Study Desk

God said about Israel, "I sounded the siren for them to come to me all day long and they ignored me because they are rebellious and disobedient."

While that's true, remember you are there because of your faith in Christ. They were broken off because they rejected him. Instead of bragging about this, switch to just being thankful you haven't been broken off and thrown in the fire.

Israel has become an enemy of the good news. But their loss is your gain for now. Yet, God still loves them because of the grandpappies Abe, Isaac, and Jake.

Because of my position in this gathering, the Boss has given me the authority to pass along this warning. Don't look down your nose at anyone. You worry about you and the faith you have.

Because of his grace, God gave us different specialties for doing things well. If God gave you the specialty of speaking his truth, do it with as much faith as God has given you.

Be a good hand whether or not you have a good boss. Otherwise, you are going against God himself. Don't take a chapping from God because of your pride.

All who have authority over you are God's servants in one way or another. If you screw up, then you should be scared because they have the power to throw you off the ranch. These authority figures in various shapes and sizes are sent to make you better and punish you if you screw up.

You worry about you and let others make their own decisions. Quit condemning others because they don't act like you do, this goes both ways. God accepts all kinds based on their heart.

He also came that the promises would be extended to the outsiders. The Psalms speak of this when they say, "Because of who you are, I will praise you among the outsiders. I will sing of your mighty name."

I haven't said these things to hear myself to talk, but to remind you of these things because you'll be needin' 'em. It is by God's mercy

I haven't made it to y'all yet because I've been so busy doing these things and riding these pastures and canyons.

Cowboys, I'm sure enough counting on all of y'all to join with me in the struggle that comes with riding for Christ. Keep me in your prayers and I know God will answer them. Y'all care about me because the Holy Ghost is in your hearts.

This begs the question, can wisdom be found here on earth? Let me answer—it cannot! Because God has turned conventional thinking on its head like a forefooted runaway steer.

God wanted it like this because he wants you to trust in his abilities, not in men's words.

Even the great cowboy Isaiah, said, "Who knows what the Boss is up to? Who thinks they can tell him a better way to run the ranch?"We understand what he's doing because we ride the trail with the Top Hand, Jesus.

Why? Because you are still being controlled by sin and emotions. You're all looking to one-up each other and you squabble like a pen full of squealin' mares. You see? You're acting just like the rest of the world does.

Because of the grace of God, I have laid the foundations of a ranch like a top-notch cowman. Now others are working its pastures, but they must be very careful.

So, no more big-talking and name-dropping. You don't need any human to gain all things because they already belong to you.

I know some of you are already saying, "But I am set free and can do anything I want." Yeah, you can. But just because you can doesn't mean you should. You are free and can do anything you want, but don't become a slave once again to sin.

I know some of you are thinking, "Food was made for the stomach and the stomach was made for food." But just because this is true doesn't mean you should stuff yourselves like gluttons or use your body for sexual things God never intended. Don't use your bodies for your own pleasure, but for the will of God. He gave you your body so give your body to him.