The Open Bible Bulletin - October 2020

FOCUS

BY TIM LEUBNER

I Miss You

I wonder how many times the phrase, “I miss you” has been uttered over the last seven months, with everything in our world grinding to a halt. Separation from loved ones for an extended period has been a burden to many; weddings postponed, school graduations held online and grandparents missing the birth of grandchildren, etc. No doubt this shutdown has had a far-reaching impact on our relationships. All the visiting and sharing of life with friends and family was suddenly taken away, and what we once took for granted is now all we want. For many of us, the last few months has felt like walking through a dark cloud, with almost no hope of relief.

1 John 1:5-8

John tells us that we have our own pandemic, one that keeps us from seeing God - sin. We will not be able to enjoy the friendship, fellowship and joy that are found in our relationship with Him if we continue to walk in the darkness of undealt-with sin. We can find ourselves in a place we never imagined we would be

when we do nothing to deal with that sin that “clings so closely”, ESV.

Hebrews 12:1.

Sin that clings closely (“so easily besets us”, KJV) will be different for each of us. What one Christian struggles with may not be an issue for another, but we all have those things in our lives which keep us from walking in the light of our Saviour. “Sin that clings closely” unfortunately means that it is sin that we have a tough time giving up. We look at the Covid-19 pandemic and, for sure, we all want to deal with it and make it go away. We will do whatever it takes to eradicate it from our countries so we can enjoy life as it should be. We need to have this attitude towards sin. We must have that desperation for fellowship again; to enjoy life with Christ as it should be, worshipping His glory.

1 John 1:9

So what is the cure? What is the antidote to this darkness in which we can find ourselves? Jesus says that “if we confess”, if we give up those struggles to Him, “He is faithful”. We must remember that. We cannot forget that the faithfulness of God is never limited by borders, by government orders, or anything man can do.

“Draw near to God” (James 4:8). This commandment is to remind us that we are the ones that go astray; we are the ones that move. He is always here, ready to forgive, ready to restore the relationship, when we come to Him, laying our sins at His feet and giving Him the honour that He is due.

Think back over the past few months of those people in your life that you miss dearly. Now think of the last time you felt that towards the Lord. When was the last time you came to God and said “I miss You”?

He is waiting for you.

PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE

BY MATTHEW LITTLE

Small Things In The Hand Of A Big God

As Christians we can be tempted to take inventory of our lives and conclude that nothing of value is happening. We are often surrounded by the ordinary with little hope that anything exciting is on the horizon. The mundane has blanketed our surroundings and the magnificent seems unreachable, if not unattainable. The story of Teri Horton may just change your perspective.

Teri was a retired truck driver who lived in San Bernardino, California. She made her way into a local thrift shop searching for a joke birthday gift for her friend. Moments later she left with an abstract painting for which she paid a mere $5. Horton gave the painting to her friend who eventually gave it back to her. She

tried, unsuccessfully, to get rid of it at a yard sale. She even admitted she was going to throw darts at it but never got around to it. One day, in 2006, an art teacher saw the painting and commented that it looked a lot like the work of a famed abstract expressionist, Jackson Pollock, who had died in 1956. It turned out she was right and Teri was offered two million dollars for the painting (ironically, she turned the offer down). What she thought was a $5 painting turned out to be far more valuable.

Zechariah 4:6, 10a says, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zurabbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts...

for who hath despised the day of small things.”

Zurabbabel and his small band of exiles were destined for failure unless God intervened. Yet, they moved forward and trusted God. They returned to a broken land, as a broken people with nothing but brokenness to offer God. Yet, God used them to bring restoration to His people.

Don’t give up even though your life seems filled with small, ordinary, insignificant things. Why? Because your small things become valuable things, powerful things, life-changing things, in the hand of a very big God. Take heart and be faithful with what you have been handed regardless of whether you think it is big or small.

Shirley Ella Knowles February 4, 1933 to August 25, 2020

I Want To Go Home

On August 17, Shirley Knowles, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, was admitted to the Upper River Valley Hospital where she was able to rest comfortably under the compassionate and professional care of the hospital staff. She had experienced heart failure and heart rhythm changes. On August 25, 2020, after previously relating to family and some of the hospital staff that she wanted to go home (as she shared with them it was her heavenly home, she desired, thus her testimony by lip was supported and witnessed through the peace of God in her heart), Shirley Knowles left this earth and entered her heavenly Home.

