In this calendar year of 2024, February will add an extra day to make a total of 29 days in the month.  2024 is considered to be a “leap” year, one that occurs every four years to take into account that an orbit around the Sun takes more than 365 days to complete.  NASA says that the Earth actually takes 365 days, five hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds to complete this orbit.  This extra time beyond 365 days is added every four years to make up the extra day in February.  Otherwise, seasons would begin to fall forward, and so in several hundred years, a North American winter would happen during what is now summer and vice versa.

        “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us about an extremely important leap that is necessary in order to become a part of the kingdom of God.  The necessary leap is a leap of faith, which involves people putting their faith in Jesus, God’s Son.  This faith in Jesus requires that people believe that Jesus died on the Cross to pay the penalty for their sins, so that their sins against God can be forgiven.  This belief is in response to what the apostle John said in I John 1:9, where he wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

        This leap of faith is the same kind of faith which a lame man showed when he asked Peter and John for money in Acts 3.  The man was lame from birth, and asked them for money because that was his only way of meeting his daily needs.  Peter responded by saying, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”  Peter helped him to his feet, and he not only began to walk for the first time in his life, but also leaped on his way into the Temple as he gave praise to God.  People who knew him were filled with wonder as well as  amazement at how he had been healed.  Peter then declared that it was “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of their fathers, who glorified His Son Jesus, the very one they had delivered to Pilate and had called for His crucifixion.  Peter also declared that this same Jesus had been raised from the dead by God, His heavenly Father.

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