Study Desk

God was working through Jesus when he had him die for our sins and the narrow gate was flung open. This wonderful message has the power to change our relationship with God from being an enemy to a son.

God swapped his perfect son for our sorry ways so we could be right with him through what Jesus did for us.

Don't you realize the gift you've been given to be able to cowboy for God? Don't waste your new opportunity by living like you used to.

God said, "Just in the nick of time, I heard you cry out for help and I saved you."Now is the time to listen. Today is the day to be saved.

In every single thing we do, we prove that we ride for the brand. Shoot, we don't even whine or complain about the hardships of the riding in the saddle.

We speak nothing but the truth and depend a hundred percent on God's power instead of our own. When you live this way—like a cowboy should—you are prepared for any kind of attack.

We ride for the brand whether people are pattin' us on the back or spittin' in our face. We are nothing but honest, but folks call us crooked horse traders peddlin' lies.

But don't think I'm accusing y'all of any of this. I've told you more'n a few times that we love y'all. We'd stand in front of a mad momma cow for y'all.

It was great to see another cowboy, but it was even greater to hear how y'all had encouraged him to ride with faith and courage. He passed along what y'all said about wanting to see me again. He also told me how sorry y'all were for the things you'd done. And finally, he told me y'all are really ready to ride for the brand now and help me in this gathering. When I heard this, I was ecstatic.

Even if my last letter got you down a little bit, I'm not sorry for the things I said. I know it hurt to hear some of those things and that was not my intention. But I'm glad y'all didn't stay hurt for long.

Godly sorrow on the other hand, results in focus. It made you want to clear your name. It opened your eyes. It made you want to see me. It made you long for the right way of doing things. You've shown you know how to do the hard things that are necessary.

So, don't get me wrong. My first letter's purpose wasn't to chastise the one who was doing things wrong. It wasn't even to make the one who was hurt feel better. I wrote to you so we would be a crew again, riding together for the brand.

And God allowed that to happen. For that, I am greatly encouraged.Not only that, but we were also thrilled to see how happy y'all made Titus.

He's always talking about how much y'all want to learn and ride for the Lord. He was happy to teach cowboys who want to learn and know what respect is.

Now listen to this, cowboys. Y'all ain't going to believe what God has done for all the outfits in Macedonia.

These cowboys have been tested to the limit. They were in one wreck after another. These cowboys didn't have two halters between them, but they were happy riding for the brand. This type of elation led them to go from greedy to generous.

They rode up to me every single day and asked—they actually begged me to take their offering so it could help others ride for the brand.

But the most astonishing part wasn't the money. Before they gave the money, they gave themselves wholeheartedly. If you're looking for what God wants from his cowboys, this is it!

So we've sent Titus back to you to give you a hand in this. He's the one who taught y'all about the need for giving and he'll help you finish your training by going out and doing it.

Not that I need to remind you, but Jesus gave us his riches and became poor for your sake. He gave up everything he had so you could have it instead.