Numidia Mennonite Bible School - Reflector Yearbook (Numidia, PA)

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THE VALUE OF A SOUL Who, or what are you? Are ou a bod A of flesh and blood that has a soxul? Or arg you a soul that has a body? Let us look at Genesis 2:7 for the answer. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of lifeg and 'man became cz living soul. So we see that man is a soul and has a body. And what is your value? Mark 8:37. What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? When the ten virgins were together, and the news went out, Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him , they looked at each other. The five foolish said, Give us of your oilg for our lamps are gone out . This being denied them, they went quickly to make preparation, but upon return were denied the privilege of entrance. s At what did they value their soul? They would have given all that they had for entrance, but alas, it was too late. Our souls fwej are worth more than the whole wrold. The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Our obligation, as Christians, is to reconcile souls to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Most of us could not become million. aires, even if we devoted all our time and efforts for that intent, but we can be a witness for our Lord Jesus Christ. He that winneth souls is wise. If we really believe that souls are going to hell, then let us have a burden and a- love for them that will bring about their rescue. --Willis Halteman THE WAY OF CAIN 'The inspired writer informing us .and warning us regarding evil men exclaims, Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain QJude llal. We find the way of Cain recorded in Genesis 4. While it is not exactly stated, we can reasonably conclude, from God's dealing with Cam, that Cain did not do what he knew he should do. Cain set aside God's way and took his own way. The spirit of Cain is very prevalent in the world today. I must have my own way. I don't care what God's W01' d S-WSJ I am going to do things this way. I do not care what my church stands for, I will follow my own path. I do not care what the school standards are, I follow my own standards. I make my own dresses, I buy my own clothes, I operate my own beauty parlor. My dear people, that IS the way of Cain, upon which God pronounces a woe. From Hebrews 11:4 we gather that Cain erred not only in what he offered, but also in the spirit in which he offered. Let us take warning that we obey God with a proper spirit. Dear people, if we go in the way of Cain, we need not expect to avoid the woe of Cain. We cannot disobey God without suffering for our disobedience. -M. J. Brunk FOR WHAT IS YOUR LILFEP JAMES 4:14 First of all, life is a gift from God. God is the author and source of life, physical and spiritual, for time and eternity. God breathed into the nostrils of man the breath of life, and man became a living soul. Our soul is eternal, therefore, we are accountable to God, that we might be at peace with our Creator and anticipate eternal glory in His presence. Life is quite uncertain. It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Life begins in 1n- fancy and in a state of purity and 1nno- cency. Being born by the will of the flesh , John 1:13, we enter into a state of development, in stature and knowledge, and soon discover our sinful nature. We are subject to death, and .God may break the thread of life at any time. There are only two destinies for the soul, but only one was made for man. It is therefore expedient that we hear the voice of the Son of God, for they that hear shall live. John 5:25. We are 110t EIVE1? life merely that we alone might bplle e but that we might invest our life ln the service of God for His glory. -Paul L. Wilmer ...7.. 5 JW ,egfv 7' ' if tails' essay, MW , I Elfflkll ,fy 7' ' sp llllwfa 5 an1ssi:'3f'f,',.3 Q el'Wt'f.'sf- ' delsri? . 'blew P' H leel' - eufeherreiyig lg eerlff E 3 H hsesefseli este '-1' 'S eeedeiei 'ei 55 ' esters if if 744: gllE0lIfi7f- 1' fi lerd.Te.e1 5 H3 Christ ss C2 zz w thaslhiwiie rr: heeeessd is 'N' pleased sii tee: rv WU when WE :L see lose 'Heseby pm, h me he laid . will lo hr ' renee - S . toll such -. gr ',. we 'asngem ass H Ousnll ad ml love T. Utgesesi N lheeilf. yield mart ee el 'le We fare em tilm ' lense Tsefgfll e . nh em Uuefsaxtglk I es

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else I OI' an 1110118- Often aft is fl the S like 0esn't JU beg 'I Well Even sured 'S are IIII S0 Sons! liisliis 0 Y thout 'ks is erger s and il has .en of f just en he again Word, re are I have Jn the 1 Mat- xt two these Iamuel In that , even in the ey can- e they to Iook ecause know yuffllde IatianS fshy as it are more veII 89 Word lWOl'df Ufher- rlflfus CARE There are several ways that things affect us. When we were infants in our mothers' arms, and knew nothing more than the guidings of instinct, we were Without a care in this world. As we grew, and began to explore and learn our capabilities for life, certain problems also became a part of us. These problems or cares however were rather momentary and usually of short duration. After the assigned tasks or situations that brought on the care were completed, we could run and play. These were carefree days of our life. How pleasant it was with parents who loved us and one another. They planned things for our good. Care seldom took much of our time. As life continues to be a succession of unfoldings, we begin to sense various aspects of responsibility. This brings care rather sharply to the forefront. The temp- tation then comes to be indifferent to responsibility. This we call carelessness. Isaiah speaks of ye careless ones and reminds us that to ignore moral respon- sibility now, brings unpleasant consequen- ces in the future. To be careless is a universal temptation, to everyone in one area or another of our life. Satan wuld have us exercise undue care in material things: what we eat, what vie drink, and what others will think. o us. Promising us that all our material needs shall be supplied, God desires that we give our primary attention to things eternal. As we cast all our care upon Him, I Peter 5 :7, He assures us of His care over us. Our chief care then will be to please and honor Him, which in turn leaves no room for the I couldn't care less atti- tude, which is sometimes in evidence among us, but will lead us forth in a life of holiness and zeal. . -Jesse N euenschwander I WILL SING UNTO THE LORD Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admon- ishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in yourhearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16. .In the Bible we are told that God gives gifs unto men. I am happy the Lord has given me the gift of singing, and that we can be admonished by singing hymns. I feel singing has done more for my spirit- ual life than any other one thing. In my youth when my life wasn't as it should have been, it was the gospel songs that convicted me of sin. So I am happy today for what singing has done for me, and I want to thank the Lord daily for His grace and wonderful power in leading my life, and allowing me to be used in this capacity. To help young people find peace and joy in serving a living Saviour is my desire. . Singing in the Sunday-morning worship service is very important. Consider what it would be like, were there to be a wor- ship service without singing. Singing is one aspect of worship we can all engage in. And let us never think of singing as a burden, but as a privilege whereby we offer praise to God. Have a blessing ready as you pass along, Have a word of kindness, or a cheering song, Many dread the morrow, with its frown- ing sky, Give them hope and courage 'ere you pass them by. -Aaron Weaver - ABIDING IN THE VINE We Christians enjoy many blessings as we live daily with our Lord and Saviour. One of them is the blessed opportunity of abiding in the vine. As Jesus says in John 15, He himself is the true vine, we are the branches, God is the caretaker. The way God has arranged to keep us alive, strong and well nourished is surely marvelous. The source has a bountiful supply of pure soul food that can never become contaminated. So as we live and abide in Him we will bring forth much fruit, for the glory and praise of His name. This is J esus' constant desire for us. Now the caretaker needs to prune the vines to keep us healthy. When this takes place we want to submit to Him so He can make a good job of it. Sometimes this causes a wound, but we know that after- ward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness. So, dear youth, let God prune, purge, bend you in your young years, that your life will bring much glory to His name. ' -Sidney Gingrich

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aill is I must God'S S this Stands do not areg 1 Y OWH Derate that od Way of E19 woe ithout . Brunk ES 4:14 od. God physical ty. God lan the a living , We are at be at ticipate even a me, and 4 in in- d inno- of the state of wledge, re. We ' break lor the man. lt 931' the rat ve Ptbgeiit, g ln the . Wifme' ARE THE INVESTMENTS' BRINGING RETURNS? An investment presupposes returns. Each of us represents numerous very costly investments. From the beginning of our earthly existence, godly parents have repeatedly invested time, prayers and money in an effort to promote our phys- ical, mental and spiritual development. Likewise, the Church, because of her love and interest, freely and continuously invests through Bible Schools, prayers and local fellowship activities, that we might learn of things that endure unto life eternal. In addition to the investments made by the home and the Church, God has made an investment in us that is incomprehen- sibly great, by giving His Son, His Holy Spirit and His Word. The Apostle Paul declares that we are bought with such a high price that we are no longer our own. Furthermore, Jesus continues to invest in our behalf as He prepares the eternal home for us. In View of the multiple investments made in us, how can we bring profitable returns to our investors? First, we can give ourselves, our love, our all to the Lord. Then, by helping other souls to find Christ we can add more value to glory than this whole world is worth. Thus the home and the Church and God will be .pleased with their investments. -Aaron M. Shank SACRIFICIAL LOVE When we look into the acts of God, we see love expressed on its highest level. Hereby perceive we the love of God, be- cause he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the breth- ren. I John 3 :16. Oh such love! It is almost too wonderful to grasp. Because of such works of love, we yield ourselves to Him who died for us, and His commandments are not griev- ous . I John 513. This love shed abroad in our heart makes it possible to love our brother, and to the extent that we are able to lay down our life for Him. This may not mean martyrdom, but the willingness to spend and be spent in behalf of our brother's welfare, thus denying ourselves of any- thing that would cause our brother to stumble or fall. This true love in our heart makes it possible to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross. We love that which is right and serve Him in the building of His kingdom. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judg- ment: because as he is, so are we in this world. I John 4:17. -Paul R. Weaver MY CUP RUNNETH OVER Said a little girl, I am just a little girl, I have just a little cup, but I can overflow a ot . The cup running over in Psalms 23:5 is related to the Lord having prepared a table, and anointing the head with oil. This is symbolic of eating the bread of life, the Word of-God, and the subsequent work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. A careful comparison of the scriptures reveals that to be full of the Word and full of the Holy Spirit will issue into the same overflowing experience, Ephesians 5:18, cf. Colossians 3:16. This teaches that a knowledge of the Word embraced by faith, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, are an integral part of each other. Bible School offers a tremendous oppor- tunity for a concentrated study of the Word fThe Lord's prepared tableb. Em- bracing the Word through faith, links it to our hearts with its inherent quickening power, affecting every member of our body. Here we begin to overflow and touch the world for God. Faith must keep abreast with knowledge. Someone has said that a pint-sized knowledge with a pint-sized faith will work more miracles than a gallon-sized knowledge with a quart-sized faith . Faith enables our minds to grasp and comprehend the body of truth. John 7:17. This is an understanding that the wis- dom of the world cannot touch. With this relationship we live and move among the unsaved world. Our tongues speak the message of .hope to those who have never heard, and to those who are gospel-hard- ened by hearing it over and over without applying it to life. Our bodies become a living sacrifice in behalf of God's plan of redemption, to the praise of His glory . Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoint- est my head with oil: my cup runneth over. -Isaac K. Sensenig 8...