'The Night Before Christmas' by Pastor David

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the church,

Everyone was praying, for the lost and the hurt.

The prayer-list was laid upon the altar with care,

Knowing that Christ Jesus hears every prayer.

Some Christians knelt at the pews instead,

While the Words of Christ spoke softly in their heads.

As I stood on the platform wondering what next to do,

The church bells rang clear and true.

The stillness of the scene suddenly was shattered,

And I opened my eyes to see what was the matter.

To the clear-glass window I ran in a flash,

Wiped off the moist fog, and leaned on the sash.

High in the sky, with the most spectacular glow,

Shined the brightest star, over our church below.

Within me at first was this holy fear,

That the Lord himself was about to appear.

Then I remembered that when Christ returns, it will be quick,

And the thought of being left behind, made me extremely sick.

In His Lamb’s Book of Life, from which He will read,

Whose name will He not find, whose indeed?

Will it be Bryan, Joshua, Kevin, or John?

Brittany, McKenzie, Lily, or their Mom?

I fell to my knees and began to bawl,

I must pray and believe, and intercede for them all.

As my cheeks became wet from tear drenched eyes,

“Please save my family”, to the Lord I cried.

I sobbed and sobbed and blew my nose too.

But, I would not be deterred, until for them I prayed through.

And then in a twinkling, my voice became mute,

As through my body His Spirit did shoot.

Seconds before, in fear was I bound,

But, now was no time to wear a frown.

Christ had borne nails in each hand and each foot,

And pain and torment upon His body He took.

While the whip raged angrily upon His back,

Himself He did not defend, No one did He attack.

His eyes how they drooped, as He saw His mother Mary,

His cheeks were bruised and swollen, His body battered and dirty.

His bloodied mouth was drawn up just so,

And the beard of His chin had been plucked and let go.

The Words of Life He formed in His teeth,

As he struggled for air so He could breathe.

A last message He needed to get out, He must tell it,

The sacrifice was almost done, His Father was ready.

The grave had always claimed victory, the enemy was death,

But on this day Christ, was freely offering Himself.

In a few moments the Son of God would be dead,

Little did satan know, he soon had a lot to dread.

As Christ Jesus spoke those climactic words,

All became still, from mankind to little birds.

“It is finished”, He cried, His authority now showed,

For death and Life, are under His abode.

So now as His Word pierces the air like a whistle,

Will you accept Him as Savior, and soften your heart as a thistle?

Will you call upon His name, and let Him be your light?
For Jesus is the reason for Christmas, and in Him you can delight!

Opinion or TRUTH? What is the difference?

Today’s world scene is filled with unrest, protests, violence, lawlessness… and endless argumentative debates. Sadly, many participants in the above profess to be Christians. How can that be? How can anyone who truly is saved by the sacrificial blood of Christ act and talk in such ways? Even sadder is the fact that so much of what is said today in the name of love or Christ (regardless of how it is being said) is misleading and/or erroneous. What is a true child of God supposed to do in all this chaos and confusion?

A big part of the problem rests in what we believe (or think we believe). When we take a specific stand on an issue, it typically is based on what we believe relative to that issue. But on what foundation are we basing our belief? Is our belief just opinion with no solid basis or is it TRUTH grounded in the firm foundation of the Word? Some will claim their comments are correct by referencing a scripture verse on love or forgiveness, yet not be aware of the falsehood they are presenting. Just as invoking a “writ of habeas corpus” to a traffic cop will not stop him from writing you a ticket, neither will invoking a religious principle without solid biblical basis, and foundational context, sustain your opinion. So what is needed?

The answer to these questions and all others is found in the word of God. John 8:31-32 states: ^“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Three requirements are set forth in this verse. 

1) You must believe on Him. (Be a genuine born again Christian.) 

2) Continue in His Word. (Read and study it daily.)

3) Know the Truth. (Become proficient with it.)

True Freedom comes in knowing Christ as He desires us to know Him. We can only know Him that way by being immersed in His Word, the Holy Bible. Then when we speak on an issue, we will not speak our own words or agenda. Rather, we will speak as living oracles of God with “Thus saith the Lord”. Jesus Christ exemplified this principle while being tempted of satan. Matthew 4:4 states: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Christ, who is the Living Word, spoke the Word, referencing the written Word, which left the devil no rebuttal. Our foundation cannot get any firmer than that.

