Friday, August 30, 2013

PARENTS ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD FOR THEIR STEWARDSHIP

Miley Cyrus from the Disney days, with her father
Nothing could be more obvious in today's corrupt celebrity culture than this fact. We see more and more unspeakable crimes committed by young people everywhere. The corruption spread a long time ago to what was once the wholesome Disney television network. You can't even let your children watch Nickelodeon anymore. TV Land used to show the old TV classics like the Andy Griffith show and Leave it to Beaver. The ABC Family channel has nothing worthwhile or family friendly except for the 700 Club from the Christian Broadcasting Network.  The most recent outrage, in the long line of outrages by former child actors and actresses, was committed by Miley Cyrus. She is the daughter of achy-breaky singer Billy Ray, who is still to correct his daughter's misbehavior, and thus, allow her to become more outrageous in the future.

But is this what God has in mind for us parents? The biggest job any parent can have is to minister, raise up and disciple our children in the Ways of the Lord, the Scriptures and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are not supposed to be their enabler by giving them no boundaries. Modern parents, who were led astray by Dr Spock and modern liberalism, have fallen flat on their face and are in real danger of Judgment of Holy God, if they do not wake up and get right themselves.

God gave clear instructions for parents on how to raise our children. I explore these in today's message here on the PLUMBLINE TV show, as it is timely for what American parents are facing. Our pre-teens and even toddlers are bombarded by unsaved network TV executives whose only morality is the fat bank account! Please read the following passage and then watch the exposition of it, in the video teaching below:

Deuteronomy 6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

“Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. O Israel, you should listen and [a]be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you,in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as[b]frontals [c]on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Thursday, August 29, 2013

GOD BELONGS IN SPRINGFIELD IL PRAYER WALK 2013....A Roaring Success!

The Boanerges Chapter, CMA, get ready to lead the GBIMC Prayer Walk
When we were first approached by a young Christian mom with a vision in early April with the possibility of bringing the national prayer movement - God Belongs in My City (GBIMC), we were rightly inspired and gung-ho about the opportunity to participate in a growing national/worldwide movement which had its roots in a New York City subway! GBIMC sprung from the hearts of a youth group who happened to see a poster in the NYC subway system from
American Atheists which said “A Million New Yorkers Are Good without God. Are You?" They went back and reported this to their senior church leadership and were so moved that an idea was birthed. This was in October 2009. One month later, youth from all five NYC boroughs began what is now the God Belongs in My City prayer walk through Manhattan. It has since spread like wildfire to Canada, Switzerland, Africa, Puerto Rico and last year over 30 cities in America alone! 

This past Saturday August 24, GBIMC came to the capitol city of
Sarah, Sam, Vicki Lutchman
Illinois - Springfield
and had a solid impact on the Spiritual life of this wheeling-dealing political and business oriented city of 115,000! It was not easy getting this through a closed and tightly religious system where every major church and denomination holds on firmly to its territory...all except one - Calvary Temple Christian Center. Senior Pastor there Mark Johnson caught the vision and empowered his outreach pastor Stacy Barnett and contacted me and together with Ezella Mills who brought the idea in from New York, we set forth on a course which really made this take off. 




Jessica McGee and Gigi
This was solidified after the National Day of Prayer in May, which I hosted for the eighth year in a row and we were joined by former Channel 20 Morning TV host Jessica McGee who now works as the Marketing Director for the wonderful Staab Family. She represented them magnificently and our final planning meetings were attended by PJ Staab himself, without whom we would not have had the major business involvement necessary to underwrite the upfront costs and police permits and street closure permits necessary to make this happen in the natural. PJ is a super joy to work with. He is well loved by the regions military veterans for his involvement in a huge memorial outside the city of New Berlin as well as his sense of humor.


Calvary Temple Pastor Mark Johnson
Through all of this, we were covered in some major prayer, as there was one obstacle after another or one spiritual attack after another. We had tireless and faithful leadership from Stacy Barnett and her church support - not just from the pastoral offices and administration, but from the core of Calvary Temple. They believed in this. We have many people to thank and they will be mentioned in no particular order at the end of this post.

The Day of the Prayer Walk, which we called GOD BELONGS IN SPRINGFIELD and had hundreds and hundreds of t-shirts made up at cost by Edgar Williams of Ambitious Designs. We met at the Comer Cox Park at the corner of 18th Street and Capitol for the 1 1/2 mile walk down Capitol Avenue to the State Capitol Steps. The love and camaderie and Christian fellowship across deep racial lines was a beautiful thing to behold. Even though almost every church officially turned down this movement to re-establish Jesus as the LORD of this City, many of their members turned out anyway!

One thing I will not forget is our tireless leader Stacy working so hard to get 1500 bottles
PJ Staab
Senator Sam McCann
of water iced down and ready for the anticipated crowd at the end of the walk; the volunteers there; the worship band already praying on the ground of the End of Walk service. My fond memories is the excitement of all different Christians in the same event T shirt all ready to work for Jesus. Stacy and I edited some ten or so prayer points which I read out all over the part to different groups of people with my bullhorn. The awesome sight of the Christian Motorcyclists Association led by brother Nick Courtney and the three Crosses behind them as almost 1000 people of all ages and backgrounds took off in a brisk walk down Capitol, was a sight to behold.



The subsequent hour long service on the Capitol Steps by the Lincoln Statue was so 

powerfully moving that worship, constant worship was breaking out all over the place!! Pastor Jerry Doss of Abundant Faith Christian Center, assisted by his magnificent choir set
BMIC President Bernie Lutchman
the mood for Prayer and the Word as they led off they service. I was next with the spirit-led Praise-Repent-Yield call to the Assembly. We went through 7 minutes of that and they pressed in!!! We were followed by the Bishop of Springfield - Thomas Paprocki on Religious Liberty after he was introduced by PJ and then some powerful praying by our State Senator Sam McCann. The powerful and timely message by Pastor Mark Johnson topped off an amazing and life altering (for this city) day.  The clarion call Pastor Mark proclaimed was to stand together, united, under the Banner of Jesus, or fall. This is the underlying theme of GBIMC - not unity at any cost where we toss aside the Basics of the Christian Faith, but unity in the Essentials to get right with God, through Repentance and then lead others to Jesus. This is the only way we can make any kind of difference and thus, show the world that God really DOES belong in our city!


Thank you to Springfield First Baptist led by Pastor Mike Henderson, for being the only other church, apart from Calvary Temple and Abundant Faith, to step up and support us from early. Over 30% of their church walked with us. Thank you to Todd Green and the Green Family Stores for underwriting the costs from the City of Springfield. Thank you to PJP Autos, The Staab Family and so many more who gave selflessly to this cause. Finally thank you - and in no small measure, to our wonderful MC - Calvary Temple Outreach Pastor Stacy Barnett! We are already planning next year's event and learned several things we can improve from this our first endeavor. Our primary purpose, my friends - to Lift up the Name of Jesus and proclaim Him as King over Springfield! Mission? ACCOMPLISHED!

Monday, August 26, 2013

AT&T U-VERSE NOW CARRYING LOCAL CHRISTIAN TV STATION!


WLCF TV, established in Decatur, Illinois as a brand new affiliate (of the worldwide Christian Television Network) is beginning to see the fruits of its perseverance here in Central Illinois. Under the visionary care and guidance of General Manager Al Johnson II, WLCF has grown and is establishing its own footprint on the Christian TV market. More and more exciting and unique local ministries are beginning to make up a good portion of the programming on WLCF and my PLUMBLINE with BERNIE LUTCHMAN weekly TV program is part of it. 




These towns are now served by AT&T U-Verse which is now expanding its reach across Central Illinois and is now carrying WLCF TV45 into scores of thousands of local homes in the following communities: Springfield- Decatur; Champaign- Urbana; Danville; Lovington; Lincoln; Clinton; Effingham; Taylorville; Pana; Maroa; Argenta and Mattoon with MORE TO COME!!! WLCF TV45 is now seen in homes in these towns.  AT&T U-Verse is the fastest growing alternative in Illinois to Comcast Cable, the national cable giant which will not be able to ignore the presence of the ONLY locally operated Christian TV station south of Chicago for much longer. There will be more towns added in the coming months and year ahead! They will be announced here as AT&T adds them to the line up.


My PLUMBLINE show, which began as a Public Access show in 2008, has developed into a combination of pure cutting edge Expository Bible teaching Show with the common person like you and I in mind, and current issues through the lens of the Biblical Worldview. The growing acceptance of this program, which is uncompromising in its reformed theology, is a testimony to an intentional outreach of both love, humor and concern for the Lost. We reject the harsh preaching of some as well as the prosperity mumbo jumbo on most Christian TV and the pop psychology from some of America's famous "preachers".

HERE ARE SOME QUOTES FROM THE PLUMBLINE TV SHOW VIEWERS WHO SAW THE SHOW ON AT & T U VERSE IN THE RECENT PAST:
Ted (retired AT & T manager, Springfield) "I didn't know you were on TV! Saw you on U verse the other night....."
DZ (Contractor, Springfield) "I was flicking around the tube the other night....and thought I recognized you! Very humorous too....!"
Susan (Supervisor, Springfield) "DZ told me you were preaching on TV, tell me more about the show and when it's on...."

PLUMBLINE IS SEEN ON WLCF EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT ON PRIME TIME FROM 9:30pm CDT until 10pm. It is rerun every weekend on the station @ 5am CDT
WATCH STREAMING HERE
LIKE THE PLUMBLINE FACEBOOK PAGE HERE
FOLLOW ON TWITTER HERE
THE PLUMBLINE YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
BERNIE LUTCHMAN YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE

THE MEANING OF LIFE: PART 12 OF 12

A CHAPTER BY CHAPTER STUDY OF THE BOOK OF                                                        ECCLESIASTES......CHAPTER 12

"OBEY THE LORD, KEEP HIS COMMANDS"
The world, including most western Christians, live as though they have a special dispensation from God to act, say, believe and live as they want. They believe there will be no repercussions to anything that they do! They believe that as long as they "are not hurting anyone" they can do just whatever they deem fit. They remove the Ten Commandments from not just the public square, but their own hearts. But when they do that, is the Law of God really gone?

This self deception has extended itself to "McFaith" -they also think they can believe whatever they wish, as long as "they are sincere" about it! What they will discover on Judgment Day, before the Great White Throne of God, they were sincerely wrong! God has written, in indelible ink, His Law in the hearts of ALL mankind from Adam in the Garden until the End of Time. That includes the native in a Jungle who has never seen or heard of Jesus! The gist of this message, in this final of the twelve Plumbline series on Ecclesiastes, is found in the passage from Verses 9-14. God will bring every single thought and word and deed into Judgment. The only person who will escape are those who have not just said they were Christians but actually BORN AGAIN. The rest will have their mouths shut with no response, before Eternal Separation. How do people avoid this? Well, fear the Lord, keep His Commands and then accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
Ecclesiastes 12
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Remember God in Your Youth

12 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”; before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through [a]windows grow dim; and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will [b]sing softly. Furthermore, [c]men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street. Remember Him before the silver cord is [d]broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the [e]spirit will return to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”

Purpose of the Preacher

In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.
11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like [f]well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the [g]writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotionto books is wearying to the body.
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, isfear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Sunday, August 25, 2013

THE MEANING OF LIFE: PART 11 OF 12

A CHAPTER BY CHAPTER STUDY OF THE BOOK OF                                                        ECCLESIASTES......CHAPTER 11

"Chapter 11 or...CHAPTER ELEVEN!!
Do you ever feel down and hopeless about anything? Sometimes in a crisis, does everything you try seem to come up short? When that happens, does it leave you even more depressed? Well, the Bible - and Chapter 11 here has the antidote for all of this! Yes it does! In the natural world, Chapter 11 represents a business going into bankruptcy, according to Title 11 of the US Code. In God's economy, Ecclesiastes Chapter 11 is the opposite! When you cast your bread on the waters, you are not throwing something away, but planting a seed into lives of others. Read and study this encouraging portion of Scripture and take a look at the teaching on the video below! Amen.

