WEEK 19-GIVING YOUR LIFE TO JESUS AS LORD
Devotional songs, reflection questions, and key scripture recognizing Jesus as Lord which involves surrending our desire to be our own king and allowing Him to reign supreme in every area of our lives.
Lyrics written by Mark Greenelsh.
Music produced with AI-assisted tools.
109 Made for More
110 Sweet Surrender
111 In the Garden
112 Crown to Cross
113 More of You
114 Reflection
Ever Closer Episode 109: Made for More
God is always drawing you into a closer, deeper relationship with himself. This involves moving from Jesus not only being your gracious savior, but also your loving Lord. As a believer, you are a new creation in Christ. But the process of practically living out that new life takes time. As God’s Spirit reveals aspects of your old way of life that need to change, surrender them to his transforming authority.
Here is today’s song:
Made for More
C.S. Lewis wrote, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
(Verse 1)
In this world of fleeting treasures,
My soul aches for your full measure,
For a love no earth can hold,
A longing for streets of gold.
Your word speaks of a better place,
Where I’ll see you face to face.
(Chorus)
Draw me closer, Lord, I pray,
Less of me with each new day.
More of you, your grace, your love,
Lift my eyes to realms above.
(Verse 2)
For to live is Christ divine,
To die is gain, your hand in mine.
Made for more, for you alone,
Help me know as I am known.
(Verse 3)
Transform this heart of fragile clay,
To mirror you in every way.
Empower me to serve and give,
In your strength alone to live.
Faith replacing earthly fears,
Your presence drying all my tears.
(Bridge)
Nothing compares to knowing you,
No earthly wealth or fame rings true.
Made for more than I can see,
More than I myself can be.
Help me shine your light so bright,
Make each moment for your delight.
Help me shine your light so bright,
Make each moment for your delight.
(Chorus)
Draw me closer, Lord, I pray,
Less of me with each new day.
More of you, your grace, your love,
Lift my eyes to realms above.
(Outro)
For to live is Christ divine,
To die is gain, your hand in mine.
Made for more, for you alone,
Help me know as I am known.
Ever Closer Episode 110: Sweet Surrender
Jesus’ mission is to bring you to God. Thus, your mission should be to come to God. He surrendered all to make that possible. Receive his loving salvation by surrendering your all.
(Verse 1)
Jesus walked among the broken and lost,
His mission clear: to bridge our endless divide.
Through every word and miracle, it cost
Him everything to bring us to God’s side.
(Verse 2)
Born of virgin’s womb, pure mystery divine,
He enters hearts that open to his call.
Trust him now, let new birth be your sign—
From death to life, he offers hope to all.
(Verse 3)
You couldn’t reach him, so he came down,
The King of kings stooped low to rescue.
Now royal priesthood wears a different crown—
All souls can taste his kingdom’s precious fruits.
(Chorus)
God’s love runs deeper than the ocean’s floor,
He’s always working for your very best.
Love him back with all your heart and more,
As you shine his light to those in darkness.
(Verse 4)
Outsiders, outcasts, sinners, and slaves,
The sick, the scorned, the thief upon the cross—
He welcomed all who came to him for grace,
No soul too far, no sinner counted lost.
(Verse 5)
Those who fled in fear, denied his name,
Who hunted down his followers with rage—
He welcomed home without a hint of shame,
Forgiveness written on love’s every page.
(Bridge)
Surrender all to find your truest life,
In losing self, you gain him eternally.
Release your grip on struggle and on strife—
His ways unfold in sweet simplicity.
(Chorus)
God’s love runs deeper than the ocean’s floor,
He’s always working for your very best.
Love him back with all your heart and more,
As you shine his light to those in darkness.
(Outro)
He conquered death, rose glorious and free,
To offer life abundant, growing new.
Trust in his grace, let resurrection be
The promise that transforms and carries you.
Ever Closer Episode 111: In the Garden
Seek God’s wisdom and power to make wise choices. Adam and Eve’s self-centered disobedience to God brought destruction. In contrast, Jesus’ obedience to God the Father brought life and salvation.
(Verse 1)
In Eden’s beauty, perfection reigned
Till serpent’s whisper, innocence stained
Self-love triumphed, God’s word defied
Paradise lost, as obedience died.
(Verse 2)
Knowledge gained, but wisdom lost
Fellowship broken, at bitter cost.
Man and woman, once united
Now ashamed, their bond blighted.
(Chorus)
Two gardens, two choices made
One brought death, the other saved.
