EC Week 28-Giving Your Life to Jesus-Peace

Ever Closer Episode 163: Gardens from Dust

We are roughly half way through this yearlong devotional. This week we conclude the “Giving Your Life to Jesus” course. Our focus is on Matthew 11:28-30 and finding true rest in Christ as the Spirit brings supernatural peace that surpasses understanding. The songs speak of God’s perfect timing, His ability to bring beauty from brokenness, and His gentle answers to our deepest questions about identity and purpose. Release your heavy burdens to Jesus, trust His unsurpassed plan even when you can’t see the outcome, and allow His Spirit to bring rest to your weary soul by learning from His gentle and humble heart.

Here is today’s song:

Gardens from Dust
God made us to share in his love and the beauty of his holy nature. Therefore our hearts are restless until they rest and find fulfillment in him.

(Verse 1)
Empty vessels, hollow praise
Lost in self-made labyrinths of pride
Reaching for stars with muddy hands
Restless souls with nowhere to hide.

(Verse 2)
Rebellion blooms like desert thorns
Choking life with empty promises.
Sin’s wages paid in shadowed coin.
Death the only fruit that flourishes.

(Chorus)
God made us to share His love
And the beauty of His holy face.
Our hearts beat with divine design
Restless ’til they find His grace.

(Verse 3)
From heaven’s height, tender mercy flows
God’s own Son, the bridge across our shame.
Jesus walked the path we could not tread
Bearing cross and crown, and cruel blame.

(Verse 4)
On the cross, Jesus paid our ransom.
In his tomb, our sentence laid to rest.
From his grave, our freedom fully born.
In his rising, our souls forever blessed!

(Chorus)
God made us to share His love
And the beauty of His holy face.
Our hearts beat with divine design
Restless ’til they find His grace.

(Bridge)
We are free to choose God’s better way
By faith alive in Jesus’ name.
What once controlled now holds no sway.
Grace has set the captive heart aflame!

(Verse 5)
Through Christ alone, our weakness turns
To strength beyond what we could know.
Rivers flowing from a desert soul
Gardens where just dust used to grow.

(Outro)
So let us die to self each day
And rise in Him, our best design.
Bringing healing to a fractured world
As troubled hearts find rest divine.

Ever Closer Episode 164: Running on Empty

Today we have two songs pointing to God as your solace and peace when you are weary. For He is the lover and restorer of your soul.

Here is the first song:

Running on Empty
If you tire of running from your problems, resolve to face them by getting help from God and then others.

(Verse 1)
Drugs and alcohol, numb the pain inside,
But my anguish remains, I can’t hide.
Reckless choices, a heavy toll to bear,
Is there any way I can start to repair?

(Verse 2)
Endless hours lost in a digital maze,
Escaping reality in screen time craze.
Hiding in shadows, pushing others away.
There must be a path to a brighter day.

(Chorus)
I’m so exhausted from running away,
Legs feel like lead, heart seized in dismay.
I’m desperate for answers, my future’s unclear,
Is there hope of conquering my fears?

(Verse 3)
Impulsive behaviors, a dangerous trend,
Spiraling down, I can’t see the end.
Isolating myself, a heavy cost,
Is there any chance for what I’ve lost?

(Chorus)
I’m so exhausted from running away,
Legs feel like lead, heart seized in dismay.
I’m desperate for answers, my future’s unclear,
Is there any hope of drying my tears?

(Bridge)
Stop running. Face what’s hunting you down.
Speak to someone you trust, no more secrets enshroud.
Shed the burdens that keep problems strong,
Bringing new perspective that will help you along.

(Outro)
Find a simple step that you can take,
Not fixing it all, but a start you can make.
Running comes easy, but action takes will,
Make a first move, on a journey that heals.

—
Our second song today reminds you that God has a plan to save and restore you.

Undone

Although you might feel like you’ve reached your end, God is not done with you. Find lasting rest, renewal, strength, wisdom, and direction by trusting in God when you are fatigued from trials or trauma.

(Verse 1)
Friendships fade like autumn leaves,
Career crumbles, dreams deceive,
Heart heavy with grief’s embrace,
Familiar world, a foreign place.

(Verse 2)
Values shift like desert sand,
Society crumbles where I stand,
Emotions raw, nerves exposed,
Foundations shaken, future closed.

(Verse 3)
Trauma strikes with sharpened claws,
Relentless blows without a pause,
No time to heal, no break from attacks.
Teetering on the brink of collapse.

(Chorus)
When storms of change leave you undone,
Seek God’s light, he’s the only One
Who can rebuild, renew, restore,
And lead you through salvation’s door.

(Bridge)
For in the depths of dark despair,
God’s whisper cuts through the air,
“My child, I’ve got you,” he declares,
His love breaks through, his presence there.

(Verse 4)
From ashes, he builds anew,
Friendships bloom, refreshed like dew.
Purpose rises from the pain,
His wisdom guides like steady flame.

(Verse 5)
Broken hearts, he tenderly mends.
His touch transforms, and chaos ends.
Through trials, your faith he refines.
In his light, hope brightly shines.

(Outro)
Rest in God’s unchanging grace,
Strength renewed in his embrace,
His perfect plan begins to show,
In him, you learn, you heal, you grow.

Ever Closer Episode 165: Come to Me

Jesus is calling you to be with him and to be like him. To anyone who trusts him he gives abundant, everlasting life.

