EC Week 50-Making Disciples-Faithfulness

Ever Closer Episode 295: Work Well

True discipleship moves beyond mere words to faithful obedience, as Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter His kingdom, but only those who actually do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). He said this to show false prophets and devout, self-righteous people that having a relationship with God does not come from secret knowledge, clever philosophy, or good works. None of these earn us salvation, neither does our faithfulness. In contrast, we are faithful because we have trusted Jesus to save us. Faithfulness is our loving response for what God is doing for us, in us, and through us. Therefore, just as Jesus carried out his mission of salvation directed by God the Father, we too should be engaged in our Heavenly Father’s business through joyful excellence in every endeavor, stepping out in faith to take responsible risks and do hard things, all while committing ourselves wholly to God’s purposes. Since yesterday is gone and tomorrow is never promised, we must make the most of today by being positive, hopeful, and resourceful, remembering that we are never too old to change and grow as we train responsive hearts to follow Christ with genuine devotion rather than empty religious performance.

Here is today’s song:

Work Well
If you have come to trust Jesus as your savior, joyfully do your best in every endeavor out of love for God and to represent him well so others might come to know him. (Inspired by Colossians 1:24-29).

(Verse 1)
Grace falls like morning sunlight
Priceless blessing on display.
God’s gift we cannot purchase
But pour out freely day to day.

(Verse 2)
By faith live worthy of his gift
With every effort, every deed
Reflecting back his mercy shown
Planting hope like precious seed.

(Chorus)
Don’t settle for the easy way
Become who God designed.
Serve with heaven’s purpose
Let his glory in you shine.

(Verse 3)
The riches stored in Jesus Christ
We boldly share with those we meet.
Glory’s promise overflowing
Forging life in him complete.

(Verse 4)
We teach with wisdom, guide with love
To help each soul grow fully strong.
Present each heart mature in faith
As they join in heaven’s song.

(Chorus)
Don’t settle for the easy way
Become who God designed.
Serve with heaven’s purpose
Let his glory in you shine.

(Bridge)
Learn boldly with a humble heart
Let God’s strength fill your feeble parts.
Proclaim truth in word and deed
Seek the captive for God to free.

(Verse 5)
Through trials we press onward still
In victories we raise our voice.
His power working mightily
In our weakness, we rejoice.

(Chorus)
Don’t settle for the easy way
Become who God designed.
Serve with heaven’s purpose
Let his glory in you shine.

Ever Closer Episode 296: Time to Live

Life is made of relationships, first with God then with others. With God’s help spend time growing in him and then investing in others in ways that bring him glory.

(Verse 1)
Time slips through fingers like sand,
Our days are numbered, not on demand.
Each sunrise, a gift to embrace,
With God, find purpose and grace.

(Chorus)
Precious moments, fleeting hours,
Some bloom joy, some fall in showers.
Each day bask in God’s glory bright
Grow in his love, reflect his light.

(Verse 2)
God gives talent, time, and treasure
As streams to channel, not to store.
Your riches find their truest worth
When lifting others here on earth.

(Verse 3)
Some cross your path for a day,
Others walk with you all the way.
Don’t look to take, but freely give,
So they find God and truly live.

(Bridge)
Lay down burdens, receive his grace,
Let his mercy your wrongs erase.
Jesus shows how to spend your time,
Not on earthly gain, but God’s design.

(Chorus)
Precious moments, fleeting hours,
Some bloom joy, some fall in showers.
Each day bask in God’s glory bright
Grow in his love, reflect his light.

(Verse 4)
Each heartache holds redemption’s seed,
When planted in faith, souls are freed.
Don’t waste days just passing through time,
Seek eternal rhythm and rhyme.

(Verse 5)
True joy comes not from within,
But dying to self, yielding to him.
God’s light fills empty spaces whole,
Overflowing to other souls.

(Chorus)
Precious moments, fleeting hours,
Some bloom joy, some fall in showers.
Each day bask in God’s glory bright
Grow in his love, reflect his light.
Grow in his love, reflect his light.

Ever Closer Episode 297: Winter Bloom

Today I’ve included two ballads about pushing through complacency, listlessness, age, and excuses in order to remain faithful.

Here is the first song:

Winter Bloom
You are never too old to change and grow. Stay young at heart. Older adults still have much to offer others.

(Verse 1)
In a quaint corner of the town,
A flower shop stood, a beacon of cheer,
Owned by a woman, kind and true,
Who found joy in brightening lives each year.

(Chorus)
But as time passed, the world changed around.
Customers moved on, the street grew loud.
She stayed inside, her world now bound.
Wondering if her shop would soon shut down.

(Verse 2)
The rooftop view she loved so dear,
Blocked by buildings that towered high,
Keeping the street clean, a constant fight,
Her cat’s passing, left her sad and shy.

(Verse 3)
Then one day, a customer came,
A man in need of flowers for his kin,
They chatted and laughed, a moment of cheer,
A spark of hope, a new story to begin.

(Bridge)
He came back day after day,
Finding excuses to buy and stay,
But then he stopped. Her joy began to fade.
She kept the shop open, hoping to see his face.

(Chorus)
But as time passed, the world changed around.
Customers moved on, the street grew loud.
She stayed inside, her world now bound.
Wondering if her shop would soon shut down.

(Verse 4)
The store bell rang, and there he stood,
A box in hand, a bucket at his side,
He gave her the box, a kitten inside,
Then set to work, the shop’s front to revive.

