This past weekend, we had the opportunity to experience something special together—Community Day.

From the smell of chili cooking to the sound of laughter around the cornhole boards, from conversations at the health fair to prayers spoken over bikes and the people riding them, it was a day filled with connection, joy, and meaningful moments.

But what made the day truly special wasn’t just the activities—it was the people.

It was neighbors meeting neighbors.
Families spending time together.
Conversations that may have started small but opened the door to something deeper.

Throughout Scripture, we see that community has always been at the heart of God’s design. In Acts 2:42–47, the early church gathered together, shared life, and cared for one another in a way that drew others in. What we experienced on Community Day was a glimpse of that same kind of community—a church not just gathered, but connected.

Moments like these remind us that the church isn’t just a place we go—it’s a people we belong to. And when we open our doors and our lives to others, we create space for God to move in powerful ways.

We are so thankful for everyone who participated, volunteered, cooked, competed, served, and showed up. You helped create an environment where people felt welcomed, seen, and loved.

And the truth is, this wasn’t just a one-day event.

Community Day is a reflection of who we are called to be every day—a church of, in, and for the community.

Reflection

• When have you experienced true community in your life?
• Who is someone you can intentionally connect with this week?
• How can you help create a welcoming space for others in your everyday life?

Closing Thought
Community isn’t built in a moment—but moments like these remind us what’s possible when we come together. 

At Cliffdale, we believe church isn’t just for adults—it’s for the whole family. That’s why Cliffdale Kidz is such an important part of what we do each week.

Cliffdale Kidz is our children’s ministry designed to create a fun, safe, and engaging environment where kids can learn about God’s love. Through Bible stories, worship, games, and hands-on activities, children begin building a strong foundation of faith from an early age.

But Cliffdale Kidz is more than just a place for kids to go during service—it’s a place where lives are being shaped. Every lesson taught, every song sung, and every conversation shared is an opportunity to point children to Jesus and remind them that they are deeply loved.

This ministry is made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers who serve faithfully each week. Led by Monica Carrion, the Cliffdale Kidz team brings energy, care, and intentionality to everything they do, creating an environment where kids feel safe, seen, and excited to come back.

If you have children, we would love for them to be part of Cliffdale Kidz on Sunday mornings. And if you’re looking for a meaningful way to serve, this is an incredible opportunity to invest in the next generation and make a lasting impact.

Because what happens in Cliffdale Kidz today helps shape the faith of tomorrow.

Ready to get involved? Sign up to serve here:

Sometimes the greatest confirmation that God is at work is not comfort—it’s resistance.

In Acts 5, the apostles were boldly proclaiming the message of Jesus when they were arrested and brought before the high council. The religious leaders were furious and wanted them killed. Yet in the middle of that moment, a Pharisee named Gamaliel spoke a surprising truth:

“If this is merely human work, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow it.”

That statement still echoes through history today. When God builds something, no opposition can ultimately stop it.

Response: The Word Reveals the Heart
The first response to the apostles’ message was anger. Acts 5:33 tells us the council was furious and ready to kill them.

Why such a strong reaction? Because the truth of God’s Word has a way of exposing what lies beneath the surface. Scripture tells us that God’s Word is “alive and powerful,” able to reveal our deepest thoughts and motives (Hebrews 4:12–13).

When God moves, it often reveals what is really in people’s hearts. Some respond with repentance and faith. Others respond with resistance. The goodness of God shines light into the darkness, and not everyone welcomes the exposure.

But truth will always reveal the condition of the human heart.

Reason: What God Builds Cannot Be Stopped
Gamaliel’s reasoning was simple but profound: if this movement was man-made, it would collapse on its own. But if God was behind it, no human power could destroy it.

This principle is seen throughout Scripture. Psalm 127:1 reminds us:

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.”

God is the one who establishes His work. The church is not built on personalities, programs, or human effort. The foundation has already been laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Christ continues to build His church by equipping His people—through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to carry out His mission (Ephesians 4:11–12).

When God is the builder, the outcome is secure.

Rejoicing: Faithfulness in the Face of Opposition
After Gamaliel spoke, the council still had the apostles flogged and warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Yet their response was remarkable.

They left rejoicing.

Instead of fear, they felt honored that they had been counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. Rather than being silenced, they continued preaching every day—both in the temple and from house to house.

Following Christ has always involved both perseverance and opposition. Jesus Himself warned that His followers would face persecution (Matthew 24:9–10) and that the world would reject them just as it rejected Him (John 15:18–19).

But hardship did not stop the early church. In fact, it strengthened their commitment.

When God builds something, opposition does not destroy it—it often reveals its strength.

A Final Thought
The apostles understood something powerful: their calling was not to control the outcome but to remain faithful to the mission.

They trusted that if God was truly building His church, no council, government, or opposition could stop what He had started.

And the same truth holds today.

If God builds it, it will stand.

Reflection

• Am I trusting what God is building, even when I face opposition?
• Is my life aligned with the foundation of Jesus Christ?
• Where is God calling me to remain faithful even when it is difficult?

