EC Week 52-Making Disciples-Faithfulness

Ever Closer Episode 307: Called Alongside

This is the last week of the Ever Closer podcast series. Over the five courses: “All for God,” “Believing in Jesus,” “Giving Your Life to Jesus,” “Letting Jesus Live in You,” and “Making Disciples,” we have come a long way in a deepening relationship with Jesus.

Jesus is coming back to gather believers to reign with him, to judge unbelievers, to vanquish evil, to end suffering and death, and to consummate his eternal righteous kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Our faithful discipleship work continues until Jesus returns. This week’s songs celebrate our hope and blessed calling to joyfully work alongside Jesus as co-heirs in God’s mission to save the lost, remembering that His death and resurrection provide abundant, everlasting life for all who trust Him as children of God’s royal family. As we conclude this unit on making disciples, we’re reminded to walk daily in loving relationship with God through prayer, trusting and obeying Jesus to experience His blessings now while looking forward to an even more glorious eternity, all while offering praise to our wonderful God who is worthy of all honor.

Here is today’s song:

Called Alongside
Joyfully work alongside Jesus by faith as his co-heir to carry out God’s will of saving the lost, until Jesus returns to earth to consummate his kingdom.

(Verse 1)
From heaven’s throne to dusty roads,
Jesus came to seek the lost,
Making right what sin corrodes,
Paying love’s immeasurable cost.

(Verse 2)
Now he calls us to his side,
Fellow workers in the field,
By his grace to be allied,
Our royal purpose now revealed.

(Chorus)
While you await the King’s return,
Shine his light where shadows fall.
Every heart needs redemption,
Share with them God’s saving call.

(Verse 3)
Like a branch within the vine,
Draw his strength from living prayer.
Seek first his will divine,
Bearing fruit for his glory.

(Verse 4)
Seeds of kindness daily sown,
Harvest coming in its time.
Don’t grow weary, you’re not alone,
In this sacred work sublime.

(Bridge)
As his power flows through you,
Saving souls from darkness deep,
He works in you all things new
To become like Christ, complete.

(Verse 5)
Soon Jesus is coming back
To make all things right in creation.
Evil will cease and the wicked judged,
But the faithful with him will reign.

(Chorus)
While you await the King’s return,
Shine his light where shadows fall.
Every heart needs redemption,
Share with them God’s saving call.
Every heart needs redemption,
Share with them God’s saving call.

Ever Closer Episode 308: More Than Blessings

Today we have two songs which celebrate the priceless gift and blessed hope we have in God alone. Rejoice in him for he is the wellspring of love for all you are and all you do.

Here is the first song:

More Than Blessings
True life is not a gift from God, it is the gift of God Himself. Treasure God above all blessings and he will transform you and also work through you to save others.

(Verse 1)
Your gifts rain down like morning light,
Each perfect blessing from above.
When my heart turns to complain,
You teach me gratitude and love.

(Verse 2)
You made my hands to openly share
What you so freely gave to me.
I release my tightened grip—
In giving, I am truly free.

(Chorus)
More than your gifts, I treasure you,
Life everlasting, full and true.
Not just your blessings, but your heart—
You are the gift, my God, you are.

(Verse 3)
I offer all I am to you,
A living sacrifice, though small.
Take my life and let it be
Surrendered to your loving call.

(Verse 4)
As I obey and trust your ways,
Not for my glory, but for yours,
Your life shines brighter through my days,
Like sunlight through an open door.

(Chorus)
More than your gifts, I treasure you,
Life everlasting, full and true.
Not just your blessings, but your heart—
You are the gift, my God, you are.

(Bridge)
In brokenness, I find your strength
When I release my pride and fear.
My control and cherished dreams—
I lay them down to hold you near.

(Verse 5)
The greatest gift I have to share
Is not my strength but our embrace.
Your love working through my life,
A vessel of your saving grace.

(Chorus)
More than your gifts, I treasure you,
Life everlasting, full and true.
Not just your blessings, but your heart—
You are the gift, my God, you are, you are.

—
Here is today’s second song:

Heaven’s Kiss

Jesus is our only hope, as all creation in this fallen world of broken people, longs for things to be restored and made right.

(Verse 1)
In shadows of a fallen world
Where broken hearts cry out in pain
Creation groans for something more
A longing deep that won’t remain.

(Verse 2)
We turned away from heaven’s plan
To walk our own misguided ways.
The curse of death fell on the land
As light gave way to darker days.

(Chorus)
Hope of glory, Jesus reigns
Breaking chains that bind our souls.
Hope of glory, love proclaims
Your grace restores and makes us whole!
In you alone, our future gleams
The weight of glory yet unseen.

(Verse 3)
But on that cross, you broke the curse
Your perfect love defeated death.
From empty tomb, new life emerged
Salvation in your final breath.

(Verse 4)
Your Spirit now our comfort brings
A taste of what is yet to come.
Through present pain, our hearts still sing
Of home where we will be as one.

(Bridge)
This world is not our dwelling place
These trials fade like morning mist.
Your glory outweighs every tear
A weight eternal, heaven’s kiss.
All creation waits with hope
For full redemption’s sweet release.

(Verse 5)
Our suffering now cannot compare
To glory that awaits beyond.
Each broken piece you will repair
As earth and heaven’s veil is gone.

(Chorus)
Hope of glory, Jesus reigns
Breaking chains that bind our souls.
Hope of glory, love proclaims
Your grace restores and makes us whole.
In you alone, our future gleams
The weight of glory yet unseen.

(Outro)
So trust and follow, hear His call
No other name can save your soul.
In Christ alone, you stand or fall
His kingdom comes, His love makes whole.

