Interim Bible Study: "The Gift that Inspires All Gifts"

From our interim Bible study at the West Virginia State Capitol:

"Paul spends a great deal of time in his writings trying to describe what he says here is indescribable. God’s glory and holiness are indescribable. Our desperate need for a Savior because of our sin is indescribable. Not only the physical suffering upon the cross was amazing, but the punishment Christ took upon Himself in our place is indescribable. The love which drove Jesus to do this for those who were His enemies is indescribable. When we truly understand this, we are overwhelmed with thanksgiving for what He has done."

You can read the complete study HERE.

Interim Committee Meetings & Bible Studies

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on November 15-17.

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our studies for this month entitled "The Gift that Inspires All Gifts" from 2 Corinthians 8:9 & 9:15 will be held on Tuesday, December 14.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.


You can download the complete study HERE.

Are You Thankful for Your Leaders?

As you approach the Thanksgiving holiday and pause to consider all God’s blessings, are you thankful for your political leaders? ALL your political leaders?

In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul challenges us to make it a priority to pray for our political leaders (“for kings and all who are in authority”). He uses four distinct words for prayer: entreaties, prayers, petitions, and THANKSGIVINGS. We are to be thankful for the leaders God has set up to rule over us. The leaders of whom Paul spoke in his day were those of the Roman Empire. They were immoral, brutal, and corrupt, soon to bring great persecution upon the church. Yet Paul exhorted the church to offer God thanksgivings for them.

We are to be thankful for all our leaders, regardless of party or ideology. This becomes easier when we remember they are established by God (Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:21) and are God’s servants (Romans 13:6).

We should be thankful for the order our government and its leaders provide as opposed to the chaos and disorder that would result in their absence.

We should be thankful that God is in control and has a purpose and plan to work out through the leaders He has put into place.

We should be thankful for how God is working in the hearts and lives of leaders and pray they would turn to Christ and grow in their walk with the Lord.

We should be thankful for Christian leaders who take a stand for the truth and pray they will have a tremendous testimony for Christ before those they serve as well as their colleagues.

As you take time for giving thanks, please remember to be thankful for the leaders God has placed over our communities, our state, and our nation.

Pray for Interim Committee Meetings & Bible Studies

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on November 15-17.

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our studies for this month entitled "Final Thoughts on Treasuring God's Word" from Psalm 119:10 will be held on Tuesday, November 16.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.


You can download the complete study HERE.

Interim Bible Study: "Final Thoughts on Treasuring God's Word"

From next week's interim Bible study at the West Virginia state Capitol:

"How can we begin to treasure God and love Him more deeply? We can do so simply by looking at the cross of Christ. It is at the cross we see God’s absolute holiness and hatred of sin. It is at the cross we are reminded of our own wretched sinfulness and the fact that there Jesus bore the wrath and punishment for our sin. In so doing we cannot help but grow in love and affection for Him."

Read or download the complete study HERE.

Pray for God to use His Word to impact hearts and lives at the capitol next week.

Pray for Our New West Virginia Legislators

We will have 21 new lawmakers serving in the West Virginia Legislature beginning with the regular session in January. Please pray for these leaders as they assume new positions of leadership:

West Virginia Senate

David C. Noe - 3^rd (Pleasants, Roane, Wirt, Wood Counties)

Ronald F. Miller - 10th (Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers Counties)

Mark Wills - 10^th (Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers Counties)

Gregory Tucker - 11^th (Clay, Fayette, Nicholas, Upshur, Webster Counties)

Making the move from the House to the Senate:

Robert Beach - 13th (Marion, Monongalia Counties)

Orphy Klempa - 1st (Brooke, Hancock, Ohio Counties)

West Virginia House of Delegates

Erikka Storch - 3^rd (Ohio County)

Ryan Ferns - 3^rd (Ohio County)

Brian Savilla - 14^th (Mason,Putnam Counties)

Rupert Phillips, Jr. - 19^th (Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam Counties )

Marty Gearheart - 24^th (Mercer County)

Joe Ellington - 25^th (Mercer County)

Rick Snuffer - 27^th (Raleigh, Summers Counties )

John O’neal - 27^th (Raleigh, Summers Counties )

