EC Week 3-Like God

Ever Closer Episode 13: Like a Child

Life is found in knowing God and glorifying him. All three persons of the one triune Godhead: Father, Son, and Spirit play a role in that process. Last week we looked at being WITH God. Next week we’ll explore being AS God, representing him in this world. This week we focus on becoming LIKE God in character and purpose.

To do so we must remain teachable as we walk with Christ Jesus, rooted and built up in Him through faith. Colossians 2:6-7 instructs us to continue in Jesus just as we received Him, becoming established in faith with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving. The songs illustrate the childlike faith required to enter God’s kingdom, the meeting point between our hopes and God’s reality in Jesus, the true freedom found in discipleship (which is following and learning from Jesus), and our ongoing prayer for God to shape us into faithful, available, and humble servants like Jesus.

Here is today’s song:

Like a Child
Jesus taught that the glorious joy and blessing of knowing God and living in the realm of his loving reign requires a childlike faith.

(Verse 1)
Castles built on shifting sand
Empires crumble in my hand.
All my efforts, are in vain
To reach a heavenly domain.

(Verse 2)
Chasing fame and gathering gold
Leave my spirit poor and cold.
Knowledge, wealth, and earthly praise
Cannot fill my empty days.

(Chorus)
Like a child, I must become
Arms wide open, heart undone.
In this simple trust I’ll find
God’s love, boundless and divine.

(Verse 3)
The proud and self-seeking fail
But those who rely on God prevail.
Humble, trusting, secure, and free
Adopted by him I want to be.

(Bridge)
Sick from sin, my soul I can’t save.
It’s God who raises me from my grave.
Jesus atoned for me by grace.
In his love, I’ll abide by faith.

(Verse 4)
In his kingdom, now I thrive
Joyful, hopeful, carefree, alive.
Innocent and full of light
In his presence, all is right.

(Chorus)
Like a child, I must become
Arms wide open, heart undone.
In this simple trust I’ll find
God’s love, boundless and divine.

(Outro)
Like a child, I dance and sing
In the courts of heaven’s King.
All I longed for, now I see.
In his arms, eternally.

Ever Closer Episode 14: Dream of Reality

Faith in Jesus is where our best hope or dreams and his true reality meet. Trust and obey Jesus and he will complete his perfect work in you which surpasses anything you could imagine.

(Verse 1)
In youth, our dreams are wild and free,
But focused just on pleasing me.
They can get warped and led astray.
If not fixed on Jesus, the Way.

(Verse 2)
When life grows hard, as adults find,
Our dreams can often be resigned.
To disappointment, worry, stress,
Unless in Jesus, we find rest.

(Chorus)
Jesus, you’re our truest dream.
Our hope and future’s surest beam.
You’re working all things for our good.
Your promises have always stood.
By faith we see dreams come alive.
In your reality we thrive.

(Verse 3)
Our dreams in twilight years progress,
Toward serving others, their lives to bless.
To pass a torch of faith, our thrust.
In Jesus’ name, our hopes entrust.

(Bridge)
For dreams that dwell on future fright,
Or past regrets that haunt the night,
We bring them, Jesus, to your throne.
The past to redeem, the future to hone.

(Chorus)
Jesus, you’re our truest dream.
Our hope and future’s surest beam.
You’re working all things for our good.
Your promises have always stood.
By faith we see dreams come alive.
In your reality we thrive.

(Outro)
We dream of your return to reign.
When righteousness and peace we’ll gain.
Believers will with you abide,
Forever at your glorious side.

Ever Closer Episode 15: Truly Free

Jesus said, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free… Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:32, 34-36).

(Verse 1)
In a world of twisted truths, I’m lost in a maze,
Misinformation surrounds, a veil of haze.
Gaslighting whispers, deception’s caress,
Leaving me uncertain, my mind in distress.

(Verse 2)
Shackled by falsehoods, I am bound,
My potential, in sin’s sea, drowned.
In a desert of wrongs, I thirst for what’s right
Who will save me from my plight?

(Chorus)
Jesus is the answer, the light for your night.
His love shines through, dispelling all blight.
His words breathe hope into your weary soul,
Guiding you forth, making you whole.

(Verse 3)
Jesus calls, his voice gracious and clear.
Listen to him speak, by faith draw near.
His teachings bring freedom from strife.
Obey his words and enjoy true life.

(Verse 4)
Only by trusting Jesus as Lord
Will you find the truth to be transformed.
Let his Spirit be your guiding light,
Empowering you to do what’s right.

(Chorus)
Jesus is the answer, the light for your night.
His love shines through, dispelling all blight.
His words breathe hope into your weary soul,
Guiding you forth, making you whole.

