EC Week 36-Letting Jesus Live in You-Humility

Ever Closer Episode 211: Even Stones Will Sing

Christ’s ultimate example of humility in Philippians 2:6-11, where He emptied Himself to become a servant even unto death, shows us that true greatness comes through humble obedience and sacrificial love for others. Just as Jesus entered Jerusalem not to conquer through power but to save through surrender, we are called to approach our cities and communities with meek hearts that trust God’s kingdom will prevail through loving service rather than force. When we embrace Christ’s humble heart like David did, relying on God and allowing Him to restore and transform us despite our failures, we become vessels through which He can reach the lost.

Here is today’s song:

Even Stones Will Sing
In the first century Jesus humbly entered Jerusalem not to overthrow Rome, but to overthrow the rule of deadly sin in people’s lives. He died and rose again to save all who trusted him then, as well as now.

(Verse 1)
On a donkey, humble and low
Rides the King of glory, don’t you know?
Palm branches wave, coats on the ground
Hosanna to the Son of David, hear the sound!

(Chorus)
Blessed is He who comes in the name
Of the Lord Most High, forever to reign.
Our Savior, our King, our Promised One.
Hosanna in the highest to God’s Son!

(Verse 2)
The crowds are shouting, their voices ring
“Silence them!” say those opposing the King
But Jesus declares with authority,
“If they’re quiet, the stones will sing for me!”

(Verse 3)
Not on a steed or in royal attire
But clothed in humility, He inspires.
A kingdom of service, of love so pure
His ways higher than ours, forever sure.

(Bridge)
He comes not to conquer by earthly might
But with grace and mercy, He makes all things right.
His triumph is love, in hearts He’ll reign
Enabling peace and life with God to gain.

(Verse 4)
Let Him enter, our hearts open wide
King Jesus, come in and forever abide.
May your gentleness and peace in us shine
Revealing to the world our King divine.

(Chorus)
Blessed is He who comes in the name
Of the Lord Most High, forever to reign.
Our Savior, our King, our Promised One.
Hosanna in the highest to God’s Son!

(Outro)
Hosanna! Hosanna! To God’s Son!
Hosanna! Hosanna! To Jesus, the One!

Ever Closer Episode 212: Blessed Are the Meek

Jesus taught, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5, New International Version).

(Verse 1)
The world may honor wealth and fame,
Individual success, and self-centered gain.
But meekness, though mild and humble it seems,
Is strength under control, a quality that redeems.

(Verse 2)
Jesus is gentle and lowly, full of grace.
He laid down his life for the human race.
Hanging on the cross, robbed of breath he called,
“Father, forgive them.” Truly he loves all.

(Chorus)
Meekness, not weakness, a power to behold,
Ask for God’s wisdom, let his love unfold.
Surrender your way, trust God to intervene.
Blessed are the meek, the earth they will receive.

(Verse 3)
Moses, raised in royalty, chose to identify.
His people oppressed, he sought to lift them high.
Meekness is raising others on God’s shoulders strong.
Serving the weak, as God makes right what’s wrong.

(Verse 4)
The apostle Paul, in weakness, found strength,
God’s grace sufficient, amidst his suffering.
Recognizing his flaws, on God he relied.
However deep his need, God always supplied.

(Bridge)
A humble soul, God honors and reveres.
He cleanses your sin, calms your deepest fears.
He aligns your way with his, and transforms your heart.
In meekness, enjoy peace that God imparts.

(Chorus)
Meekness, not weakness, a power to behold,
Ask for God’s wisdom, let his love unfold.
Surrender your way, trust God to intervene.
Blessed are the meek, the earth they will receive.

(Outro)
Learn from Jesus, gentle and lowly is he.
Through your meekness God will redeem.

Ever Closer Episode 213: A Heart for God

Like king David of ancient Israel, through humble faith I want to be a man after God’s own heart. Though I fail at times, I praise God that as I trust and obey him, he restores me to become all he designed me to be in Jesus.

(Chorus)
Heavenly Father, I praise your name.
Forgive my sin, remove my shame.
Create in me a heart for you
A steadfast spirit today renew.

(Verse 1)
As the deer thirsts for water
So my soul desires your presence.
I long to rest in your embrace,
To hear your voice, to feel your grace.