John Pino - 29^th (Clay, Fayette, Nicholas Counties ) (Del. Pino is returning to the House)

Erik Nelson - 30^th (Kanawha County)

Harold Sigler - 35^th (Nicholas County)

Denise Campbell - 37^th (Pocahontas, Randolph Counties)

Amanda Pasdon - 44^th (Monongalia County)

Anthony Barill - 44^th (Monongalia County)

Gary Howell - 21^st (Minera County l)

Larry Kump - 52nd (Berkeley, Morgan Counties)

Erik Householder - 56th (Berkeley, Jefferson Counties)

We look forward to ministering to these new leaders as they serve in Charleston.

Let Christians Vote as Though They Were not Voting

John Piper at the Desiring God Blog posted a great article which will challenge us as believers to consider our priorities when it comes to politics and elections. He reviewed Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 7:29-31:

The appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

Dr. Piper goes on to share:

...So it is with voting. We should do it. But only as if we were not doing it. Its outcomes do not give us the greatest joy when they go our way, and they do not demoralize us when they don’t. Political life is for making much of Christ whether the world falls apart or holds together.

...So it is with voting. There are losses. We mourn. But not as those who have no hope. We vote and we lose, or we vote and we win. In either case, we win or lose as if we were not winning or losing. Our expectations and frustrations are modest. The best this world can offer is short and small. The worst it can offer has been predicted in the book of Revelation. And no vote will hold it back. In the short run, Christians lose (Revelation 13:7). In the long run, we win (21:4).

These are great words to keep in mind as we approach the coming election.

Read Dr. Piper's complete article

Interim Committee Meetings & Bible Studies

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on October 11-13.

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our studies for this month entitled "How Can Someone in Politics Keep Their Way Pure?" from Psalm 119:9 will be held on Tuesday, October 12.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.


You can download the complete study HERE.

You can download our New Testament 90-day reading guide HERE.

Interim Bible Study: "How Can Someone in Politics Keep Their Way Pure?" (Psalm 119:9)

From next week's Bible Study at the West Virginia State Capitol:

Psalm 119:9 - "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word."

Most of us reading these notes do not fall under the description “young man”. Yet this verse is very practical for each of us in our particular life situation. There are temptations and sins that are particularly common to “young men”. Thomas Manton shared how young men need the guidance of the Bible due to “being inclined to liberty and carnal pleasures, and apt to be led aside from the right way by the motions of the flesh; being headstrong in their passions and self-willed.” Manton vividly describes how “unbroken colts need the stronger bits”.[i] There are temptations and sins that are particularly common to politics and government service. There can be a temptation to pride. In the heat of campaigns or debates it is easy to become angry and hold grudges. Extended time away from family and community can lead to the enticement of moral failure. The barrage of dinners and receptions might tempt one to drink more than they should. We can point to those who have given in to the temptation to use their position of influence for personal gain. Indeed, there are many temptations especially prevalent in life in the political realm. So I do not believe it is a stretch in the application of this verse to ask, “How can someone in politics keep their way pure?”

---

[i] Manton, Thomas. Sermons Upon Psalm 119. Sermon 10. (Vol. 6, pg 82)

You can read or download the complete study HERE.

Interim Bible Study: "Treasuring God's Word through Study"

From this month's interim Bible study at the West Virginia state capitol:

"If we look at God's Word simply as a rule book or a roadmap, we will study it in bits and pieces merely looking for rules and principles. If we see it as the grand story of redemption we’ll look to see how it points to Jesus and what He has done for us."

You can download a copy of the Bible study HERE.

Interim Committee Meetings & Bible Studies

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on August 9-11.

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our studies for this month entitled "Treasuring God's Word through Study" from Psalm 119 selected verses and Deuteronomy 17:14-20 will be held on Tuesday, September 14. We are also distributing a 90-day New Testament Reading Guide to encourage our legislators and leaders to develop the habit of reading God's Word.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.


You can download the complete study HERE.

You can download the New Testament 90-day reading guide HERE.

Interim Committee Meetings & Bible Studies

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on August 9-11. During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our studies for this month entitled "Can We Trust the Bible?" from Psalm 119:42 & 56 will be held on Tuesday, August 10.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.

