CowboyCountryGospel

Fence Post Devotionals

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Heaven

“No one has gone up to heaven except one Fella. He is the One who has come down from heaven—calls Himself the Son of Man.”
—John 3:13 The Gospel of John Cowboy Style

Have you ever sat quiet for a spell and thought about heaven?

Truth is, just about everybody has. Folks who ride the trail with the Lord think about it, and even folks who don’t know Him sometimes wonder what lies beyond this life. When a man pauses long enough to look at the wide Texas sky or watch a sunset settle down over the prairie, his thoughts have a way of driftin’ toward eternity.

The Bible has plenty to say about heaven. For starters, it tells us plain and simple that heaven is a real place. It’s the place where God Himself dwells. It’s where the angels gather round His throne and serve Him day and night. And it’s the eternal home for every man, woman, boy, and girl who puts their trust in the Lord.

Heaven ain’t just wishful thinking. It’s home.

In fact, heaven was one of the last things Jesus talked about with His disciples before He was betrayed. That night in the upper room He gave them a promise meant to steady their troubled hearts:

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places… I go to prepare a place for you.”
(John 14:2)

Jesus called heaven “My Father’s house.” Now that’s a mighty comfortin’ way to describe it. Not just some far-off mysterious land—but the Father’s house, where God’s children finally come home.

And Jesus wasn’t the only one who spoke about heaven. From Genesis clear through Revelation, prophets, psalmists, kings, and apostles all pointed toward that heavenly country. Some Bible scholars say the word heaven, or references to it, show up over five hundred times in the King James Bible.

Seems to me if the Good Book talks about heaven that much, it must be mighty important.

And if heaven is where I’ll spend eternity, then I reckon I’d like to learn everything I can about it.

I remember when my son was stationed over in Germany during his time in the Army. Because he was there, I got curious about the place. I wanted to know about the country, the people, and especially the Army base where he was serving. I read about it, studied maps, and tried to picture what life was like over there.

Well now, that’s about how I feel when it comes to heaven.

Since that’s where I’m headed someday, I want to know everything the Bible tells me about my eternal home.

I want to read again about those streets of gold, clear as glass (Revelation 21:21). I want to picture those great walls set with precious stones and gates made of pearl (Revelation 21:12–21). I want to learn more about that river of the water of life flowing bright as crystal (Revelation 22:1), and the Tree of Life bearing fruit every month for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).

But most of all, I want to think about the greatest sight of all—the throne of God, and the Lamb seated upon it.

Because heaven isn’t just about golden streets and shining gates.

Heaven is about being with the Lord forever.

Old bishop and Bible teacher J. C. Ryle once said it well:

“Before we go to our eternal home we should try to become acquainted with it.”

That sounds like mighty good advice to me.

Trail Marker

Heaven isn’t a fairy tale or a far-off dream. According to the Bible, it’s a real place where God dwells and where every believer will someday call home. The more we read God’s Word, the more we learn about the place where we’ll spend eternity with Him.

Campfire Musing

If heaven truly is your eternal home, how often do you take time to think about it—and to thank God for the promise of it?

Prayer from the Trail

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the promise of heaven and the home You are preparing for Your children. When the trail of this life grows long and weary, remind us that something better lies ahead. Help us keep our eyes fixed on You and our hearts set on that heavenly country where we will one day see You face to face. Until that day, guide our steps and keep us faithful on the trail.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

CowboyCountryGospel

Fence Post Devotionals

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A Fulfilled Life

“The thief comes for no other reason but to steal and kill and tear up; I came so My own people will have life, and will be able to live life in a way that is good—one that’s filled up with blessin’s.”
 — John 10:10, The Gospel of John Cowboy Style

King Solomon has been called the wisest man who ever lived. On top of that, he was the wealthiest man of his day. If anybody had the means to figure out what makes life worth livin’, it was Solomon. And he sure gave it a try.

He rode every trail folks usually chase when they’re lookin’ for fulfillment—pleasure, possessions, wisdom, hard work, success. He held nothing back. But when the dust finally settled and he looked over the whole spread, Solomon came to a hard-earned conclusion. None of it satisfied. None of it lasted.

