SO, YOU WANT TO BE A BULL RIDER?
RIDING THE BULL
It WILL be a rough ride.
If you want something safe, try basket weaving or painting or maybe even golf.
It WILL be exciting.
You don’t know which way the bull will turn or what he will do when you bail out.
You WILL fall off or bail out.
The bull ride is not meant to last for more than 8 seconds. Expect to hit the dirt and hit it hard. But don’t be afraid of the fall, FEAR THE BULL!
COWBOY UP!
Train hard. Give it your best. Hold on tight. Make this your best ride ever. Make this your best season ever – it might be the only one you get! Go for the win. Ride for the buckle, the money, the national championship.
LIVING LIFE
It WILL be a rough ride.
Life is not easy for anyone. If you want an easy life, try living in a sterile bubble.
It WILL be exciting.
There are no guarantees for your tomorrow, next week, or next year.
You WILL fall off or bail out in life.
Expect to hit the dirt and hit it hard. So don’t be afraid of those who make you fall in life. Be ready for what comes next.
COWBOY UP!
Train hard. Give it your best. Hold on tight. Make this your best day ever. Make this your best life ever –it’s the only one you get! Go for the win. Ride for the eternal rewards that God has offered to each of us through Jesus Christ.
AND TRUSTING GOD
Hebrews 11:25 “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.”
Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”
Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 “…Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…”
YOUR ONLY RIDE TO HEAVEN
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6
Here is the only way to Jesus…
1. Ever messed up and done wrong? Admit that God is right and that you are wrong. As it is written, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
2. Recognize that Jesus loves you anyway and died on the cross to save you from your sins. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
3. Be saved today! “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE RODEO CLOWN
The BULL RIDER Needs The CLOWN & YOU Need JESUS
WHAT YOU SEE AT THE RODEO
What you see at the rodeo is a decorated goofball making bad jokes and dancing around firecrackers to get a few more laughs from the crowd. He is called the clown. You know who he is by the face paint and the baggy pants and overalls that he wears. But the clown is more!
Take a closer look. See how that clown performs a more important job. That silly old clown is a skilled athlete. He is ready and willing to intervene between a bull and his rider and has saved the life of countless cowboys. Without the rodeo clown, bull riding would not be a sport, but a death ride.
WHAT YOU SEE AT CHURCH
What you see at church is a children’s class with colorful stories. Every story is about a loving and kind man named Jesus who walks on water and feeds the hungry crowd. Nice stories for the kiddos. Too many leave Jesus at that. But Jesus is MORE!
Take a closer look. Listen to the best story of all. The story about how Jesus is God, Creator of heaven and earth. The story about How Jesus is Perfect, without sin or fault. The story about how Jesus took your sins to a cross on a hill called Calvary and covered them there with His precious blood. Jesus is not just a children’s story, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
DON'T CLOWN AROUND
Receive Eternal Life Today!
1. Recognize that you are a sinner and have failed God.
Like the bull rider in the rodeo, you too have been bucked off in life.“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
2. Acknowledge the consequences for your sin.
The bull rider MIGHT be trampled. Sinners WILL die and go to Hell! “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
3. Accept salvation. The bull rider can trust the clown.
You can trust the Son of God, Jesus. “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” Acts 16:31
4. Nothing more for you to do. Just believe in Jesus and get saved!
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
RIDING THE SADDLE BRONC
Just Like Riding the Saddle Bronc, There Are Rules You Got To Follow In This Ride We Call Life!
RULES FOR THE RIDE
1. Mark Out.
You must contact the bronc with both heels above the point of its shoulder on the first jump out of the chute.
2. Free Hand.
You must keep one hand free. It must not touch the horse, the saddle, the rein, or any part of your body.
3. 8 Seconds.
You must stay on that horse for a full 8 seconds. Use your saddle, rein, chaps, and especially your spurs to keep that horse goin’ for an exciting 8 second ride.
4. Register.
You can’t ride in the rodeo if you don’t register. You can practice, train, and talk all you want, but if you aren’t written down in the program, you ain’t gonna ride and you definitely ain’t gonna win!
RULES FOR LIFE
1. Love God.
The most important rule to live by in this life is to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
2. Love Your Neighbor.
Just like the first rule, love your neighbor. Make sure you put other people first in this life.
3. Time.
Unlike the bronc ride, we don’t know how much time we have to hang on for our ride on this earth. However long God gives you, use everything He gave you to make it a great ride and a successful ride.
4. Register.
Jesus Christ died on the cross to give you eternal life. There is only one stipulation, you must register with God by faith. If your name’s not written down in the book of life, you ain’t got eternal life!
HOW TO REGISTER
HOW TO REGISTER For the RODEO
1.Call up the rodeo board.
2. Submit your entrance fee.
HOW TO REGISTER For ETERNAL LIFE
1. Recognize that you are a sinner and have failed God.“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
2. Acknowledge the penalties for your sin. “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
3. “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” Acts 16:31
4. Never mind the entrance fee. Jesus paid that for you on the cross! “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8