EC Week 5-Believing In Jesus-God the Son

Ever Closer Episode 25: Glory Revealed

This week centers on the profound truth of John 1:1-4, celebrating Jesus as the eternal Word who was with God and was God from the beginning, through whom all things were created and in whom life and light are found. Our hope is anchored in recognizing Jesus as the divine Creator who became a man, and we are called to rejoice in this incredible revelation of God’s glory displayed in Christ’s face. The songs guide us from receiving the light of God’s knowledge shining in our hearts, to marveling at God’s love demonstrated in sending His Son, to recognizing that knowing our Creator is even more wondrous than being drawn to the beauty of His creation.

Here is today’s song:

Glory Revealed
”Seeing it is God who said, ‘Light will shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

(Verse 1)
Beyond the veil of mortal sight
A love divine, a blazing light.
Though eyes can’t see the Infinite One
God’s heart revealed through his own Son.

(Verse 2)
From heaven’s throne to earthly sod
He bridged the gap ’tween man and God.
The boundless One in human frame
To make his glory known, he came.

(Chorus)
God’s light shines on hopeless hearts.
His glory in Christ’s face imparts
The knowledge of his matchless grace
To gather those open to his embrace.

(Verse 3)
Like stars that guide a ship at sea
He seeks the lost, sets captives free.
A beacon in our darkest night
He leads us to eternal light.

(Verse 4)
As morning dew on withered ground
His mercy falls, grace abounds.
The pure, approachable became
To wash away our guilt and shame.

(Chorus)
God’s light shines on hopeless hearts.
His glory in Christ’s face imparts
The knowledge of his matchless grace
To gather those open to his embrace.

(Verse 5)
Like potter’s hands on broken clay
He mends our wounds, shows us the way.
The healer’s touch, so gentle, sure
Restores the soul, makes all things new.

(Bridge)
Jesus, Creator, Savior, Friend
Your love for us knows no end.
In trust and faith, we follow You
To life abundant, ever true.

(Chorus)
God’s light shines on hopeless hearts.
His glory in Christ’s face imparts
The knowledge of his matchless grace
To gather those open to his embrace.

Ever Closer Episode 26: Love Came Down

Praise God for new life that Jesus makes possible. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

(Verse 1)
He is God, divine reason unfurled
In his hand he holds the world.
By his word he created all things.
Through Jesus, God’s glory sings.

(Verse 2)
Full of goodness, grace, and truth,
He healed the sick and welcomed youth.
He freed captives and opened blind eyes.
He forgave sin and raised dead to life.

(Chorus)
Love came down and lived among us
As rest for the weary, the way for the lost.
He is the light in your darkest days.
The answer to your desperate ways.

(Verse 3)
For you he suffered God’s wrath and died.
By his sacrifice, your hope revives.
He rose to conquer death and sin,
So you can live fulfilled in him.

(Bridge)
He is calling you to follow him.
Humbly bow and confess your sin.
Receive his pardon, cleansed from within.
Go forth in his power, abiding in him.

(Chorus)
Love came down and lived among us
As rest for the weary, the way for the lost.
He is the light in your darkest days.
The answer to your desperate ways.

(Outro)
By grace with peace, lay down your life.
Help rescue others from their strife.
Shine like a star to light their night.
In Love who came down, may we all delight.

Ever Closer Episode 27: Deep Blue

As you have probably noticed most of the songs in this podcast series are centered on Jesus. However, I have also included secular songs that show faith being applied in practical situations or which celebrate simple joys which should point us to God, the source of all that is good, right, loving, and beautiful.

Deep Blue
People are drawn to the sea by its wonder, mystery, and power. Even greater and more glorious is to know God, the creator of the sea.

(Verse 1)
Tiny toes sink in golden sand,
Giggles rise with foamy waves,
A seashell world in small hands,
Ocean’s playground, memories saved.

(Verse 2)
Salt-kissed skin, board underarm,
Eyes fixed on swelling blue,
Chasing the perfect liquid form,
Where sky and sea pursue.

