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We take after those in our family. It is a signature of our identity. Our father is the creator of the universe, and we have been adopted into His family as children (1 John 3:1-3). That should be our primary identity. We don't need to convince God of our holiness, we pursue His holiness because of His love for us. So, we should turn from sin, and live our identity a children of God. Sin is not who we are; do not make light of, or ignore that warning light (1 John 3:4-10). Just as God loves us and is making us pure, thus we should love others beyond words, just as our Father does (1 John 3:11-18). Liferoads Church Spokane

Late in his life the apostle John wrote to the Christian churches warning them of false teaching (1 John 2:18-29). This type of false teaching still hangs around today. John called those who deny Christ, the anti-Christ. Christians then and now need know and abide in the truth. Go back to the what drew you to Christ in the first place. Jesus is the living God. Be careful to not drift in your beliefs and ideas. Know who you are and live confidently as children of God and what great hope we have (1 John 3:1-2). Liferoads Church Spokane

There is a Christian maxim, origin unknown, "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay." Take sin seriously! Sin ruins. However, do not carry your sin (or others) as a burden, we have an advocate. "[Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins," meaning He has turned God's wrath into favor through His love (1 John 2:1-2). Jesus' love language is obedience. That word might make us flinch, but if we have accepted His grace and seek Him, we will find great confidence and assurance in following His wisdom (1 John 2:3-6). It begins with the Great commandment (John 13:34-35), Love God and Love people (1 John 2:7-11)(⁠1 John 2:12-17⁠). Keep in mind that loving God means not loving the things of the world, for we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Obedience to the world is incompatible with obedience to Christ. Just as Jesus prayed, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth."(John 17:14-19). Liferoads Church Spokane

Navigating in darkness has its dangers. The light offers clarity and direction. The apostle John's first letter invites us in to God's light; a light of truth, wisdom and cleansing. John was an eye witness, he knew Jesus. This invitation he writes of, is an invitation into fellowship with others and with God. To truly be in the light, we must acknowledge sin. Without confession, it cannot be identified and cleansed. It is a matter of continual spiritual hygiene to identify and confess our sin. Take sin seriously - and take your savior seriously. He took your failures and purified you. So be free in His sacrifice and don't be a slave to sin. Liferoads Church Spokane

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, "The mass of men lead lives of quite desperation." That could be true, but it is an indicator that something is missing. Jesus promises more. He offers a solution to this desperation (John 10:1-18). He offered Himself so that we may know and live a full life. Jesus is the door to a full 'zoe' life, not just a life of existence, a life of meaning and purpose. He is the good shepherd that protects, and guides us. You need to meet my friend Jesus. This is not a promise of utopia, it is a promise of meaning (Matthew 11:28-30). The cross was an act of boldness for you. Liferoads Church Spokane

What does it really mean to be the church? In Ephesians 2:19–22, Paul describes the church not as a place we attend or something we consume, but as a family, a body, and a people God is building together. We need one another to grow in faith and to know Jesus more fully. The church will never be perfect, but it is one of the primary ways God forms us through relationships of love, encouragement, service, and belonging. The goal isn't simply to attend church, but to love the church and become part of what God is building together.Liferoads Church Spokane

In Isaiah concludes with God's promises to make all things new (Isaiah 65:17-66:2), that there will be a new lived experience because of the life he infuses into the world and the work he accomplishes, and he invites us to live in this new life now in anticipation of what will fully be. Jesus restores broken people and creation, and then invites restored people to join Him in His work of restoration. Liferoads Church Spokane

In Isaiah 61, God promises good news for the brokenhearted, freedom for captives, comfort for those who mourn, and beauty instead of ashes. Centuries later, Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 in a synagogue and announced, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Isaiah’s vision is one of deep restoration. God doesn’t simply remove the signs of brokenness, He replaces them with joy, praise, strength, and a new purpose. The people who were mourning in the ashes become oaks of righteousness, rebuilders of ruined places, and priests who represent God in the world. Jesus restores broken people and then invites restored people to join Him in His work of restoration. Liferoads Church Spokane

