Open Bible Bulletin - February 2014

VOL.55 NO.02 FEBRUARY2014

New Brunswick

Bible institute GOD’S PURPOSE

FOCUS

WITH LARRY RUSHTON

Why So Gloomy?

Have you watched the news lately?

Have you looked around you? You may think - utter chaos! I recently spoke with our church secretary and made the decision that all doors would be locked during school hours at our Christian school. If you live in a city, you may even hate to enter a busy mall for fear of a bomb going off or being shot at by some radical. Tsunamis, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters seem to be on the rise taking many lives as they quickly pass through cities and towns. Cancer is rampant. Where is God in this picture?

FIELD TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY

OUR PASSION

PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE

WITH KURTIS KENT

WITH MATTHEW LITTLE

A Proper Perspective Usain Bolt is the undeniable, uncontested fastest man on the planet.

The Jamaican sprinter shattered the world record in 2009 at the world championships in Berlin crossing the line in a blistering 9.58 seconds. After becoming the first man to win both the 100 metre and 200 metre races at consecutive Olympics, Bolt was quoted as saying, “It’s what I came here to do.

I’m now a legend. I’m also the greatest athlete to live. I’ve got nothing left to prove.”

I was reading in Isaiah 49 a while ago and came across these verses which,

After much prayer, I recently spoke to President Little about reviving the NBBI New York mission’s trip. In the past, I had the opportunity to lead teams to New York on three different occasions and I have missed these trips and the people with whom we once worked. This trip is unique in that it is all about evangelism and one-on-one contact with the unsaved. So here we are! Our team has been chosen and we have been getting together for information meetings and prayer times on a regular basis. We are very excited to serve the Lord in this way during March break. The leaders are Kurtis Kent, Kirk Hubick (not pictured) and married students, Lane and Tammy

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JOIN US THIS MONTH FOR

It is hard to deny the raw talent that Usain possesses but how would Bolt stack up if he were part of the animal

LIFE IS A JOURNEY. WHERE IS THAT JOURNEY TAKING YOU? Walking with Jesus by faith makes life’s journey exciting & worthwhile.

You are invited to “ENCOUNTER 2014,” NBBI’s annual teen retreat, where you will meet new friends, have an exciting weekend and be challenged to “Encounter” Jesus on this journey.

REGISTER TODAY! nbbi.ca/encounter

7-12

GRADES

February 14-16 & 21-23

PER RETREATER

$45 COST

$15 per leader, 1 leader per 5 retreaters.

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once again, reminded me of God’s everpresent love. A simple outline I used many years ago as I prepared to share this passage is: The Call to Be Joyful, verse 13; The Cause for Their Sorrow, verse 14; and The Compassion of Our Lord, verse 15 & 16. Let me briefly touch on these points.

The Call to Be Joyful. It is interesting that Joy is really nothing like happiness.

Happiness is always based on our circumstances. If things are going well; if I aced that exam; if I got that promotion; if she said yes, happiness is present. On the other hand, if things aren’t looking so bright, my countenance falls fairly quickly. I guess we can explain happiness as a cheerful, bubbly feeling. Joy’s definition is somewhat different. Joy is a deepseated contentment which is present in spite of circumstances. It can’t always be explained except for the fact that it is God who calms our hearts even in the midst of trials. Joy expresses itself in many ways. One evidence, found in verse 13, is singing, “...break forth into singing.” Why? - Because “the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted.” The word comfort here means to breathe deeply or to sigh. Have you ever watched a small child? After crying, that child, as he is cuddled into his mother, will begin to sigh, taking quick, deep breaths. I am not a doctor, but maybe these breaths are the comforting breaths spoken of here in these verses.

The Cause for Their Sorrow. Zion’s response was, “BUT”! In verse 14, Zion believed they were not only forsaken, but forgotten! Many years ago I read a fictional story about a young boy who was forsaken by his mother and left on a doorstep as a baby for someone to find. That boy grew up knowing he was forsaken, abandoned by his natural parents but he always wondered if his mother had totally forgotten him.

Did she wonder what colour his eyes were, how tall he was or even if he was still alive? God’s people felt, not only forsaken, but forgotten!

The Compassion of Our Lord. In verse 15, the strongest human relationship is used to illustrate an important fact.

When the question is asked, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?” God expects our immediate response to be, of course not! He then goes on to say, “yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”

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Yes, believe it or not, some mothers have cast newborn babies in dumpsters. As hard as that is for me to comprehend as a father, it does happen. But, God’s love is stronger than the strongest human relationship! The writer of Hebrews quotes God in 13:5, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Back in Isaiah 49 verse 16 we read, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Could we paraphrase that verse to read, “take a close look, because of the nail-scars in My hands, your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Because of that, your framework, your entire being is continually in My sight. I watch over you.”

