EC Week 29-Letting Jesus Live in You-Love

Ever Closer Episode 169: Kinship

So far in this devotional series we have seen how we are meant to be with God, to become like him, and to do what he does all for his glory and the benefit of others. Through Jesus, God graciously invites and empowers us to participate in this priceless venture. The first three courses have been: All for God, Believing in Jesus, and Giving Your Life to Jesus. Today we start the next course: Letting Jesus Live in You. By faith as you surrender to God’s Spirit and follow his direction as he enables, God works in you and through you to accomplish his divine, loving purposes.

This week challenges you to discover the profound joy that comes from prioritizing God above all earthly concerns, following the example of Jesus who served others even unto death. As you meditate on Psalm 136:1 and listen to songs about divine kinship, sacrificial love, and humble service, ask yourself how you can practically put God first in your daily decisions and relationships. Let the truth of God’s enduring loving-kindness inspire you to serve others with the same selfless heart that Jesus demonstrated, finding your greatest fulfillment in aligning your will with His.

Here is today’s song:

Kinship
God enjoys a glorious, loving relationship within himself as a community of Father, Son, and Spirit. God made us to enjoy unity with him and also with others.

(Verse 1)
From the dust of the earth, God formed our frame
Breathing life into us, He called us by name.
In the garden we walked, with our Creator so dear
A bond unbroken, a love so sincere.

(Verse 2)
But temptation took hold, and we turned from His face.
Disobedient and proud we rebelled in disgrace.
This dreadful fall separated mankind from God.
Destroyed peace, and put people at odds.

(Chorus)
We are made for connection, to love and be loved.
To find our belonging, in our Father above.
Through kinship with others, we reflect His design.
In community, we find joy sublime.

(Verse 3)
But God had a plan, to bridge the divide
He sent us His Son, to be crucified
Through faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven
Restored to the Father, our destiny re-written.

(Bridge)
The day is coming, when Christ will return
Establishing His kingdom, for which our hearts yearn.
In perfect harmony, we’ll live with our King.
Forever in His presence, his praises we’ll sing.

(Chorus)
We are made for connection, to love and be loved.
To find our belonging, in our Father above.
Through kinship with others, we reflect His design.
In community, we find joy sublime.

(Outro)
So come to the Father, and find your true place
Experience the love, that none can erase
In relationship with Him, and with others too
You’ll forge divine bonds, always meant for you.

Ever Closer Episode 170: Love Lay Down

God’s amazing love does what nothing else can—in Jesus he sacrificed his innocent self to become sin for us so that anyone who trusts him might become saved and righteous.

(Verse 1)
On a cross of shame and wood,
The sinless One became my sin
What greater love has ever stood?
Where justice and mercy divinely blend.

(Verse 2)
When I was powerless and lost,
At just the right time, you appeared.
Your life became the perfect cost
For all my brokenness and tears.

(Chorus)
Thank you, God, for loving me
Taking my worst, giving your best.
By your grace, I’m finally free
To live with you in righteousness.

(Verse 3)
You wore my shame like a crown.
Your innocence became my own.
What you lifted, what you laid down
Has made your heart my perfect home.

(Verse 4)
You became what you were not
So I might be what I was not.
A divine exchange, so dearly bought
My debt erased, my sin forgot.

(Bridge)
Teach me to love as you have loved.
Pour your compassion through my veins.
May faith ignite what grace has sown
As I reflect your love to those in chains.

(Chorus)
Thank you, God, for loving me
Taking my worst, giving your best.
By your grace, I’m finally free
To live with you in righteousness.

(Verse 5)
Christ crucified—my only song.
Your righteousness—my only plea.
In weakness, you became so strong
To adopt me for your family.

(Chorus)
Thank you, God, for loving me
Taking my worst, giving your best.
By your grace, I’m finally free
To live with you in righteousness.

Ever Closer Episode 171: Paper Crown

By faith serve God and others before yourself as you love like Jesus in this fallen world of broken people.

(Verse 1)
In a world that’s cracked and shattered wide,
Our vision flipped, our values upside down,
We chase the gilded treasures that won’t abide.
Hearts made for glory, settle for paper crowns.

(Verse 2)
God values people, but we use them for gain,
While clinging tight to trinkets of dust.
To build our kingdoms we wax and wane,
Instead of bending knees to God in trust.

(Chorus)
Find noble pleasure in pleasing God.
For it’s worth any cost to live by faith.
Serve God and others before your own cause
Loving like Jesus with majestic grace.

