is a God in heaven who we answer to was
a far better world than the world that we live now
where people shake their fist toward heaven and
refuse to humble themselves to the Almighty God.

One day they will find they have no choice, they
will bow that knee and fear the one they thought they
were greater than.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, 
every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue 
shall confess to God.

Romans 14:11

As this gentleman asked me yesterday it was a perfect
opportunity to tell him, "I believe we, as a country, laid
down God's ways and embraced worldly standards and
even though many felt God's ways were not the best ways,
we can truly see they were far better ways than what
we are experiencing by embracing the world's ways.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety;
then sudden destruction cometh upon 
them, as travail upon a woman with child; 
and they shall not escape.

I Thessalonians 5:3

Everything became gray and instead of us all becoming one

great big loving family embracing each other with kindness, 

we merged together like a cat and a dog tied up inside of a 

 sealed box with no way to get out.  What a wonderful Yen
Yang feeling we are experiencing, Don't you think!

I sat through an Active Shooting Training on Thursday
and thought, "We've come a long way baby!"  Just the
wonderful warm fuzzy world I wanted my grandchildren
to grow up in.  A world where the officers know that
every time they walk out into the streets they may
not return home that evening.  The world where they
tell us to lay our guns down and just get that warm
fuzzy feeling of safety while more children are kidnapped,
raped and abused than ever a time in history.  

Are you feeling that warm Yen Yang feeling yet?
if so, tell me where you found it because, that's not the
feeling I get when I get off the train and walk eight blocks
on streets where officer's are now the bad guys and we are
expected to stop and embrace and understand the
protesters who will not get a descent job or even
do community service.  We are expected to work
an eight hour job so we can pay for some of them
to sit on the sofa in their home, drink a beer,
smoke a cigarette and watch TV,   Why? Because
they never learned anything except to spout off your
mouth to their mother/father, grandparents, teachers
and officers and now they demand all America
listen to them because they have been so mistreated
and rejected for so long and if they don't get your
attention, they are going to kill to get your attention.

We were warned if someone didn't pick them up and bust
their butt then the officers would be the ones that would
have to and yet people screamed the more, screaming at
teachers to not discipline their precious little children
less they break their spirits. When the teachers tried
to save their child's life by teaching him right from wrong,
the teachers started getting scolded and told they were not
allowed to correct them.

Now they are screaming at the officers and their
parents aren't getting angry with that child but
taking the officer to court to teach them a lesson.
Oh, does that surprise you?  They will stop
at nothing because that precious child has
been mistreated their whole life.  Let's don't
point our finger at our own lives and admit we
didn't love that child like they should have been loved ,
but left them to raise themselves while we worked
a job and partied with our friends but ran to their
rescue when anyone said anything about them.

Who will they attack after they have broken down
the home, the school, and the officer's so they can
have their way.  They received a trophy
because the system had compassion on them,
when they didn't deserve it and now they think
they can rule the whole universe because they
are so great.

How is that Yen Yang feeling making you feel now?
Didn't we turn out a superior group of children?
I think we would have turned out a far greater
generation had we all embraced Romans 12
instead of buying the Yen Yang necklace
and putting on our Yoga pants and doing
meditation.

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God.  For I say, through the grace
given unto me, to every man that is
among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to think
soberly, according as God hath dealt to every
man the measure of faith.  For as we have
many members in one body, and all
members have not the same office:  So
we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and every one members one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the
grace that is given to us, whether prophecy,
let us prophesy according to the proportion
of faith;  Or ministry, let us wait on our
ministering: or he that teacheth, on  teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation:
he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;
he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth
mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without
dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave
to that which is good.  Be kindly affectioned
one to another with brotherly love; in honour
preferring one another;  Not slothful in business;
fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;  Rejoicing
in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing
instant in prayer;  Distributing to the necessity
of saints; given to hospitality.  Bless them
which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with
them that weep.  Be of the same mind one toward
another.  Mind not high things, but condescend
to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things
honest in the sight of all men.  If it be possible,
as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance
is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  Therefore
if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give
him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of
fire on his head.  Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome evil with good.

Romans 12

HEAR COUNCIL AND RECEIVE INSTRUCTION

CHRISTMAS IS AROUND THE CORNER

Need an idea for Christmas? 

A donation of $25.00 will get one 

of each of these books. 

A Devotional Book, 

ABC of Christmas Book, 

Digging a Well Book, 

Digging a Well Study Guide & 

Digging a Well Journal for your notes

To place an order using Paypal,

send your request to have 

invoice created to:

enduringthejourney@comcast.net

Specify in your e-mail the amount and the 

address you want the books mailed to.

YOU SHALL BE LIKE A TREE THAT SPREADETH OUT HER ROOTS BY THE RIVER

Photo provided by Becky Whiteman-Sparks

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the 

LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

For he shall be as a tree planted by the 

waters, and that spreadeth out her roots 

by the river, and shall not see when heat 

cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and 

shall not be careful in the year of drought, 

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

The heart is deceitful above all things, 

and desperately wicked: who can know it?

