OPEN BIBLE New Brunswick
Bible institute GOD’S PURPOSE
OUR PASSION
FOCUS
BY MATTHEW LITTLE
Let’s Be Truthful “I told a half truth,” a “white lie,” or “I stretched the truth.” These are phrases we have coined that help us be at peace with our often deceptive ways. But is it ever right to lie? What about in the face of great danger in an attempt to stop the onslaught of evil men or evil purposes? What are we to think of those who harboured those dear Jewish people in their homes in an attempt to keep them from certain death at the hands of a man named Adolf Hitler? As the Wermacht soldiers pounded on doors, many a preserver of life or a hero of justice denied knowing the whereabouts of any Jew. Yet, the Jews were hidden safely in their homes. I don’t know of a person who would condemn such a brave soul or stand in judgement of such apparent heroes. I believe that some good and godly people have been put into deplorable, desperate situations and they have, in their minds, committed a lesser evil (lying) to prevent a greater evil (the death of innocent lives). In answering this question, we must always begin with God. God is a God of truth and even Jesus declared that He was the way and the truth... (John 14:6). Furthermore, God has given us the Spirit of truth living within us (John 16:13) and
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He expects us to walk in truth (3 John 4 & 8). The ninth commandment prohibits bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). There are two examples in Scripture where individuals lied and it seemed to produce a favourable result. The first was the midwives who lied to Pharaoh in an attempt to save the male babies of the Hebrew women (Exodus 1:15-21) and the second was when Rahab lied to protect the Israelite spies from being captured and likely killed (Joshua 2:5). It is important to remember that although these decisions proved beneficial to all parties involved, God never once condoned their lying. In fact, Rahab is commended in Hebrews 11 for her faith and not her lie. Did God turn a blind eye to these deliberate lies? Scripture is silent as to how God responded to their lies and so we must let God deal with each person as He sees fit. I think we ought to be people of truth and leave the consequences to God and as God commended the faith of Rahab, I too commend the faithfulness of men and women, down through the ages, who stood in the face of evil and sought to stop it, even if how they did it does not fit into our theological boxes. It is always important, no matter what happens in our lives, to reaffirm God’s Word as the standard of truth by which we live our lives (John 17:17), and resolve ourselves to the fact that the vast majority of people in human history have never
faced a situation in which lying was the right thing to do. We ought to be people of truth and that’s no lie!
November 13-15 See the advertisement inside and check out our website, email us or call for further details.
Apply now
@
nbbi.ca 1
FIELD TRIP TO NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN
with Senior Student, Lane Stewart My name is Lane Stewart and I am completing my last semester of the Biblical & Theological Studies program. This past summer, God provided me with two ministry opportunities, serving as a worship leader in my home church in Three Hills, Alberta and speaking at NCEM Pine Ridge Bible camp in northern Saskatchewan.
I had been to Pine Ridge before as our church sent out a team every summer to help out, but I had never thought that I would ever be the main speaker. At first, I was hesitant to say yes to the opportunity because I was busy working two jobs already and the camp required me to speak a total of eleven, half-hour messages throughout the week. In myself, I was fearful of the task and wondering how I would find time to prepare for it. However, I committed to
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the task, knowing that God is faithful and He was giving me an awesome opportunity to share the gospel to many unchurched First Nation kids. God also gave my wife, Tammy, the opportunity to be the camp nurse. Looking back now, I’m so thankful because this was the highlight of our summer! Through God all things are possible and to God be the glory as we saw kids understand the gospel, accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and desire to follow Him!
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PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
BY MATTHEW LITTLE
Where Next? In Mark 1:19-20, we read these words, “And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.” Are you satisfied and content with where you are in life? Have you worked hard to create and position yourself in a safety zone of comfort and security? James and John found themselves living on easy street. That is not to say that fishermen don’t work hard. (I go lobster fishing each year on White Head Island with a friend of mine and I have a firsthand appreciation for how hard they
work.) They were doing what they loved, what was familiar to them, what made them feel comfortable, safe and secure. They were working with their dad in the family business; settled in for a life of the familiar, a life of no surprises, a life of ease and comfort, doing what they knew best. “What’s wrong with that,” you may ask? Well, if you find yourself living a life in which you are perfectly capable of handling everything then you are jeopardizing your ability to grow in your understanding of God. If a life free from conflict and turmoil is your goal then don’t do what James and John did! Instead, stay in the boat. If you want to be a true disciple of Jesus, you must be willing and ready to walk away from the carefully, well-planned-out life you have built for yourself and step out by faith and follow
Jesus. Could it be that God wants to disrupt your life and lead you on to something greater and even more satisfying? When those men walked away from the boat they left their bubble of security, they cut the safety net and headed into an unknown future. They traded in a life where they were capable of handling everything for one in which they would be utterly dependent upon Christ. Remember, you are only one step of obedience away from the next truth God wants you to learn about Him. Unfortunately, that small step seems like a giant leap for many of us. God wants to take us further and deeper in our relationship with Him. What boat do you need to leave behind for that to happen?
