OPEN BIBLE New Brunswick
Bible institute GOD’S PURPOSE
OUR PASSION
BULLETIN
VOL. 56 NO. 1 JANUARY 2015
FOCUS
BY ROBERT BOOKER
Is That You? By what are you known? Most people are known for some characteristic, physical feature, idiosyncrasy, or by a nickname. Still today, after all these decades, my friends from another era call me by a childhood nickname (which shall remain unpublished!). As I seriously considered the spiritual ramifications of this subject, the Lord brought to mind Scriptures that indicate for what His true children should be known. Christians are known by their fruit. For example, in Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus is warning against false teachers and, speaking of “good” and “evil” fruit, He says, “...by their fruits ye shall know them.” Evidently, not only are false teachers to be discovered by what they produce and how they live, but true children of God are also characterized by their actions. That fact makes how we live of utmost importance. I need to ask myself if my actions are producing “good” fruit. Am I correctly and consciously representing my Saviour well? Christians are known by their name. Acts 11 records that the new believers in Antioch were called “Christians”. The term “Christians” means “followers of Christ.” While the world today uses this term freely and in many wrong and even derogatory ways, we should not be reluctant to use it for its purest biblical
definition. I am grateful for what my Saviour has done for me and happy to be called by His name. Paul declared in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:...”. We are known by our words. Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:37, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified... [or] condemned.” The Psalmist realized the necessity of careful words in chapter 141:3 when he asked the Lord to watch over his mouth. One translation uses the word “control” for “set a watch.” We not only should be known for not using certain words, but we should be known for all the positive accomplishments given by godly speech, for example, the spreading of the Gospel, encouraging one another, teaching the Scriptures, etc.
your trust in Christ for His saving grace, then you need to give Him your life and be known as a Christian. For many who read this article, the challenge is to be sure our lives represent Christ well in love, words and deeds.
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CHAPEL SPEAKERS
Followers of Christ should be known by their love. Jesus Himself told His followers they would be known as His disciples if they loved one another (John 13:35). A good question to ask is this: Am I exhibiting true Christ-like love toward my brothers and sisters in Christ? According to Jesus, the two greatest commandments are to love God and love those around us (Matthew 22:34-40).
January 13
Brent Clark Grafton Baptist Church
January 20
Greg MacWilliam Parkside Ranch
So I ask the question again. By what are you known? If you have never placed
January 28-30
JANUARY 2015
January 27 Jerry VanderVeen Gospel Mission of South America Various Missionaries One Hope Canada 1
PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
BY MATTHEW LITTLE
Out with the Old, In with the New Is it not true that often life seems like nothing more than yesterday’s problems warmed up? Honesty may compel many of us to admit that our lives are consumed with the same problems we had yesterday simply disguised as new ones. We often find ourselves spinning our wheels in the monotony of a dull existence with little to no expectation that anything will ever change. A new year is nothing more than a change on the calendar but those same pesky trials that beat us down last year have entered the ring and are looking once more for a TKO. A psychologist, named William Moulton Marston, asked three thousand people, “What do you have to live for?” He was shocked to find that 94 percent were simply enduring the present while waiting for the future; waiting for
“something” to happen, waiting for trials to end, for disappointments to disappear or for discouragement to dissipate. How about you? What expectations do you have for this year? Isaiah 43:1819 says, “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Our God is a God of the future. He wants us to move forward, in faith, trusting Him for what lies ahead and not be embalmed or paralysed by the past. During the first exodus, the Lord delivered the nation of Israel from Egypt and saw them through the wilderness. Now He was going to do a new thing, a fresh work. This time it would be an exodus from Babylon as He, once more, led His
people to freedom. In verse 19 it says, “I will even make a way.” When God leads us into a new thing, He will also clear the path. Into what new thing might God be leading you? The past, along with its problems and trials, does not need to be the path ahead of you. But let me add a word of caution. As we look further down in Isaiah 43 we come to verse 22 which says, “But thou hast not called upon me.” God has something new and exciting in store for you, but He is waiting for you to call upon Him and trust Him to lead you in it. Don’t settle for last year warmed up. Trust God for the new; new challenges, new goals, new power, new ministry and new opportunities!
FAMILY FILE SPRING CONFERENCE 2015 APRIL 30 - MAY 3
Guest Speaker is Dr. Ray Pritchard Special Music by the Hyssongs
ENCOUNTER 2015
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TIMOTHY DELONG graduated from the Biblical and Theological Studies program in 1990. He now lives in Bridgewater, New Jersey. He is married to Katie who earned her Masters Degree in Special Education & Assistive Technology and is currently employed with William Paterson University as an adjunct professor. She also supervises pre-service teacher candidates. They have two children, an 18 year old son and a 16 year old daughter. NANCY (HOUDE ) GUZMAN graduated from the three year program in 1965. She and her husband, Mario, live in Orlando, Florida. The Guzmans have three children and nine grandchildren. They retired in 2010 but Nancy is currently homeschooling some of her grandchildren.