God offers a grand invitation that is recorded in Isaiah 55. The voice resonates all they way back from Eden and is found in the mouth of Jesus (John 4:1-15; John 7:37-38). "Come, everyone who thirsts." See, we have a tendency to want to do it ourselves. Just like Jeremiah warned (2:13) we build cisterns that cannot hold water. There is only one source. All of heaven knows it, and longingly watch this story of redemption play out (1 Peter 1:10). Do you hear the call? "Come. Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires to take the water of life without price." (Revelation 22:17) Liferoads Church Spokane

When it comes to prophecy, there is nothing that exists like Isaiah 53. The fourth Suffering Servant Song is a remarkable foreshadow of the Passion of Christ. When set next to Romans 5:12-21 one can see how one sin caused so much damage and one immensely loving act of God redeems all who humble themselves to receive it. Jesus' suffering is something we need to continually contemplate. How do I invite Jesus to come along side my suffering and glorify Him? How do I deal with suffering in a way that heals others? Liferoads Church Spokane

We have a tendency to focus on the present discontent instead of remembering how God has always overcome our challenges of the past. Chapter 51 in Isaiah is a reminder to Judah (Israel) of God's greatness in delivering them from pas rears and seemingly impossible circumstances. That reminder is for us too. Jesus has proven, He is our deliverer so worthy of worship. Let's learn from the past and have hope in Jesus. Liferoads Church Spokane

There are four places that 'The Servant' is the identified in the book of Isaiah. Here, in chapter 49, is the second time. These words, written 700 years ago, point to Christ. Now, prophecy doesn't seem very scientific, but science is asking different questions than faith. The two are compatible - for here are the very words found on document near the Dead sea that are hundreds of years older than Jesus was born, yet is obviously writing about the same person in history we call Jesus. Though we may feel like forgotten like Zion in Isaiah 49:14, Jesus shows us His wounds (Acts 13:44-49) and says I live, follow me. Liferoads Church Spokane

Choose this day who you will serve, as for me it is the Lord (Joshua 24:14-15). It may seem like the idols we read about are long gone and we need not worry about falling prey to such things, but they are still as strong as ever. They have gone underground. Our idols may not be made of stone and wood, but we are idol factories, and we were built to worship. In Isaiah 44:9-20, God puts Israel on trial again. "who is greater than God?" He takes a mocking tone that we should be so foolish as to worship creation over the creator (Psalm 115:1-8). Ultimately, we are making ourselves god. But the good news is that God forgives. He laid a path for the Israelites to be delivered (Isaiah 44:21-28) and He has come into creation as Jesus to offer you deliverance from out slavery to sin. Liferoads Church Spokane

There is a common phrase that runs counterfeit to biblical wisdom. "You have to find yourself." Many of us ask some hard identity questions, "who am I, where do I fit in, and how can I make a difference." Israel had a similar struggle understanding who they were; first we must understand who God is (Isaiah 43). God knows you. Do not fear, you are precious to Him (Numbers 6:23-27). You are His Children and He has a new exodus planned for redemption (Isaiah 43:14-32). Not because Israel (nor you) are so worthy, but because God is so forgiving and so good (Isaiah 43:22-28). God has answers for you identity. You have purpose and are loved (Ephesians 1:7-10). Liferoads Church Spokane

Who is this servant that is written about in Isaiah 42:1-9? We know now it is a prophetic description of Jesus and His perfect and gentle leadership on earth (Matthew 11:28-30). Matthew (12:1-21) quotes this verse in Isaiah regarding the way Christ will not break those who are bruised, and will not snuff out those who are struggling. In fact, Jesus will grow that reed into spiritual strength and fan the dimming flames into a fire for Him. Liferoads Church Spokane