Author: Texas Gospel

Testing God is not the same as seeking Him

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FLOYD ROGERS

An atheist writer wrote that he honestly attempted to believe in God but ultimately found that the evidence did not stack up. I believe woven into his words is the reason he failed.

Ephesians tells us, “…it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Doesn’t this tell us that attempts to try to believe in God, or lean on our own understanding to form an argument for God are doomed to fail if saving faith is the goal?

James tells us if your motives are wrong, you won’t receive.  There’s a difference between testing God, and seeking Him. Could this be the reason some folks who are rich in intellect allow their own understanding to become a stumbling block?

What are your thoughts?

Criminal acts against the church this week

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Each week Texas Gospel Canada reports on acts of aggregation against church congregations in North America. All the reported acts this week come from the US.  It’s important to note that this is only a sample of crimes reported to local law agencies and is not intended to be an comprehensive account.

Vandals have struck the same church twice this week in Fort Worth, Texas church. Police say the building of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church received unspecified damaged on Sunday.  The criminals returned later and stole a statue from St. Thomas. The beheaded statue was found abandoned a nearby school.

A security camera caught images of a man breaking various statues at St. Pius X Catholic Church in El Paso, Tx. Video shows the man attempted to shatter windows by throwing a bottle at them. He destroyed the statues when he failed to break the windows. Police in El Paso say vandals have made recent attacks at St. Patrick Cathedral, The Abundant Living Faith Center and Destiny Family Christian Center.

Police in Central City, Kentucky say someone tore bricks out of a walkway and used them to break windows at the First Presbyterian Church.  A concrete fixture was also destroyed.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana is working to find the person or persons responsible for ripping off a door at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Eunice.  Local media in Eunice report the criminals also left obscene graffiti in the church building.

Is God obligated to heal disease?

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FLOYD ROGERS

I was asked if God could cure a person with social anxiety disorder.  I was a bit surprised when they laughed at my response.  God can cure any disorder, but does one need to be cured of anxiety to be in God’s will?

Nowhere in the Bible does it say we will be without pain or suffering; at least not before the second coming.  Consider that Paul asked God three times to take away his thorn in the flesh.  God responded by telling Paul, “My grace is sufficient…” Paul had what he needed even without being delivered from his thorn in the flesh. In fact, Paul went on to write, that he would delight in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties.  I believe 2 Corinthians tells us Paul’s weaknesses led him to depend on God, and thus, made him stronger in spite of his initial assumption that he needed to have his thorn removed.

Can someone ask why God cannot do such-and-such without assuming they know what God should do?

I’m very interested in reading your responses. Please post them below or on the station’s Facebook page.

Absolutely Gospel award nominations

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SPECIAL DAYWIND RECORDS

Absolutely Gospel has announced its 20th annual Fan Favorite Award nominees.

The Nelons have the honor of having the most nominations, at 12. Karen Peck & New RIver is the most awarded group in the history of this event and picked up 10 nominations. The Isaacs received 8, with LeFevre Quartet and Triumphant Quartet receiving 6. Tribute Quartet, The Down East Boys, The Old Paths, Joseph Habedank and Jim & Melissa Brady each received 5 nominations. The Perrys, Talleys, High Road, Collingsworth Family and Legacy Five each received 4 nominations. Gold City, The Crabb Family, Master’s Voice, The Sound, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, 11th Hour, The Erwins and The Jordan Family Band each received 3 nominations. Greater Vision, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Riley Harrison Clark and Endless Highway were among the artists earning 2 nominations.

Fans are invited to vote at AbsolutelyGospel.Com. The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony, to be announced at a later date.

US investigators suspect arson in Texas church fire

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JEFF TURNER

An arson inspector in the US said one person is in custody following a fire that heavily a church building Friday evening.

A news release from the Amarillo Fire Department says the fire was reported around 10:30 p.m. at the Community of Christ Church.  The building was heavily involved with fire when the first crew arrived and they called for seven additional fire units. Firefighters were unable to enter the building because of the severity of the fire.

All nearby homes and structures were spared.

Authorities have identified the suspect as Ernesto Pena, 24, of Amarillo. A motive has not been announced.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Texas media outlets report the temperature in Amarillo at the time of the fire was 18°F/-7°C.  It is not uncommon for homeless people to start fires in buildings in an attempt to stay warm. We mention this because it is likely the motive is not anti-Christian bigotry.