Ben and Sandy Johnson and their children will be ministering at the Lakeview Gospel Centre on April 22 at 10:30 am.

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

A while back, I was amazed at one of the judgments in our courts. I guess I should not be though because it is all an indication of how far we have fallen from God's ways. I am speaking about the decision of the judge who allowed a man to go free of a rape charge because he was in a drunken state and "not in his right mind". What a disgrace to our country, and what an insult to the lady involved, and other women.

It was wrong to get drunk, and even more wrong to be in such a state that you would not know what you are doing, but rape is also wrong. Around thirty nine years ago, I was strongly involved in alcohol, until I realized the harm it was causing to my family, others, and my own body which had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. So I can speak from some experience in this area. There are days in my life that are gone forever. Days that I cannot recall anything, being so drunk. We call it being intoxicated today because it sounds nicer. But I was drunk. If I had run someone down, that would have been my fault. I put myself in that state. The law says you are responsible when you drive in a drunken state. Rape should not be any different.

Like I said earlier though, it is a sign of how far we have gone from being a righteous nation. The second part of that verse is being fulfilled right before us. The sin of rape is a reproach to anyone who is in their right mind. If this kind of a judgment is allowed to stand, our nation will be a reproach to others. What has happened is that we no longer defend the right of the innocent. Rather, we are defending the right of the guilty, because we have strayed from God's righteousness.

I know some will just think that I am a Bible thumper, but we do not need to look too far to see that the morality of this nation is at an all time low. We have replaced many of God's laws with man's laws. We have changed words to make it sound nicer. People who commit adultery are simply having an affair. Fornication has been replaced with sexual freedom before marriage. Drunkards are simply intoxicated. It sounds better you know, and we would not want to offend them. I think we need to get back to calling a spade a spade. When someone has raped someone, drunk or otherwise, it is still rape. He knew what he was doing, or he would not have been aroused.

God's Word, even though some may disagree with it being the basis of our society, deals with all these issues quite clearly. There are no grey areas with God. It is all black and white. It is His Word that causes our laws to have some moral fibre whether people want to admit it or not. What we need to do is turn again to His righteousness, and He will exalt our nation.

Pastor Gary K. Mason 

Proverbs: 17:22 A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.

I sat and thought about the goodness of God as I took in a little of the "Comedy Hall of Fame" inductions one night. I watched in wonder at the age of many of the comedians who had been inducted, and those who were being inducted. At that time there was Bob Hope who is ninety one, Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke, George Burns who is ninety nine, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Lucille Ball and many more. I do not know all their ages, but I saw how good the majority of them looked being well on in life, and thought of the goodness of God.

His principles work for everyone. He truly is no respecter of persons. There were some that had openly mocked Christianity at times in the past in attempts to make people laugh. Right or wrong, is not the question here. What I want to say is that the above verse has worked for them. Most of them looked very good. Proverbs 15:13 says that a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart breaks the spirit. I thought, "Boy we could sure use some of this in our Churches."

We seem to have this idea that God wants us to be so quiet and serious, and that could not include joy. We can be laughing outside the Church building, and the moment we walk in we get this serious look on our faces as if we have swallowed some lemon juice. But Nehemiah 8:10 says "The joy of the Lord is our strength." I for one think we had better get ready for some changes. There seems to be a move of God that, without the help of man, causes people to laugh uncontrollably. I think that would be just like God.

Let’s all enjoy God, for He is good.

Pastor Gary Mason

1 Corinthians 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, and another of fishes, and another of birds.

I was listening to a scientist on television one day, and was amazed as I heard him speak saying that he had now found the "missing link". This was being broadcast as news across our nation, as I am sure that it was in other nations also.

He spoke on how he had found through monitoring the noise a turkey makes, and slowing it down, that it began to sound like the human voice. I have to confess here, that evolution has long been a problem with me. I have always struggled with the idea that we could evolve from apes, or monkeys, or any other animal. I have never been able to figure out how come the ape is still here if we have evolved from it.

The word evolution in itself implies that a simpler form gives way to a more complex form, and if so, then why is the simpler form still here? The answer probably lies in the fact that evolution is untrue. Man has not found the "missing link", and I do not believe that he ever will. Even Darwin before he died said that he had only come up with a theory. This same "theory" is taught in most places as fact, as men date things back millions of years in text books. There are many things that are being taught which have been proven to be wrong, and yet they are still in the text books. We do not have room in a column like this one to cover some of the errors and so I will not attempt to do that here.

I would like to go back to this scientist that I listened to though. If he is correct, and the turkey is the missing link, where does it fit in with the idea that we have evolved from the ape? Is it before? Is it after? Is it somewhere in the middle? I know it may seem facetious, but if it is at the end, it may explain why some of us feel like we are "working with turkeys, instead of soaring with eagles" at times. I have heard it said that scientists think that the reason the ape is still here is because we are evolving back into the ape. Wow, maybe you really could be a "monkey's uncle!"

God said that all flesh is not the same. There is one of men, one of beasts, one of fish, and one of birds. Personally, I find it much easier to believe the Bible and the story of creation, rather than feeling some of my ancestors were "real turkeys", or that I could still be a "monkey's uncle".

