First Baptist Church of Ojai, California

Dr. Chetti Podcasts

Podcasts from Dr.Chetti's first two messages are now posted at www.fbcojai.org.

Thoughts From Today's Bible Reading

Exodus 7:7 (NIV) 
    Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.

There is no such thing as retirement in the Bible.  There is way too much work to do before Jesus returns. 

Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) 
    Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
    [22] Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Good try, Peter.  Our forgiveness is to reflect the forgiveness of God.  How many times has He forgiven you?  Who is most challenging for you to forgive?  Commit them to God through prayer.

This Week's Bible Reading Schedule

Tuesday, January 27th
Exodus 4:1-5:21
Matthew 18:1-22
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21

Wednesday, January 28th
Exodus 5:22-7:24
Matthew 18:23-19:12
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 5:22-23

Thursday, January 29th
Exodus 7:25-9:35
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5

Friday, January 30th
Exodus 10:1-12:13
Matthew 20:1-28
Psalm 25:1-15
Proverbs 6:6-11

Saturday, January 31st
Exodus 12:14-13:16
Matthew 20:29-21:22
Psalm 25:16-22
Proverbs 6:12-15

Sunday, February 1st
Exodus 13:17-15:18
Matthew 21:23-46
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 6:16-19

Monday, February 2nd
Exodus 15:19-17:7
Matthew 22:1-33
Psalm 27:1-6
Proverbs 6:20-26

Bible Institute Returns This Week

The First Baptist Bible Institute returns this week with Bible teaching for all ages:
Dan Bergstrom:  Adults
Chad Zaucha: Youth
Christy Zaucha:  Children

Grow in your knowledge of God's Word Sunday mornings at 9:30.

Bravo!

To Dr. Samuel Chetti for challenging our hearts and our minds these past three weeks.

To Debbie Mathieu for her faithful ministry in the nursery.  (Debbie will be taking a break from this ministry during the tax season).

To Corinna Hardman for taking over the nursery ministry in Debbie's absence. 

To the growing army of fervent prayers who are breaking down spiritual strongholds during our Sunday evening Upper Room prayer ministry.

To Richard Lawson and Larry McMillan for making me look (video) and sound (audio) good on Sunday mornings. 

What's Next? Sunday Message Preview

One of my favorite Psalms:

Psalm 15:1-5 (NIV) 
A psalm of David.

    Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
        Who may live on your holy hill?

    [2] He whose walk is blameless
        and who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from his heart
        [3] and has no slander on his tongue,
    who does his neighbor no wrong
        and casts no slur on his fellowman,
    [4] who despises a vile man
        but honors those who fear the Lord,
    who keeps his oath
        even when it hurts,
    [5] who lends his money without usury
        and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

    He who does these things
        will never be shaken.

How would you preach this Psalm?

As Far As You Can

Every church has problems.  It is just a matter of what kind of problems you will have.  Some churches are faced with the problem of few people.  We are presently faced with the problem of a growing number of people.  It is a good problem--but still a problem.  It is becoming tougher to find a parking spot and a seat.  Part of the solution to this good problem is for the established congregation at First Baptist to adopt a mindset of "as far as you can" in everything we do.  When we park, we park "as far as we can" (the smaller lot or the street) to allow others to park closer.  When we choose a seat, we sit "as far as we can" from the comfort zone in the back of the sanctuary.  It would be ideal to leave the back two rows open for those who arrive a little late.  How many other ways can you think of that we can apply the mindset "as far as you can"?

Highlights From Today's Bible Reading

Genesis 45:5-7 (NIV) 
    And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. [6] For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. [7] But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

The sovereign hand of God was at work in Joseph's life all along.  Even in slavery and imprisonment, God had a plan.  It was a plan bigger than Joseph.  God has a plan for your life as well.

Matthew 14:28-31 (NIV) 
    "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
    [29] "Come," he said.
    Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
    [31] Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Peter got out of the boat, which separates him from so many others who choose to stay in safety and comfort.  Peter also shows us that when we take our eyes off Jesus and place them on circumstances, our faith quickly shrinks.  Jesus is always bigger than the storm. 

Concert of Prayer

Our Sunday evening Upper Room prayer gathering will take a different form this week as we participate in something called a "Concert of Prayer."  Essentially, our time will be spent in corporate prayer and prompted by passages of Scripture displayed on the screen.  There is something very powerful about praying the Scriptures.  Come join in the Concert of Prayer this coming Sunday night at 6:00.

Clean Up Day

Saturday, February 7th at 9 AM First Baptist Church is hosting a clean-up day on the church grounds.  There will be jobs of all types and sizes to be done.  We will bring in a giant dumpster to throw away decades worth of waste.  Many hands will make light work.