Author: Texas Gospel

Prayers For Heaven’s Mountain Band

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

David Ingram

Texas Gospel Canada received the following from the Family Music Group:

We’ve received news that Deborah Johnson of Heaven’s Mountain Band has gone home to be with the Lord after having a severe stroke. Please lift up her husband, Roger, and all the Johnson family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Les Butler states, “Heaven’s Mountain Band and the Johnson family are very special to me. Our relationship goes well past being their producer and label owner. They are dear friends. We have traveled together, played and sang music together and most importantly we’ve worshiped together. I’ve spent many nights in Bro. Roger and Mrs. Debbie’s home and they always made me feel like family. Of course, we are family. We will miss sister Debbie, but not for long!”

About Deborah: Deborah grew up in East Tennessee with Godly parents and eight siblings. She began singing at an early age. Deborah and Roger married very young in life. She was thankful for her Christian family. Deborah believed her greatest accomplishment was that she was “born again.” Deborah stated, “My goal is to see souls saved and make Heaven my home.”

The Book of Matthew

Does Matthew 7:1-2 tell me I should not judge the actions of others?

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 7, 1-2 Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.  

It could easily be argued that Matthew 7:12 is one of the most often misquoted New Testament verses. Judge not, so that you will not be judged. Doesn’t this mean we are never to judge? I can’t answer that question without knowing what you mean by judge. And the answer requires us to understand what Jesus meant by “judge.” I think the answer lies in the context in which Jesus made this statement.

Immediately after Jesus told us not to judge, he used a metaphor of removing a log from your own eye before looking at a spec in your neighbor’s eye. It seems to me he’s saying you are to judge, but you need to clean your own act up first. And there’s more. In Verse 15 & 16 he went on to say, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Isn’t Jesus directly telling us to judge to judge the actions of the prophet. So, how do you reconcile this with the verses telling us not to judge?

I think it’s clear we are to judge the actions of others with one notable restriction. Notice I said judge the actions, not the individual. Only God knows a person’s heart. We can judge a person’s actions when they are contrary to God’s Word. We can see the chaos that surrounds a false prophet that signals they are not teaching God’s Word. Too be clear, when we tell a person they are doing something contrary to what we are told in scripture, they are judged by God’s Word, not by us. As for that notable restriction I mentioned earlier. We are not even to judge the actions of others when we have obvious sin in our lives. I say this because we are told to get rid of the log in our eye before looking for specs in the eyes of others.  

To wrap this all up, you can judge if you mean judging what a person’s actions by what God’s word says. But you are not the judge of them, that’s God’s place only. The scripture says, “for in the way you judge, you will be judged.” I’d rather be judged by God than by a human like me who cannot see a person’s heart. Is it not also true that you open yourself to judgement by others if you walk around with open sin in your own life while pointing fingers. What do you think that would do to your witness?

What are your thoughts about Judgement?

Also on the web:

John MacArthur: Judging Others: The Verse Pagans Love to Quote

StowTown Records Announces New Digital Album Release From Talented Vocalist Buddy Mullins

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (March 17, 2023) – StowTown Records has announced the digital release of a brand new album from singer/songwriter Buddy Mullins. Fearless marks the debut release from Mullins under the StowTown label, and features 12 original cuts penned by Mullins, complemented by the rich, soulful vocals that have made this talented musician so loved by audiences for decades.

Buddy Mullins is no stranger to the gospel music arena. Over the years, Mullins has been featured on the popular Gaither Homecoming Video Series and even traveled as a member of the multi-Grammy winning, Gaither Vocal Band during the ’90s. His time with the group earned him an induction into the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame. In addition to the Gaither Vocal Band, Mullins has had the privilege of performing with such acclaimed recording artists as Clay Crosse, NewSong, DC Talk, Newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman and Amy Grant. He has also been featured with noted youth author and speaker, Josh McDowell, and has been a part of the renowned Billy Graham Crusades. Currently a member of the popular vocal group, The Booth Brothers, Mullins’ musical gifts and talents, as well as his endearing personality, have made him a favorite among fans and peers alike. 

The completion of Fearless brings to fruition a labor of love for Mullins, who, along with his wife Kerri, has devoted his life to world missions. Mullins serves as CEO of Hope for the World Foundation, an organization committed to sharing God’s love for people by providing their basic needs in order to share the love of Christ. The mission, originally born in Albania to provide for the extreme needs of orphans, has expanded to reach the gypsy community, as well as the underprivileged and handicapped residents of Albania. All proceeds from the sale of Fearless will support Hope for the World. StowTown Records President Landon Beene states, “Buddy Mullins is a seasoned veteran of the gospel music industry, and working with him is always a pleasure. His heart for people is evident in both his music and ministry, and the team at StowTown Records is happy to partner with him on the digital release of Fearless.”

The message of each song on Fearless is meant to provide hope. “This project was created from all we have been going through in our world over the past couple of years,” Mullins shares. “Realizing that we have not been given the ‘spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind,’ is what these songs proclaim!”  

Produced by multi-award winning musician/arranger Jason Webb, each song reminds and encourages the listener that God is in control regardless of life’s circumstances. The recording opens with “Moment of Hope,” which conveys the triumphant message of hope in Christ. Mullins enlisted his friends, The Gaither Vocal Band, to join him on this particular song, written after the intensity of the 2020 global lockdown and worldwide pandemic. A clear celebration of life, the song proclaims that in every situation children of God can find a moment of hope. “I don’t know of a better heart in the field of gospel music than Buddy Mullins. He believes and lives out what he sings,” expressed Bill Gaither.