As Christians, we are the children of God. As such, Christ lives in us, desires to speak thru us, and instructs us to “hide His Word in our hearts” that the Holy Spirit can bring back His Word to our remembrance at the appropriate time.

In II Timothy 2:15 Paul gives instructions to Timothy that are for us today: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” So, to help us do that, and truly know what we believe, our Sunday bulletins will post a series on “Core Beliefs” and subsequently “Fundamental Truths”.

Every person who reads it is challenged to memorize these beliefs and related scriptures so that they may effectively proclaim God’s TRUTH from a solid foundation. Additionally, we should research other passages that shine light on these beliefs to ensure that we personally understand the context and are faithful to His Word. Now, more than ever, our own words are of no effect, for everyone has opinions. But, God’s Word is TRUTH, and He promises in Isaiah 55:11; “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Lastly, Paul in Ephesians 4:14-15 instructs: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” And to that I say, AMEN!

Who is Our Customer?

Recently, I found myself at a well-known business center in a line of one; just myself. One clerk stood behind a sign that read “next window please”, while the other clerk bounced back and forth between two windows, neither of which had a customer. I wondered to myself why neither clerk acknowledged my presence, or said the expected phrase “Thank you for waiting, I will be with you in a moment.” As time dragged on, six other customers joined the line with questioning looks. Two other workers came to the counter, asked the bouncing clerk some questions and then went back behind the wall (much to everyone’s amazement). Eventually, another clerk came out from behind the wall, slowly transferred all the needed material from her box to the waiting cash drawer, finally removed the next window sign, and spoke the magic words “May I help you?”

Throughout my confinement in line I had to resist the urge to say either to the clerks or my fellow inmates “If I operated my business like this, I would have to close the doors.” Admittedly, my frustration level intensified with each passing moment and act of callousness, disrespect, and unconcern. After all, “Don’t they understand that I am their customer?” Thankfully, I kept reminding myself of who and what I am supposed to be and did not open Pandora’s Box (my mouth). But, as I drove away, the manner in which I had been treated really gnawed at me. I asked why I continue to subject myself to this treatment (because it seems to have become the norm). The answer is because I am confined to this location due to certain parameters beyond my control.

Then, in His masterful timing, the Holy Spirit asked, “Who is your customer?” The answer, to my chagrin, is “everybody”. As a believer in Christ and His inerrant word, I represent Him to everyone I encounter in every conceivable way; in person, on the phone, on the internet, on the highway behind the wheel of my vehicle, in line at every store I can rush to, hastily brushing past the myriad of equally frantic shoppers in the mall, and the list is infinite. Every soul of man is my customer, and I represent “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” to them. The scary part is that I am never off. I work 24/7 for Him. And, how well I represent my bosses’ corporate mission statement to my customers potentially determines their eternal outcome. Am I staying behind the “walls” which I have erected, but the Holy Spirit wants to bring down? Am I busying myself at the “window” of my life, being careful not to look up and make eye contact with those I am called to help? Am I bouncing around in constant motion, but accomplishing nothing of value where it really counts? Am I transferring items of service from one tray to another, yet failing to actually use them in the service that matters most; serving my customers, all for whom Christ died?

As we approach this holiday season, may we strive to represent Christ as well as He represents God the Father to us. May we become the "Macy's" in "Miracle on 34th Street", and be the "go to" place that puts the customer first and personal/corporate profits last. After all, we serve the God of miracles, and have the greatest product offering of all stores, the love of Christ. And, unlike the establishment that I was required to patronize, our customers can shop anywhere, for anything. Let's not allow our customers to have to shop in confusing and frustrating places for that which will never satisfy.

See someone you don’t know? Is there a customer in your line? Speak those magic words, “Hi, my name is… May I help you?”

On “Bentknee”, Pastor David

Verse for the week:

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The Right Focus

Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

     “A farmer and his sixteen year old son were plowing when a bullhorn from the house summoned with an urgent message. The boy begged to operate the tractor alone. Dad relented with this clear instruction: ‘Son, the key to plowing a straight furrow lies in picking out an object across the field, then steadily driving the tractor in that direction.’ 

