Hugh's News & Commentary

So many people have commented favorably about the benedictions I have given over the years in Hugh's News.

We often think of benedictions as the final word at the close of any worship service. However, the organist or pianist may have the final word by the music he or she plays.

I have learned over my more than 50 years of ministry as a credential minister of the Gospel in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church the value of such words, especially if they come from the Bible itself. You see God always blesses His Word. In Isaiah 55, we read these words, "As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it" (Isaiah 55:10-11, The Living Bible).

It is my purpose in life that I bless others and encourage them in their spiritual journey through this life.

One of the best known and most often quoted benedictions that is recorded in the tiny Book of Jude is a great encouragement to us all concerning God's keeping power of His children.  Let me quote those two verses for you now:

Jude 24-25

Now unto Him Who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
KJV

Jude gives us a powerful word on the value of Christian living and our relationship to God. The focus is on Almighty God and His keeping power.

We are reminded to maintain our trust in God and Him alone. It is imperative to receive God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord. Then, we must follow Him day by day by reading and studying His Word, by praying in the Holy Spirit, by keeping ourselves in the love and mercy of God, but extending love and compassion to others who may have lost their way.

Jude reminds us of Who God is and who we are. He is the Keeper. He is able to keep us from falling and one day, He will present us faultless before the presence of God's glory with exceeding joy.

So, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen