EC Week 11-Believing in Jesus as Source

Ever Closer Episode 61: Pleasing to You

This week deepens our understanding of Jesus as our source. He is the bread of life from John 6:35, where he promises that all who come to him will never hunger or thirst spiritually. The songs guide us from recognizing God’s perfect wisdom and our need to trust and obey him, to discovering that only he can truly satisfy our soul’s deepest longings and stop our restless searching elsewhere. By memorizing this key scripture and reflecting on how we are called to be jewels that reflect God’s love to others, we learn to cease looking for fulfillment in broken things and instead find our complete satisfaction in the one who created us and loves us perfectly.

Here is today’s song:

Pleasing to You
Almighty, all loving God has graciously revealed his perfect wisdom to guide us in what is best. Blessed are those who trust and obey him. (Inspired by Psalm 19).

(Verse 1)
All heaven declares God’s glory.
He’s almighty and without equal.
All of nature declares his story
His wisdom shared with all people.

(Verse 2)
His perfect law revives the soul.
Trusting his decrees makes wise.
Righteous precepts gladden the heart.
Pure commands enlighten the eyes.

(Verse 3)
Reverence for God always brings good.
His judgments, true and right
More precious far than finest gold
Sweeter than honey’s delight.

(Chorus)
May the words of my mouth
And the thoughts of my heart
Be pleasing in your sight, O Lord
My Redeemer and my Reward.

(Bridge)
Keep me from foolish faults, O Lord.
Let them not rule over me.
Cleanse me from willful sins
So I may walk in step with Thee.

(Verse 4)
Your law restores the weary.
Your statutes grant us peace.
Your precepts guide the humble.
Your word brings sweet release.

(Verse 5)
Your fear instills pure wisdom.
Your rulings light our way
More valued than earth’s treasures
Sustaining day by day.

(Chorus)
May the words of my mouth
And the thoughts of my heart
Be pleasing in your sight, O Lord
My Redeemer and my Reward.

Ever Closer Episode 62: Satisfied

Turn to God because only he can satisfy the longing of your soul, for he made you and loves you.

(Verse 1)
Parched earth thirsts for morning mist.
Empty hands reach for heaven’s blue.
Hunger pangs for true righteousness.
Look to God, he’ll fill anew.

(Verse 2)
Knock on wisdom’s transcendent door.
From darkened cave, ask for light.
Seek the key to life evermore.
Answer doubt, receive God’s sight.

(Verse 3)
Pride’s roots choke in humility’s sod.
World’s glitter fades in holy light.
Devil flees when you rely on God.
Draw near to him, by faith unite.

(Chorus)
God satisfies the longing soul
With life abundant, full and free.
He is faithful to make you whole
His love, your home eternally.
His love, your home eternally.

(Bridge)
Thank the Lord for mercies new.
His word a lamp to light your way.
Obey his voice, your heart renew.
From living water drink each day.

(Verse 4)
Weary souls, lay down your load
Rest in fields where grace flows free.
Learn from him, then share truth’s gold
Walk with him, your greatest journey.

(Chorus)
God satisfies the longing soul
With life abundant, full and free.
He is faithful to make you whole
His love, your home eternally.

Ever Closer Episode 63: Stop Searching

Stop looking for healing from the broken, provision from the needy, or fulfillment from emptiness. Find what your soul longs for in God.

(Verse 1)
In the hustle of life, you often wander,
Searching for solace, your heart torn asunder.
Anxiety grips you, as you strive to find,
Satisfaction in people and things, so blind.

(Verse 2)
Alone you walk, burdened by stress,
Chasing hollow dreams, causing distress.
Disappointment lingers, like a heavy cloud,
As you seek fulfillment in a helpless crowd.

(Chorus)
You’re striving to find among the lost
Stop searching there and you’ll see
God says, “The life and love you long for,”
“Is found only in me.”

