First Baptist Church of Ojai, California

What's Next? Message Preview

Last week the message was on the relationship between revival and fasting.

This week the message is on submission (Ephesians 5:21-6:3). 

Someone should have told me that Paul lumped some unpopular teachings all together.  Hard lessons.  Great life.  

Time

It’s About Time

Pastor Chad Zaucha

First Baptist Church of Ojai

 

            I’ve been thinking a lot about time lately.  Saturday night we turned our clocks back one hour. The days are getting shorter.  Another year is coming to an end.  A new year is about to begin.  A friend of mine in his early 40’s called with the news that he has an aggressive form of cancer.  He isn’t sure how much time he has left.  I’ve been thinking a lot about time lately.

 

In the process, I have learned some interesting facts about how we spend our time:

 

• Over a lifetime of 72 years, the average American spends just over 13 years watching television. 
• A ten minute coffee break five days a week amounts to forty-three-and-one-third hours during a year.  This represents over a week’s vacation time. 
• Fifteen minutes a day devoted to one definite study will make one a master in a dozen years. 

 

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom (NLT).”  Why does God care about how we spend our time?

 

1. Because time is a gift from God.  How we use that gift says a lot about our attitude toward the giver of the gift.
2. Because time is short.  Someone once said, “The longest life is short.”  As I watch the years pass by I am convinced this is true. 
3. Because time is irrecoverable.  There will never be another today.

 

So how do we practically make the most of our time?  First, focus on investing time for eternity rather than spending it on today.  Jesus said, “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth… Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).”  Is my life making an impact that goes beyond my time here on this planet?  Second, focus on investing in relationships rather than in things.  At the top of this list is my relationship with God.  Am I giving to the one who created me and sent His Son to die for me the priority that He deserves?  Or am I distracted by so many trivial pursuits? 

 

Jesus only lived 33 years.  Yet his life had the greatest impact.  It is an example of a life focused on investment for eternity rather than spending on today.  He is the fulfillment of “Teach us to make the most of our time.” 

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about time lately…

Men's Breakfast Tomorrow

Carrow's

8:30 AM

Experience a great time of food and fellowship.

Revival

Revival is..."Christ showing up in an extraordinarily powerful new way, to significantly overthrow the status quo and establish the claims of His kingdom afresh." -- Steve Hawthorne

Highlights From Today's Bible Reading

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV) 
    For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. [16] Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Psalm 105:1 (NIV) 
    Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
        make known among the nations what he has done.

Psalm 105:4 (NIV) 
    Look to the Lord and his strength;
        seek his face always.
 

Highlights From Today's Bible Reading

Hebrews 4:9-11 (NIV) 
    There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; [10] for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. [11] Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.


Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) 
    For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Did You Know?

The Quarterly Church Business Meeting and Thanksgiving Dinner will be Sunday, November 22nd at 5 PM.  At this important business meeting we will vote on the 2010 proposed budget and slate of officers. 

Advent Fast

Revival does not come without preparation.  That preparation is known as consecration and is initiated through prayer and fasting.  During yesterday's message on revival an invitation was given for our church family to participate in an Advent fast (November 29th - December 24th) in preparation for the revival we sense God is bringing.  What a difficult and yet perfect time to fast!  Would you be courageous enough to ask God how He would have you to participate? We will have many more posts on fasting in the days to come. 

Christy made an interesting statement.  She said, "Our story here can be divided in chapters based on the corporate fasts in which we have participated together."  It is time for yet another chapter to be written.

Currently Reading

"Unless we are under the authority of God, we cannot exercise His authority.  Recall that the sons of Sceva tried to use the name of Jesus, and a demon tore off their clothes and they fled naked (Acts 19:14-16).  The Word of God has power for us only when we are submissive to it (148)."

Don't Forget!

Turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed tonight.  Enjoy the extra hour of sleep!