Study Desk

We pray this, not so that you will be glorified, but so that he will. All the glory and respect belongs to the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

And now you know Jesus is just waiting for the devil's son to reveal himself so God can prove who is really the boss and has the power. The time has to be right. There'll be no rushing God's plan.

So sit tall in the saddle my friends. Tie hard and fast to the truth that we taught y'all. It doesn't matter if you heard it straight from us or by letter. The truth is the truth and you should believe it.

Y'all know the way we taught y'all . . . so do it. We weren't lazy when we were with you,

nor did we eat anyone's grub without earning it. We worked night and day so we wouldn't be a burden on anyone.

It wasn't that we didn't have the right to accept such things, but we worked hard so y'all would see us walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

Pay attention to those who roll their eyes at what we have to say in this letter. They've made their choice not to be a part of your crew so treat 'em as such. I hope they do feel ashamed and left out.

What they should do is leave their sorry ways behind and follow God. That's what God told me and so that's what I tell everyone else.

Listen to me, my son. I'm going to give you some advice. What was spoken over you so long ago wasn't a lie. Use what was said as your strength and your shield in the battle to come.

But through her womb and all of her daughters, Jesus eventually came and so did the cure for what ails us. Every woman will share in the pain of childbearing, but through faith, love, and decency, she will also share in eternity with everyone else.

I know this is hard to understand. It is the mystery of our faith—God came down from heaven so we could see him. He didn't need human acceptance. The Spirit of God was with him. The angels saw his glory. He taught the truth to the world and many believed it. And when his ride was through, he rode up to heaven in glory.

They will tell people who they can and cannot marry and convince people not to eat certain foods. Food comes from God so that we can give thanks. We who know the truth know who to believe.

If any cowgirl in the outfit has been caring for a young widow, she should continue to do so. Don't let her pass the buck to y'all. Let God's outfit care for those who really need it.

Even if a slave is a believer and so is his master, that doesn't mean the slave shouldn't obey like he should. A believing slave should obey a believing master better than any other slave does.I'm telling you these things because I want you to teach others what you've learned.

He's the only one who cannot see the noose placed around his neck. The light within him shines so bright that no mortal can even look at him, much less get close to him. Every honor and glory belongs to him and him alone. Amen.

Don't ever be ashamed about telling someone of your love for the Lord. I ask that you not be ashamed of me either. I know what others say because I'm in prison. But I'm locked up because of my love of the Lord, not because I did something shameful. As you grow in strength, so will grow the bullseye on your back. The strength you need to endure will come from the good news, not yourself.

Ranchers should enjoy a good steak they worked so hard to give others.

Hold your head high. Make yourself the best cowboy you can be so you will never have reason to be ashamed. Speak the truth and handle it like a loaded weapon.

But even though others deserted me, God did not. He gave me the strength to speak the good news of love, grace, and forgiveness so the outsiders would hear it. I was saved from the lion's teeth.

Try to get here before the snow flies. Eubulus says, "Howdy!" and so does Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the other cowboys and cowgirls.