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

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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

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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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NOW OR LATER Your life is made up of choices, But some things you must do either way- 4'Now, you can do them by free willg Later, you will be forced to obey. After death the Lord controls you. He determines which way you will take. The way which you now are choosing, Determines the choice He will make. Salvation is now offered to you. You can respond to Christls gentle call, Or refuse to listen to Him, 'Till He thunders from His judgment hall. You decide while you are living If you will kneel before Jesus now. You can stand in proud defiance, But, every knee to the Lord will bow. You can break yourself on Jesus, Or you can yield to your own lust. The life which has not been broken, Will by Christ, then, be ground into dust. You can lose your life for Jesus. Or you can save it and say, lt's mineln The loss refused in the present Will be loss through eternity's time. '6Take the path of least resistance, You can avoid all the suffering today. Then the future will have tormentsg Suffering, from which you can't get away. Dear Friend, it is 'fnow or later? It will be just a matter of time 'Till those which once were rebellious Will yield to His eternal design. -Harry M. Erb BLUSHING To blush is a sudden spreading of color in a person's face because of excitement due to shame, guilt, confusion, or surprise and sudden joy. It is a physical reaction to an emotional dictum that usually expresses one's feeling without audible words. The prophet Jeremiah 16:15, 81123 la- mented the fact that impenitent Israel had reached a place where they were no longer ashamed of their sins. Their hearts were hardened to where they could mix religion and their sins without any noticeable em- barrassment. They could deal falsely and not bat an eye. This is pride at its worst. 6 Occasionally one finds among young peo- ple those who try to develop and groom their self-confidence to the point where they can hardly be embarrassed. Things that would normally cause one to blush are simply turned into a joke. God is not pleased with that kind of brazenness, and He will not overlook it. There are many circumstances that one faces that should cause us to blush if we are in any way partakers. The shameless nudity, vulgar talk, sensual joking, defam- ing parents, resisting authority, etc., are things that should cause us to blush if we are even amused by them. It is our prayer that each student will cultivate a sensitive conscience so that we can properly react to mistakes, and allow the blushing beauty of true character to shine forth. -Jesse Neuenschwander 1 l11-1:11-1- ENTER THE STRAIT GATE Toward the end of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he tells us of the danger of want- ing to walk on the broad road. He says the wide gate and the broad way lead to eternal punishment, yet many choose to go thereon. Jesus says the way that leads to eternal life is the strait gate and the narrow way. The word strait has real meaning to us, giving the idea of a strict, rigid experience. The Bible shows that this uncompromising way is the only life that is really satisfying, safe, and sure. Jesus, inviting us into this experience with him, says I am the door', into this strict, well-disciplined life. In this world we get into some tight places, but our Shep- herd says, I'll take you through safely if you keep your heart and eyes set on me. In this tight place we will by Godfs grace strip off all the things that hinder us, con- tinuing to faithfully serve Him. The final result of faithfulness will be that the glori- ous gate of Heaven will swing open for us. -Sidney Gingrich