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THE CODE & some of our favorite Bible passages:
The West is a place where the fence is always tight but the gate is always open to friends and neighbors. A cowboy gets his inner strength from knowing what is right and what is wrong. A cowboy is true to his beliefs. The Code of the West is not carved in stone, in fact, it is not even written down on paper. Yet, while not every cowboy always abided by the Code, every cowboy knew what it was. Today's cowboy might not use this specific term but it remains his inner integrity for making daily decisions.
What follows are several principles that capture the Code of the West. Our goal is to make the Code of the West the framework of our family and breeding program..
Sit tall in your saddle
Take Pride in your work
I Corinthians 14:40 / I Corinthians 9:24 / Psalm 37:23-24
Put in a good day's work
Always finish what you start
Romans 8:28 / Jeremiah 29:11 / II Thessalonians 3:10
Tend to your herd
Take good care of your animals
Proverbs 27:23 / Proverbs 12:10 / Matthew 12:11-12
Be a top hand
Live each day with courage
Joshua 1:9 / Psalm 27:14 / Psalm 121:2
Mean what you say and do what you mean
When you make a promise, keep it
Matthew 5:37 / Luke 16:12 / Proverbs 10:9
Cowboy UP!
Do what has to be done
Proverbs 16:3 / Proverbs 10:4 / Proverbs 6:10-11
Draw a line in the sand
Know where to draw the line
Ephesians 6:13 / Proverbs 12:9 / Proverbs 12:11
Be a straight shooter
Be tough, but fair
Psalm 112:5 / Proverbs 11:3 / Proverbs 16:11
Ride for the brand
Be loyal to your company
James 1:22 / Psalm 37:3-4/ Matthew 6:33
Careful or you'll have to eat your words
Talk less and say more
Ephesians 4:29 / Proverbs 18: 21 / Proverbs 15:2
Remember that some things aren't for sale
Don't compromise
Proverbs 22:1 / Acts 8:17-20 / Proverbs 4:7-9
Lord willing and the creek don't rise
Don't worry, Be happy
I Peter 5:7 / Philippians 4:6 / Matthew 6:25-34
Be neighborly
Give a helping hand
Matthew 7:12 / Matthew 5:16 / Matthew 5:41-42
YeeeeeeeeHaw Yipeeeeeeee
Be thankful every day!
Psalm 150:6 / Psalm 118:24 / Colossians 3:17
REFERENCE SCRIPTURES
Life Application Bible - New International Version Edition
I Corinthians 14:40
"But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
I Corinthians 9:24
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
Psalm 37:23-24
"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you." Declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
II Thessalonians 3:10
"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
Proverbs 27:23
"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds."
Proverbs 12:10
"A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel".
Matthew 12:11-12
"He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Joshua 1:9
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Psalm 27:14
"Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Psalms 121:2
"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Matthew 5:37
"Simply let your YES be YES and your NO be NO; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
Luke 16:12
"And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?"
Proverbs 10:9
"The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 10:4
"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."
Proverbs 6:10-11
"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man."
Ephesians 6:13
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Proverbs 12:9
"Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food."
Proverbs 12:11
"He who works his land will have abundant food, and he who chases fantasies lacks judgment."
Psalm 112:5
"Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice."
Proverbs 11:3
"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."
Proverbs 16:11
"Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making."
James 1:22
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Psalm 37:3-4
"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Matthew 6:33
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Ephesians 4:29
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Proverbs 18:21
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Proverbs 15:2
"The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."
Proverbs 22:1
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
Acts 8:17-20
"Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. Peter answered, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!"
Proverbs 4:7-9
"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."
I Peter 5:7
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."
Matthew 6:25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ...Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 7:12
"So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 5:16
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:41-42
"If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
Psalm 150:6
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
Psalm 118:24
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Colossians 3:17
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
** Listing adapted from the book, "Cowboy Ethics, What Wall Street can learn from the Code of the West", by James P. Owen. Reference scriptures from Life Application Bible - New International Version edition
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Nothing is Impossible with God
"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible." Mark 10:27
God desires to deliver you from "impossible" challenges
Psalm 34:19
"A righteous man my have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all."
God is not bound by human limitations
Mark 9:23
"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
All things have an eternal purpose
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
God's grace is sufficient for all your needs
II Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
God will answer your prayers
Mark ll:24
"Therefore I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and if will be yours."
God will use you in His service
John 14:12
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do ever greater things than these because I am going to the Father."
No matter what challenges you face, the joys of heaven are promised
John 14:1-2
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have to told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."
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