(Chorus)
Oh, the sea calls to you and me,
Its power, its mystery,
From shore to depths, wild and free,
We’re drawn to its majesty.

(Verse 3)
Rocks part to reveal hidden life,
Sea stars dance, crabs scuttle by,
A microcosm ripe and rife,
Nature’s secrets in tidal supply.

(Verse 4)
Horizon’s embrace, endless and wide,
Whispered tales in salty breeze,
Troubles ebb with each new tide,
Soul finds home amidst the seas.

(Bridge)
From childhood dreams to twilight years,
The ocean’s song rings in our ears.
With rhythmic waves and quiet stills
Its vastness humbles, its beauty thrills.

(Verse 5)
Weathered hands cast hopeful nets,
Sun-bronzed face reads water’s mood.
A life sustained by ocean’s gifts
Wonders and works in gratitude.

(Chorus)
Oh, the sea calls to you and me,
Its power, its mystery,
From shore to depths, wild and free,
We’re drawn to its majesty.

(Outro)
But greater still, the One who spoke,
And brought forth oceans from his throne,
His glory spans the universe,
Creator God, our hearts’ true home.

Ever Closer Episode 28: Ode to Our Creator

The beauty around us is but a glimpse of the glory of God who created it and sustains it. Because of Jesus people can know God.

(Chorus)
Praise be your almighty name!
For everything I see, from you came.
May your glory be my aim.

(Verse 1)
From the lilies in the field
To the mountains towering high.
From the creatures in the sea
To the birds that sing and fly.

(Chorus)
Praise be your loving name!
For all that’s good and right is your domain
May your glory be my aim

(Verse 2)
Great is your work in creating man.
We’re made to share your likeness.
Though all rebelled, you died to save
All who’ll accept your kindness.

(Bridge)
Full of pride, we each are broken
Helpless to heal, until on you we rely
For it’s the humble you restore
With those who trust, you abide.

(Outro)
Lord, I thank your gracious name.
For saving me from death and shame.
Your truth and love I shall proclaim
So others might behold your name.

Ever Closer Episode 29: Royal Rings

The rings of the giant sequoias testify to God’s faithful care year after year. They point to an even deeper love God has for people. Look to him by faith and experience abundant life.

(Verse 1)
I’ve seen centuries roll by like
Ripples of a mountain brook.
In early years few knew me,
Now many attend my forest nook.

(Verse 2)
They look up my towering frame,
Gazing in amazement at me.
I’m the largest of all living things,
Ringing out from within is my story.

(Chorus)
I have basked in glorious sun,
And showered in refreshing rain.
In good times blessings flow,
And in bad times, much is still gained.

(Bridge)
Fire has been a harsh teacher,
But flames clear my ground below.
To make way for the light of learning,
And to help seed others for growth.

(Verse 3)
My God-given husk harbors from harm
In raging fire I look up, not down.
I focus on standing and trusting,
To share life with my canopy crown.

(Chorus)
I have basked in glorious sun,
And showered in refreshing rain.
In good times blessings flow,
And in bad times, much is still gained.

(Outro)
The sequoia, a royal testimony,
Of God’s deeper care for you and me.
He holds us close, through thick and thin.
Like trees look up, stand and trust in him.

Ever Closer Episode 30: Week 5 Reflection

Jesus is God the Son, who became a man to show us God and enable us to know God. Jesus is the Word or express nature of God to us and the grand reason for all of creation.

Our scripture focus for this week is John 1:1-4:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Following are three application questions.

1. John 1:1-4 reveals Jesus as the eternal Word who is both with God and is God. How does understanding Jesus’ divine nature and role in creation deepen your hope and give you reason to rejoice, especially in difficult circumstances?

2. The song “Glory Revealed” references 2 Corinthians 4:6, which speaks of God’s light shining in our hearts through Christ. What areas of darkness in your life or in your thinking need the illuminating presence of Jesus to bring hope and joy?

3. “Deep Blue” compares knowing God to the wonder, mystery, and power of the sea. What aspect of Jesus’ character or work currently fills you with the deepest sense of wonder and rejoicing?