EC Week 48-Making Disciples-Forgiveness

Ever Closer Episode 283: Arms Stretched Wide

The cross of Jesus represents the ultimate intersection of heaven and earth, where God’s amazing grace meets humanity’s deepest need, demonstrating the conquering love that transforms hearts through forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). As we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice—His scars serving as eternal witnesses to God’s love—we understand that what the world meant for harm, God transforms into good for our salvation and the salvation of many others. Our response to this incredible grace should be to extend the same kind, tenderhearted forgiveness to others that God has shown us in Christ, recognizing that even our deepest wounds can become part of God’s beautiful salvation tapestry when we trust in His redemptive power.

Here is today’s song:

Arms Stretched Wide
By faith, come to know God’s unfailing love for you which is beyond measure. Then by his power and grace extend his love and forgiveness to others.

(Verse 1)
From deepest pit of sin and shame
To our pinnacle of success
God seeks to save the lost
Inviting us to share his best.

(Verse 2)
Justice and mercy intertwined
Restoring bruised and broken victims
Yet also searching for offenders
So by grace they might be redeemed.

(Chorus)
More than we could ask or dream
Our Father longs to freely give.
By faith, join his family.
In boundless love, forever live.

(Verse 3)
East to west, our sins removed
Forgiven, cleansed, completely free.
With arms stretched wide upon the cross
God saved across eternity.

(Verse 4)
Each morning brings his faithful care
Protection through our darkest night.
Jesus intercedes on our behalf
Lifting us to heaven’s heights.

(Bridge)
Receive God’s love that knows no bounds
Let living waters fill your soul.
Be transformed by his wondrous gift
From you, let his love overflow.

(Verse 5)
A royal dwelling he prepares
Where soon with him we will reign.
His Spirit guides our earthly steps
So in God’s glory we are trained.

(Chorus)
More than we could ask or dream
Our Father longs to freely give.
By faith, join his family.
In boundless love, forever live.
In boundless love, forever live.

Ever Closer Episode 284: Worth Every Scar

The scars of Jesus are an eternal witness of the sacrifice, love, and power of God who joyfully paid the ultimate price to save us. In him we gain infinitely more than anything we sacrifice or suffer.

(Verse 1)
Hands once pierced, now raised in glory
Feet once nailed, now walk on high
Side once wounded, now tells a story
Of love that chose to bleed and die.

(Verse 2)
Rejected, hated, and betrayed
You bore our sins, the price you paid.
Abandoned, mocked, and crucified
Yet rose again, death defied.

(Chorus)
Worth every scar, worth every pain
Your sacrifice, our eternal gain.
Wounds of grace, now shining bright
Turning darkness into light.

(Bridge)
From heaven’s throne to earth below
You came to save, your love to show.
Fully God and fully man
Fulfilling God’s redemption plan.

(Verse 3)
Your scars now witness to your grace
Joy, not sorrow, on Your face
Interceding day by day
For those who walk your faithful way.

(Chorus)
Worth every scar, worth every pain
Your sacrifice, our eternal gain.
Wounds of grace, now shining bright
Turning darkness into light.

(Verse 4)
Out of evil, you bring good
Exalting those who with you stand.
In your wounds, our healing found
By your stripes, we are unbound.

(Chorus)
Worth every scar, worth every pain
Your sacrifice, our eternal gain.
Wounds of grace, now shining bright
Turning darkness into light.

(Outro)
Worth every scar, our loving Christ.
Worth every scar, our loving Christ.

Ever Closer Episode 285: Salvation Tapestry

Because God has forgiven us, we must forgive others. This is not easy and it takes time, but it is necessary to be able to freely move forward and thrive. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or condoning it. It doesn’t mean it was okay. It doesn’t necessarily mean you will be able to reconcile. It means that by God’s grace you can stop blaming the offender for the harm they have caused you. That’s what Jesus did for us, even though the burden of doing so cost him his life. Because of Jesus’ humble trust and obedience God raised him from the dead, and exalted him over what could have defeated him. If you have been hurt by someone, the other person may not even be sorry, but you are not depending on them. You must depend on God. Take the initiative to forgive. When you do God works within you to bring his supernatural peace and healing and raises you to new life in him.

