Isaiah - Liferoads Church

When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 1

Rich Fodey — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:44:44 +0000

When we have needs or even great desires, it is exciting when are they are fulfilled. There is great joy, rightfully so. When we are talking about the miracles of Jesus, there is even more excitement. However, we also need to be careful to not treat God as a vending machine, which has been the pattern of many pagan beliefs. When looking Jesus’ first miracle in ⁠John 2:1-11⁠, we see that it is a sign that point to something very important. Primarily, that Jesus is God (⁠John 1:1-18⁠). And, that Jesus is the Messiah ushering in the new age.

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Waiting Room – Hope

liferoads — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 03:36:32 +0000

How do we be patient in our waiting periods? How do we recognize that it is not a waste of time? The fall broke our relationship with God, others, creation, and ourselves. However, in the same verses of Genesis that describe the fall, God presents the protoevangelium; the first good news of the redeemer. Jesus is that redeemer. He brought Himself down to a position such that Satan could strike His heel, yet in the same act, Jesus crushed Satan (John 12:28-31). This was God’s plan before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20) (Rev 13:8). And God’s plan requires waiting. During this time God is doing great things in us and around us. We have hope in this, and we must be patient (James 5:7-11). For, we who wait shall have renewed strength and will not be exhausted. We shall mount with wings like eagles and we will run without weary (Isaiah 40:30-31).

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Following Jesus – Week 16

liferoads — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 21:43:00 +0000

All history points to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection (⁠Matthew 27:27-54⁠). The cross is a scandal (⁠1 Cor 1:18⁠); it makes no sense to invent such a thing – to use a device of torture as a symbol of grace. This idea of sacrifice is alarming (especially the sacrifice of Jesus); could there be another way? Even Jesus asked this question. The night of His death, He prayed; “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me,” but concluded, “Your will be done.” Justice is required for the history of sin. It is here that God’s love and justice ‘kiss’ (⁠Psalm 85:10⁠). Seven hundred years after Isaiah wrote about the suffering Messiah’s redemption of the world (⁠Isaiah 53:1-12⁠), it finally came to pass. Love overwhelming, love manifest (⁠1 John 4:9-10⁠), love in action, the act of history. Jesus’ act of love is enough to redeem the entire world (⁠John 3:16⁠).

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Following Jesus – Week 6

Rich Fodey — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:58:46 +0000

What comes to your mind when you think of authority? Today, in our reading from the Gospel of⁠ Matthew, chapter 9⁠, we are introduced to a level of authority that only God possesses. Jesus is clear: He has the authority to forgive sin. But He also has the authority to heal and to transform your identity to be a child of God. Allow Jesus to be your good shepherd; He has the authority to do that too. He calls you, “Follow me.”

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Following Jesus – Week 1

Rich Fodey — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 01:14:38 +0000

Isaiah chapters 40-55 are called the ‘comfort poems.’ They are a backdrop to the Gospel of Matthew. They tell of the Messiah’s return and hope of the promised Kingdom of God (⁠Isaiah 52:1-10⁠⁠). Matthew is diligent to make clear that fulfillment of the entire story of the Hebrew Bible is found in Jesus. He begins the Gospel with the genealogy from the promise to Abraham (⁠Matthew 1:1-17⁠). Immerse ourselves in the story because we still have a part to play in the story. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise. The ‘New Creation’ has begun (⁠Matthew 28:16-20⁠⁠). We live this out as followers of Jesus to be like him, Humble and Obedient to the Father. In the Lord’s Prayer (⁠Matthew 6:9-13⁠⁠) we are invited into this long history of relationship with God. Let the story influence you. Over the summer weeks of this series, immerse yourself in reading Matthew’s Gospel. Read it out loud and with others. And try incorporating the Lord’s Prayer into your day. Form the habits of how we love through these practices.

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Walk Wisely – Week 2

Rich Fodey — Sun, 11 May 2025 20:52:00 +0000

There is great power and great danger in speech. There is great encouragement and great destruction in what we say. Speech can even carry the power of death and life, according to ⁠Proverbs 18:21⁠. The destructive power of a lie is more than you know, yet we all have access to the absolute truth, Jesus Christ: the Word made flesh. We need to be wise with our words and know when to be silent. Speak prayerfully. Ask for guidance. God created by His word, and like Isaiah (⁠6:1-7⁠), God will cleanse your lips, atone for the damage done, and heal.

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Stirred Up – Week 2

Rich Fodey — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0000

This week in ⁠2 Peter 1:16-21⁠, Donnie talks about the power of scripture. The Bible isn’t just any book. Peter explained how they have written from first-hand experience of Jesus. The message is the light of God; it is God’s guide to your life. One has to ask themselves, What is the authority in your life? I will put my trust in the revelation of our creator.

Isaiah 55:8-9
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Hebrews 4:16

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