Pastor Gary Mason

It never seems to amaze me the ways in which man tries to justify himself, by changing laws. One of the big things right now has been in the area of gun safety and laws that people think will make it better. There is one thing that I have learned in my Christian walk. Laws will never change a person, it has to be a work in their heart.

The Book of Revelation shows that quite clearly when it speaks of the 1000 year reign with Christ under perfect justice and judgment. John wrote under inspiration of the Holy Spirit that many of those who are on the earth during this time will reject Jesus and follow the devil who will be released after having been bound for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:1-10) Laws do not change a person's heart, it must be a work of grace, or there is no change.

How does this relate to the gun laws being proposed one might ask? Please allow me to explain. We have all kinds of laws which say that a person will go to jail for violating them, and yet the jails are full of law breakers. If laws could change those things, the jails would be empty. The only thing that changes some of these people is a change in their heart. They see the error of their ways, and want to do something about it.

That is what has happened in many of the tragedies in families where a child, husband, etc has been killed in a careless accident. The people involved in those situations have seen the error of their ways. They will no longer leave a gun unlocked with ammunition close by. Had they followed the laws concerning gun regulations and gun safety that are already in place, the tragedy most likely would never have occurred.

New laws can be made, but that will not solve the problem. Guns have to be treated with respect and handled properly. To the best of my knowledge, most of the accidents have happened through some kind of neglect or carelessness. The making of new laws will not change that. As far as the criminal element goes, they will not register their firearms. With the police and domestic calls, I can see pros and cons. A police officer may be more apt to have his gun ready to use and possibly another innocent life may be taken with the knowledge that guns are on the premises or the police officer may also be more prepared to protect him/herself.

I do not hunt at the present time and have not a gun licence, so I speak from the viewpoint of a person who does not have any gain either way. I just know that new laws will not change safety habits. The reality of the danger of guns is what people need to concentrate on. Like I said, I am not a hunter. I have taken the gun safety course however, and know in my heart, that if people would follow the instructions given there, probably all gun accidents could be avoided.
Pastor Gary K. Mason

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

Praise the Lord our new website is now up and running and we are excited! I often think of the above verse at times like this and sit and thank God for His goodness. Then I often wonder how many people are not receiving what God has for them because they are not aware of this verse.

Many times we miss what God is trying to tell us because we do not keep things in their context. For example, when we look at the above verse we must remember that He started speaking about this in John 10:1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. (NIV)

Jesus is not simply saying that the thief is the old devil, even though he fits into this category, but He is also speaking about the false teachers, men and women who claim to be ministering the truth from God's Word, but have no relationship with Him. We can only be God's servants if we are born again of His Spirit by our belief in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made on the cross.

Jesus made it quite clear that these are men and women who have come in "some other way". This could possibly be those who have started false religions, or cults claiming to be servants of God. The truth is that they do not know Jesus and thus cannot know God, as no man comes to the Father but by Jesus.

We need to be sure that what we are hearing lines up with the Word of God and study as Paul said to rightly divide the truth. It is up to you and I to search the scriptures to see if it is so when we hear people teaching the Word of God. We should do that at all times but even more so when we are uncertain of a person’s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a great day and enjoy the abundant life that He has given us.

Pastor Gary

In Genesis 8:22, God has written " While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." If ever there was an assurance for farmers, this would be it, but that is not what I want to speak about here. What I want us to see, is that this is something that can apply to our very own lives and families.

It is not just for the earth that there is a seedtime and harvest, but for many other areas also.

Most Christians when they think of spring, always think of seeding, and the "New Birth", because things start to grow, and it seems that spring is so full of new life. But springtime is not the only time for planting seeds. Out west here, and I am sure in other places, farmers are planting things such as winter wheat. The wheat seeds in the fall, and grows to maturity in the spring and early summer. We also can see in other places around the world, that there are different planting seasons. Well, this same principle is true in our personal lives.

Most people do not even realize when they are planting seeds, and when they are going through a winter season physically, or emotionally, in their lives, and consequently they get "down" or "depressed", not realizing that there is a time for the seed to lie dormant in the ground before it sprouts. Hence, they feel like nothing is happening in their lives, nobody cares, they are all alone, and much more. As a result, they feel rejected, turn to drinking, drugs, and even worse, things such as suicide. What we need to see is that there is not a continual harvest of anything in this world, other than the Love of God.

It is only the love of God that is unlimited, and that you can draw on at all times. The people around you may not be rejecting you at all. It is just that they are going through a growing season also, and maybe they need to have you sow some love in their life. Galatians 6:7 says that we should not be deceived, whatever a man sows, that shall he reap.

Put the seedtime and harvest principle of God's Word into practise, and watch it work. If we are continually sowing good things into the lives of others, there will be a continual harvest of good things in our lives.

There seems to be more and more concern about the violence that is going on in the world these days. Violence against women, youth, parents, and much more. Now there are people in research who are saying that the television programming, and the books, and the toys, have desensitized us in this area. I would like to say that I for one agree with them.

