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

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FEAR OF GOD Fear is an emotion that is activated when we face danger. In one way fear is very valuable, since it keeps us from sporting with danger and risk, while it can be very harmful, if it becomes our master. The Bible refers to various kinds of fear, the most significant of which is, the fear of God, termed as the 'fbeginning of wisdom. Before we have the fear of God, we first experience fear that comes from the consequences of sin. A After repentance we have a different kind of fear, producing reverence and respect for- God, and making us concerned about pleasing this object of our reverence. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christi, Romans 5:1b. Gnly after we have this peace, are we in a position to develop the fear of God that is essential to a useful and fruitful life. If we truly have the fear of Godf' we can, in a practical way, overcome other fears and serve Him with reverence and godly fear. - Jesse Neuenschwander , REFLEC TION The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:31 that, God saw every thing He had made, and behold it was very goodf' His creation was a reflection of His own greatness and power. . In the plan and creation of all things, man 'was formed and became the image and likeness of God, as God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Man, with a living soul, was able to fellowship with God and was a reflection of God Him- self. Man's disobedience marred this re- flection and relationship, and he was driven from the presence of God. God's love and mercy provided a Redeemer in the person of Jesus Christ, making it possible for man to be brought back into fellowship with Him, and to again be that reflection which was lost in his selfish, disobedient act. The blessings of fellowship and study of God's Word in Bible School, help us to keep our lives a brighter reflection of the victorious Christian life. -Walter Newswanger 10 The true church is made up of voluntary believers that are waging an aggressive warfare against sin, and upholding Gods standard of righteousness. ,l,,l11l-i-il- No storm can wreck the program of God. ,,i. 1.g-114:11 ' GUR SINGING HERITAGE The first hymn singing in Scriptures recorded in Matthew 26, when Jesus and his disciples were in the upper room to- gether, before his Gethsemane experience. In the Psalms we are told to sing unto the Lord, and to make a joyful noise. We be- lieve that in early church life, the singing of Psalms was customary. ' As earlyas 1527, songs were written and sung, many of which are recorded in the Ausbund Hymnal, first published in 1564. In early American Mennonite Churches, hymn books were few and had no music with the words. About the year 1900, hymn books with music were introduced and singing schools became popular. Today we have many hymn books with a wide variety of songs and hymns on many topics. I am thankful to be a part of a church group that believes singing is an essential part of worship. l -Aaron Weaver BUT GOD Reflecting on our past, we recognize in the circumstances surrounding our in- dividual experiences, that God was order- ing the events, the associations, the trials, and the blessings. Our inner man rejoices and responds in praise for this particular testimony of His love and mercy toward us. The Numidia Bible School is a mon- ument to divine intervention. God com- mended His love toward us through Christ Jesus while we were yet sinners. His mercy and grace, although epitomized at Calvary, are presently extended in the opportun- ities for spiritual growth as we submit to His will and appropriate His power. Consider the responses you have made to opportunities graciously extended through your Bible School experience. The 'but God', interventions of Bible School are designed to produce the but

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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

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Odk of tures and t0- Cllce. the 0 be ging 'tten rded ished ches, usic iymn and with nany of a s an saver nize , in. der- ials, ices ular 'ard 011' JII1' rist roy lfys Llll' to de gd 36- le ut now in Christ Jesusw qualities of a faith- ful walk of loving service. May God multi- ply these experiences to this end in each of our lives. -Edward Ker 1.l SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION As we need the natural illumination of the sun in order to survive physically, so much more the illumination of the Word to survive spiritually. The psalmist says, Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path? We appreciate the illuminating rays of light that reach us here at Bible School. These are cleansing rays and the rays of growth and hope. Solomon says, The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. As we receive the light, we can be a light to others. Some- times by disobedience, we cause the light to be eclipsed, but if we .remove ourselves and our desires, Christ's light again per- vades the scene. When our feelings get too prominent, they shut off the light and we may begin to grope and stagger. As we commit our all to Christ, brighter and brighter he will shine, until we reach the perfect day. Here there will be no night, for the Lord God is the light. May all our efforts and study be pointed toward the illuminating factors of that Eternal City. -Gliver Hess DELIVERAN CE The children of Israel were in the land of Egypt for four hundred thirty years. The Egyptians had made slaves of them and placed them under brutal taskmasters. The Israelites cried to God by reason of their bondage and God heard their cry. God now began to prepare them for deliverance, and to influence the minds of the Egyptians and Pharaoh, their ruler, by sending plagues upon them. The Israel- ites were instructed to make special prep- arations for the last of these. On a given day, they were to take the blood of a per- fect lamb and strike it on the two side posts and upper door post of every house. Thefpurpose of this was that the firstborn son might be saved when God passed through the land that night. Under the new covenant, Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb, died as a sacrifice, that we through His blood may obtain deliver- ance from the bondage of sin. I thank God that we can be delivered from the power of sin through faith in Christ Jesus and his blood. This faith then inspires love for our Deliverer and a desire to be in His service. -Henry Martin AS coLD WATERS It is pleasant to observe many students engrossed in letters from home and friends during intermission periods. One is re- minded that, As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country? Proverbs 25:25. All people, either con- sciously or unconsciously, experience an estranged feeling when temporarily sep- arated from loved ones. A degree of this estrangement is also felt by the growing Christian, as 'he yearns for the return of Christ. We who know the Lord are responsible to represent the far country. Our lives will be a refreshment, as we apply the treasures of truth, that come from God's throne. A holy, calm, 'self-control will have a cooling effect upon heated tempers. f'A soft answer turneth away wrath. We cool tensions by a depicture of calmness and security. Instead of relying on wordly organizations for security, we rest on the promises of God. Then truly our fellow- men can say, The bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother? Philemon 7b. -Isaac Sensenig Always evaluate the criticism before you evaluate the critic. Liberty apart from God, is bondage. 11