My Personal Mission Statement

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Steve Hughes

I was recently asked if I had ever written a personal mission statement. I thought about it for a minute and realized that I hadn’t. I’m not even sure I ever thought about writing one. I’ve helped draft mission statements for churches, teams, and projects, but never a personal one. I have a set of personal Core Values that I religiously adhere to, but I have never actually written out a personal mission statement.

So, I looked at the results of some recent ‘personality tests’ that I have taken, I thought about my passions, my gifting, and the things that bring me the most fulfillment, said a little prayer, and then the words just seemed to flow. It was a great experience and was surprisingly easy. I believe it will go a long way in helping me navigate and prioritize many of the choices I’ve yet to make in this final third of my life.  

I highly recommend to anyone, no matter what age or stage you might be in life, to write out your own personal mission statement. If done carefully and prayerfully, and maybe with a Bible at hand, it can be a helpful guide as you face the big decisions that will inevitably come your way. Of course, it can always be tweaked, if necessary, but a base to work from, and a foundation to build upon, is always a good thing.

So, for what it’s worth and for the sake of accountability, here’s mine:

To employ the gifts and abilities God has entrusted me with to impact the world for Christ one person, group, or culture at a time by:
– living a life that exemplifies Christ
– faithfully proclaiming God’s Word
– encouraging and mobilizing people to experience their highest potential in Christ
– loving people as they are
– serving “behind the scenes” so that others can be more effective in their calling
– creating music that inspires, challenges, or encourages others.

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Broken

Posted on August 20, 2022 by Steve Hughes

Broken! Broken people everywhere!

Broken lives! Broken dreams! Broken relationships! Broken hearts!

The world is full of brokenness: in the workplace, in our families, on social media, in the church…ever since the fateful day in Eden brokenness has been our via vitae!

Is there a cure? a fix? a remedy? There must be!

Is it in our healthcare systems? No!

Is it in religion or philosophy, science or psychology? No!

Is it in the arts? entertainment? No!

Education? No!

The government? Clearly not!

The only cure for a broken world is Jesus Christ!

He doesn’t have the answer. He IS the Answer!

He doesn’t just show the way. He IS the Way!

He doesn’t just speak the truth. He IS the Truth!

He doesn’t just give us life. He is the very definition and essence of life itself!

Everything we need for this life and eternity is in Him! In Him, we live, and move and have our very existence! In Him, all things are held together!

If you have ever been forsaken, ignored, or rejected, chances are you’ve got some remaining vestiges of brokenness in your life! If you’ve ever been ostracized or excluded because of your age, creed, gender, or race, you’ve probably got some brokenness! If you’ve ever been a victim of abuse, struggled with addiction, stuck in poverty, or suffered with physical, emotional, or mental health issues, you know all too well what brokenness is all about!

The amazing and shocking truth is that Jesus Christ, the very Essence of the invisible and eternal God, came and walked among us taking on the nature of our broken humanity! He knows firsthand what brokenness looks like and feels like because He too was broken!

So I implore you right now, wherever you are, whatever you are doing – whether you’ve ever trusted or believed in God or not – call out to Him today! Confess your sins, give Him your brokenness, resolve to live for Him in His power, and see if some of those broken pieces don’t start coming back together again!

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Life in the Real World: “The Secret” that so often eludes

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Steve Hughes

I served 28 years in pastoral ministry – in four different countries.  Although I had never intended to be a ‘pastor’, it was 28 years I wouldn’t trade for anything.  I believe that pastoral ministry is a high and holy calling – and it’s one that I have always taken very seriously. But I have come to realize, that it’s just a calling. Pastoral ministry is never what defines a person. Nor is any other kind of ministry. Nor any vocation, relationship, skill, or hobby for that matter.  Our identity is found in Christ, and our highest calling is always to love God supremely with our whole heart, soul, strength, and mind; and to have no other gods before Him. We love and serve Him, not because of the role we have in the Body of Christ, but because we are redeemed children of the Most High God; accepted, deeply loved, and cherished by Him, and we gladly acknowledge that we owe Him our very lives.

Over the years I have seen God’s hand at work in many ways. In over 4 decades of active ministry, I have seen lives changed, communities transformed, broken relationships put back together; I’ve seen bodies healed, spirits renewed, and souls restored. I’ve seen people grow in their faith, and I’ve seen churches make a significant difference in the world around them. Praise the Lord! There is victory in Jesus! 

