Study Desk

I don't want to just ride for the Lord. I want to know him! This means experiencing the same things he did. I want to know the power of being brought back from the dead. I even want to suffer like he did so I can know the death he endured.

I'm running across God's pasture at full-stupid so that I can win the prize that is waiting for me in Christ Jesus.

It breaks my heart that many cowboys only ride for themselves. In doing so, they make themselves enemies of the cross.

I'm not bringing this up so y'all can send some more. I want y'all to be rewarded for what you've already done.

So we spread the good news. We warn people about the box canyon of sin and self-dependence as well as teach with wisdom that can only come from God. We want to present all people perfect before God. The only way this happens is through Christ.

That's why I've ridden ten thousand miles and worked so hard. I did it by depending on Christ's mighty strength that dwells within me.

I'm telling you this so you won't fall prey to wolves with silver tongues.

Don't forget us in your prayers as well. Ask God to open locked gates so we may go in and gather strays and remnants who are sick and hurting. We will doctor them with the good news, which is the mystery of Jesus. It's for him that I suffer in the saddle.

Tychicus is going to fill you in on the rest of what I've been up to and how I am doing. He's a top hand for the Lord and I am so thankful for him.

After you show this letter to everyone there, send it on to Laodicea so they can take a gander at it. I'm sending a letter to them too, so get theirs and read what I wrote them.

And so y'all have become the top hands in all of Greece, including Macedonia and Achaia.

Even though we went through hell in Philippi, we boldly told y'all the same message that caused us so much trouble there. We pulled out our running iron to change people's brands from the world to God's brand through Jesus Christ. And there were plenty of people who wanted to stop us at any cost.

Don't you remember all our hard work? We were the first ones saddled up in the morning and the last ones to unsaddle in the evening. We even took all the night check duties so we would not be a burden and expect others to do something we wouldn't do. We preached and worked at the same time.

We are so thankful you didn't turn a deaf ear to what we had to say. You didn't act like God's message was just another self-help course taught by the world. It was the word of God and you accepted it with the awe and reverence you should have. It is this power that is now available to you and at work within you whether you realize it or not.

So, when we could stand it no longer, we sent Timothy to y'all.

Don't be like those wannabe cowboys who run around with their tongue hanging out so far in lust they could accidentally zip it up in their britches. I don't care what they say, these wannabe "cowboys" don't know God and sure don't ride for the brand.

Make it your top priority to lead a quiet life. You do this by minding your own business and working like a cowboy should. You've already heard this from us, so this isn't anything new.

Listen up amigos, we want ya to know the plain truth about those who have made that final ride so you won't be consumed with tears and fears like those who have no hope.

Jesus himself will come riding back from heaven, he will then give the loud command for the archangel to blow the trumpet of God so all those cowboys who have died will lead the charge back over the hill.

Christ died so he could throw open the gates of heaven so all his cowboys could ride in. Not just those who have rode over the final hill, but those who are still riding as well. One day, we'll be riding together with him.