Author: Texas Gospel

Jesus’ Love: A Lesson on the Golden Rule

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JEFF TURNER

In today’s world, many misunderstand the true meaning of the Golden Rule. Some even joke that it means “Whoever has the gold makes the rules.” But Jesus gave a much deeper teaching in Luke 6:31, where He said, “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”

While many world religions share similar values, the key difference lies in how the Golden Rule is expressed. In traditions like Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, the rule is often given as a warning: “Do not do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you.” This negative form focuses on avoiding harm.

Jesus, however, made the rule positive. He taught not just to avoid doing bad, but to actively do good. This shift is powerful. It shows that Christian love is not just about staying out of trouble or protecting yourself—it’s about reaching out to others, even when they don’t treat you well.

Jesus’ teaching calls His followers to give love, kindness, and grace—even when those things are not returned. This is not a love that waits for fairness; it’s a love that mirrors God’s heart. Consider Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

This kind of love changes people. It’s not about self-interest—it’s about bringing God’s goodness into someone else’s life. That is the heart of true Christianity.

“That’s What Faith Looks Like”: Karen Peck Gooch Reflects on Belief Through Song

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DAVID INGRAM


In the landscape of Gospel music, faith is often not only the subject of the songs—it is the driving force behind their creation. This includes Karen Peck and New River’s song “That’s What Faith Looks Like.” You may remember it from Southbound, but it’s been re-imagined by Karen Peck and New River. Through its lyrics and the testimony of Karen Peck Gooch, the song paints a picture of what it means to live by faith amid life’s uncertainty.

At its core, “That’s What Faith Looks Like” brings us through a series of human interactions that illustrate belief in action: a mother praying for her child’s safety, a mourner offering praise at a graveside, a believer clinging to divine promises during private struggles. The song does not attempt to define faith in theological terms; rather, it shows how faith is lived out in quiet, often painful, moments.

The lyrics begin by acknowledging the difficulty of articulating faith to someone who has never experienced it.

“If you’ve ever tried to tell an unbeliever what it means to put your faith in a God you have never seen… They still wonder how your heart can be so sure.”

From there, the song transitions to more grounded examples, suggesting that the evidence of faith is not found in abstract ideas but in real-life choices—trusting, surrendering, and praising in the face of adversity.

Karen Peck Gooch, longtime member of Karen Peck and New River, offers insight into the message through her personal life.

“I’m gonna live what I believe. You know, the thing is, I believe that Jesus is Lord. I believe that I am not alone. I believe that God placed me on this earth for a reason and that’s to serve him and to glorify him.”

Her sentiment is found in the final lines of the song.

“I’m going to live what I believe. Trust what I can’t change. Follow where He leads. Unafraid and unashamed.”

This is the intersection of personal conviction and lyrical content for a gospel sinner.

“There are circumstances beyond my control. And I am not gonna understand everything that happens in my life. And you know what—I’m not supposed to. Because if I understood everything that happened in my life, there would be no reason to live by faith.”

The lyrics give us familiar examples—grief, prayer, and perseverance—”That’s What Faith Looks Like” connects with listeners who find themselves navigating similar paths. Rather than offering explanations, it offers identification. The refrain,

“I can’t explain it any other way, except to say that’s what faith looks like,”

Listen for That’s What Faith Looks Like throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!

Navigating Faith: Living with an Unbelieving Spouse

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JEFF TURNER

Living with an unbelieving spouse can be one of the hardest challenges a Christian may face. It might feel lonely or confusing, especially when faith is a core part of your life. But the Bible offers clear direction and encouragement for those in this situation.

In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul tells Christians not to leave their unbelieving husbands or wives. He explains that the believing partner brings a kind of spiritual blessing into the home. Paul writes, “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband” 1 Corinthians 7:14, ESV.

Doesn’t this tell us that God’s presence in the life of the believer has an effect on the entire household? His grace and blessing spill over, even reaching those who do not yet know Him. Instead of being influenced by the unbeliever’s lack of faith, the believer becomes a channel of God’s grace.

