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

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BEHIND THE SCENE The visible scene may reveal great vic- tories and outstanding accomplishments that are proving to be a blessing to many. The rewards, however, may need to be distributed in many unnoticed places be- hind the scene. God overlooks nothing. The faithful servant of God does not need to be in the front to have his influence brought to bear where it counts the most. What do we see behind the scene? We see God at work, setting the stage and brin ing things to pass that would be be- yond the ability of human effort. He makes it possible for His people to initiate a pro- gram that meets the spiritual needs of the soul. We see those who are making a sac- rifice of time and material, so that others can enjoy a period of Bible study and fellow- ship. Again we see those who know the value of silent, secret intercession, that employs the power of God to bring about the great miracle of grace, in the deep recesses of the heart. -Daniel Kraybill SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES D Jesus, speaking in John 5:39 said, Search the Scripturesg for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. The Jews had the Old Testa- ment. They read it in the synagogues, and offered the sacrifices that typified Jesus, but failed to recognize Him when He ap- peared. As we study the Word, we need to see Jesus as our only hope of eternal life. In light of this we see our need of turning our lives over to him and accepting the way of life that He exemplifies and commands. We then search the Scriptures finding principles that govern our lives. This also strengthens our faith and produces a lively hope. Jesus said, Ye shall know the truth and the truth diall make you free. Know- ing the truth helps us to avoid the snares and pitfalls of Satan and exercise ourselves rather unto godliness. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. - Clarence Good 6 WHAT IS THAT IN THINE HAND? God faced Moses with this question when he expressed his reluctance to bring God's message of deliverance to the people of Israel. The reply was, a rod? This small, in- significant rod, God used to vindicate Moses' authority both to Israel and to Pharaoh. The same rod that was an in- strument of judgment to the Egyptians, became a blessing to the children of Israel in parting the Red Sea, at the smitten rock in the wilderness, and in time of war with the Amalekites. Z God defended the authority he had placed on Moses and Aaron by -causing Aaron's rod to bud. . In our hands today we have the inspired Word. Just as the rod bore witness to Moses message, so the Word will substantiate all' those who proclaim the message of Sal- vation, whether we go to the ungodly world or the unbelieving , professors of Christi- anity. As the rod judged the Egyptians and blessed Israel, so the Word condemns all who reject it and justifies those who embrace it. When we as God's people rally around the Word, it will cause contentions to cease and unite us in the faith. A ' -Clarence Wenger BLESSED IS THE MAN V. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumedf' We, as men, are totally in need of God's blessings. They come to us new and fresh each day as a token of his constant love and faithfulness. This is the blessing and goodness of God to all men. ' Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it.', Luke 11:28b. This we do by hearing the Word and ex- pressing it in lifels revealing actions. Keep- ing all of life's blessings subject to the Word and will of God, becomes our daily responsibility. As we keep our desires, our Ithoughts, and our feelings securely within the shelter of His Government, may we hear these words, Blessed fart thouf' I - Gerald Eberly ww, . ff I ,' . ,. MNH, ,' .- ,

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LEARN GF ME Jesus invites us to learn of Him and prom ISGS that we shall find rest unto our souls The idea of learning and resting at the same t1me does not seem to be true to natural experience We associate study and work w1th the process of learning The Bible says Much study IS a wearr ness of the flesh However all those who labor and are heavy laden shall be given rest as they come to Jesus take H1s yoke upon them and learn of Him The difference in this learn1ng exper1ence from that of the natural man 1S that the man who takes Christs yoke upon h1m IS learning by d1v1ne illumination rather than by human 1ntellect To qualify for the rest which Jesus prom1sed we must receive d1v1ne 1llum1n ation by coming to Jesus as babes The things that are h1dden from the wise and prudent are revealed unto babes Rest comes to the soul when we submit to d1v1ne revelation and thus come to know the Father Matthew 11 25 30 Henry Weaver WORDS Words are the veh1cles that convey thought 1n communication Wlthout words we could not express our emotlons or needs and would find commun1cat1on by gestures qu1te ineffective Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Our thought l1fe deter mines our words The trouble w1th many people IS that the tongue 1S in h1gh gear long before the mind has had t1me to be come engaged One can usually tell what a person 1S th1nk1ng by the words he speaks Sow a thought reap a word sow a word reap an action sow an action reap a habit sow a hab1t reap a character sow a charac ter reap a destiny The words we use affect every area of l1fe and determine our des tiny Our words will e1ther Justlfy or con demn us before God With the psalmlst we pray Let the words of my mouth and the medltation of my heart be acceptable 1n they Slght O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer Paul Freed GGD'S CALL TO MAN At the time of creation, manls relation ship with God was one of mutual sharing Th1s fellowship was severed at the time of man's fall in the garden Man was con sequently helpless and in need of a Savior God faithfully extended the call to accept the plan He 1n1t1ated The call to man comes 1n various ways The first 1S Gods call to regenerat1on This IS a unlversal call The work of re generation must occur before God calls men into H1s servrce These are personal calls that God holds us responsible for God also calls through the avenue of death Death IS a call that all must answer God has made every provision necessary that we might answer this call with fond an t1c1pat1on May we respond to God s call as He summons us to be partakers of that glorious 1nv1tat1on Come ye blessed of my Father 1nher1t the klngdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world Matthew 25 34b Ray Mart1n WISE UNTO SALVATION The Apostle Paul challenges Timothy with his childhood knowledge of the Scriptures and calls attentlon to the great contribution this influence has had upon his life This IS certainly an unmerited favor we also enjoy We cannot fully realize how the development of our own lives hinges on our knowledge of Gods Word The truths our parents and church fathers have extended to us have greatly enhanced our desire to revere our God We rejoice to see God at work as He through the 1nsp1rat1on of H1s Word 1S 1n every succeeding generation call1ng men to be wise unto salvation Our lives should be continually touched by such truths of eternal ver1ty They are foundational 1n God unchanging 1n pre cept and eternally settled in Heaven Let us be throughly furnished unto all good works as we by Gods grace have been made wise unto salvation James Ehst . . I I - . . . . . , . . Q gg u Q ' . 9 . 99 . . , . . , , . 9 9 ' , ' 4 Q 9 - ' . , . . 0 9 . . ' J o o . . . 9 , ' s . - 9 - cc - - - 9 9 9 . - 77 A . 1 . I I , I . 9 . n - '- . llll. , . v I 0 a I 0 U - 9 9 9 n a I ' ' , . H . . . . 99 ' ' ' 0 - ' D 0 ' . . . . . - 5 . . . . C 0 s ' . . 0 c ' .,-A , . - 9 9 9 9 , . 9 9 9 9 , . - . . . . 9 9 9 . cc - ' 99 9 - ' . . - . . . - . . . . . . . - 9 - - cc ' 9 9 ' 9 . . 9 9 9 A 9, cc - - 39 9 9 ' ' 5

