Words for Life Articles

I have over time been looking at the word GRACE in the Bible and discovered that the word GRACE has been mentioned almost 145 times in the Bible. 21 times in the Old Testament, and 124 times in the New Testament.

This word is first mentioned in Genesis 6:8 where we are told: “Noah finds favour in the eyes of the Lord." In some other translations, Genesis 6:8 says: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Welcome to the year 2017, the year of fruitfulness.

As I have prayed and pondered in my spirit, I am convinced that this is a year of fruitfulness for us as a Church and as individuals.

As a Church we have over the years sown and watered through prayer, giving and the word. We have been a blessing to many in our own little way.

Galatians 6: 7-10 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

There are times in our lives as believers when we feel isolated, when we feel as though God is so far away and unreachable. We have prayed, we have believed God for everything, we have recounted His promises and declared all the promises in His word but nothing seems to change. We are at our wits end and want to give up.

In Psalm 115:12 “The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;”

Proverbs 13:12
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Listening to the radio a few days ago I heard one of the most distressing news and I quote, “There’s been a huge jump in the number of children and young people seeking help for anxiety” and Brexit is one of the reasons. “Data from the NSPCC’s ChildLine service showed that it dealt with 11,706 counselling sessions where anxiety was mentioned in 2015/16 – a rate of nearly 1,000 a month”.

Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 16:13-17)

A few days ago someone in my office screamed out “Jesus Christ” in frustration and then realised I was in the office. He turned to me and said “Rowland I have just blasphemed” to which I replied “you won't be the first neither will you be the last.”

For years the name of Jesus has be used for different reasons. Some have used it as a swear word, others a person's name, and for Christians whenever we need something or when we are in trouble the name to call.

“The fire must never go out on the altar....” - Leviticus 6:13

We started on the theme “Keep the fire burning” last month. However as I have meditated on this theme, I am convinced in my heart that we should continue on the theme this month.

I have asked myself these questions often, “How hot are you Rowland Henshaw?” “Rowland Henshaw is there fire in your bones?” These are personal questions I have and continue to ask myself. When I look at my Christian walk today, compared to my first encounter with God. I cringe in shame. Where has that fire gone, where is the passion I had when I first got saved? What happened to my first love?