Interdenominational Christian Fellowship Church of Detroit Lakes

Interdenominational Christian Fellowship Church of Detroit Lakes Please visit our main site at http://cfcdl.org

Christian Fellowship Church is a place where Christians from all denominational backgrounds join together in worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ in a family atmosphere. Meetings tend to be informal, using a blend of contemporary and traditional music, and teaching focusing on the full Word of God and its application to life.

(Based on 9/13/2026 message from Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit Lakes)-------------------------------Day 1: Peace ...
09/14/2026

(Based on 9/13/2026 message from Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit Lakes)
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Day 1: Peace Is Not Optional
Devotional
Conflict is uncomfortable. Most of us either avoid it entirely or dig in and fight to win. But neither of those responses reflects who God calls us to be. Jesus was direct about this. Peacemaking is not a personality trait reserved for easygoing people. It is a calling for every follower of Christ.
Think about the last time you were in a conflict. What was your first instinct? Run from it or win it? Both responses feel natural, but both fall short of what God asks of us.
Being a peacemaker does not mean being a pushover. It means caring more about the relationship and about honoring God than about being right. It means laying down your need to win. That is not weakness. That is strength rooted in love.
God does not call us to keep the peace by pretending problems do not exist. He calls us to make peace, which is an active, intentional, sometimes costly pursuit. And here is the encouraging part: He does not ask you to do it alone. He gives you His Spirit, His Word, and His example in Jesus to guide you every step of the way.
You were made for this. Peace is part of your identity as a child of God.
Bible Verse
'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.' - Matthew 5:9 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
When conflict arises, do you tend to avoid it or fight to win, and what does that pattern reveal about where you are placing your trust?
Quote
"If you want to be known as my son, as my child, become a peacemaker. Lay your life down for one another."
Prayer
Lord, help me to see peacemaking as a calling, not a burden. Give me the courage to pursue peace even when every part of me wants to run or fight. Amen.
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Day 2: Let It Go
Devotional
Not every offense deserves a confrontation. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply let something go. That is not weakness or denial. According to Scripture, it is actually a mark of wisdom and maturity.
Think about how often we replay an offhand comment, a forgotten invitation, or a careless word. We rehearse it. We build a case. We keep score. And all the while, the other person has probably moved on without a second thought.
Overlooking an offense is not the same as pretending it did not happen. It is a conscious choice to release it rather than carry it. It is deciding that the relationship, and your own peace of mind, matters more than being validated.
This is one of the first and simplest steps in biblical peacemaking. Before escalating, before confronting, ask yourself honestly: does this actually need to be addressed, or can I extend grace and move forward?
You have been on the receiving end of grace more times than you can count. God has overlooked more in you than you will ever fully know. That same grace is available to pass along today.
Start small. Choose one thing this week to release. You might be surprised how much lighter you feel.
Bible Verse
'It is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.' - Proverbs 19:11 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
Is there an offense you have been holding onto that, if you are honest, you could simply choose to release today?
Quote
"It is to one’s glory to overlook an offense."
Prayer
Father, thank You for the grace You have extended to me. Help me to extend that same grace to others and to choose release over resentment. Amen.
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Day 3: Growing Up in How We Love
Devotional
Spiritual maturity does not happen automatically. It is built through choices, daily ones, often made in the middle of frustration, disappointment, and conflict.
Paul paints a vivid picture of what growing up looks like. He describes love as patient, kind, not easily angered, and keeping no record of wrongs. That last one is worth sitting with. No record of wrongs. Most of us have a mental file somewhere, full of past hurts and old grievances. Love, real love, does not keep that file.
Maturity means trading childish responses for love-driven ones. A childish response demands to be heard, insists on being right, and holds onto offenses. A mature response listens, extends patience, and chooses the relationship over the argument.
This is not about being perfect. It is about direction. Are you moving toward patience or away from it? Are you becoming quicker to forgive or slower? Growth is measured in small, consistent steps.
Here is the encouragement: you do not have to manufacture this kind of love on your own. It is the fruit of a life connected to God. The more you lean into Him, the more His character naturally begins to shape yours.
You are capable of more than your worst moment in conflict. Keep growing.
Bible Verse
'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.' - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
In your closest relationships, which quality of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 is hardest for you to live out, and what might that reveal about an area where God is inviting you to grow?
Quote
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. And when I became a man, I put away childish things."
Prayer
God, grow me into the kind of person who loves the way You love. Where I am immature, make me patient. Where I hold grudges, make me free. Amen.
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Day 4: The Battle Within
Devotional
Before conflict ever becomes an argument with someone else, it starts somewhere much closer to home. It starts inside you.
James asks a pointed question: what causes fights and quarrels among you? His answer is honest and a little uncomfortable. They come from desires battling within us. Unmet expectations. Wounded pride. The need to be in control. These are the real roots of most conflict.
This is why peacemaking is not just a relational skill. It is a spiritual discipline. You cannot consistently make peace on the outside if there is a war going on inside. The internal work matters.
God told Cain something striking before things went terribly wrong: sin is crouching at your door, and it desires to have you, but you must master it. That warning is just as relevant today. The moment you feel that familiar heat rising, that urge to retaliate or shut down, that is the moment to pause and ask God for help.
You are not at the mercy of your emotions. With God's help, you can respond rather than react. You can choose peace even when everything in you wants to choose something else.
The battle within is real, but so is the power available to you. You do not have to lose it.
Bible Verse
'What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?' - James 4:1 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
When you find yourself in conflict, how often do you pause to examine what is happening inside you before responding, and what would change if you made that a habit?
Quote
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?"
Prayer
Lord, help me to recognize the battles within me before they spill out onto others. Give me self-awareness and self-control rooted in Your Spirit. Amen.
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Day 5: Clothed for Peace
Devotional
Getting dressed is something you do every single day without much thought. You choose what to put on based on where you are going and what the day requires. Scripture uses that same everyday image to describe how we are called to live.
Colossians 3 tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And over all of it, love. These are not feelings you wait to have. They are choices you make, like putting on a coat before walking out into the cold.
This is the full picture of a peacemaker. Not someone who never experiences conflict, but someone who shows up to it dressed differently. Someone who walks in with compassion instead of contempt, with humility instead of pride, with patience instead of a short fuse.
And when someone has wronged you? Bear with them. Forgive them. Not because they deserve it, but because you have been forgiven far more than you will ever be asked to forgive.
This is what it looks like to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. It is not passive. It is an active, daily decision to be an instrument of peace in every room you walk into.
You have everything you need to do this. Now go get dressed.
Bible Verse
'Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.' - Colossians 3:12 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
If the people closest to you were asked to describe how you show up during conflict, would they say you are clothed in compassion and humility, and what might need to change?
Quote
"I believe it is God’s delight to make His children instruments of peace and reconciliation."
Prayer
Father, help me to put on love every single day. Let the peace of Christ rule in my heart so that I can be an instrument of peace in every relationship I have. Amen.

