THE OPEN BIBLE
BULLETIN
A MESSAGE FROM ROBERT DOWIE VOL. 67
ISSUE 10
OCTOBER 2026
CFAD DATES
Still Learning to Live My Life on God’s Terms By Keith McMahon, Acting President
her to quietly get my attention as to what He was desiring of me.
The year was 1990. What a year! I was introduced to a gal named Beth by her pastor and his wife, who are mutual friends of ours. One introductory conversation over lunch at our friends’ home and I sensed my life was never going to be the same. Somehow, I just felt that she was quite possibly the one for me. We were both in our mid-20s and we both had a strong sense of where we were headed in life. She shared that, as a grad of NBBI, she was waiting on the Lord for direction for full-time ministry and in the meantime was really enjoying building into the lives of the young ladies in her youth group in East Waterboro, Maine. I had shared that I was really enjoying my career as a Respiratory Therapist in Boston, Massachusetts. It seemed to me to be a bit of a long shot, but I pursued her, even though she was a little out of my league. As we were getting to know each other better, we wrote letters, sometimes a few times a week. On almost every one of her letters, she included Matthew 6:19-21 at the end. When I first looked at this passage, it sounded very pleasant. It spoke of one’s treasure and one’s heart. The idea was that believers are to lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth, and the principle that where one’s treasure is, there will be one’s heart also. It sounded very positive. I thought she was just signing her letters and cards with a favourite Scripture, because it was just that, a favourite. In fact, she was quietly letting me know, that for her, there was nothing more important than living her life on God’s terms, not her own. She really wanted me to know that and I’m so glad she did. The Lord used
I had a lot of earthly treasures, my own life’s goals and aspirations, with very little consideration for how I was investing in what was most important to the Lord. Even though I was a believer, I was living a lot of my life on my terms, not necessarily His. It was during these early months of our friendship, courtship and marriage that the Lord did the incredible work of reorienting my heart to those things that hold great eternal value. Within our first year of our marriage (35 years this month!), the Lord graciously led us to NBBI so that I could prepare for that fulltime ministry Beth had been praying for, even though we still didn’t know what it would be. For the past 35 years, I have been learning how to lay up treasures in heaven, because where my treasure is, there is my heart also. My challenge to you today is to quietly take some time with the Lord and ask Him if there is something more He wants you to be doing with your life that will matter, not just for today, but for eternity. Keith’s Upcoming Itinerary Oct. 4 - Grace Bible Church, Oakland, ME Oct. 7 - Pen Bay Christian School, Rockland, ME Oct. 11 - West Buxton Baptist Church, Buxton, ME
Staff Itinerary Mike Grant Oct. 4 - North Road Baptist Church, Campobello, NB
- From Colby Long, Recruitment This school year, College for a Day returns in November and February, giving prospective students opportunities to experience NBBI firsthand. Rather than simply telling students about life at NBBI, we want to give them a genuine picture of it. Guests will attend classes, spend time with current students and faculty, explore campus, and participate in the kinds of activities that make up everyday life here. Meals and accommodation are provided, to our guests, at no cost. Our hope is that students leave with a clearer picture of how God might use NBBI in their lives to grow in God’s Word, explore their calling, and prepare to serve. For those whom God may be leading toward NBBI, we hope they can genuinely say, “I can see myself here.” More importantly, we want these days to give students space to prayerfully consider where God is leading them, trusting His perfect plan for their lives. Would you pray with us for these events, that God would work in the lives of each student who attends and make His leading clear? And as you think of students in your family, church, or community, would you encourage them to consider joining us? Visit nbbi.ca/cfad for more info.
Thanksgiving
By Robert Dowie - Originally printed in Vol. 15, No. 11, September 1974
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The preceding words need to be reiterated in our day. Because of inflation in our economy, even believers are beginning to complain. The pre-service conversation in many of our churches concerns rising prices instead of a risen Saviour. Yet we have never had it so good. Even if things are not as good as we think they should be, there is still no reason to complain. God’s people are instructed to give thanks always for all things. Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks
A look back to...
always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Please notice that it says “always” for “all things,” not “sometimes” for “some things.” This kind of thanksgiving is one of the evidences of the Spirit-filled life. Just two verses before the one quoted above, we have the command to be filled with the Spirit. If we are filled with the Spirit, He will reveal to us the deep riches we possess in Christ Jesus. His ministry is to take the things of Christ and show them unto the believer (John 16:14). Every believer has unsearchable
riches in Christ (Ephesians 3:8). We are “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). In Christ, we have “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). We have every reason to praise Him for His blessings, and we have no reason to complain. Every believer should be content, not because of changing circumstances, but because of an unchanging Christ. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
FAMILY FILE BIRTHS
MARRIAGES
HOMEGOINGS
To Kathryn (Johnston – BRE ’20) and Caleb Boyington, a girl, Emersyn Marie, on July 1, 2026.
Sarah Bishop (Assoc. ’14) and Jake Rose on July 13, 2026 in Fredericton, NB.
Linda Little, on August 9, 2026 at her home in Wymark, SK. Linda leaves behind an incredible legacy of faith, kindness and devotion to the Lord that transformed the lives of everyone she touched. She served her Saviour alongside her husband, Steve (’79), in pastoral ministry for more than 50 years. As a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she demonstrated what a truly vibrant, deep and personal walk with Jesus looked like. Her home was always a sanctuary of warmth, laughter, and a safe haven for her family. She never passed up an opportunity to serve them and others. Linda will be deeply missed by her husband Steve, her five children, Kelly (Jeff), Marlo (Andrew), Matthew (’98 BTh) (Dodi [Hoag – Assoc. ’96]), Paul (’00) (Amy-Jo [Munn – Assoc. ’98]) and Jonathan (Assoc. ’00) (Amy), 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
MARRIAGES To Isaac (’13) & Kaitlyn (Hathaway ’15) Swan, a girl, Paige Abigail on July 28, 2026.
Matheus Ramalho (BTh ’22) and Kelly Araujo on May 30, 2026 in Salvador, BA, Brazil
Alma Smith (’56) on August 20, 2026 in Fredericton, NB. Alma considered it a joy and blessing to minister to teens and youth at Vacation Bible School, Bible camp, church programs and many years as a school teacher in several New Brunswick Schools. She also taught in a private school for missionaries’ children in India for 5 years.
Called
the deep riches of Romans 8 October 23-24
Give Online: nbbi.ca/donate Give by e-transfer: nbbibusiness@ gmail.com For additional options: Call us toll-free at 1-800-771-NBBI (6224)
2 26
ladies of grace
with Amy Speck
Our committee is busy at work getting prepared for your arrival! Please make sure to register at nbbi.ca/ ladies
Harold Sparkes (‘79BTh ’97) passed away August 20, 2026, in Grand Falls, NB. After serving 14 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Harold faithfully pastored churches and served communities throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. His deep love for God was the foundation of his life, and he desired to see lives restored, hearts healed, and people drawn closer to Christ. His greatest legacy is found in the lives he touched and the faith he passed down. Harold is lovingly remembered by his wife, Viola; children, Shawna (Att. ’84–85) and Greg (’90); six grandchildren; and 16 greatgrandchildren.
Giving by mail:
U.S.A
Canada New Brunswick Bible Institute 2335 Route 103 Victoria Corner NB E7P 1C7
East Hodgdon Bible Church Attn: NBBI Fund PO Box 828 Houlton ME 04730-0828