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

Page 7 text:

FACULTY MESSAGES MEETING OPPORTUNITIES Many people today fight conviction and reject God's provision of grace. God calls everyone to repentance, but many reject His call and continue in blindly serving self. Following the pleasures of the world does not bring lasting contentment and will only cause regret throughout eternity. The people of God are responsible for the time God has given to them and should use it wisely. Many times we fail to grasp the opportunities to testify for our Lord. Occasionally these opportunities are re- peated, but the challenge faces-us tore- spond to them when they first appear. God commands his people to be a light to the world. A light needs to be shining in order to illuminate. Is our light burning brightly or is it dimmed by pride and self will? The challenge to us is to Redeem the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord isf, -Ornan Bauman LEGALISM Trusting in anything for our salvation other than the grace -of God, is legalism.. It is only by the grace of God that we can be saved. '6For by grace' are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8. The unmerited favor of God has provided the Blood, the Spirit, and the Word for our salvation. The concept that we are saved by grace but are kept in a saved condition by works is erroneous. Our works and obedience are simply the continued appropriation of the provision. Obedience does not merit salvation, but is the condition upon which God promises his grace to keep us in a saved relationship with him. When we disobey, we are severing the supply of Godis provisions to us. Therefore, obedience is necessary to remain saved, even though it does not in any way earn salvation. -Harlan Martin PROPER VALUES When Amaziah, king of Judah prepared his 300,000 choice men to fight the Edo- mites, he also hired 100,000 mighty men of valour from the apostate king of Israel for 100 talents of silver. God's prophet told Amaziah that unless he returned these men, he would fall before the enemy. Ama- ziah's immediate response was, uB.ut what shall we do for the 100 talents?,' The man of God informed him that through obed- ience, God would repay much more than the 100 talents he would lose. Are we fearful of the extra cost of align- ing our life with God's will, such as: 1. Those dollars we may lose by being conscientiously honest in business? 2. The additional time and money required to obtain modest and dis- tinctive clothing? 3. The apparent loss of destroying those God-defying, abominable radios, T.V.'s, sensual clothing, etc? 4. Depriving ourself of a paycheck or two to attend Numidia Bible School or help a brother with a loss? We must ever remember, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this? II Chronicles 25:9b. . - -James Burkholder .-iii-1111: GUIDANCE Order thou our steps today, Away from sin, that miry clay. Guide us through life's greatest test, Closely clinging to thy breast. On with fellows strong and brave, Defying death, hell, and the grave. Only sure in thy good grace, With works of love filling their place. Keep us from that secret sin, Which leavens all that is within, Or our circle will be broken, Satanls clutch, the very token. Purge us by thy truth, we pray, As we follow in thy way. Lead us on to realms above, Low in heart, but strong in love. -Alvin Snyder 3

Page 6 text:

HEAVENLY TREASURES Are you laying up treasures in heaven, or are you spending time gathering things together that will perish with time, or even much sooner? Sometimes we get our values confused. ,ff Someone has said, '6He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose. Another impressing proverb is that, what we spend, we had, what we keep, we lose, what we give, we keep. There are numerous ways in which we can lay up treasures in Heaven. If we have lost our lives in service to others, we are continually laying up treasures in heaven. Our material possessions will be sacrificed for that purpose also, instead of consuming them ourselves. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:20-21. I -Anna Eshbach 1. RESPONDIN G TO THE WILL OF GOD For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His com- mandments are not grievous? I John 513. Do we express our love for our Lord in word only, or in loving obedience to His will? I Claims of spirituality while we appear and act like the world, will be shown in their real nature as hypocrisy when stand- ing before our Holy God. We are wise to face truth honestly now, and be spared the exposure and disappointment then. Spiritual tests have often come in what were thought to be little things? The seriousness of. little things lies not only in the things themselves, but also in the spiritual condition of the heart that has produced them. Truly if our practice is not in harmony with what the Lord has spoken, something is seriously lacking in our Christian experience. Loving obedi- ence to His will, tends to purity and holi- ness of life, with joyful anticipation of His soon return. -Paul Ebersole 2 GOD'S CARE How gentle God's commands! How kind His precepts are! Come, cast your burdens on the Lord, and trust His constant care. ' Beneath His watchful eye, His S2l1HfS securely dwell, That hand which bears all nature up, shall guard His children well. Why should this anxious load, press down your weary mind? Haste to your heavenly Father's throne, ' and sweet refreshment find. His goodness stands approved, unchanged from day to day, ' . Come drop your burden at His feet, go with Him,.all the way. Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for youf' I Peter 5:7. g -adapted by Luella Ebersole God never asks us to give up something, but that he has something infinitely better to put in its place. Office Report ENROLLMENT RECORD is 9 Approximately 290 different persons were here at Bible School thisyear. Our enrollment was as follows: December 30-January 17 94 V January 20-February 7 Q 92' February 10-28 93 March 3-21 88 The following states and provinces were represented: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Gua-' temala. ' I - Blessed are they that keep his testi- monies, and that seek him with the whole heartf' Psalm 11922. . ' -Brenda Harbold