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES to the family and friends of Craig Fontaine, who passed away on September 8th. Visitation is Frid...
09/11/2026

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES to the family and friends of Craig Fontaine, who passed away on September 8th. Visitation is Friday, Sept. 18th, 5:00-7:00 at David-Donehower, with sharing time at 6:30. Funeral is Saturday, September 19th, 11:00 AM at Christian Fellowship Church. https://www.daviddonehower.com/obituaries/craig-fontaine

09/09/2026

Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit Lakes MN - Messages · Episode

(Based on 9/6/2026 message from Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit Lakes)--------------------------------Day 1: You We...
09/09/2026

(Based on 9/6/2026 message from Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit Lakes)
--------------------------------
Day 1: You Were Made for More Than Fight or Flight
Devotional
Most of us have been there. Someone says something sharp, a relationship hits a wall, tension fills the room, and everything in us wants to either swing back or walk away. Fight or flight feels natural because it is. But natural is not always the same as right.
Jesus had something else in mind. In Matthew 5, He called peacemakers blessed and named them children of God. Not peacekeepers who avoid hard conversations, but peacemakers who step into them with love and humility. There is a real difference.
Peacemaking is not weakness. It takes more courage to stay in a difficult moment with grace than to explode or disappear. It means you care more about restoration than about being right. It means you are willing to reflect the character of God even when it costs you something.
Here is the encouraging part: this is not a personality type. It is a calling. And if you follow Jesus, it is your calling. You do not have to be naturally calm or conflict-averse to be a peacemaker. You just have to be willing to let God work through you in the middle of the mess.
Today, think about one relationship or situation where you have defaulted to fight or flight. What would it look like to choose a third option?
Bible Verse
'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.' - Matthew 5:9 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
Is there a conflict in your life right now where you have been choosing fight or flight instead of genuinely pursuing peace?
Quote
"We have the escape response and we have the attack response. We normally hear fight or flight. You know what the third response is? Peacemaker mode."
Prayer
Lord, give me the courage to be a peacemaker and not just a peacekeeper. Help me reflect Your character in the middle of tension and trust You with the outcome.
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Day 2: Growth Does Not Happen by Accident
Devotional
Spiritual growth rarely just happens. It is the result of intentional choices made over time, often in ordinary moments that do not feel significant at all.
Ephesians 4 lays out a clear picture: God gave the church leaders not to do all the work, but to equip every believer to do the work. That means growth is not just the pastor's job. It is yours. It is mine. It belongs to all of us together.
The pattern is simple but it requires showing up. It starts with knowing Christ personally, then connecting with a community of believers, then grounding yourself in Scripture, and then using your gifts to serve others. Each step builds on the last. Skip one and the whole thing gets shaky.
Here is what is easy to miss: every act of service counts. Setting up chairs, making coffee, greeting someone at the door. These are not small things. They are spiritual contributions that build up the people around you. You are not just filling a slot on a volunteer schedule. You are administering grace.
You were designed to grow, and you were designed to help others grow too. That is not a burden. It is one of the most meaningful things you will ever do.
Bible Verse
'It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.' - Ephesians 4:11-12 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
Which step in your spiritual growth, connecting with community, studying Scripture, or serving others, do you tend to skip or minimize, and why?
Quote
"Our job in the world is not to leave people the way we found them. Our job in the world is to help take that person to the next level in Christ."
Prayer
Father, show me where I have been passive in my own growth. Give me the desire and the discipline to take the next step You are calling me toward.
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Day 3: You Cannot Love Who You Do Not Know
Devotional
Real community is more than showing up in the same room. It is knowing and being known. It is the kind of relationship where someone can actually pray for you because they know what is going on in your life.
Scripture is full of "one another" commands. Love one another. Serve one another. Encourage one another. More than fifty of them. And here is the thing: you cannot live those out from a distance. You cannot love someone you do not know. You cannot serve a need you have never heard about.
