Looking To The Lamb

The shepherds were going about their routine, daily life when in a moment everything changed. That first Christmas night, while they were LOOKING UP in terrified awe, the angel shared “good news of great joy”. Those shepherds would find a baby lying in a manger, but it wouldn’t be just any baby - it was Christ the Lord! Then, while continuing to LOOK UP, a great company of angels praised God by giving Him the highest glory and expressing peace to all people, whom He favors above all. The shepherds’ response was to go seek out the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ the Lord was born as a helpless human baby, just as His very image-bearers are. While that is what we are getting ready to celebrate, so many other things draw our attention at this time of year. But in reality, the challenge given all year long to keep LOOKING UP at Jesus is more important than ever. As the world around us is still in strife and hopelessness, we have been given the best news of all - our Creator favored us enough to come and save us in the midst of the mess. Don’t allow the enemy to steal that salvation and hope from a world that needs it as much now as ever before. Over and over again this year we had the opportunity to share that very message all over this great country. We praise our Lord for the increase this year, especially when at the beginning it looked uncertain.

Our time before His return is shortened each and every second of passing time. We look forward to being in His presence at any moment with those heavenly hosts from that first Christmas night, praising our Creator and Savior in glorious accord: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” All of these things are unseen for now, just as the Christ was to those shepherds until that night.

In 2022 our challenge is to focus on the UNSEEN hope and assurance of eternity. The apostle Paul reminds us of this truth in 2 Corinthians 4:18. He also reminds us that the “seen” despair, fear, and troubles are temporary. Keep looking at the UNSEEN this Christmas season and into the new year. Blessings!

“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:18

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March 2026 Printed Newsletter

March 19, 2026

Signing the Mayflower Compact by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1899

A Miraculous Storm-part 2

By Ryan Cox • March 19, 2026

EACH OF THESE ARTICLES ARE EXCERPTS FROM AMERICA’S EPIC ADVENTURE TM - CTF'S NEWEST VBS CURRICULUM From Lesson 1: The Pilgrims, Walking by Faith in the Lord – Proverbs 3:5-6

Looking Back

By Matt Miles • March 19, 2026

There are moments in life that we experience the Lord’s Providence, which is the continual guiding and caring of us for His purposes. We may go though trials and suffering now to refine our faith in preparation for eternity. Other times we may see it for the here and now, with the aligning of plans for His purpose in our life, maybe with the opening or closing of a door. Many times we see Providence only in hindsight, looking back on life and seeing His hand working, molding and inspiring us for His plans and to His glory. I can see the Lord’s Providence at many times over the course of my life. Early in my grade school years I developed a love for building models I was recently reminded, along with my father, that we built a train set together in our basement. Following that, I began to build model cars and airplanes. I now know that love of building, tinkering and problem solving was Providence preparing me for this ministry. The Lord taught me early on how to stay focused and pay attention to detail. What I thought was only a hobby at the time is now something I must use on a regular basis in things such as fossil restoration, building crates, trailer and vehicle maintenance for our mobile museum. Later in high school, while active in church, the Lord called me to serve our children’s church ministry. I began to help teach others about Jesus. It seemed insignificant at the time. I remember helping in lesson times and the puppet ministry. I even was cast as “Pastor Rufus” in one of our ongoing puppet skits. My opportunities to share Christ and be an example to those younger than I was tremendous. Again through His Providence, the Lord was guiding me and calling me to ministry. He developed in me the love of teaching His Word to others, priceless to me today. Then in college Providence brought Theresa and I together. The Lord knew exactly who I needed to be my bride for life. She is strong in my weakness and more Christ-like than anyone I know. She is the perfect helpmate and partner for me in ministry as well, which has so far been 34 years, to be exact. Many times the Lord has used her discernment to direct me through a situation that I did not see correctly. I am thankful every day for Providence that brought us together in life and eternal work. As I look back on my life, there are more Providential moments than I have space to write. Most of those times have directly guided me to this specific ministry and my call to preach and teach His Word. Looking back on life and identifying those moments of Providence from the Lord is humbling and awe-inspiring. Please take a moment to remember your own moments when Providence has been evident in your life. This ministry is about identifying Providence from the beginning. His plan from the start is us spending eternity in His presence. Our sin messed some things up, but not His plan. He always has and always will know exactly how to guide and care for us so that we bring Him the glory, now and eternally. There is not a month that goes by that we here at CTF don’t praise the Lord for His Providence through you, our supporters and sustainers. Join with me in thanks for His Providence each day, guiding as only our Creator and Savior could do. Psalms 31:3-5 Blessings.