     When the father returned twenty minutes later, he was horrified at the squiggly S-shaped furrows. ‘Son’, he remonstrated, ‘I told you the key to plowing straight furrows was keeping your eye on a distant object and plowing straight toward it.’

     Tearfully the boy answered, ‘Dad, I did just what you told me, but there was no way I could get that cow to stand still.’”  (Reprinted from A Psalm In Your Heart by George O. Wood.)

The cute story above reminds us how easy it is to focus on the wrong thing. To help us learn from the boy’s mistake, we should consider the following:  

1. What are the cows in our lives or ministry responsibilities?
2. We cannot control these cows, no matter how much we want to or how hard
   we try.
3. Focusing on these cows leads only to frustration, resentment, disillusionment, and ironically disobedience.
4. We must focus on that which is un-changing, un-wavering, no matter the external conditions. Christ is the only one who fulfills that condition.
5. And, just as a thoroughbred race horse wears blinders to prevent unwanted distractions, God calls us to wear the blinders of His Word.

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

1.     You say, I can’t do that. There is just so much to do. And it is so important.

2.     You say, the circumstances dictate my actions or reactions.

God says…FOLLOW ME!

Hebrews 12:2-3 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD

God has an open invitation to all His creation to “Come and Dine” at His supper table; to “Commune” with Him. The Bible tells us of God’s gifts freely given to His children. So, what are those gifts? Instantly, we think of Jesus and salvation for which we are eternally thankful. But, it doesn’t stop there. To serve as a reminder, our communion table now displays those gifts from God.

First are the trays that hold the Bread and Wine (juice) for Communion. Christ’s body was beaten, broken and crucified on a cross that we might be forgiven, healed and made whole (complete) in Him. The pure, holy blood of Jesus ran down His side from the brutal piercing of a spear. This same blood washes away our sins so that instead of our body being penetrated by a steel shaft, we are permeated by His Spirit.

Second, the Holy Bible lays open on the table, serving as our guidebook of His plans for our lives. God’s will is not closed to us; it ever lays before us in His Word, as we diligently seek Him and His Truth. Jesus is the Word both in print and incarnate. John 1:1 & 1:14 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…full of grace and truth.” The Word of God allows us to partake of Christ in a very tangible and powerful way.

Third, a Jewish Prayer Shawl covers the communion table and serves as a foundation on which rests the Bread, Wine, and Bible. I Thessalonians 5:17 commands us to “Pray without ceasing.” Christ was and still is the greatest prayer warrior to ever live. On earth He consistently prayed to the Father and sought His will. In Heaven, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). God considers prayer so vital, that He declares His house shall be called of all nations a House of Prayer (Mark 11:17).

So, as we look upon our modern day Table of Shewbread, may we strive for “holiness” as He whose body and blood redeems us from all unrighteousness is Holy (I Peter 1:16).
Let us eat the written manna from Heaven, as we hide God’s Word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).
Seek continually to “dwell in the secret place of the Most High…” in prayer, that you may “…abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
For, as the old hymn says so beautifully, “All things are ready, Come to the Feast.”

On “Bentknee”, Pastor David

My Vision 

In the first staff meeting at Grace Community since accepting leadership responsibility I was asked, “What is my vision?” The response flowed effortlessly and with conviction. The desire burning within is, “That every man, woman, boy, and girl, regardless of age or culture, discover who God truly is, and that they come to a full understanding of just who they are in Him”. 

When we think about it, those words encompass everything that Christ wants to do both in us and thru us. To understand who God truly is will compel us to surrender at His feet and say “my Lord and my Master”. For we cannot see Him clearly and continue to be the same as we are. God’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, longsuffering, and supreme sacrifice shines brightly upon each of us and reveals the immeasurable deficiency of our righteousness and moral fiber. Yet, He looks upon us as a heartbroken Father yearning to reconcile you and me to Himself, and to establish an intimate connection that continually enjoins our hearts, minds, and souls with Him. To comprehend who God is, is to recognize that He loves you more than you love yourself and more than you can possibly love Him; for God is Love. 

Hebrews 11:6 says it this way, “…He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” This verse instructs us first to get to know God with a firm conviction that then leads us to diligently seek His will. To fully know God will reshape our entire being. 