ON THE ROAD STAFF ITINERARIES MATTHEW LITTLE November 7 - 9 Maranatha Bible Church New Glasgow, NS Missions Conference November 10, 17, 24 Milltown Baptist Church Milltown, NB Extension Classes November 15-16 Woolwich - Wiscasset Baptist Church Woolwich, ME Saturday Banquet; Sunday Service DAVID DOHERTY November 9 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Worship Service November 3, 10, 17, 24 Lincoln Baptist Church Lincoln, NB Extension Classes November 6, 20 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Prayer Meetings JOHN HOAG November 10, 17, 24 Milltown Baptist Church Milltown, NB Extension Classes
These are exciting days we are living in. The world is rapidly changing and there are more people who need Christ now than ever before. These are also scary days. There is a growing ignorance concerning God and His Word, even among those who claim to know Him. Are you ready to meet the challenges life may throw your way? Do you know God’s Word and have the ability to competently share it with others? Have you taken up your
NOVEMBER 13-15
cross and committed your life to being a follower of Jesus? NBBI exists to help train you in God’s Word; help you grow in your walk with the Lord and provide an atmosphere where you can discover God’s plan for you. Join us for our College for a Day and see if God might be leading you to study His Word. This is a weekend that could change you forever!
November 23 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Worship Service 3
from the Word of God. What greater way to impact your children than to let them spend a weekend with Bible school students who will love and care for them and challenge them to follow Jesus. Registration forms are available online at nbbi.ca/kidsquest/ or call us at (506) 375-9000 for more details.
NOVEMBER 7-8, 2014
Are you looking for a great way to kick off your children’s ministry for the Fall? Why not join us for a funfilled weekend at NBBI? We have a special retreat planned for your kids, grades 2-6. There will be swimming, games, great music and Bible stories, lots of food and a chance for your kids to stay in the dorms with
our students. We have been listening to your suggestions and this year we are hosting our retreat a little later to allow more opportunity for you to come. Alex Bourgoin, CEF’s Northern Maine Director, will be here to challenge the kids
CHAPEL SPEAKERS ENCOUNTER 2014 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2015
November 19
Gaston Joclieur Gideons International
“Too many Christians mark their Bibles, but their Bibles never mark them!” Warren Wiersbe
FAMILY FILE KEEP UP WITH OUR GRADS
BIRTHS April 1, 2014 - to Jonathan (’06) and Anne Dowdy, a son, Asher Theophilus. August 30, 2014 - to Alanna (Reynolds, Assoc. ’04) and Luke Miller (Assoc. ’04), a son, Carson Bradford. Sept 17, 2014 - to Corey (’09) and Angel (Haines, ’08) Long - a son, Wyatt Cody. 4
At NBBI we love teenagers. In face, one of our favourite times of year is our Teen Retreat weekends. We host over 500 young people over two weekends for a life changing event. Our desire is that your students encounter the Lord Jesus Christ and surrender
MEN FOR GOD RALLY JANUARY 23-24, 2015
Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Men, we need to encourage one another and support one another in our walk with the Lord. Our
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
to Him. Our students will personally invest in each retreater and challenge him/her in their walk with the Lord. Plan on joining us for one of these fun filled weekends. To learn more, go to our website.
with guest speaker Dr. Les Loftquist Executive Director IFCA International men’s conference is a great way for you to do that. Join us on January 23-24 as we host our 11th annual Men for God Rally - good food, good fellowship and good opportunity to be challenged in your walk with the Lord. Don’t miss it!
Editor........................................Larry Rushton Writers........NBBI Faculty, Staff & Students Typist........................................Brenda Cabral Layout & design.............................Larry Rushton Copy proof.................................... Rose Meed Printer....................................... Merritt Press
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November 4 Bob Sloma Crossroads Christian Camp
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NOVEMBER 2014