Page 8 text:

THE VISION OF THE VOICE The preliminary vision of the Apostle on Patmos was a view of the glorified character of Christ. John declares, I heard behind mea great voice, as of a trumpet, and I turned to see the voice . . . and being turned, I saw . . . As the God-man His voice is observed to be as the sound of many waters. In that phrase we see unity in diversity. There were many waters-only one sound, re- minding us of the words -of the Hebrew writer, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past . hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son. Hebrews l:1, Za. The voice that shook the earth of old. and called the raging sea'to stillness, that caused demons to flee and said to men, Follow Me, with the ring of judgment and yet with the tenderest tones of com- passion, is speaking in these last days through His Word. , May our vision of that 'One produce in us a fear to refuse Him that speakethf' -David Weaver v coMFoRT1NG oNE ANOTHER Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God. - The above words enjoin upon us the obligation to leave comfort with those we fellowship with. In Acts sixteen, God used Paul and Silas to bring saving comfort to the damsel and to the prisonkeeper with his house- hold. After the experience of being beaten and imprisoned, they went to the house of Lydia to comfort the brethren. - We realize that to comfort, we must first have the Comforter indwelling and empowering us. In time of tests, trials, persecutions, and bitter chastening, our brethren need someone to stand by to strengthen and encourage. In time of sick- ness, accident, and death a comforter is very much appreciated. There are times when no one can give comfort as well as we could. May we therefore sense and respond to these needs as our privilege and blessing. Comfort is also obtained in studying the Word and in fellowshipping with the 4 saints in Bible School and other worship services. May we therefore contribute to strength- ening and establishing the brOth6rhOOC1, thereby bringing comfort to all. 'fThe coming of the Lord draweth nighf' Wherefore comfort one another with these words. - D -Sidney Gingrich r JOY FOREVERMORE The disciples came back from their errand of 'witnessing with joy, because they had seen the omnipotence of God defeat the power of Satan. Jesusreminded them that this basis for joy is not the found- ation upon which we should build. We believe Satan, as an angel of light, will deceive the individual who places con- fidence in the abnormal. When we place our confidence in Christ and believe that our names are written in Heaven, this brings glory to our Father in Heaven. A We also rejoice in the fact that our Father reveals the truths of scripture to all who will humble themselves, placing no con- fidence in the flesh. May we all be humble, continually seeking wisdom from above to understand the things of the Spirit, giving ourselves to watchfulness and prayer. V -Herbert Ebersole .Q CHOICE , . Life requires that we make choices. We as Christians must recognize this -fact if we would remain faithful. Many people attempt to remain neutral by not making a choice. In some matters it is possible to remain neutral, but in the realm of our salvation, neutrality is rejection. We make choices many times that affect our destiny, without realizing it. Our choice may affect the lives of an untold number of individuals. Consider Abrahamls wise choices and their blessings to mankind. But we also recognize that Abraham made some very unwise choices and the effects were felt by many. Let us choose wisely to the honor and glory of God. This will determine our own spiritual welfare and will be a bene- fit to others. - Paul Brubacher