 
—
The Cliffdale Journal
A weekly devotional reflection from Cliffdale Community Church

Delivered for a Purpose
In Acts 5, the apostles weren’t in jail because they had done something wrong. They were there because they had done something right.

They preached Jesus.

Jealousy led to chains. Obedience led to prison.
But prison was not the end of their story.

“An angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out…”

God didn’t just deliver them from something — He delivered them for something.

The angel’s instruction was clear:
“Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life.”

Deliverance always carries a directive.

Jesus doesn’t free us so we can live comfortably.
He frees us so we can live boldly.

Every one of us has experienced some form of deliverance — from sin, from shame, from fear, from spiritual blindness. The question is not have we been delivered? The question is: what are we doing with our freedom?

The apostles didn’t hide after their release.
They didn’t soften the message.
They went right back to preaching.

Because when you’ve been rescued, silence isn’t an option.

Divine deliverance produces devotion.
And devotion produces determination.

The truth doesn’t bend to public opinion.
The gospel doesn’t lose its power under pressure.

So this week, ask yourself:

What has God delivered me from?
And where is He sending me next?

Freedom is not the finish line.
It’s the starting point.

Reflection for the Week
Deliverance is never meant to end with us. When God sets us free, He also sends us forward.

The apostles were not rescued so they could hide, recover, or live quietly. They were released with a purpose — to return to the very place where they had been opposed and continue proclaiming the message of life.

The same principle applies to us today. Every act of deliverance in our lives carries an invitation to obedience.

Take a moment this week to reflect:

• What has God delivered me from that I should now use as a testimony to encourage others?
• Am I using my freedom to serve God’s purpose, or simply to seek comfort?
• Is there a place God is calling me to speak truth or step forward in faith?
• What would bold obedience look like in my life right now?

God’s deliverance is not the end of the story.
It is the beginning of the mission.

When He opens the door, He also gives the direction.

So walk through it.

—
The Cliffdale Journal
A weekly devotional reflection from Cliffdale Community Church

There’s a difference between struggling and pretending.

In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira didn’t have to sell their property. They didn’t have to give all the money. The issue was never the amount — it was the deception.

They wanted the appearance of sacrifice without the cost of surrender.

Peter makes it clear: the property was theirs. The money was theirs. The problem wasn’t ownership — it was dishonesty. They weren’t lying to people. They were lying to God.

This story confronts us with three sobering truths.

1. Misappropriation
Giving is not a financial issue. It is a discipleship issue.

God has never been impressed by empty gestures. David declared that he would not offer the Lord something that cost him nothing. True worship carries sincerity. It carries sacrifice.

Submission to Christ never includes submission to sin. When we justify compromise in one area while appearing faithful in another, we divide our hearts.

And God desires our whole heart.

2. Motivation
If our motivation is not right, our methods don’t matter.

Public spirituality does not always equal personal reality. It is possible to look generous while being greedy. To appear surrendered while secretly holding back.

Jesus warned against doing good deeds to be admired. The love of money, the craving for approval, and selfish ambition can quietly distort obedience.

God is not after performance.
He is after purity.

The real question isn’t, “What did they give?”
It’s, “Why did they give it?”

3. Mortality
The outcome in Acts 5 is sobering.

God dealt swiftly with deception in the early church because corruption disrupts the progress of God’s people.

Great fear came upon the church — not terror, but reverence. A holy awareness that God sees beyond appearances.

Yet even here, there is grace.

God forgives lies when we stop lying about our lying.

He disciplines those He loves. Correction is not rejection — it is protection.

Reflection Questions
• Am I more concerned with appearing spiritual than being sincere?
• Is there any area where I am giving the impression of surrender while secretly holding back?
• What motivates my obedience — love for God or love for recognition?
• Where might God be calling me to honesty and wholehearted devotion?

Authenticity matters in the body of Christ.

God isn’t looking for polished pretense.
He is looking for humble, honest hearts.

Let’s not just look like the church.
Let’s be the church.

—
The Cliffdale Journal
A weekly devotional reflection from Cliffdale Community Church

As we reflect on Acts 4 in our Caught in the Acts series, we’re reminded of something that doesn’t always get highlighted when we talk about the early church:

Bold faith has consequences.

Peter and John were arrested — not for doing harm, but for doing good. A man had been healed. Lives were changing. And still, opposition came.

Because truth doesn’t just inspire. Sometimes, it provokes.

When Doing Right Isn’t Safe
Pastor Dale said something that stays with you:

God is not safe — but God is always good.

Peter and John were confronted, questioned, and jailed because they proclaimed that resurrection is found in Jesus.

The religious leaders were disturbed. The message challenged their system. And yet, even in the middle of resistance, the church grew. Thousands believed.

Scripture reminds us that everyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ will face opposition at some point. That doesn’t mean we’re doing something wrong. Often, it means we’re doing something right.

We are called to do what is right — not what is safe.

The Boldness of Proclamation
When questioned, Peter didn’t soften the message.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, he declared clearly:

“There is salvation in no one else.”