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, 

even to give every man according to his 

ways, and according to the fruit of his 

doings.  As the partridge sitteth on eggs, 

and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth 

riches, and not by right, shall leave them 

in the midst of his days, and at his end 

shall be a fool  A glorious high throne 

from the beginning is the place of our 

sanctuary. O LORD, the hope of Israel, 

all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, 

and they that depart from me shall be

written in the earth, because they have 

forsaken the LORD, the fountain of 

living waters.  Heal me, O LORD, 

and I shall be healed; save me, 

and I shall be saved: for thou art 

my praise.

Jeremiah 17:7-12

YOU ARE THE GOD THAT WORKS WONDERS

 Photo provided by Teresa Bruce Gross

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto 

God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: 

my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: 

my soul refused to be comforted.  I 

remembered God, and was troubled:  I
complained, and my spirit was over-
whelmed. Selah.  Thou holdest mine
eyes waking: I am so troubled that I
cannot speak. I have considered the
days of old, the years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in the
night: I commune with mine own
heart: and my spirit made diligent 

search.  Will the Lord cast off for ever? 

and will he be favourable no more?  Is 

his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his 

promise fail for evermore?  Hath God 

forgotten to be gracious? hath he in 

anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I 

will remember the years of the right hand
of the most High. I will remember the
works of the LORD: surely I will remember
thy wonders of old.  I will meditate
also of all thy work, and talk of thy
doings.  Thy way, O God, is in the
sanctuary: who is so great a God as our
God? Thou art the God that doest
wonders: thou hast declared thy strength
among the people.  Thou hast with  thine
arm redeemed thy people, the sons of
Jacob and Joseph.  Selah.  The waters
saw thee, O God,  the waters saw thee;
they were afraid: the depths also
were troubled.  The clouds poured out
water: the skies sent out a sound: thine
arrows also went abroad.  The
voice of thy thunder was in the heaven:
the lightnings lightened the world: 

the earth trembled and shook.  Thy
way is in the sea, and thy path in
the great waters, and thy footsteps are
not known.  Thou leddest thy people like
a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 77

IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, DO GOOD!

Photo provided by Becky Whiteman-Sparks

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye 

which are spiritual, restore such an one in 

the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, 

lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one 

another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law 

of Christ. For if a man think himself 

to be something, when he is nothing, 

he deceiveth himself. But let every 

man prove his own work, and then 

shall he have rejoicing in himself 

alone, and not in another.  For 

every man shall bear his own 

burden.  Let him that is taught 

in the word communicate unto 

him that teacheth in all good 

things.  Be not deceived; God is 

not mocked: for whatsoever a 

man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall 

of the flesh reap corruption; but he 

that soweth to the Spirit shall of the 

Spirit reap life everlasting. And let 

us not be weary in well doing: 

for in due season we shall reap, 

if we faint not.  As we have 

therefore opportunity, let us 

do good unto all men, especially 

unto them who are of the 

household of faith.

Galatians 6:1-9

THAT WE MAY KNOW HIM THAT IS TRUE

Photo provided by Becky Whiteman-Sparks

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is 

born of God: and every one that loveth him 

that begat loveth him also that is 

begotten of him. By this we know that we 

love the children of God, when we 

love God, and keep his commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep 

his commandments: and his commandments 

are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God 

overcometh the world: and this is the victory 

that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he 

that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is he that came by water and blood, even 

Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and 

blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth 

witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are 

three that bear record in heaven, the Father, 

the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three 

are one. And there are three that bear witness in 

earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the 

blood: and these three agree in one.

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of 

God is greater: for this is the witness of 

God which he hath testified of his Son.

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness 

in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a 

liar; because he believeth not the record that 

God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God 

hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that 

hath not the Son of God hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on 

the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye 

have eternal life, and that ye may believe on

the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence 

that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing 

according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know 

that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that 

we have the petitions that we desired of him.

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto 

death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them 

that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto 

death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a 

sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born 

of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth 

himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

And we know that we are of God, and the 

whole world lieth in wickedness.

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath 

given us an understanding, that we may know him that is 

true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son 

Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

I John 5:20

BEHOLD I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK

Photo provided by Cricket White Green 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: 

if any man hear my voice, and open the door, 

I will come in to him, and will sup with 

him, and he with me. To him that overcometh 

will I grant to sit with me in my throne, 

even as I also overcame, and am set down 

with my Father in his throne.  He that hath 

an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith 

unto the churches.

