EC Week 4-As God

Ever Closer Episode 19: Seek and Save

This final week of “Unit 1: All for God” challenges us to joyfully embrace our calling as ambassadors of Christ, courageously participating in God’s mission of reconciliation. The songs inspire us by God’s Spirit at work in us to take up Jesus’ salvation work, respond to God’s invitation to serve, engage boldly in life for others’ benefit, share our blessings, and fulfill the Great Commission with the assurance of Christ’s presence and authority.

Here is today’s song:

Seek and Save
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. If you trust in Jesus, follow his lead to continue his salvation work by his love and power today.

(Verse 1)
From heaven’s throne, he stepped down low
To seek the lost, his love to show.
Not to the mighty did he come
But to the outcast, the forgotten one.

(Verse 2)
He touched the leper, made him clean
Gave sight to eyes that had not seen.
The lame he raised up on their feet
His mercy flowing, his grace complete.

(Chorus)
Jesus came to seek and to save
The lost, the last, the least, and enslaved.
Now he calls us to do the same
To reach the outcast in his name.

(Verse 3)
He calmed the storms in anxious minds
Broke chains of sin that deadly bind.
Forgave the sinners, set them free
Brought life to those in misery.

(Verse 4)
The demon-possessed found release
Troubled souls discovered peace.
He rescued those beneath the rod
Revealing the heart of a loving God.

(Chorus)
Jesus came to seek and to save
The lost, the last, the least, and enslaved.
Now he calls us to do the same
To reach the outcast in his name.

(Bridge)
He spoke the truth for all to hear.
Taught those who listened, drew them near.
Trained the humble who knew their need
For their savior’s love, his words to heed.

(Verse 5)
Today he works through you and me
To find the captive, to set them free.
By his power, we’ll seek them out
The last and least, for each one counts.

(Outro)
Let’s be his voice, his heart, his hands
By faith in him we’ll reach all we can.

Ever Closer Episode 20: Here Am I

God is inviting you to participate in his work of saving and restoring people. Like many other believers who have gone before you, join him by faith today (Inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

(Verse 1)
Loving Father, I hear your call.
Inviting me now to give my all.
Like Daniel, I will trust and obey.
Like Ruth I’ll follow, come what may.

(Chorus)
Here am I, mold me like clay.
With your Spirit, fill me each day.
Here am I, Lord, send me.
Use me to serve for your glory.

(Verse 2)
Like Moses, I will speak your word,
Proclaiming truth that must be heard.
Like David, I will seek your face,
And walk in righteousness, by your grace.

(Chorus)
Here am I, mold me like clay.
With your Spirit, fill me each day.
Here am I, Lord, send me.
Use me to serve for your glory.

(Bridge)
To follow you, I take up my cross.
For you are worth any sacrifice.
My will I no longer pursue.
All I want and need, is simply you.

(Verse 3)
Like Abram, I’ll go where you guide.
Like a branch in the vine, I’ll abide.
A heart like yours, is what I need.
Teach me to love and serve, in word and deed.

(Outro)
Here am I, send me, I pray.
Use me in your mission, each day,
My life, my all, to you I bring,
My Savior, my Redeemer, my King.

Ever Closer Episode 21: The Arena

Engage in worthwhile endeavors and persevere, even though you will fail at times. (Inspired by Teddy Roosevelt’s speech, “The Man in the Arena.”)

(Verse 1)
With trembling hands you plant the seeds
Though storm clouds gather overhead.
The world needs those who dare to dream
And walk where giants fear to tread.

(Verse 2)
The critics sit in judgment’s shade
Their words like arrows find your heart
But they have never made the blade
That carves new pathways through the dark.

(Chorus)
You grow weaker if you fail to try
You grow stronger when you rise to fight.
Though you stumble, though you fall sometimes
In the trying, you will find more light.

(Verse 3)
Your face is marked with dust and sweat.
Your hands show proof of worthy toil.
The arena’s where the brave have met
Their fears upon this hallowed soil.