Shirley (Peterson) Knowles graduated from New Brunswick Bible Institute in 1957 and then served God at NBBI, with her husband, Clarence, from 1957 until he went to be with Christ on March 2, 1995. Since then, Shirley has continued to live on our campus in the same house

that was the home in which she and Clarence raised their six children.

Someone has well said, “Every person should have three homes: a Christian home, a church home, and a home in heaven. In their home, Clarence and Shirley maintained a family altar, which altered the courses of their children’s

lives. Each of the Knowles’ children came to know Christ, and are serving Him faithfully in the various paths His will has taken them. On campus through conferences, classes and retreats and in their faithfulness to their local church home, the Knowles’ children were exposed to many Bible teachers; but, two of the best were the two godly examples they witnessed in their home.

To the Knowles’ children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and to the Peterson family whose sister has left them, our hearts and prayers are with you in this temporary absence. As believers, we live in the hope and assurance of Christ that your beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Shirley, is now at Home with her heavenly family. Because of the power of the resurrection and the promise of His return, the believer anticipates a grand and glorious family reunion at His second coming. ~ by John Hoag

MEN FOR GOD RALLY

Men for God 2021 is still on! We have not cancelled our Men for God Conference as of yet and we are trusting that COVID-19 restrictions may lift by that point. Visit our website for up-to-date information and be praying with us that God would allow us to host this event!

Don’t forget to stay up-to-date by going to: nbbi.ca/connect/

c ollege for a DAY

Is God tugging on your heart strings, causing you to desire to know Him better? We believe that NBBI is just the place for you. We offer solid Biblical training, hands-on ministry experience, ongoing discipleship and the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships. Whatever God is leading you to do, NBBI is a great first step in that journey.

Due to COVID-19, NBBI will not be hosting our Fall College for a Day. Instead, if you are interested in visiting our school, sitting in on some classes and meeting with some current students, we would be glad to arrange a time for you to come and visit. We will keep you posted regarding our Spring College for a Day.

At NBBI, we believe God has a plan for your life and our passion is to help you discover that plan!

Ladies of Grace Conference

It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that, due to the ongoing restrictions related to COVID-19, we have been forced to cancel our upcoming Ladies of Grace Conference 2020.

Over the years, it has been our privilege and thrill to host hundreds of women on our campus for this very important and impactful conference. We are looking ahead to 2021 and asking God to pave the way for our Ladies’ Conference to resume. Save these dates, October 22-23, 2021, and stay tuned for more details!

In the meantime, we invite you to stay connected with us. We value your ongoing partnership and prayers.

October 11 The People’s Church Somerville, NB Sunday Services

October 16-18 Calvary Hill Baptist Church Wilton, ME Missions Conference

DAVID DOHERTY

October 8, 15, 22 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Prayer Meeting

October 25 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Worship Service

CHAPEL SPEAKER

September 30, October 2....Ron Grossman Israel’s Hope

October 27..............................Merla Gogel SEND International

FAMILY FILE

Blackburn

(’19)

to

Jonathan Swanson (ABM/B.Th. ’20)

on August 15, 2020.

Lydia Boyd (ABM/B.Th. ’20) and Andrew Brillinger (’19) on August 8, 2020.

Hannah Heald (ABM/B.Th. ’20) and Austin Davis (’20) on August 22, 2020.

Natalie Holmes (ABM/B.Th. ’13) and Denis Lee on August 22, 2020.

Births

July 21, 2020 - to Joseph (ABM/B.Th. ’19) and Ali (Morin ABM/B.Th. ’19) Fellows, a son Reuben Elliot.

Homegoings

Dale Malone (attended ’59-’65) went home to be with the Lord on March 30, 2020. Dale served the Lord as a pastor for many years in the

State of Maine and influenced many through his work at the Maine Medical Center.

Jan (Crowley, attended ’62-’64) Willard Lanning left for her eternal home on June 23, 2020. She served faithfully over the years as a pastor’s secretary, youth director and organist. She also worked with the Northern Missionary Fellowship in Northern Canada among the Cree.

God’s Purpose Our Passion

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.............Faculty, Staff, Students & Alumni Typist................................................. Brenda Cabral Layout & design........................................... Larry Rushton Copy proof..............................................Rose Meed Printer.................................................Merritt Press

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