Looking for help in Discernment?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

holyspiritbibleRemaining in God’s word helps when we need discernment.  God’s word can shape our perspective on how to view the world, ourselves and God, and this gives help for discernment in our life.

Have you ever found yourself in a place needing discernment? Perhaps you have a choice to make? Perhaps there is someone in your life, and you are needing to know how to respond to them? In 1 John, the apostle John gives some instructions to his people to help with discernment.  In 1 John 2:25-27 there are two reminders that can help with discernment in our life. I will share one here.

John’s church is experiencing some challenges. One group is claiming a new understanding of Jesus.  John gives his church some advice, a place to start that will help them with discernment. Whether that be the need to discern a new spiritual teaching, or direction in our life.

1 John 2:24-25 “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.  If it does, you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us – even eternal life.”

“Objectively John was teaching there are objective right beliefs rooted in recitation of the historic facts of our faith” (Burge, Gary. “The NIV Application Commentary: The Letters of John.” Michigan, Zondervan, 1996, p. 131).

However, it is not just the ability to repeat back what John wrote in his gospel.  It is about taking hold of who Jesus is and putting our trust in him.  Often it is when we have forgotten who Jesus is that we have forgotten who we are, and this makes choices even harder.  John is calling his people to not forget who Jesus is, and what they heard in the Gospel of John.

Remaining in God’s word is not just about reading scripture every day.  This is a good discipline, but the discipline does not save us.  Our spiritual disciplines position us to hear from God, and centre ourselves on Jesus.  To remain in God’s word is to let it also take root in our life, and embrace God’s promises and principles for our life.

If you follow Jesus long enough, you know of times when you need some discernment and so you open your bible and hope something comes out.  However, for many you only come out in the end with nothing.

I have observed in life, that through the regularly reflection/meditation of scriptures over time we gain better perspective.  God’s word can shape our perspective on how to view the world, ourselves and God, and this gives help for discernment in our life.

Remaining in God’s word will point us to Jesus, were we can find and live in the promise of eternal life (v.25)

Remaining in God’s word will help in discernment in life.

Tips for Looking for God in My Life

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Where is Jesus in my life? Do you find yourself wondering where God is in your journey?  We all find our self in a season at times, where we struggle to see God leading us.

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After service one day in the midst of a conversation someone shared with me.  You know I really think the way God works today is in small ways.  He shared we need to have eyes to see the small little L.E.D lights.  The lights are God at work, and as you see them they start to light our path.  They are God’s way of lighting your path.  But you have have to have eyes to see.

This is some great wisdom from a fellow believer on the journey with us.  So just where in your life have you seen the L.E.D lights?  Over the last week, month, 3 months, six months, year, where have the L.E.D lights been found?  Take a moment and write them down, where are you seeing God?  Is it in that small conservation? Perhaps someone was able to give you the words to express yourself?  Perhaps something unexpected?  Still struggling to start  a list, try writing out what you are thankful for. I am sure that will lead you to some L.E.D lights.

Here are four starting tips for looking for Jesus in our life.

1. Faith in Jesus

This is not a cop out.  Seriously, you have to believe and understand that God is at work.  Do you believe that God is great?  If he is, then you do not have to be in control of everything.  If we do not have faith that God is good enough, then we will look elsewhere for satisfaction.  In a way faith is what helps us get through the long waiting time.  It is like the oil the virgins carried or did not carry with them in Matthew 25.  Faith is about trusting that God is leading your life.  Faith is about following that call of God in your life.   Sometimes we struggle to see him because we allow the waves to be greater than he is.  We put more faith in something other than Jesus.

Make the choice today to trust Jesus.

2. Look for him.

Take a moment and look back.  Where do you see the little L.E.D lights that are the God moments in your life?   There is a good chance it was small, a conversation here, an impression to go left instead of right.  Do you see it, along your journey?  A conversation with a person, who just opened doors that were not there.  Perhaps it was physical doors or doors inside of you.   This is about asking the question, “Where am I seeing God at work?”  Where is the kingdom of God or God pushing into your life?  Why are you seeing this happen?  Why is this happening? What are you going to do now?

