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

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PERCEPTIGN With the widely varied theories, teach- ings, and doctrines surrounding tus today, God would challenge us to spiritual dis- cernment that will assist us in keeping our walk with God balanced. The Scripture tells us that those who are able to discern both good and evil, are ready to absorb the strong meat of truth. j To udiscerni' means to detect and men- tally grasp the divergence of numerous ideas. May these seasons of concentrated Bible study be advantageous in discern- ing the influences that bear upon us today. Bible study also helps to discern in choos- ing a life companion, in planning for a vocation, and in intelligently discriminating among various church groups. May we all advance far beyond the mere discern- ment of the face of the sky fMatthew 16:35 to a spiritual discernment of the signs of the times. r -David Wadel 1-7 A FOR GRANTED i When Joseph and Mary started their homeward journey from the passover at Jerusalem, they took 'lfor grantedn that Jesus was in the company. After a dayls travel they discovered that he was missing. Joseph and Mary's unpleasant experience reveals the danger of taking things for granted. ,Had they searched for .Jesus at the beginning of the trip, they would have avoided unnecessary travel, several days' wasted time, and much anxiety. , We are also on our homeward journey, and perhaps we are taking for granted that which is of a more serious nature. It may be well to stop and consider lest we assume .something that is not true. Forgiveness-without repentance, newness of life-without dying to self, and serving Christ-but not forsaking the world, are some common assumptions. The tragedy of coming to the end of the journey and discovering that Christ is not with us, can be avoided by check- ing for His presence today. Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. Il Corinthians 13:5a. -Donald N olt 8 GREAT GRACE wAnd great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33b. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and since it is not obtained by good works, it is a gift,' Of God. Peter and John were threatened by the authorities not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. When they were released, however, they returned to the brethren to report their experiences. After they had prayed, the place was shaken, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. Here at Bible School we have studied and prayedltogether. In the scripture we read, T he Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightlyf' God's grace upon the apostles was to enable them to be a testi- mony for Jesus wherever they went, and under any circumstance. May God's grace be upon us as we endeavor to be a testi- mony that attracts others to a separated life in Jesus Christ. Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. A -Edwin Martin THE VALUE GF SINGING Singing is an outlet whereby we express to God and man the emotions of our heart. Although singing may at times stir the emotions, it is from within, rather than from outside sources. The message of the hymn confirms the heart in truth, and provides an avenue whereby we can give our testi- mony. V r V Singing as a congregation, provides a way for all to participate in the worship service. This blessing is lost when replaced by special singing. Singing together as a congregation promotes unity, as the thoughts of the hymn are expressed as a group. T One of the ways the world knows the people of God is by their singing. The Scripture in .Psalm 137:3b, tells us that they are longing to hear our singing. Sing us one of the songs of Zionf' They come to us because they can see by our lives that we have experienced the true mean- ing of these hymns. - Enos . Shank

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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

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MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES In a normal life span everyone acquires to some degree a reputation Usually that reputation reflects with some accuracy the character of that individual We be come known by that which we value by that which we practice and by that in which we excel Groups as well as in dividuals gain a reputation A reputation can be several sided Hope fully people also come to sense that we have been with Jesus and are a people of the Book In Acts 18 24 we meet a be l1ev1ng Jew named Apollos His only Bible was the Old Testament and yet he had a reputation for being mighty in the Scriptures During the 16th century there arose a people who likewise were mighty m the Scriptures Many an uneducated Ana baptist proved more than a match for Roman Catholic doctors of theology So great was their proficiency 1n the Scr1p tures that their opponents sometimes as cribed it to demon possession How does one become mighty in the Scriptures? There is no short cut but there are helps. Numidia Bible School, under the direction and blessing of God, can function as one of these helps. Merle Ruth THE CHURCH SUPPORTING HER KING Following King Ahaziah's death, Judah was without a king, whereupon the king's mother seized the throne and destroyed all the royal seed of the house of Judah. Her reign seemed almost invincible as thou h God were sanctionin the program g 8 - There is however no might in the display of iniquity. The absence of purity, justice, and love will cause any organization to crumble. This is exactly what happened to Athaliahis reign in six year's time. Joash, ' ' h f th the son of King Ahaziah was broug t or from hiding as one from among the slain. He was anointed king by Jehoiada the Priest and began his reign with the slaying of Athaliah. It was amidst the confederacy of evil forces that the Levites were called to gather in support of their new king II Chronicles 23 7 The Levites were told to be with the king wherever he went Smce Joash lS symbolic of Christs resurrection as the Church need to learn that to be effective we too need this same power so that we might defend and promote the Doctrine of Christ our King 1n its purity We become partakers of His Resurrection power through the implanting of Gods own Divine nature making our relation ship a blessed one Mark Sensenig MORE THAN CONQUERORS An individual 1S conquered by the power of God when he allows the Spirit of God to possess him The work 1S then performed from the inside out rather than from the outside in I needs to fade out as the Spirit of God moves in This is what happens as we move from Romans 7 to Romans 8. used thirty three times in Romans 7, is found only twice in Romans 8. The Spirit is not seen at all in Romans 7, but is mentioned nineteen times in Romans 8. How do we now move from being con quered to being more than conquerors? To be more than conquerorsf' we need to be more than conquered. Our thoughts, our actions, and our motives need to be conquered. These areas of life need to be brought into willing service for Christ. Our mental faculties are brought into service for Him. The energies we have are now employed in His work. Our total life is henceforth a life which He can use. All that we have has not only been sub dued, but also given in useful devotion to Him. What a joy it is to personally be more than conquerorsl' for Him. Harry Erb Salvation is wonderfully simple, and simply wonderful. . . , . 1 ' s u n ' I 7 ' . . I O . 9 I 1 - - . . I C l , I ' , we a Q s o ' ' - a a 1 ' 9 . . . - I . . , a 66 . ,, n a 1 n , - . . I l - O I I 0 . 9 0 1 . . H . . - as . . . . H . . - as cc aa s ' I - ' ci ' I I - O I . . , sc- - as ' cc - - as sc as . 55 ' ' . . ' . . . .. . ,, . V V , - 9 9