WEEK 21-GIVING YOUR LIFE TO JESUS AS LORD
Devotional songs, reflection questions, and key scripture examines following God’s lead to carry on his mission as his sons and daughters.
Lyrics written by Mark Greenelsh.
Music produced with AI-assisted tools.
121 Shine
122 Ever Closer
123 Light in the Shadows
124 Shafts of Light
125 Lifelight
126 Reflection
Ever Closer Episode 121: Shine
This week invites you to embrace your holy identity as God’s adopted child, led by His Spirit to shine His light in a dark world. The songs emphasize your role as a reflection of Jesus’ love and glory, equipped as a royal representative of his family to help others find and follow God through your words and actions that bring life and healing. Meditate on Romans 8:14-15 and consider how you can practically demonstrate your sonship or daughterhood by becoming a leader who follows Jesus’ example in serving others and speaking truth in love.
Here is today’s song:
Shine
Jesus is the saving light of the world. If you follow him, you should live to reflect his love and glory to those who are in darkness as you once were, so they may come to trust Jesus as their savior also.
(Verse 1)
In a world of shadows, deep and dark
Jesus comes, ignites a holy spark.
True light dawning, darkness flees away
His radiance turns night into day.
(Chorus)
Shine by faith, let his light show through.
Shine bright in all we say and do.
Jesus is the Light, the Way, the Truth.
Shine his love, from me and you.
(Verse 2)
Commissioned now, as Christ was sent before
We seek the lost on every distant shore.
His authority, our guiding star
To bring his light both near and far.
(Chorus)
Shine by faith, let his light show through.
Shine bright in all we say and do.
Jesus is the Light, the Way, the Truth.
Shine his love, from me and you.
(Bridge)
Walk in the light as he is light
Dispelling shadows of the night.
Our lives a canvas for his grace
Reflecting glory on each face.
(Verse 3)
Light the candle, fan the flames of faith.
Divine splendor conquers death’s embrace.
His fragrance spreads where’er we go.
His presence makes our spirits glow.
(Chorus)
Shine by faith, let his light show through.
Shine bright in all we say and do.
Jesus is the Light, the Way, the Truth.
Shine his love, from me and you.
(Verse 4)
No longer us, but Christ alone.
His brilliance through our beings shown.
A beacon bright for all to see
Guiding souls to eternity.
(Outro)
Shine by faith, let his light show through.
Shine bright ’til all is made new.
Shine bright ’til all is made new.
Ever Closer Episode 122: Ever Closer
Interestingly enough this episode just happens to share the same title as the podcast series.
Knowing God through Jesus is the heartbeat of life. Adapted from a prayer of Hudson Tayler, a Christian missionary to China in the latter 1800s.
(Verse 1)
I humbly come before your throne,
Seeking to know you as I am known.
Jesus, draw me close to you.
Let your love shine ever true.
(Chorus)
Lord Jesus, make yourself to me,
A living, bright reality.
More dear, more intimately nigh,
Than even the sweetest earthly tie.
(Verse 2)
Every moment of every day,
I long to follow in your way.
Thank you for your amazing grace,
And empowering me to run by faith.
(Bridge)
Morning Star, be my living flame,
Refine by fire, my heart, my aim.
To be one with you, is my song.
Drawing ever close, where I belong.
(Chorus)
Lord Jesus, make yourself to me,
A living, bright reality.
More dear, more intimately nigh,
Than even the sweetest earthly tie.
Ever Closer Episode 123: Light in the Shadows
Become a leader like Jesus by following him and learning from him so you are equipped to help others find and follow God.
(Verse 1)
Ancient Israel, set apart to shine,
A beacon for nations lost in night.
But in serving themselves they declined
To help others behold God divine.
(Verse 2)
Then came Jesus, Israel’s perfect Son,
Fulfilling what they could not achieve,
A light for Gentiles, God’s chosen One,
Salvation for all who believe.
(Chorus)
Lead me, Lord, that I might lead.
