Tag: Christianity

Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 – March 2025

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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

From the Old Testament to Matthew

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

The transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament is marked by a period of approximately 400 years of seeming divine silence. After the prophet Malachi, there were no prophetic voices or explicit divine messages recorded in scripture. However, this era was far from uneventful; it was a time of significant transformation and change for the Jewish people and the world stage. Understanding this period is crucial for properly interpreting the New Testament.

During these 400 years, often referred to as the Intertestamental Period, the world underwent considerable shifts. The dominant powers of the Old Testament, the Medo-Persian Empire and Egypt, gradually faded in prominence. World power shifted westward, from Asia to Europe, and from the Medo-Persian Empire to Greece. By the time the New Testament begins, Rome had risen to become the dominant world power.

In 480 BC, Xerxes of Persia was victorious against the Greeks at Thermopylae. However, his defeat at the Battle of Salamis marked the end of the East’s bid for world dominion. In 333 BC, Alexander the Great emerged from the West, leading the united Greek forces to victory over the Persians at Issus. In 332 BC, Alexander visited Jerusalem and, after being shown the prophecies of Daniel that spoke of him, he spared the city. Following Alexander’s death in 323 BC, his empire was divided among his four generals. Judea, located next to Egypt, came under the rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty. In 320 BC, Seleucus, the founder of the Seleucid kingdom in Syria, attempted to take over Judea, turning the small country into a buffer state between Syria and Egypt.

In 203 BC, Antiochus the Great took Jerusalem, bringing Judea under Syrian influence. In 170 BC, Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple in Jerusalem. In 166 BC, Mattathias, a priest of Judea, led a revolt against Syria, marking the beginning of the Maccabean period. This era was marked by immense suffering and heroism for the Jewish people. Judas Maccabeus, known as “the hammer,” organized the revolt. In 63 BC, Pompey of Rome took Jerusalem, placing the Jewish people under Roman rule, where they remained at the time of Jesus’ birth and throughout the New Testament period. In 40 BC, the Roman Senate appointed Herod as King of Judea, initiating the rule of a notoriously wicked family. In 37 BC, Herod took Jerusalem and killed Antigonus, the last of the Maccabean king-priests. In 31 BC, Caesar Augustus became emperor of Rome, and in 19 BC, the rebuilding of the Herodian Temple began. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in 4 BC.

During this period, several distinct parties emerged within Jewish society, none of which are mentioned in the Old Testament. The Pharisees were the dominant party, arising to defend Jewish traditions and practices against foreign influences. They were strict legalists, believed in the Old Testament, and were nationalistic in their politics, seeking to restore the kingdom to the line of David.

The Sadducees were composed of wealthy, socially minded individuals who sought to reject tradition. They were liberal in their theology, rejected the supernatural, and were closely akin to the Greek Epicureans, who believed in pursuing pleasure.

The scribes were professional expounders of the law, stemming from the days of Ezra. However, they became overly concerned with the letter of the law rather than its spirit. They possessed knowledge of the law but often failed to translate it into practical action.

The Herodians were political opportunists who sought to maintain the Herods in power.

This period also saw significant literary activity. The Old Testament was translated into Greek in Alexandria, Egypt, between 285 and 247 BC. This translation, known as the Septuagint, was used by Paul and quoted by Jesus. The Apocrypha of the Old Testament was also written during this era.

This period was marked by God’s silence, yet it was a time when He was preparing the world for the coming of Christ.

The four Gospels are directed to different groups of people. The Gospel of Matthew was written primarily for the nation of Israel, a religious people. The Gospel of Mark was directed to the Romans, who were men of action and believed in law and order. The Gospel of Luke was written to the Greeks, the thinking people. The Gospel of John, while written for believers, was indirectly aimed at the Orient, where people were seeking deliverance.

The Gospel of Matthew, written by a publican named Matthew, was originally written in Hebrew for the nation of Israel. God prepared the nation for the coming of Christ.

The Gospel of Matthew is a key book because it connects the Old Testament prophecies and moves into the New Testament. Matthew mentions the church by name, unlike the other Gospel writers.

The Gospel presents the program of God, the kingdom of heaven. The term “kingdom of heaven” is specific to this Gospel, appearing 32 times, and the word “kingdom” appears 50 times. Understanding the phrase “kingdom of heaven” is essential for interpreting this Gospel and the Bible. The kingdom and the church are not the same, but the church is in the kingdom. The kingdom of heaven is the reign of the heavens over the earth.

The theme of this Gospel is the Lord Jesus, who will establish the kingdom on earth. The three major discourses in Matthew concern the kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount presents the law of the kingdom, the mystery parables in Matthew 13 concern the kingdom, and the discourse in Matthew 24-25 looks forward to the establishment of the kingdom on earth.

The movement in the Gospel of Matthew includes the person of the king, the preparation of the king, the propaganda of the king, the program of the king, the passion of the king, and the power of the king.

The Message Behind “Things We Cannot Change”

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

The song Things We Cannot Change carries a message of faith and hope. For The LeFevre Quartet, the song is a reminder that no matter what happens in life, Jesus Christ provides strength and guidance.

Mike LeFevre explains why the group was drawn to the song:”One of the main things that attracted us to the song Things We Cannot Change is the positive message. As Christians, we deal with things every day that we don’t necessarily expect, but through Jesus Christ, He has equipped us to deal with these things. And so, I love this song. It’s a positive message. It’s all about Jesus.”