(Verse 2)
Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and perceive my thoughts.
Correct in me any wicked way,
Cleanse me and mold me, like a potter with clay.

(Verse 3)
Tune my heart to sing your song
To seek what’s good, to right what’s wrong.
Turn my eyes from selfish gain
To give of myself in Jesus’ name.

(Bridge)
Though winds of trouble assail
And evil seems to prevail,
You have won by paying sin’s price.
When you return you’ll make all right.

Impart your wisdom, focus my vision,
Grant me strength to fulfill your mission.
Each day show me where I should go.
For to you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Lift my soul.

(Chorus)
Heavenly Father, I praise your name.
Forgive my sin, remove my shame.
Create in me a heart for you
A steadfast spirit today renew.

Ever Closer Episode 214: How Great the Tale

Find your rest in Jesus. Fulfilled in him, give your utmost for God’s highest as he enables you. (Lyrics are from a Gaelic prayer translated by E. Hull first published in 1631.)

(Verse 1)
How great the tale, that there should be
In God’s Son’s heart, a place for me!
That on a sinner’s lips like mine
The Cross of Jesus Christ should shine.

(Verse 2)
Christ Jesus, bend me to Thy Will:
My feet to urge, my griefs to still;
That even my flesh and blood may be
A temple sanctified to Thee.

(Verse 3)
No rest, no calm, my soul may win
Because my body craves to sin
Till Thou, dear Lord, Thyself impart
Peace to my head, light to my heart.

(Verse 4)
May consecration come from far,
Soft shining like the evening star!
My toilsome path make plain to me
Until I come to rest in Thee.

Ever Closer Episode 215: Who Will Save This City

Jesus humbly came to seek and to save the lost. He sends his followers to do the same. As they reach people with the good news of God’s love and salvation, not only does God save people, but he transforms the faithful to become like Jesus.

(Verse 1)
Who will save this city?
Who will reach the people here?
Who will deny life’s comforts?
Has anyone ever shed a tear,
For those stumbling in darkness
Who think everything is alright
Yet they are estranged from God,
Who’s their only hope against sin’s blight.

(Chorus)
Who will save this city?
It’s God’s design that Jesus will.
He wants you to join him in this charge.
Will you answer his loving call?
Will you show them Jesus?
Will you do what’s right?
Will you love as God does?
Will you light the night?

(Verse 2)
The church is God’s faithful people
His body and hands, his feet and voice.
He seeks to work through the humble.
The poor in spirit he deploys.
Those who carry out his mission
Are blessed along the way.
For God molds them to be like Jesus
As one by one he saves many.

(Bridge)
True life is knowing Jesus
Who died and rose to set you free
He broke sin’s chains and quelled death’s sting
Will you partake in his victory?

(Chorus)
Who will save this city?
It’s God’s design that Jesus will.
He wants you to join him in this charge.
Will you answer his loving call?
Will you show them Jesus?
Will you do what’s right?
Will you love as God does?
Will you light the night?

(Outro)
In Jesus’ name by faith I’ll go,
To share the truth, so all may know.
God’s love and salvation, I’ll declare,
So eternal life, they too may share.

Ever Closer Episode 216: Reflection for Week 36

We are effective in helping others find and follow Jesus, not by promoting ourselves, clever techniques, or charisma, but by relying on God. Then his power, truth, and love freely flow through us to save others.

Our scripture focus this week is Philippians 2:5-9, “Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him…”

Here are three questions to consider:

1. Christ emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. What aspects of your identity, rights, comfort, or status might God be asking you to “empty” in order to more effectively reach those who don’t know Him? What specific fears or attachments make this self-emptying difficult for you?

2. “A Heart for God” speaks of being restored after failure, like King David. How might acknowledging your own failures and God’s restoration make you more effective in reaching others who feel unworthy or far from God? What part of your testimony of God’s grace might particularly resonate with someone who doesn’t yet know Him?

3. Philippians 2 shows that Christ’s humiliation led to His exaltation. The song “Who Will Save the City” notes that as we reach others with the gospel, God transforms us to become more like Jesus. Describe a time when serving others sacrificially actually led to unexpected blessing or growth in your own life. How does this pattern of “downward mobility leading to spiritual elevation” challenge your natural inclinations?