Read the Bible

¹ Since there are so many cowboys and cowgirls around, let's cut the hobbles of sin that are keepin' us tied down. Let us ride with strength and power in the gatherin' we've been called to. ² Never take your eyes off of Jesus, the founder of our faith, who gave everything up and took himself to the cross and didn't care about the shame it caused him, and then hunkered down at God's right hand. ³ Think of how bad people treated him in the end and you won't be feeling so sorry for yourself and start giving up. ⁴ Sure, your struggle with sin is rough, but in reality, it is just a little crow-hop compared to the broncs others have rode.

⁵ Don't forget the teachin' God gave you as his kids. He said, "Listen, son. Take your butt chewin's like a man and don't swell up and pout when the Lord gets on to you. ⁶ The Lord corrects those he loves and he will even lay out some punishment that is good for his children."

⁷ If you're going through God's guidance, remember he's treating you like one of his kids. No father worth his salt would let his kids do whatever they wanted. ⁸ If God doesn't discipline you then it means you are a bastard and don't have a father. ⁹ We all had fathers, or men in that role, who corrected us and we showed them respect. Do the same with God.

¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ No one likes a butt chewin' while it's happening, but if we will listen and do what God says we will be riding better than we were the day before.

¹² So stack another dally on the horn and lift your chin up in order to strengthen those weak knees. ¹³ Keep your eyes on the trail so you will not wander off like a weakling into the brush, briars, and box canyons.

Listen and Do What Is Right

¹⁴ Get along to the best of your ability with everyone and don't give up riding for the Lord. Those who don't ride for him won't see him. ¹⁵ Keep an eye on your pards so they don't slip and fall out of the saddle and become trampled. Don't hold grudges. You can't ride for God toting a grudge. The worst part is that they are contagious. ¹⁶ Don't let anyone fall into immorality and sexual sin. Don't let anyone act a fool like Esau did. He traded his birthright for a bowl of stew. ¹⁷ Later, he wanted his dad to bless him, but he was rejected because of that one stupid choice. Not even the bitter tears could take back what he'd willfully done.

¹⁸ You haven't come to a mountain full of fire, wind, and brimstone like the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. ¹⁹ When God spoke, it was too terrible for them and they begged him to stop. ²⁰ When they heard God say that if even an animal steps foot on the mountain it must be killed, they quaked in their boots. ²¹ Even Moses was shaking as he said, "I am terrified."

²² No, you have come to another mountain—Mount Zion. This is the city of the living God. In Jerusalem, angels have gathered together to worship and fill the city with joy. ²³ This is where God's firstborn kids have gathered. Each of their names is written in heaven. You have come before God himself, the righteous Judge over all things. Here is gathered all the good people who have been made perfect. ²⁴ You have come before Jesus himself, the one who ushered in the new code of God, the new agreement between him and his cowboys. This is where the blood of Christ offers forgiveness instead of vengeance like the blood of Abel did.

²⁵ You'd best listen when God is speaking to you. If the Israelites were not cut any slack for not listening to God through Moses, then we will surely be held more accountable when God is speaking directly to us from heaven! ²⁶ God's voice shook the earth when he spoke from Mount Sinai. But now God speaks of another promise, "Once more I will shake the earth with my voice, but also that of heaven." ²⁷ This means that one day everything will be shaken and destroyed. Only unshakeable things will be left.

²⁸ We have been given a spot in the kingdom that is unshakeable. Let us ride for him and his kingdom by being thankful and worshiping him with fear and respect. ²⁹ God is a fire that can cleanse or destroy.