But perhaps more often than the victories,

I’ve seen disappointments, frustrations, and defeat.  

I’ve seen young men walk away from Jesus when the going got tough or the price was too high. I’ve seen Christian marriages destroyed because of abuse, unfaithfulness, or other reasons. I’ve seen bitterness, hatred, and strife emanating from the people of God. I’ve seen otherwise great leaders halted in their tracks because of burnout or serious mental health issues.  I’ve seen God’s work thwarted by chronic unbelief and sinfulness.  I’ve listened to the heartfelt prayers of saints, only to see their situation grow exponentially worse. Like Asaph, in Psalm 73, “when I tried to understand all of this, my heart was grieved.”

Does it mean that God is unfaithful? Does it mean that He doesn’t hear our prayers? Or worse, that He doesn’t care? Or that He’s unable to deliver? That’s often the way it seems, but, No! God forbid! His character is true, and His Word is sure! In Asaph’s case, when he ‘entered the sanctuary’, he began to see things from a different perspective, from a higher plain. And consistently throughout my own life and ministry, I have found that ‘in the secret place’, the sanctuary, when I have truly sought the face of God and humbly tried to understand His ways, He has filled me with a deep and inexplicable peace, and a comforting assurance that I don’t have to understand it all.  I began to see things from a different perspective, from a higher plain.

I discovered “the secret”!

I no longer saw the pain, the agony, the brokenness, the heartache, the frustration, the disappointment, or even the defeats as the ‘end of the story’. I realized that it’s all part of an incredible journey; a journey that always culminates in a deeper revelation of Jesus Christ. Many of our Bible heroes personified this: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Daniel and many of the prophets. Millions of others have discovered the same ‘secret’! The discovery of this ‘secret’ has been my greatest joy, not only as a pastor, but as a man of God.  I have sat beside people whose lives were racked with continuous excruciating pain, yet they never stopped looking to Jesus … who for the joy set before Him endured the agony of the Cross.  I’ve accompanied people in the valley of the shadow of death who continued to gaze lovingly upon their Shepherd, the One who led them there, gave them life, and never abandoned them.  I’ve cried with distraught parents brokenhearted over the waywardness of their children, who trusted implicitly that one day, the Good Shepherd would bring them home. I’ve heard people pray without ceasing, with tears and anguished hearts for the salvation of their loved ones, even when it seemed impossible that they would ever come to faith in Christ. I’ve prayed with people for healing, anointed them with oil, trusting wholly in the name of Jesus for physical healing and it never happened – in this life.      

But God is good! (Psalm 100:5) He is sovereign! (Jeremiah 32:17) His thoughts are not like our thoughts, and His ways are far beyond anything we can imagine. (Isaiah 55:8)  His nature and character are unparalleled. (Jeremiah 10:6) His knowledge is beyond finding out. (Romans 11:33) His love and grace are immeasurably rich. (Ephesians 2:7) The purpose of God in everything is that His glory would be displayed for now and for all eternity; from the lives of every individual to the collection of individuals in the Church, everything exists for the glory of God, (Isaiah 43:7; Ephesians 3:21) and I am totally ok with that!

For you, it may seem that all is lost, all is broken, all is dark, and you are defeated. It may seem that all your efforts over the years were in vain; and that the good things, all that God has done, never really happened. Brothers and Sisters, that is exactly the lie that Satan wants you to believe, and nothing could be further from the truth. If you have been faithful, then be assured that God has accomplished great things – in and through you – in ways you will never imagine, and that may never be revealed this side of eternity. Branches that are organically connected to The Vine always produce fruit, even when it’s not visible to human eyes. You have grown in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ! Others “will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” as a direct, or indirect, result of your faithfulness. That is something to rejoice about! 

And now God is doing a new thing! It’s already beginning to spring up, can you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19).  God is not finished working in us and through us. In this world we will have tribulations – but take heart, Jesus has overcome the world, and He is with us! He is good, He is sovereign, and He will reign forever!

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LENT AND LIFE: The Journey Explained

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Steve Hughes

And so the journey begins – the journey to the Cross!