(Verse 3)
Take heed! There is a path, less trodden, yet true,
Walking with God, by faith, broken’s made new.
His provision abundant, a balm for your soul,
Instead of hopeless, you can become whole.

(Verse 4)
So, cease your searching, my friend, and start finding,
In God’s embrace, your soul forever binding.
Confess all sin, gracious pardon receive,
Find all in His love, with nothing bereaved.

(Chorus)
God is calling you out from the lost,
“Stop searching there and you’ll see,”
“That the life and love you long for”
“Is found only in me.”

Ever Closer Episode 64: Whispers of the Heart

Look for true love where you will find it, which is with God, for he is the only source of perfect, abundant, gracious, and transforming love.

(Verse 1)
In the quiet of your heart, a sweet whisper
Above the clamor of the world, God’s voice assures.
Seek not love in fleeting arms or earthly ties.
True love waits where heaven and earth collide.

(Verse 2)
You yearn for what others can’t give.
Unmet needs leave you hurt and angry.
But there’s a love so vast, it fills the void.
In Jesus’ arms, your heart will rejoice.

(Chorus)
Look to the Source, the wellspring pure.
Where love flows endless, deep and sure.
In God’s embrace, you’ll find your place.
His love, a never-ending grace.

(Verse 3)
Before you searched, he sought you out.
His sacrifice erased all doubt.
Unconditional, his love remains
Washing away all earthly stains.

(Verse 4)
He calls you to His side, to be like Him
To love as He loves, through thick and thin.
In His purpose, you’ll find your own.
In His presence, you’re never alone.

(Bridge)
Trust in Jesus, let His love enfold.
Experience his riches yet untold.
Be who He made you, do what He’d do.
In His fullness, become renewed.

(Chorus)
Look to the Source, the wellspring pure.
Where love flows endless, deep and sure.
In God’s embrace, you’ll find your place.
His love, a never-ending grace.

(Outro)
Look to God, where life abides.
Walk in his love by faith, and thrive.

Ever Closer Episode 65: Jewel

Like the sparkle of a priceless gem in the light, may we each receive God’s wonderful love and radiate it to others so we all come to know him more deeply.

(Verse 1)
With a grateful heart, I pen these words
To you, my heaven-sent dove.
Your presence in my life affirms
God’s grace and boundless love.

(Verse 2)
Your smile, a warm and gentle glow
Dispels the darkest night.
In you, I see God’s love bestowed
A beacon pure and right.

(Chorus)
Like morning dew on petals fair
You glisten in the light.
A precious jewel beyond compare
You make my world so bright.

(Verse 3)
Our hearts entwined by his design
Two souls in kindred rhyme.
Your love, a gift cherished and fine
Transcending space and time.

(Bridge)
Through storms and sunshine, hand in hand
We walk life’s path together.
As we give out, God fills in.
May our goal be his pleasure.

(Chorus)
Like morning dew on petals fair
You glisten in the light.
A precious jewel beyond compare
You make my world so bright.

(Outro)
I’m thankful for God’s love divine
That brought you to my side.
In you, his blessings intertwine.
Forever in him, let’s abide.

Ever Closer Episode 66: Reflection for Week 11

As your loving almighty Heavenly Father, God delights in being with you, providing for your every need, and restoring you to become all you were designed to be as his precious, royal child. He is the source of all that is good, right, loving, and beautiful and abundantly shares that through Jesus.

Our scripture focus this week is John 6:35:
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Here are three questions to consider.

1. The song “Pleasing to You” is inspired by Psalm 19, which describes God’s wisdom as perfect and His commands as more precious than gold. This week what will help you align your desires with what pleases God?

2. “Stop Searching” warns against looking for healing from the broken or fulfillment from emptiness. What worldly sources have you been turning to for satisfaction? Ask Jesus to replace them, so he is your true source.

3. The song “Jewel” speaks of receiving God’s love and radiating it to others. How might memorizing Scripture about God’s love transform both how you receive His love and how you reflect it to those around you?