Study Desk

I talked to him about what I'm asking for and he's agreed to come help. He wants to see y'all again.

You see, I've promised you to Jesus like a father promising his virgin daughter to a king.

There are wannabe cowboys showing up preaching a different Jesus than we did. Instead of running them off, y'all invite them in, listen, and pat them on the back. Can you not see the truth or can you not tell the difference between a drugstore cowboy and a real hand preaching the truth?

If he does that, of course his servants will play dress up as well. But when the big sorting arrives, we will see who is sorted in and out of the narrow gate.

And when I do, I'm not talking like the Boss would talk. You see? I am a fool.

I'm going to come see y'all for the third time. And like the last times, I will not be a burden. I don't want what you have—I just want you riding for the brand. Children shouldn't be the ones providing for the parent when they are able to provide for themselves. It's the other way around.

This will be my third time coming to see y'all. Don't forget, if someone has a complaint about someone else, there's got to be at least two or three other cowboys who can testify to the truth of it.

If you need proof that Jesus speaks through me, you'll get it when he deals with you when I arrive. You'll sure enough see his power then.

So I suggest you test yourselves to see if your faith is true. If you don't realize Jesus lives in you now then you have failed the test.

Listen, I'm hurting bad for y'all. I hurt as bad as a mom watching her son get in a horse wreck. I will feel like this until people can look at y'all and see Jesus.

See these big letters I'm writing to you with my own hand!

People will look back and see the extraordinary gift that is available to everyone who rides for the brand. We've got a spot in God's crew because of his grace through Jesus, not because we are top hands.

Whatever happens, ride in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Then, whether I get to come see y'all or not, there won't be any doubt y'all are riding for the brand. Y'all will be riding together through the Holy Spirit, sharing the same faith, and helping each other.

That's why I am so eager to send him back. I know he wants to go and I know y'all want to see for yourselves that he's doing good.

Y'all keep riding for the brand! Stay true to the code of Christ. I can't wait to see y'all again my friends. Y'all have proved my work was not in vain. I'm sure I'm going to get a trophy buckle in heaven for the things y'all have done on earth.

My cellmate, Aristarchus, says to tell y'all hello. Mark, Barnabas's cousin, is also here with us. If Mark comes to see y'all, welcome him as if it were me.

Timothy has made it back with nothing but good news. He's told us about your faith and love for all people. He told us y'all remember our teachings and continue to ride in the manner in which we taught you. He said y'all can't wait for us to come see y'all and we feel the same.

Night and day we pray God will allow us to return and see y'all again; to witness your faith in action. But to also see how we can help y'all to be better cowboys.

And just when you think you can't handle anymore, he's gonna come riding in and help you. He's done the same for us over and over again. You'll know when he comes to give you relief because you'll see him riding back over the hill. But he won't be alone! He'll bring with him the purifying fire and all his powerful angels.

It wasn't that we didn't have the right to accept such things, but we worked hard so y'all would see us walking the walk, not just talking the talk.