A Different Kind of Ambition

TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

When people think of ambition, they often picture success, power, or greatness. However, the Apostle Paul connects ambition with something unexpected—living a quiet life. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11, he encourages believers to aspire to lead a quiet life, mind their own business, and work with their hands. At first, this might seem like a call to mediocrity or passivity, but that is not the case.

Paul is not speaking about ministry, evangelism, or holiness within the church. Instead, he is giving guidance on how Christians should live in society. He urges believers to be hardworking, peaceful members of their communities. Causing trouble is not the goal; instead, obedience to God’s commands should be the focus. The Bible makes it clear that providing for one’s family is a responsibility—2 Thessalonians 3:10 tells us, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

True ambition is not about selfish gain. It is about striving to live in a way that honours God, both in the church and in daily life. When our desires align with God’s instructions, we find purpose and fulfilment in even the simplest aspects of life.

Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 – March 2025

DAVID INGRAM

Welcome to the Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 Songs of March 2025! This list is meticulously compiled based on the actual number of plays each song received in the previous month (February.) The Texas Gospel Top 30 is proudly submitted to top Southern Gospel publications including The Singing News and SGNScoops.

1 Grateful For The Gospel – Brian Free & Assurance – Daywind/New Day
2 More Than You Know – Tim Livingston – Diamond Mill Music
3 Bigger On The Inside – Legacy Five – StowTown/Provident-Sony
4 Big Ole Stone (Victory) – Triumphant Quartet – StowTown/Provident-Sony
5 The Good, Bad And The Ugly – Justified Quartet – Big Picture Records/New Day
6 The Hour I First Believed – PromisedLand Quartet – StowTown/Provident-Sony
7 No One Greater – Browns – StowTown/Provident-Sony
8 My Name’s Already There – Inspirations – Horizon/Crossroads
9 When It’s Gone For Good – Gold City – New Haven/Provident-Sony
10 Come On Let’s Go To That Land – Tribute Quartet- Daywind/New Day
11 What Are You Waiting For – Tim Menzies (with The Isaacs) – ARS/New Day
12 Rock Bottom – 11th Hour – Sonlite/Crossroads
13 Jesus Walked In – Joseph Habedank – Daywind/New Day
14 We Still Believe – Hyssongs – ARS/New Day
15 Can He, Could He, Would He – Mark Trammell Quartet – Crimson Road
16 There’s A River – High Road – New Day Records/New Day
17 I’d Rather Hear Preachin’ – Greater Vision – Daywind/New Day
18 If Not For Christ – Whisnants – Independent
19 I Left It In The Water – Southbound – Daywind/New Day
20 I Remember Lost – Poet Voices – StowTown/Provident-Sony
21 Keep Turning Your Eyes On Jesus – Booth Brothers – StowTown/Provident-Sony
22 Count For Something – Jay Stone Singers – ARS/New Day
23 Things We Cannot Change – LeFevre Quartet – New Day Records/New Day
24 By Grace – Lore Family – Horizon/Crossroads
25 Thank You Jesus For The Blood – Lauren Talley – Horizon/Crossroads
26 I Just Stopped By On My Way Home – Kingsmen – Horizon/Crossroads
27 God Won’t – Nelons (featuring Autumn Nelon Streetman) – Daywind/New Day
28 Good Ole Gospel Sing – Kelly Garner – Independent
29 Old Blind Bartimaeus – Jonathan Wilburn – Daywind/New Day
30 God Has A Way Of Workin’ It Out – Chronicle – ARS/New Day

Sharing the Gospel: A Call to Action

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Some believe that sharing the gospel is best done by waiting for opportunities that God provides. Others emphasize a more proactive approach, inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” This call to action suggests no boundaries—every method and place can be used to spread the good news.

Evangelism can take many forms: speaking with neighbours, engaging in street or classroom discussions, building friendships, or even sharing faith in competitive or challenging environments. The key is to consistently proclaim the message of Christ wherever we are.

However, the method of sharing is less important than the message itself. It’s vital to ensure that the gospel is communicated truthfully and accurately. Becoming a follower of Christ involves more than a simple prayer; it requires recognizing one’s sin, turning to Jesus in repentance, and fully committing to Him as Lord and Master. This transformation brings deep joy and purpose to the believer’s life, as seen in Romans 6:22: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”

Evangelism is an urgent mission for every believer. It’s a call to both action and truth, ensuring that the life-changing message of Christ reaches all.

Deception in the Last Days: A Warning for Believers

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

In discussions about the Second Coming, many focus on tribulation, war, and judgment. However, a crucial aspect often overlooked is deception. Jesus himself emphasized the prevalence of mass deception in the end times, particularly in Matthew 24. He cautioned his followers to be vigilant, stating, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (NASB).

This warning raises questions about the vulnerability of true believers to misleading influences. While it’s possible for Christians to be temporarily led astray, especially those new to the faith, the Bible assures us that those who genuinely belong to Christ will not be permanently deceived.
The Apostle Paul addresses this issue in Ephesians 4:14, comparing new believers to children who can be easily swayed by false teachings. This underscores the importance of spiritual growth and maturity in resisting deception.

Looking ahead to the future, Matthew 24 describes a time of intense deception. However, it also offers reassurance that God will protect His chosen ones by limiting the duration of this deceptive period. This divine intervention prevents even the elect from being hopelessly misled.

In our present day, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in safeguarding believers against deception. This protection extends into the future, where God’s constraining power will continue to shield His people from ultimate deception.

As we navigate these challenging times, it’s essential for believers to remain grounded in their faith, grow in spiritual maturity, and trust in God’s protective care.

Active Demonstration of Faith in Everyday Life

JEFF TURNER

Faith is more than a passive belief; it requires active demonstration through compassionate actions and genuine commitment to living out one’s spiritual convictions.

In the early Christian community, believers wrestled with understanding the true nature of faith. The core message emphasizes that authentic faith is not merely an internal declaration, but a transformative force that compels individuals to serve others and embody Christ’s teachings. As illustrated in the biblical passage from James, faith without corresponding actions is essentially lifeless—comparable to offering empty words of comfort to someone in desperate need without providing tangible help.

The Bible gives us examples of faith in action: Abraham, who demonstrated his trust in God by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, and Rahab, a woman who risked her own safety by protecting messengers. These stories underscore that genuine faith goes beyond intellectual assent and manifests through courageous, selfless deeds that reflect a spiritual transformation.

True faith is dynamic and externally visible, not confined to private thoughts or isolated spiritual experiences. Shouldn’t we move beyond passive religiosity and embrace a holistic spirituality that integrates belief and action?