Life is full of unexpected moments. A day that starts off as routine can suddenly take a turn in ways we never imagined. Mike LeFevre reflects on this reality, “I’m sure we’ve all had a day where we started out and everything was supposed to be normal, but that day eventually turned out to be anything but normal, anything but what we expected. And it’s natural for human beings to try to fix the things that are going on around them. But as Christians, if we live by faith and realize that He is our source, we have the problem fixer on our side. This song is a great reminder that through all the things that we cannot change, He can take care of them.”

New bass vocalist Daniel Ashmore also shares his perspective on how quickly life can shift, “When I think of the song Things We Cannot Change, I think about life and how quickly things can change. One minute you’re on the mountaintop, the next minute you’re in the valley, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. You never know what’s going to change. A loved one may get cancer. Your car breaks down on you. You have no means to pay for it. Your best friend may let you down. Your government will let you down. People will let you down. Through all of that, there’s one who doesn’t change. It’s the same one who created this world. He’s not changed a bit. He’s still God. He still can help you in your situation. So no matter what you’re going through, just remember, through the things you can’t change, there’s one you can run to that will never change.”

The song includes a powerful lyric that states, “He is a Light when we cannot see.” Mike LeFevre reflects on the importance of these words:”There’s a line in that song that says, ‘He is light when we cannot see.’ And I can tell you from over the years that I’ve lived in this world, that there’s been plenty of times I couldn’t see. And He has been my light because you don’t know what direction to go. You don’t know where you’re headed, and you feel so lost. Just a strange place you find yourself sometimes. I love that line that says He’s a light when we cannot see.”

Through Things We Cannot Change, The LeFevre Quartet delivers a message of unwavering faith. Life may bring unexpected challenges, but God remains constant. He is the light in the darkness, the problem solver, and the unchanging presence in a world full of uncertainty.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

The Message Behind ‘I Left It In The Water’

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

You never know what will spark the inspiration for a great southern gospel song. For Clint Brown, the idea for Southbound’s song, “I Left It In The Water,” came from a simple t-shirt with a powerful message.

Brown recalls the moment clearly: “We were at Josh Frank’s church in Tennessee, and we saw someone walk across the front with a t-shirt on that said, ‘I left it in the water.’ And so we asked Josh, ‘What is that shirt about?’”

Josh Franks explained that the words came from a man who had just been baptized. “There was a gentleman that we baptized. When he came out of the water, we started asking him about some things, and man, he was so excited, so we were so interested in his testimony. And when they started asking him about his testimony, he said, ‘You know what? I would just rather say this. Everything about my past, I left it in the water.’”

That statement became the heart of the song. “I Left It In The Water” speaks of transformation, forgiveness, and the power of baptism. The lyrics tell the story of someone burdened by their past, carrying guilt and shame. However, through baptism, they experience a renewal—leaving behind their old self and embracing a new beginning.

The song captures this change with words like:

“I had a past I carried so long / Didn’t get it all right, got a lot of it wrong / When they laid me down in that watery grave / Came up without a trace, it was covered by grace / When I left it in the water.”

The message is clear: baptism is not just a symbolic act, but a moment of deep spiritual significance. As the song continues, it emphasizes how forgiveness and grace wash away the weight of the past:

“My past was forgiven that very hour / Guilt, sin and shame no longer remain / Cause I left it in the water.”

Through these lyrics, Southbound delivers a powerful reminder that no matter how heavy a person’s past may be, there is freedom and redemption through faith. The song resonates with many who have experienced similar transformations in their spiritual journey.

A simple t-shirt at a church in Tennessee carried a message that turned into an inspiring gospel song. “I Left It In The Water” now serves as a testimony of hope, grace, and the power of leaving the past behind.

Overcoming Shame Through Jesus’ Grace

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

There is hardly anything more emotionally and spiritually crippling than shame. It clings to us, whispering lies about our worth, our failures, and our standing before God. Shame robs us of joy, poisons our peace, and makes love seem distant. It convinces us that we are unworthy, that we stand forever on probation before God, always at arm’s length, never truly accepted. We begin to see Him not as a loving Father but as an ill-tempered celebrity—someone to be respected, perhaps, but not approached too closely.

But Jesus came to set us free.

Consider the story of the woman caught in adultery. She was dragged into the public square, exposed before the crowd, her shame laid bare for all to see. The religious leaders, eager to trap Jesus, demanded a verdict: “The Law of Moses commands us to stone such a woman. What do you say?”

Jesus said nothing at first. Instead, He bent down and wrote on the ground. What did He write? We do not know. Some have speculated that He traced the commandments, or perhaps the sins of her accusers. Whatever it was, the silence stretched long enough for the weight of the moment to settle. And then He stood and spoke:

“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

One by one, the stones fell from their hands. The oldest left first, their years making them more keenly aware of their own sinfulness. Soon, only Jesus remained. He, the only sinless One, the only one truly qualified to condemn her, looked at the woman and asked, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, Lord.”

“Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on sin no more.”

These are the sweetest words a sinner could ever hear. Neither do I condemn you. This is not because Jesus dismisses sin. No, sin is real. It is ugly. It is destructive. But He could speak those words of mercy because He would soon take her condemnation—and ours—upon Himself. The sinless One would carry our guilt to the cross. He did not pick up a stone that day; instead, He picked up a cross.

But His grace is not an invitation to continue in sin. “Go, and from now on sin no more.” He calls us out of shame, not so that we can return to what bound us, but so that we can walk in freedom. Grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to leave it behind.

The invitation stands for all of us. We do not have to live in shame. We do not have to remain in condemnation. Jesus has made a way. Let us run to Him, draw near to His throne of grace with confidence, receive His mercy, and find the strength to live in the freedom He has won for us.

For those who come to Him, there are no stones—only grace.