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

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FRUIT BEARING Jesus makes it clear that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit. He showed his disdain upon uselessness when he cursed the fruitless fig tree, even though the time of figs had not yet come. He also condemned the salt which had lost its sa- vour, and said it was good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. In John 15 we are told that the branches that do not yield any fruit will be cut off and burned. The servant who had only one talent and justified himself for not using it properly, was called a wicked and slothful servant, and was to be cast into outer darkness. Jesus also asked whether we light a can- dle to put it under a bushel and under a bed, or on a candlestick where it can give light to all. The teaching is evident that we need to be useful or we,cannot be kept in his favor. The first step is to deny self and find our strength in daily fellowship with Christ. - Herbert Ebersole THE ABUNDANT LIFE We live in a society where the average person has access to an abundance of things. Few people, however, have come to experience the abundant life. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:l0b. This abundant life is possible because God's great love has moved Him to provide an abundance of grace- grace sufficient to save the vilest sinner and keep him saved. Jesus said, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The only way to experience this abundant life is through a personal relationship with Jesus, the door. This intimate relationship will cause us to follow Him and flee from the voice of strangers. The abundant life is characterized by a deep, settled peace and joy that abides in our hearts, regardless of outward circum- stances. It is the result of knowing Him in whom are hid all the treasures of wis- dom and knowledge, and is Himself the door to the heavenly pastures. -Clarence Wenger 10 BOLDNESS Acts 4:13 ffNow when they saw the bold- ness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled: and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus? Boldness was characteristic of the testi- mony of the early Christians. We notice an openness, a freeness, and a joyfulness in evidence as the disciples proclaimed the Gospel message. They felt no restraint in the presence of mockers and opponents. This is a quality that should be in posses- sion of every Christian today. This can only be realized as we have contact with Jesus and His Word. We have a message of which we do not need to be ashamed. God meant that the Bible be followed by everyone. Therefore we can say with Paul, For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. We believe we have a very unique place to fill in God's program today. May this quality of boldness be in evidence as we meet with those who once knew the truth, but no longer embrace it. May the Christ- life shine in us as it did in Peter and John. -John K. Sensenig BEWARE OF OUR ADVERSARY There is a great spiritual battle going on in the world. If we could see the spirit world around us, we would all be frightened. The forces of Satan are all around like an angry mob bidding for our obedience. But thanks be to God for the all-embracing power of the promise, that He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear itil In Ephesians 6:11-17 the apostle gives us the proper equipment-the whole armor of God. Let's remember, just one part of the armor left out can prove to be fatal. Re- member also that there are no provisions for defeat in the battle, the armor covers only the front. Let's keep the armor bright,,' but keep it on. A polished armor hanging on the wall will not save us in the day of battle. A praying heart and watchful eyes will never be taken unawares. - Phares Martin

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IS THERE ANY WORD FROM THE LORD9 Jeremiah 37 17 Through the ages the message of the Lord has come through various men and means In these last days the Son and His message have become the medium of Divine Revelation This word from the Lord comes to us as a privilege that issues into responsibility In order to properly benefit we need to have a growing appreciation for its message When men or churches lose their fervent interest in the Word they eventually lose access to a proper understanding Even while they have the scriptures 1n their Mary Magdalene on the Resurrection morning talked with Jesus but supposed he was the gardener She supposed Jesus was still dead and that His body had been moved to another place Not until He called her name d1d she know Him To have scriptural assurance of salva t1on we must know Him and know where He IS not just suppose we know Him Thank God He IS our Redeemer and High Priest and Intercessor and by faith l1ves in our hearts May we faithfully wait for the Son to take us home All w1ll know Him when they hear Him call their name on the Judg ment day but for many It Wlll be too late Paul L Witmer C6 ' . 1 . O , . . . 9 . . 1 . 0 ' , . ' a . 9 , , , 1 . 1 hand they fail to see or hear any message to their own needs. Both those who expound truth and they who hear, face the responsibility to main- tain its message by consistent application to their lives. Our present response to truth bears upon our future access to it. If today the Word of the Lord is lightly esteemed, tomorrow it may be lost. The prophet Jeremiah declares, There isv a word from the Lord. Thus with the He- brew writer, see that ye refuse not Him that speakethf' Hebrews 12:25. -David G. Weaver SUPPGSITIONS As they were traveling home from the feast at Jerusalem, Jesus' parents supposed that he was in their company. Due to neg- lect, they traveled one day before they dis- covered he was missing. Returning to the city they found him in the temple. Today people neglect to read and study the Word of God. Many go to church but fail to worship in spirit and in truth. Multi- tudes of professing Christians are walking the broad way, taking along everything the flesh desires. Few allow the great Surgeon to operate on their hearts. They are satisfied to give him second place, rather than having him rule without a rival. In spite of this they suppose that Jesus is in their company. - l.1 HTHERE IS A LAD HERE The lad about whom we read in the Gospel account was at the right place at the right time. For the many lads who have been here at Bible School-and the ladies too-was not their being here likewise providential? Truly, it was. They were born at the right time and place to enter this God-made-possible experience. In the natural sense, the lads who were here did not need to bring a lunch. But each student brought something compar- able to the lunch of that lad. What they brought had been Hpackedn for them by others and has become uniquely their own. Will they selfishly keep it? Will they humbly give it over? And to whom will they give it? Bible School is a good place to settle these issues. Where that lad was, the Lord was also. Andrew became the link between the lad and the Lord. Many lads owe much to the Andrew-like work that has been done for them at home and at Bible School. Great is the need for men and youth of Andrew- like character. Let us cultivate the ability to see the Hlunchli that others are carrying. Wherever there is a lad, a lunch, and the Lord, the stage is set for a miracle. The lunch that is given to the Lord is miracu- lously multiplied! It yet remains to be seen what the Lord will do with the lunches,' that were brought to Bible School. -Merle Ruth 9

