OPEN BIBLE VOL. 56 NO. 10 OCTOBER 2015
BULLETIN
New Brunswick
Bible institute GOD’S PURPOSE
OUR PASSION
FOCUS
BY MATTHEW LITTLE
ENCOUNTER 2016
THANKSGIVING Thanksgiving - for some this is a confusing holiday. We set aside a day a year to be thankful and then, for the most part, the rest of the year we are very much self-absorbed. Don’t get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving, but we desperately need the attitude of thankfulness to impact our lives at all times.
those words are followed up with the admonition “...and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15b). There is certainly a link between our relationship with Jesus and our attitude of thankfulness. The more deeply the work of Christ grips our lives, the more thankfulness will flow from our hearts.
As I looked at God’s Word, I was impressed with three things God reminds us about thankfulness. First, thankfulness is God’s will for your life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Maybe you are struggling with God’s will for your life. Well, start by being thankful, for this is most certainly His will for you. Furthermore, God’s will is that you be thankful in everything and this attitude is something God wants for you. He says it is “concerning you”. Isn’t it interesting how we can always think of 10 people who could use this Bible truth but we are never one of them.
Third, it appears in Scripture that thankfulness combats fear, worry and doubt. Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” I know I often worry about the future instead of being thankful for the present and the blessings of God on my life today. Paul says if you want to battle anxiousness, worry and fear start developing a thankful heart. D.L. Moody had a simple yet profound motto for his life, “Careful for nothing, prayerful for everything, thankful for anything.”
Second, thankfulness is motivated by the work of Christ in our lives. Colossians 3:15a & 16a say, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts... Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...” and then
NBBI Teen Retreats February 19-21 & March 18-20
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re e h T Be
Today, spend some time thanking God for what He has done in you, for you and through you. And if you feel you have nothing to be thankful for then heed these words, “If life has not treated you as you think it should, be thankful, you might not like what you really deserve.”
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PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
BY MATTHEW LITTLE
It Is Finished I was recently reading John 19 and was confronted once more with the horror of the cross. Many people today try to beautify the cross by wrapping it in the robes of decency. To some the cross is nothing more than a piece of jewellery, something they wear as a fashion statement. But the cross and the events that transpired there were indeed horrific, repulsive and sickening. I read over John 19:30 several times, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, `It is finished’ and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.” I am so glad Jesus did not say, “I am finished” but “It is finished.” The word “finished” is the Greek word “teléo”. Archaeologists have discovered ancient Greek documents that help us understand this common Greek word used by everyday
people. Warren Wiersbe provides some insightful information by suggesting the word would have been used by a servant, priest, artist and merchant. When a servant had been given a task by his master and had completed it, he would use this word teléo- to signify the work was accomplished. No wonder Jesus used that word for He was the greatest servant of all (Philippians 2). When a priest had a sacrifice brought to him for inspection, he would use the word teléo- to signify the sacrifice was perfect. In Matthew 3:17 the Father spoke from heaven and said, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Even Pilate had to admit he found no fault in this man. The third way the word was used was when an artist completed his work; he would say, teléo. The picture is complet-
ed. As we journey through the Old Testament we may wonder why we have all of these sacrifices, laws, ceremonies and then Jesus declared the picture is complete. Viewing anything in God’s Word apart from Jesus gives an incomplete picture. Jesus completes the masterpiece of God’s plan. Finally, if a merchant purchased something, he would receive a receipt with teléo- written on it. It signified the debt was fully paid. Hebrews 10:10 declares that we are sanctified through the offering of Jesus “once for all”. As I closed my Bible I said, “Thank you Jesus that you became a servant for me, that Your sacrifice was perfect, that You completed the portrait of God’s salvation and that Your sacrifice paid my debt in full.” We are truly blessed as children of God!
Library progress
November 12-14, 2015; March 31-April 2, 2016
Photos taken August 27
Are you looking for a challenge, a challenge from God? - Well, here it is, “...Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24a). God is looking for people who will take the time to know Him and that is why NBBI exists. We want to invite you to come to our campus and step into the life of a Bible school student for a couple of days. You will get a chance to meet our teachers, spend time with our students, explore our campus and sit in on classes. One year of Bible school could change the course of your life. Give us a call, or visit us online, and let us start this journey together.
