EC Week 14-Believing in Jesus as Life

Ever Closer Episode 79: Wake

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. This week calls you to recognize Jesus as the exclusive path to eternal life, embracing his truth that no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6). Some mistakenly view Jesus statement as exclusionary, but actually it is all inclusive. Jesus alone makes it possible to come to know God. Because it is all his grace and none of our merit, any person who trusts him can be saved. No one is excluded.

Find new life in Jesus. Then seek fellowship with other believers, share burdens together, and demonstrate loyalty to Christ by consistently meeting with his people for worship, encouragement, spiritual growth, and reaching non-believers.

Here is today’s song:

Wake
In this dark and fallen world of broken people don’t lose hope. God is calling you to open your eyes of faith. Trust him so you can experience true, abundant life now and forever.

(Verse 1)
Uncertainty taunts me.
Discouragement and anxiety bang on my door.
My mind races to nowhere.
I yearn to break free, but I’m enslaved to myself.

(Verse 2)
Burdens bury me with shovels of despair.
Darkness closes in.
Who will answer?
If I wake who will be there?

(Chorus)
Truth answers to light my night:
He says, “I am here to wake you.”
I am the answer to your need.
I am God. Rise and trust me.

(Verse 3)
When life knocks you out, I am here to wake you.
When worry overwhelms you, I am here to assure.
When questions riddle you, I am your answer.
When work exhausts you, I am your strength.

(Verse 4)
When people leave you, I never will.
When trouble pursues you, I am your refuge.
When suffering beats you, I am your healing.
When you confess your sin, I graciously forgive.

(Bridge)
I’m always working for your best
When you speak, I listen.
When you laugh, I smile.
When you serve, I am well pleased.
When you trust and obey, I rejoice.

(Chorus)
I am the answer to your need.
I am the love you desperately seek.
I will never fail you.
I am God.
Wake and walk with me.

Ever Closer Episode 80: Paradox

Jesus said, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24, WEB).

(Verse 1)
Heavenly Father, your ways are not mine,
A paradox, a mystery, a love so divine.
Teach me to walk in your footsteps each day.
To surrender my will, gain vict’ry your way.

(Verse 2)
Jesus, in your love, I find my worth.
You died and rose, to give me new birth.
I die to self, to live in your embrace.
I love because you first showed me grace.

(Chorus)
God, mold me, shape me, transform my heart.
Heal my wounds, tear my walls apart.
Fill me with your love, let it flow through
Send me in strength to seek the lost for you.

(Verse 3)
In yielding, I conquer, in your holy name.
Through weakness, I find strength, in you I claim.
By giving, I receive, your blessings overflow.
In serving, I reign, in your wisdom I grow.

(Bridge)
Break me, humble me, forgive my sin.
Open my eyes, let your light shine in.
I am nothing without you, my Lord, my King.
With you, I have everything, my heart will sing.

(Chorus)
God, mold me, shape me, transform my heart.
Heal my wounds, tear my walls apart.
Fill me with your love, let it flow through
Send me in strength to seek the lost for you.

(Outro)
Jesus, you’re the way, the truth, the life.
In you, I find peace, in a world of strife.
Thank you for your love, your grace divine.
Forever I’ll walk, in your paradox design.
I die to self, to live in your embrace.
I’ll share your love so others know your grace.

Ever Closer Episode 81: Breaking Through

Centuries ago Jesus healed a paralyzed man. He continues to save and heal broken people today. Jesus gives new life to all who trust him. (Inspired by Mark 2:1-12).

(Verse 1)
A paralyzed man, on his mat he lay
Friends carried him, faith led the way.
Through the roof, they lowered him down
To Jesus’ feet, hope to be found.

(Verse 2)
Jesus saw their faith, spoke words of grace
“Son, your sins are forgiven,” in this place.
The crowd was amazed, some questioned within
But you break the deadly chains of sin.

(Verse 3)
With a word, you healed the man
Proving your power, you made him stand.
Your grace and love on full display
A transformed man walked that day.

(Chorus)
Jesus, you meet us where we are
Your love breaks through, near and far.
Healing body, mind, and soul
It’s your touch that makes us whole.

(Bridge)
You command us to rise, take up our mat
Walk in your strength, no looking back.
Working out what you’ve worked in
Your power transforms us from within.

(Verse 4)
We come to you, broken and weak
To be with you is what we seek.
Restore and fill us day by day
Teach us how to trust and obey.

(Chorus)
Jesus, you meet us where we are
Your love breaks through, near and far.
Healing body, mind, and soul
It’s your touch that makes us whole.

(Outro)
We’ll spread your love, tell your story
Give You praise, and bring you glory.

Ever Closer Episode 82: Give Me Your Heart

Ever Closer Episode 83: Gone Fishing

There is simple yet profound joy in reuniting with a friend, sharing each other’s burdens, and doing something outdoors that you both enjoy. Seek God’s help and direction on how to befriend others in a way that meets their needs, builds them up, and points them to God.

(Verse 1)
Dawn breaks gold on mirrored lake
Mist rising like a prayer.
Two souls with rods and quiet hope
Seek peace in alpine air.

(Verse 2)
Old tackle box, familiar weight.
“It’s been too long,” we say.
Our hair now fading to gray.
Sunlight starts to paint the day.

(Chorus)
We cast our lines across the deep
For more than scales that shine.
The biggest catch on days like this
Is what we find inside.

(Verse 3)
Pine scent mingles with coffee steam.
Birds call from branch to branch.
Your voice breaks when you speak of work.
I listen with my heart.

(Verse 4)
I tell you how I miss her still
The empty side of bed.
You nod and watch your bobber dance.
Some things need not be said.

(Bridge)
In this cathedral made of trees
Where time flows like the stream
Two broken men find healing balm
In simply being seen.

(Verse 5)
We laugh at jokes we’ve heard before.
The fish ignore our lures
But friendship bites with stronger pull
Than any catch ensures.

(Chorus)
We cast our lines across the deep
For more than scales that shine.
The biggest catch on days like this
Is what we find inside.

(Outro)
The trail leads home as day grows long.
Fish caught, is our story just in part.
We hiked in bearing separate loads
We leave with bonded hearts.

Ever Closer Episode 84: Reflection for Week 14

We experience true life, only found in Jesus, by faith. Saving faith in the Bible is comprised of hope, loyalty, trust, and obedience. By grace Jesus develops this faith in us as we submit to him. He also uses other believers to help us grow in faith. As we grow we should share our faith with others, so they can experience life in Jesus also.

Our scripture focus this week is John 14:6 where Jesus declares that he is all you need to know God and share in his everlasting life.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

Here are three questions for reflection:

1. The song “Wake” encourages us not to lose hope in our dark and fallen world. How has gathering with other believers awakened your faith and helped you experience the “true, abundant life” Jesus offers, even during difficult times?

2. “Breaking Through” recounts Jesus healing a paralyzed man (from Mark chapter 2), highlighting how Jesus continues to save and heal broken people today. What paralysis in your own life (spiritual, emotional, or relational) needs the breakthrough that can come through the support and prayers of fellow believers?

3. “Paradox” references Jesus’ teaching that “whoever loses their life for me will save it.” How has sacrificially investing time and energy in others challenged your natural self-preservation, but ultimately enriched your experience of Jesus as life?