Interim Bible Study: Can We Trust the Bible?

From this month's interim Bible study at the West Virginia state capitol entitled, "Can We Trust the Bible?":

"There are many who doubt or deny the truth of God’s Word. Some deny the existence of absolute truth altogether. Others criticize the scriptures as perhaps a mixture of truth and error. The presence of other religious writings raises the question, “Is the bible true?” Over the years many have attacked the trustworthiness of the Bible in a variety of ways. The fact is, if the Bible is true, it changes everything."

Read or download the complete study HERE.

Embracing Our Mission

"For the church to be the church, she must bow before her King and embrace the mission He has given to her. Yes, we desire a cultural reformation and a restoration of public morality. But that is secondary to and dependent on our mission to bear witness to the truth. Doctrine is important because its central concern is for an understanding of truth, without which there can be no godliness. It is the truth that sets us free, reforms our behavior, and defines us as disciples of Christ."

From the Ligonier Daily Devotional

Interim Bible Study

From this month's interim Bible study on Psalm 119:24, "Seeking Counsel from God's Word":

When do we need counsel? We may be ignorant of the truth regarding an issue or decision. In this case we need instruction. We may be forgetful of truths we have previously learned. In this case we need to be reminded. We may face difficult trials and circumstances and be tempted to despair and give up. Then we need comfort and encouragement . At times we may simply be rebellious, knowing God’s truth yet determined to go our own way. If so we need to be warned and rebuked. All this we find when we seek counsel from God’s Word.

You can download the complete study HERE.

Special Session, Interim Meetings, & Bible Study

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year. In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session. Our legislators have actually been working in special session dealing with U.S. Senate secession and education issues.

Our Bible study for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol will be held on Tuesday, July 20 at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Our study for this month from an ongoing series in Psalm 119 is entitled "Seeking Counsel from God's Word". You can view or download the study HERE.

Please pray for our legislators as they continue in these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.

Interim Committee Meetings & Bible Study

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on June 7-9. During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides a Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month entitled "A Sure and Changeless Word in a Changing World" from Psalm 119:89-91 will be held on Tuesday, June 8.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.

Interim Bible Study: "A Sure and Changeless Word in a Changing World"

From this month's interim Bible study on Psalm 119:89-91, "A Sure and Changeless Word in a Changing World":

Grasping this truth of the unchanging nature of God and His Word should cause two responses in our hearts. First, as we comprehend God’s absolute holiness and perfection of moral character, we realize the holy moral standards found in Scripture based on that character never change, shift, or go out of style. This should result in a deep realization and conviction of our sinfulness before Him and a fear of the wrath under which we find ourselves because of our sinful rebellion.

Second, we rejoice as we read of the Good News of the mercy and grace of God and the promise of the redemption we can find through repentance and faith in Christ and His work as He suffered and died on the cross and rose again. This brings hope and joy as we realize we can have our sins forgiven and Christ’s goodness given to us. We find assurance of a right relationship with God because of the promises we find in His Word. As believers we find great comfort and assurance in the promises God has given us in His Word. As sure as the sun will rise in the morning we can be certain of God fulfilling His promises to save, keep, and care for us as His children.

You can download the complete study here.

Man's Law Changes; God's Law is Fixed and Settled

"The words of temporal kings are on earth, and therefore their laws and edicts are subject to many changes, and are often revoked and altered, either by themselves or by their successors; but the Word of God is above all changes and alterations, as being decreed in heaven. It is preached on earth, believed on earth, fulfilled on earth; but decreed in heaven, fixed and settled there by God's unalterable purpose and will." - Thomas Manton

Thomas Manton Biography & Resources

Interim Bible Study: "The Authority of God's Word"

From this month's interim Bible study from Psalm 119, "The Authority of God's Word":

"The writer of this Psalm loved, esteemed, and treasured God’s Word because He loved, esteemed, treasured God. Because He had a high and exalted view of God, he had a high and exalted view of His Word. If we neglect or denigrate the Scriptures, we must consider carefully our view of and attitude towards God Himself."

