Calvary Chapel San Jacinto: All Blogs http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs en admin@ccsjonline.org Copyright 2012 2011-02-23T23:05:+00:00 Be Blessed by Blessing Others http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/be-blessed-by-blessing-others http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/be-blessed-by-blessing-others In James 1vv22-27, James gave an illustration of ‘a man who looks at himself in the mirror’ in making a comparison to the way that Christians look at the Word of God. With that as the set-up, he then exhorts Christians to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. After the exhortation, he defined what being a man/woman of God really was and how it works itself out in our everyday life. As such, we are reminded that our hands ought to be set apart for His purposes.

In giving the illustration of the man in the mirror, we are reminded why we look in mirrors:

  • Some people look in mirrors to admire the image
  • But healthy people look in mirrors to correct what they see in the image

​The purpose of a mirror is so we can fix our messed up hair or blemishes or whatever. And what James is teaching, is that this is the normal and expected thing to also do with the Word of God. As we look into the perfect law of liberty – vv25- the Book where we have truly been set FREE in Christ- we set out to fix our spiritual/religous blemishes.

As such, take a note- When your religion is done right:

a) You will be blessed

The end of vv25 tells us so: you will be blessed in what you do!

How cool is that!
PLUS
Not only will you be blessed, but I think this is even better-

b) You will bless others

How? We find that answer in vv27 which teaches us that pure and undefiled religion minister’s to those in need. And here James gives us the perfect example of those who are in need:
orphans and widows in their trouble.

Here's the deal--- Some people go to church just because they want to be blessed. But they will never be blessed that way. God is using James to teach us that the best way to be blessed is by being a blessing to others. And when James is writing about the orphans and widows, the Biblical application goes beyond them and is also speaking of those in general who need the most help. Who are the widows and orphans in our lives? The ones in the most need- those in the most need in the Valley; the ones in most need in our families; our place of employment; our neighborhoods, etc.

Jesus taught this in Matthew 25. Take time to read Matthew 25:31-46 today. Then consider Jesus’ answer to the disciples question when they said:

Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? Or thirsty and give you something to drink OR a stranger and invite You in OR clothe You when needed OR visit You in prison?Jesus replied: I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me (Matthew 25:40)

Francis Chan put it so well- If you actually saw Jesus starving, what would you do for Him? (Crazy Love, F Chan, p.118) Therefore, stop talking, start doing.

Blessings to you in Christ,
Pastor Tom

]]> 2011-02-23T23:05+00:00 Testing for toughness http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/testing-for-toughness http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/testing-for-toughness In the opening verses of the book of James, James begins his instruction by teaching us how to live our faith when life is hard. He was writing to the persecuted Jewish Christians who were forced from their homes and lost their businesses, plus their income! Adding to that, many were dispersed from their homeland in Israel due to anti-Semitism. But to them, James writes, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

If you are going through ‘times of testing,’ here are a few things to note:

i - Testing produces toughness

Patience comes from the Greek word Hupomone. In the Greek, it is broken down into two parts, hupo, meaning under, and meno, meaning to stay or remain.

We want to escape our trials. But this word for patience literally carries an opposite idea. It has the picture of someone under a heavy load and resolutely staying there instead of trying to escape. This is Staying Power. James is talking about a ‘toughness’ under pressure. He is literally saying the ‘testing of your faith makes you tough.’

Here is how it works: We develop toughness by repeatedly being tested and prevailing. The more tests we pass, the tougher we become. As a boxer engages in bout after bout, he toughens and becomes wiser and stronger. After time he develops such toughness--- staying power--- so he can take on the best. There is no way a fighter, or any of us, can develop toughness without testing!

ii - Toughness produces maturity

James continues, Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing

Perfect is from the Greek word teleios. It means growth in mental and moral character- i.e. mature. And complete is from the Greek word holokleros. It means complete in entirety; the whole person. In context, the testing of faith produces toughness, and the toughness will bring about a dynamic maturity as the whole person is being developed.   Think of an oyster. When an irritation, like a grain of sand, gets into its shell, it covers it with its 'secret formula' and in time the irritation is turned into a pearl. If you think about it, a pearl is simply a victory over irritation! For you and for me, we would do well to keep this in mind. Every irritation (relationship problems, financial setbacks, person that gets your goat, etc) that gets into our lives today, is an opportunity for pearl culture. The more irritations the devil flings at us, the more pearls we may have!

iii - Trials are not a sign of God’s disappointment with you

God gave His Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. He did not send His Son into the world to condemn you, but that through Him you might be saved (John 3:16, 17). Sometimes God sends trials our way to humble us, other times to restore us, and other times to refine us. Why? He loves us too much to leave us in places of sin and He loves His Son too much to ignore us.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Tom  

]]> 2011-01-28T18:19+00:00 In the Days of the Judges http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/in-the-days-of-the-judges http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/in-the-days-of-the-judges In the days of the judges, there was spiritual corruption, moral depravity, and national anarchy. Why? The last verse of the Book of Judges tells us why: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25). It is not that the people of Israel did what was wrong in their eyes, but they were very convinced that what they were doing was right.

