The Open Bible Bulletin - June 2024

OPEN BIBLE BULLETIN

-Dr. Chris Gnanakan Graduation Ceremony

It’s A Matter Of Focus

President’s Challenge - By Matthew Little

Gloria Mark, PhD, is the Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She participated in a podcast called “Why Our Attention Spans Are Shrinking.” In it, she mentioned that they measured the attention span of a number of people starting in 2004 and continuing until today. They define attention span as the ability to have a clear, focused mind on one thing out of a possible number of objects or trains of thought. In 2004, the average attention span of someone involved in everyday tasks was two and a half minutes. The time decreased drastically to 75 seconds in 2012. In the last year or two, it has decreased to 47 seconds. It is common knowledge that the electronic age has played a significant role in this paradigm shift. Unfortunately, what is true of the world also holds true for many believers.

The Second Epistle of Peter warns Christians of a great apostasy that will come,

and how believers should be aware of it and respond to it. Being watchful or alert and firmly grounded in faith is a common theme. Many fail to comprehend how those two thoughts are irrevocably intertwined. In II Peter 1:511, we are urged to build our faith and warned that not doing so would result in being blind and unable to see far away. Notice the link between keeping our eyes on Christ and the impact it has on our faith and godliness. In II Peter 2:14, Peter says that the tactic of false teachers is to “beguile unstable souls.” In other words, these false teachers are seeking souls that are not firmly established in the present truth. We conclude that solid, stable Christians are those that are growing in their faith and are confident that Jesus will return. This theme continues in II Peter 3:12 and 14 where the words “look” and “looking” are used. The object of that gaze is Jesus, who started our faith and will see it through. The out-

come of that gaze is to consider “what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness… and to be found in peace, without spot, and blameless” (3:11, 14).

Just as Gloria Mark warned that people’s attention spans are drastically shrinking, I would propose that the believer’s attention and focus on Jesus is also dwindling. Peter warned that “the day of the Lord will occur as a thief in the night.” It is so easy for our attention spans to dwindle as the world swallows us up with its empty promises, hopes and dreams. Peter is seeking to convince us that God’s Word motivates us to look for Jesus’ return, and looking for Jesus’ return motivates us to get into God’s Word. I trust you are doing both today.

You Can Face Today’s Challenges

By Derek McKinnon

Does this sound familiar? I was starting to read Jude, and the greeting section was rather familiar, so I was already gearing my mind toward the “main sections” of this letter. However, my attention was thankfully stopped by the first couple of verses. In just two short verses, God impressed upon me that I need to understand a few things about myself before I can deal with other things.

In Jude 1b, God tells us what we are in Him. Jude describes us as called (passive participle): God was the One who invited us through Jesus to be His children (John 6:44). This reminds us that our salvation was completely of Him, so we can continue to depend on Him in whatever we might face. Jude also says we are beloved in God the Father. God describes us as His loved ones (perfect passive participle), and this love that started in the past will continue unabated for ever no matter what we face because it depends on Him through Jesus (Romans 5:8;

8:38-39). He loves us with the love of a perfect Father. Finally, Jude states we are kept for Jesus Christ: we are kept or preserved (perfect passive participle) by God for Jesus through whatever we might encounter. Nothing can take us from Him (John 6:39; 10:27-29), and He will bring His work in us to completion (Philippians 1:6; 1 John 3:2).

We belong to Jesus, and God keeps us for Him. Understanding these truths should remove any fear that we might have in facing anything that we might come across.

In Jude 2, God tells us what we have from Him. God gives us His mercy, an active kindness or concern expressed for someone in need, so we will never face anything that is beyond our capability with His strength and guidance (1 Corinthians 10:13). We also have God’s peace, which is the peace that pertains to a state of well-being in a person. How can I think clearly, see things clearly, and act clearly when my mind and heart are not at peace?

This is not just any peace that I can come up with but is God’s peace (John 14:27; 16:33; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Philippians 4:7). Jude also reminds us that God’s love is always available and given to us (Romans 5:5). This is the reason why we have such hope: God loves us, so He will always be there for us (Hebrews 13:5). On top of all this, Jude also asked that these be multiplied (grow, increase) to us. God wants His mercy, peace, and love to continually increase so that we will have them in the fullest measure!

