SHAKEN

Matt Miles • January 13, 2023

   Here we are, at the beginning of the year, anticipating what the Lord has in store for us. The calendar for 2023 promises to be yet another outstanding year for us to proclaim the Lord’s Word during the many events already booked. Looking back, it has been so exciting to witness the last two years of work through this ministry. As one being on the inside, I would call moments “humbling” or “awe inspiring” as we have witnessed His hand at work in many lives. Stepping into this new year we are ready for more, and our theme is to be SHAKEN by Him.


   We are expecting Christ to move in and through us in this ministry, SHAKEN by the Holy Spirit to speak the Word of God boldly as we see in Acts 4:31. When His followers in Acts prayed to the Lord in response to His protection and provision for Peter and John, they were SHAKEN. It sure appears like a physical shaking, but I believe as the Holy Spirit was involved, it was also more.


   Being SHAKEN can be a physical, mental and emotional thing. I believe the Lord would love to shake us physically out of our “slumber” of the everyday, the mundane life actions that are routine and we think don’t have anything to do with Him. SHAKEN by the very life giver with the understanding that every action results in Kingdom work, be it for or against. Second, mentally we are to be SHAKEN this year. Our worldview is to be Christ’s, and we all have areas that need to be His that aren’t yet. Only our Creator, through His Spirit, can shake those worldviews back into line as He intends. Third, emotionally many of us have been placed in bondage over the last couple of years with the fear of circumstances beyond our control. That needs to be SHAKEN and released to the one who controls all. Only by seeking the Sovereign Lord in our life will we see the hope that is to come and not the bondage of today.



  To be SHAKEN begins with acknowledging Him as the one who “made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them,” just as those followers prayed in Acts 4. Our understanding must begin with the right foundation in His Word. Then He will shake us in a way you would shake one who needs to be brought out of unconsciousness to life. The result will be boldly proclaiming His Word as truth, knowing we have been SHAKEN for a greater purpose. 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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