Our conclusion taken from Martin Lloyd-Jones:

"We all therefore have to face this ultimate and final question: Do we accept the Bible as the Word of God, as the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice, or do we not? Is the whole of my thinking governed by Scripture, or do I come with my reason and pick and choose out of Scripture and sit in judgment upon it, putting myself and modern knowledge forward as the ultimate standard and authority? The issue is crystal clear. Do I accept Scripture as a revelation from God, or do I trust to speculation, human knowledge, human learning, human understanding and human reason."

You can read the complete study here.

Interm Committee Meetings & Bible Study

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on May 24-26. During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides a Bible study for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month entitled "The Authority of God's Word" from selected verses in Psalm 119 will be held on Tuesday, May 25.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.

Pray for the Family of Senator Donald Caruth

Please pray for the family of West Virginia Senate Minority Leader Donald Caruth of Mercer County who passed away Saturday as the result of brain cancer. Pray for all those who served with him at the Capitol as well.

Gazette Article

WV Metronews Article

J.C. Ryle on Government and Religion

"No Government can expect to prosper which refuses to recognize religion, which deals with its subjects as if they had no souls, and cares not whether they serve God, or Baal, or no God at all. Such a Government will find, sooner or later, that its line of policy is suicidal, and damaging to its best interests. No doubt the kings of this world cannot make men Christians by laws and statutes. But they can encourage and support Christianity, and they will do so if they are wise. The kingdom where there is the most industry, temperance, truthfulness, and honesty, will always be the most prosperous of kingdoms. The king who wants to see these things abound among his subjects, should do all that lies in his power to help Christianity and to discourage irreligion."

Taken from J.C. Ryle's message on John 18:1-11.

Capitol Bible Study: "Memorization & Meditation: The Means of Treasuring God's Word"

From this week's Capitol Bible Study:

I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. (Psalm 119:15)

Eight times in Psalm 119 the writer speaks of meditating on God’s Word. When we speak of meditation, perhaps we picture one sitting with legs crossed chanting a mantra while in some sort of mind-emptying trance. This is not the biblical view of meditation. Rather than emptying one’s mind, biblical meditation refers to the process of filling one’s mind and heart with the truths of the Word of God. The word "meditation" in Hebrew means basically to speak or to mutter. When this is done in the heart it is called musing or meditation. So meditating on the Word of God means speaking to yourself the Word of God. We think about it, mull it over, and contemplate it. We saturate our mind and our heart with the scriptures. We consider carefully how it applies to the situations of our daily lives. This is how Thomas Manton described biblical mediation:

"Meditation is applying our minds and hearts to serious consideration of the
scriptural truths we understand and believe for practical uses and purposes."

Download the complete study here.

This Week's Capitol Bible Study: "Obedience: The True Test of Treasuring God's Word"

From this week's Capitol Bible study:

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. I John 2:3-6

"There is an integral connection between knowing Christ and obeying His commandments. Knowing Christ will necessarily produce obedience. We gain assurance of our salvation by obeying His Word. Anyone who says he knows Christ ought to “walk as He walked” or else assurance is lost and in the end they prove they never knew Christ."

Download the entire study here.

The Importance of God's Word for Leaders - Thomas Manton

"...Unless we have continual light and direction from God, and He lead us by the hand through all our affairs, passion or unbelief, or some carnal affection, will make us stumble and dash against one divine precept or another. This concerns all Christians, much more those in public station, whose good or evil is of a more universal influence. Men of place and power and interest have need of this often in their mouths and hearts." Thomas Manton

February Newsletter: Voices in the Capitol

The rotunda and main floor of the West Virginia capitol building is a fascinating place during the regular legislative session. Crowds gather around the well of the rotunda discussing various issues before the legislature. Throughout the session special days are set aside to focus on diverse aspects of life in West Virginia with assorted agencies, interest groups, and organizations setting up displays. Music groups often perform on the ground floor below with the sound rising up through the well. Legislators, lobbyists, staffers, and visitors all congregate to make this grand hallway a loud, boisterous, busy place.

The clamor reminds me of all the voices loudly vying for our legislators’ and elected officials’ attention. Lobbyists and interest groups seek to get bills introduced. Many endeavor to influence leaders’ votes on pending legislation. Competing voices argue various sides of a myriad of issues. A multitude of groups and organizations pursue funding for projects and programs. Voices seem to come from all directions. Though it seems impossible to compete with all the voices jockeying for attention in the statehouse, what a joy it is to proclaim the gospel and share the Word of God in the capitol community!

