EC Week 51-Making Disciples-Faithfulness

Ever Closer Episode 301: Meant to Soar

There is no greater adventure or worthwhile pursuit than to love God and love others. As you carry on his ministry of reconciliation, God transforms you to become like Jesus. There is no better place to be than with Jesus as he saves people. The songs this week remind us that God calls us to soar beyond our limitations. They invite us to celebrate the victory Jesus secured through His death and resurrection, and they encourage us to find fulfillment through grateful service to God and others. Even when facing opposition for our faith and discipleship efforts, we can experience resurrection joy knowing that God brings ultimate good from difficult circumstances, just as He did through Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation.

Here is today’s song:

Meant to Soar
In love God graciously calls you to something greater than who you can be or what you can do on your own.

(Verse 1)
Living for yourself is a dead end road
Like a caged bird never taught to soar.
There’s an ocean waiting past your comfort shore
Your heart was crafted for so much more.

(Verse 2)
God calls you from shadows into his light
To reflect his image in this darkened land.
Like a mirror turning toward the morning sun
Shining love to those in midnight’s hand.

(Chorus)
God made you for more than you can dream
Beyond yourself, past what you can achieve.
Let Jesus redeem you for his glory.
Trust him and become all you’re meant to be.

(Verse 3)
Good works without faith can’t save a man,
But a man saved by grace bears good fruit,
Like a tree whose roots drink deep from thriving streams
Drawing life from what lies beyond the roots.

(Verse 4)
God saves the broken, trains the willing heart
Equips your hands with gifts you never knew
Like a master craftsman in loving design
Shaping vessels made for pouring through.

(Bridge)
Don’t settle for the crumbs when feasts await.
Don’t cling to shadows when the light is yours.
Pay forward priceless grace that sets you free
Live worthy of the gift that God outpours.

(Chorus)
God made you for more than you can dream
Beyond yourself, past what you can achieve.
Let Jesus redeem you for his glory.
Trust him and become all you’re meant to be.

(Outro)
So labor with the strength God freely gives
Your efforts joined with his power above.
The fields are ripe for bountiful harvest
Go in God’s name, reach the lost with his love.

Ever Closer Episode 302: Rise Victorious

God promised salvation. At the cross Jesus delivered. Jesus’ death and resurrection secures victory for all who trust him.

(Verse 1)
On a hill drenched in crimson light,
Love poured out in darkest night,
The promise whispered through all time
Now fulfilled in sacrifice divine.

(Verse 2)
Chains of guilt now shattered fall,
Grace flows like a waterfall,
Where sin once scarred with deepest stain,
His blood washes, none remain.

(Chorus)
Jesus did what no one else could do,
Lived the life that we were meant to pursue,
Bore our death upon that rugged tree,
Rose again to set the captives free.
Through Christ alone is our victory.

(Verse 3)
Power rises with the dawn,
Selfish shadows now withdrawn,
His Spirit breathes new strength within,
To love and serve beyond ourselves with him.

(Verse 4)
The veil is torn, the way made clear,
To the Father’s heart we can draw near,
Rivers of life abundant flow,
Seeds of heaven here and now to grow.

(Chorus)
Jesus did what no one else could do,
Lived the life that we were meant to pursue,
Bore our death upon that rugged tree,
Rose again to set the captives free.
Through Christ alone is our victory.

(Bridge)
Jesus calls with arms spread wide,
“Come and rise to new life by my side,
Take my hand in abiding faith,
And walk in victory all your days!”

(Verse 5)
No longer strangers, orphans, lost,
We’re family purchased at great cost,
Around one table now we sing,
Children of the everlasting King.

(Chorus)
Jesus did what no one else could do,
Lived the life that we were meant to pursue,
Bore our death upon that rugged tree,
Rose again to set the captives free.
Through Christ alone is our victory.

(Outro)
God has done it all for you and me.
Through Christ alone is our victory.