Take a moment and write it down.  Write down the God moments in your life.

3. Gathering with God’s community for Worship 

I have watched people as they are  going through challenging times.  They gather with God’s people, and as we pray, sing and teach, God’s spirit softens their  hearts.  There is something about gathering with a healthy community of God’s people that can help bring proper perspective.  For many, this is the only time to pause, and be still and know God.  Our eyes begin to be opened to the L.E.D lights and we see the light on our path.  As we gather with God’s people we will listen to the stories of others, and through their journey God will speak to us about our journey.   Transformation takes place in community.

4. Spend time in God’s word

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”

Let the Scriptures remind you about who God is and what he has done.  As you understand and embrace that, you  can then understand who you  are and understand the path you are to walk.

Do you find yourself looking for Jesus in your life?  Try these four rhythms to see the L.E.D. lights.

We have adopted

Posted on by Matthew Laker

20141201_140325We have adopted a baby boy.  Yes just like that.  We finished up a course with the Children’s Aid Society for those considering fostering or adopting (Oct 2014).  Through this course we learned more about the work of Children’s Aid Society, the need for and role of fostering and adoption. We also learned  how to walk with children through this system.  At moments this scared me, and at other moments made me cry because  of all the brokenness in our world.  People need Jesus.

We then had the last part of our home study take place, and our three our kids had short interviews.  In a meeting, a conversation took place regarding a particular case.  We answered questions and asked some questions.  After the social worker left my wife and I talked about the case.  Later we looked up a few things on-line to educate ourselves regarding some questions we had.

To be honest the whole thing happened really fast.  We were thinking we would have a long wait, but for us this is not the journey we will be taking.  From the beginning I have said lets walk the road and see where we go.  My wife was always 100%.  I tended to be let’s just take one step and I looked for affirmation along the way.

We ended up meeting with our social worker the Thursday after our home study ended, and another social worker for an interview/information meeting. We talked and asked questions regarding a case. Near the end of the meeting we were asked do we see any reason to say no for this case. My wife and I looked at each other and said, “ No.”  We then talked about potential next steps.  Then we went home and waited.  Conversations took place in the world of social workers, and we then we got a phone call that we were moving ahead.

We are adopting.

For us this is really about being able to walk alongside a child in need.  This is not about a need of fulfillment or desire to have a bigger family.  Yes we have tried, but could not, but we have always had the adoption conservation with us.  This is about being who God has called us to be.  This is about living the gospel.  This is about, we are able (not everyone is), and about helping restore a child and giving them hope.  This is full of unknowns and is scary.  We are adopting and like any journey, we do not know where it will take us.  What we do know is that God will lead us.

As of December 1, 2014 we have adopted.

Help to Get more out of your Christmas Season

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Christmas for many can feel like a burden, lonely, and be a stressed-filled season.  In the West, there is great pressure to live up to an image that, let’s face it, no one can.  The author “Ann” of “aholyexperience.com” shares, “Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it’s a sign that I’ve take on something of the world and not of Christ. ”

This is why I have come to appreciate the value of the Advent season.  This tradition over the years has been practiced in different ways with different purposes, but similar purposes. However, at its core has always been a call back to spiritual disciplines and reflection upon Jesus.  It does not matter if it was a 40 day experience or a 4 week experience, it has been about preparing, pausing, reflecting and seeking Jesus.

This is an opportunity to develop a different spiritual discipline in order to understand God more deeply.  It is a season to let go of the world and grab Jesus.  In the world of weight lifting, if you are going to grow you muscles you need to stress and relax the muscle.  You lift heavy weights then give them rest.  Advent is a season to lift some weights to grow your spiritual muscle.

Help To get more out of the Season of Christmas

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1. Make a choice to lift weights.

ok not physical weights, though that may help with the extra eating we do at this time of year. But choose to practice some extra or different spiritual disciplines over this season.

