EC Week 34-Letting Jesus Live in You-Vision

Ever Closer Episode 199: Hope

Paul’s teaching that Christ’s love “constrains us” to live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again becomes your guiding principle this week, shifting your focus from self-centered living to Christ-centered service. The songs remind you that true hope, calling, purpose, lasting value, and growth all flow from your relationship with God rather than worldly pursuits, encouraging you to invest in what draws you closer to Him and what will help draw others closer to Him. Seek out those who God places in your path, and share His love and salvation with the same sacrificial heart that motivated Christ’s death for all humanity.

Here is today’s song:

Hope
When your hope is in God instead of this world, his reality becomes your reality which includes what is good, right, loving, and beautiful because he is the source of those.

(Verse 1)
In a world where hope can often fade away
God stands firm, His promises never sway
When plans get interrupted, and dreams are crushed
God calls to you, in Him you should trust.

(Verse 2)
Disaster may strike and people may fail
But God always delivers, his goodness prevails
Bring him your questions and doubts, your hurts and fears
He will wisely answer and wipe away your tears.

(Chorus)
Through hope in God, a new reality is found
Where healing reigns, and love knows no bounds
He offers true life, abundant and free
Where you’re blessed and secure for eternity.

(Verse 3)
Apart from God, you brush up against His grace
But His glory and fullness, you can’t embrace
For your sin kills your spirit and severs your soul
From God the source of what’s good, right, loving, and whole.

(Bridge)
So let go of this world, set your face toward heaven
Confess all sin and be graciously forgiven
You become God’s child, through faith in His Son
In His righteousness, your victory is won.

(Chorus)
Through hope in God, a new reality is found
Where healing reigns, and love knows no bounds
He offers true life, abundant and free
Where you’re blessed and secure for eternity.

Ever Closer Episode 200: Carry On with the Call

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9, NIV).

(Verse 1)
We have a blessed call, the greatest joy of life:
To love our God with all we are,
Our minds, our strength, our hearts.
So draw close to him, and carry on.

(Verse 2)
We have a sacred call, reached only through the Son:
To be holy as the Father is,
Set apart as only His.
Let him live through you, and carry on.

(Chorus)
Fight the good fight, stand firm in the faith.
Rely on Christ and overcome.
The battle to save he’s already won.
So heed His call, and carry on.

(Verse 3)
We have a precious call; the Lord speaks to our hearts:
To love our neighbor as ourselves,
To empty our lives, our time, our wealth.
Let him keep filling you, then carry on.

(Verse 4)
We have a priestly call to daily intercede
For the lost and those whose acts God hates,
To rescue them from a hell-bound state.
So seek out, extend mercy, and carry on.

(Chorus)
Fight the good fight, stand firm in the faith.
Rely on Christ and overcome.
The battle to save he’s already won.
So heed His call, and carry on.

(Outro)
We have a mission call; Christ sends us to the world:
He says, “”Go, disciple, and teach all men,
And I’ll be with you till the end.””
So proclaim his truth in love, and carry on.
So proclaim his truth in love, and carry on.
And carry on.

Ever Closer Episode 201: Beyond Sand’s Castle

True life is found in knowing God and not in life’s fleeting pleasures. So invest in what draws you closer to him and not in what drags you away.

(Verse 1)
Time slips through your fingers like sand
Building empires that will not stand
While endless blessings from God abound
In serving first his kingdom crown.

(Verse 2)
What gain is there in temporal worth
When we’re but pilgrims here on earth?
Real life flows from His embrace
Walking daily in His grace.

(Chorus)
The wise one gives what he cannot keep
To gain what he cannot lose.
Place your faith in God to reap
A fortress of life forever true.

(Verse 3)
Invest in all that draws you near
To the One who holds your moments dear
Not with fleeting pleasures that fade
But lasting joy with him each day.

(Verse 4)
Pour out your gifts in Heaven’s name
Not for power, wealth, or fame.
Help others follow His light
Instead of empty days that fade to night.

(Bridge)
Between two worlds you daily stand
One rock divine, one shifting sand.
Choose this day whom you will serve.
Cross into life or wander in the dust.
Or wander in the dust.

