Prepping that Endures

“Prepping” has become a serious issue for many in our communities. In our own area the Derecho with its resulting power outages and the loss of water during the Elk River chemical spill have caused many to consider the importance of preparing for such emergencies. They spend a great deal of time and effort stocking up on food and other supplies that will last until needed. While it may indeed be important to prepare to care for our physical needs, it is vital that we consider preparing for our eternal, spiritual needs.

We seek to provide Bible studies and ministry in the Capitol so that our leaders might find spiritual nourishment and strength during the difficult days of the regular session. We want to point them to the only source of spiritual life, Jesus Christ! This is certainly the focus of this week's Bible study as we consider Jesus' statement, "I am the Bread of life". It is only in Him that we find life, spiritual sustenance, and that which truly satisfies.

• Please pray for our studies which meet each Thursday during the session.
• Pray that leaders will be convicted to work for that which endures forever (John 6:27).
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will work that many might find eternal life in Christ.
• Pray that believers might find spiritual nourishment and strength as they serve.

Seeking Guidance from the Highest Court

 If you are following West Virginia politics you are certainly aware that the big issue at the beginning of this legislative session is the replacement of the state senator from Wyoming County. Just before the start of the session, the senator resigned to take another position. Normally the party to which the member belonged would nominate three candidates to replace him from which Governor Tomblin would choose one to serve the rest of his term. The issue with this case is the senator was elected as democrat but later switched parties and resigned as a republican. Both sides believe the replacement should come from their party. It has been determined that all involved must seek the State Supreme Court’s guidance and ruling as they determine how the state constitution applies to this situation.

This might remind us of our desperate need to seek guidance from God, the Greatest Judge, as to how His Word applies to the challenging issues we face in our daily lives. This is especially true for our leaders facing challenging issues and difficult days during the regular session.

This is why it is such a joy to provide the Capitol Bible studies where leaders can take time to focus on God and seek His guidance to apply God’s Word to their lives. This week’s Bible study focusing on Jesus’ claim to be “I AM” in John 8:58 helps to see why Christ indeed has the right to rule over all things in our lives.

• Please pray as we meet each Thursday and for this series of studies that so clearly points to who Christ is and all He has done for us. 

• Pray that leaders will indeed seek God’s guidance as they serve in the statehouse.

2016 Regular Session Begins Today

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s final State of the State Address on Wednesday evening, January 13 officially kicks off the 2016 regular session of the West Virginia legislature. It is an inspiring event as both legislative bodies gather along with all the executive branch officials and the Supreme Court justices. The galleries in the House of Delegates chamber are always packed. It is quite impressive to watch as leaders file into the stately room, prepared to hear the governor’s speech.

Every time I sit and watch this event, I am overwhelmed by the opportunity to share the gospel and minster to these leaders. God has once again given us an open door to serve and minister at the statehouse during the sixty day session.

This promises to be a hectic and difficult regular session. Our state’s budget problems will prove to be challenging. Several other contentious issues face our leaders as well. Add that to the nearly always combative nature of politics and the regular session can be a difficult time. The Bible encourages us when we face troublesome times to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and consider all He has done for us (Hebrews 12:2-3). We hope our Bible studies during the regular session will help our leaders take time to focus on Christ and find encouragement in considering all He has done for them.

For this reason our Bible studies during the 2016 regular session will focus on what we learn about Jesus from His “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. Eight times in John Jesus proclaims an “I am…” statement describing Who He is and what He has done for us such as “I am the light of the world…” (8:12) and “I am the Good Shepherd…” (10:11). I believe this will be an encouraging and challenging series for our meetings this year. Our Bible studies begin on Thursday, January 14. You can find a copy of our first Bible study here.

Please be in prayer for our leaders and for our ministry to them during next sixty days.

• Pray we will have opportunities to share Christ with those who do not know Him.

• Pray for believing leaders who face difficult and challenging times during the session.

• Pray for our Bible studies as the notes are distributed throughout the statehouse each week.