This is why connection matters so much. Not just attendance, but real relationship. The kind where you ask the deeper questions and actually wait for the answer. What is going on in your life? How can I pray for you? Who in your world needs prayer right now?
Those conversations do not happen automatically. They require intention. They require slowing down long enough to actually see the person in front of you.
If you have been on the edges of community, today is a great day to take one step closer. Join a group. Reach out to someone you have been meaning to connect with. Let someone in. The body of Christ builds itself up in love as each part does its work, and your part matters more than you know.
Bible Verse
'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' - John 13:34 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
Is there someone in your church or community who you see regularly but do not really know? What is one practical step you could take this week to change that?
Quote
"You're not going to do that if you don't connect with one another. How do I love you? How do I serve you? How do I pray for you if I don't know anything about you?"
Prayer
Jesus, help me move past surface-level relationships and into the kind of community You designed us for. Give me the courage to let people in and the attentiveness to truly see others.
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Day 4: Conflict Is Not a Sign You Are Failing
Devotional
Nobody likes conflict. But avoiding it is not the same as overcoming it. And here is something worth sitting with: when you step forward in faith, resistance often follows. That is not a sign you are doing something wrong. It is frequently a sign you are doing something right.
Conflict has a way of revealing what is actually in our hearts. It surfaces pride, fear, old wounds, and unresolved tension. That is uncomfortable, but it is also an invitation. An invitation to examine yourself honestly and to let God do something real in you.
Communion is one of the most powerful tools we have for this kind of honest self-examination. Every time you take it, you are reminded of the price that was paid for your sin and your freedom. That reminder is meant to move you, not just inform you. It is meant to lead you toward genuine repentance, which is not just saying sorry but actually turning away from what has been pulling you in the wrong direction.
Do not run from the hard moments in your relationships or in your own heart. Lean into them with honesty and humility. That is where real transformation happens, and that is where peacemaking begins.
Bible Verse
'He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.' - Isaiah 53:5 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
Is there a conflict or area of personal struggle you have been avoiding that God might actually be using to grow you?
Quote
"Expect some conflict in your life, because you've just done something really great. You stepped forward in Jesus. And as you step forward in Jesus, the devil wants to push back."
Prayer
Lord, help me stop running from the hard things and start trusting that You are present in them. Give me a heart that is quick to repent and slow to defend itself.
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Day 5: Every Day Is a Chance to Reflect His Grace
Devotional
You do not have to be on a stage or behind a pulpit to make a difference. Grace shows up in the most ordinary places when ordinary people decide to carry it with them.
Shoveling a neighbor's sidewalk. Listening without rushing to respond. Choosing patience when frustration would be easier. These moments are not small. They are the everyday language of a life surrendered to Christ, and they speak loudly to the people around you.
This is what it looks like to help people know the fullness of God. Not just in big, visible moments, but in the consistent, faithful, sometimes quiet choices you make every single day. Your mission does not clock out when you leave church on Sunday. It goes with you into your home, your workplace, your neighborhood, and your relationships.
You are equipped for this. Ephesians 4 reminds us that the body builds itself up in love as each part does its work. Your part is not optional. It is essential. And the people in your life need what only you, in your specific place and relationships, can offer them.
Step into this week with that in mind. You are not just going through the motions. You are carrying the grace of God into every room you enter.
Bible Verse
'Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.' - 1 Peter 4:10 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
What is one ordinary moment in your daily routine that you could approach differently this week, seeing it as an opportunity to reflect God's grace to someone around you?
Quote
"When you're out shoveling the sidewalk, you're not just shoveling the sidewalk. You know what you're doing? You're administering God's grace in its various forms."
Prayer
God, remind me today that I carry Your grace wherever I go. Help me be faithful in the small moments and trust that You are working through them in ways I cannot always see.