Sadly, that doesn’t seem far off the mark for America in the twenty-first century. When we fail to have God as our King, everything but God becomes our king – passions, lusts, self-interest above others, pleasure’s of all sorts, etc Everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes. Paul wrote about this exact thing and said it would be a mark of the last days just prior to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. To Timothy he wrote, But know this, that in the last days perilous(fierce/dangerous) times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

The condition of Israel in the book of Judges (and elsewhere in the Old Testament) is strikingly similar to the condition of America today. Consider the following:

  • They started out honoring God
  • They became strong and great among the nations
  • When they became prosperous, they turned from God
  • Then God gave them over to their enemies because there was no truth, mercy or knowledge of God in the land
  • There began a moral breakdown
  • The people were swearing, lying and killing
  • They entered contracts they had no intention of keeping
  • Murder became a common thing (turn on your news)
  • You would not go out on the streets at night
  • They placed a low value on life

Let me bring it home--- where it becomes reality for us:

  • There are currently an average of 1.2 million abortions performed in the US each year!
  • January 14, 2011, it was reported that 90 girls in a Memphis, Tennessee middle/high school are preganant!
  • Homosexuality is being promoted in every sector of American life- including the military and especially in the schools- even elementary and kindergarten in California!
  • Adultery is not only acceptable but promoted and even encouraged. Did you know there are businesses in US that have the sole purpose of encouraging and teaching you the ‘worldly blessings of adultery!’

In Israel’s day the people became like animals in their sexual pursuits of sexual partners – America seems to have gone to that same place. It is a spiritual, moral and national problem. America has SERIOUS problems. Adding to these things, consider this:

  • 73% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
  • 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes
  • 80% of high school dropouts are from fatherless homes
  • 78% of youth in juvenile institutions are from fatherless homes
  • 85% of youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless home
  • 2.7 out of every 5 kids in America do not live with their fathers

The repercussions of not having God as our King are devastating. Many are convinced that what they are doing is right! Apart from repentance and God’s mercy, there is no hope for America or its people. Pray for America and if you are a Christian who has been flirting with sin or even engaging in sin- repent! Do not be entertained by the sins for which Christ died.

Is there any good news? Yes- In all this, God loves you. He gave His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, not to condemn you, but that through Him you might have eternal life. (John 3:17) God has sent His Son to forgive the worst of our sins and give eternal life to the worst of sinners - just for the asking and repenting. If you want to know Christ or need prayer for anything, call our church office. The phone number is on the home page. And know that Jesus loves you.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Tom

]]> 2011-01-27T01:04+00:00 It is Never Too Late http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/it-is-never-too-late http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/it-is-never-too-late Samson blew it. Over and over again he failed to live up to his potential. Much of his time was spent with the wrong kind of women and fighting his personal fights. But at the end of his life, he finally got it right and became great for God. As such, after he prayed to God, Judges 16:30 says, now the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.

What are some valuable truths we can learn from this point in Samson's life?

i - God is in the business of restoring failures and forgiving sinners

Keep this in mind:
We never fall beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness and one of the gems of God’s restoring grace is Samson. Few have fallen as far as Samson, but he did not fall outside the grace of God.

ii- Restoring sinners takes time

While forgiveness is immediate, restoration is gradual. It took time for Samson’s hair to grow.

The very instant I turn to Christ in repentance I am forgiven. 1 John 1:9 tells us so- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
But, as Gary Inrig notes in his commentary on Judges, restoration takes time. And there is a reason for that. When a significant failure takes place, it is not the product of a moment- but it is the result of sinful habits that accumulate and escalate just like Samson’s did. And those sinful habits must be unlearned and replaced with new habits. (G. Inrig, 2005, Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay)

iii- It is never too late to be Great for God

At the end of Samson's life, he became great. you don't have to wait till the end of your life!

Something to think about:

The spiritually successful Christian is not the person who never fails, but the person who learns to accept God’s remedy for failure (ibid)

And what is God’s remedy for our failure? The cross. The cross is God’s way of repairing the irreparable and of forgiving the unforgivable.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Tom

]]> 2011-01-04T23:12+00:00 Collaboration With the Enemy http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/collaboration-with-the-enemy http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/collaboration-with-the-enemy In Judges 15:11-13, the men of Judah handed over their leader, Samson, to the enemy. Why did they do that? Because the enemy, the Philistines, had the heavy hand. They had beaten down Judah and Judah was willing to do whatever was necessary in order that they wouldn’t have any more attacks. Therefore, hoping to appease the enemy they go to work for the enemy, and handed over their leader to the enemy.  They basically said (without actually saying it) If you don’t hurt us then we will do whatever you ask.This is the tactic of terrorists today! It is also the tactic of the enemy of our soul.