That statement is still bold today.

Jesus is either the cornerstone — the foundation of everything — or He becomes a stumbling stone to those who reject Him.

The world struggles with the exclusivity of truth. But Peter didn’t apologize for it. He proclaimed it.

And here’s the encouragement:
Their boldness wasn’t personality-driven. It was Spirit-filled.

Jesus had already promised that when the moment came, the Spirit would give them the words.

Responding to Pressure with Prayer
After being threatened, the believers didn’t panic.

They prayed.

They didn’t ask for protection from difficulty.
They asked for boldness.

That’s powerful.

Fear can cause shaking. But in Acts 4, their shaking led to courage. The place where they were gathered trembled — and they were filled with boldness.

Sometimes pressure doesn’t mean retreat.
Sometimes it means it’s time to pray deeper.

What This Means for Us
We may not face jail for our faith. But we may face:

• Awkward conversations
• Cultural pushback
• Misunderstanding
• Silence when we should speak

Truth still has consequences.

But so does compromise.

So the question becomes:

• Am I choosing comfort over conviction?
• Am I praying for boldness — or just for ease?
• Is Jesus truly my cornerstone?

The early church wasn’t fearless. They were faithful.

And when pressure came, they didn’t shrink.

They prayed.
They proclaimed.
They trusted that God was good — even when the path wasn’t safe.

—
The Cliffdale Journal
A weekly devotional reflection from Cliffdale Community Church

As we step into a new year and embrace our Word of the Year — Community — we’re launching something new to help us live it out.

Welcome to The Cliffdale Journal.

The Cliffdale Journal is a weekly devotional reflection designed to help our church family carry Sunday’s message into everyday life.

Each week, this space will help us slow down and reflect on what God is teaching us. Think of it as a midweek moment to process, apply, and grow together.

Sundays are powerful. But growth often happens in the quiet reflection afterward.
As we begin our new series, Caught in the Acts, we’re looking at the early church in Acts 2:42–47 — a church devoted to teaching, prayer, generosity, and fellowship. They didn’t treat church as an event. They lived as a community.

They were a church of community.
A church in the community.
And a church for the community.

That picture challenges us.

Are we building relationships, or just attending services?
Are we living our faith during the week, or just observing it on Sundays?
Are we positioned for what God wants to do through us?

The early church didn’t grow because of strategy alone. They grew because they were rooted in love, unified in purpose, and empowered by the Spirit.

If 2026 is going to be marked by Community at Cliffdale, it won’t happen by accident. It will happen when we commit to walking this out together — in homes, in Life Groups, in service, and in everyday obedience.

As we continue through Caught in the Acts, we’ll return to this picture again and again — learning what it means to be a church rooted in Christ and committed to one another.

Let’s not just study the early church.

Let’s become that kind of church.

—
The Cliffdale Journal
A weekly devotional reflection from Cliffdale Community Church

As we reflect on Acts 3 from our Caught in the Acts series, we’re reminded of something powerful:

God doesn’t just perform miracles — He sends a message through them.

Peter and John encounter a man who had been lame his entire life. He wasn’t asking for healing. He was asking for money.

But what he received was far greater.

“I don’t have silver or gold,” Peter said,
“but I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

And instantly, everything changed.

When God Exceeds Expectations
The man expected a coin.
God gave him restoration.

Pastor Dale said it this way:

When we live with godly expectations, God exceeds our expectations.

Sometimes we’ve lived with something so long that we assume it will never change — a habit, a hurt, a limitation, a struggle.

But Acts 3 reminds us:

What we have suffered with for a lifetime, God can heal in an instant.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we ask or think. Sometimes we simply need to lift our expectations from survival to faith.

Every Miracle Carries a Message
After the healing, the crowd gathers. Peter immediately redirects the attention.

He doesn’t take credit.
He doesn’t build a platform.
He points to Jesus.

Whatever God gifts you to do is for His glory.

Opportunities don’t always look dramatic. Sometimes they look like:

• A conversation at work
• A neighbor in need
• A moment to pray
• A chance to speak hope

We don’t create the power.
We carry the message.

The Mandate: Repentance Leads to Refreshment
Peter doesn’t stop at the miracle. He calls the people to repentance.

That word can feel heavy, but it’s actually hopeful.

Repentance isn’t shame.
It’s turning.
It’s coming home.

Pastor Dale reminded us that we must understand the bad news to appreciate the good news. And here is the beauty:

Repentance leads to refreshment.

Acts 3 tells us that when we turn to God, times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.

That’s not punishment.
That’s restoration.

Reflection for This Week
• Where have my expectations grown small?
• Is there an opportunity God has placed in front of me to share Jesus?
• Is there something I need to turn from so I can experience refreshment?

The early church didn’t just witness miracles. They responded to them.

As we continue through Caught in the Acts, may we be people who expect God to move — and who are ready to share the message when He does.

—
The Cliffdale Journal
A weekly devotional reflection from Cliffdale Community Church