(Chorus)
The wise one gives what he cannot keep
To gain what he cannot lose.
Place your faith in God to reap
A fortress of life forever true.
A fortress of life forever true.

Ever Closer Episode 202: Through Soil and Stone

Growth can be painful because it requires change, discomfort, and sacrifice, but it is worth it not only for its impact on you, but also on others.

(Verse 1)
Like a seed surrendered to darkness below,
Shedding its shell for new life to grow,
Through soil and stone, reaching for light,
A fragile sprout becoming tall with might.

(Chorus)
To grow and follow Jesus costs everything,
Your comfort, your plans, your very being,
But his life flows in, as yours gives way,
Through your open hands, others find his way.

(Verse 2)
A mother’s body stretched and torn,
In joyful pain, new life is born,
Family rhythms forever rearranged,
Making room to love, nurture, and train.

(Chorus)
To grow and follow Jesus costs everything,
Your comfort, your plans, your very being,
But his life flows in, as yours gives way,
Through your open hands, others find his way.

(Verse 3)
God’s Son, made flesh, walked dusty roads,
Carried our burdens, bore our loads,
Jesus who served until his final breath,
Planting redemption in the soil of death.

(Bridge)
From the grave he rose, death’s power undone,
New life springs forth like the morning sun,
From spiritual death to abundant life we rise,
When we trust Jesus who paid our price.
Your sacrifice, like seeds cast to the wind,
Takes root in hearts where grace has been,
Your momentary pain bears endless fruit,
As others find in Christ, their deepest root.

(Chorus)
To grow and follow Jesus costs everything,
Your comfort, your plans, your very being,
But his life flows in, as yours gives way,
Through your open hands, others find his way.

Ever Closer Episode 203: Healing Balm

Our words and actions flow from what’s in our hearts, therefore we desperately need a new heart from God in order to see, to speak, and to act with truth and love.

(Verse 1)
Hearts without God’s touch
Hide behind selfish masks.
Deceit flows from within
Truth dies on bitter lips.

(Verse 2)
Words reveal what’s inside
Like water from a well.
A broken cistern spills
What darkness chose to fill.

(Verse 3)
We need new hearts to beat
With heaven’s rhythm pure.
Our fallen words can’t heal
This world of wounds so deep.

(Chorus)
Heavenly Father, lead
Me to live and love like you.
So others find their way
To your saving grace anew.

(Verse 4)
Bad trees bear bitter fruit
No matter how they try.
Good trees draw life above
From sun and rain divine.

(Verse 5)
We cannot change ourselves;
Our efforts always fail.
God’s power working through
Makes barren branches bloom.

(Chorus)
Heavenly Father, lead
Me to live and love like you.
So others find their way
To your saving grace anew.

(Bridge)
Search me, O God, know my heart
Forgive my hurtful words.
Cleanse me from wrongful ways
Make me whole again.

(Verse 6)
When God transforms within
Our words bring healing balm
Our actions mirror Christ
His light shines through our lives.

(Chorus)
Heavenly Father, lead
Me to live and love like you.
So others find their way
To your saving grace anew.

Ever Closer Episode 204: Reflection for Week 34

Out of love God gave Jesus to save you and all who turn to him. Let his sacrificial love broaden your vision and guide your steps to share his love and salvation with others. Our scripture focus this week is from 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died; and he died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.”

Here are a few questions to consider:

1. Paul says Christ’s love “constrains” or compels us. How does the reality that Jesus died for all people—regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or background—challenge your priorities and use of resources? What specific action might Christ’s universal love be compelling you toward?

2. “Beyond Sand’s Castle” contrasts fleeting pleasures with the permanence of knowing God. What temporary cultural values or pursuits might be limiting your investment in God’s eternal kingdom work? How could redirecting your resources (time, money, attention) toward global kingdom needs help you invest more eternally?

3. “Through Soil and Stone” acknowledges that growth requires change, discomfort, and sacrifice. Describe a time when cross-cultural engagement or global awareness caused discomfort but ultimately led to spiritual growth. What current discomfort might God be using to develop in you a heart for all nations?