B ULLETIN THE OPEN BIBLE
Let Go And Let God!
In a remote part of China, there lived a very poor holy man. Each day, before his time of meditation, he would place a dish of butter on the window sill as an offering to God, demonstrating his devotion despite the scarcity of food. One day, his cat came in and ate the butter. To prevent this from happening again, he began tying the cat to the bedpost before his quiet time. This man was so revered for his piety that others joined him as disciples and worshiped as he did. Generations later, long after the holy man had passed away, his followers continued the tradition, placing an offering of butter on the window sill during their prayers and meditation. Each disciple also bought a cat and tied it to the bedpost.
This story illustrates a significant issue that many followers of Christ face. While we defend the core tenets of our faith: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Christus (Christ alone), Sola Fide (Faith alone), Sola Gratia (Grace alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)—we often introduce our personal interpretations along the way. This results in the misguided efforts of humans trying to gain favour with God through their own insights and opinions as they serve Him. We all have an innate desire to feel that we have contributed something alongside God. It’s similar to being invited to a friend’s home for dinner, where our first instinct might be to ask, “What can I bring”? The joy we experience as Christians does not stem from our own efforts; rather, it comes from surrendering to Jesus Christ.
By Matthew Little, President
Additionally, our sanctification does not arise from a refined list of “dos and don’ts”. If we rely on such a list, we risk becoming like the followers of that revered holy man, many of whom had fallen into the trap of man-made rules without understanding their purpose. Galatians 2:16 states, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 3:3 adds, “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?”
You can rejoice today knowing that your salvation does not depend on your ability to perform, or else we would all be left on the sidelines. When you wake up in the morning, your successes or failures will not be determined by what you bring to the table. It would be better to say, “Lord, I enter this day with empty hands, so please fill them with what I need to live for You. My feet are still; help me step in the direction You want me to go. My lips are silent; bring to my mouth the words You want me to speak.” As Charles Spurgeon aptly put it, “There is no other salvation except that which begins and ends with grace.”
November
This FREE event is for Grades 11 and up. Come sit in on classes and tour our campus! College For A Day Register Now!
Mike Grant
Oct 17-19 - Hatfield Point & Belleisle Creek Missions Conference - Hatfield Point & Belleisle Creek, NB
Keith McMahon
Oct 5 - Littlefield Memorial Baptist ChurchRockland, ME
Matthew Little Oct 27-31 - Word of Life Bible Institute, Owen Sound, ON
Would It Kill You To Get Along?
“Would it kill you to get along?” I can still hear this question that my parents would ask me as I was growing up in a house full of siblings. As a kid, I was often the troublemaker. I remember one day when there was quite the tension between my older brothers and me that my dad said to me, “You’re the instigator!” He wasn’t wrong. But, of course, I was young and just trying to have things my way.
Would it kill you to get along? For the believer there is only one answer to this question. It is “Yes!” The best way I can explain this is by looking at the following Scriptures: I am to learn to deny self, and die to self as I follow Jesus – Luke 9:23
“And he said to them all, if any man
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
I am to love others, so that others will know that I follow Jesus –John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; As I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one to another.”
I am to lay down my life (die to self) as I model Jesus’ love for others – John 15:13-15
“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
Hi From The Recruitment Dept.
Hello, I am Colby Long, Student Recruitment Director at NBBI. Earlier this year, I stepped into this role to build a recruitment department from the ground up. My focus is developing strategies, building networks, and equipping others to share what God is doing at NBBI in a clear and meaningful way. This role goes beyond attending events or meeting prospective students. I am establishing the systems, resources, and partnerships that will connect the next generation of Christian leaders with NBBI and help them consider how God might use their time here. This includes working with churches, schools, camps, alumni, and ministry leaders, producing clear communication, and strengthening existing outreach.
My recruitment experience began as an Admissions Counsellor at Word of Life Bible Institute, Owen Sound, in 2016, where God gave me a passion for encouraging Christians to consider Bible school training. I am also an NBBI alumnus, having completed the 3rd year in 2019 and the 4th year in 2022. Afterward, God led me into sales and customer service roles, providing experience that has uniquely prepared me to serve in this position and steward the prospective students entrusted to us.
You can help me get off to a strong start by completing our Alumni Surveys (accessible via the QR card included or nbbi.ca). Your input will inform recruitment strategies and open opportunities to refer prospective students or assist with ministry connections.
- Colby Long | Student Recruitment Director
By Keith McMahon, Faculty
his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
I am to love God by loving others – even the ones who are hard to love – I John 4:20-21
“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.”
So…is it going to kill me to get along with others? In a sense, yes. I won’t be loving others effectively when I am hanging on to my own life selfishly. God said it. That settles it.
(506) 323-2825
c.long@nbbi.info nbbi.ca
2335 Rte 103 Victoria Corner, NB Canada, E7P 1C7 C
HOMEGOINGS
Shirley A. Smith (’68) of Holmes, NY on June 9, 2025 in Poughkeepsie, NY, at the age of 83. Shirley touched countless lives in her service for the Lord through youth ministries including Good Tidings Bible Conference and Camp, Vacation Bible Schools and the many Bible clubs she held in her home and at churches. In later years she organized Living Ambassadors for Christ while continuing her ministry with youth.
Bette Lou (Harris - ’67) Colban, beloved wife of Don Colban (’66) of Auburn, ME on July 27, 2025.
Trevor Longmire (’11) of Lichfield, NS on August 5, 2025. Trevor and Shelley and their chil dren, Jacob, Dylan, Dawson and Jenna, lived on the NBBI campus while Trevor was in Bible school. Trevor worked in the areas of fishing, security and pastoral ministry. After being diagnosed with stage four cancer in the spring of 2024, Trevor renewed his com mitment to God and was given the strength and faith to impact and inspire others through his contagious smile and bubbly personality. God gave him the grace to finish well.
ALUMNI BANQUET
The central Maine chapter of the NBBI Alumni Association is hosting an alumni banquet at Hermon Baptist Church on Saturday November 8th from 5:00 to 7:30. The address is 2496 US-2, Hermon, ME 04401. Please contact Micah Shamlian (president) at 207-2171417 or Jana Gerardi (secretary) at 207-370-5737 or email nbbialumnibangorchapter@gmail.com for more information.
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)
Our committee is busy at work getting prepared for your arrival! Please make sure to register at nbbi.ca/ladies
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