Capitol Bible Study: "Promises, Promises"

From our interim Bible study in the West Virginia Capitol:

“A chicken in every pot, and a car in every garage.”

– 1928 Herbert Hoover Presidential Campaign

This may be perhaps one the best known campaign promises ever uttered. During the presidential campaign of 1928 a circular published claimed that if Herbert Hoover were elected, America would see this kind of prosperity. However, the stock market crash of 1929 plunged the country into the Great Depression. The American people lost confidence in Hoover and he failed to win a second term.

This is a great example pointing out the difficulty in making and keeping campaign promises. People wrongly believe politicians will say anything “just to get elected”. The reality is most candidates have the best of intentions when making statements regarding stands on issues and plans for serving in office. It is when faced with the challenges of leading and lawmaking, changes in circumstances, and the very realities of the political process that it becomes quite difficult to follow through on the statements and promises made during the campaign. There may be a few who make promises they have no intention of keeping, but most simply find that it may be quite difficult at times, due to circumstances and realities, to keep the promises they have made. Whatever the case, when it comes to politics, many will indeed often say, “promises, promises”.

This is not the case when it comes to God and the promises we find in His Word. Those who trust Christ and follow God have a heavenly Father Who will always keep His promises. He intends to do so when He makes them and He is able to do so regardless of circumstances. So we are reminded in Hebrews 10:23 that we can “Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful…” One of the great privileges we have as citizens of heaven are the great promises we have from our heavenly king. As we near the close of our study of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, we come to one of the most encouraging promises God has given us. When we grasp its truth it will certainly help keep us from wavering in our walk with Christ:

…My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

You can download the complete study HERE.

Capitol Bible Study: "The Secret of Contentment in the Capitol"

From next week's Capitol Bible Study:

Contentment is an elusive virtue. We often seek for contentment and happiness in places where it cannot be found – money, possessions, power, positions, relationships, or freedom from trials and difficulties in life. Contentment may be particularly difficult to achieve in life and work here in the capitol. There is often the ambition to gain a higher office or position of leadership. There is a great desire to win the political battles over important issues and legislation. There are often difficult circumstances and situations that threaten to rob one of contentment. Paul has encouraged the Philippian believers to “Rejoice in the Lord, always” (Philippians 4:4). Now he writes of a quality closely related to joy, that of contentment:

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:10-13)

Download the complete study HERE.

Photo is from the cover of Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs' wonderful book, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment".

Capitol Bible Study: Godly Thinking in the Capitol

From next week's Bible study at the West Virginia statehouse, "Godly Thinking in the Capitol":

There is nothing more true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute and more excellent and worthy of praise than the person of Jesus Christ and the message of the gospel. We focus on the fact that we are all sinners against a holy God and under His wrath. We consider the truth that Jesus came and lived a perfect life of obedience and suffered and died in our place so that we might have our sins forgiven. When we understand this and repent and trust Him, then it indeed changes our thinking about everything.

Perhaps an apt closing is the prayer found in the old hymn by Kate Wilkinson:

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

You can read or download the complete study here.

Pray for our Interim Committee Meetings and 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 September 12-14.

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month is entitled "Godly Thinking in the Capitol" from Philippians 4:8 and will be held on Tuesday, September 13. 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.

Resting on That Which will Never be Shaken

As most of you know, West Virginia recently experienced something quite unusual , at least for us, - an earthquake. I was in my office in downtown Charleston and the shaking of the sturdy, two story building was disturbing. I arrived at our state capitol building shortly after and found that all the buildings on the statehouse campus had been evacuated. The earthquake, which was centered almost 300 miles away and caused minor damage throughout our nation’s capitol, made quite an impact in the WV capitol as well.

After everyone was allowed to return to the building, I met with a friend from the governors office who recounted how the main capitol building was shaken. This made me think of how quickly our lives can be shaken if they are not built upon Christ and His Word. When the capitol was evacuated, it did not matter if you where the governor, a legislator, a secretary, or a maintenance man – everyone found themselves in the same situation. This is a good reminder that everyone, including our elected leaders need to hear the gospel and submit to the truth of God’s word. Many of our leaders build their lives on shaky foundations such as careers or political achievement.

Please join me in praying that God will use circumstances, whether earthquakes or life situations to turn our leaders’ hearts to that which can never be shaken – Jesus Christ.

(This is from the transcript for a weekly spot I do on WOAY Radio (Oak Hill / Beckley) reminding folks to pray for their leaders.)

A Good Reminder to Pray for the Leaders in Your Community

In just a little over a year, the capitol community saw the deaths of five members of the legislature. Three of these were quite sudden and unexpected. In a small community of 134 members, this certainly had quite an impact, both on the lawmakers themselves as well as on the staff and lobbyists who worked with them over the years. The widows of two of the legislators were appointed to fill the remainder of their husbands’ terms and are now serving in the House of Delegates.