Ecclesiastes 11

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Cast Your Bread on the Waters

11 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it [a]after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it[b]lies. He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. Just as you do not know[c]the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the [d]pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.
Sow your seed in the morning and do not [e]be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether [f]morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.
The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.
Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the [g]impulses of your heart and the [h]desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. 10 So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away [i]pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Friday, August 23, 2013

THE MEANING OF LIFE: PART 10 OF 12

A CHAPTER BY CHAPTER STUDY OF THE BOOK OF                                                        ECCLESIASTES......CHAPTER 10

"A LITTLE FOOLISHNESS"
Does your life have fragrance? Are people attracted to the Light that shines through you? The answers to these and other matters raised here in life are answered here in Ecclesiastes 10! This chapter contains several proverbs which make us think and then use that process to drop the plumb line against our own lives, to see if we are lined up in accurate thinking about these things - the things of God!

Ecclesiastes 10

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

A Little Foolishness

10 Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left. Even when the fool walks along the road, his [a]sense is lacking and he [b]demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. If the ruler’s [c]temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler— folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places. I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them. 10 If the [d]axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must [e]exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. 11 If the serpent bites [f]before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 12 Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

THE MEANING OF LIFE: PART 9 OF 12

                          A CHAPTER BY CHAPTER STUDY OF THE BOOK OF                                                                      ECCLESIASTES......CHAPTER 9

                                          "THE END OF EVERY MAN"
The very second we are born, we commence our journey back to the Father, the God Who created us. The Father controls even the destinations of those who choose to live for the Son and those who do not. Solomon (whose real birth name is Jedidiah) addresses this truth about, well, life - that the end of all persons, is an appointment with death. As we see in our own sphere of influence, life is very fragile and we are just one breath away from eternity. So how does the King, who is now calling himself the preacher think we should live? Well, read on....

Ecclesiastes 9

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Men Are in the Hand of God

For I have taken all this to my heart and explain [a]it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything [b]awaits him.
It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who [c]is afraid to swear. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there isone fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead. For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten. Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun.
Go theneat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your [d]fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun[e]; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.

Monday, August 19, 2013

THE MEANING OF LIFE: PART 8 OF 12

                            A CHAPTER BY CHAPTER STUDY OF THE BOOK OF

                                         ECCLESIASTES......CHAPTER 8
                                               "RESPECT AUTHORITY"
As the book of Ecclesiastes continues, Chapter 8 throws us curve ball, which too many people have a problem processing - that is, how to respect authority. Everyone you and I know have no problems obeying the Law, from the local cop to the TSA agent at the airport. This is not what Solomon is dictating here, from the very Spirit of God Himself!

The structure of government, in essence, was set up by God to represent HIS government on earth and administer justice, compassion and direction. Now, what men from the communist dictators and others right up to the great American Founding Fathers have designed in the natural world, are their own systems. The closest system to the Freedom of the Bible which Christ has given is, is the American System - democracy and constitutional rights.

The key to understanding this chapter is not obey authority, so we can learn to obey God. The Bible does NOT say to obey orders that violate God's principles. This is a no-brainer. But the Lord does teach us to respect, pray for and walk in this Truth, which was sent to us, from Above. Therefore, please read this chapter and then watch the video teaching, if you will.
Ecclesiastes 8

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Obey Rulers

Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines [a]him and causes his stern face to [b]beam.
I say, “Keep the [c]command of the king because of the oath [d]before God. Do not be in a hurry [e]to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
He who keeps a royal command experiences no [f]trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man’s trouble is heavy upon him. If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver [g]those who practice it. All this I have seen and applied my [h]mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt.