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

Page 12 text:

A GOODLY HERITAGE This is the grateful testimony of the Psalm- ist in Psalm l6:5, 6. A Christian home and a spiritual, scriptural church fellowship is indeed a goodly heritage of tremendous value. Part of our work as teachers in Bible School is to develop a proper. understand- ing and appreciation in our pupils for such a heritage. It is a tragic truth that so rnany Mennonite youth today have no appreciation whatsoever for this rich spiritual heritage. Far too many have readily accepted the sub Christian standards of the churches of today. Self expression and self gratification promot- ed over pulpits today are largely responsible for the perilous times in which we find our- selves. As a teacher at Numidia, I rejoice greatly to see so many youth of the church engaged in an earnest study of God's Word and their spiritual heritage as Mennonites. The results are most encouraging to us as teachers and church leaders and certainly justify the con- tinuation of Bible schools such as this. May God grant us His continued grace and blessing in a united effort to maintain a Biblical church that the generation which follows may continue to reap the benefits of this same rich heritage. -EARL MOSEMANN RIGHT DECISIONS The church is greatly strengthened as its members make right decisions. In Hebrews 11:24-26, we read, By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughterg Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for 'a season, Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recom- pence of the reward. Moses made a right decision, and through his decision many people down through the ages have been inspired to serve God with a true heart. May we all as church members be strengthened to make right decisions as Moses did, such as, choosing rather to suffer with the people of God, not choosing the pleasures of the world, and choosing only Christians for life companions who are of the same mind with us in spiritual things. It 9 is important also to choose a .vocation in life that will not hinder any one in service to the Lord. Another important decision is not ownin anything that is for pride or just 8 to be seen. Moses looked forward to the future. He knew there was a day of reckoning coming. Let us always make our decisions in the light of eternity. -HENRY M. MARTIN ,1,l.l.,l.-l Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. CONFIDENCE IN GOD Confidence is putting our trust in the keeping ability of God. A good example of such trust is David, king of Israel. When but a youth his father sent him to see how his brethren fared in battle against the Phil- istines. David showed interest in the en- counter with Goliath because of the cause which was at stake. He did not become dis- couraged, even though his eldest brother ac- cused him of pride and the desire to see the battle. David could have been discouraged and gone home, but we see he remained con- fident, I Samuel 17:37, the Lord that de- livered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistinef' David RAN to meet his foe, not in self-confidence, but in the confidence of God, and was able to complete his triumph, by cutting off Gol- iath's head. This is a great contrast to King Saul who kept King Agag. Perhaps he wanted a tro- phy, or maybe he thought he could leam something from him. This was a result of Saul's confidence in the flesh. He was inter- ested in what the people thought which led him to his ruin. David even after grevious sin could say Search me, O God, and know my heart: tiy me, and know my thoughtsf' I-pvgaling that his confidence was still in o . -OLIVER F. HEss My eyes are ever looking to the Lord for help, for He alone can rescue me. TOP . IO Remai?gQgnfQ',iiina Ziimitlfedf' 2232? from Godvs pie profC be true to thdrhuman dent that the. N1 today ' deI1CY - iilliich is Plfwng to the true PWC . God, rhfoughgaggh offer theirfacrlh CT ll first Cleallyng 6.1 bu and offermgS WI' pure formalism. Israel WHS many fession. Rom21IISGOa- when they knew ' as God, neither WUC vain in their imagmai heart was darkened. to be wise, thel' been In Luke 6:46, Jesus Lord, Lord, and do f gay? Jesus knew I. their profession. Mpaj True to our professio on the Word of God. TRUE SPIRITUA There is a direct an. between the Christian When the Apostle Pau faith, not by sight, h faith is blind. 'Rami faith sees a definite pa S0 that S0me day -s the Lord. ' M SPi1'itual vision ig an EYC on Self ho Go ' nm d sees. As a resuli we need to shed th. thlough the years Famed H false hg s b in this area, Pt IH. Order to walk . I9 give cautious attckr sfoollsh to think tj busy on even' h 0 gn for - and in er We mu whenever ani face th. Salah ShOu1d Qgthggcvi - C 3

Page 11 text:

CHALLENGE Each of us needs to be challenged to help produce within us the best qualities for God. Children contest each other in a variety of activities. Those related to physical exer- cise help build strong bodies. Other activi- ties related to secular areas help produce character and workmanship. Talents are best produced by proper exercise. When children grow out of childhood, they put away childish things. Youth needs and usually wants to be challenged to obedi- ence, faithfulness and loyalty. The best source of challenge is found in the Word of God which points us to Christ, our perfect example. He challenges us to love God and men as I-Ie loved, to forgive as He forgave, to serve as He served, to sacri- fice, deny self and live for the good of others as He did, and to crucify the flesh and yield to the Spirit as He did. Faithful soldiers of the cross are also a valuable source of chal- lenge. They contribute much to our spiritual life and help us to be better Christians. The world accepts challenge because they seek a corruptible crown. The Christians seek an incorruptible crown, one that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for eternity. May every challenge we accept result in a closer walk with our Lord until He comes. John 20:21. As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Go ye. -PAUL WITMER THE WAY OF CAIN Cain and Abel were inclined to human in- stinct when bringing an offering of sacrifice to the Lord God. Cain brought an offering that would not be acceptable at the hand of his Creator, and he was shown by the grace of God the error of his way. How quickly we find that the sinful nature has overtaken the human family after the fall of Adam and Eve. Cain became very angry with his Creator. He would not yield to a changed attitude which the Lord indicated to be necessary. He did, however, permit his hatred to develop into the slaying of his brother Abel. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. I John 3: 12. We sense a number of mistakes that led Cain down to his final end. We see first he proceeded to offer that which was un- acceptable. Surely if his brother, Abel, knew what constituted an acceptable offering, Cain could have known also. Then when his Lord would have helped him, he would not take heed but became very wroth and slew his brother. Again the Lord speaks to him, but the results are not beneficial to Cain. He finally goes from the presence of God, a fugitive and a Vagabond. May this be a lesson to us not to be sat- isfied with a form of worship, nor to only be satisfied to be in the presence of those that have a true worship experience, but that we ourselves might worship in Spirit and in truth. -TITUS BURKHOLDER FROM THE HOLY MOUNT TO THE VALLEY OF SERVICE In Matt. 17:1-8, we have the account of Jesus giving Peter, James and John a fore- sight of Himself in His future Kingdom. J esus' face shone as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. Peter was inspired to the extent that he wanted to stay there. He said, It is good for us to be here? The impressions Peter received there are reflect- ed in his epistles when he refers to seeing Christ's majesty, and hearing God's voice while on the holy mount. As Peter, James and John went down into the valley of ser- vice, the inspiration they received from that experience contributed to their entire min- istry and service. As we leave another Bible School term, we're called to a life of sacrifice. There are three special sacrifices which we as believer-priests shall offer to God. 1. Our bodies, Rom. 1211, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice. 2. Of praise, Heb. 13:15, By Him there- fore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 3. Our substance, Heb. 13:16, But to do good and communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Someone called these, the sacrifice of Per- son, Praise and Purse, and should be offered by each of us. -EDWIN W. MARTIN 8

Page 13 text:

TRUE TO PROFESSION Remaining true to profession has been a problem for mankind from the beginning of time. Already Adam and Eve tried to hide from Godls presence because they failed to be true to their profession. I.t is quite evi- dent that the human race has this same tendency today. Man often yields to that which is pleasing to self, rather than respond to the true purpose of our creation. God, through Isaiah, asked Israel why they offer their sacrifices and offerings without firs-t cleansing their lives. Their sacrifices and offerings were bu-t vain because it was pure formalism. Israel was many times not true to her pro- fession. Romans 1:21, 22, Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as -God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. In Luke 6:46, Jesus said, Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Jesus knew they were not true to their profession. May God help us to live True -to our profession as we .have it based on the Word o-f God. -EDWIN H. GEHMAN SPIRITUAL VISION There is a direct and constant relationship between the Christian's walk and his sight. When the Apostle Paul said that we walk by faith, not by sight, he did not imply that faith is blind. Rather, through the Word, faith sees a definite path to follow for today, so that some day we may be pre-sent with the Lord. Spiritual vision is introspective, it keeps an eye on self, honestly seeking to see as God sees. As a result there are times when we need to she-d the penitential tearf' Down through th-e years many people have enter- tained a false hope because of poor vision in this area. In order to walk circumspectly, we need to give cautious attention to all fronts. It is foolish to think that ignoring problems will cause them to go away. The enemy 1S busy on -every hand in these evil days. There- fore, we must face the issues and problems whenever and wherever they may arise, ICSY Satan should get' the advantage of us. u True spiritual vision is also retrospective, it l-ooks back occasionally, not wishing we had never started the Christian life, but rather reviewing and thinking on the blessings and mercies of God in the past. This kind of vision helps us to again rely on Him for strength and go on in faith today. It also helps us to see where we might have walked differently. Finally, spiritual vision is prospective, it looks forward and upward. It is certainly refreshing and encouraging when by faith we take a view of brighter scenes in heaven. John tells us that the prospective view should cause one to purify himself in preparation for Christ's return. Friend, how is your spiritual vision? -STANLEY WINE I WILL VOW AND PAY To make a vow before God is a very ser- ious matter. The scripture says that it is better no-t to vow than to vow and not pay. The vow is a voluntary privilege that the Lord has given us which brings with it gre-at blessings. A commitment to God in the presence of witnesses is so sacred that the person who tampers with and lightly esteems it, is in God's sight, classified among the foolish. A scriptural vow is .a promise made in the interest of salvation, whether it be for our- selves or for someone else. It is a desire to be delivered from this present evil world and to be sustained and preserved unto the eternal kingdom. It is a commitment that is willing to sacrifice personal interests and comforts for the benefit of a deeper spiritual experience which is of greater usefulness in the kingdom of God. The Old Testament example of the Nazar- ite vow is a type of our baptismal vow which is marked by three basic facts, self-denial, visible profession and personal purity. We are witnessing in our day a slackness in the paying of vows, in home life and in church life. There is not only -a blessing lost, but there will be a reaping of co-nse- quences for that which God calls sin. f'I will pay my vows now unto the Lord in the presence of all His peoplef' Psalm 116:14 and 18. -DANIEL N. KRAYBILL 10