Ever Closer Episode 303: Brave Enough

Today I’ve included two songs encouraging you to listen to God, to follow through with what he tells you, and to leave the results to him. Move forward by faith, secure in God. He loves you and will never fail you.

Here is the first song:

Brave Enough
Don’t let fear paralyze or defeat you. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the resolve and strength to work through the fear and move forward.

(Verse 1)
New hallways stretch like uncharted seas,
Textbooks heavy with unknown dreams,
Faces blur as doubts whisper, “Do I belong?”
But each small step makes the strange feel less wrong.

(Verse 2)
Spotlight waiting, throat tight and dry,
Notes trembling as time ticks by,
Judgment lurks in every watching eye,
Yet your voice matters – dare to amplify.

(Chorus)
Take one breath, take one step,
Feel the fear, but realize
That you don’t need to be fearless.
Just be brave enough to try.

(Verse 3)
Canvas blank, cursor blinking bare,
Your soul on display, will anyone care?
Creating means risking your heart getting bruised,
But keeping it hidden means the world will lose.

(Verse 4)
When silence feels safer than speaking truth,
When wrong goes unchallenged, smooth and soothed,
Standing alone feels like walking through fire,
But principles honored lift spirits higher.

(Bridge)
What scares you, face it true.
Ask yourself what would you do,
If you knew you couldn’t fail.
Use that vision to prevail.

(Verse 5)
Walls built to protect can become a cage,
Real love requires turning the page,
Vulnerability’s price might be a tear,
But connection’s reward brings others near.

(Chorus)
Take one breath, take one step,
Feel the fear, but realize
That you don’t need to be fearless.
Just be brave enough to try.

(Outro)
Courage isn’t dauntless hearts,
It’s scared hearts that still start.
You don’t need to be fearless.
Just be brave enough to try.

—
Here is today’s second song:

Wings of Silence

Step away from the constant buzz of worldly voices. Quiet your soul to hear God’s voice. Listen to his will and learn his ways so you are renewed by truth and equipped to carry on.

(Verse 1)
Voices crash like violent waves
Lies and noise flood every space.
Screens that flash and never cease
Stealing moments of your peace.

(Verse 2)
Busy hands and racing minds
Chasing what you’ll never find.
Time wasted on trivial quests
Settling for good, instead of best.

(Chorus)
“Be still, my child. Be still and know,
Be still and know that I am God.
I’ll be exalted across the world.
Your refuge. Your banner unfurled.”

(Verse 3)
Guard the threshold of your thoughts
Let one Voice rise above all.
When fear howls like raging wind
God’s love anchors deep within.

(Verse 4)
When confusion shakes your ground
Clarity in him is found.
When flames of worry surround your soul
His peace extinguishes them whole.

(Bridge)
Don’t conform to this world’s design
Let truth renew your heart and mind.
You’ll discover God’s perfect will
And gain his strength to follow his way.

(Verse 5)
Step away from endless noise
Wings of silence carry his voice.
In the quiet, learn to hear
His whisper drawing you near.

(Verse 6)
Tune your heart to heaven’s sound
Let his wisdom now abound.
What was clouded starts to clear
When you pause and he draws near.

(Chorus)
“Be still, my child. Be still and know,
Be still and know that I am God.
I’ll be exalted across the world.
Your refuge. Your banner unfurled.”

(Outro)
In the quiet, life with God grows.
His truth dethrones voices that oppose.
Renewed through stillness, rise again
Equipped to carry on and contend.

Ever Closer Episode 304: The Comeback

Don’t let past mistakes or present obstacles hold you back. Invest in yourself and others for a better future.

(Verse 1)
When shadows hang over your days
And every path feels like a maze
It’s never too late to change your course.
Your story’s still yours to rewrite.

(Verse 2)
That voice inside that holds you back
Is fear lurking, well disguised.
Swap “I can’t do it” for “I’ll try.”
The walls you break become your bridges.

(Chorus)
Don’t be shackled by your setbacks
Focus on your comeback.
Your future’s brighter than your past
Reframe your view and break the cast.

