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It Ain't about You

¹ If you are really riding for Jesus, if you've really received his love, if you've been riding together like Jesus told you to, if any of this has changed your attitude, ² then make me happy by being an outfit that works well together. Love each other and let no selfish ambition take a hold of you. Ride as if all of y'all are one. ³ Do nothing out of pride or conceit. A top hand is humble and puts others before himself. ⁴ Look out for others, not yourself.

⁵ Ride with the same attitude Christ rode with. ⁶ Although he rode with God, he didn't ride in front of him or even beside him. ⁷ Instead of using his privilege, he got off and opened all the gates. He put himself at the bottom instead of thinking of himself as the boss. ⁸ He humbled himself in obedience to God and rode all the way to the cross. He died like a criminal so you could live like a king. ⁹ Because of this, God made him the boss over everything. God honored him above every man and his name is above all other names. ¹⁰ At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth. ¹¹ Every mouth will one day declare Jesus is Lord. And this is the glory of God.

Do Everything without Whining

¹² Cowboys, y'all have always followed my lead whether I was with you or not. Now, continue to ride out your salvation with reverence and fear. You should be afraid of dishonoring the Boss. ¹³ It is this attitude God works through to give you the courage to complete his mission for your life.

¹⁴ Do everything without whining or bickering. ¹⁵ In this way, you will become strong cowboys who will be admired and imitated. You will be true children of God without fault in front of a crooked world. You will shine bright like a campfire on a bald hill on a moonless night. ¹⁶ Tie hard and fast to the word of life. Then, when Jesus comes back, I will be able to say I was proud to ride with y'all. The long miles and heartache I have suffered will then be washed away in the cool stream of his love. ¹⁷ Even if that stream runs red with my blood, poured out like a drink offering in sacrifice to God, I will do so with a smile on my face and peace in my heart. ¹⁸ You too should be happy with me.

Two Top Hands: Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I'm hoping Jesus will let me send Timothy out to help y'all gather. This'll lift my spirits because I know y'all will be getting a lot done. ²⁰ There ain't another cowboy like young Timothy. This man truly knows how to care for others. ²¹ Most people only ride for themselves, but Timothy rides for the Lord. ²² He has proven himself over and over. I think of him just like a son and I wouldn't be prouder of him if he was. ²³ As soon as I figure out what's going to happen to me here, I'll send him your way. ²⁴ And I'm sure I'll be right behind him if the Lord wills it.

²⁵ But while we wait on all that, I am going to send Epaphroditus back your way. This man is my brother, pard, and fellow cowboy and has taken care of me like you asked him to. ²⁶ He's been troubled because he misses y'all. He knew y'all had heard how sick he'd been and were worried. ²⁷ Saying he was sick was an understatement. He had one foot in the Boothill Cemetery before God snatched him back. I thank God for saving him too. I've had sorrow after sorrow and if he'd died, I don't know how much more I could take.

²⁸ That's why I am so eager to send him back. I know he wants to go and I know y'all want to see for yourselves that he's doing good. ²⁹ Welcome him back with the love of God and throw him a party. Cowboys like him don't do what they do for recognition, but he deserves the honor for what he has done. ³⁰ He risked life and limb riding for the brand. He was only here because y'all couldn't be. Remember that.