09/06/2026

Christian Fellowship Church Worship, 09-06-2026 - Welcome & Music by Barry Schoder (vocal/piano); Announcements: Jeff Friesen; Message: "Peacemaking, part 1", by Pastor Tim Rice; Communion; Renewal of Wedding Vows: Tom & Trudy Casto. Webcast from Christian Fellowship Church of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

08/31/2026

Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit Lakes MN - Messages · Episode

(Based on 8/30/2026 message from Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit Lakes)---------------------------------Day 1: The ...
08/31/2026

(Based on 8/30/2026 message from Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit Lakes)
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Day 1: The Foundation Beneath Your Feet
Devotional
Parenting can feel overwhelming. You send your kids out the door each morning and immediately lose control of what happens next. The classroom, the lunch table, the hallway conversations, the social media scroll at night. You cannot be in all of those places. That gap between what you want for your children and what you can actually control is real, and it can be exhausting.
But here is the encouragement you need today: God is already there. Before your child walks through that school door, He is present. He goes before them into every space you cannot enter, and He cares for them more deeply than you ever could on your own.
Prayer is not something you add on top of good parenting. It is the ground beneath it. When you bring your children before God each morning, you are not just going through a routine. You are partnering with the One who loves your kids even more than you do. That is not a small thing. That is everything.
Start simple. Before they leave tomorrow morning, pause. Say their name out loud to God. Ask Him to go before them. You may not see the results right away, but trust that He is working in ways you cannot yet see.
Bible Verse
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
If prayer is truly the foundation of parenting and not just a supplement, what would it look like to restructure your daily routine to reflect that belief?
Quote
"Prayer is a primary act of parenting. Prayer is not a supplement to the way that you raise your children. Prayer is a foundation to the way you raise your children."
Prayer
Lord, remind me every morning that You go before my children into places I cannot follow. Teach me to pray first, and to trust You with what I cannot control. Amen.
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Day 2: God Goes Before Them
Devotional
There is a moment in Scripture where Moses speaks to Joshua before he leads the people into a land full of unknowns. The words Moses offers are not a strategy or a battle plan. They are a reminder: God Himself goes before you.
That same truth belongs to you as a parent today. Every morning when your child walks out the door, they are stepping into territory you cannot fully see or control. That reality can either paralyze you or push you toward the One who can.
God already goes before your children into every space you cannot enter. He is in the classroom before the bell rings. He is present in the conversation you will never hear about. He is working in moments you will not find out about until months or even years later. Some of what your children are spared from, you may never know this side of eternity. But that does not mean your prayers are going unheard.
You are not parenting alone. The God who promised to never leave or forsake His people is the same God walking alongside your child today. Lean into that. Let it replace anxiety with confidence, not because the world is safe, but because your God is faithful.
Bible Verse
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." - Deuteronomy 31:7 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
In what area of your child’s life are you most tempted to rely on your own control rather than trusting God to go before them?
Quote
"You will not necessarily find out tomorrow or this afternoon what they were spared from. You may find out six months down the road or six years down the road when you. What they were spared from because you were praying."
Prayer
Father, thank You for going before my children into every place I cannot reach. Help me to release my grip and trust in Your faithfulness today. Amen.
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Day 3: Faith Does Not Happen by Accident
Devotional
There is a quiet assumption that many parents carry without realizing it. The assumption goes something like this: if we raise our kids in church, faith will just happen. But faith is not inherited the way eye color is. It must be cultivated. It must be pursued. It must be prayed for and intentionally passed on.
Timothy is a powerful example of this. His faith traveled from his grandmother Lois to his mother Eunice and then to him. But even with that rich spiritual heritage, Paul still urged Timothy to fan that gift into flame. The fire needed tending. It did not sustain itself.
