The Cowboy whose art work appears on the front of this tract heard this prayer many times as he readied himself for that 8 seconds of sitting on the back of 2000 pounds of hooves and thunder. He lived his life for the thrill of the ride and the fame that it might bring him. Raised on a Montana Ranch where he learned to ride, rope and live hard and fast, Frost was not much interested in the Last Judgment nor whether his entry fee had been paid.

Yes, he attended church, even helped build a couple on the Montana prairies, but his life did not seem to be affected by what he had seen or heard in those churches, and he paid little or no heed to the message of the preacher.

One Sunday in the spring of 2002 he loaded up his family in his truck, which was his pride and joy, and drove to a little Baptist Church in Billings, Montana, where he heard with his heart for the first time the message of The Judge and the Last Ride and the One who paid his entry fee. His pastor asked, “Do you know for sure that if you died today you would go to heaven?". Frost, being an honest cowboy, did not respond.

Four days later his pastor came to the door of Frost's humble little home. After being invited in, his pastor chatted for a few moments until Frost asked sincerely, “Why did you come clear out here? Were you just passing by?"

“No, I came to get an answer to the question I asked Sunday and to which you did not reply.”

Frost answered the question by declaring that he did not know. Whereupon His pastor asked, “Would you like to know?”

Now for you reading this little tract, let me explain it in the terms of the Rodeo Cowboy’s Prayer. You see FIRST, although the cowboy is honest and humble and wouldn’t ask for any favors, he knows that there is a LAST RIDE. and a JUDGE to be satisfied.

Now the LAST RIDE IS DEATH, but the bible speaks of two deaths, physical and the Second Death.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Re 21:8 KJV)

You may not think that you have committed the first seven of these deadly sins, but what about number eight - "ALL LIARS"? If you have ever told a lie, that makes you a what?---A Liar, and you have broken the NINTH COMMANDMENT out of God’s Ten Commandments. If you have ever looked upon a woman with lust, you have broken the Seventh Commandment and that places us in the category of the whoremongers found above.

SECOND, Just as there is a penalty for crossing a barrier, or touching the back of the bull with your free hand, there is a penalty for breaking God’s Commandments (it only takes one). That penalty is Death in the Lake of Fire for all eternity, a penalty that you and I do not have the strength or ability to pay. The ENTRY FEE MUST BE PAID. The entry fee is the payment of the penalty of sin. When Jesus Christ Died on the Cross he paid that penalty for all the world.

The JUDGE in our case is the Son of God, who died to pay the penalty for our sins.

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {in due time: or, according to the time}” (Ro 5:6 KJV)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Ro 5:8 KJV)

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Ro 5:10 KJV)

But the Penalty that has been paid for must be accepted. Let me illustrate. Suppose our cowboy wants to ride in the Frontier Days Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo at Cheyenne, WY, but he has never won an event and he does not have the entry fee. But the Top Money Winner of the year says, “Cowboy, if the Judges will let me, I am going to put all my winnings and reputation to your account so that you can ride this year.” Then let us suppose that the Judges agree to allow it (not much chance of that happening). Now all it would take for our cowboy to Ride in the greatest Rodeo of his life is to accept the offer and cowboy up.

This would not and could not happen in the Rodeos of this life, but that is exactly what happened when JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU. He paid the penalty for all your sins, plus all the sins of the whole world. God His Father accepted His payment of our entry fee. Now all that is left is for us to receive this gift from the Lord Jesus Christ.

FINALLY, the question comes to you? Will you repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ to be your Saviour? Keep in mind the following verses:

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Lu 13:3 KJV)

“9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Ro 10:9-10 KJV)

The first thing you will note is that Jesus said we must repent; that is to turn from our sin and trusting in our own goodness in the hopes of obtaining eternal life and Heaven. Then, believe in thine (your) heart that God raised him from the dead. (That is how we know that God has accepted Christ's paying the entry fee). For man believes with his heart unto to righteousness (Righteousness is meeting God’s standard, Which we can not meet. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Ro 3:10 KJV))

Since this ENTRY FEE is a GIFT, it can not be earned nor did we do anything to deserve it. You must receive it by asking for it.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro 10:13 KJV)

This prayer is given as a suggestion, but it is the sincere prayer of the heart, believing that God will do what He has said he would do, that will save you and will assure you that the ENTRY FEE HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL:

Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner, and that the penalty for my sins is eternal death in the Lake of Fire, and I believe that Jesus Died on the Cross to pay my penalty (entry fee) and I am now repenting of my sins and turning to the Lord Jesus Christ to pay for my sins and to give me his righteousness and eternal life. Lord, I now call upon you to save me, and Thank you for doing what you said you would.

If you have prayed this prayer, it is our hope that you will contact us and let us rejoice with you and help you to learn to live the Christian life.

Grace Baptist Church
3616 Broadwater Ave.
Billings, Montana 59102

Sunday School 10:00 AM
Morning Worship Service 11:00 AM
Evening Service 6:00 PM
Wednesday Praise and Prayer Service 7:00 PM

Nursery Provided for All Services

Pastor Richard Miller —(406) 656-8333

krmiller@truevine.net