As one seeking to minister in the capitol community, I had the opportunity to attend the visitations and funeral services for several of these leaders. I was reminded of the urgency and importance of sharing the gospel with them. Both in the capitol during the sessions and at home in their districts, many people descend upon our legislators to speak with them about a host of topics and issues. How many have a goal to share with them the Good News of Jesus Christ? How many ever think to seek to help Christian lawmakers grow in their walk with the Lord? If people knew that their meeting with a legislator would be the last time they would ever see them or speak with them, would that change or add to the focus of their conversation?

This should certainly remind us to pray for the spiritual needs of our leaders, and that God would bring into their lives people who will faithfully seek to share with them the gospel and the word of God.

(This is from the transcript for a weekly spot I do on WOAY Radio (Oak Hill / Beckley) reminding folks to pray for their leaders.)

Redistricting & Remembering Our Representative in Heaven

If you are following the news of West Virginia politics at all, you know that the legislature has been in special session dealing with the issue of redistricting. Every 10 years, the our lawmakers must determine how the districts throughout the state will be drawn to ensure fair representation for all mountain state citizens. As always, the issue brought about much controversy, heated discussion, and debate.

All the talk about how we can be best and most effectively represented by our leaders in Charleston reminds us of an incredibly important biblical truth. In Jesus Christ we have One who perfectly represents believers before His Father in Heaven as He is at the right hand of God to intercede for us. We take great encouragement from the fact that He ever lives to make intercession for us. It is through His death on the cross our sins can be forgiven, and through His perfect life His righteousness can be given to us. This is the case He brings before the Father on our behalf.

In the midst of all the issues discussed and debated at the capitol, this is the message that all need to hear. During the special session last week we were blessed to proclaim the gospel message through our Bible studies in the statehouse. Pray that our leaders will indeed hear and heed the great truth that through faith in Christ we can have Him representing us before the throne of God.

Capitol Bible Study: "Dealing with Worry & Anxiety in the Capitol"

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

Notice Paul writes that this peace comes about “in Christ Jesus”. Before we can ever have the peace of God in our hearts and minds, we must first have peace with God. This is the relationship Paul writes about in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Because of our sin, we are enemies of God and under His wrath. We have the nagging sense of guilt that will keep us from ever experiencing real peace. Christ, through His sinless life and His death on the cross provided the means for our sins to be forgiven so that we are right – we are at peace with God.

Download the study here.

Pray for Our 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 May 16-18

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month is entitled "The Highest Goal in the Capitol" from Philippians 2:14-16 and will be held on Tuesday, May 17.

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.

Capitol Bible Study: "The Highest Goal in the Capitol" Philippians 3:12-14

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

Like Paul, we should have a divine discontentment with the current state of our Christian lives. One of the surest signs that we are truly followers of Christ is a constant, overwhelming desire to know Him better and to follow Him more closely. The better we get to know Him, the more we see how infinitely wonderful He is, how sinful we are, and how amazing His grace really is. This leads us to love Him and desire to know Him more. This puts us in a “divine cycle” which will only end when we are with Christ.

You can find the complete study here.

George Whitefield's Exhortation to Pray for Leaders

In a message entitled "Intercession Every
Christian's Duty", George Whitefield offers this encouragement to pray for leaders:

"Next to the praying for all men, we should, according to St. Paul's rule, pray for KINGS; particularly for our present sovereign King George, and all that are put in authority under him: that we may lead quiet lives, in all godliness and honesty. For, if we consider how heavy the burden of government is, and how much the welfare of any people depends on the zeal and godly conversation of those that have the rule over them: if we set before us the many dangers and difficulties, to which governors by their station are exposed, and the continual temptations they be under to luxury and self-indulgence; we shall not only pity, but pray for them: that he who preserved Esther, David, and Josiah, "unspotted from the world," amidst the grandeur of a court, and gave success to their designs, would also preserve them holy and unblameable, and prosper all the works of their hands upon them."

"Intercession Every Christian's Duty"

Capitol Bible Study: "Gospel Accounting in the Capitol"

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

Paul understood the “Great Exchange” that takes place in gospel accounting. When we repent and place our faith in Christ, God places all of our sin on Jesus’ account as He is punished in our place and on our behalf. The goodness, or righteousness, of Christ’s perfect life is then placed on our account. What a glorious transaction of God’s grace! No wonder Paul counted all earthly things as loss in view of knowing Christ.


You can read or download the complete study, "Gospel Accounting in the Capitol", here.

Capitol Bible Study: "The Answer for Grumbling & Complaining"

From this week's interim Bible study in the West Virginia state capitol:

We will not grumble and complain if we remember God’s great blessings and provisions for us, especially our salvation in Christ. How can we ever grumble and complain when we look at the cross? As Paul reminds us:

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

If God provided our greatest need of salvation of sin through giving His own Son, will He not care for us in all the lesser things of our daily lives?

