EC Week 37-Letting Jesus Live in You-Gentleness

Ever Closer Episode 217: Crowned with Humility

This week focuses on embracing true greatness through humble service to others, as Jesus demonstrated when He entered Jerusalem not as a conquering king, but as a gentle servant preparing to sacrifice Himself for the world’s salvation. The songs guide us to respond to suffering with compassion, extend mercy even to difficult people, and create ripples of love through genuine connection with family and others. Through gentle service and Christ-like humility, believers learn that God’s ways are higher than worldly concepts of power and status, leading us to find our identity in serving rather than being served.

Here is today’s song:

Crowned with Humility
We should learn God’s ways. They are higher and better than our ways as seen in the unexpected nature of Jesus’ lowly triumphal entry into Jerusalem when he prepared to save the world as King.

(Verse 1)
Not on a warhorse draped in might
But on gentle beast the King draws nigh
Palm branches wave as voices cry,
“Hosanna to the One most high!”

(Verse 2)
Crowned not with gold but patient grace,
Willing to embrace those who hate.
Soon to bear God’s wrath in our place
Love’s triumph over death awaits.

(Verse 3)
With the lips singing praise that day
Were curses from those who turned away,
Remind us, Lord, help us to stay
When faith costs more than words can pay.

(Chorus)
Open our eyes to see you passing by,
The King who brings true peace,
You save the lost, the last, the least
With your healing deep and complete.
Your kingdom comes through sacrifice,
Your crown through thorns increased,
Teach us to walk your humble way,
O King, who came for our peace.
Who came for our peace.

(Verse 4)
Ancient words fulfilled in perfect time,
Prophecy and promise now align,
What seemed impossible I can find,
Through faith in you, salvation is mine.

(Verse 5)
You knew the cross awaited there,
Yet forward rode with steadfast prayer,
Give us such courage, help us dare
To die to ourselves and live in your care.

(Bridge)
Between the shouts of praise
And the shadow of the cross,
You wept for hearts too blind to see
The one who brings their liberty.
Awaken us by your tender grace
To receive you, our King, by faith.

(Chorus)
Open our eyes to see you passing by,
The King who brings true peace,
You save the lost, the last, the least
With your healing deep and complete.
Your kingdom comes through sacrifice,
Your crown through thorns increased,
Teach us to walk your humble way,
O King, who came for our peace.

Ever Closer Episode 218: When Shadows Fall

Respond to those who are suffering by drawing close to God and by prayerfully supporting them with faith, hope, and love.

(Verse 1)
In a world of storms and shattering skies,
Where choices break and innocents weep,
Pain carves its path through all our lives,
And suffering plants its roots so deep.
Draw near to God when darkness swells,
Let his whispers calm the raging sea.
In broken places, his presence dwells,
His hands restore what cannot be.

(Verse 2)
Reach out with love to those who mourn,
Share their tears, their burden bear.
When hearts are crushed and hope is torn,
Show them they’re not alone in despair.
Offer bread to hungry hands,
Shelter to those lost in rain.
Be Christ’s body where sorrow stands,
A living bridge across the pain.

(Verse 3)
Hold fast to faith when reasons fail,
When “why” remains without reply.
God works beyond the shadowed veil,
Though hidden from our questioning eye.
From broken soil, new life appears,
From darkest night, stars burn bright.
God transforms ashes of our tears
To beauty wrapped in morning light.

(Bridge)
Hope rises like the coming dawn,
A promise etched in heaven’s plan.
One day all grief will be withdrawn,
All tears wiped by God’s gentle hand.
Until that day, his grace sustains,
His strength perfected in our need.
His power prevails over pain,
To save, transform, and set free.

(Chorus)
When disaster strikes like lightning,
And suffering tightens like a vice,
Find peace in God’s arms that hold you.
Love and trust him through the night.
Then rise up with hands extended,
With his comfort overflowed.
Be the vessel of his mercy
To others burdened on life’s road.

Ever Closer Episode 219: Gale

Like the mystery of the wind, we don’t always know where people have come from or what they’ve been through that leads them to be difficult or destructive. As God has done for us, we should extend them grace.

(Verse 1)
I say goodbye as I caress your face.
I must move on, can’t stay in one place.
Through your hair I pass a final comb.
I’ve never known an actual home.

(Verse 2)
Reluctantly I’m on my own again.
Meeting strange faces, hoping for friends.
Freely I travel by land or sea.
No country has ever apprehended me.

(Chorus)
Remember how often I’m good, not bad.
To be welcomed again would make me so glad.
Some call me Gale, Zephyr, or Wind.
But all I wish is to be called a friend.

(Verse 3)
I know I can be a terror at times.
Especially when mad, I’m hard to confine.
I can strip rich land or destroy a town.
I can incite a fire or bring great trees down.

(Bridge)
Fortunately I’m not always that way.
I can be soft and gentle, wouldn’t you say?
I like to fly kites, and sail fine boats,
Give rides to birds, and whistle some notes.

(Chorus)
Remember how often I’m good, not bad.
To be welcomed again would make me so glad.
Some call me Gale, Zephyr, or Wind.
But all I wish is to be called a friend.

Ever Closer Episode 220: Ripped Jeans

Today we have two songs which relate to treating people with honor in our actions and our words rather than looking down on them or tearing them down.

Here is the first song:

Ripped Jeans
A teenage girl is ashamed of herself when she discovers that she misjudged a boy at school. But her confession leads to a genuine friendship.