(Verse 3)
When others say you’ll never fly
Show up each day, prove them all wrong.
Find those who cheer and build you up
Move on from those who tear you down.

(Verse 4)
Start with the little that you have
Not with the much you wish was yours.
Trade what you know for what you need
Small steps still move you forward too.

(Chorus)
Don’t be shackled by your setbacks
Focus on your comeback.
Your future’s brighter than your past
Reframe your view and break the cast.
Don’t be shackled by your setbacks
Focus on your comeback.
Your future’s brighter than your past
Reframe your view and break the cast.

(Bridge)
You’re worth the time it takes to grow.
Picture that path when night feels long.
Set just one goal you can achieve
And celebrate each step you climb.

(Verse 5)
The wounds you bear can heal in time
Scars may tag you, but don’t define.
The storms that bent you made you strong.
Your broken places let light in.
Yeah. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go.

(Chorus)
Don’t be shackled by your setbacks
Focus on your comeback.
Your future’s brighter than your past
Reframe your view and break the cast.
Don’t be shackled by your setbacks, setbacks, setbacks.
Focus on your comeback, your comeback!

(Outro)
As you rise up, reach back with hope
Someone is watching how you cope.
The hand you offer lifts them and you
We heal together, not alone.

Ever Closer Episode 305: Wondrous Ways

Like he did for Elijah, a widow, and ancient Israel, God provides for those who trust and obey him. Yet, incredibly as he does so, he accomplishes other divine purposes like judgment and redemption which we may not realize at the time. (Refer to 1 Kings 17-18).

(Verse 1)
When drought and famine plagued the land,
God fed Elijah by sending ravens.
When a poor widow gave her last meal
God awarded her a better deal.

(Verse 2)
This widow’s jar did not drain,
Her flour didn’t cease til it rained.
When her son died, Elijah prayed,
God brought the boy to life again.

(Chorus)
Though his ways may seem unclear,
God’s faithful hand is always near.
He provides for those who trust,
For he’s loving, wise, and just.

(Verse 3)
On Mount Carmel false gods failed,
Through fire God’s power was revealed.
For he reigns over all supreme,
With him your best is yet to be.

(Verse 4)
Though judgment came for Israel’s sin,
God’s plan for them was still to redeem.
God meets many needs as he provides.
His purposes extend deep and wide.

(Bridge)
God’s individual care and provision,
Serve his greater, eternal mission.
He saves and judges in perfect time,
While accomplishing his will divine.

(Verse 5)
In unexpected, wondrous ways,
God’s steadfast love and grace displays.
He works through trials, loss, and dearth,
To care for those who obey on earth.

(Chorus)
Though his ways may seem unclear,
God’s faithful hand is always near.
He provides for those who trust,
For he’s loving, wise, and just.

Ever Closer Episode 306: Reflection for Week 51

Our scripture focus this week is from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount when he gave people a vision of what it looks like to live in God’s kingdom where he rules their hearts as opposed to life in this fallen world of broken people bent on serving themselves. In Matthew 5:10 it says, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus teaches an astonishing, counter-intuitive truth—that there is blessing in being persecuted for righteousness’ sake. This blessing goes beyond happiness to encompass flourishing to the point that some people envy you. Also it is not only a future reward, but a present reality. So remain faithful, trusting God to fulfill all his promises and to work through you to save others.

Here are three areas for reflection:

1. Matthew 5:10 tells us that those persecuted for righteousness are blessed for they have the Kingdom of Heaven. In what ways might preparing disciples for potential persecution actually strengthen their faith?

2. “Rise Victorious” celebrates Jesus’ victory through his death and resurrection. How does training disciples with the assurance of ultimate victory in Christ affect their perseverance through challenges? Recall a time when focusing on Christ’s victory helped you remain faithful despite opposition.

3. The song “Meant to Soar” speaks of God calling us to something greater than we can be on our own. How has God stretched you beyond your own abilities in your discipleship journey? How can you help those you’re training to recognize God’s higher calling on their lives?