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

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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

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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

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THE FULLNESS GF THE SPIRIT Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? Acts 1912. If you are a born again Christian, the Q11- swer to this question is yes. Every Christian at the time of his conversion receives the Holy Spirit, as He comes to indwell and empower him for service. Some people, be- cause of a lack of maturity, fall prey to the erroneous teach-ing of a refilling of the Holy Spirit. The greater evidence of His presence and power that follow conv-ersion, sooner or later, is not the gift of the Holy Spirit, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, or the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but simply a fuller awareness of His presence within as we submit to Him in fuller consecration. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to form the Church, the mystic body of Chirst. On that great day all that were present were baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. Wherefore, as each of us today meets God's conditions for salvation, this same Holy Spirit comes to dwell with us and in us. Many individuals have a problem accepting this fact, and pray for the Holy Spirit to fill them, not fully realizing He has -already come at the time of conversion. However, what is needed no-w is a full yieldedness on their part so that they can better recognize His presence and working within their lives. Many are far more willing to wait on God for a blessing than to m-ake the surrender that will bring the blessing, Dear Reader, can you say? I thank the Lord for giving The Spirit of His Grace That I may serve Him living And dying reach the place. -MERLIN C. BENDER BEWARE OF DESPONDENCY . Many people have taken the-ir first step into unbelief by succumbing to discourage- ment and despondency. It is a disease that must be carefully diagnosed and remedied by the Christian. Elijah, the great, fiery prophet, went down in defeat after his great victory on Mt. Car- mel. He withdrew himself into the wilder- ness and despaired of life. One cause of despondency is loneliness. It is .hard t-o carry on -a difficult conflict alone. But God told Elijah he was not alone. God is giving us the same message today. 11 Another cause is a feeling of want of suc- cess. Elijah felt defeated, even in view of the gre-at victories he had won. We should always set up our victories as milestones in life. When we become discouraged, we can direct our attention to what God has done for us in the past. God has a way of delivering us from de- spondency if we give Him the opportunity. He reveals His divine presence and power to us through the still small voice. These words of rebuke and encouragement will heal the wounded broken spirit and restore us to a higher plan of victorious Christian living. -EBY BURKHOLDER DILIGENCE After th-e children of Israel had spent forty years wandering in the wilderness, they fin- ally came again to Canaan, approaching this time from the east side of the Jordan. They had been continually reminded that their in- heritence was beyond', Jordan. However, over 100,000 of them fthe tribes of Reuben, Gad and one-half of Manassehj had gone far enough to be satisfied. They asked Joshua for their inheritance to be granted on this,' side of Jordan. They were allow-ing their natural interests to keep them below the level of divinely appointed living. They were sacrificing spiritual diligence so that their natural diligence could be realized. God expects us to exercise diligence in the natural are-as of life. W.hatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. How- ever, He expects spiritual diligence to be given priority over the natural. Be diligent that ye may be found in Him , and look diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God. We are instructed to give ALL DILIGENCE to make sure our faith is a growing faith, adding to it the other Christian graces. CII Peter 1:5-71. In verse 10 of this same chapter we are exhorted to give dilig- ence to make our calling and election sure. God has a Canaan land, a place of rich spiritual blessing, to which He desires to lead us. Let us not frustrate', His plans by tell- ing Him we are satisfied where we presently are. Recognizing God as a Rewarder of them that 'fdiligently seek Him , may we move on toward spiritual perfection. -HARRY M. ERB