(Verse 1)
Front row perfect, back row mystery,
Two worlds apart in science class.
Your ripped jeans spoke of history,
While my notebooks showed a flawless past.

(Verse 2)
“You two are partners,” the teacher said,
My heart sank low, expectations too.
Assumptions filled my clouded head,
About the boy I thought I knew.

(Chorus)
Don’t trust the stories you’ve been told,
Look past the surface, brave and bold.
When you take time to truly see,
You’ll find the beauty meant to be.

(Verse 3)
Fluorescent lights hummed overhead,
As you rushed in from your second job.
“Sorry I’m late,” was all you said,
Hiding the burden of your lot.

(Verse 4)
You broke down formulas with ease,
Made science sing like poetry.
But I couldn’t thaw the cold degrees,
Between the worlds of you and me.

(Bridge)
Steam rising as you missed our meet,
My anger building with each text.
Then saw you there across the street,
Helping a fallen man to rest.
While I focused only on me
You gave yourself to do what’s best.

(Verse 5)
“I’m ashamed of me,” I confessed,
“I judged without a second look.”
Instead of contempt you chose to bless
With grace no one could learn from books.

(Chorus)
Don’t trust the stories you’ve been told,
Look past the surface, brave and bold.
When you take time to truly see,
You’ll find the beauty meant to be.

(Verse 6)
Now we’re friends with shared respect,
I help lighten your load of chores.
You teach me life’s not just perfect,
But messy, real, and so much more.

(Outro)
Beyond the grades and torn-up jeans,
Beyond first glances, shallow views,
We found the truth that lies between—
A friendship built on seeing true.

—
Here is today’s second song:

Steel or Rain

By God’s grace and power use your words to build up and not tear down.

(Verse 1)
Words can cut like sharpened steel
Or heal like gentle rain.
Choose the ones that lift and seal
Not those that cause more pain.

(Verse 2)
Golden apples, silver set
Your timely words can be.
Speak with care, you won’t regret
So hearts your words set free.

(Chorus)
By faith, may every word you speak
And thoughts your heart contains
Be pleasing to the God you seek.
Rely on him who reigns.

(Verse 3)
Some speak rashly, thrust like swords
While wisdom’s tongue brings health.
Guard the treasure of your words
They hold unmeasured wealth.

(Verse 4)
Want to love life and see good days?
Then keep your tongue from lies.
Let truth and grace mark your ways
Through kindness seek allies.

(Bridge)
When tensions flare and anger burns
Use wisdom’s gentle art.
Deflect, redirect as conflict turns
With love that won’t depart.
Stand for justice, seek the truth
Yet hold your tongue with care.
The path to healing and to proof
Begins with words you share.

(Verse 5)
When attacked, don’t strike in kind
Break cycles with your grace.
Stand with dignity defined
Love firmly in its place.

(Verse 6)
When evil taunts provocation
Repay instead with good
Creative in your navigation
As peacemakers should.

(Chorus)
By faith, may every word you speak
And thoughts your heart contains
Be pleasing to the God you seek.
Rely on him who reigns.

Ever Closer Episode 221: Take My Hand

Love and support those around you in word and deed especially that special someone closest to you.

(Verse 1)
As you step from the car, I reach out with care.
Your warm hand in mine, a moment to treasure.
We climb up the hill, the path slick with dew
I steady your steps, this view is for two.

(Verse 2)
In the soft candlelight, I ask for this dance.
Your fingers entwine mine, lost in romance.
The river rages on, but I help you across.
In your times of need, I bear any cost.

(Chorus)
Take my hand, love, through all that we face
In joy and in sorrow, in every new place
I’ll be right beside you, together we’ll stand.
Just reach out, my darling, and take my hand.

(Verse 3)
You close your eyes, by your hand I guide
To fulfill your desire—a brand new ride.
When you fall or get stuck, I pull you free
With clasped hands, we hail your new degree.

(Bridge)
On the day that we wed, I slip on your ring.
In sickness and health, to your hand I cling.
Through the pain of labor, I’m your support.
United in prayer, our bond can’t be thwarted.

(Chorus)
Take my hand, love, through all that we face
In joy and in sorrow, in every new place
I’ll be right beside you, together we’ll stand.
Just reach out, my darling, and take my hand.

(Verse 4)
More than my hand, I give you my all.
As we take God’s hand, answering His call.
Our fingers intertwined, on this journey of love
Guided by faith and our Father above.

(Outro)
Take my hand, take my heart, take all that I am.
Together with God, we’ll discover His plan.

Ever Closer Episode 222: Reflection for Week 37

As you humbly rely on God he enables you to respond to difficult people and challenging situations with patience and gentleness.

Our scripture focus this week is Matthew 20:26-27, “He who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Here are some thoughts for reflection:

1. Jesus teaches that true greatness comes through serving others, which completely reverses the world’s definition of success. Where in your life are you still pursuing “greatness” according to worldly standards rather than through humble service? What specific attitude or ambition might God be asking you to surrender in order to embrace His upside-down kingdom values?

2. “Gale” reminds us that, like the mystery of wind, we don’t know what others have experienced that causes them to be difficult or abrasive. Recall a time when someone extended unexpected gentleness to you despite your difficult behavior. How did this impact you? With whom might God be calling you to practice this same gentle mercy, even when it feels undeserved?

3. “Take My Hand” speaks to tender, meaningful connections between two people in love. Extend that concept to other family members. How can gentle, consistent service within your family or close relationships create ripple effects that extend beyond those immediate relationships? Who is watching how you serve, and what are they learning?