(Chorus)
Jesus is calling, “Come, be with me.”
I’ll take your burden and give you peace.
Come, weary soul, and rest secure.
Receive my gift of life, forever yours.

(Verse 1)
Learn from me, I’m gentle and lowly.
I descended, to raise those below me.
The humble rely on me, and are exalted.
The proud and stubborn, will be thwarted.

(Verse 2)
Live in Me, I am the true Vine.
Draw your strength and life, from mine.
Remain in me and you will be
Able to bear fruit, all for God’s glory.

(Chorus)
Jesus is calling, “Come, be with me.”
I’ll take your burden and give you peace.
Come, weary soul, and rest secure.
Receive my gift of life, forever yours.

(Bridge)
On your own, you will lose your life.
But trust in me, salvation you’ll find.
Give up your way, and give in to me.
I’ll forgive your sin, and set you free.

(Verse 3)
Love like Me, I gladly gave up all
To rescue you, from your wayward fall.
Let my love for you flow freely.
So those around you, might come to know me.

(Verse 4)
Prepare for me, I’m coming back soon,
To right all wrongs, and heal all wounds.
I’ll end evil for good and rule as King.
Follow me now so you’re ready to reign.

(Chorus)
Jesus is calling, “Come, be with me.”
I’ll take your burden and give you peace.
Come, weary soul, and rest secure.
Receive my gift of life, forever yours.

Ever Closer Episode 166: Not Yet

Trust God’s unsurpassed plan and perfect timing. He is always working for your best even in unseen ways.

(Verse 1)
You’re yearning for a love so deep,
Yet God will provide, just who you need
Work on yourself, let your soul grow,
Pour into others, let your light show.

(Verse 2)
Seeking a new path, a fresh start,
Trust God’s plan, He knows your heart.
Absorb and thrive where you stand today,
Contribute your best, God’s glory display.

(Chorus)
Trust in God’s will, listen and obey,
Never rushed or delayed, He’ll pave the way.
When the answer is not yet, accept and believe,
Something greater is coming, just wait and receive.

(Verse 3)
Through the pain, healing takes time,
Develop your strength, your character refine.
Empathize with others, comfort those in need,
In the process, you’ll find yourself freed.

(Bridge)
When you pray and there’s no change it seems
Persevere, God’s working in ways unseen
He turns all things for good, for those who love
Trust in His plan, His timing from above.

(Chorus)
Trust in God’s will, listen and obey,
Never rushed or delayed, He’ll pave the way.
When the answer is not yet, accept and believe,
Something greater is coming, just wait and receive.
When the answer is not yet, accept and believe,
Something greater is coming, just wait and receive.

Ever Closer Episode 167: Second Glance

God tenderly answers a teenage girl who looks at her reflection in the mirror and wonders about her appearance, her identity, her value, and her future.

(Verse 1)
I wipe the steamy glass with trembling hand,
A stranger’s eyes stare back at me from there.
The shower’s warmth still lingers on my skin,
But coldness grips my heart in quiet despair.

(Verse 2)
Am I just this reflection that I see?
These flaws, these features, this uncertain frame?
The mirror holds no answers, just a girl
Who wonders if she’s more than just a name.

(Verse 3)
Am I pretty enough to catch their eye?
Or just a shadow passing through the halls?
Will anyone see past my awkward smile
To love the heart that hides behind these walls?

(Verse 4)
My mind races with questions left unspoken,
Am I smart enough to chase my dreams?
Do whispers follow when I turn away?
Is life more hopeful than it sometimes seems?

(Verse 5)
The weight of every mistake I’ve made
Sits heavy on my shoulders, bends me low.
If they knew all the darkness in my thoughts,
Would they still want me? I don’t think so.

(Chorus)
But then a voice, like sunrise through the mist,
Speaks gently to my soul, “Child, I see you.
You’re priceless and unique like a flower
Dancing in a meadow, kissed with dew.
More precious than cool water in the desert,
More treasured than the stars that crown the night.
I know each beat of your longing heart,
And love you deeper than your darkest fright.”

(Verse 6)
The tears that fall are different now, somehow,
As words of truth begin to wash me clean.
The mirror shows the same familiar face,
But now there’s something more that can be seen.

(Bridge)
“You are more than moments you regret,
Your story’s just beginning to unfold.
Your future shines more brilliant than your dreams,
More beautiful than morning clothed in gold.
Take my hand, beloved, walk with me,
Let go of who you thought you had to be.
The path ahead holds wonders yet unseen,
Just trust my love and you will truly see.”

(Outro)
I touch the mirror one last time and smile,
My reflection doesn’t seem so strange.
His grace and peace wipe clear my doubt and shame.
In His light, what I see of me has changed.

Ever Closer Episode 168: Reflection for Week 28

Peace is more than the absence of conflict. Divine peace from God brings about your rest, refuge, restoration, and fulfillment. Find your completeness in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Our scripture focus this week is an invitation from Jesus found in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Here are three thoughts for reflection:

1. Jesus invites all who are weary to come to him for rest. What burdens, trials, or trauma are you carrying that Jesus is inviting you to exchange for His “easy yoke” and “light burden”?

2. The song “Gardens from Dust” reminds us that our hearts are restless until they find fulfillment in God. What areas of your life do you feel restless or are wondering when God will act? Confess and release those to Jesus, joyfully trust him, and experience his peace.

3. “Second Glance” portrays God gently answering questions about identity, value, and future. What questions or concerns are currently robbing you of peace, and how might bringing these specifically to Jesus restore your sense of rest in Him?