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THANKFULNESS We believe it is necessary to make a survey of the many blessings our Lord ,is imparting to us today, so that we main- tain a proper attitude of thanksgiving in an ungrateful society. 'cGiving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christf' Ephesians 5:20. We have reasons to thank the Lord for the spiritual benefits that we enjoy in our generation, and the abund- ant provisions in the natural realms of life. We express our thankfulness by respond- ing in full obedience to His Word. The thankful individual is not contin- ually complaining about the weather, eco- nomic conditions of the nation, or how he is treated by others. He will thank the Lord for all experiences in life, and use them as stepping stones in drawing him closer to his master. Romans 1:21 gives a description of a people who once knew the Lord, and now have become vain in their imaginations because of the spirit of unthankfulness. It resulted in their foolish heart being dark- ened. May we ever express an attitude of thankfulness, lest we become blinded to spiritual truth. - John Sensenig LIFE'S STEPS From the time a child is. born, we an- ticipate his first steps, though they are slow and unsure. The young Christian venturing out, also relies on others to assist him. Through exercise one's steps become more confident, naturally and spiritually. Our walk becomes almost a run as we try to keep pace with increased respon- sibilities in Christian service, and bear the burden and heat of the day. However, as we approach that step between us and death, our steps retard. As Peter and John went to the tomb but lingered at the door Some people, like Peter run to that last step and walk right in Others like John linger near the door before death. Qur last step takes us into eternity. May we let the Lord so or er our steps that they will lead to that desired destiny. that Easter morning, John outran Peter, ' -Amos Hostetter HWHOM SAY YE THAT I AMT, In the company of the disciples, Jesus asked two questions, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? g and again, But whom say ye that I am? In response to the first question, the disciples acknowledged that men in general were not sure who He was. Jesus, how- ever, not being satisfied with the testimony of others, inquired what His disciples thought of Him. Peter therefore, made that great declaration, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living Godf' He confessed the Lordship of Christ, and consequently obtained a special blessing. This question calls us to demonstrate the same -belief in our lives. To confess the Lordship of Christ, is to believe in and live under His leadership. We need to surrender to His Lordship, appropriate His power, mortify the deeds of the flesh, forsake the world, and become personally involved in building the church, and main- taining its purity. To do so is to be recip- ients of the blessing of God. -Boyd Campbell .l1 -.--l SAVED TO AS WELL AS FROM Is it possible that we may be wrong while we are right? Have we been holding to the letter of truth, while at the same time moving away from it in spirit because we have been preoccupied with what we have been saved from, rather than what we have been saved to? In I Thessalonians l:9b,10 Paul calls attention to this very thing, You have turned 'to God from idols' to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven. . . The Christian is saved from his past sins and the wrath of God. Sin and wrath have a cause-and- effect relationship, and because for the Christian, sin is canceled, wrathl is can- celed also. As Christians we need to keep in mind what we have been delivered from, and keep our gaze on the One Who will con- tinue to lead us to eternal glory. The Christian now rejoices in his new life, new hope, new employment, and his interests are no longer to serve this world, but the Lord Who saved him. -Edwin Gehman 7 r 6... I' rw