2. Find a community to do this with.

This could be Christian friends, small group or family. Having people to do this with will only increase your opportunity to grow and God will use others to help shape your spiritual formation.

3. Bible meditation, Pray, Fast, Serve

Perhaps you are already doing some of this, but change it up this month.  In my local church setting we try to provide a bible reading plan for the current advent season.  If you would like the current one, email matthew@matthewlaker.com.  You could meet with a group this season to read scripture and talk about it.

Continue to develop your prayer life, perhaps add a prayer walk or community prayer time.  Perhaps, find an advent devotional to guide this process.

I would encourage you in the midst of a season full of food in the west. Consider fasting as a way to be reminded of the Lordship of Jesus and your need for him.

Serving is increased in our Canadian culture at this time of year, but consider how you may impact one person or a group of persons this advent season.  You just may find Jesus there.

Ok, so you are saying is this not what we are already called to do as followers of Jesus?  Yes, many of us struggle to do it, so this is a great time to refocus.  In my own life I practice most of the basic spiritual disciplines.  However, this time of year I try to add a few extra or change in order to seek him more.  It is a set time to be still and know God.

Things in my house we do or have done.

a. We light a candle each night that has a count-down to Christmas day on it.As part of that time we have prayers.

b. We watch a movie about the first coming of Jesus, and then my wife and I often sit and talk about it.

c. Join in with church advent traditions.  This often includes lighting of candles, extra reading, Christmas Eve service.

d. Personally I often pick up an extra advent/Christmas devotional to read.

e. Engage in spiritual conversation with others over a meal .  The last number of years this is often with our kids, as we talk about what is Christmas all about.

f. We try to find ways to invite people into our life to share the experience.  For example, host an evening with people who do not know Jesus in your house.  Serve dessert and drinks and be intentional about hearing their stories about this time of year.  You will have opportunity to shares yours.

g.  When my wife was growing up, each week they used to put out a new person to the nativity scene that would end with Jesus on Christmas morning.  We have not done this yet but keep talking about it each year.

This season take on Jesus and not the burden of the world.    What traditions do you have?

Help I Am Stuck In My Prayer Life

Posted on by Matthew Laker

prayer 3From time to time our prayer rhythm will be off.  It  can feel like you are stuck in mud.  We all go through seasons of feeling stuck in the mud around our pray life.

I remember one time fishing with a friend.  He took me down a stream, and as we walked, I got  stuck in the mud on the side.  He reached down to pull me out.  In the same way the Holy Spirit will use the Psalms to help our prayer life become unstuck.  Often if our prayer rhythm is off, we are not reading our bible.

Two ways the Psalms can help us become unstuck in our prayer life

1. Remind us about who God is.

It is said that the Psalms  are about a person on a journey seeking God.  In doing so, he reflects upon who God is.  The Psalms force us to deal with who God is, even when we do not want to face that reality.  The Psalms remind us of who God is and what he does.  In return, this determines who we are and what we do.

2. Speak the Language

Really read the Psalm to God.  Use the language and imageries of the Psalm in your life. Remember, the Psalms take place in a historical setting; be careful to not lose that perspective.  However, The Psalms express seasons of loss, fear, struggle, and praising God.  Allow them to guide you when you need to express such seasons.

Joni Eareckson Tada has some great teaching around this in the post “Speaking God’s Language: How Scripture Can Add Power to Your Prayers”

What does this look like? – Here is a example of speaking the Language from Psalm 27

” The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?”

Prayer: Jesus you are my light and salvation.  Because you are my light and salvation, I will not fear.  You will light my path you are my identity.  You are my stronghold in my life and I do not need to fear.  Help me Jesus as I do have fear over ___________________( area of life, person).  Holy Spirit let me draw upon you for strength and not look to ___________.

Another prayer resource: Where to turn in the Psalm.

What are the challenges in your prayer rhythms?