FEBRUARY 20-22 & MARCH 20-22
At NBBI we love teenagers. In fact, some of our favourite times of year have been our teen retreat weekends. We host over 500 young people over two weekends for a life-changing event. Our desire is that you encounter the Lord Jesus Christ and surrender your life to Him. Our students will personally invest in you and challenge you in your walk with the Lord. Plan on joining us for one of these funfilled weekends. To learn more, visit our website at nbbi.ca/encounter.
KEEP UP WITH OUR GRADS
Bay Forrest, 6’10” evangelist Phoenix Suns ’77-’80
MARK & JUDY CORMIER, PARENTS write, “All of our daughters, Michelle, Christina, and Katherine attended NBBI and are now married. Christina and Michelle both have one child each. I would like to thank you and Mr. Hoag for introducing us to the school while he was in Ontario when Michelle, our oldest, was considering what her next step in life would be. She and her sisters are all grade 8 piano players and as a proud dad, I love to hear them play.”
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2ND SEMESTER
Module IV..................................................... Monday-Friday, January 12-February 6, 2015 Men for God Rally........................................ Friday-Saturday, January 23-24, 2015 Exam Day.......................................................................................Saturday, February 7, 2015 Module V.........................................................Monday-Friday, February 9-March 20, 2015 First Youth Retreat.......................................Friday-Sunday, February 20-22, 2015 March Break.......................Friday Noon-Sunday 9:00 pm, February 27-March 15, 2015 Second Youth Retreat....................................... Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, 2015 Exam Day...........................................................................................Monday, March 23, 2015 Module VI............................................................... Tuesday-Tuesday, Mar. 24-Apr. 21, 2015 College for a Day........................................Thursday-Saturday, March 26-28, 2015 Easter Weekend.......................................Friday Noon-Monday 9:00 pm, April 3-6, 2015 Spring Banquet & Program............................................................Saturday, April 11, 2015 Exam Days.................................................................. Wednesday-Friday, April 22-24, 2015 Senior Class Picnic...........................................................................Saturday, April 25, 2015 Conference Preparation.......................................Monday-Wednesday, April 27-29, 2015 Spring Bible Conference............................ Thursday-Sunday, April 30-May 3, 2015 Graduation............................................................................................... Sunday, May 3, 2015
ON THE ROAD STAFF ITINERARIES DAVID DOHERTY January 15, 22 ,29 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Prayer Meeting
Ladies’ Retreat
2014
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STUDENT TESTIMONY
BY DOROTHY FELLOWS, SENIOR CLASS SECRETARY
I was born and raised in a strong Christian family, with parents and siblings who loved me and with whom I got along well (most of the time). We were heavily involved in my home church -
every time the doors were opened, we were there. At six years of age I came to realize that I was a sinner, and that I did not want to be separated from this holy and loving God of whom I had been told. So, I put my faith in Christ Jesus as my Savior, and trusted His atoning sacrifice alone to save me from the just punishment for my sins. Looking back, I do not doubt my sincerity, only my understanding. I was only six, after all. There were not very many horrific trials or tribulations in my younger years. I was growing at church and at home, but that growth was rather slow. Biblical teaching at Christian camp in my teen years supplemented my spiritual growth, but I was still quite a baby in my understanding of my faith when I first arrived at NBBI. I would not have said so then, but now I can see clearly that I knew nothing! The funny thing is, almost three years later, I can still say that, but this time it is because I have a deeper understanding of how unfathomable God’s Word is. One thing God has been teaching me lately is the importance of developing
MEN FOR GOD RALLY JANUARY 23-24, 2015
Theme: Men of Valour and guest soloist David Gopee
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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 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!
with guest speaker Dr. Les Loftquist Executive Director IFCA International
Godly character by freeing my life of the sins and bad habits which so easily entangle believers. Where I am headed from here is still a mystery - to me, that is. I do not know if God has a fourth year at NBBI in store for me, or perhaps something totally different. But this I do know from Philippians 1:6, that He who has begun a good work in me (here at NBBI) will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord for His work!
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Hey everyone! My name is Dorothy Fellows and I am in my third year at New Brunswick Bible Institute. I will admit - two and a half years ago, when I first set foot on campus as a student, I never expected to be around this long. But the work that I have had the privilege of seeing God do here has really made me sit up and take notice.
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
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Editor........................................Larry Rushton Writers........NBBI Faculty, Staff & Students Typist........................................Brenda Cabral Layout & design.............................Larry Rushton Copy proof.................................... Rose Meed Printer....................................... Merritt Press