Study Desk

We have given y'all our lives, but yet y'all hold back. We've given everything and y'all have given nothing.

I feel like a father who has given everything to his kids, but they show no gratitude or love. Pop your dallies on whatever is holding you back and open your hearts to us.

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.

But God, who always lifts up those who've been knocked down, sure helped us out when he sent Titus to us.

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.

Now, I'm happy. Not because you were hurt, but because of your pain you decided to change.

God will allow a little bit of pain that will produce a whole lot of change. God wants you to have sorrow that will help you turn away from sin and turn to him. And when we turn to him, then we are saved. But beware of worldly sorrow! Worldly sorrow is pain without repentance and that results in death.

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.

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.

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!

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.

The amount doesn't matter as much as the willingness to, but be sure you are giving in proportion to what you have. The trick is to concentrate on how much you have to give, not how much you'll have left after you do.

Remember, the Good Book says, "Those who hoarded had nothing, but those who gathered just what they needed had enough."

Don't forget, a farmer who only plants a few seeds only reaps a small harvest. But the farmer who plants a bunch harvests a bunch.

What you are doing for those folks will really help them with their needs, but that ain't all. It makes people give thanks to God.

Listen boys, I'm writing to you with all the kindness Jesus has given me. Some of y'all think I talk big in letters and small in person, but that ain't the case at all.

We are just cowboys, but we don't fight our battles like the rest of the world does.

Some might think we brag too much about the authority Jesus gave us. But this authority is only used to make y'all better cowboys, not hurt you.

I've heard that people say, "Paul can write a powerful letter and seems strong, but when he's here, he's kind of a sissy."