God has given us outstanding opportunities for ministry during the 2010 regular legislative session. Our Bible study series from Psalm 119, Treasuring God’s Word, has challenged our leaders to make it a priority to read, study, and apply God’s Word to their lives. As always, we seek to share the gospel in each of our studies that are distributed in person and by email throughout the statehouse every week. I have included one of these studies, The Word on Trials and Affliction, which I pray might be an encouragement to you.

One of our goals is to equip you to join us in the cause of reaching and ministering to government leaders. I have included our 2010 Leaders Prayer Guide to help you pray more consistently and effectively for our leaders. You can also use our online tools to help. Visit our Prayer Column Blog for an online version of our prayer guide. There you can subscribe to receive an email with leaders to pray for each day. You can also visit the Capitol Columns Blog for regular updates and articles related to reaching political leaders with the gospel.

Next week, March 2-7, I will be attending the Shepherd’s Conference in California with all of our state directors and staff from around the country. We will be spending time together as a ministry team for fellowship, training, and encouragement in our ministry to leaders in our respective states. This is always an inspiring time as we seek to continue faithfully in our work

Prayer Requests:

Pray that the Spirit of God will cut through the all the clamor and make the
gospel and Word of God clearly heard in the capitol community.

Pray for the final weeks of the legislative session which ends on March 13 and for our
final Bible studies from Psalm 119. Pray for our ongoing outreach to our leaders
throughout the year

Pray for several legislators who have severe health problems. Pray that I might have further opportunities to minister to them during these difficult times.

Pray for safety and for a blessed time at Shepherd’s Conference.

Pray for the ongoing financial needs of our ministry. Following the regular session we will need to spend some concentrated time raising additional support. Pray for us as seek those who might partner with us in sharing the gospel with leaders around the state.

Thank you so much for your interest and involvement in our ministry.

Tim Pauley
State Director, Capitol Commission West Virginia

Capitol Bible Study: "Illumination: The Key to Understanding Scripture"

One pastor did a survey asking the reasons why people do not read the Bible. He shares the top three: Number three: "It is old and boring". Number two: "I forget to read it". The number one answer: "I don’t understand it". We have been studying Psalm 119, the longest and perhaps the most unique chapter in the Bible. All 176 verses give us the picture of one who loves to read, study, and apply God’s Word to every area of their life. Certainly there are many who fail to read the Bible for the reasons given above. Some outright reject God’s Word, believing it to merely be a collection of the writings of men. Most simply neglect or ignore the Word as they go about their daily lives. Why is this so? Why do some treasure God’s Word while others reject or neglect it? I believe we find the answer to this query in our verse for today’s study:

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law". Psalm 119:18

Download the complete study here.

Capitol Bible Study: "The Word on Trials & Affliction"

From this week's Bible study at the West Virginia State Capitol:

"We must point out that for the unbeliever trials and affliction are but a sign of God’s punishment, judgment and wrath upon their life. The child of God, however, is never “punished” for sin. That punishment was taken by Jesus Christ when he suffered and died upon the cross. We no longer stand before God as our judge but rather as our Heavenly Father who lovingly corrects and disciplines us in order to make us more like Christ. As believers, God corrects us in love, not punishes us in anger."

Download the complete study here.

Capitol Bible Study: "Better than Gold: The True Value of God's Word"

From this week's Bible study in the West Virginia State Capitol:

"This appraisal of God’s Word as more valuable than earthly riches has three powerful implications for us. If we have earthly wealth, it should draw our hearts from it to better things. If we desire earthly wealth, it should encourage us to find contentment in godliness and those things that really matter. And, if we lose earthly wealth, we know when we have Christ we still have that which is better and really matters."

Download the entire study here.

Capitol Bible Study: "Shining the Light of God's Word in the Capitol"

This week's Capitol Bible study:

The world in which we live is a dangerous and treacherous place. Without a guide to give us clear and sure direction, we are bound to fall into any number of life’s pitfalls that confront us. It is this guidance and direction of which Psalm 119:105 speaks:

Your Word is lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

How can make sure we use God’s Word as a lamp and a light for our lives? How do we “shine the light of God’s Word” on our lives and in the capitol?