You can download the complete study here.

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 May 16-18

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month is entitled "The Answer for Grumbling & Complaining in the Capitol" from Philippians 2:14-16 and will be held on Tuesday, May 17.

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.

Excited About Politics?

From C.J. Mahaney quoting Don Carson:

'Make sure that in your own practice and excitement, what you talk about, what you think about, what you pray over, what you exude confidence over, joy over, what you are enthusiastic about is Jesus, the gospel, the cross. And out of that framework, by all means, let the transformed life flow.'

We will transfer to others what we are most passionate about. And those we serve should see a difference between our passion for the gospel and our passion for other issues. It’s worth asking ourselves regularly: Is it clear to others that nothing excites me more than the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified?

From C.J.'s View from the Cheap Seats blog.

Capitol Bible Study: "A Matter of Life and Death in the Capitol"

From this week's Bible study at the West Virginia statehouse, "A Matter of Life and Death in the Capitol":

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:21

In this amazing statement, we see that being a follower of Jesus Christ, living as a citizen of heaven, is indeed a matter of life and death. The supremacy of Christ is what filled and dominated Paul’s life. The desire to be with Christ gave him comfort and encouragement to face and even relish his own death. In a world like that of the statehouse and politics which can easily consume our values and priorities, it will be helpful to concentrate on this verse that reminds us that each of us faces a matter of life and death.

Download the complete study here.

Ministry Update: Advancing the Gospel in the Capitol

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else…” Philippians 1:12-13

Yesterday I stood at one end of the main floor of the West Virginia capitol building and looked down that grand corridor, across the rotunda, towards the Senate chamber at the other end. The hallway was packed with people—legislators, lobbyists, staff, state employees, and regular citizens—all gathered for one of the special days held throughout the regular session. I was overwhelmed with the main thought of this week’s statehouse Bible study, “Advancing the Gospel in the Capitol”. The question that captivated me was “How can we see the gospel advance more openly and effectively here in this place among these people?”

In our studies of Philippians we see how Paul rejoiced in the midst of difficult circumstances. He saw that the challenges he faced only served to “advance the gospel”. The gospel progressed to the point that when Paul offered greetings from the saints at the end of his letter, he included “especially those from Caesar’s household” (4:22). Paul rejoiced because he saw the gospel advance to some of the highest levels of leadership in the Roman Empire.

I prayed as I watched the crowd that God would grant us more opportunity to see the advance and progress of the gospel in the West Virginia state capitol. Please partner with us in prayer, as the Philippian believers did with Paul, that the “cause of Christ will become well known throughout the whole state capitol”.

• Pray for our ongoing Bible studies during the session as the notes are distributed in person and by email each week. (You can find a copy of this week’s study here).

• Pray that I might have more courage and boldness to proclaim the gospel personally as I regularly visit throughout the capitol.

• Pray that God will bring about circumstances and situations that might serve to turn out for the greater progress of the gospel in the capitol.

As always, thank you for your support and prayer for our ministry.

Tim Pauley

State Director, Capitol Commission West Virginia

Capitol Bible Study: "Advancing the Gospel in the Capitol"

From this week's Bible study at the West Virginia state capitol, "Advancing the Gospel in the Capitol":

"In Philippians we read of those whose passion was to see the good news of the gospel progress and advance to all those who are sinners in need of a Savior. We are examining how Paul encouraged the believers to live in a manner worthy of their citizenship in heaven (1:27; 3:20). Paul demonstrates that a believer, a good “citizen of heaven” will be involved in the task of advancing the gospel, the cause of sharing the good news of salvation through faith in Christ. This is true of believers serving in the capitol. Those who believe strongly and feel passionately about the gospel will seek to see it advance both in the capitol and at home."

You can download the complete study here.

Ministry Update: How to Pray for Leaders

How should we pray for our legislators and elected officials? An important part of our ministry is encouraging churches and individual believers to faithfully and specifically pray for their leaders. That is why we developed the West Virginia Prayer Column, an online version of our daily prayer guide. There you can find the names of several legislators and leaders for whom you can pray each day. When we do pray for them, how should we pray? We find a good example in the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

This week’s Bible study in the West Virginia state capitol is titled, “A Great Prayer for the Capitol Community”. In it we are studying Paul’s prayer for the church in Philippi found in Philippians 1:9-11. Indeed, in it we see a great model of how we might pray for those serving in the statehouse. We must certainly pray for those who do not know Christ that they might believe in Him. Paul gives us a wonderful example of how we can pray for believers there as well. We can pray:

• That their love may abound more and more in real knowledge and all discernment


• That they might approve the things that are excellent


• That they might be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ


• That they might be filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ


• That all they do might be to the glory and praise of God

Of course, this is a great prayer for every church and for each one of us as believers. I believe it is also a great prayer for those serving in the capitol community.

