Bucket Full of Grace

Why study what we sing? When I worship through music, it is very helpful to me to look into how the Bible  lines up to what I'm singing. This knowledge makes a superficial singing of the  words much more difficult for me, and I hope that sharing this will help you to  focus better on what you are singing and who you are singing to. The newest  song that we’ve sung as a congregation is “One Thing Remains,” by Jesus  Culture: The lyrics to the song: Verse 1 Higher than the mountains that I face, Stronger than the power of the grave, Constant in the trial and the change, One thing remains. Chorus Your love never fails Never gives up It never runs out on me! Your love! Verse 2 On and on and on and on it goes. It overwhelms and satisfies my soul. And I never ever have to be afraid: One thing remains. BRIDGE In death. in life I’m confident and Covered by the power of Your great love. My debt is paid there’s nothing that Can separate my heart from Your great

chara: joy, gladness, delight, enjoyment, often enhanced by phrases like exceedingly great joy In the fruits of the Spirit, the Greek word chara is translated as joy.  This word is found in many other places in the New Testament all of which are linked below.  Notice that happiness is not a fruit of the spirit but joy is listed as the second of the virtues. Do not mistake happiness, which can be rude or thoughtless for the cares of others, for true joy.  Joy is that spark in the eye where we can be filled with gladness even during a terrible personal catastrophe because we know that God is with us and will never let us go.  You see joy is not selfish.  You can have joy for another person when something good happens for them.  In that way it is the opposite of envy.  Be strengthened today by these verses about joy.  The second fruit of the Holy Spirit living through us is that we delight in Him and find our Joy in knowing Jesus Christ in a personal relationship.  Don't ju

The Gospel usage of the word chara: Click to go back to the word study on chara. Mat 2:10 KJV - When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great chara . Mat 13:20 KJV - But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with chara receiveth it; Mat 13:44 KJV - Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found , he hideth , and for chara thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath , and buyeth that field. Mat 25:21 KJV -  His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the chara of thy lord. Mat 25:23 KJV - His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the chara of thy lord. Mat

[agape] : love, affection, charity, good will It is hard to express this Love that the Father has for us and this same love that we are to have for Him and for all others.  When we have the Spirit of God working in us and through us Agape-Love is the first fruit that begins to show.  It is not only first but it permeates every other virtue.  Without love the rest is worthless.  It deserves a powerful treatment and much reflection.  I would like to focus on agape-love being the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in you and through you.  Many times this word has been translated as charity.  What does this word agape (love) really mean in the bible?  Hereis a link to  all of the verses usingthis word agape in the New Testament. Wow! That is a lot of verses!  If you didn't have time to read them all then here is my analysis.  I notice that none of these verses are about we like to call "puppy love" or "head over heels in love" or infatuated or intoxicate

Simple Translation into English: But the fruit   of the Spirit is love,   joy, peace,   patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control.   Against such things there is no law.   Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature   with its passions and desires.   Since we live by the Spirit,   let us keep in step with the Spirit.   - Galatians 9:22-25 In the original Greek:  But the fruit of the Spirit is agape , chara , eirene , makrothymia , chrestotes, agathosyne, pistis, praotes, and egkrateia .  Against such things there is no law. The fruit of the spirit are commonly referenced in sermons, conversation, and even children's songs.  I will be blogging a series which contains an in-depth study of each word in the original Greek with my commentary on its meaning.  In the original language of the Biblical writers there is a connotation for each word that can be lost with a simple translation.  Therefore, since these are extr

Jesus using agape in the Gospels: Go to Word Study on agape Lacking Agape Love: Mat 24:12 KJV - And because iniquity shall abound , the agape of many shall wax cold . Luk 11:42 KJV - But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the agape of God: these ought ye to have done , and not to leave the other undone . Jhn 5:42 KJV - But I know you, that ye have not the agape of God in you. Having Agape Love: Jhn 13:35 KJV - By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have agape one to another. Jhn 15:9 KJV - As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my agape . Jhn 15:10 KJV - If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my agape ; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his agape . Jhn 15:13 KJV - Greater agape hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Jhn 17:26 KJV - And

IMPORTANT Read and Study the BIBLE! Ask our Lord to Enlighten your understanding as only He can.  Always pray before you study an issue that God will open it up to you and teach you with His Holy Spirit.  Many people have expounded on the Love of God and how He holds us in the palm of His hand and will never let us go.  There is also the parable of the prodigal Son with the Father having a celebration when the son comes home and accepting him.  However, there are some scriptures that we need to grapple with on the topic of "Can a Christian lose their Salvation?" Here is a compilation of relevant scriptures on the topic: Falling Away Hebrews 6:4-5    4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen   away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of

There is a new song that the Worship Team at Abundant Life Fellowship has been working on. As you learn this song and give Him praise through it, our prayer is that you let go of your deep and let it call out to the Deep in God.  Here is some background to the biblical roots of the song with a link to the music video done by Bethel Church at the bottom. Background for the Background: In Numbers 16 the Bible records an event in the life of a man named Korah. He was of the tribe of Levi and therefore set apart to be a member of the priesthood in Israel. He rebuked Moses, saying: " You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly? " -Numbers 16:3   He resented Moses' and Aaron's authority, and felt that he and his supporters could lead the Israelites more effectively. Later in the chapter, the earth opens underneath him and swallows him along with the others