Study Desk

I recall how authentic your faith was. Your grandmother Lois and your momma, Eunice, did a good job of raising you right. Their faith continues to be strong living within you.

God has revealed this wonderful truth at just the right time. It's our job to spread this good news. The Boss sent me out to tell it to others and that's what I'll do with every last breath I have. He gave me a job to do and I ain't gonna let him down.

That old agreement between God and his people was just the shadow on the ground of the real thing to come. Every single year, every sacrifice had to be made again and again. Animal blood just couldn't get the job done for very long. The cleaning it gave just wasn't pure. Following rules and sacrificing animals couldn't make anyone perfect.

That was Christ's job. He even said to God, "You didn't want more animal sacrifices or more sin offerings. You've given me a body to use as a sacrifice.

Then I said, 'I'm here to do the job you sent me to do just like the Good Book said.'"

Let's look at this. First, Christ said, "You didn't want more animal sacrifices or more sin offerings. You didn't want a burnt offering or any other kind because they couldn't get the job done." They were still required by the code of Moses, but that was just to hold down the fort until Jesus could come in and save the day.

Then Christ said, "I'm here to do the job you sent me to do." He cancels out the need for the first code in order to make mandatory the second code (agreement).

But our Man of God, Jesus, gave himself as an offering to God one time and it took sins away for all time. When his job was done, he got to sit down at the right hand of God who is on the throne of thrones.

Our earthly fathers tried to discipline us and do a good job. But God's discipline is always perfect and always right and always good for us. This is how he teaches us to be holy.

To ride further and harder than anyone else is an honor. A man don't make a name for himself by sitting around twiddlin' his thumbs. Think about that Job fellow. His life and the trail he rode proved the Lord looks after and cares for those who ride for Him.

So if you've done some things you ain't proud of, go to another cowboy and tell 'em about it and your heart will no longer be heavy. A fellow who rides hard and straight, his prayers are strong and they get the job done.