In one sense, we make this trek once a year. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, the day we commemorate the death of the Son of God who loves us and gave Himself for us! The season was traditionally a way of identifying with Jesus Christ when He spent 40 days in the desert fasting and praying. And so it is a journey of reflection, remembrance, and repentance, often marked with solemnity and sacrifice. Many people choose to ‘give up’ such things as chocolate, caffeine, sweets, alcohol, or some other ‘guilty pleasure’ during Lent. Others may try to give up social media, electronics, or certain forms of entertainment. Still, others mark the solemnity of this period with a full or partial fast from food, or a particular meal each day, or each week. Some would take the time otherwise engaged in these activities, and devote themselves to prayer, Bible reading, or some other spiritual discipline.

All of these things are great if done from a pure heart and holy intentions.

But Jesus carries it even further. He takes it to the next level when He speaks of the ultimate sacrifice: giving up our lives! “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25) Wow! There’s a lot to unpack in THAT statement! Of course, Jesus is not talking about giving up our lives for Lent. No! – He’s talking about giving up our lives … for life!

I digress. We’re talking about the journey to the Cross. In one sense it’s about the observation of Lent.

In another sense, the journey begins when, in response to God’s grace, faith is first activated in the human heart. For me, it was five decades ago when, as a 12-year-old boy, I knelt at a wooden altar in the tabernacle at Delanco Camp in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, USA, confessed my sins to Jesus, accepted His forgiveness, and began a new life with His Spirit living inside me. It was the moment I was ‘born again’! I like to call it “the Divine Exchange”: my sin for His sacrifice; my confession for His forgiveness; my brokenness for His healing. In response to God’s grace, my faith was activated, and my journey began. It is a journey of discovery, discipleship, and detachment, but one that is marked with unconditional love, ineffable joy, and inexplicable peace.

And so it continues. It will continue beyond the Cross … to the Resurrection … and beyond, when one day, face to Face I will meet the One who saved me by His grace, I will feel the touch of His nail-scarred hand on my shoulder and I will hear Him say to me, “Well done, My good and faithful servant, and welcome to Paradise, My dear, completed friend!”

If you’d like more details on the History of Lent, here’s a pretty succinct blog post I stumbled across recently. https://groundworkonline.com/blog/a-short-version-of-the-long-history-of-lent

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Two Crownings – Two Kings

Posted on May 7, 2023 by Steve Hughes

Today was the official coronation day for King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Hundreds of millions of people from every part of the planet experienced the regal pageantry, the spectacular opulence, the pomp and glory of this historic occasion. The royal throne, the glimmering crown, the lavish regalia were on display for the world to witness.

King Charles III is now head of state for the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a dozen other countries. He is the titular head of the Church of England, head of the British military and judiciary, and carries a host of other royal titles and duties.

Respect is due!

But there is a greater King, a higher King, who was crowned in my heart 5 decades ago.

His throne was a cross. His crown was made of thorns. His regalia were the wounds that pierced His body.

One day He will return in greater majesty, power, and authority than this world has ever seen. ALL the nations of the world will fall under His reign! EVERY knee will bow before Him, and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father! 

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Give Thanks Always – With a Grateful Heart

Posted on November 26, 2022 by Steve Hughes

Today and every day, give thanks, with a grateful heart!

In the midst of the storm when the tempest is raging, give thanks – the Master who calms the troubled seas is by your side.

When the future looks bleak, give thanks – the God of Hope goes before you and prepares the way.

When your strength is depleted, give thanks – the Giver of Life gives strength to the weak and rest to the weary.

When the enemy comes in like a flood and you feel defeated, give thanks – the ‘God of Angel Armies’, your Defender walks beside you.

When it seems that all is lost and all you have worked for has come to nothing, give thanks – your Heavenly Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

When the cupboards are bare, the accounts are empty, and the prospects are grim, give thanks – Jehovah Jireh is your provider.

When you feel alone, isolated and lonely, give thanks – the Lord will never leave you or forsake you.

When you feel unloved, unwanted, and misunderstood, give thanks – the Almighty God of the Universe loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love.

When you have lost your way, give thanks – your good Shepherd is leading you through the valley of darkness into a place of vast verdant fields and cool refreshing water.

When illness and pain have gripped your body and soul, give thanks – your Great Physician knows the cure and there is healing in His wings.

When life seems futile, hopeless and without purpose, give thanks – the God of all the ages knows your name and has engraved it on His hand.

When nations are in turmoil, battles abound and the people are filled with fear, give thanks – the King of Heaven rules over all the earth.

In all things give thanks, with a grateful heart, for God is good indeed!

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Long Overdue for a Shout Out!

