Study Desk

Since you've been chosen by God to ride for Him, clothe yourselves with love for one another, patience, nice words and deeds, not thinking too mightily of yourself, and not jerking on the reins of anything or anyone.

Give each other a break, no matter the word or deed. Since God has given you a break for the things you've done, do the same for others.

Let the peace that comes from God guide your ride. All of God's cowboys are called to live in peace and always be thankful.

The message of Jesus should rule your lives. Mentor each other with the wisdom he gives. Let your life be the song in which you praise God with grateful hearts.

Whether you're in town getting supplies or out on the ranch gathering strays, remember that you represent the brand in everything you say and do. Let all your life be a way of giving thanks to God.

Kids, do what your mommas and daddies tell you to. This is what makes God happy.

Day hands, do everything the wagon boss tells you to do. Do the right thing whether or not they're watching you. Make a good impression in all you do, not for them, but out of your respect for God.

A day hand who doesn't check the corners in a gathering will be held responsible—for God sees all. Riding for the Lord isn't an excuse to do poor work. You are held to a higher standard because you are a top hand.

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.

Use every interaction as an opportunity to reveal God. Be someone they can look up to. Bring value to their lives by showing them grace and mercy. These are the answers to every interaction.

Epaphras, one of your own cowboys and a friend to us, sends greetings as well. He's constantly praying for y'all to become better and better cowboys, strong and perfect in Christ. He asks God to fill y'all with confidence in your ride with the Lord.

Tell Archippus I said to finish the gathering God had appointed him to.

This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. To the outfit in Thessalonica, y'all who belong to God through the grace of Jesus Christ. Let God's amazing grace and peace rule your hearts and your ride.

We're always thanking God for y'all and pray for you night and day.

While we pray, we imagine y'all out there in the pastures, whether rain or shine, wind or hail, riding for God and gathering the strays and mentoring other cowboys in the hope that y'all have in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know y'all have been handpicked by God to cowboy for his outfit. He loves y'all more than you can ever imagine.

We've run into people who tell us how you ride. They tell us of your improvement. They tell us you no longer have other idols, but that you follow God and God alone. They've marveled at how you welcomed us with open arms.

We were bold and honest. God gave us a job of gathering the lost and bringing back those who strayed away. He told us to brand those who believed with the Holy Ghost. Even then, we weren't trying to be cool in people's eyes. We did this to be right with God and do the job he entrusted us with.

We didn't sugar coat the message or try to use it to get rich. God knows this to be the truth.

Y'all saw with your own eyes, and God was watching too, how we conducted ourselves in a manner worthy of the Lord every single day.