Tag: Southern Gospel Radio

God works through flawed people

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

The genealogy listed in Matthew’s Gospel includes some surprising names. Tamar had an incestuous relationship with her father-in-law, Judah. Rahab worked as a prostitute in Jericho. Bathsheba committed adultery with King David. All three women had serious moral failures in their past. Their presence in Jesus’s family line raises an important question about why God would include such troubled history.

The answer is straightforward. God can only work with sinful people because that is all who exist. Every person has moral failures, though they may look different from one person to another. These particular women appear in the genealogy to show how grace operates.

The family tree also mentions other sinners. Abraham displayed his lack of faith in God through his actions. David committed both adultery and murder, making him one of the worst offenders listed. Yet these women especially demonstrate something important. God’s plan to redeem humanity moves forward through people who have received mercy they did not earn.

If God’s purposes depended on people who deserved to participate, nothing would happen. Everyone who plays a role in God’s work has received what they have through unearned favor. The apostle Paul acknowledged that he murdered people and spoke against God, yet he received grace and was given ministry responsibilities.

God accomplishes his redemptive purposes through individuals who are what they are because of grace alone.

Understanding biblical teaching about visiting Heaven

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Some stores that sell Christian books carry stories from people who say they traveled to heaven and came back. These books describe experiences that the authors claim to have had beyond death. However, biblical teaching presents a different picture of what happens when people die.

Scripture tells us that humans die one time, followed by judgment. This means death is not something people experience multiple times. Claims about visiting heaven or hell and returning do not align with this biblical principle. When people make such claims, they are not speaking truthfully about their experiences.

The Bible does mention something called the third heaven. This term refers to where God lives. The first heaven means the air surrounding our planet that we breathe. The second heaven refers to outer space, where the moon and stars exist. The third heaven, then, is simply the place where God dwells.

Paul was the only person in the New Testament who experienced being taken to the third heaven. Even he could not explain how this happened. He stated that he did not know if he was physically present or if his body remained behind. This experience was similar to the visions that prophets received in the Old Testament, like the vision Isaiah had when he saw God’s throne.

Paul described being brought into God’s presence and witnessing things too wonderful for human understanding. He said these things could not be spoken about or described. I believe that if someone genuinely visited heaven, they would have the same experience Paul had. They would find themselves unable to talk about what they witnessed there.

The biblical pattern shows that genuine encounters with heaven leave people without words to describe them, not with books to sell.

In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.

John 14:2-3

US: Louisiana chapel damaged by fire and vandalism, suspects arrested

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

(Photo courtesy Diocese of Alexandria Facebook page)

TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

COLUMBIA, La. — St. John Chapel in Columbia was burglarized, vandalized and intentionally set on fire last week, damaging the only Catholic church in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana according to a press release from the Diocese of Alexandria.

The incident occurred during the late evening hours of Thursday, March 26, or the early morning of Friday, March 27, the diocese said. No parishioners were present at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Local authorities confirmed that suspects have been identified and arrested in connection with the crime. Initial assessments indicate that portions of the church were desecrated during the incident, according to the release. Local media in Alexandria identify the suspects as a male 19, and a male, 20.

Alexandria Bishop Robert Marshall, Father Robert Johnson, the church’s pastoral administrator, and parishioners were on site Friday to cooperate with civil authorities and assess the extent of the damage.

“It is deeply unfortunate that this has occurred at any time,” Marshall said in the release, “but especially as we prepare to enter the most sacred season of Holy Week and Easter.”

The diocese said Masses will be celebrated each Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at the Winters Clinic, located next to Caldwell Memorial Hospital at 421 Main St. in Columbia, until further notice.

The Diocese of Alexandria expressed gratitude to first responders for their efforts in addressing the fire and securing the site.

A restoration fund has been established to assist with repair and recovery efforts and is available through the Diocese of Alexandria website at freedonationkiosk.com. The diocese asked the faithful to keep the St. John Chapel community in their prayers.

The Gospel’s power and humanity’s need: Romans 1

Published on by Texas Gospel2 Comments

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

The opening chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans could be considered one of the most significant passages in all of Scripture. Written to a church the apostle had never visited, this letter would become the most systematic presentation of the gospel message in the New Testament, and its first chapter lays the essential groundwork for everything that follows.

Paul clarifies the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. He tells us God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was descended from David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead. This dual nature of Christ, fully human and fully divine, forms the bedrock of Christian theology and the foundation upon which the entire epistle rests.

Within this gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” This concept of God’s righteousness being revealed and received through faith rather than human effort represents a revolutionary truth that transformed the ancient world and continues to transform lives today. The righteousness that God requires, He also provides through Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Paul explains that what can be known about God has been clearly revealed to all people through creation itself. God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived in the things that have been made.

The chapter concludes with a chilling observation about the depth of human depravity. Though people know God’s righteous decree that those who practise evil things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practise them. They don’t just commit sin but celebrate it and encouraging others to join in rebellion against God.

The first chapter of Romans is a foundation for understanding the gospel’s power. Until we grasp the severity of humanity’s condition, the depth of our rebellion, and the reality of divine wrath against sin, we cannot fully appreciate the magnitude of God’s grace in providing salvation through Jesus Christ.

Lauren Talley releases new gospel song “Walls” after nearly four-year recording gap

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER

Arden, North Carolina (March 27, 2026) — Horizon Records artist Lauren Talley has released a new Gospel song titled “Walls.” The release marks her first new Gospel song in nearly four years. She released A Lauren Talley Christmas in 2024. The new recording was produced by Dove Award-winning producer Jason Webb.

The song “Walls” was written by Joseph Habedank, Tony Wood, and Michael Farren. Talley said she contacted Habedank after hearing the song. “Joseph is one of the top soloists in Southern Gospel, and in all of Christian music today, and he’s a friend of mine. So I texted him and said, ‘Hey, why didn’t you cut this song?’ And he said, ‘Are you wanting it?’ And when I said, ‘Yeah,’ he said, ‘Well, then, I probably should have!’”.

Courtesy Crossroads Music, 2026

“Walls” features strong rhythms and gritty guitars, with inspirational and CCM musical elements. The song carries a message about God’s power to transform a believer’s life. The lyrics include: “He ain’t never met a wall that He couldn’t tear down / Watch it crumbling to the ground / He ain’t never met a wall, that He couldn’t break through / Oh, just watch what he’s gonna do / Gonna do to your walls.”

Talley described the song in simple terms. “’Walls’ is just a groovy, fun song, full of bluesy attitude, but I sure have seen the truth of this song lived out in my life,” she said. “If you’re having a rough day, you can remind yourself that ‘He ain’t never met a wall that He couldn’t tear down.’ I think you’ll like it!”

Lauren Talley is known as a dynamic talent in Christian music and has influenced many young people to serve the Lord. She was born into a musical family and sang her first solo at age 2 when she went on stage during her family’s concert and said she wanted to “thing.” She later performed with her family group, The Talleys. She has received several awards, including a 2015 Dove Award for the song “Hidden Heroes.” Her lead vocals appear on eleven number one hits with the group.

Listen for Walls on Texas Gospel Canada!