OPEN BIBLE BULLETIN
VOL54 NO12 DECEMBER2013
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MEN FOR GOD
WITH MATTHEW LITTLE
JANUARY 24-25, 2014
WITH BREANNA OWEN
//WISE UP// Matthew 1:1-2 declares, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Who were these “wise men” and what were they like? Some Bible versions call them “magi” which is an acceptable alternative but I prefer “wise men.” God gives us very little information concerning this group of men but He did reveal that they were wise and I would like to assist you in discovering why.
E.M. Bounds once said, “The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” God is looking for men of faith and family; men who are leading the way and not following behind; men who are making their mark for Christ. Satan would like nothing more than to destroy Christian men by weakening their testimony, influence and impact for Christ. This is one of the reasons we host our Men for God Rally. It provides an opportunity to be surrounded by hundreds of other men who share your same struggles and can support and encourage you in your walk with the Lord. This year’s theme will be “Men of Adventure” and it promises to be a powerful weekend. Here are some of the details.
Breanna graduated from the Advanced Biblical Ministries (B.Th.) program in 2011. She writes, “For two years I have been working part-time and prayerfully seeking God’s will for my life - work field or mission field. God placed and nurtured within my heart a love for youth and a passion for discipleship during my time at NBBI, and He has continued to foster that love and passion since. When I learned about Lifebridge, a faith-based, nonprofit organization that offers a mentorship program to at-risk teens in the New England area, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the ministry God had prepared for the next season of my life. I’ve felt God’s peace and confidence as I’ve pursued the necessary steps to work with Lifebridge, full-time. Our
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First, they were wise in seeking Jesus. I want to declare to you, as plainly as I can, that the wisest thing you can do this Christmas is seek CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
MERRY CHRISTMAS from james goode creative director
SERVING IN N.H.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and students of the New Brunswick Bible Institute, I would like to extend the warmest of Christmas greetings. Every year I hear about the “magic of Christmas” and, although much of that phrase is played up by Hollywood and marketing companies, I think there is a genuine closeness and joy that connects friends and family during this time of year. As a believer in the actual, physical birth of my Lord, this holiday is made that much more special for me. Whether you are spending time with your family, close friends, or church family this season, be sure to take time personally to reflect on the amazing gift of our Saviour and to share that gift with someone who needs hope. God has blessed us with a wonderful year at NBBI. I am so very thankful for those who have faithfully prayed for and contributed to this ministry. I am thankful for the many people who have visited our campus over the past year, who have encouraged us as we have encouraged them. I am thankful for our grads who faithfully serve Christ in their home churches, workplaces, mission fields, etc. I am praying for another great year as God leads men and women to this school to prepare for a world that so desperately needs Him. Merry Christmas!
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out Jesus and worship Him. Too many people today want the joys of Christmas without the worship of Jesus. Impossible! You can decorate a tree, surround yourself with loved ones and open presents yet you will never know the joy of Christmas until you fall on your face and worship the Lord Jesus Christ. These men overcame great distance, discomfort and danger so they could fall on their knees before their Saviour. Are you prepared to do the same? Second, these men were wise in what they brought to Jesus. They brought Him gold, (speaking of His sovereign dominion as king), they brought Him frankincense (speaking of his sinless deity) and they brought Him myrrh (speaking of His sacrificial death). Be wise this Christmas. Many make more of Christ’s birth than they do of His death. They love the cradle but they hate the cross. The same crowd that dance around the cradle at Christmas spit at the cross the rest of the year. Seek the Saviour this Christmas and fall down before Him in worship and adoration.
PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
WITH MATTHEW LITTLE
//The Incarnational Message// God’s message of salvation is incarnational! How does that grab you? It never ceases to amaze me that of all the ways God could have carried out His redemptive work, He chose to wrap up His plan in a Person.
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staff itineraries
DAVID DOHERTY
DECEMBER 5 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Prayer Meeting DECEMBER 8 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Sunday Worship Service
JACK CARON
DECEMBER 15 The People’s Church Somerville, NB Sunday Services
JOHN HOAG
DECEMBER 7-8 Calvary Baptist Church Miramichi, NB Banquet & Sunday Morning Service
Furthermore, we learn concerning His sovereign condescension that His mindset was one of humility. What was the most humbling thing Jesus had to endure? It was the fact that He had to become like you and me. The Creator who was self-existent became part of His creation. The Sustainer of life became subject to the limitations of man and the ultimate end of man - death! Oh, we might be tempted to reason that Jesus should have been privileged to become like us but that would be like saying a king should be delighted to take off his crown and robe and become one of his subjects. We are so often caught up in our programs that we forget that God is far more interested in people. Books are published by the hundreds to discuss methods but people are still God’s method.