He put it plain and honest:

“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done, and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.”
 — Ecclesiastes 2:11

That phrase—graspin’ for the wind—fits, don’t it? You can chase it all day long, but you’ll never come up holdin’ anything that truly fills your hands or your heart.

Centuries later, a modern voice echoed much the same tune. Actor and playwright Woody Allen, late in life, once said, “The older I get, the more horrible I think everything is… a foolish, meaningless, tragic experience.” That’s a bleak outlook—but it’s where the trail often leads when a person tries to make sense of life without God.

For a season, Solomon saw life the same way. He summed it up with words as empty as a dried-up well:

“Vanity of vanities… all is vanity.”

But Solomon didn’t stop there—and thank the Lord he didn’t. After ridin’ every dead-end trail, he finally found solid ground. Fulfillment wasn’t found in pleasure or wisdom or wealth. It wasn’t in what he owned or what he accomplished. Fulfillment was found in knowing God and walkin’ with Him.

So Solomon wrote his final word like a seasoned cowboy who’s learned the land:

“When all has been heard… fear God and keep His commandments.”
 — Ecclesiastes 12:13

Jesus said it even plainer. There’s one who comes to rob folks of life, joy, and hope. But Jesus didn’t come to take—He came to give.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
 — John 10:10

A fulfilled life isn’t about havin’ more—it’s about belongin’ to Him. When Jesus rides with you, life may not be easy, but it will be full.

Trail Marker

Fulfillment doesn’t come from what we chase or collect along the trail. It comes from walkin’ in step with the One who gives true and abundant life.

Campfire Musing

What trails have you been ridin’, hopin’ they’d bring fulfillment—and is the Lord invitin’ you to trust Him with a better path?

Prayer from the Trail

Lord God,
We confess that we’ve chased after things that promised a full life but left us empty-handed. Turn our hearts back to You. Teach us to walk in Your ways and trust that true fulfillment is found in knowing You. Thank You for the abundant life Jesus gives—not just someday in heaven, but right here on the trail today.
Amen.

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CowboyCountryGospel

Fence Post Devotionals

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Little Dogies

“I’m not gonna leave you alone like orphaned dogie calves. I will come to ya.” (John 14:18, The Gospel of John Cowboy Style)

After walking with Jesus day in and day out for more than three years, it’s hard to imagine what must have gone through the apostles’ minds when they heard Him say, “Where I am going, you cannot come” (John 13:33b). His presence had been their constant—every trail walked, every meal shared, every storm weathered together. Now He was telling them He was leaving.

That kind of news would shake any heart.

But Jesus didn’t leave them without a promise. Right on the heels of that hard word, He reassured them: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). In other words, “I’m not ridin’ off and leavin’ you to fend for yourselves.”

It’s worth noticing that Jesus chose the word “orphans.” An orphan is someone left without protection, guidance, or provision—someone forced to face the world alone. In the Hebrew understanding, an orphan was described as fatherless, a picture of deep vulnerability.

That word hits close to home for anyone who’s ever felt abandoned, forgotten, or left to make it on their own.

My cowboy grandfather used to tell stories from his days on trail drives. One story that always stuck with me was about calves born along the way whose mothers were killed, separated, or simply lost in the dust and confusion of the drive. Those little orphaned calves were called dogies in cowboy language.

The word “dogie” even found its way into cowboy songs, like the old trail tune:

“Whoopee ti yi yo, git along little dogies
 It’s your misfortune and none of my own
 Whoopee ti yi yo, git along little dogies
 You know that Wyoming will be your new home.”

But my grandfather made something clear: those dogies were never just left behind. Sometimes another cow would take one in. Other times, the cowboys themselves stepped in—feeding them, guarding them, and making sure they survived the journey.

That’s the picture Jesus is painting for His disciples—and for us.

He’s saying, “You may not see Me the same way anymore, but I’m not abandoning you.” He goes on to explain how that promise would be kept: “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever… I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you” (John 14:16, 18, KJV).

The word Jesus uses for Comforter is the Greek word parakletos. It means one called alongside—someone who comes near to help, guide, protect, and strengthen. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit, God’s abiding presence with His people.

So Jesus isn’t leaving us like defenseless orphans or forgotten dogies on the open range. Through the Holy Spirit, He is always near—riding with us through hard country, steadying us when we stumble, and reminding us we still belong.

