Study Desk

But neither really matters. It's Jesus who we follow every single day. We follow him because he died for us and we are willing to die for him.

It's because of this that we no longer judge people by their looks or their breeding. Shoot, there was a time not too long ago when we judged Jesus by human standards, too. But now we know he was one with God.

Now, I'm happy. Not because you were hurt, but because of your pain you decided to change.

They didn't just give a little of what they had. They gave more'n what they could actually afford. It wasn't because anyone asked them to do it, either. It was their idea and the result was astonishing joy on their part.

I know y'all are on board. I've been bragging about y'all to all the outfits in Macedonia. I told everyone the outfit in Greece was ready to send an offering over a year ago. This has stoked the fire and now others want to give because of y'all.

God will make you rich in more ways than just money so you will always be able to give. When we show up with your gift, people will thank God because of you.

Prayers will be sent up with tears flowing because of the grace that God has given you.

Why did I do it? Why did I work so hard without being a burden? Do you think it's because I don't care about y'all? Only God knows how much I love y'all.

Understand though, it ain't bragging if it happened and I wouldn't be a fool for telling y'all the truth. But the reason I ain't going to tell y'all is because I don't want credit for something I only saw and heard. I only want credit for what y'all have seen me do.

As a matter of fact, I'm proud of these weaknesses. I don't even care when I'm insulted or when there are rough trails. I look forward to being persecuted and having problems, because it is in these times that I am the weakest. And it is only then that I am at my most powerful.

I'm pushing y'all hard because I'm afraid that when I get there, y'all won't even be able to swing a rope. I'm afraid all my work has been for nothing and y'all haven't practiced or taken anything seriously. I'm worried that when I get there I'm going to find bickering, jealousy, anger, gossip, arrogance, and wrong living.

I really am afraid that when I get there, God is going to humble me because y'all have done nothing you were supposed to. My tears will flow down my cheeks because you have given up your ride for the brand for a life of sin again. You have not rode off from your evil lies, sexual immorality, and sorry ways. I'm afraid you just hid them in a closet, not repented and rode off from them.

Because of this, cowboys from all over Judea praised God that the great enemy of the brand was now its greatest ally.

I went there because God told me to. I met in private with the leaders of the outfit in Jerusalem and told them the same message I'd been giving to the outsiders. I wanted to be sure everyone agreed on the same message. I didn't want my past or future endeavors to be wasted.

We both know a cowboy is made right with God by his faith in Jesus, not by following the code of Moses. Both of us believe in Jesus and are right with God because of it, not by following the Code. You can't be right with God by following rules.

When I tried to keep the Code, I was condemned because I couldn't do it. So, I gave it all up and trusted Jesus did for me what I couldn't do for myself. Instead of being condemned by the code of Moses, I now live for the brand of God.

Let me ask you again, is the Holy Ghost a gift from God for obeying rules or believing in Jesus? I think y'all know the answer. It's because you believed in Jesus and signed up to be a part of his crew.

Think about it! Abraham believed in God. He and God were tight because of that, not because he was good at following rules. It was because of his faith.

Not only that, but the Good Book told us what was going to happen. It said all people, not just Jews, would be made right with God through faith. God told Abraham this good news when he said, "All cowboys will be blessed because of you."

Because of Jesus, even Gentile outsiders can share the same blessing promised to Abraham. Those who ride for the brand will get the Holy Ghost through faith.