Study Desk

But we ain't going to brag about anything more than the job Jesus gave us to do. He gave us some country to gather and we are proud of the job we've done. Y'all are part of this country we've gathered.

But I think y'all are anything but pure. Y'all have passed yourselves around like a bad cold. Your loyalty to the brand has been corrupted. Y'all have been seduced like Eve was in the beginning.

But I don't think I'm any less of a cowboy than those other "top hands."

I may not be a great speaker, but that don't mean the knowledge I have isn't valuable. This has been clear to y'all from the start.

Sure, I accepted some pay from some other outfits, but that was just so I could get to y'all and help out.

I'm going to continue to ride for y'all this way. That way you will be able to tell the difference in a real cowboy and one who comes riding in with shiny silver on his saddle and fancy words on his tongue. These charlatans say they do the same things we do, but you'll be able to spot the difference a mile away.

If he does that, of course his servants will play dress up as well. But when the big sorting arrives, we will see who is sorted in and out of the narrow gate.

I ain't no fool, but if that's what you think, then bear with this foolish cowboy a little longer. That way I can brag a little bit.

Do they ride for the brand? Even talking like this to make a point makes me throw up a little bit, but I've ridden for Jesus much longer and much harder than they have. I've been thrown in jail, bullwhipped more times than I can count, and faced death time and time again.

I've taken the outside in this gathering and rode at a long trot on many perilous journeys. I've faced raging rivers and bloodthirsty bandits. I've had showdowns in the street with my own people, the Jews, as well as from the outsider Gentiles. I've ridden through hell in cities, deserts, and even on the open sea. I've gone toe to toe with cowboys who pretended to ride for the brand, but really were trying to get close enough to stab me in the back.

But if I'm going to brag, it's going to be about the things I am weak at.

But some friends put me in a trunk and lowered me down the outside wall of the city. That's the only way I made it out alive.

Ok, that's enough of that. I could go on and on, but I guess I need to tell y'all about what God showed me and told me.

But I was taken to a place of paradise. I heard things that are too much to repeat and saw things that no words can describe. These were things I'm not allowed to share.

I wish I could brag about the things I heard and saw, but I'm not going to. I'm only going to brag about my weaknesses.

Understand though, it ain't bragging if it happened and I wouldn't be a fool for telling y'all the truth. But the reason I ain't going to tell y'all is because I don't want credit for something I only saw and heard. I only want credit for what y'all have seen me do.

It'd be way too easy for me to brag about what I saw, but I really had no part in it. I can't take credit for a gift like I'd earned it or something. And just to make sure I remember, I was given a mesquite thorn in my hide to remind me of just how weak I really am.

But the Lord told me, "My grace is the only thing you need. Only in your weakness can you receive the power you need to accomplish the tasks I've set before you." This is why I will only brag about my weaknesses. When I am weak, Jesus's power is working through me.

I know I've been talking foolish, but y'all made me do it. Y'all are the ones who should be bragging about me, not me having to brag about myself. I know I am nothing, but those "super cowboys" aren't any handier than I am.

I'll give everything I have for y'all. But I'll be honest, it seems like the more I care for y'all, the less you care about me.