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

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HQW CAN YE BELIEVE? The Jews of Jesus' day searched the scriptures but did not believe them. Doubt- less they did this as a means of justifying their wrong doing. They established their own code of ethics, then searched the scriptures in the hope of finding some support for their opinions. Thus they made void the commandment of God by their tradition. The fact that the Jews did not believe the scriptures is proven by their failure to come to Jesus for life. Jesus said concern- ing the scriptures, '4They are they which tesify of me? How sad, that in their search- ing they- did not receive the message. Jesus implied that the cause of their fail- ure to believe was the receiving of honour one of another. He also said that they did not have the love of God. Because they sought honour one of another, they not only failed to recognize their own need as sin- ners but also failed to see what God in His love had provided for them in Jesus. Only as we recognize our need of for- giveness do we receive the message of the scriptures. Otherwise, how can ye believe? -Henry M. Weaver GOD'S TEMPLES Scripture informs us Hthere was neither. . . any tool of iron heard at the building site of Solomon's temple. I Kings 617. There- fore each stone and timber had been pre- fabricated for the construction of this great edifice. This reveals the remarkable wisdom of the architect and the extreme accuracy of every workman. We believe the temple represents the triumphant Church. God, the Master Build- er, is presently accumulating and adapting materials for future assembly. We, as lively stones, are part of that spiritual house. I Peter 2:5. God is subjecting every stone to the hammer of His Word. We have had another opportunity where- by the unfinished aspects of our lives may be made suitable for . . . an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22. Failure to allow God to adapt us now, will cause Him to reject us in the future assembly of the eternal building. May we respond to the grace and adaptations of God. --Ira L. Mast 4 CHARACTER God has created man with distinctive traits and personalities. These are known as one's character. The development of character is effect- ed by exposure to facts, appreciation of reputation, and reverence for God. Genesis 37:2 speaks of Joseph bringing the evil report of his brethren to their father. Joseph was exposed to facts of truth that regulated his appreciation for right. He also appreciated his reputation in Pharaoh's house, and demonstrated a reverence for God. With these principles established in his life, he made wise deci- sions that contributed to the development of his character. We need to desire a character that is like unto God. This will be evidenced by a putting off of the old man and a putting on of the new man. Ephesians 4:22-24. To develop a Godly character we must have peace with God, have a thankful heart, and assimilate the Word. Colossians 3:15-16. Eternity will finally reveal our true character. May we be as the five wise vir- gins: when the call of the bridegroom came, their lamps were full of oil and they' met him with joy. -Ray E. Martin CLEAN HANDS Psalm 24:4 The hands are a symbol of human action. Clean hands speak of a clean life, which is an essential for acceptance with God. The involvements are far reaching and include both an initial cleansing as well as maintaining cleanliness. We need to avoid anything that would cause uncleanness as we live in an ungodly world. Cleanliness involves a pure heart with pure thoughts, attitudes, and motives. Clean hands are totally honest and free from any entangle- ment of evil. The rewards are peace, joy, and right- eousness which are blessings from the God of our salvation. Clean hands also prepare us to meet God in the future. The work of righteousness is peace: and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for everf' Isaiah 32:17 -Enos M. Shank

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f .gift - 'iff .fx ' :Y go r Came- xd ' Ill do 1 more ' Ill try pl-ay?n 1'P by. ome, uld be y. l.B,W. nt me, en no ersole 'sons Our 'ere ela- LI121, 1iO, Ita, Jn- nd ld FACU LTY MESSAGES WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? WHEREIN LIETH YOUR What is your life, what would you say? STRENGTH? Why are you here, now long to stay? What are the issues you must meet? Is .there a light for erring feet? q Allow Godls Word to speak. Your life is not your own to use , In selfish ways that you may choose, But God would have you fill the place He chooses, and He'll give you grace. His way is always best. Some say that life is one long game : The Bible gives a different name. It is a race and all who run, Can hear the welcome words, well done? Life is not luck or chance. Life has its puzzling mysteries, And you will face adversities. Submit to God in testings sore, Take courage and His will implore. God deals this way with sons. The span of life is short when we Compare it with eternity. One word describes it- brevityg So face responsibility: The end is drawing near. Life is an opportunity Which brings accountability When once we've left this world behind! So, let us seek today and find In Christ-vitality. -Stanely C. Wine SLIDING As children, we were very anxious for snow so we could slide down the hill on a piece of tin or a sled. Since we are older, we are not as enthused about sliding. How- ever, there are those who seemingly have not conquered that childish ambition. They are too tired to walk back up the hill, so they need to buy a self-propelled sled, called a snowmobile. This can be expen- sive sliding. There is also another sliding of which we need to be aware. We know that the Christian life is a path of uphill struggle. The same as the sled would go downhill, so the enemy of our souls would drag us downhill again. Peter's downfall in Mark 14 should be a lesson to usg lest we find our- selves back to where we will be warming ourselves at the enemy's fire. - Amos N. Hostetter This question was asked Samson by Delilah when the Philistines were endeavor- ing to discover the secret of his strength. Samson was strong and wrought mighty works for God. His strength was not in physical abilities only, but was given by God. He was strong because he obeyed the commandments of God. God had given specified instructions on how his life should be ordered. As long as he adhered to these directives, his strength remained. But his evil associates eventually caused him to violate truth, and he lost his strength. We, likewise, need divine strength for -the work of God. Our own strength is not suf- ficient, and to labor in the arm of the flesh is to be a tool in the enemies hand. Where- in lieth our strength? In a practical love, loyalty, and obedience to the Word of God. Strength I need, strength indeed, That only Thy power can give, Impart to me grace full and free, That only for Thee Illl live. -Boyd Y. Campbell CALL TO HARVEST Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to har- vest. John 4:35 Our Lord spoke these words many years ago, but the fields are still white and ready to harvest. God has called many workers into His fields in the past, but I believe He is calling all of us who have been re- deemed by the blood of Jesus, to work in His harvest fields today. In our day when there is sinfulness every- where and wickedness in high places and many churches going into apostasy, we might ask the question, what can one per- son accomplish? One person cannot accom- plish anything of himself, but as we conse- crate our lives to God, and live in full obe- dience to His will, He can use us to reach some poor lost souls before it is forever too late. Aaron Z. Weaver 3