Revelation 3:20-22

I AM THE LORD THAT MAKETH ALL THINGS

Photo provided by Jan Davis

Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, 

and he that formed thee from the womb, 

I am the LORD that maketh all things; 

that stretcheth forth the heavens 

alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth 

by myself; That frustrateth the tokens 

of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; 

that turneth wise men backward, and
maketh their knowledge foolish; That
confirmeth the word of his servant, and
performeth the counsel of his messengers; 

that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be 

inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, 

Ye shall be built, and I will raise up 

the decayed places thereof: That saith to 

the deep,  Be dry, and I will dry up thy 

rivers:  That saith of Cyrus, He is my 

shepherd, and shall perform all my 

pleasure:even saying to Jerusalem, 

Thou shalt be built; and to the 

temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, 

to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, 

to subdue nations before him; and I will 

loose the loins of kings, to open before him 

the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not 

be shut;  I will go before thee, and make 

the crooked places straight: I will break 

in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in 

sunder the bars of iron:  And I will give 

thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden 

riches of secret places, that thou mayest 

know that I, the LORD, which call thee 

by thy name, am the God of Israel.

For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel 

mine elect, I have even called thee by 

thy name: I have surnamed thee, though 

thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, 

and there is none else, there is no God 

beside me: I girded thee, though thou 

hast not known me:

Isaiah 44:24 - 45:5

THE HAND OF THE LORD HAS WROUGHT THIS

Photo provided by Cricket White Green 

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; 

and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: 

and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand 

of the LORD hath wrought this?

In whose hand is the soul of every living 

thing, and the breath of all mankind.

Doth not the ear try words? 

and the mouth taste his meat?

With the ancient is wisdom; and in 

length of days understanding.

Job 12:7-12

UPHOLDING ALL THINGS BY THE WORD OF HIS POWER

Photo provided by Bud Guffey 

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners 

spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, 

whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom 

also he made the worlds;  Who being the brightness 

of his glory, and the express image of his person, 

and upholding all things by the word of his power, 

when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down 

on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Being made so much better than the angels, 

as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent 

name than they.  For unto which of the angels said 

he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I 

begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, 

and he shall be to me a Son?  And again, when he 

bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, 

And let all the angels of God worship him.

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels 

spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, 

is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness 

is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved 

righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, 

even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of 

gladness above thy fellows. and, Thou, Lord, in the 

beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; 

and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they 

all shall wax old as doth a garment;

And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and 

they shall be changed: but thou art the same, 

and thy years shall not fail.  But to which of the 

angels said he at any time, Sit on my right 

hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to 

minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Hebrews 1

THE LORD WILL NOT FAIL THEE

Photo provided by Jan Davis 

And Moses went and spake these words 

unto all Israel.  And he said unto them, 

I am an hundred and twenty years old this 

day; I can no more go out and come in: 

also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt 

not go over this Jordan.  The LORD thy God, 

he will go over before thee, and he will destroy 

these nations from before thee, and thou shalt 

possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over 

before thee, as the LORD hath said.

And the LORD shall do unto them 

as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings 

of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, 

whom he destroyed.  And the LORD shall give 

them up before your face, that ye may do unto 

them according unto all the commandments 

which I have commanded you. Be strong and of a 

good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: 

for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth 

go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake 

thee.  And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto 

him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a 

good courage: for thou must go with this people 

unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their 

fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to 

inherit it.  And the LORD, he it is that doth 

go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not 

fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, 

neither be dismayed.  And Moses wrote this law, 

and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, 

which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, 

and unto all the elders of Israel.  And Moses 

commanded them, saying, At the end of every 

seven years, in the solemnity of the year 

of release, in the feast of tabernacles,

When all Israel is come to appear before the 

LORD thy God in the place which he shall 

choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel 

in their hearing.  Gather the people together, men, 

and women, and children, and thy stranger that is 

within thy gates, that they may hear, and that 

they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, 

and observe to do all the words of this law:

And that their children, which have not known 

any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the 

LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land 

whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

DEUTERONOMY 31:1-13

I WILL WALK IN THY TRUTH

Patricia Ziegler

 O LORD, hear me: for I am poor 

and needy.  Preserve my soul; for I am holy: 

O thou my God, save thy servant that 

trusteth in thee.  Be merciful unto me, 

O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: 

for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift 

up my soul.  For thou, Lord, art good, 

and ready to forgive; and plenteous in 

mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; 

and attend to the voice of my 

supplications. In the day of my 

trouble I will call upon thee: for thou 

wilt answer me. Among the gods there is 

none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there 

any works like unto thy works.  All nations 

whom thou hast made shall come and worship 

before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

For thou art great, and doest wondrous 

things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, 

O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my 

heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord 

my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify 

thy name for evermore.  For great is thy mercy 

toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul 

from the lowest hell.  O God, the proud are risen 

against me, and the assemblies of violent men 

have sought after my soul; and have not set 

thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of 

compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and 

plenteous in mercy and truth.  O turn unto me, 

and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto 

thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me 

may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, 

LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

PSALM 86