Capitol Bible Study: "A Great Prayer for the Capitol Community"

From this week's Bible study at the West Virginia State Capitol, "A Great Prayer for the Capitol Community"(Philippians 1:9-11):

"Paul wraps up his prayer with the purpose and goal for all that we do – the glory and praise of God. When our love for Him and others abounds, it brings glory and praise to God. When we choose what is best and excellent in our lives, it brings glory and praise to God. When we are sincere and blameless before others, it brings glory and praise to God. When our lives are filled with the fruit of righteousness, it brings glory and praise to God. In this last element we find the best way to pray for everyone working in the statehouse. We should pray, and then seek to demonstrate, that everything in the life of a believer serving in the capitol community should bring glory and praise to God."

You can find the complete study here.

Capitol Bible Study: "Finding Joy in Life at the Capitol"

From this week's capitol Bible study:

"How do we find joy in the capitol? By centering on Jesus Christ. We find that Paul’s letter to the Philippians is really all about Jesus. As you read the letter, notice how constantly Paul refers to Jesus – seventeen times in the first chapter alone. It is when we fill our minds with Jesus instead of the things of this world that we can experience real joy."

You can download the complete study here.

Capitol Bible Study: "How to Become a Citizen of Heaven"

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

"Finally, we see this transaction takes place through faith in Christ and on the basis of faith. It is when we trust in Christ as the only way of salvation that our sins are forgiven, Christ’s righteousness and goodness are credited to us, and we become saints and citizens of heaven. Remember Paul & Silas’ answer to the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. Faith simply means to believe what God says. We must believe what He says about our sinful condition –that we have all sinned and fallen short of His Glory. We must believe what He says about how to be right with Him, that it is through faith in what Christ did for us on the cross."

You can download the complete study here.

Bible Study: "Citizens of Heaven: Studies in Philippians"

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

"The Christian’s ultimate allegiance is to Jesus Christ, not earthly kingdoms or earthly leaders. Paul and Silas had already experienced persecution from earthly leaders, right there in Philippi and as he wrote from prison in Rome. Believers in the Roman Empire would ultimately have to declare their true allegiance. Roman citizens soon had to declare allegiance to the emperor as a god. Believers who proclaimed “Jesus is Lord” soon had to face persecution and even death. This is what it meant for them to be citizens of heaven."

You can download the complete study here.

Ministry Update: Regular Session Begins

The 2011 regular session begins Wednesday evening with the governor’s state of the state address. This is a grand event as both the West Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates gather together for a joint meeting in the house chamber. They are joined in a procession by all the members of the executive branch and the justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court. Finally, the governor and his family enter, escorted by a special committee of senators and delegates. There are usually a number of special guests and celebrities, both on the house floor and in the galleries. The governor then gives his address laying out his goals and agenda for the coming year.

As I sit in the gallery and observe this august event, I am overwhelmed by the privilege and opportunity to share the gospel and teach the Word of God among this group of West Virginia’s leaders. I am thankful and amazed at the open doors God has provided for our ongoing ministry at the statehouse. Just as the governor reveals his plans and goals for the coming year in his state of the state address, I’d like to share with you our plans for the upcoming session.

We will be holding three Bible studies each week during the regular legislative session which runs from January 12 – March 16.

• Each Tuesday at 12:00 noon we will meet with lobbyists and staff. We have sent out an email with a copy of our first study notes attached to every registered lobbyist in the state (over 300). We usually have several lobbyists along with a number of staff who join us each week throughout the session.

• We hold two studies for legislators and elected officials on Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. and at noon. Spring Hill Baptist Church is helping to sponsor breakfast and lunch for each of our meetings. We hope this helps busy leaders to attend during the hectic days of the session.

• We will be teaching a series entitled “Citizens of Heaven”: Studies in Philippians. We are excited about the opportunity to share the gospel as we discuss how to become a citizen of heaven. We will also consider both the privileges and responsibilities of heavenly citizenship as we face the challenges of living and serving here on earth. You can download the first study in our series here.

• Every week we distribute the study notes to every legislator and elected official’s office throughout the capitol in person and through email. This provides a wonderful opportunity to meet with and minister to both leaders and staff on a weekly basis.

Please pray for our Bible studies and our other ministry opportunities during the session. Pray for those leaders who do not know Christ that God will work in their hearts so that they may might know what it means to be "rescued from the domain of darkness, and transferred to the kingdom of His Son" (Col. 1:13-14). Pray for those who do know Christ to be encouraged to live as " citizens of heaven" in the midst of the challenges of life in the capitol.