(Verse 3)
How easily we welcome sinful ways,
Arms open wide to ominous harm.
Yet holiness rewards those who obey,
As they forsake this world’s deadly charms.

(Bridge)
On the throne of your heart only one can reign,
Is it you or God who controls that seat?
Your shadow only fades in light’s domain.
Allow God to increase, as you decrease.

(Verse 4)
Claiming your own crown leads you astray
From the throne of glory, God made you to know,
Your rebel rule has built a barren kingdom
Between your soul and where life’s riches flow.

(Verse 5)
But Jesus has crossed your province of pride
Offering robes to those weary of sin.
Humbly let His royal wisdom guide,
Attend his court and be renewed within.

(Chorus)
Find noble pleasure in pleasing God.
For it’s worth any cost to live by faith.
Serve God and others before your own cause
Loving like Jesus with majestic grace.

Ever Closer Episode 172: Shine as One

God made us for community relationship—to love and be loved. Jesus makes that possible by healing all that separates you from God and others. Trust in him and experience abundant, everlasting life.

(Verse 1)
Like stars aligned in constellations bright,
Together we’re made to shine in the night,
God’s masterpiece, a tapestry of souls,
Woven with love, our unity extolled.

(Verse 2)
In marriage vows, two hearts merge as one,
Like rivers joining, flowing to the sun,
Families bloom like trees in the spring,
With roots entwined and branches abiding.

(Chorus)
God made you to love, and be loved,
To know and be known by him above.
Take Jesus’ hand, join his family
United with him for eternity.

(Verse 3)
The church, a mosaic of tiles aligned,
Each piece unique, yet a single design,
Not meant to walk life’s path alone,
Together we’re better than on our own.

(Verse 4)
Communities rise like mountains grand,
Nations united, hand in hand,
A symphony of voices, rich and true,
Harmonizing life, both me and you.

(Bridge)
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life,
He heals all wounds and ends all strife,
Trust in him, new joy you’ll discover
As he draws you close to God and others.

(Verse 5)
Like atoms in a diamond pure,
Our bonds should be steadfast and sure,
In God’s embrace, we find our place,
Living as one in him by grace.

(Chorus)
God made you to love, and be loved,
To know and be known by him above.
Take Jesus’ hand, join his family
United with him for eternity.
God made you to love, and be loved,
To know and be known by him above.
Take Jesus’ hand, join his family
United with him for eternity.

Ever Closer Episode 173: Better with You

Appreciate those around you who make you a better person. Work toward lifting them higher, as well.

(Verse 1)
In the soft light of morning, your smile greets the day.
Like a brushstroke of sunlight, it chases shadows away.
With your hand in mine, I find strength anew.
Every step is lighter when I’m walking with you.

(Chorus)
You make me better, in ways big and small.
Your love lifts me higher, helps me stand proud and tall.
With every kind word, every gentle touch
You inspire the best in me, thank you so much.

(Verse 2)
When the world weighs me down, you’re my pillar of grace.
Your laughter’s a melody that puts joy in its place.
In moments of doubt, your faith sees me through.
I’m braver, I’m stronger, when I’m standing with you.

(Chorus)
You make me better, in ways big and small.
Your love lifts me higher, helps me stand proud and tall.
With every kind word, every gentle touch
You inspire the best in me, thank you so much.

(Bridge)
Your sacrifice moves me to give all I can.
Your wisdom guides me to be a better man.
In your eyes, I see the person I long to be.
Together we’ll climb, to heights we’ve yet to see.

(Verse 3)
As seasons turn gently, our love only grows.
Like a garden we tend, every day it just shows
That the best is yet coming, our future’s so bright.
With you by my side, everything feels so right.

(Chorus)
You make me better, in ways big and small.
Your love lifts me higher, helps me stand proud and tall.
With every kind word, every gentle touch
You inspire the best in me, thank you so much.

(Outro)
You make me better, in all that I do
Each day I’m committed to loving you, too.

Ever Closer Episode 174: Reflection for Week 29

God loves you deeply and unconditionally. In joyful response, love God back with all that you are. Our scripture focus this week is from Psalm 136:1, “Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.”

Here are three questions to consider:

1. The songs “Kinship” and “Shine as One” speak of God’s desire for unity with us and among us. In what ways have you experienced joy when prioritizing your relationship with God, and how has this affected your relationships with others?

2. Jesus modeled servant leadership by putting the Father’s will above His own. Where do you struggle most to lay down your “paper crown” of self-importance, and what practical step could you take this week to find joy in serving God first?

3. How might your daily schedule, spending habits, or thought patterns change if you consistently asked, “Am I putting God first in this decision?” before acting?