Worship Our Creator and Savior

A new year is here, one with both promise and uncertainty. With a new year we begin to see things different. Sometimes we ready ourselves to try new activities or vow to avoid perils from last year. This thinking brings to mind a time in the Scripture that I believe was similar, yet on a much grander scale. Noah and his family had just went through the year of all years. They had spent over a year on the ark being covered by the Lord. All the while, losing family members they loved, being uprooted from there surroundings, not certain what the future held, and only having one Hope. Can you imagine for a moment the feelings Noah’s family would have had in those final days before the door opened? I am sure there was anxiousness to get off the vessel, but at the same moment anxiety of the unknown awaiting them outside. Some of their questioning thoughts might be, “What would creation look like or would it even be recognizable? Where will we live? How much will there be to eat? Is this disaster going to happen again? Where do we even start?” Wow, that is not far off of how some feel at this time of year. Even if you are settled and ready for a new year, there are probably some in your family or church that are not. The very same questions often enter our thoughts for a new year. We must remember what Noah and his family did first – worship their Savior. They offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving and redemption. Then the Lord looked on that act of worship a made a covenant with them. Please remember the Lord is a covenant keeper. With this new year there are promises of prosperity being thrown around with a new President. There is anxiety by many that do not like the new President. Please heed this warning…if we fail to worship our Creator and Savior Jesus Christ first, we will miss a covenant He has made with us. This life is not about presidents, other elected officials, our jobs, homes, cars, or even family…first. It is, and always should be, about Jesus Christ who desires to covenant with His image-bearing creation. As we place our focus on Him in this new year, let us not get distracted by other things, but know our hope and peace can only be found in Him the same as it was in the days of Noah.

Blessings.

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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.