What can we note here? Real simple: Compromised people do the enemy’s work for them

It is a sad fact that in Christianity- If you are a Christian who is committed to growing and maturing in Christ, if you are a Christian that recognizes things need to change in order to improve, then you will face more ridicule and be hindered by other church-goers than you will by non-believers. You will face more resistance from church goers who are accustomed to their personal style of a wishy-washy spiritual life and they seem totake personal joy in watching the enemy of your soul attack you. As one of my close friends told me while in a trial, "There are some Christians who like to throw rocks at the glass just to hear it shatter."

No worries! Have you been attacked because you are doing the work of Christ? It is the Christian who never gets the attacks that needs to be concerned. But you… do what Paul did who said This one thing I do… I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14)

Be blessed in Christ,
Pastor Tom

]]> 2010-12-29T01:07+00:00 A Social Network Christmas http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/a-social-network-christmas http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/a-social-network-christmas

]]> 2010-12-24T07:00+00:00 Guard Your Heart! http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/guard-your-heart http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/guard-your-heart Samson was a man that was blessed by God with superhuman ability. When the Holy Spirit would empower him, he had the ability to conquer mighty men- a thousand at one time! He had the ability to take a strong city- without any help! But he could not control his own passion. Although Samson is listed with the people of faith in Hebrews chapter 11, and we will even meet him when we get to heaven, he is a man that never fulfilled his potential. He sqandered the riches of the heavenlies in order to satisfy his personal pleasure. He had a saved soul but a wasted life.

Speaking of this, in Proverbs 4:23, Solomon warned, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV). The NKJV says it this way: Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Out of his heart, sprung the issues of Samsons life. Proverbs 16:32 says,Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit (is better) than he who takes a city. Samson could conquer mighty men and take a strong city, but he did not rule his spirit... he did not guard his heart. Samson was a weak man because he never learned to control himself.

Don't let that be said of you." What can you do to make sure you don't go the way of Samson?

i- Be dedicated to self discipline

Jim Tressel, football coach of Ohio State said it this way, "Self-discipline is when you tell yourself to do something and you don’t talk back."

ii- Be inclined toward integrity

iii- Be a fighter for faithfulness

Blessings to you in Christ,
Pastor Tom

]]> 2010-12-07T17:07+00:00 Pressing Forward http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/pressing-forward http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/pressing-forward Howard Hendricks once said, "The devil is after any person or organization that is doing a work for God, and he’s got 6,000 years of practical experience." As such, in your pursuit to live for God, the enemy of your soul will want you to cower and quit and give up as you are pressed through the trials and difficulties that come your way. The devil may be after anyone… and he may have 6,000 years experience, but don't give up... press forward when you are tempted to turn back.

John's gospel seems to speak of this on the occassion of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with a miraculous meal of fish and loaves. The masses of people loved the miracle and the free meal, but when Jesus gave them the truth of the gospel, John 6:66 tells us that from that time on, many of them followed Jesus no more. Then Jesus turned to His disciples and said, ‘do you also want to leave?’ To which Peter replied in vv68 Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Peter seemed to be expressing his view that having once come to Jesus, to turn back is unthinkable. Is it unthinkable to you? Or would you consider turning back?

You may say, I am so discouraged right now, I think I might. Well then, let me ask you- what would you go back to? Is there anything in your past that compares with Jesus?

James Boice recounts that in John Bunyan’s book, Pilgrim’s Progress, when Christian was face-to-face with the devil, he thought how dearly he would love to go back and escape the conflict. However, when he thought of his armor, he remembered that he had none for his back. He had a shield, a breastplate, a helmet, a sword, but nothing for his back. So he realized that if he should turn around, it would be the work of only a moment for the devil to slay him with his spear. He therefore resolved that however bad it might be to go forward, it would, nevertheless, be worse to go backward. So he fought on and gained victory.

Think of that fact when you are discouraged - Retreat is not part of the equation for the Christian! Press on!  

]]> 2010-07-03T05:52+00:00 A Perplexing World http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/a-perplexing-world http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/a-perplexing-world It has been well noted by many Bible prophecy teachers that Israel is God's timepiece. So if you want to know how close we are to the second coming of Christ, keep your eye on the Israel clock. It seems that the whole world is against Israel. Maybe not officially, since a few of the countries in the Western world still claim that Israel is an ally. However, their own announcements and rhetoric show evidence that they too are against Israel.