The Psalmist said in Psalm 101:3 "I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; It shall not cleave to me." David knew the principles of God, and saw that if he were to watch something evil long enough, that he would become calloused and hardened in his heart.

Paul made it quite clear that our conscience can become hardened in 1 Timothy 4:1‑2 "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; having their conscience seared with a hot iron."

I have shared before that I believe that we are in the latter times, and this seems to be further evidence of that. Researchers are now saying that the violence on television has desensitised people to the point that they are not afraid of pain anymore - or inflicting it on others. Many Christian leaders have been telling their people that for years, and the world has laughed at it. Now, it is coming back to haunt them. People have departed from the love of God and turned towards killing, rape, assault, and much more. Their hearts, and consciences have been seared, or hardened by the things we have watched and read. But there is still hope.

We need to become a people that will humble themselves, and pray, turn from our wicked ways, and seek God's face, ask His forgiveness, and He will forgive us and heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Pastor Gary Mason

Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

It is some time ago now, while I was watching the evening news one day, that the Holy Spirit reminded me of the above verse. The news people were giving an account of what had happened down in Waco, Texas with a cult leader who was declaring that he was Jesus Christ.

Jesus spoke the above verse when the disciples asked Him what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the world. Jesus started out by saying that we should not be deceived by any one who came saying that he was Jesus Christ. Deception is something that can happen in the life of anyone, but that is not what I want to write about here. What I want to address is the signs of the end times.

Jesus went on to speak about wars, and rumours of wars, and nation rising against nation, and famines and earthquakes in various places. It is some of these things that make me realize the seriousness of the day we are living in. I know that people have been saying that He is coming back soon. And I also know that there are those who feel they have been saying this for the last 2011 plus years, and rightly so. I do not presume to know, and will not predict the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, but I do know one thing. It is much closer than it was 2011 years ago.

I know that people do not really want to hear about some of these things, but we need to know that they were spoken about some 2011 plus years before by the Lord. I know that we have had wars in the past, but nothing like we are experiencing today. I know that there have been famines, and earthquakes, but the weather conditions have never been like they are today from what I have read, and there have never been the famines in the world that there are today.

It would appear then that if people would simply turn to the Bible, they would see history unfolding before their very eyes. More and more, there are things that doctors, and scientists are finding out through research that has already been declared in the Word of God.

Let me give you an example or two. Doctors have found that laughter is good for people, and have even begun to have rooms in hospitals where sick people can just laugh. Apparently a good positive attitude, and a joyous spirit cause a chemical reaction to occur in the body which brings about healing. The Bible says that a merry heart does good like a medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) They are finding out also, that there are certain foods that we should not be eating. Most of those foods are mentioned back in the time of Moses, in the Book of Leviticus.

So what has this to do with the end times some may ask? If the Bible is confirming some of these other things, then it is probably true when it speaks about the end times also, and maybe we should all return to the Bible, before it is too late. There are some things that will come to pass whether we like it or not, but there are some things that we can change. Things like our own destiny.

The Lord is returning whether we want to believe it or not, and we need to be ready to meet Him. Are you?

Mark 8:36 What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
 

I think of the above Scripture many times when I see the lottery booths, and all the contests that are sent our way via the mail. My home receives anywhere from five to ten contests per week promising me the chance to win millions. I wonder sometimes how many people fall prey to the gimmicks that are used, and how much money is actually stolen through some of these contests from sincere people who are just looking for a little break in life.
 

Oh, I know that there are winners in the lotteries, and in some of these contests, but I am sure that the companies, and the governments are not doing it just to give money away. Jesus said in the above verse, that the most important thing is not how much you gain in this world. The most important thing is the condition of your soul. What is your relationship with God? Are you prepared and ready to stand before the Lord?
 

All of the contests and lotteries offer promises of possible success in this life. If the truth is known, the lotteries put out by the government are simply taxes on the poor and middle class person. They are the ones who are spending thousands of hard earned dollars out of their own pockets, reaching for a dream that only happens to about one in every 25,000,000 people. The odds of someone winning are very remote to say the least.

The thing that keeps some involved is when someone they know, or someone around their area has won the "BIG ONE". They think that maybe it will happen to them, and that is a possibility, but highly improbable. These lotteries are not started to give people a chance to make it big, they are started to raise dollars whether it is the government or some contest.
 

What Jesus was talking about is worth far more than what the world has to offer. The great thing about the Lord, is that it is not a matter of luck or chance. It is a promise. What He offers us is a sure thing. When we make Him Lord of our life, our eternity is settled. We are assured of a place with Him. In John 14:2, Jesus said there were many mansions in His Fathers house, and that He was going to prepare a place for anyone who would receive Him as Lord and Saviour. He also said it was for all who will come.
 

You cannot buy a ticket to get in. There are no draws. It is not by what you can do. It is by grace, that we are saved. We receive Christ into our hearts by faith. It is not by Church attendance, or any particular Church. It is not by doing good works. It is only by the grace of God, through faith that we receive Him as Lord. That is when we have really won the "BIG ONE".
Pastor Gary K. Mason