Study Desk

Just because your foot can't swing a loop doesn't mean it's not part of your body.

And just because you can't see out of your ear doesn't mean it's not just as useful to the body.

Think about what you'll look like if an outsider comes into your church and sees you going on and on like it's gibberish. They don't understand and they never will because they'll be headed for the door.

But I am a gunsel compared to those other cowboys that he chose. Why? Because I used to hunt cowboys down and kill 'em. Even though I now ride for Jesus, I ain't worthy to be called one of his cowboys.

It's only because of his grace that I know I really am a cowboy. And you know what? I didn't waste the grace. I ride harder and further, taking the outside in this big gathering of the lost and those who have strayed away. (But it's not really me riding. It's God's grace working through me that allows me to do what I do.)

And not just that, we'd be guilty of lying about God because we've told everyone it was God who raised him back to life. If God doesn't raise us up after we die, then he didn't raise Christ up either.

I look death in the face every single day. I'm able to because I'm convinced of my resurrection and yours through Jesus Christ.

Get back in the middle of your saddle and get both feet in the stirrups. You need to think right and quit all that sinning you know is wrong. Some of you don't even know who God is because you'd rather live a life of sin rather than one that's eternal. And to that, it's your own fault and you'll get what you deserve.

So, cowboys, sit tall in the saddle. Don't ever quit riding for the brand because your work down here makes a difference.

Timothy might be stopping by soon. Make him feel at home because he's working for God as hard as I am.

Howdy, boys! It's me, Paul. I'm one of the cowboys God chose to lead this gathering because I reckon it's what he wanted. Timothy says howdy, also.I'm writing to the big gatherin' of cowboys and cowgirls who make up the church in Corinth as well as all those scattered throughout Achaia taking the outside for God.

We have high hopes for y'all. We want y'all to share in the suffering because if you share in the suffering, you'll get to share in the comfort that can only come from God himself.

We ain't out to micromanage your faith or be overly critical. We are flanking each other in this gathering. We will be victorious because we work together, not because we work the same.

When I sat down to write that letter to you, it felt like a knife in my gut. Tears spilled out of me like a waterfall because of what I had to say for your benefit. I didn't want to say anything hurtful, but I loved y'all enough to tell you the truth.

But I was restless because my pard, Titus, hadn't showed up yet. So I saddled up and headed for Macedonia to find him.

We can say this proudly because of our never-ending trust in God through Jesus Christ.

But the people didn't notice because their hearts were hard like stone. Even today when the old code of condemnation is read, it covers their minds where they cannot see or understand the truth. This covering can only be removed by believing in Jesus, who brought the new code of confirmation with him.

If the good news seems too hard to understand to some folks, it because those people are lost and don't know God.

The Good Book once stated, "I said it because I believed it." That pretty much sums up our faith.

Having something made specifically for us from God is something special. We know it's waiting on us because the Holy Spirit was the guarantee sent to us as a promise of what's to come.