The Open Bible Bulletin - May 2024

OPEN BIBLE BULLETIN

Remember Who You Are

President’s Challenge - By

Matthew Little

An old Methodist preacher, Bob Shuler, who rose to fame in the 1920s and 30s, was holding revival meetings when he became the subject of some sharp criticism. He recounted the event in his book “Some Dogs I Have Known”. During this time, as he was walking down the street of the town in which the campaign was being held, he noticed a massive bulldog. The bulldog was barreling down the street, powerful and confident. Behind him was a little dog, yapping and snarling at his heels. In spite of how annoying the little mutt was, the bulldog seemed unfazed and just kept walking. That old bulldog could have snapped the little dog in two, but he just kept walking, paying no attention to it. Shuler went back to his room to get alone with God and wrote, “O God, whatever that bulldog’s got, I want. Oh, for the ability to walk with strong treads, straight ahead, and let them yap and snarl, growl and bark, to their heart’s content… . We need men who the acclaimed or howling threat of the multitudes did not move, men who walk on amid criticism, condemnation, anathema, cursing, content to know that in their very molding and making there is something so royal as to defend them forever against such mouthing; men who are too tall too for stooping, men whose hearts are too close to heaven to hear the little growls from the throats of the wormlike things of earth.”

Matthew 5:43-45a says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.’

But I say unto you, ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven’.’” The flesh and the devil want you to appeal to your baser senses. Jesus said no matter what happens in this life never forget that you are children of your Father in heaven. In John 17:16, Jesus said of believers, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” When persecution comes, when unfair treatment arises, and when false accusations are hurling about you, the temptation can be to get even and seek to defend yourself. Instead, Jesus urges you to remember who you are and from where you have come. To resort to the world’s tactics is to turn your back on your status and position as children of heaven. Let others hurl their anathemas at you but do not stoop from your tall position as children of God. Act according to your citizenship, trust the King of Kings to defend you and have your ears so in tune with God’s voice that you cannot hear the little growls of the enemy.

I think Bob Shuler was right; we could all stand to be a little more like the bulldog.

Come volunteer some time this summer and have a hand in beautifying and updating our campus!

nbbi.ca/vacation

Mike Grant

May 17-19 - Tay Valley Bible Camp

May 26 - White Head Baptist, White Head Island, NB

May 31-June 2 - Rikapuna Missions Camp at Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan

WANTED: Men of God

By David Doherty Th.D.

The Old Testament reveals 11 men who were said to be “men of God.”Seven are named (Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, Shemaiah, Igdaliah) and four are unnamed. In the New Testament, only Timothy is specifically identified as a “man of God.” These men were all unique, yet they had several things in common. Because of the amount of Scripture devoted to the life and ministry of Elisha, we would do well to explore what made him a man of God. His life was a model of…

1. HUMILITY: (I Kings 19:21; II Kings 3:11) Elisha was not afraid to work and get his hands dirty (I Kings 19:19). While he walked behind oxen ploughing a field, he was called by Elijah to be the next prophet. Elisha’s task was to minister to Elijah. From II Kings 3:11 we learn that Elisha “poured water on Elijah’s hands.” He was a humble servant of God for his mentor, and evidenced no desire for public acclaim or fame. When he learned Elijah would soon go to heaven, his sole desire was to carry on Elijah’s ministry (II Kings 2:9).

2. COMPASSION: (II Kings 4:1-7)

A widow of one of the sons of the prophets feared her two boys would be taken as bondmen in order to pay

her creditor. She sought counsel from Elisha who told her to collect all the jars possible and fill them with the little oil she had left. Her small jar of oil miraculously was replenished by God and filled all her borrowed jars. The oil was sold and the creditor was paid. Elisha’s heart of compassion was evidenced by his care for these needy individuals.

3.