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CHILDREN OF WISDOM Jesus said that 'cwisdom is justified of all her childrenf' Luke 7:35. This statement indicates that wisdom has reproductive powers. The context of the scripture re- veals thatthe offspring of wisdom is real- ized only when there is a conception of truth and faith. Truth sown in a faithless seedbed does not germinate. Faith apart from truth is barren. When truth is received by faith and faith embraces truth, life en- sues. This process is necessary both to produce and to maintain spiritual life. The purpose of intensified Bible study is to perpetuate this process. The centurion, the widow, John, the publicans and the sinfulwomen of this chapter embraced truth with faith. Therefore they either became or continued to be the offspring of wisdom. In contrast, the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves -and therefore remained the children of folly. As we go forth from our encounter with the word of truth, we will also justify tex- emplifyb that of which we are the children. - Donald E. Nolt TD BE UNDERSTODD The problem of being understood is as old as our first parents. Basic to communi- cation is our use and command of the lang- uage. Even with a common language and un- der the most ideal circumstances, there are barriers to good communication. The pre- cise meaning of words and phrases is often misunderstood by others. Jesus said, By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Therefore, effective com- munication and the proper use of words is a high art, and something we should give constant attention too. In the face of con- stant change in the language, we should realize that none of us are capable of reach- ing all men. For example, not many of us are genuinely qualified to reach the street gangs or the 'fhippie society of our times. However, this should not discourage us from pro- claiming the truth of God's Word with conviction. May God grant us the wisdom needed to teach and preach with love and com- passion, that those who have ears to hear may hear and understand. -Edwin H. Cvehman WHAT SHALL I D0 THEN WITH JESUS? Pontius Pilate asked this question nearly two thousand years agog partly in response to the request by the crowd for the release of Barabbas, but perhaps also because he realized he had an unusual and innocent defendant on his hands. Pilate attempted to dispose of this ques- tion by simply washing his hands. We be- lieve that every responsible human being that is confronted with the person of Christ, must answer this same question. It is a question of either crucifying again, or hav- ing Him as our Lord. People attempt to soothe their conscience by attending a church service, giving to various causes, or even engaging in the work of a church or Sunday School. They may claim the heritage of Christian parents. They may even claim membership in a nominal church, but the question still faces them and us, What shall I do then with Jesus?,' We have only two choices, and we can- not simply wash our hands of the matter like Pilate tried to do. What have you done with Jesus? -Milfred Martin SPIRITUAL HEALTH Proper diet, exercise, and rest are re- quired for good health. Our spiritual food has a direct effect on our spiritual health. Israel ignored the righteousness of God and went about to establish their own right- eousness. Ignoring parts of the inspired Word of God is feeding on an improper diet. This will cause exercise in the wrong avenues. The boundary for our exercise is found in I Timothy 4:7 g Exercise thyself rather unto godlinessf, Showing Christlikeness to the world is a full time responsibility. The Christian has no part in the enter- tainment world, but: be ye holy for I am holy. I Peter 1:16. Assurance of sins forgiven, having victory over temptations, and obedience to the Word is a restfull experience for the Chris- tian. c'But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil? Proverbs 1:33 - Ornan Bauman 1 1