No matter how lonely the trail may feel, we are never truly alone and never forsaken.

As the Lord promised through the prophet Isaiah:
“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am’” (Isaiah 58:9).

And friend, that’s a promise you can stake your life on.

Trail Marker

No matter how long or lonely the trail may feel, Jesus has promised this much: He will not leave us like orphaned dogies on the open range. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, God rides with us every step of the way—guiding, guarding, and reassuring us that we still belong. When the dust gets thick and the night grows long, His presence is our shelter and our strength.

Campfire Musing

Have there been moments on your trail when you felt forgotten, left on your own, or unsure of the way ahead? How might trusting in God’s nearness—right here, right now—change the way you face those stretches of the journey?

Prayer from the Trail

Lord,
Thank You for not leaving us alone on this wide and sometimes lonely range of life. When we feel like orphaned dogies, unsure and unprotected, remind us that You are near. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who rides alongside us, comforts our hearts, and guides our steps. Help us to trust Your presence when we can’t see the trail clearly and to rest in the promise that You will never forsake us.
We ride on in Your care.
Amen.

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CowboyCountryGospel

Fence Post Devotionals

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The Bread of Life

“Then Jesus came right out and told ‘em, ‘I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst’”
—John 6:35 (The Gospel of John Cowboy style).

There’s something mighty simple and mighty powerful about bread. You won’t find many kitchens—whether in town or out on a ranch—that don’t keep some form of it close at hand. Bread fills the belly, gives strength for the day’s work, and keeps a body goin’ when other things run short.

It’s no small thing, then, that Jesus looked folks square in the eye and said, “I am the Bread of Life.”

The Bible tells us Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and that word means “House of Bread.” Ain’t that somethin’? The House of Bread gave the world the One who would become the Bread of Life—the only nourishment that can truly satisfy a hungry soul.

A man can live a long spell on bread alone. Strip away the fancy dishes and extras, and bread will still keep him upright and working. In much the same way, Jesus is essential—not just helpful, not just comforting, but necessary—to our spiritual and eternal life. Without Him, the soul starves, no matter how full everything else might seem.

God’s been teachin’ that lesson for a long time. When the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, He gave them manna from heaven—just enough for each day. They couldn’t stockpile it. They had to trust Him daily. And later, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

That wasn’t just about what goes on the table.
It was about learning to trust God, one day at a time.

I once heard a story that puts all this into plain language. A fellow wrote a letter to the editor of his local newspaper complainin’ about church. He said, “I’ve been goin’ every Sunday for thirty years. I’ve heard over three thousand sermons, and I can’t remember a single one of ’em. Seems like a waste of my time—and the pastor’s too.”

That stirred up quite a ruckus in the letters column. Folks chimed in on both sides for weeks. Then finally, someone wrote a response that settled the matter.

He said, “I’ve been married thirty years. In that time, my wife has cooked around thirty-two thousand meals. I can’t remember the menu for a single one of them. But I do know this: every one of those meals nourished me and gave me strength to do my work. If she hadn’t cooked those meals, I’d be physically dead today. And if I hadn’t gone to church for spiritual nourishment, I’d be spiritually dead.”

That’ll preach.

You may not remember every sermon, every hymn, or every quiet prayer—but if you’ve been feedin’ on the Bread of Life, your soul knows the difference. Strength comes. Faith grows. Hope holds steady.

Jesus didn’t say He’d be dessert or a side dish.
He said He’d be Bread—the daily nourishment we can’t do without.

Trail Marker

Just like bread keeps a body alive and strong, Jesus sustains the soul. You may not remember every bite, but if you keep comin’ to Him, He’ll give you the strength you need for today—and the promise of life forever.

Campfire Musing

What have I been feedin’ my soul on lately—and am I truly comin’ daily to Jesus, the Bread of Life, for the nourishment only He can give?

Prayer from the Trail

Lord Jesus, thank You for bein’ the Bread of Life—steady, faithful, and enough for every day. Forgive me for the times I try to live on my own strength instead of Yours. Teach me to come to You daily, to trust You for what I need, and to rest in the promise that You will never let my soul go hungry. Feed my heart with Your truth and guide my steps along the trail ahead. In Your name I pray, Amen.

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