What a wonderful thought! What a wonderful reminder to me, even as I look around and wonder, “Why?” God sees all, knows all and is in control of all!

His will will be accomplished and I can rest assured that He is here, watching, caring, loving me! Is there reason to sing? Oh, yes. Be joyful!

STUDENT TESTIMONY

ANDREW PATERSON, SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT

I grew up in a home where being a Christian and going to church was normal. The majority of my friends were from church and I took part in a lot of the activities that children in the church do; Bible clubs, Sunday school, youth group, etc. I learned from a young age about what Christ had done for me on the cross and I chose to trust Him. As I went through my teen years, there was a real back and forth battle in my life that I’m sure many Christians know firsthand; would I live for myself or for God. More often than not, my faith was just something I could use to impress the people around me rather than an actual relationship with my God. However, God does not give up on us.

When I was 13 or so, I started working at a camp that was close to home. It was there and at my youth group that God brought a couple of key men into my life who began to challenge me spiritually.

I could see that their faith was real to them. They loved God and it showed in how they worked, what they talked about, and in their care for me. Through

ROUND 2

FOCUS CONTINUED

Get ready for March 27-29

Be sure to invite someone you know to our second College for a Day of the year. We enjoyed the event so much that we thought we would give you another opportunity to hang out with our students, meet our staff, and see what NBBI is all about!

For more information or to register, visit nbbi.ca/cfad

their testimonies I began to rediscover what my relationship with Christ was all about and I actually began to read my Bible and talk with God because I wanted to know Him. My three years here at NBBI have really been a continuation of that search and desire. I am now more excited than ever to keep learning and to be involved in the work God has for me. I’m not sure whether I’ll be a pastor or if I’ll be involved in ministry at all but I know this. I want to make a difference in others’ lives just like the older men in my life did. It is never easy, but it is the most satisfying and enjoyable thing I can do.

FIELD TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY CONTINUED

ENCOUNTER 2014

FEBRUARY 14-16 & 21-23

Teens...Get ready for excitement and challenge! Encounter 2014 is a popular annual event held on the campus of New Brunswick Bible Institute, specifically geared for teenagers. Meet new friends. Enjoy great games. Be stirred by relevant challenges from God’s Word. Join us for a weekend of fresh encounters. Visit our website for more details or call us at (506)375-9000.

Speaker: Pastor Greg Sparkes Emily Luddeke, Elisabeth Owen, Jonathan Brewer, Tara-Lee Banks, Richard Loignon, Kaitlyn Hathaway, Tammy Stewart, Tasha Walton, Jennie Olmstead, Dorothy Fellows, Andrea Ulriksen, Melissa Whitters, Andrew Violette, Megan Rushton, Lane Stewart, Bea Silva, Amos Grant, & Kurtis Kent.

Stewart.

During our trip we will be working with our dear brother in the Lord, Jeff Mohl. Jeff worked for Camp Joy and Camp Hope for a number of years as their evangelist and children’s worker.

He also headed up the Genesis Project.

Jeff left the camp a couple of years ago with a burden to start a church in Hunts Point, the Bronx. We will be staying at

the camp and commuting daily to New York City to work with Jeff. We, as a team, will be doing open-air preaching, doorto-door visitation, giving out tracts, and working with the church and children.

Our team verse is Romans 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.”

ALUMNEWS

WITH NATHAN AND SARAH HAWBOLDT

Nathan graduated from our Advanced Biblical Ministries (B.Th.) program in 2003 and Sarah (Brunt) graduated from the Associate of Biblical and Theological Studies program in 2001. For the past five years, Nathan and Sarah have been serving at the Bridgewater Open Bible Church where Nathan is the Youth/Associate Pastor.

They currently have three children.

As a former correctional officer, Greg will bring a real-life perspective to Scripture. Before becoming a lead pastor, Greg also worked as a personal care worker and an associate pastor to youth. He is connected with life in the trenches, where the youth of today live and walk. While pastoring, he has continued to be involved in youth and family work. He has appreciated the privilege of staying connected with the youth culture through speaking at various youth venues, including Bible camps, Sunday Night Live, and Springforth.

Greg likes to ski (water and downhill), play hockey, baseball and basketball, hunt and fish, golf and he enjoys family time. Greg’s style of preaching is contemporary and challenging.

His prayer is that youth will come expecting an encounter with God that will revolutionize their lives!

Greg has been married to Rachel for twenty years and has three teenage children. They live in Geary, New Brunswick where Greg has been the lead pastor of the Geary Baptist Church for fourteen years.