(Outro)
Tune out the noise, the lies, and the fears,
Open your soul, let His wisdom pierce.
Embrace the freedom that his truth affords
May your heart soar on the wings of his words.

Ever Closer Episode 16: Love Overflows

The greatest blessing and power we can experience is love. We are created by God and loved more dearly than we can imagine. Receive his love and let it flow to others. (Inspired by 1 John 4:16-19).

(Verse 1)
From the dawn of time we were designed
To be wrapped in love so pure and kind.
In God’s embrace we find our place
Where joy and life abundant shine.

(Verse 2)
Yet we turn away, choose our own path
Chasing dreams that never truly last.
Freedom hollow, joy so shallow
Building castles made of sand and ash.

(Verse 3)
Then came Jesus, mercy in the flesh
God who stooped to lift us from our mess.
By his wounds our hearts are made new
His sacrifice our second breath.

(Chorus)
Love transforms the giver and receiver.
Draws us closer to our Father’s heart,
The wellspring of what’s lovely, good, and right.
Let his love flow through you, his grace impart.

(Verse 4)
When the road is steep and darkness deep
Love still finds a way to plant its seeds
For in struggle souls find freedom.
In pain redeemed, salvation’s released.

(Bridge)
By his grace we’re changed from deep within
Empowered to love beyond our strength.
Love that stoops to lift the fallen.
Love that unites what sin has rent.
Love that sacrifices everything
Just as Jesus did upon that tree.
Love that sees the sacred hiding
In each soul we’re blessed to meet.

(Verse 5)
To love another is to mirror him
Who formed the stars and breathed us into being.
Each day may others see God’s face in you
Reflecting his glory, his love revealing.

(Verse 6)
See with God’s eyes, walk with his feet
Speak his truth with gentleness complete.
Touch with hands that heal the broken
Embrace with his forgiveness and mercy.

(Chorus)
Love transforms the giver and receiver.
Draws us closer to our Father’s heart,
The wellspring of what’s lovely, good, and right.
Let his love flow through you, his grace impart.

Ever Closer Episode 17: Shape Me

A prayer for God to help me grow more faithful, available, and teachable like Jesus was and like other believers who have gone before me.

(Verse 1)
Like Abraham on the mountain high,
With trembling hands and faithful eye,
Make me willing to sacrifice
What I hold dear at any price.

(Verse 2)
Like Ruth who walked through foreign lands,
Gathering hope with weathered hands,
Help me follow where you lead,
Even when my heart may bleed.

(Chorus)
Shape me, Lord, by their example.
Mold my heart to be like yours.
Transform me through their stories
Till your purpose in me matures.
Help me be faithful and available.
Make me teachable, I pray.
Use my life to tell your story
As I follow in your way.

(Verse 3)
Like Daniel in the lion’s den,
Unwavering in the face of men,
Grant me courage to stand true,
When the world stands against you.

(Verse 4)
Like Isaiah’s willing heart,
“Send me, Lord,” his eager start,
May my answer always be,
“Here I am, Lord, send me.”

(Verse 5)
Like Paul whose wisdom turned to dust,
When blinded by your holiness,
Help me set aside my pride,
Let your truth be my guide.

(Bridge)
Jesus knelt to wash their feet,
The Master serving humbly, sweet
Available at every hour,
Surrendered to the Father’s power
Faithful to His final breath,
Obedient even unto death
Teachable in human frame,
May I learn to do the same.

(Verse 6)
Like Mary at the Savior’s feet,
Drinking wisdom, pure and sweet,
Let me listen, let me learn,
For your presence may I yearn.

(Chorus)
Shape me, Lord, by their example.
Mold my heart to be like yours.
Transform me through their stories
Till your purpose in me matures.
Help me be faithful and available.
Make me teachable, I pray.
Use my life to tell your story
As I follow in your way.
As I follow in your way.

Ever Closer Episode 18: Week 3 Reflection

Jesus is Savior and Lord, the author and perfecter of your faith. As you trust and obey God, He transforms you into the image of Jesus, his holy Son.

Our scripture focus for this week is Colossians 2:6-7: “As therefore you received Christ Jesus, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

Here are three application questions to consider.

1. The song “Like a Child” emphasizes that knowing God requires childlike faith. What childlike qualities (such as trust, wonder, or dependence) do you need to reclaim to grow in Christlikeness?

2. “Truly Free” references Jesus’ teaching that obeying his words leads to truth and truth leads to freedom. What specific truth from God’s Word is He currently asking you to embrace and apply, even though it challenges your natural inclinations?

3. The song “Shape Me” is a prayer to become more faithful, available, and teachable. Which of these qualities presents your greatest growth opportunity right now, and what specific step could you take to develop it?