Because of who we are in God and what we have from Him, we are able to face anything that we might encounter. Oh yes, and since Jude’s letter also deals with false teachers, we are able to deal with them as well. Does not this help you deal with whatever you are facing?

The Arderns

Andy (B.Th ‘11), Kayla (B.Th ‘11), Norah (10), Jude (8), London (6), Gemma (3)

Right now, I can hear the noise around me. Not just the noise of the cars going by outside, but the noises on the other side of my office door. Pizza, drinks, and chairs are being set up for the first planning meeting for this year’s “Spryfield Days”. I can overhear Roger and Bruce talking business. Leaning back in my chair, I can look through the window and see the space we rent for Sunday worship. There’s a lot to thank God for in this journey - and it has been a journey - of church planting. God has blessed us with office space and worship space right in the heart of the Spryfield community where we are church planting.

Church planting was on our hearts when we were students at NBBI, but it wasn’t until nine years after graduation that we moved to Halifax to begin a church planting residency with PAXnorth Church and pastor Brad Somers. It also happened to be three weeks before the world went into COVID-19 lockdown. The pandemic led to a slower pace and different expectations for the residency, but God was still perfectly faithful in calling us to launch a new congregation.

In September 2023, we began having regular Sunday services at our church plant - Wayfarers’ Church. Over these

last seven months, so much has happened. We’ve seen many visitors, have had a couple of baptisms, secured office space, started a small group, and hosted a missions trip, of which five NBBI students were a part. We’re excited to see a lot of positive responses from the community. This is demonstrated by being invited into things like helping to plan the Spryfield Days. Our school-age kids are doing well at a local school and Kayla has been a lunch monitor there this year, which has been another great way to build relationships with the community.

Pray for us. Our biggest prayer request is for people to come to saving faith in Jesus and to walk deeper with Him. Pray for our church to have a passion for sharing Jesus with others. Pray for us as we continue to grow past our first and early seasons. Pray for protection from spiritual warfare as we plant this outpost for the kingdom.

Staff On The Road

Keith McMahon

June 16-20

Living Waters Bible Conference - Danforth, ME Staff training

Mike Grant

June 9

North Road Baptist, Campobello Island, NB

June 14-15

Sandy Cove Bible Camp - Dumfries, NB Young Adult Retreat

June 21-23

Tay Valley Bible Camp - Taymouth, NB Staff training

Matthew Little

June 21-28

Echo Youth Training (CEF) – Livermore Falls,

Chloe, William (4), Rachel (2), Daniel (9 months).

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Looking back to the summer of 2022, I was in a place of confusion and almost disbelief at the thought that God might truly be calling me to attend Bible school. We had two small children and had just settled into the perfect home for our family. How could He possibly be asking us to leave? Nevertheless, we packed up and set off to NBBI. We never could have guessed just how much of a blessing this would be for our family. During these past two years, we have been in awe at the goodness of God in our lives. We praise Him for the spiritual growth that the teaching of His Word has brought into my life and how it has been very fundamental in our growth as a family. Chloe and I now have three children - William (4), Rachel (2), and Daniel (9 months)and Lord willing, we plan to do the full four years at NBBI. We still don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we have peace knowing that God has a plan for us and that His plan is good.

CAMPUS LIFE

FAMILY FILE

Dallas Scott March 11, 2024

To Isaac (’13) and Kaitlyn (‘15) Hathaway.

(’53) – on March 26, 2024. Ruby was a member of Nashwaaksis Baptist Church (Fredericton, NB), Active Missionary Society, taught Sunday School, and was involved with the Keen Seniors Group for many years. Ruby also served at both NBBI (Food Services - ’55-’56) and Sandy Cove Bible Camp.

PARTNER

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Houlton ME 04730-0828

Luskville, QC, dear husband of Dorothea (Robertson – ’69), on March 11, 2024.Elwyn and Dorothea were involved in outreach to needy folks, had a Bible study and care groups along with a ministry to seniors. He will be deeply missed by their children Peter, Sharon, John (Annie) and Andrew (Nora).

Ruby (Anderson) Hagerman

Elwyn Latour