Posted on May 21, 2022 by Steve Hughes

For some time now I’ve been thinking a lot about the people who have spoken into my life, believed in me, supported me, encouraged me, challenged me, and spurred me on. I have also come to realize, to my shame, that I have never formally acknowledged or thanked some of these folks. Some of them are no longer with us, most are. And although they may never read this, I would be remiss not to mention them. So, for what it’s worth, here are some people for whom my debt of gratitude has never been expressed, nor could they ever be repaid for the impact they have had.

1. My dad. For a million reasons. A true example of what it looks like to live a godly life in an increasingly ungodly world. And although he wasn’t initially a big fan of my music, he believed in me and gave me a chance, when many others didn’t. Even before “Christian rock” was a thing, he let my band play our first ‘gig’ in his church on a Sunday evening in February 1977.

2. Pastor Steve Grosvenor. He took me under his wing and discipled me, mentored me, and convinced me that God might be calling me to a lifetime of vocational ministry.

3. Rev Marshal Goff, the crazy pastor from Northeast England, who called me up on a Saturday afternoon in 1983, without ever hearing a note of my music or knowing anything about me, and said, “Steve, I’d like to line up a tour for you of churches, prisons, schools, and clubs throughout the UK, because I believe we need someone like you here in the British Isles.” And over the ensuing 2 or 3 years, lined up hundreds of concerts for me all over Great Britain.

4. Andrew Lothian. Man, what a friend! A legal professional by day, recording guru & musician by night. For 5 years I spent hours and hours with him in his home studio, resulting in the recording of three of my albums. He did all the engineering, played all the instruments except keyboards, and encouraged me to be creative and daring with my music – at no cost! His family even let me stay in their home and welcomed me with open arms.

To all these men, I am eternally grateful.

And there are some honorable mentions, people who probably have no idea how grateful I am:


Jay Reed, my 5th-grade teacher, picked up the pieces and encouraged me after my 4th-grade teacher nearly destroyed me.


Gene Tubertini literally taught me everything I know about music.


Mark Melamed, directed me in 4 separate productions of Godspell and got me to Britain for the first time in 1983 when I linked up with Marshall Goff (above).


Rev Clive Burrows, the missionary/pastor/professor/friend who taught about 25 percent of all the classes I had in Bible College and encouraged me to believe that I actually had a calling to pastoral ministry.


Steve and Heather Packwood. This will no doubt come as a huge surprise to them. But they encouraged and supported us in so many ways when things were tough and when we should’ve been supporting them.


Adam Craig, whose young 15-year-old brain decided it would be cool to do some music videos for me. The ones he produced are still the best ones, by far.


Paul Davis. He ‘discovered me’, put my music out there on the radio, and somehow got me on the European and Australian music charts, encouraging me all along that I had something worthwhile to say through my music.


And finally, David Wong, Erik H, Brian Remsch, Bob Bell, Tayib & Sarah Salami – I think they all know why.


I could mention many others whose lives and contributions to my life have been significant, but for these people, my debt of gratitude is enormous and can never be repaid. Thank you.

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A Post-Christmas Thought on the 12th Day of Christmas

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Steve Hughes

Joy! Peace! Love! Three words. Three simple words. Three elusive, often misunderstood monosyllabic words that are tossed around every Christmas by the religious, and the non-religious; Christian and non-Christian alike. “JOY to the world, the Lord is come” “PEACE on earth, goodwill toward men” “All we need is LOVE”. But then we look around our world and we can’t help but wonder: where is the joy? where is the peace? where is the love?

These words describe the kind of life that all of us wish for. It’s what we all hope for. It’s what we all long for and strive for. But is it something we ever really experience at the deepest level: joy? peace? love? Is it something that actually CAN be a reality in our world?

I believe it is – but only when joy, peace, and love become realities in our own hearts. That’s where the whole ‘Christmas thing’ comes in. See, the MESSAGE of Christmas is this: GOD is with us, and through Jesus makes it possible for us to be reconciled to Him! The angel’s song of joy and peace was for all who would receive Christ into their hearts, humbly owning Him, not as the “Baby in a manger”, but as the Redeemer and Saviour of the world.

And once we have repented of our sins and received His forgiveness, then joy unspeakable, a peace that passes understanding, and perfect love are all poured out into our hearts in increasing measure.