Ever Closer Episode 309: Circles Rippling

True love—God’s love, is an eternal fountain meant for all to enjoy. By faith let him fill you with his love so that it overflows to others.

(Verse 1)
Like mother birds upon their nest,
Love works with patience for what’s best.
A tender hand that surely guides,
Through stormy seas and changing tides.

(Verse 2)
Like rivers that flow over stone,
Love keeps no list of what went wrong.
It writes forgiveness in the sand,
And offers grace with open hand.

(Chorus)
We love because God first loved us,
A fountain flowing, generous.
This circle growing, never ends,
To share with all, God’s heart and hands.

(Verse 3)
Like branches reaching for the sun,
Love draws the many into one.
It builds a bridge where walls once stood,
And seeks for all their highest good.

(Verse 4)
Like stars that burn through darkest night,
Love never dims or loses sight.
An endless well that won’t run dry,
A flame that reaches far and wide.

(Chorus)
We love because God first loved us,
A fountain flowing, generous.
This circle growing, never ends,
To share with all, God’s heart and hands.

(Bridge)
Though thorns may pierce and hearts resist,
Love lifts the ones who would be missed.
By grace we love the hard to love,
With power flowing from above.

(Chorus)
We love because God first loved us,
A fountain flowing, generous.
This circle growing, never ends,
To share with all, God’s heart and hands.

(Outro)
Like circles rippling on a lake,
Love spreads with every step we take.
No start, no finish can be found,
In love’s eternal, joyful round.

Ever Closer Episode 310: Next Breath

Those who trust and obey Jesus experience his blessings now and enjoy an even more glorious eternity with God after their physical body dies.

(Verse 1)
Life on earth, a fleeting breath.
Trials and joys, until our death.
But those who trust in Jesus’ name,
Have hope beyond this mortal frame.

(Verse 2)
Through faith alone, we can know God now.
His grace and love, our souls endowed.
A foretaste of the joys to come.a
Adopted and forever home.

(Chorus)
Our last breath here, our first breath there.
A glorified new body beyond compare.
Our weary souls at last will rest,
Growing in God, forever blessed.

(Verse 3)
We trust his word, we heed his call.
Our Savior reigns, our Lord in all.
His grace sustains us day by day,
Until we’re called to heaven’s bay.

(Bridge)
Knowing him now, life’s sweetest song.
A prelude to his blessings beyond.
Each moment here, a chance to praise,
Until we see him face to face.

(Chorus)
Our last breath here, our first breath there.
A glorified new body beyond compare.
Our weary souls at last will rest,
Growing in God, forever blessed.

(Outro)
Each breath from God is our gifted treasure.
Serving him and others extends our pleasure.
Setting the stage for what’s in store.
When we step through heaven’s door.
Each breath with God, life at its best.
Each breath for God, forever blessed.

Ever Closer Episode 311: Oceans Dance

God is wonderful beyond words and worthy of all praise.

(Verse 1)
Regal mountains bow at his name.
Stars shine to show his fame.
Ocean waves dance at his call.
God’s beauty seen by all.

(Verse 2)
His realm extends past galaxies
Yet he hears each whispered plea.
He seeks the ones who’ve gone astray
Heals broken hearts each day.

(Chorus)
Draw close to God and know his grace.
Joy fills each moment in his embrace.
What he has done, what he will do
His wonders old and blessings new.

(Verse 3)
Morning sunshine, evening rain
Daily bread, triumph through pain.
Every blessing flows from above
Perfect gifts from boundless love.

(Verse 4)
Kings and kingdoms rise and fall.
God will judge the wicked, one and all.
But those who kneel before his throne
He forgives and adopts as his own.

(Bridge)
Listen and hear, look and see
Marvel at God almighty.
He delivers through darkest night
Ever faithful to make things right.

(Chorus)
Draw close to God and know his grace.
Joy fills each moment in his embrace.
What he has done, what he will do
His wonders old and blessings new.

(Outro)
From sparrow’s hymn to sunset’s flame
All creation declares his name.
He’s worthy of our highest praise
Let’s bring him glory all our days.

Ever Closer Episode 312: Reflection for Week 52

Our scripture focus this week is a promise from Jesus—the Compassionate, Conquering, Returning King, in Revelation 22:12-13, “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Jesus will complete the salvation work he began when he first came to earth. He will restore all who trust him, along with all of creation, to his glorious design.

Here are three questions to consider:

1. Our scripture from Revelation reminds us Jesus is coming quickly with rewards according to our work. In the meantime, we are co-heirs in working with him to save others. How does Christ’s presence and power with us now along with his promise to return shape your priorities in discipling others? What urgency should this create in our approach to training faithful disciples?

2. Jesus describes Himself as “the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” How does training disciples to view their entire lives—past, present, and future—through Jesus transform their daily decisions? What practices help you keep this eternal perspective?

3. The song, “Next Breath,” contrasts present blessings with future glory. How do you help disciples maintain faithfulness when immediate rewards aren’t visible? What promises about Christ’s return provide the greatest motivation for continued faithfulness in your own discipleship journey?

Next Steps

This concludes our “Ever Closer” podcast. We pray that you continue to grow in Jesus and help others find and follow him. We have resources on the Light Runner ministry website which you might find useful. For instance, the “Footsteps School of Discipleship” is an inductive Bible study for individuals or small groups guiding believers into a deeper walk with Jesus. Like “Ever Closer” does with music, “Footsteps” does through studying and discussing scripture. The website address is lightrunner.org. Grace and peace to you as you humbly live for God’s glory each day.