At this time of the year, America often thinks back its discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1492.  Most educated Europeans in his day actually believed the world was round, but they did not know of the existence of the Pacific Ocean.  They thought that the only ocean between Europe and the wealth of the East Indies was the Atlantic Ocean. When Columbus saw Cuba, he believed it was mainland China, and when he discovered Hispaniola, he thought it was Japan.  It was not until his third voyage that he discovered that he had not reached Asia, but he had discovered a whole new continent.

        “Words from Above” tell us in the Bible that there is still a world out there that is ready to be discovered, and that world is a world called “the kingdom of God’.  Unfortunately, and sadly, there are more and more people in our world who do not even know about this world because they have been raised in a family that does not include God in its daily activities or thoughts.  The members of this family do not bless their food at mealtime, they do not attend a church to worship the God of heaven, and they often do not even know there is a Bible, let alone read or study it.  Often, they do not even know that there is a God in heaven who created the world and everything in it.

        Columbus discovered a new world strictly by accident, but most people do not discover the kingdom of God by accident.  On the other hand, most people discover the kingdom of God when someone who has first discovered the kingdom makes a deliberate effort to pass the word on to others who have not yet discovered it.  The apostle Paul had a major influence on a man named Timothy becoming a believer and also becoming a pastor.  Paul wrote a letter to Timothy and told him, “the things you have heard from me, the same commit to faithful people, who shall be able to teach others also.”  In other words, he should pass on to others what he had learned about Jesus.

        On the day that Jesus ascended back to heaven from the earth He told His disciples that they would be receiving the power of the Holy Spirit very soon.  He told them that this power would enable them to be witnesses for Him all over the known world at that time.  He had also previously told them to teach all people the things He had commanded them, and that He would be with them as they did so.  All believers need to do the same today.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.