This is bothersome to those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. We know, that because of our relationship with Christ, we are spiritual descendents of Abraham and God promised Abraham and his descendents Israel, in Genesis 12 :3, I will bless those that bless you and curse those that curse you. It seems we are witnessing the world cursing Israel, and it can cause one to wonder if the world is experiencing the results of cursing Israel. There is still economic upheaval in much of the world with no realistic end in sight. The gulf oil crisis is STILL raging and from many accounts, it appears that it is actually getting worse as methane gas is now leaking into the air. And then there is the enormous problem in the mideast as Israel has become a stumbling stone to the world. Israel is threatened on every side. They are threatened from the North, South, East and West.

The threat of bio weapons being launched against Israel with a projection of casualties numbering in the hundreds of thousands is real, and so is the threat from Iran to launch a nuclear attack against Israel. At the same time, Israel has made it clear to Syria, that if they are attacked, Israel will destroy Damascus. All of this ought to have us on the edge of our seats and praying for the peace of Jerusalem- and at the same time, what we are witnessing may very well be the fulfillment of prophecy as we look at Israel. Isaiah 17:1 & 14 says, Damascus will cease from being a city, it will be a ruinous heap...Then behold, at eventide, trouble! And before the morning, he is no more. And in Zechariah 12:3-4 the LORD says, And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.
No worries though, we know how it all ends... JESUS WINS! Look to the Israel clock, or better yet, 'when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.' (Luke 21:28)

There are too many earth-shaking events taking place that we cannot ignore what is happening. Therefore, this Sunday night, June 27, we will have a prophecy update from the book of Daniel as we examine what in the world is going on. We need not be afraid, but we do need to be informed and be prepared so we are not caught unaware.

Be blessed in Christ,
Pastor Tom

]]> 2010-06-24T01:40+00:00 Past, Present and Future http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/past-present-and-future http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/past-present-and-future While preparing for Sunday nights and the book of Daniel, two themes are dominant- one is that, history repeats itself. Regarding the history of Judah, the Bible teaches that God judged the people and the land because they had turned from Him to worship other gods (in our culutre we would say they decided there were no absolutes and there were many gods and many roads to heaven), they had shed innocent blood, sacrificed babies, gave themselves over to perversions and the sins of the pagan culture. It is not diffiicult to connect the dots from the reason that God judged Judah in Daniel's day, then fast forward to our time, and wonder if America will be judged for the same reasons. It ought to get a persons attention. Another dominant theme in Daniel, is that God has given us His pattern for the future. The book of Daniel gives us the history to warn us but it also predicts what is coming ahead. It outlines the last days global empire that consists of a global economy and a global political system. It gives details on the antichrist, and a pseudo peace covenant he makes with the Jews in regards to Jerusalem. Although we have the warnings from the history and from prophecy, Daniel is also one of the most encouraging books -- in it we find that the Lord Jesus Christ returns and sets up His eternal kingdom. Ultimately, Jesus wins. Hope to see you this Sunday night as we continue with Daniel.

Blessings in Him,
Pastor Tom

]]> 2010-05-27T23:59+00:00 Last Days? http://www.ccsjonline.org/blogs/tom-hughes/last-days http://www.ccsjonline.org/blog/tom-hughes/last-days On Tuesday my friend from the east coast emailed me with a concern that the Great Tribulation has begun. He had been giving extra attention to the news in regards to the worlds economy and now, the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. As he read the Book of Revelation, what caused him to wonder if we have entered into the Tribulation, was Revelation 8:8-9 which says, Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

I didn't go into great detail to explain the text, but I did point out two things:

First, we are not in the Tribulation. That begins with the confirmation of a peace agreement between the Antichrist, the Jews and many other nations and it is specific to peace in Jerusalem and the dividing of the land of Jerusalem. You can read about it in Daniel chapters 9 & 11.

Second, I pointed out the obvious and said, "hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes (note plural on all of those) NOW- an unbelievable oil spill, fears of economic disaster, and civil unrest is on the brink= look at Arizona! Then we look at how many folks are fed up with the government and buying guns--- apart from the volcanoes, all these are happening HERE IN THE US!!! (And much of the rest of the world is in an even greater mess)

PLUS- the mideast is ever so close to a nuclear war or chemical war!

Unbelievable... but if we are getting close to the tribulation, things will get worse in order to bring about a one world economic and government system. It just happens to be what my message is about this Sunday night as I will be wrapping up chapter 13 of Revelation and the mark of the beast.

To put it in the words of Jesus---  "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;  26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:25-28)

Apart from Jesus there are frightening things. But in Christ, there is HOPE!

Jesus loves YOU!
Pastor Tom

]]> 2010-05-13T10:32+00:00