Philippians 2:7,8 says, “...made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Could God not have devised a better way? How could it be that the eternal Son of God became like you and me?
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speaker: Mr. Greg Sanford is the US Director of Mobilization and the Director of New Tribes Mission’s Wayumi program in central Pennsylvania. He ministered for many years among the Yanomami people who live deep in the Amazon rainforest. Greg will provide solid biblical challenges along with riveting stories that will awaken your passion for serving Christ.
God’s message is still very much incarnational. God still desires to work in much the same way. When Jesus first came, the glory of the incarnation was that God became man - deity clothed in humanity. Now for the believer Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved men, and gave himself for me.” (Philippians 2:20).
music: Never-Too-Late, a local Carleton County men’s group, was formed in April, 2009 with the purpose of sharing God’s message of salvation and love through music. They are based out of Centreville and are sought after by many churches and ministries throughout the Maritimes. You are sure to enjoy their ministry in music.
ENCOUNTER 2014 NBBI has been privileged to host annual teen retreats on our campus for many years. Thousands of teens have been a part of these retreats and many lives have been changed. Our retreats are more than just great games, music and speakers. They offer an opportunity for teenagers to meet with God and allow Him to move in a life-altering way. Join us this year for Encounter 2014.
FEBRUARY 14-16 & 21-23
SERVING IN N.H. CONTINUED
FIELD TRIP
WITH NATAUSHA (DAIGLE) SAMPSON Natausha (Daigle) Sampson transfered into our Advanced Biblical Ministries (B.Th.) program and graduated in 2011. She and Riley got married on June 2, 2012 at Camp Good News in Maine. Natausha continues to work in the discipleship program with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maine, while Riley volunteers his time and pursues his bachelor’s degree. They enjoy working with the youth group at church and ministering to children, teens and adults through CEF! The Sampsons live in Buxton, Maine. vision is simple: Love God. Love others. Make disciples. We do this by working with teens in the public school system. About half of the student population comes from singleparent families. Our goal is to come alongside the parents as well as the teens, and live life with them as Jesus lived life with His disciples - sharing the gospel with the needy, providing and caring for their physical needs, and developing healthy realtionships. I’ll be serving in the White Mountain region in Littleton, NH.” If you would like to contact Breanna, her email address is simplybreezy23@gmail.com or you can visit the Lifebridge website at lifebridgementoring.org.
FAMILY FILE
KEEP UP WITH OUR GRADS
HOMEGOINGS Ralph Burchell, husband of Janet (Hunt ’66) and long-time missionary to Japan, who retired to Greenwood, South Carolina in 2009, was promoted to glory on April 27, 2013.
VIEW OUR BULLETIN ONLINE Staying up-to-date with New Brunswick Bible Institute has never been easier. With just a click, you can view our bulletin in a clean and beautiful format and share it with friends and family. The bulletin can be viewed at anytime at issuu.com/nbbi. If you would like to be notified when the bulletin is posted, please subscribe online at nbbi.ca/blog. If you have changed your mailing address or no longer wish to receive the bulletin by mail, let us know by emailing nbbi@nbbi.ca. Let us know what you would like to see in the bulletin! Email the Editor, larry.rushton@nbbi.ca. 3
New Brunswick
Bible institute GOD’S PURPOSE
OUR PASSION
WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?
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FOR SUPPORTERS
JANUARY 2014
STUDY HERE
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO APPLY
GROW YOUR PASSION
WE NEED YOUR PRAYER
If you have a passion for God’s Word and a desire to serve Him with your life, consider joining us in January for our Winter semester. We’d love to have you be a part of what has already been an amazing year for our students. It’s not too late to apply, simply go to nbbi.ca/admissions and begin filling out the student application forms.
Unique from other Christian educational institutions, New Brunswick Bible Institute offers just three programs. Our purpose is to equip young men and women in the Bible for future life and ministry. Which program is right for you? Start with one year and see where God leads you from there. You can easily transfer into our three year or four year programs if you feel God leading you to stay.
We are a school that is committed to training the next generation of Christian workers. A huge part of this ministry depends on the faithful prayers of our supporters. This is a challenge to our friends, grads, and anyone else who has a loving interest in this ministry; don’t stop praying, and don’t stop challenging others to consider Bible School training. We cannot thank you enough for your faithfulness to NBBI.
New Brunswick Bible Institute 2335 Route 103 Victoria Corner NB Canada E7P 1C7 Phone: (506)375-9000 Fax: (506)375-1800 Website: nbbi.ca Email: nbbi@nbbi.ca
editor........................................Larry Rushton writers........NBBI Faculty, Staff & Students typist.........................................Brenda Cabral layout & design................................James Goode copy proof..................................... Rose Meed printer....................................... Merritt Press