VacationVision with a

June 29-July 4 & July 6-11, 2014 3

staff itineraries

JOHN HOAG

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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

the events of our lives through our limited perspective. Consider the following phrases from Ephesians 5:1920; I Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Giving thanks always for all things”; “Rejoice evermore”; “Pray without ceasing”; “In everything give thanks”. What is Paul trying to tell us? Our thanks, joy, and prayers need to be always, evermore, in everything. Sometimes we might not feel like our life’s circumstances are making us want to praise or rejoice but having a proper perspective helps us to do it anyway. Paul said to the Corinthian believers , “For now we see through a glass darkly...”, I Corinthians 13:12a.

Sometimes the picture you have now of your life is blurry at best, and it is hard to have the perspective of Abraham who, regardless of what he faced, “... looked for a city...whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 10:11 As you journey through life, ask God to give you His eyes to see and to spare you the tragedy of seeing things from only your limited perspective. Next time you’re sitting in your favourite chair with a bowl of popcorn watching Usain Bolt blister down the track, just remember the self-proclaimed legend would be runner-up to your cat that is rubbing against your leg.

editor........................................Larry Rushton writers........NBBI Faculty, Staff & Students typist.........................................Brenda Cabral layout & design................................James Goode copy proof..................................... Rose Meed printer....................................... Merritt Press

FEBRUARY 1 The People’s Church Somerville, NB Evening with Music Groups

DAVID DOHERTY

FEBRUARY 2 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Worship Service FEBRUARY 6,13,20,27 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Prayer Meetings

FAMILY FILE

KEEP UP WITH OUR GRADS

MARRIAGE Michelle Cormier (ABM ‘04) to Daniel Cope, on August 28, 2011.

BIRTH August 28, 2013 - to Michelle (Cormier, ABM ‘04) and Daniel Cope, a girl, Mackenzie Alexandra.

HOMEGOING Joyce (Sauer) Fowler, NBBI graduate of 1955, went home to be with the Lord in July of 2013. Please continue to pray for comfort for her husband, Stuart and her extended family.

CHAPEL SPEAKERS FEBRUARY 4-7

John Romano CEF of Maine FEBRUARY 13-14 John McKim Friends of Israel

Canadian publications mail product sales agreement #40012001

PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE CONTINUED

kingdom? Unfortunately, we would be forced to admit that Usain would not even be in the running and I suppose that would make me a sloth.

In fact, if we included Bolt’s non-human competitors he would rank 30th in the world behind such animals as the cheetah, pronghorn, lion, gazelle, horse, grizzly bear, wart hog...and even the house cat. While Usain Bolt’s top speed reaches 24 mph, the hippo clocks in at 30 mph. How many of us remember who came in 30th at the 2012 London Olympics? What is the point in all of this? It is absolutely crucial to keep life in its proper perspective. Although I am still impressed by the phenomenal accomplishments of Bolt, it makes you sit back and wonder when a 6,000 pound hippo would be crossing the line before him. As we walk with Christ everyday, it is so easy to lose perspective. We can become overwhelmed by the current trial we might be facing, or maybe you have entered a season of your life where the rain has come and the clouds are blocking the radiance of the sun. You may be hurting at this very moment and unable to see beyond the current pain you may be facing. The quicksand of trials has you sinking and the more you move, the more trapped you seem to become. The tendency is for us to stop looking through the lens of God’s Word and begin filtering

STEVE WAGSTAFF

Printed in Canada

Wendell Calder was born on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada and was born again at an early age in his home church, North Road Baptist Church. He is a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute and began his pastoral ministry the week following graduation. Wendell pastored a total of 16 years and founded the Woodland Baptist Church, Baileyville, Maine in 1963. He founded Living Waters Bible Camp in 1970, a ministry which continues to reach all ages with the gospel of Christ. He founded their present ministry of Local Church Evangelism in 1975.

This ministry has taken him to six continents sharing the gospel message. In May, 1982, Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. He is married to Joan, formerly Newman, from Campobello and they have one daughter, Laurie, who is married to Paul Harsh, Founder and Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lady Lake, Florida. Wendell and Joan reside at 36 Lunt Road in Newport, Maine.

FEBRUARY 5,12,19,26 Jacksontown Baptist Church Jacksontown, NB Extension Classes FEBRUARY 6,13,20,27 Dumfries Community Bible Study Dumfries, NB FEBRUARY 8-9 Lincoln Center Baptist Church Lincoln Center, ME With Music Team FOUR20FOUR

FEBRUARY 25 Harry Straub Crossworld

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! issuu.com/nbbi