PRAYER

: (II Kings 4:33; 6:17-18)

In II Kings 4:33, we find Elisha praying for a young child who had died. Scripture tells us Elisha “shut the door” and “prayed unto the LORD.” With implicit faith and sensitivity to the child’s parents, Elisha prayed and God restored the boy to life. One must never minimize the significance of prayer. From II Kings 6:17-18, Scripture shows Elisha praying for the eyes of a young man to be opened so he could see the horses and chariots of fire that surrounded them. God answered! The young man was told, “Fear not” (v. 16) because God’s army was greater than the forces of the Syrians that surrounded Dothan. Elisha prayed again for God to blind the eyes of the enemy. God answered! Elisha led this “great host” and their horses and chariots to Samaria. Elisha prayed again and God answered by restoring sight to the Syrians. Many other characteristics

FIELD REPORT

By Pastor Andrew Ardern - Wayfarers’ Church - Halifax, NS

Jesuswas kind to our church plant over March Break through the students who came for a week. Five students and one teacher came from NBBI to join four more students from People’s Church in Truro. Days were long for the students as they served People’s Church by hosting a kid’s quest camp in the morning, and then coming to Spryfield (Halifax, N.S.) to help our church, Wayfarers’ Church, in the afternoons and evenings.

Having teams come and serve is a dynamic blessing to new church plants. Our first day was filled with praying for the community. The team then jumped into different activities here in the community - baking muffins for a

local school, distributing invitations to our Easter service, and hosting a free family public skating, which was well attended.

At the same time, we intentionally invested in the students. We exposed the team to a couple of experiences to understand ministry to those who are “street level” or homeless. We toured the only Gurdwara in Atlantic Canada to learn more about Sikh religious practice, which is growing in Atlantic Canada. Every evening, we ate at a different local ethnic restaurant to interact with other cultures. Our Lebanese night led me to have a great conversation with the owner and Professor Mike Grant who came with the students. We

of Elisha and other men of God might be considered. Faith, integrity, dedication and godly vision are just a few of them. Becoming a man (person) of God begins with saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and continues with the study and appropriation of the Bible to one’s heart and life. Could God identify you or me as “a man of God”?

talked about Christian beliefs and the New Testament after he asked why the team was there. This was such a blessing as I’ve been building a relationship with the owner for the last few months. Keep praying for the Spirit to work longterm in what the team did in the short term.

Family File

BIRTHS

Alan Wylder

December 18, 2023

To Jed (‘20/ABM ‘21) and Grace (FrancisAssoc. ’20) Grant

Bonnie Russell

Adira Jayne

February 29, 2024

To Tiszandra (Eatmon ‘10/ABM ’11) and Craig Sears

Bonnie Russell on March 3, 2024 of Lexington, KY after an 8+ year battle with Alzheimer’s. Bonnie was a nurse for 35 years and loved serving the local church in teaching Bible classes and women’s ministries. Surviving are her loving husband, Lyman Russell (’64) and sons, Lyman “Russ” Russell III (Gina Beth), James Russell (Deena), and Joseph Russell.

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Keith Cushman (’70) on February 21, 2024 in Strasburg, PA. Keith and Judy (Dunnett ’70) served in the pastoral role of several churches in New Brunswick and Maine following their graduation from NBBI. Besides his wife, Keith is survived by his three children, Karen (Gordon) Pawson, Kevin Cushman and Jason Cushman as well as five grandchildren and seven siblings.

Barbara (Peterson ’70) Appleby on February 22, 2024 in Hartland, NB. Barbara and her husband, Jim (’70), were devoted to raising their four boys, Dan, David, Philip and Ben, to love and serve the Lord. Barb worked for several years at the Bank of Montreal and served alongside her husband for 21 years with Awana Clubs International and 15 years in the pastoral role on White Head Island, NB. Jim also served as part-time faculty at NBBI . She was a loving grandmother to 14 grandchildren

Raymond Thompson (’93) on March 4, 2024 in Simcoe, ON. Ray, along with Sandra, his wife of 50 years, served in pastoral ministries as well as over 30 years with The Faith Mission as a full-time worker and board member. He is remembered by many as “the most godly man I ever met,” a faithful servant, a gentleman, an encourager, honourable and wise.” Besides his wife, Sandra, he will be sadly missed by his children, Stephen (’96), Esther (’02/ABM 03’) Laidlaw, and Ruth (02’), and grandchildren.

Lillian Boyd

Lillian (Zwicker ’66) Boyd on March 2, 2024 in Grand Manan, NB. Lillian’s active life as a pastor’s wife, mom and grandmother also included several years of serving as a teacher of Ladies’ Ministries at NBBI. She will be deeply missed by her husband, John (’66), their children Jamie (Karen) Boyd, Nathan (Catherine) Boyd and Jennifer (Mike 05’) Shaw and their families.

Keith Cushman

Barbara Appleby

Raymond Thompson