The same is true in your home. Church attendance matters, but it is not enough on its own. Your children are watching how you live when the service is over. They are paying attention to whether your faith shows up at the dinner table, in how you handle conflict, and in whether you actually talk to God outside of Sunday morning.
You do not need a perfect home. You need a consistent one. A home where faith is lived out loud, in the ordinary moments, is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.
Bible Verse
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." - 2 Timothy 1:3-6 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
What is one everyday moment in your home where you could more intentionally model or talk about your faith with your children?
Quote
"Faith is not automatically inherited. It must be cultivated, it must be pursued, it must be prayed for. It must be intentionally passed on."
Prayer
God, help me to live my faith out loud at home, not just at church. Let my children see something real in me that makes them want to know You for themselves. Amen.
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Day 4: Know Who Is in Their Corner
Devotional
Children are wired to belong. That longing is not a flaw. It is how God designed them. But who they belong with will shape who they become. Peer influence is one of the most powerful forces in a young person’s life, and it does not slow down just because a parent is not watching.
This is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to stay engaged. Intentional parenting means asking questions, knowing names, and staying curious about your child’s world. It means being present enough to notice when something shifts. It also means being willing to have the hard conversations, even when they are uncomfortable.
Your children do not need you to be their best friend. They need you to be their parent. That distinction matters more than it might seem in the moment. A parent who stays involved, sets boundaries, and keeps the lines of communication open is giving their child something no peer group can offer: a safe place to land.
You will never regret knowing who your kids are spending time with. Stay curious. Stay connected. And keep praying for the friendships forming around your children, because those relationships are shaping them in ways that go deeper than you might realize.
Bible Verse
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." - Ephesians 6:10-12 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
How well do you actually know the friends and influences surrounding your child right now, and what is one step you could take this week to become more informed?
Quote
"Children so desperately want to belong, and the problem is who they belong with, because who they belong with will shape who they are."
Prayer
Lord, give me wisdom and courage to stay engaged in my child’s world. Protect the friendships forming around them and surround them with people who will point them toward You. Amen.
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Day 5: Pray Before the Crisis Comes
Devotional
Most of us are good at praying when things fall apart. A diagnosis, a broken friendship, a child who is struggling. Crisis has a way of driving us to our knees quickly. But what if prayer was not just our emergency response? What if it was our daily posture, long before any crisis arrived?
Your children are walking into a spiritual battle every single day. The hallways, the group chats, the pressures they face are not neutral spaces. They are environments where values are being shaped and identities are being tested. They need parents and grandparents who recognize that reality and pray on the front side, not just when things go wrong.
Praying proactively is an act of faith. It says: I trust that God is at work even when I cannot see it. It says: I am not waiting for a problem to remind me that my child needs covering. It is one of the most practical and powerful things you can do today.
You do not need a long prayer or the right words. You just need to show up before God with your child’s name on your lips. Do it today. Do it tomorrow. Make it a habit that outlasts every season of parenting you walk through. The peace that follows is a promise, not a maybe.
Bible Verse
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
Are you currently praying for your children proactively, or do you tend to pray reactively only when a problem surfaces?
Quote
"We should be praying on the front side. I’m afraid that the church has just taken way too lax of a step."
Prayer
Father, teach me to pray before the crisis comes. Guard my children’s hearts and minds today, and give me the discipline to cover them in prayer every single morning. Amen.

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28048 Meadow Drive
Detroit Lakes, MN
56501

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+12182342405

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