Adam’s fall left us in strife
But Jesus’ love brings eternal life.
(Verse 3)
Creation groaned, decay set in
Pain and suffering, fruit of sin.
Banished from the garden fair
Authority ceded to Satan’s snare.
(Bridge)
But in another garden, love prevailed
As Jesus knelt and humbly travailed.
Choosing to bear the Father’s wrath
He walked the lonely, painful path.
(Verse 4)
On the cross, he took our place
Severed from God, yet full of grace.
His sacrifice broke death’s strong chain
His resurrection, eternal gain.
(Verse 5)
Victory o’er evil’s darkest hour
Satan defeated, stripped of power.
Reconciliation freely given
To all who trust, heirs of heaven.
(Chorus)
Two gardens, two choices made
One brought death, the other saved.
Adam’s fall left us in strife
But Jesus’ love brings eternal life.
(Outro)
His righteous choice our souls revive
Choose him and rise, from death to life.
Ever Closer Episode 112: Crown to Cross
By faith step down from your throne and take up the cross of self denial. Only then will you experience true life with God and the glory he designed you for.
(Verse 1)
Clutching my crown so tight
Ruling my small domain
Blind to the coming night
My kingdom built in vain.
(Verse 2)
Tinsel and pride adorn
The emperor of dust
While true life waits, newborn
When in you I trust.
(Chorus)
By faith I step down from this throne
I take up your cross instead.
Your perfect way, not my own
By your hand, I’ll be led.
(Verse 3)
My fingers gladly release
The scepter I’ve long held
As I kneel, I find peace
My selfish heart expelled.
(Verse 4)
Walking the path you trod
Footprints of sacrifice
Dying to self, finding God
Your love paid my price.
(Bridge)
You wore thorns to crown me with light.
You descended so I’d rise.
You embraced death so I’d find life.
It’s you I want to magnify.
(Verse 5)
Through shadows into light
From weakness into power
Surrendered to your might
Blooming like spring’s first flower.
(Chorus)
By faith I step down from this throne
I take up your cross instead.
Your perfect way, not my own
By your hand, I’ll be led.
By your hand, I’ll be led.
By your hand, I’ll be led.
Ever Closer Episode 113: More of You
The glorious purpose and adventure in life’s journey is for Jesus to increase and for me to decrease.
(Verse 1)
Empty hands reaching for the dawn.
Broken vessel, cracks where light shines through.
Not my strength, but yours carries on.
Life begins when your glory’s pursued.
(Chorus)
More of you, less of me
Like stars fading when the sun breaks free.
More of you, less of me
You’re endless ocean, I’m just a stream.
With you is my journey, that’s my dream
More of you, Lord, more of you.
(Verse 2)
Autumn leaves surrender to the wind.
Seeds must fall before new life can grow.
Pride dissolves like mist in morning’s hymn.
You increase as I learn to let go.
(Chorus)
More of you, less of me
Like stars fading when the sun breaks free.
More of you, less of me
You’re endless ocean, I’m just a stream.
With you is my journey, that’s my dream
More of you, Lord, more of you.
(Bridge)
Not for my name written in lights
But for your name lifted high.
Not my kingdom, not my might
To humbly serve is my desire.
Love through me in power and grace
So others become saved by faith.
(Verse 3)
Mountain streams rush down to join the sea.
Clay surrendered to the potter’s hand.
Transform me as I trust and obey.
Align my will to your perfect way.
(Chorus)
More of you, less of me
Like stars fading when the sun breaks free.
More of you, less of me
You’re endless ocean, I’m just a stream.
With you is my journey, that’s my dream
More of you, Lord, more of you.
Ever Closer Episode 114: Reflection for Week 19
Over the last three weeks we have looked at moving from basic confession of wrongdoing to comprehensive surrender of anything that hinders God’s work, culminating in acknowledging Jesus’ lordship over every aspect of our lives. This is an ongoing process of your old life decreasing and your new life in Christ increasing through the guidance and power of God’s Spirit in you.
Our scripture focus this week is Ephesians 4:22-24 which highlights this spiritual growth. “Put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.”
Here are three areas to examine:
1. What specific aspects of your “former way of life” do you struggle to fully surrender to Jesus as Lord?
2. Resist the temptation to create a god in your image rather than serving the God who created you in His image. What aspects of God’s character or commands have you been resistant to accept because they challenge your preferences or comfort?
3. How is God calling you to move from being your own king to embracing the way of Jesus in your daily decisions and priorities?