Study Desk

Once everyone was accounted for, we found out we had crash-landed on the island of Malta.

There was a large ranch nearby that belonged to one of the head honchos of the island named Publius. He welcomed everyone to stay there and took care of everyone for three days.

We had stayed in Malta for three months before we began our journey again. We were given a ship with two gods on the figurehead.

Three days later, Paul called all the local Jewish leaders together for a meeting. He quieted everyone down and then said, "I have done nothing against any Jewish law or custom. But despite this, they arrested me in Jerusalem and handed me over the Romans for execution.

But we have heard about those who ride for the Way. We'd like to hear more about this because some of the things we've heard haven't been all that great."

For these people's hearts are like a blacksmith's callused hands. They don't hear with their ears. They have sown their own eyes shut. If not, they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, And if all of this happened, I would heal them."'

For two years, Paul taught out of his little rented shack. He welcomed any who came and never turned anyone away.

He taught about God's outfit and showed people how to ride for Jesus. He did so boldly and wouldn't let anyone stop him . . . as a real man should.

From Paul, a hand for Christ, picked and commanded to spread the good news of God.

But in truth, he was said and proved to be the Son of God. Nothing else needs said about it because he came back to life after being in the grave for three days.

Everything we've got and everything we ride for comes from God through Jesus Christ. He gives us the opportunity to cowboy for him and gather the herd from all the nations who've said they believe in Him. We do it, not for ourselves or to say look at me, but only to bring honor to his name.

And guess what? Y'all have been chosen to ride as cowhands for Christ as well.

This letter is to all in Rome who God loves and has called to ride for him.May your water be clean and your horse never stumble as you ride in grace and peace that comes from God.

First off, I want to thank God for all of ya. The things y'all are doing in faith is spreading like a brushfire in a stiff wind.

in my prayers every single day. I know God is going to make a way for me to finally ride out and see y'all.

It'll be good for everyone's spirit when this happens.

Listen, I've been wanting to ride out to see y'all for a long time now. But up until now, it hasn't been possible. What I want is for us to ride together. I've ridden with others and worked for Christ alongside them. I want the same with you.

I am not ashamed of the good news. I wear its brand upon my heart with pride. It's the power of God by which all those who ride for God are saved—first the Jews, and then the rest of them.

God is going to give these evil folks what's coming to them. They try to say there is no God, but God ain't going to be hearing this excuse. He's made himself plain to see for the whole world.

God made the world and that ain't hard to see. It didn't happen by chance. Because of this fact, people have no excuse at all for not believing in God.