We Need Covering

Matt Miles • February 20, 2019

“The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” – Genesis 3:21

Our sin brought death to the creation. Today our world echoes with the reverberations of the curse. In the garden, Adam and Eve were lost in their sin and hopelessly cursed to death. Until the Lord stepped in and showed grace to Adam and Eve, they were destined to be separated from Him. They had a need that only the Lord could take care of in their life. Their desire was to have communion with their Creator, but their sin exposed the darkness of their flesh. The only way for them to be presentable before the Lord was to have their sin covered. The Lord took care of that atonement by the death of some innocent animals for their skins. This very foreshadowing of the cross, with the shedding of innocent blood for sin, is breathtaking.

Our world today is as evil as ever and full of sin. Nothing has changed in our nature for over 6000 years, as our sin today is no different than Adam and Eve’s. We believe at times, as Adam and Eve did, that our sin can be fixed by our own actions. However, there is absolutely nothing we can do about it – outside of accepting the ransom paid for our sin at the cross. Our desire to have communion with our Creator is a designed attribute that began in the garden, just as our redemption and atonement did. One blessing we have today is the ability to worship our Creator with others in the church who also have the covering. No longer is there blood sacrifice needed for atonement in worship. Jesus Christ redeemed us once for all. Praise and Glory to my Redeemer and Atonement!

This message is not just for the Easter season, it is one that we proclaim every time we at CTF are asked to preach or teach. The connections between Genesis and the Gospel are our calling. Thank you for your support month after month that encourages us through the knowledge that there are redeemed brothers and sisters that still see the importance of His atoning Word.

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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