Today we have two powerful songs related to forgiveness. I pray that you listen with an open heart and allow God to guide you in thanking him for saving you and in showing mercy to others.

Here is the first song:

Salvation Tapestry
What this world system and broken people have meant for your harm, God can turn into good to save you and many others. We see this with Joseph, David, and preeminently with Jesus.

(Verse 1)
In the pit, my brothers threw me down,
Betrayed and sold, my hopes were drowned.
Yet God’s hand was there, unseen,
Turning trials into victories.

(Chorus)
God is at work saving each day,
Weaving good from harm’s vile fray.
His power and love, a mighty force,
Redeeming lives, his steadfast course.

(Verse 2)
From shepherd boy to hunted king,
Saul’s wrath pursued, a bitter sting.
Enemies plotted to take my life
God’s grace prevailed amidst the strife.

(Chorus)
God is at work saving each day,
Weaving good from harm’s vile fray.
His power and love, a mighty force,
Redeeming lives, his steadfast course.

(Verse 3)
The cross loomed, a cruel device,
Yet there I paid sin’s heavy price.
Death’s sting was crushed, the grave defied,
Salvation’s door flung open wide.

(Chorus)
God is at work saving each day,
Weaving good from harm’s vile fray.
His power and love, a mighty force,
Redeeming lives, his steadfast course.

(Bridge)
Though trials may come, and darkness reign,
God’s purpose stands, His truth remains.
He takes our trauma, our deepest pain,
And turns it, into eternal gain.

(Chorus)
God is at work saving each day,
Weaving good from harm’s vile fray.
His power and love, a mighty force,
Redeeming lives, his steadfast course.

—
Here is today’s second song:

Saved by Grace

Being better than someone else or refraining from evil and doing good works cannot save you. Only by relying on what Jesus has done for you can you be saved from your sin and accepted by God.

(Verse 1)
He stands tall in the public square,
His record clean, his prayers are long,
“Thank God I’m not like other men,”
His heart convinced he’s done no wrong.

(Verse 2)
She counts her deeds on faithful hands,
“I’ve never stolen, never lied,”
Her charity fills social feeds,
Behind her smile, lurks misplaced pride.

(Verse 3)
But in the shadows, head bowed low,
A broken man with remorseful heart,
“Have mercy, Lord, I am a sinner,”
No list of merits to impart.

(Verse 4)
His tears fall heavy on the floor,
No righteous works to claim as shield,
Just empty hands and honest plea,
A wounded soul that seeks to heal.

(Chorus)
Not by our deeds, but by God’s grace,
Not by our strength, but by his love,
The proud stand tall, but fall alone.
The contrite kneel and are lifted up.

(Verse 5)
Two souls before the same great throne,
Two paths to try and be received.
One builds in vain a ladder of works,
One humbly pleads for God’s mercy.

(Bridge)
We cannot earn what love has bought,
Our righteousness like filthy rags.
The cross stands tall where pride must die,
And mercy fills what merit lacks.
When we surrender all our ways,
And trust in what the Savior’s done,
The Father calls us now his own,
Adopted through his perfect Son.

(Chorus)
Not by our deeds, but by God’s grace,
Not by our strength, but by his love,
The proud stand tall, but fall alone.
The contrite kneel and are lifted up.

Ever Closer Episode 286: Fleeing Escape

Our souls need rest that cannot be found in this world, but is only found by faith in God.

(Verse 1)
In endless scrolls and flashing lights,
My weary soul seeks brief respite,
Numbed by brief and hollow fun,
Yet emptier when day is done.

(Verse 2)
This world sells rest that isn’t real,
A vapor that I cannot feel,
An escapism dressed as peace,
A prison with no true release.