(Verse 4)
Each failure builds the muscle more
Than any easy victory.
The broken road has taught you more
Than paths of smooth simplicity.

(Bridge)
It’s not the one who points and speaks
Of how you’ve fallen short again.
But you who bleeds and you who seeks
Who knows what it means to truly win.

(Verse 5)
When obstacles block every way
Don’t turn back, find a path around.
The lessons learned from yesterday
Will help your future dreams abound.

(Verse 6)
Live boldly so your light shines through
For those who watch from shadows deep.
The courage that has carried you
Is what inspires others’ leap.

(Chorus)
You grow weaker if you fail to try
You grow stronger when you rise to fight.
Though you stumble, though you fall sometimes
In the trying, you will find more light.

(Outro)
You grow weaker if you fail to try
You grow stronger when you rise to fight.
Though you stumble, though you fall sometimes
In the arena, you truly come alive.

Ever Closer Episode 22: Pass It On

You are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.

(Verse 1)
Blessed by God, you have so much to give.
Share of yourself, improve how others live.
Work with all your heart, let your actions speak.
Help those in need, the strong and the weak.

(Chorus)
You’re a blessing, called to bless the world.
Let God’s love through you be unfurled.
Give your talent, treasure, and your time.
Serve in his name, let his light from you shine.

(Verse 2)
Invest your talents, help others build their base.
Bolster weaknesses, with strength in God’s grace.
Share his wisdom, what you’ve come to know.
Speak the truth with love, watch them grow.

(Bridge)
God entrusted you with gifts divine.
Not just for yourself, but to lift others high.
Give to others, so they pass it on too.
Watch the multiplication, see what God will do.

(Chorus)
You’re a blessing, called to bless the world.
Let God’s love through you be unfurled.
Give your talent, treasure, and your time.
Serve in his name, let his light from you shine.

(Outro)
Give to others, so they pass it on too.
Watch the multiplication, see what God will do.

Ever Closer Episode 23: Go and Make Disciples

Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

(Verse 1)
For you, Jesus died and rose again.
All who trust, have new life in him.
Before ascending he promised to send,
His Spirit to empower and befriend.

(Verse 2)
His victory is your freedom song.
Listen to his Spirit, obey in response.
Carry his love to the ends of the earth.
Proclaiming his words, declaring his worth.

(Chorus)
Go to the least, the lost, the last.
Go to the needy, the hurting, the outcast.
Love them, serve them, teach them to obey.
Go in his name, he is with you each day.

(Verse 3)
Rise up and enter the night.
Follow the savior, walk in light.
By his Spirit guiding, carry the flame.
Seek those in darkness, save in his name.

(Verse 4)
Be joyful. Work hard till Jesus returns.
Use all he’s given, invest in his mission.
When he comes back, he’ll say,
“Well done, faithful one, come with me to stay.”

(Bridge)
To save the world, Jesus gave up all.
Those who follow him, have the same call.
Jesus said, “As the Father sent me, I am sending you.”
By his grace and power, what will you do?

(Chorus)
Go to the least, the lost, the last.
Go to the needy, the hurting, the outcast.
Love them, serve them, teach them to obey.
Go in his name, he is with you each day.

Ever Closer Episode 24: Week 4 Reflection

Allow God’s Spirit to train and empower you to represent him in this world.

Our scripture focus for this week is 2 Corinthians 5:16-21:
“Therefore we know no one from now on according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. And all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, ‘Be reconciled to God.’ For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.”

Following are three application questions.

1. “Here Am I” references God’s invitation to participate in His work of saving and restoring people. What fears or excuses might be preventing you from fully responding “Here am I, send me”?

2. “Light Your Candle” challenges us to engage deeply in life rather than just passing through. What comfortable patterns might the Holy Spirit be prompting you to break in order to make a greater impact for God’s kingdom?

3. The song “Seek and Save” encourages following Jesus’ lead in continuing His salvation work. What person or group has God placed on your heart to reach with His love, and what courage will this require?