Thankful

Matt Miles • November 19, 2017

We give thanks as more than a once-a-year remembrance, but here we are at the season once again where it is celebrated as a holiday. As I begin reflecting back, I am the first to admit great thanks for much in my family and ministry. Theresa and I began this year celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, and we look forward to many more with the Lord’s continued provision. I am so thankful for her devotion to the Lord and the truly great helpmate she has been to me over all the years of life and ministry. The Lord blessed me with a special woman 25 years ago. He also blessed me through the devotion of my parents as they celebrated 50 years of marriage this month. I am so thankful for this in these times when marriages are under attack in so many ways. The faithfulness and commitment they have shown each other is becoming harder to find each year, it seems.

For the call to ministry which the Lord put on my life many years ago I am thankful. It is overwhelming at times when I consider the lives impacted this year through the many avenues this ministry functions. From students at camp this summer who connected for the first time the Truth of God’s Word about His creator-ship to their Savior, to the grandmothers and grandfathers that weep for their lost children and grandchildren they so desperately want to hear this ministry’s message, to the believer that has come back to Christ and struggles with the literal reading of the historical record of Genesis but is thankful for our “intellectually reasonable” teachings that are challenging his worldview – for these people and many more I give thanks to the Lord, and for the opportunity and responsibility to teach the Word of God to which I am called.

And for the many supporters, present and past, I am also very thankful. Without the Lord’s provision through you we cannot deliver this message. Without you giving financial support to this ministry month after month and year after year, we don’t reach those students, mothers, fathers, grandparents, believers and unbelievers with the Truth. I urge you to give thanks with me for all of these opportunities. Looking forward to next year, we are not slowing down or letting up in our call. Summer is already mostly booked, with spring and fall coming together with opportunities to go to some new places that have not heard our message. We praise the Lord and give thanks ahead for next year.

And now, would you consider your part in our Kingdom work? We are short financially on our monthly need going into next year, so we need you to prayerfully consider how the Lord would use you. If in prayer, please pray for us unceasingly. If you are led to join with us financially (or change your support amount), there are a couple of new ways to give: auto monthly debit/credit card transactions or PayPal account giving. So whether you are already a regular supporter, past supporter, or a new supporter, we are thankful for your prayers and gifts each and every month.

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:15-16

Be thankful this season, not only with our lips but also in deed and gifts. To Him we give all we have, since He gave all for us. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ!

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
model train engine

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.
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