Some early Christians felt they had to leave their spouses in order to stay pure, but Paul corrects this thinking. He reminds them—and us—that God protects and sanctifies His people, even in difficult situations. In fact, a believer may be the very tool God uses to draw their spouse closer to Him.

Staying in a mixed-faith marriage, when possible, is not just about commitment; it’s about being a light in someone else’s life.

The Accuser and Our Unshakable Hope

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JEFF TURNER

The Bible gives many names to the devil. He is called the serpent, the dragon, the deceiver, the father of lies, and most often, Satan. But one of the most troubling titles is “the accuser.” According to Revelation 12, Satan stands before God day and night, accusing Christians—people who follow Jesus.

This is unsettling because it shows that Satan is not only crafty and intelligent but also fully aware of our failures. He brings these sins before God, hoping to turn Him against us. It’s a fearful thought to imagine someone constantly pointing out our wrongs to God.

But the Bible gives us a clear and powerful answer in Romans 8. There, the apostle Paul tells us that “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Paul later asks, “Who is it that condemns?” And the answer is, not Jesus—He is the one who made us right with God. And not God—His justice has already been satisfied by Christ’s sacrifice.

The story of Job shows Satan trying to accuse and test a faithful man. Yet even though Job suffered, Satan couldn’t break him. In the end, Job’s trust in God grew stronger.

Even though the devil never stops accusing, he cannot truly condemn us. That power belongs to God alone, and through Christ, we are safe. Consider, Romans 8:1 tells us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” That is our promise and our peace.

Exploring the Message of “The God You Are”: A Reflection on Surrender, Faith, and Identity in God

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STEVE MORGAN

When Sound Street was searching for music for their project Good Seed in 2023, lead vocalist Jaylie Vanderslice recalls that the group was looking for songs with a personal connection—songs that moved listeners on a deeper level. That search led them to “The God You Are,” written by Adina Bowman, Wendy Ferguson, and Rhonda Fry.

“In 2023, when we were searching for new songs to put on our new project at the time, Good Seed, we were searching for songs that I could relate to and I could really connect with,” Vanderslice shared. “And we weren’t having much luck until Adina Bowman sent us a song… from the moment that I heard the intro I fell in love with it and it was ‘The God You Are.’”

Now performed by Southbound, “The God You Are” continues to carry the emotional weight that Vanderslice described. The lyrics are centered on surrendering personal control, affirming God’s attributes, and aligning one’s will with divine purpose. The bridge—highlighted by Vanderslice as her favorite section—reads:

“The God of salvation, of mercy and grace,
The God of all power, you’re still God today.”

These lines enforce the song’s central message: the enduring and unchanging nature of God’s power, mercy, and authority. In the broader context of the song, this declaration follows a personal plea for help, beginning with uncertainty and vulnerability:

“I know you can do what no one else can do.
And I know that you can see just what I’m going through.
So why do I still fight this fight alone
When I should know by now that I can’t make it on my own?”

There is a struggle between human instinct for self-reliance and the spiritual call to trust. The words acknowledges God’s omnipotence and insight, but still confesses to wrestling with the need for control. The chorus follows with a deliberate act of surrender:

“So give me faith to step out of the way.
Surrender my whole life enough to say
I lay it all here at your feet.
I trust with all my heart,
Believing you to be the God you are.”

This is both a prayer and a declaration, shifting from uncertainty to resolve. It marks a turning point in the song—an active decision to yield to divine authority. It underscores a recurring theme in Southern Gospel music: that of personal transformation through trust in a higher power.

The song closes by repeating its key affirmation: “Believing you to be the God you are.”

Vanderslice’s reflection on singing the bridge—particularly her emotional response. “The God of salvation, like he saved me and he’s saved people who thought that they’re too far gone,” she said. “But you’re never too far gone for God.”