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ence! I can hardly wait to see what the Lord has in store for us as we anticipate our campus being filled, once again, with ladies eager to hear God’s Word and fellowship with others of like precious faith! Our theme this year is “Becoming a Woman Whose God Is Enough.” Our speaker, Cynthia Heald, is a gifted speaker and author who comes to us from Tucson, Arizona where she has lived since 1977. She received Christ as her personal Saviour when she was 12 years old. She is a graduate of The University of Texas where she received her BA in English. In 1960, she married Jack, who by profession is a veterinarian, but who has been on staff with The Navigators since 1978. Cynthia is a mother of four children - two girls and two boys and grandmother of eleven. She has authored the following books and Bible studies: Becoming a Woman of Excellence, Intimacy with God,
by Beth McMahon September is here and we are just one month away from our Ladies’ Confer-
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Have you considered making a donation toward our scholarship program? These scholarships are awarded to worthy students at graduation each year. Give to one of our existing scholarships or develop a new one in memory of a loved one. For more information contact Danny Robins at 1-800-771-NBBI or danny.robins@nbbi.ca.
Loving Your Husband, Becoming a Woman of Freedom, Becoming a Woman of Pur-
ALUMNI MEETINGS WITH WILBUR MATTHEWS October 5, 7:00 p.m. - “Building the Base” Pot Luck Dinner at Parkside Baptist Church, 871 Mountain Road, Moncton, NB. October 18, 11:00 a.m. - Cross Creek Baptist Church, Cross Creek, NB.
pose, Becoming a Woman of Prayer, and a Gold Medallion winning devotional book: Becoming a Woman Who Walks With God (Abiding in Christ), Drawing Near to the Heart of God, Becoming a Woman of Grace, Dwelling in His Presence, Becoming a Woman of Faith, I Have Loved You, Becoming a
Woman Who Loves, Maybe God is Right After All, Uncommon Beauty, Becoming a Woman of Simplicity, and Becoming a Woman of Strength. Cynthia speaks frequently for church women’s retreats and seminars, both nationally and internationally. She loves to share the Word of God, be with her husband and family, have tea parties and eat out! Why not plan on joining us this October 16-17, 2015 to meet Cynthia and hear what God has taught her about Becoming a Woman Whose God is Enough? We would love to see you! To register or for more information visit us online at nbbi.ca/ladies or call (506) 375-9000.
Interested in a Solid Biblical Education? Just a mouse click away
8 nbbi.ca
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FAMILY FILE
KEEP UP WITH OUR GRADS
WEDDING Candace Rushton (’09) to Sam Stranks on August 22, 2015.
KIDS’ QUEST NBBI’S CHILDREN’S RETREAT
Are you looking for a great way to kick off your children’s ministry for the Fall? Why not join us for a fun-filled 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. 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 online or call us for more details.
BIRTHS August 16, 2015, to Ricky (’09) and Emily (Wheaton, Assoc. ’08) Mitton, a boy, Daniel Jonathan.
STAFF ITINERARIES
MATTHEW LITTLE October 2-4 Tay Valley Bible Camp Tay Valley, NB Teen Retreat October 19-23 Word of Life Bible Institute Durham, ON Bible Institute DAVID DOHERTY October 8, 15, 22, 29 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Prayer Meeting
CHAPEL SPEAKERS October 6 Harry Straub Crossworld October 8
Kirk Hubick Going & Sowing
October 14 Bill Powell Village Missions Canada
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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Men, get ready!
Men for God Rally 2016 January 29 & 30
Printed in Canada
ON THE ROAD
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August 25, 2015 - to Jason (Assoc. ’11) and Leah (Clark, Assoc. ’04) Chartier, a girl, Keira Joy.
Editor........................................Larry Rushton Writers........NBBI Faculty, Staff & Students Typist........................................Brenda Cabral Layout & design.............................Larry Rushton Copy proof.................................... Rose Meed Printer....................................... Merritt Press