On September 1, 1985, a joint U. S.-French expedition located the wreck of the Titanic, seventy-three years after it sank 13,000 feet to the floor of the North Atlantic.  After an unsuccessful attempt in 1985, the Titanic was discovered using an experimental, unmanned submersible called the Argo, developed by the U. S. Navy.  The Titanic had split in two, but many of its features and interiors were unbelievably well-preserved.

        “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us in Numbers 32 about Moses giving instructions to the people of Israel about taking possession of the Promised Land.  God instructed the people of Israel to drive out the people who were previously living in the land.  He wanted Israel to force the people out of the land so they could take possession of the land, and God promised to help them to do it.  God still helps His people today to carry out missions.  God promised Israel that if they would drive out those who previously lived in the land, they could have the land for a permanent possession.  God also warned the people of Israel that if they did not drive out all the people, He would consider it to be a sin against Him, and that it would be a sure thing that their sin would be found out by God.

        From the very beginning of Creation, people have been trying to hide their sins from God, but their efforts have always been unsuccessful.  Adam and Eve gave birth to Cain and Abel, and each of them brought an offering to God.  Cain brought an offering from what he had grown in the ground, but Abel brought an offering from the best of his flocks.  God accepted what Abel brought, but he did not accept Cain’s offering, which caused Cain to be very angry.  God spoke to Cain about what he could do so that his offering could be accept6ed, and warned him that failure to do what God said would result in him being guilty of sin.  Cain spoke to Abel about it, and ended up killing Abel over it.

        God then asked the whereabouts of Abel, but Cain acted like he didn’t know and suggested he was not his brother’s keeper.  God informed Cain that the blood of Abel was crying out to Him from the ground, suggesting God knew exactly what happened and where Cain put the body.  The earth opened up its mouth to receive Abel’ blood, and Cain would no longer have success in growing food.  God then banished Cain from His presence.  Like-wise, we cannot hide our sins from God, so we need to confess them to Him.  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.