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

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DESTINATION One of the most neglected and misrepre- sented concepts -of life is the doctrine of d-estination. Indeed sobering is the fact that God in His foreknowledge has predetermined our eternal destiny. Many individuals fail to realize that by evading this eternal reality and by unbelief in the origin, inspiration, con- tent and autho-rity of the scriptures, they will bring the wrath of the Almighty upon them- selves for all eternity. One stands in awe and bows in adoration at the marvel o-f all time, redemption from sin through grace in Christ Jesus. The foundation of this plan was laid in eternity past. The form of it was framed in the law. The fashion -of this plan was revealed through the incarnation, and the faith that it pro- duces is radiated in the life of those who have embrac-ed it. The comprehensive tru-th that is unveiled to mortals through this -everlasting covenant is that which al-one will be fully unveiled when mortality is swallowed up of life. II Corinthians 5:4. I would to God that every life would be wholly yielded to God's unchanging truths, and that by entrance through the strait gate and continuance in the narrow way, he may run his course unto life eternal. Matthew 7:13, 14. -JAMES C. EHST CREATURES OF DEVELOPMENT You are not today what you were yes- terday. Neither can you be tomorrow what you are today. From the learning of the first word to the losing of the last tooth, the proofs of the above statement abound. Yet the principle reaches farther than your physical body. More important, it governs your spiritual being. With man being created a free moral agent, the potential of this truth is seen in its two basic products. Romans I speaks of a group of peo-ple who had fallen to the depths of corruption, I Peter 2 -refers to a group of people who had risen to the heaven- liesg a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. Note however that the lives of both classes were launched from the same port. It was the direction of development that accounted for the vast difference in the end product. 0 The direction in which you are develop- ing is determined by one basic factor, name- ly, the Gtgjod which you are serving. You are becoming like your Gtglod. If you are walking in the lusts of the flesh, your life is destined to become more and more sensual. If you are serving the lust of the eye, you must of necessity become filled with a grow- mg greed. If you worship the pride of life, your lot is to become evermore haughty. How blessed that the Christian can become like his God, too. Listen to the promised course of the Christianls development. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even gslbgyg the Spirit of the Lordf' CII Corinthians What are you today? More important, what will you be tomorrow? -LESTER WEAVER Life is Measured by the Dimensions that Count for Time and Eternity. WHERE ARE THE NINE? I believe it was with disappointment in His voice that Jesus asked, Where are the nine? After the cleansing they had received in answer to their request for mercy, they should have been very thankful. Instead we see the natural tendency of human nature. In addition to robbing God, they deprived themselves of a blessing. Certainly we would not have been so un- thankful for so great a blessing. We would all claim we are like the one, and not like the nine, but are we? Maybe we want to divide our life instead, giving some to God and keeping some for self. God has forgiven and cleansed us from sin. He also would desire to pour out His bless- ings upon us if we would stop to praise and honor Him. Some blessings we could list are assurance and encouragement through Bible reading, answered prayer, and fellowship with the saints. As we arise and go our way, may our faith direct our lives in a way that pleases God as Jesus said of that one. -PAUL S. BRUBACHER 12

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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

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AND YE ARE WITNESSES Jesus told his disciples, Ye are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:48. These things speak of Ohr-ist's suffering, death and resur- rection so that through repentance they might receive remission of sins. The .husbandman must be first partaker of the fruit. The best advertisement of any product is the satisfied customer. In Acts 2, they that gladly received the Word were added to the Church. Later as these new converts continued in the -apostles' doc- trin-e and fellowship, -fear came u-pon every soul, and they had favor with all the people. We also see their satisfying experience in that they were continually praising God. Peo- ple saw God at work, and the Lord added to the Church daily such .as sh-ould be saved. Nothing is more satisfying than being part of a happy family. II Corinthians 6:14-18 s-hows us that in order to be a part of God's family, we must cult the ties and break the yoke of ungodly society. Wherefore come ou-t from among -them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, 'and touch no-t the unclean thing. Then we can claim the Lord's prom- ise when He says, I will receive you. Let the world know by your daily conversation that Jesus truly satisfies you. -CLARENCE R. Goon God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him ,should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. - GOD HATH NOT CHOSEN ANGELS God hath not chosen angels to Preach the Word of God, Through human lips He speaks, Where human feet must plodg In spite of faulty workmen, Of failures or of loss, The glory of the gospel Shines from the rugged cross. -BYRUM 1 3 HOLD HIGH THE TORCH! Hold high the torch You did not light its glow- 'Twas given you from other hands, you know. Tis only yours to keep it burning bright, Yours 'to pass on when you no more need light, Hold high the torch! You did not light its glow- iTwas given you from other hands, you know. I think it started down its pathways bright, The day the Maker said, Let there be light. -AUTHOR UNKNOWN - I will instruct thee and teach thee the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8. - THE BUNDLE OF LIFE The soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God. I Samuel 25:29b. Spoken to David as he fled from the anger of King Saul, this passage is full of beauty and vibrant with meaning to us as we face the angry enemy of our soul. The term bundle of life suggests life in its fullness. This is possible only as God is a part of this bundle of life, and as He is central in it. Fellowship with God, though real and possible in Old Testament times, finds its fulfillment in Christ. In tenderness He declares, Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him. And will sup with him, and he with me. Thus fellowship is in the realm of possibility, even today, and as we meet the conditions of iden- tification with this bundle, we will experience the fullness and fellowship afforded therein. Continuance in such a bond assures us of security so that all the forces of evil shall not prevent us from ultimately realizing our abundant entrance into the more abundant 1 e. -DAVID G. WEAVER