Secondly, as our Father, God desires that we come to a realization of who we are in Him. Romans 8:16-17 tells us, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” As bone of His bone, flesh of His flesh, and spirit of His Spirit, (His heirs), I recognize that I cannot just receive His rewards as I seek Him, I must also experience the pain and discomfort of carrying His cross on a less than popular path of crucifying my flesh for His ultimate Glory. To accept His promises is also to accept His terms, for they are conditional. To fully understand who I am in Him, is to look in a mirror and deliberately (albeit figuratively) groom myself opposite of what society promotes and human nature craves. Being His heir and recipient of His Will, changes my will. 

On the surface this may seem undesirable, perhaps even punitive. But God assures us that it is not. In Matthew 7:11 he clarifies, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” The Life that Christ offers was purchased with the greatest price, Himself. Would He really make such a perfect sacrifice for that which is less than perfect? We are nowhere near perfect, but His plan is. 

As we move forward together at Grace Community, I pray that we will truly know Christ more, and our relationship to Him will become so close that it is inseparable, no matter what obstacles, opportunities, temptations, or circumstances cross our paths. God is our perfect Father. We are His imperfect children. In Him we are made in His likeness, and created in His image, that we may become perfect. That is a plan worth living for. That is a vision worth sacrificing for. Grace Community is a house of God worth working for. 

David Marshburn
Sr. Pastor (Interim)
DMarshburn@GCAG1.org
Cell: 919-599-1442

A CALL TO PRAYER by Debbie Berry

Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.  To say a man lives a life of faith, and yet lives a life of prayerlessness is every bit as inconsistent and incredible as to say a man lives without breathing~Jonathan Edwards

1 Samuel 12:23....prayerlessness is a sin against God.

On Sunday morning at church, God seemed to express to us all that His desire for Grace Community is that this church become a house of prayer (Luke 19:46).  What would happen Grace Community if our whole church boldly became a people of prayer?  What would happen to our individual lives, our family's lives, our church services and the lives of our community?  Grace Community, let's get in the prayer closet and see what God will do!

This Call to Prayer is not just for Grace Community but for anyone who desires to see what God will do!

Love in Christ,

Debbie Berry

When God Throws You A Curve Ball

      A couple weeks ago, I had a job interview.  After the interview, I felt peace in my spirit and fully believed God had already opened the door for this new position.  I thought I had it all figured out; it seemed to really fit with the direction God is taking me in ministering to people.  I even started taking some personal items home from my current office in preparation.  A few days later I was told I did not get the job.  I was beyond surprised.  “God, what happened?  I thought I had heard a clear ‘yes’ about this.”  It took me a few days to process this curve ball I’d been thrown.  The day I got the news, we had praise team practice at church that evening.  I thought, “Perfect timing!  I’m gonna praise Him in this storm.”  And that’s exactly what I did, tears and all. 

      God always answers our prayers.  But what do we do when the answer is not at all what we are expecting?  Submit ourselves to Him, completely.  Pray as Jesus did, “Not my will, but Your will, Father.”  Don’t we long to walk in His perfect will for our lives?  Looking back on this whole experience, I am seeing that this was a test for me.  God wanted to see how I would handle this curve ball.  Although it took me a little while to work through it, I think I passed the test.  I took my confusion and bitterness about the whole thing and handed it over to the One who can handle it.  He invites me to cast my cares on Him.  He promises to carry my burdens.  And during the darkest moments, He reminds me that JOY comes in the morning.  My God is good.  My God is faithful.  And my God answers prayer.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 
James 1:2-4

Gaile Brittain

Against All Hope by Christie Lambert

Everything we see, everything we hear, everything we feel – it can all tell us that it’s time to quit trying, to give up our dream and our calling, to give into despair.

And, sometimes, it would be easier to slide right into believing all of these things that are right in front of us. It would be easier to stop expecting better things. It would be less disappointing and less heart-breaking to just accept what is and to throw away that vision of what could be.

If this is where you are right now,  please – hold on. Don’t give up.

If your heart is breaking, if your faith is fragile, if you are afraid – don’t give up.

It may be an outright battle to keep hope in your hands, but it is a fight you can win through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We have an enemy and he is going to fight you to the finish – John 10:10 tells us plainly that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. He wants to devour your God-given purpose and your calling to speak out the name of Jesus into this world. He wants to take your faith and your hope in the promises of our Father.