Download the complete study.

Capitol Bible Study: "Hungering for the Word of God"

From our latest capitol Bible study on Psalm 119:103:

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

"We all have passions for various things in our lives. Some have a passion for their job and career into which they pour much of their efforts and energy. Some have a passion for an activity or hobby and spend a great deal of time and money in those pursuits. Some have a passion for a college or professional athletic team which they exhibit by attending games and cheering them on faithfully during the season. We find that the writer of Psalm 119 had a tremendous passion for God’s Word, which he demonstrated in penning for us this wonderful passage. This chapter is in fact a wonderful poem or song expressing the writer’s passion for God’s Word. Consequently he uses some vivid, poetic language to describe the Scriptures. Consider some of the eloquent, meaningful poetic figures he uses:

How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (:103)

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (:105)

Therefore I love Your commandments
Above gold, yes, above fine gold. (:127)

"We can learn much about the Word of God and the attitude we should have towards it by studying these wonderful images. In our next studies we will look at these more closely, beginning with considering the Scriptures as 'sweeter than honey'."

Download the complete Study on Psalm 119:103

Previous capitol Bible Studies from Psalm 119:

Treasuring God's Word

Finding True Blessing in the Capitol - Psalm 119:1-2

Pray for the Will Smith Family and the California Capitol Community

Will Smith, chief of staff to California State Senator George Runner, died Monday night after he collapsed while playing basketball. He was 41. He was a committed believer and follower of Christ.

Smith is survived by his wife Anissa and four children; Lydia, Joshua, Julia and Caleb.

"We are devastated but we rejoice knowing that Will is home with Jesus at this very moment," Anissa Smith said in a written statement. "He lived his life on earth for Christ and now he will spend his eternity with Him."

Pray for Will's family as they deal with this tragic loss.

Pray for our State Director in California, Frank Erb, as he has opportunities to minister to the California capitol community.

Pray that God will use Will's testimony and his death to work in the hearts of leaders and colleagues in Sacramento.

Sacramento Bee Article

Capitol Commission Update: Pray for Our Ministry During the Regular Session

“We rightfully treasure the founding documents of our nation. The Declaration of Independence by which our country was founded and the constitutions by which our nation and state are governed are highly valued and esteemed. Students memorize their content. Scholars study and teach their meaning. Attorneys pour over potential legislation to assure its agreement. Judges interpret and apply their principles to our current affairs and situations. These documents are vitally important to the history and current life of our nation.

“The Bible is also a document that has been highly treasured in our nation’s history. While our founding documents are indeed vital to the governing of our country, God’s Word has even greater importance for each of us as it reveals the very nature of God and what is required of those who would be right with Him. The vital importance of God’s Word is the main reason we seek to hold regular Bible studies in the Capitol. This year we will be considering a passage of Scripture that clearly shares the infinite value of God’s Word – Psalm 119. This chapter, the longest in the Bible, is wholly dedicated to the Word of God and its vital role in the believer’s life.”

This is the introduction to our first Bible study of the 2010 legislative session which begins this week. We will be holding at least two studies each week for all those serving in the capitol community:

• Lobbyists & Staff: Tuesdays at 12:00 noon (beginning January 12)



• Legislators & Elected Officials Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. (beginning January 14)

How can you pray for our leaders and for our ministry to them during this important time? As we study Psalm 119 we see an important prayer repeated often throughout the chapter – a prayer for God to grant understanding of His Word.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. (vs. 18)

Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all
my heart. (vs. 34)

Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments (vs. 73)

Paul made it clear that “…The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18) He reminds us that “…a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Cor. 2:14). It takes a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives for any of us to understand and respond to God’s Word.

• Pray that God will work in the hearts and minds of legislators, elected officials, lobbyists, and staff who might attend our studies or receive the study notes so that they might understand and respond to His Word.



• Pray for impact of the Bible study notes as they are distributed throughout the capitol in person and by email each week.



• Pray for opportunities for us to minister one on one as we visit throughout the session.

You can download a copy of our study notes here.