(Verse 5)
Now they walk and talk, each day anew,
Discovering a world, forever young and true,
The flower shop, a symbol of hope and cheer,
Blooming brightly again, year after year.

(Chorus)
For as time passed, the world changed around.
Customers moved on, the street grew loud.
But now, she’s open to the world, no longer bound.
Her life and her shop, a fresh aroma in town.

—
Here is today’s second song:

Galloping Free

If you find your life just goes round and round and up and down like a carousel, change your perspective. Find fulfillment in being thankful for what you have and lovingly putting God and others before yourself.

(Verse 1)
On gilded horse I ride,
Round and round I go,
A pretty sight from outside,
But empty, don’t you know.

(Verse 2)
Up and down, this carousel,
Trapped in circles bright,
Yearning for a distant star,
Beyond this endless night.

(Verse 3)
Then he rode up, a shining knight,
Eyes that saw right through,
Showed me how to change my sight,
And make my world anew.

(Verse 4)
“Give, don’t take,” he softly said,
“Pour out all your heart,
Find joy where you’re planted,
Loving is how real life starts.”

(Bridge)
Hand in hand, we stepped away,
From the carousel’s gleam,
To ride a real horse, come what may,
Living out this dream.

(Verse 5)
Now we gallop, free and wild,
Over hill and dale,
Two hearts pure and open wide,
Writing a better tale.

(Outro)
In giving, we have found,
Divine love deep and new,
No more self-seeking round ‘n round,
Blessing others is our pursuit.

Ever Closer Episode 298: Stepping Out

Take responsible risks to try new things. Do hard things. Face fear with faith.

(Verse 1)
Are you bound by the familiar
And afraid to face the unknown?
Do you wrestle with your conscience
And waver in your stand?

(Verse 2)
Are you shackled by the past,
Not free to greet the future?
Do you rest on your laurels
And thus fall short of your potential?

(Chorus)
Be strong and courageous, step out by faith.
Trust in the One who loves you.
Do the next right thing he shows you.
Submit your will to Wisdom’s way.

(Bridge)
You must sail from the shore to discover new land.
Forge mountain highs to gain perspective.
You must travel valley lows to grow stronger.
Abandon what’s bad to gain what’s best.

(Verse 3)
Don’t let anxiety paralyze you
Or what’s comfortable control you.
Push back despair, don’t be driven by feelings.
Let go of harm and receive true healing.

(Chorus)
Be strong and courageous, step out by faith.
Trust in the One who loves you.
Do the next right thing he shows you.
Submit your will to Wisdom’s way.

(Outro)
You must sail from the shore to discover new land.
Forge mountain highs to gain perspective.
You must travel valley lows to grow stronger.
Abandon what’s bad to gain what’s best.

Ever Closer Episode 299: Where You Go

A prayer of devotion to God, committing all that I am and all that I do, to him because of his gracious love for me. In so doing, hopefully others will come to know him also.

(Verse 1)
Gentle Father, take my hand,
Peel away what weighs me down,
Cut the strings of lesser loves,
Lead me where true life is found.

(Verse 2)
Lord of wisdom, shape my heart,
Help me choose the better way,
Not what glitters for a time,
But what lasts beyond today.

(Chorus)
Where you go, I’ll follow too,
What you do, I’ll seek to do,
All my joy is pleasing you,
Teach me, Lord, to be like you.

(Verse 3)
Light of heaven, shine through me,
In this world of deepening night,
Let my life reflect your face,
Be a candle burning bright.

(Verse 4)
God of strength, empower my steps,
When the weak cry out in need,
Give me courage, give me grace,
Where you plant, help me to seed.

(Bridge)
When I wandered lost and blind,
You pursued me to the end,
Rescued, saved, and called by name,
Now your child, no more condemned.

(Chorus)
Where you go, I’ll follow too,
What you do, I’ll seek to do,
All my joy is pleasing you,
Teach me, Lord, to be like you.

(Verse 5)
Voice of truth, speak through my words,
When the broken seek your face,
Let my tongue bring comfort sweet,
As your vessel of embrace.

(Verse 6)
Fountain flowing, pour through me,
Mercy endless, grace displayed,
Draw the thirsty to your stream,
To receive life with you by faith

(Outro)
Where you go, I’ll follow too,
What you do, I’ll seek to do,
All my joy is pleasing you,
Shape me, Lord, to love like you.

Ever Closer Episode 300: Reflection for Week 50

Our scripture focus this week is a cautionary truth from Jesus found in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’”

Don’t act in faith in order to exalt yourself or to try to save yourself. Instead, humbly seek to please God and others out of love. Be faithful because of what God has graciously done to save you, and is doing to build you up and make you more like Jesus.

Here are three questions to consider:

1. Matthew 7:21 warns that merely saying “Lord, Lord” isn’t enough—we must do God’s will. How does this passage challenge the way you approach discipleship? What’s the difference between teaching information about Jesus and training people to actually follow Him?

2. The song “Work Well” encourages believers to do their best in every endeavor to represent Christ. In what areas of your life do you need to work with greater excellence as a witness? How might inviting others to join you in meaningful work become an opportunity for training disciples?

3. “Where You Go” expresses devotion to God, committing all to Jesus, the Compassionate, Conquering King. What specific practices or habits are you currently modeling that help others learn faithfulness and obedience to Jesus?