When everything seems to be going wrong, when things don’t work out – there’s his voice, bearer of hopelessness. It might sound a little like Job’s wife – why don’t you just curse God and die? It might sound like the voice of the Israelites – did God bring us here to hunger, to thirst, to fall by the sword? We would have been better off as slaves in Egypt! It might sound like the voice of a giant – Are you fighting me with little sticks? Come here and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! It might sound like the voice of a king ready to attack – on what are you basing your confidence, that you remain under siege? Who of all the gods of these nations that my predecessors destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your God deliver you from my hand?

It might sound like the voices of the elders, scornful at the foot of the cross – He saved others, but He can’t save Himself!

It sounds like a stone is rolling into place – like it is pushing your purpose, your relationship, your hope of a life full and free into an airless and dark tomb.

It sounds like all is lost. It sounds like you have failed – maybe it even sounds like God has failed.

But listen –your expectations…your promises…your hope is in “the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. “

Romans 4 goes on to say that “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead- since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.”

Abraham saw the facts and it looked hopeless. That voice was loud and clear – it was over.

There was no reason to think that he and Sarah could have a child, not when their youth was gone and the spark of life taken from their bodies. There was no reason to think that they’d ever have the joy they’d wanted for so long.

No reason – but God. God had promised. God had spoken to Abraham and said – Yes, this is going to be your blessing and through it all men shall be blessed. Yes, you will be the father of nations and Sarah will be their mother.

Yes- the years, they passed. The perfect timing and the perfect circumstances passed.

But still Abraham in hope believed, against all hope – against all the facts and all the fears – that God had the power to do what He had promised.

When he least expected it, when the odds were fully against it – a baby boy came kicking and laughing into this world. God fulfilled His promise in the better way, in the miraculous way that no other could accomplish.

It’s His way, to bring salvation in the strangest of ways. It’s His way to show up in the can’t-be-done and the it’s-too-late now. It’s His way to leave no doubt that He and He alone is Lord over all – because who else could do what our God has done?

Who else could part a sea to make way for escape from an enemy? Who else could bring down a city with a march and a shout? Who else could knock down a giant with a single stone? Who else could shut the lion’s mouth? Who else could bring men out of a fire, without the slightest singe? Who else could make an army flee from Jerusalem without a single man of Israel lifting a sword against them? Who else could use a giant fish to save a drowning man? Who else could feed thousands with one basket of food?  Who else could speak to the days-dead in their grave and watch life walk out?

Who else could defeat death by sacrificing His own life?

No, your facts might not be what you want them to be. Your situation may be far from the promise for which you’ve been waiting.

But, friend, dig your heels in. Raise your hands in victory. Because your hope is in the God of the impossible. Nothing is too hard for our God and He will not abandon you to that dark tomb. 

The thief may be trying to steal, kill, and destroy you but here’s the end of that verse in John 10 – Jesus came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.

He knows exactly where you are. He knows exactly what is going on. He knows your need. He knows how long you have waited.

He also knows the best way, the better way – the glory-only-to-the-God-of-the-Impossible way to fulfill His promises for you.

I love what He says in Isaiah 55: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn-bush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

We can’t always understand how He is working. We usually don’t understand why we are in a season of waiting.

But trust in Him because you know who He is: mighty, merciful, faithful to His every Word. He will accomplish what He desires for your life – He will bring you that beautiful place of peace and so much joy that creation itself cannot help but burst into song!

He has saved you and called you because of His unending love for you – and He is not going to leave you alone. Even as you wait, even as you hold onto your hope – His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3).

Never, ever give up your hope that is in His name.

When you hear the voice of the enemy telling you to abandon your purpose, that your prayers are pointless – do not be discouraged and do not be afraid. Instead, ‘be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Pick up your sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and stand your ground. ‘Press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus too hold of’ for you. Hope in His promises!

I am confident – because He never changes! – that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. This (all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-gracious!) God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.   (from Phil. 1:6 & Psalm 48:14)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. –Hebrews 10:23

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. –Romans 5:5

…but He will bind up our wounds…He will revive us, He will restore us that we may live in His presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. -from Hosea 6

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.-Psalm 138:8