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DEVOTION TO GOD S FEAR Stabl1sh thy word unto thy servant who IS devoted to thy fear Psalm 119 38 The fear of God 1n a New Testament sense does not denote being afraid of God but a reverence that comes from a compre hension of who God IS and the conse quences of disobedience In the Old Testa ment economy God dehberately cultivated c1rcumstances to produce fear in his peo ple But in our day God does not keep His fear upon us by terr1fy1ng manifestations but by a knowledge of Him through the Word and the work of the Holy Ghost in our hearts The fear of God 1n a New Testa ment sense IS not opposed to or incompati ble with love but it IS a reverence that 1S born of love I John 4 18 A person devoted to Gods fear will ex press that fear by a reverent sober and meek l1fe His life w1ll be the exact oppo site of a reckless life Our prayer IS that the t1me spent at Blble School by each student th1s year will result 1n a greater and healthier devotion to the fear of God that w1ll then f1nd expression 1n a careful life and an 1ncreased sens1t1ve ness to God's will. Glenn M. Sensenig . SPIRITUAL PRIORITY John, writing to Gaius, says, '4Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as they soul prosperethf, How did John know that Gaius prospered spiritually? Precisely the way we are known today: by the testimony of the brethren. If and as we walk in truth, the quality of our walk cannot be hidden. Looking again, we perceive that the health and material aspects of this beloved brother were sub standard to those of his spiritual inner man. The concrete scrip tural evidence testifies that Gaius had a truly fruitful life. His report shows that he discerned that obedience and spiritual prosperity are inseparable. Do we desire the prosperity that char acterized Gaius? If so, our decisions in life must hinge on their impact on our inner manf, and not upon that which is highly esteemedi' among men. We must find, know, and cherish this truth, for he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever? Edward R. Kerr THE ENGRAFTED WORD Receive with meekness the engrafted Word James 121 The word engrafted means to implant the same process we know as putting a good tw1g into a w1ld tree The first step to grafting 1S to cut away that which IS foreign from that which 1S to be lmplanted Therefore we have a respons1b1l1ty to get rid of all that would hinder the growth of the Word of God The next step 1S careful plac1ng of the engrafted Word It IS only as we allow the sap of the Splflt of God to flow through us that we w1ll be a success and grow on to maturity The pr1mary purpose of the engrafting process IS to produce good fru1t where otherwise there would have been w1ld fruit In the process of the cutting away of the flesh and the reception of the engrafted Word the fruit that 1S received 1S the salva t1on of our souls Paul M Freed ONE THING IS NEEDFUL Martha was not an 1rrel1g1ous person who had no interest 1n s1tt1ng at Jesus feet. She loved her Lord and wanted to please Him. Her problem was, she was cumbered with much serving. Martha becomes a picture of the frustration the Christian faces when the one thing is not uppermost in life. The frustration of Marthals experience becomes evident. The word cumbered suggests being dragged around or being driven. She was driven to the place that she became upset at Mary. Finally, she chided Jesus for not caring that Mary did not help her serve. Rather than agreeing, Jesus commends Mary for sitting at His feet. The commen dation was that Mary was paying primary attention to eternal and spiritual matters, rather than serving the physical needs. He promises Mary that the good part she has chosen will not be taken away. There are many activities in life which are necessary in their place, but can cause us to become encumbered. We need con stantly to sit at the Masterls feet and learn of Him, for this is that good part which Jesus said shall not be taken from us. This will not bring frustration but will rather fill our life with purpose and satisfaction. David Burkholder 9 cc - cc ' ' ' 39 . 99 . , , . . . 9 9 ,, . . - , . 9 . 5 9 . ' , - 9 9 - I . 9 9 ' ' 9 9 . . . . . . . . 0 - , - - . . . . -- 0 U , ' 9 , . . . - u s 1 a , 5