So let’s have a great ‘after-Christmas celebration’, knowing that Jesus Christ is no longer a baby, but our Saviour, our Redeemer, our Reconciler who lives and reigns in us today! And let’s bask in the joy that He gives, spread the peace that He imparts, and share the love that He lavishes upon us … to a world in desperate need … of Christmas!

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40! Months of Testing, Resting, Training and Trusting

Posted on September 11, 2021 by Steve Hughes

40! What is it about the number “40”?  

40 years, 40 months, 40 weeks, 40 days

Many numbers in general have a symbolic meaning in the Bible: eg. 3, 7, 12.  The number 40 is mentioned over 150 times in Scripture and often symbolizes a period of testing, trial … and then, triumph.

Just a few examples:

  • The rain fell on Noah’s Ark, and all the earth, for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:4) – and THEN God made an everlasting covenant with the human race.
  • The Israelites wandered in the wilderness, living on Manna, for 40 years (Exodus 16:35) – and THEN they reached the Promised Land.
  • Moses was with God on the mountain for 40 days and nights, without eating bread or water (Exodus 24:18; 34:28) (on two occasions) and THEN he received the Ten Commandments from God
  • God allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 3:11, 5:31, 8:28)
  • Elijah had one meal that gave him strength for 40 days (1 Kings 19:8)
  • Jesus fasted and was tempted in the desert for 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:1-2, Luke 4:2, Mark 1:13).

Of course there is nothing magical or mysterious about the number “40” per se – it’s just a number – but it’s fascinating to see how often it shows up in the Bible, and the context in which it appears.

It seems that through particular seasons of hardship lasting 40 days or 40 years – whatever the cause of those hardships may be – God’s people emerge stronger, more spiritually aware, and more equipped to serve.

On a personal note, those of you who know me best, know that after nearly 40 years of full-time “professional ministry”, the past few years have been very different for me as I have found myself working in a hospital, driving for Uber, and living life as a “normal person” in a real and broken world rubbing shoulders with real and hurting people. It’s been a liminal period, a season, that I never expected to go through. But I’m so glad that I have. I have learned, among other things, that my salvation and my honor truly depend on God (Psalm 62:7) and NOT my gifts and abilities, my marital status, or my role as a pastor. I have learned what it means to be deeply loved and cherished by the Almighty God of the Universe (Psalm 136:23; 147:11; 149:4; Zephaniah 3:17 …).  I have learned, and perhaps am still learning, the difficult but beautiful truth that as I intentionally become less, He becomes greater in the eyes and estimation of those around me (John 3:30).

So what does all of this have to do with the number 40?

Maybe nothing. Maybe it’s purely coincidental.

But I think not.

As I was praying the other day for clarity in my life and where He might be leading me in my “final third”, the number “40” just kept sweeping across my brain. No matter what I did, no matter how I tried to divert my thoughts, the number “40” was constantly present.

40!  Forty what? Forty years? Forty days? Forty lashes? Forty ….

Wait a minute! I did some quick math (definitely a “God thing” since math was never my forte), and I suddenly realized: It’s been exactly 40 MONTHS that I have been in this liminal season.

What an epiphany!

Is the “season” over? It seems that way. Several circumstances have very recently converged to lead me to vacate my present place of residence and resign my position at the hospital at the end of this month. What’s next? Where will I be living three weeks from now? What will I be doing? I’m not entirely sure, but God knows, and I’m ok with that. I’ve been in a similar spot before, and God always leads.

Whatever the number 40 may portray or symbolize in the Bible, one of the primary purposes of testing is to humble us and to show us how strong or weak our faith really is.  God doesn’t test our faith so that HE will know, but so that WE will know. We all have times of trials and testing, and we all have our seasons in the wilderness; for some that season may seem like a lifetime, for others it may simply be a brief “dark night of the soul”; but rest assured, joy comes in the morning for those who put their trust in God.

“Another season ended – another tear is shed
Another chapter finished – and all the pages read
But a Voice is leading me onward to walk through the open door
And I know that I must follow, like before.

“Another plan unfolding – another flag unfurled
Another day is dawning – across a darkened world
And I don’t know where I’m going, but I will not be afraid
Because the One who goes before me knows the way.

“ Lead me beside Your quiet streams
Take me to feed in pastures green
Restore my soul, and lead me home
Oh Lord, I’m trusting You.

“Another day is over – another song is sung
Another chance to praise Him for the victories won
And I, I have no regrets now though I may not understand
I know that I am guided, by His hand.
And I know that we’ll be guided by His hand.”