Guide my steps that I might guide.
Help me follow so others find you.
And walk with you, content at your side.
(Verse 3)
Through shadows Jesus walks in light.
His truth cuts through the fog of lies.
Where wrongs entangle, His grace makes right.
He saves through humble sacrifice.
(Verse 4)
He kneels to wash the dusty and worn.
Mends shattered hearts with tender touch.
Embraces outcasts, the scorned, forlorn.
His boundless love restores the crushed.
(Bridge)
Be my strength when the world calls.
Shield my heart from serving myself.
Settle my feet so I won’t fall.
Help me live like Jesus, above all.
(Chorus)
Lead me, Lord, that I might lead.
Guide my steps that I might guide.
Help me follow so others find you.
And walk with you, content at your side.
Ever Closer Episode 124: Shafts of Light
Your words have the power to bring life and healing. Use them to build up and encourage rather than to tear down.
(Verse 1)
Words hold power untold,
To shape the hearts of both young and old.
In every phrase, you hold a key
To build or break, to set souls free.
(Chorus)
May your words, as shafts of light,
To the soul be an arrow to the mark.
May your work, as fire in the night,
To the cold be a flame in the dark.
(Verse 2)
Choose your words with grace and care,
Let them be a breath of fresh air.
Speak truth with a gentle voice,
Help others look up and rejoice.
(Chorus)
May your words, as shafts of light,
To the soul be an arrow to the mark.
May your work, as fire in the night,
To the cold be a flame in the dark.
(Bridge)
Listen with an open heart,
Let kindness guide the words you impart.
For every soul yearns to be understood,
Help them embrace what’s right, loving, and good.
(Chorus)
May your words, as shafts of light,
To the soul be an arrow to the mark.
May your work, as fire in the night,
To the cold be a flame in the dark.
Ever Closer Episode 125: Lifelight
A tribute to the people God has brought across my path who have lived like Jesus and helped me do the same. May we each live like Jesus so more people might come to know God.
(Verse 1)
In your eyes, I see the grace
Of Jesus shining through.
Your gentle smile, your warm embrace
Reflect His character so true.
(Verse 2)
The joy of Jesus radiates
Through every word and deed.
Your life, a daily encouragement
Fanning a flame of hope in me.
(Chorus)
Thank you for the gift you give
A living example of God above.
Your life inspires me to live
Closer to our Lord of love.
(Verse 3)
Through trials and pain, you stand so strong
Your faith in Jesus guides the way.
You bear the cross, you carry on
Knowing redemption comes each day.
(Chorus)
Thank you for the gift you give
A living example of God above.
Your prayers uphold me to live
Closer to our Lord of love.
(Bridge)
My life has changed, because of you
My walk with Jesus, ever closer
My peace and joy, they’ve grown anew
My compassion now flows over
In your life, I see His love
A testament, a living story
I’ll share this love, with all I meet
One with Christ, reflecting his glory.
(Chorus)
Thank you for the gift you give
A living example of God above.
Your life inspires me to live
Closer to our Lord of love.
Ever Closer Episode 126: Reflection for Week 21
As your loving Heavenly Father, God always has your best in mind. When he tells you to do something it is for your best. Out of love for him, approach God’s commands as opportunities to grow and learn rather than obligations. At times obedience is hard, but he never asks you to do something he doesn’t equip you to complete.
Our scripture focus this week is Romans 8:14-15. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Here are three questions for reflection:
1. The song “Shine” calls believers to reflect Christ’s love and glory to those in darkness. What specific environments or relationships has God placed you in where you can uniquely shine His light?
2. “Light in the Shadows” encourages becoming a leader like Jesus by following Him. What qualities of Jesus’ leadership do you need to develop further to effectively carry His mission forward?
3. The song “Lifelight” pays tribute to those who have lived like Jesus and helped others do the same. Who has been a “lifelight” in your faith journey, and how can you intentionally fulfill this role for someone else?