(Verse 3)
Like desert sands beneath my feet,
The pleasures fade in summer heat,
My parched soul cries for living streams,
Beyond these fleeting, fading dreams.

(Chorus)
True rest is not escape from life,
But dwelling in divine embrace,
Where truth and beauty intertwine,
And God’s reality brings grace.

(Verse 4)
Rest is to walk with God each day,
To feel His presence light my way,
In gratitude for gifts bestowed,
And faith through trials on the road.

(Verse 5)
The past released through mercy’s touch,
Forgiveness and healing of all wounds,
The present freed from selfish chains,
As God’s pure love within me reigns!

(Bridge)
Between two paths we all must choose:
Life with our God or all to lose,
Reality or dark escape,
Choose rest in God, your soul to save.

(Verse 6)
Life blooms in beauty, rich and true,
When I surrender all to God,
Releasing what would hold me back,
Receiving all that I once lacked.

(Outro)
My future brightens as I see,
Christ’s image forming deep in me,
Hope blossoms like the morning dew,
As I become forever new!

Ever Closer Episode 287: Heaven Meets Earth

Mountains, where heaven meets earth, point us to Jesus our only way to God. Key moments in Jesus’ ministry on earth took place on mountains. Reflect on them and place your trust in Jesus to be saved and transformed.

(Verse 1)
I climb this mountain, seeking your face.
Struggling below, but here I find grace.
Memories flood of encounters divine
Where earth touches heaven, your presence sublime.

(Verse 2)
On temptation’s peak, you stood so strong
Rejecting world’s glory, where we went wrong.
Your perfect obedience lights up our way
Teaching reliance on God each day.
Worshiping God, serving him solely.
His word, our bread sustaining each day.

(Chorus)
Like mountains, heaven meets earth in you.
Jesus, you show us the Father so true.
Lift me above, set apart for your call.
Transform me like you, so others follow.

(Verse 3)
Transfigured in glory, your nature revealed
Moses and Elijah, covenants fulfilled.
Divine and human, in you reconciled
Drawing us closer, no longer exiled.

(Verse 4)
Calvary’s hill, where love paid the price
To bear our sin you gave up your life.
Redeeming our world, the way to God
You adopt as your own, all who respond.

(Chorus)
Like mountains, heaven meets earth in you.
Jesus, you show us the Father so true.
Lift me above, set apart for your call.
Transform me like you, so others follow.

(Verse 5)
Mount of Olives, in prayer you did kneel
Surrendered to God’s will, our souls to heal.
Ascending to heaven, but promising return
Your Spirit empowers, for you we yearn.

(Bridge)
Mount Zion calls, God’s dwelling place
Jerusalem above, eternal embrace.
Where all believers will rejoice one day
In new heaven and earth, with you we’ll stay.

(Chorus)
Like mountains, heaven meets earth in you.
Jesus, you show us the Father so true.
Lift me above, set apart for your call.
Transform me like you, so others follow.

(Outro)
As mountains rise, so lift my soul
To be like you, my highest goal.

Ever Closer Episode 288: Reflection for Week 48

Imagine how much better your life could be and the lives of those around you if you treat others as Jesus does. You don’t have the ability to do this, but he does. Rely on his grace and power to love and forgive. Our scripture focus this week is from Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”

Here are three areas for reflection:

1. Ephesians 4:32 instructs us to forgive “just as God also in Christ forgave you.” How has understanding the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice and experiencing God’s forgiveness empowered you to forgive others? In what ways can teaching about forgiveness become a powerful discipleship tool?

2. “Salvation Tapestry” speaks of God turning harm into good. How has God redeemed painful experiences in your life for teaching purposes? Who might benefit from hearing how God has transformed your difficulties into discipleship opportunities?

3. “Worth Every Scar” reminds us that Jesus’ scars eternally witness God’s sacrifice and love. How does vulnerability about our wounds and healing open doors for deeper discipleship?