SPOKEN TO US

Matt Miles • February 2, 2024

   Last year we focused on being SHAKEN by the Lord from any and all aspects of our walk that we take for granted. This year our focus comes from the realization that He has SPOKEN TO US, as we find in Hebrews 1:2, our theme verse for 2024. The author of Hebrews begins this great book about the Savior’s fulfillment of Old Testament history by connecting it to His creator-ship.


   At the outset of Hebrews, we are told that the Lord has spoken prior to the time of Christ. Through the prophets, He spoke to the forefathers of the Hebrews author in different ways. Those “forefathers” being spoken of are also yours as you read this, if you are a Christ-follower. If it were not for the reality in the Old Testament, then none of us would know the grace that impacts our lives. The Lord spoke through those “fathers” of old to prepare the way for all of us.


   As the author continues into verse 2, we hear a shift directly to you and me. “In these last days” we long for interaction like our “fathers” experienced. How often do we seek an experience with the Lord as those in scripture experienced, longing for personal connection with the Lord who seems, at times, far off? These continue to be the last days spoken of in Hebrews; it was not only the days of the first or second century church. The Lord has SPOKEN TO US through His Son, Jesus Christ, as much today as He did so many years ago. Christ is the owner of all things, no matter the time, for He is the one through whom the entire universe was created. His supremacy is ultimate and authoritative for all time.


   Since all the above is true, we can know that Jesus has the power for salvation. He and He only provided purification of sins because He is the only one worthy to do so by virtue of His perfect life. This understanding is so vitally tied to His authorship of life and redemptive purpose from the beginning. We can never separate the two, as some advocate today with a misrepresentation of Genesis. For if we don’t acknowledge Christ’s direct activity at the beginning, we are missing the groundwork for His physical death, burial and resurrection. If there was no sin in perfection, there would be no physical death; because there was sin in perfection, there is physical death – this is the purpose for Christ. We need a Savior for our sin and death problem. Christ is that for us, with all the Father’s Glory and Majesty.


   And to think, as we follow Him each day, He speaks to us. His Word is the same today, as it has been and will be at any point in time, SPOKEN TO US in these last days so we may know our salvation and His enduring power for all eternity. Let us start the new year hearing His voice.  Blessings.


Signing the Mayflower Compact by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1899
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
model train engine
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.
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