Roping Religion: Put what you learn into practice

Many of the ideas and scriptures for this article are from the devotional “God Wants You to Win!” by world-champion calf roper Jeff Copenhaver.

When I was growing up in Big Sandy, Montana, I had a sign made up in my room that said, “Anything is yours if you are willing to pay the price.” I don’t know if that is 100 percent true, but it made me think about paying the price and now it makes me think about counting the cost.

I used to really enjoy the Garth Brooks song “Rodeo.” One of the lines in the song talked about selling off everything he owned just to play the game. If you and I are going to follow Jesus, there is going to be a significant cost in many areas of our lives.

I am not just talking about bringing tithes and offerings to the Lord or the financial aspect of stewardship. There is also a cost of time as we recognize that we are not our own and that our time belongs to the Lord. There is also a cost in relationships as the Lord brings people into our lives and takes others out of our lives. There is also a cost of dreams as He directs our paths and guides us in the way we should go. Jesus instructs us to count the cost.

We should not be those who get all worked up in a church meeting and then fall flat come Monday when we have to deal with the reality and the responsibility of our lives.

God is interested in meeting our needs according to His riches. We need to be those who deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily while following Jesus and conforming to His example. We can’t do that unless we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.

There is a real God in Havre, Montana, and His name is Jesus. He wants to see God’s Kingdom come and God’s will be done. The question is, “Do we?”

We need to press on in our walk with God and preach the gospel. We may even use words sometimes, but I would suggest that more is caught than taught because people are watching how we live more closely than they are listening to what we have to say.

We need to make good decisions and enjoy the journey. We don’t know when we will be called home or when Jesus will return. We need to be ready by keeping clean hands and clean hearts. Because we believe in Jesus we ought not to sin or give up and quit. We should be those who persevere to win the prize.

You and I need to have a holy, reverential awe of God but we should not fear man. We need to continue to do the next right thing and expect God’s best in our lives. There is nothing too difficult for the Lord but sometimes we have not because we ask not.

It is important that we rightly handle the Bible and that we put into practice the truths that we learn. As athletes practice before competitions we must put into practice the Biblical teachings and truths that we have learned as soon as possible. There will be trials of our faith. There will be troubles and persecutions. We need to confidently walk in the power and authority God has given us as His children and co-heirs with Jesus.

Satan goes about as a roaring lion but Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Satan is a liar and the father of lies but Jesus is the Truth. Satan is a thief but God is a giver. He gave us His Son Jesus that all of us who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. Satan’s plan is to destroy us but God’s plan is for us to have life abundantly. May we embrace God’s plan for our lives and work to finish well.

May God Bless You Big.

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This is the second in a series of columns by Kevin Barsotti, pastor of Ark Church in Havre.