Children are Precious

Matt Miles • June 2, 2022

     At this time of year most of us are impacted by some sort of graduation. Our children are so precious to us, and we understand the gift they are from the Lord. They have been created for a purpose with His plan. Yet in the world around us, we see heartbreak after heartbreak of children being hurt through kidnapping, abuse, manipulation, and even death. This heartbreak is amplified because we know the innocence of a child and the potential available for each of them. Our Creator’s image is emblazoned in each of us in the womb as Psalm 139 proclaims, whether we acknowledge it or not.

     In the wake of another school shooting where innocent lives were taken, we are in great heartbreak for those children and their families. Each moment the news recounts stats and backgrounds of those killed adds another pain. There will be fingers pointed here and there as to the cause. Each and every time this tragedy happens, there is only one thing to blame - our lost and sinful world. Rightfully, there should be outrage over lives taken. Let us never be so calloused to the evil in sin that we become okay with it.

     We have an ongoing daily massacre of children that a lot of people don’t give a second thought about, ever. The continued death of aborted children should evoke the same heartbreak and outrage, but it doesn’t seem to. Many professing Christians somehow justify this innocent bloodshed as a woman’s reasonable and responsible choice for her health. Yet in many states when an unborn child is killed, outside of an abortion, the one responsible is written up on manslaughter or murder charges. Why the dichotomy? We are heartbroken and outraged with a demand for justice of the aborted innocent as well. I have been praying in earnest for Roe v. Wade to be overturned, not because it will end abortion or the evil/sin involved, but that people will fight for the innocent life that we understand is stamped with our Creator’s image. At the forefront of the battle should always be those that understand Whose image every single person is made through and sustained by, Jesus Christ.

     Evil is active, and there has never been a moment in history without it since the Garden. We may feel like things are good most of the time, yet under that good is the potential for evil. Only Jesus is the answer! No, sin doesn’t cease with Jesus in the picture, but restoration, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation happen instead of death. SEEING THE UNSEEN hope of eternity is what drives those of us who are sold out to our Savior. This love and eternal purpose gives us optimism for our children, knowing that this dark world is not all there is. In the midst of heartbreak and sorrow over innocent lives taken, proclaim where the light is. Keep fighting for eternity and not just the here and now. Blessings.

Hand in sand image
By Matt Miles April 19, 2026
In Genesis 12 the Lord calls Abraham (Abram) to be the father of a great nation. This all happened to Abraham at 75 years old. Some might say that is too late in life to start something new, especially a calling of that magnitude. Yet that was not the overwhelming part to me; that would come in verse 7 when the Lord said the land would be his offspring’s. Wait, what?! The Lord had a plan and His Providence would guide Abraham, even when Abraham did not have offspring and did not wait on the Lord. I have to wonder how I would have reacted to such a call and covenant. As we know from Psalms, the Lord guides and sustains all by His Providence for His name sake, which we are focusing on this year. But does Providence act on our timing? When God called Abraham, he had no children. Yet the promise given was that his offspring would be a great nation in a land saved for them. What we know now is that Abraham wouldn’t have his son Isaac until he was 100 years old, a full 25 years after the covenant was made. Most of the time we expect the Lord’s hand working in our life to be immediate, but that is not always the case. In some cases it might take years to experience the Providence coming to fruition. Remember Genesis 21:2 states Isaac’s birth was at the “appointed time.” This understanding should give us peace as we rely on Providence and, at times, are called to patience. Providence was again on display for us to understand that even in obedient sacrifice He will be glorified, as Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac, who was inherently tied to the covenant of the Lord. Abraham was faithful in all aspects, even when most of us might say “no way” to that sacrifice to the Lord. Yet at the right time, through faithfulness in Abraham’s obedience, there was Providence providing behind him in the ram. Our faithful obedience sometimes feels like a tough ask from the Lord, but rest assured He is there, ready to lift up His name through us. Providence continued through time, 100 years later, after Isaac had his sons, Jacob and Esau. Then Jacob was blessed by the Lord with 12 sons, one of which was Joseph, who was sold to Egypt by his brothers. You probably recall all the ups and downs of Joseph’s life, yet he was faithful to the Lord throughout them all. Remember, there was a covenant at stake. The Lord, through His Providence, made sure he had Joseph where He needed him to save the great nation of Israel from famine. This Providence secured the covenant line to continue to Christ. Many times throughout history Providence has guided and protected His covenant, and now you and I can be blessed with inclusion in His great nation through Christ. If it had not been so, then we literally have no assurance of our salvation. Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ that His Providence is faithful for all eternity, so we may know peace and have confidence in the promised destiny. Our ministry here at CTF has always emphasized the importance of Genesis 12, Abraham’s covenant. We share there is no difference in importance of Genesis 1-11 over chapter 12 and through the entirety of the Bible. The whole Bible is inspired to be trustworthy and to show His Providence throughout history for His name’s sake and also for our salvation. Blessings.
Fort Necessity, also known as the Battle of the Great Meadows
By Ryan Cox April 19, 2026
Fort Necessity, also known as the Battle of the Great Meadows
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