Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’1 John 4:20-21 (NLT) 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can w...  Read More

Read Matthew 22:37-39 and 1 John 4:20-21. Discuss the intimate connection between loving God and loving people.Read Jonah Chapter 1, mindful of the connection in question one.When we run from God’s Word, we are running from God. Have you ever tried to pretend you are close with God, while ignoring His Word to you?When we run from God, He runs after us. How has God run after you in your rebellion, ...  Read More

Back in July, we shared exciting news about a new ministry initiative at CFC that will equip and raise up the next generation of church leaders through apprenticeships and residencies. As part of that update, we also shared that Adam Christian would step into a new role overseeing this ministry, which opened the door for some additional transitions in leadership. We are now pleased to share the ne...  Read More

Surrendering to God's ReignRead through Psalm 46:1-11-- 2 times without stopping. Then read through 1 time, stopping to meditate on each paragraph at the interlude break.Security in Christ Psalm 46:1-3 portrays God as “our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble,” even when “mountains crumble into the sea.”How does trusting in Christ as your source of security help you naviga...  Read More

For the choir director: A song of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices.Psalm 46:10“Be still, and know that I am God!I will be honored by every nation.I will be honored throughout the world.”Be still and consider your security in Christ (46:1-3)Psalm 46:1-31 God is our refuge and strength,   always ready to help in times of trouble.2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come   and...  Read More

For many people, this is the most wonderful time of the year. High school football teams are back under the lights on Fridays, Saturdays bring excitement at the collegiate level, and the NFL kicks off soon on Sundays. We have seen statistics that report 70% of Americans say football is their favorite sport.  As football season kicks off, many of us get excited about watching our favorite teams sui...  Read More

Read Psalm 107Notice how the sections are broken with the word "Some." What do these sections characterize?Giving Thanks for God’s Faithful Love (Psalm 107:1-3)Psalm 107:1 calls us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” How does the idea of God’s hesed (faithful love) shape your understanding of gratitude? In what ways have you experienced God’s enduring l...  Read More

Celebrate God's loving provision with words of thanksgiving.Psalm 107:1-31 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!   His faithful love endures forever.2 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out!   Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands,   from east and west, from north and south.The reason for our gratitude is the expressed and enduring...  Read More

We are not intended to live alone, and, as followers of Christ, we should not live our Christian lives alone either. Our strong belief in the dozens of “one another” statements in scripture can only be felt if we put that belief into practice by being in close, intentional relationships with each other beyond our Sunday Worship Services. We are called by God to love others through caring, face-to-...  Read More

Note: The simplest description of the five collections that give us the Psalms is that they were the inspired prayer-and-praise book of Israel. Many scholars believe that Psalms 42-43 (the beginning of Book Two) were meant to be one Psalm.  Read through both and see if you can determine the connection with each other. Our focus will remain on Psalm 42.1. In Psalm 42:1-2, the psalmist compares his ...  Read More

Deal with discouragement as a cry for help, then take your soul in hand.Psalm 42:1-5For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.1 As the deer longs for streams of water,   so I long for you, O God.2 I thirst for God, the living God.   When can I go and stand before him?3 Day and night I have only tears for food,   while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,   “Where is this God ...  Read More

At CFC, we believe that marriage matters to God. It is important to God because He instituted it for us to flourish and to point us to Him (Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5).  We recognize that getting two redeemed sinners together to carry out God’s plan and purpose for marriage can be difficult. Significant selfishness, sinfulness, and wounding can and often does occur (Genesis 3). Sometimes, we don’t ...  Read More