From the Home Place

Starting today at 50 degrees with clouds. Hopefully they can get gathered up and bring some rain this direction??? It’s raining 50 miles north of us, but that moisture will travel toward South Dakota.

Yesterday, our group of Wyoming pastors met here in Lusk for a time of prayer, fellowship and planning. Two guests from the Denver area joined us for our gathering. They both commented that “this area is the worst we’ve seen.” They meant that this part of the Wyoming is in the worst drought condition of any area between here and Denver. Almost every rancher that I know of is still feeding hay, if they can find it. We really need rain!

Yesterday’s gathering was a special blessing. For most of the pastors in Wyoming, we are a long way away from other pastors in our District. As such, they seldom get face-to-face time with like-minded pastors. Yesterday’s meeting provided each of us that opportunity.

As pastors, as Christians, it is important to hear someone else pray for you, as you also get to pray for them. It is of great value to have someone there beside you to listen to your victories and your struggles. It is really special to have someone who understands your role in God’s kingdom, someone who is able to share ideas, and especially wisdom, in ways that really work in the daily life of another Christian, or pastor.

The simple fact is that as Christ-followers we need each other. We need to pray together, share together, encourage one another, and build into the life of another. Each of these elements are a part of what is called discipleship. Discipleship carries the primary idea of spiritual growth gained while sharing life with another Christian. So, I must ask, who is helping you grow spiritually, and who are you helping to grow in their spiritual walk? Please understand, spiritual growth is centered around proper application of knowledge. The Bible states, “With your knowledge, gain understanding.” The word “understanding” implies proper application. It is a simple fact – we haven’t really learned a biblical truth until it is regularly lived out in our lives.

Remember, information is not transformation. Though we Americans thrive on more information, perhaps we would do better to desire application of what we already know before we get carried away with learning something more.

I am of the opinion that we American Christians love going to church because for most of us it allows us to check our spiritual box for the week. But you see my friends, as valuable and even as necessary as going to church is, it is only one element of spiritual growth. We all need to be involved in spiritual growth that challenges us to be more like Jesus on a daily basis. The Bible is the primary source of spiritual nourishment for a Christian; do we all know how to feed ourselves a healthy dose of spiritual food on a daily basis? Going to church one day a week will not keep us well fed the other six days.

Please, if you are not presently involved in a biblically based group study, do so. Even if you have to start your own group, get together with others to pray, study, share wisdom and challenge each other to obey that which you are learning. Why? Because if your pastor needs such a group, perhaps you should once again follow his example.

Gathering to grow with you, Neal