“Another”, by Steve Hughes ©2010

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An Elevator Talk with a Prisoner

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Steve Hughes

I wanted to say so much more!

I stood today waiting for the ‘up’ elevator at the hospital, when the doors flung open, and there was a prisoner in a wheel chair (in full prison-garb) flanked by security guards, police and medical personnel. I said, as I always do when the lift is going in my direction, “Mind if I join you?” The prisoner responded, “As long as you don’t mind being on here with the scum of the earth.” Instinctively I replied, “You’re not the scum of the earth”. He said, “Well the majority of people think I’m scum!” “You’re not scum!” I insisted. He said “as soon as people see me in ‘these pajamas’ they know I’m scum”. I repeated, “You’re not scum! You’ve got to stop believing the lie!”

Unfortunately, I was only traveling one or two stories, so I disembarked and that was the end of the conversation. But I couldn’t shake his image from my mind. I couldn’t get his words out of my head.

I don’t know this man. As far as I know, I’d never seen him before. I don’t know what crime (or crimes) he may have committed. I don’t know how heinous his actions or how serious his offenses. But I cannot bring myself to think of this living, breathing human being as “the scum of the earth”. As I walked away from that elevator, I kept thinking of all the things I might have said had I just 30 seconds longer to complete my elevator talk, or better yet, 5 minutes. “God loves you” although so true, and so important for him to believe, seemed so trite in that space. “You believed the lie that you are scum, and then you acted on it”! Again, probably true, but perhaps a bit presumptuous.

The fact is, God DOES truly love this individual, knowing full well every word he has ever uttered, every deed he has ever committed, every secret thought or attitude he has ever entertained. He also knows every heartache, every disappointment, every negative experience; He knows every idle word or accusation that was ever uttered against him; every act of abuse perpetrated toward him; every insult ever hurled at him; He has seen every tear, heard every cry, and felt every pain.

Does any of that justify His crime?

Does it excuse his actions?

Does it atone for his wrongdoings?

Absolutely not!

But it does point to a God who is full of mercy and tender in compassion; a living, loving God who is not unacquainted with our suffering.

In one sense, that prisoner and I are no different. Our state and our potential fate are the same. The only difference between him and me is the decisions we’ve made. Somewhere along the line, for whatever reasons, that man began making a series of very bad decisions. And decisions always have consequences. Just like me, and just like every other human being on the face of the earth, that guy is a sinner, badly in need of God’s mercy. Whether our sins are secret sins that nobody sees (bitterness, envy, pride, lust), or “acceptable sins” that everybody does (“little white lies”, gossip, angry outbursts), or big, glaring, horrific sins that are worthy of incarceration, in God’s eyes we have ALL sinned and fallen far short of His design for us. That sin has caused a chasm between us and God – a huge gulf that we cannot cross even with all the good intentions and acts of charity in the world. Saying our prayers, reading our Bibles, going to church, refraining from evil, won’t cut it. We all sinned and we all must suffer the consequences – and the ultimate consequence is death!

That’s the bad news!

The good news is that Jesus already suffered our ultimate consequence when He died on the Cross and literally took upon Himself every sin that has ever been committed – before or since – and suffered the punishment that every one of us deserve.

There seriously is only one catch!

Like any gift freely offered, we have to receive it. How do we do that? The short, Bible answer is, “repent and believe the Gospel” (Jesus, in Mark 1:15). “REPENT” means to not only confess to God that we have sinned, but to utterly and completely forsake our sins and turn away from them; a 180 degree turn; an about face, as it were – no longer walking in our own direction but turning and going in God’s direction. And “BELIEVE” is more than just mental assent, it means ready to stake our lives on the claims of the Gospel: acknowledging in our hearts that what we have done is worthy of eternal separation from God, and that what Jesus did, He did for us personally. HIS suffering and death was for MY sins; HIS resurrection and victory over death means MY resurrection to eternal life!

And this gift is available for all people everywhere: from the self-confessed “scum-bags” who find themselves in prison clothes; to the corporate CEOs sitting on millions of dollars; from the likes of me, to the likes of you!

My prayer is that everyone who reads this will “repent and believe the Gospel”, thus receiving God’s good gifts of mercy and grace.

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Eyes to the Hills

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Steve Hughes

In the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the confusion, is there any hope at all?

Where does our help come from?

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