“This is such a special project for me,” Mullins explains, “and I was thrilled to have some very special friends join me to help to make it so special. It meant so much to have my great friends, The Gaither Vocal Band sing with me, and I’m so grateful for my producer and friend Jason Webb, who truly caught the vision for these songs and brought them to life. I’m also grateful to StowTown and Provident for helping us get this message out in a powerful way.”

From beginning to end, Fearless conveys the overwhelming message of God’s provision, love and protection. “God, who has overcome the world,” Mullins states, “wants us to walk fearlessly into the future with the promise that He is there too. I believe these songs will strengthen the spirit and soul of each listener and encourage them to live out loud with confidence in Christ.”

The Primitive Quartet’s Stay Their Arms out now on digital platforms

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (March 17, 2023) — Even the most storied performing career must eventually come to an end, and for The Primitive Quartet â€” for more than half a century, faithful practitioners of an acoustic musical ministry rooted in the traditional sounds of Appalachian mountain churches and communities — that time has finally come.  

As a farewell to their many fans â€” and in addition to Through The Years, their remarkable digital multi-volume retrospective series for Mountain Home Music Company  â€” the group has released their last set of studio recordings, Stay Their Arms to digital platforms. The collection reveals a group as musically compelling and spiritually powerful as they were at their founding in 1973.

Hewing to the sturdy, down-to-earth approach that has characterized their music since the beginning, Stay Their Arms maintains a resolute focus on heartfelt originals that retell timeless truths in ways that inspire and comfort — although, as if to reaffirm their place in tradition one last time, the Quartet includes two of the best-loved songs from the canon in Albert E. Brumley’s “If We Never Meet Again” and R. E. Winsett’s “Will You Meet Me Over Yonder.” Yet new or old, each song glows with the warmth of wood and wire — mandolin, guitar, dobro, fiddle and bass — and the simple, straightforward tones of the human voice, sincere and unadorned, exemplifying the deep appeal that earned the group the devotion of countless audiences over their many years.

“After 50 years of music ministry, our touring days are coming to an end,” says The Primitive Quartet. “We hope our music will live on and be a blessing by way of our recorded songs. We’ve released Stay Their Arms, the final recording that we made, to all digital platforms. Thanks to all who have loved and supported us these many years. We love you all!”

The Book of Matthew

Does Matthew 10:24-23 apply to me or is it talking about someone else?

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 10:24-32

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Matthew records Jesus giving his apostles instructions as they get ready to preach to the lost children of the House of Israel.  Part of those instructions are recorded in Matthew 10:24-32.  Here we see Jesus telling his Apostles it will not be an easy road for them. Let’s take a close look at what else he said, and how we know his words have meaning for us today.

In verse 24, Jesus tells the apostles a, “…student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.” (Matt. 10:24 NIV) I believe Jesus is letting them know just how bad it’s going to get for them because in the next verse he says, “It is enough for the disciple that he may become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they insult the members of his household!”  It seems clear to me He’s telling them, if people accused Jesus of this, then the apostles can expect to be called the same, or even worse. This is what Jesus told his apostles, but how do we know these verses have meaning for us?

Jesus gave these instructions to his apostles as they were heading out to preach specifically to Jewish people. Our directive today is quite different; we are to preach to all. It is also true we are disciples, not apostles. A disciple is anyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. An apostle is someone Jesus directly sent to preach. Jesus’ instructions here are clearly for his chosen apostles for a specific task. I think it’s reasonable to infer from these verses that we may face persecution, but we need to recognize that an inference from scripture is not scripture itself. I am not saying that no one today is persecuted; far from it.  My point is these verses are Jesus’ instructions to his apostles and they are told they WILL be persecuted. While we may experience persecution, we are not always going into places comparable to the places the apostles went. Today we do not always meet the kind of danger they faced. I would argue that it depends on where one goes to preach. In most countries today we are not likely to be handed over to the government for prosecution.

I think it’s important at this point to mention that the above text is from the New International Version, and it says a “student” is not above the teacher.  The NASB uses the word “disciple.” I think the word disciple, used in this context, tells us that the warning of persecution applies to us as disciples when we are in a similar situation; that is, when we present the Gospel to those who’s doctrine and authority are questioned by God’s Word. I hope my reasoning here shows just how much care we should use before saying “the Bible says” to assure we do not unknowingly add to it. This requires a close reading.

Jesus ended his set of instructions in verses 32-33 saying, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” I hope I don’t sound like I’m splitting hairs with this next question.   In this context, when Jesus says “Whoever,” does this mean to whoever the apostles spoke, or does this include anyone, including those to whom the apostles have not spoken? I think it is most likely talking about anyone who acknowledges, not just to whoever the apostles spoke, because of what we see in other scriptures. God demands acknowledgement. It doesn’t matter if we are speaking of Old or New Testament.  Proverbs tells us, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” In New Testament books like Luke we see Jesus telling people, “…everyone who confesses Me before people, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God; 9 but the one who denies Me before people will be denied before the angels of God.” Is it not clear that God demands confession before others?

Do his words apply to us?  I believe so. I also believe they should not be presented without context or we risk changing their meaning.  What are your thoughts?