Study Desk

To my son in faith Timothy, may you ride in peace, mercy, and grace from God as you gather the strays and remnants.

Don't forget what I told you when I was going to Macedonia. I told you to stay in Ephesus to battle the counterfeit cowboys who were teaching something other than faith in Jesus.

You'll also have to contend with those who try to rebrand God's chosen people with made-up stories. Also keep a watch out for those who think they are better than everyone else because they have fancy pedigrees. Such people don't have faith, they just like to talk. Such talks lead to endless arguments that don't lead people down the narrow trail.

The goal of the new code of Christ is to love. The only way to do this is with a pure heart, a clean conscience, and an authentic faith.

I didn't get what I deserved. Instead, Jesus poured out his grace all over me and it transformed itself within me into unending love and faith.

Tie hard and fast to your faith in Christ. Don't do anything that will make you lose sleep at night. Some cowboys think their sorry deeds don't go unnoticed, but it weighs heavy on their hearts. They might still be in the saddle, but their faith was left for the buzzards on the trail a long way back.

God wants to save people with the truth. He's offering everything for faith.

I've been given the duty of sharing this message with the world. I was sent to the outsiders, not those of Jewish birth. I'm offering truth, faith, and eternity to anyone with the guts to ride. This ain't a tall tale. It's the truth—easy as that.

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.

They need to be tied hard and fast to the truths of the faith and have a clean conscience.

Those who are good jigger bosses will be rewarded with respect from all and their trophy buckle will be a bigger faith in Jesus Christ.

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.

If you teach a cowboy the truth, you will be a good cowboy on God's outfit. A cowboy is built and made on a diet of truth, faith, and the right way to ride.

That's why we saddle up every day and ride out to spread the good news. We have faith and hope in the promises of God. He is the one who will save us all, and most importantly, those who ride for the brand.

Practice what you preach. Never turn loose of your faith. If you stay tied on to Jesus, you will save yourself and those who hear your words about the grace of God.

If a young woman's husband dies, don't automatically offer her help. She'll eventually want to find another husband and her carnal desires will replace her faith.

They'll soon be doing things those of the faith shouldn't do.

The love of money has caused many a great cowboy to hit the ground and never get on again. They ride off from faith, not toward it. We'll find them drug to death, run through with mesquite thorns of their own grief.

But you're a cowboy of God. Whip and spur away from all types of sin. Instead, ride straight toward a life of right living and a godly life. Ride in faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

Be battle tested in the fight for the true faith. Tie hard and fast to the eternity God has promised all cowboys who ride for the brand. You accepted the challenge, now finish it, and finish it well.