Study Desk

but God has told me it ain't gonna be skittles and rainbows. It's going to be rough and rank from here on out.

But none of that worries me. My only thoughts are to finish the job. Jesus told me to tell everyone about the grace of God through his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the good news that I've told everyone I could.

Not once did I hold anything back from you about what God wants.

Take care of yourselves and watch over the herd God put you in charge of. Be good cowboys who watch over God's herd day and night. Take your jobs seriously because he bought that herd with his own blood.

"And now I'm turning y'all loose on your own to follow God. He will take great care of you and make you into the cowboys you could never become on your own. He's going to make y'all strong, and to the strong, he will give an inheritance that cannot be measured. This is the reward to all those who faithfully served him.

Paul's words echoed in their ears that they would never see him again. The range bosses from Ephesus escorted him to the boat, tipped their hats, and went out to do the job God had given them.

Paul smiled and shook his head saying, "Why are y'all making this worse for me? I'm ready for whatever they dish out, even if it's death. It's not about what they can do to me. It's about what God will do through me that matters."

"Then Ananias said, 'God himself has handpicked you for an important mission. He let you see and hear from the Top Hand himself.

Paul stood with his shoulders back and his head high as he said, "Brothers, I stand before God and y'all with a clear conscience."

Paul shot back with ferocity at Ananias, "You will be slapped down by God himself you two-faced hypocrite! You judge me by the Code and then break it yourself by having me slapped like a mongrel dog!"

People were on their feet and screaming at each other like the Hatfields and McCoys. Then some influential Pharisees shouted over the ruckus, "He hasn't said anything wrong! What if it was an angel who spoke to him? What if God is behind all of this?"

Paul continued, "But I stand here today and tell you plainly that I am a cowboy riding for the Way. They call it a cult, but it is the furthest thing from it. I worship the same God they do and believe everything in the Code and what the prophets said.

My accusers and I both share the hope that God will raise the dead . . . the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Because of this, I watch everything I say and do. My conscience is absolutely clear before God and man.

"I had been away for a couple of years and just returned with money to help my people and to offer sacrifices to God.

except for the one time I shouted, 'I'm only on trial because I believe God will raise the dead!'"

Paul held nothing back. He told them the only way to be right with God was through Jesus. Paul also spoke of self-control and the day of judgment that would come for every man. This boogered Felix. He said to Paul, "That's enough for today. If I want more, I'll send for you."

And I am standing here today for one simple fact, I believe God will keep his promise he made to our ancestors.

It's why all of us worship God day and night. We all have the same hope in God. And this hope is why I am on trial. Nothing else.

Why is so hard to believe God can bring someone dead back to life?