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.

Good Words from J.C. Ryle on the 4th of July

J.C. Ryle writing in 1890:

"My wish is, that men may write on their hearts that the well-being of England depends not on commerce, or clever politicians, or steam, or armies, or navies, or gold, or iron, or coal, or corn, but on the maintenance of the principles of the English Reformation."

  Light from Old Times

Perhaps in our country we might well say that the well-bring of America depends on the maintenance - or the return to - the principles of the First Great Awakening. There is no hope apart from the bold proclamation of the gospel!

Capitol Bible Study: "In the World but Not of the World"

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

 

“This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through…”

 

Most of us remember those familiar words from this old gospel song. It goes on, “Lord, You know, I have no friend like You. If Heaven’s not my home, then Lord what will I do? The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door; and I can’t feel at home in this world any more”. This song poignantly speaks of a believer’s desire to go home to heaven to be with Christ. Later verses tell of loved ones who have gone on before and of the victory and rejoicing that takes place in heaven. It reminds of Paul’s teaching that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20) and that we should “set our minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2). While we might certainly long for the peace, joy, and victory of heaven, we are left here on earth to face the trials, challenges, and difficulties of life in this world.  While our hearts may be in heaven, Jesus has left us here in this world for a reason.  

We will be more effective in living out our Christian lives and sharing the gospel with the lost by learning from Jesus’ descriptions of our relationship with the world found in His prayer in John 17.

Read or download our study, "What in the World?"

.

John Newton - "My Politics"

In Light of what is going on in our world today, some amazing words from John Newton back in 1778:

My politics!

(Letters of John Newton, 1778)

The whole system of my politics is summed up in this one verse, "The Lord reigns! Let the nations tremble!" Psalm 99:1

The times look awfully dark indeed; and as the clouds grow thicker--the stupidity of the nation seems proportionally to increase. If the Lord had not a remnant here, I would have very formidable apprehensions. But He loves His redeemed children; some are sighing and mourning before Him, and I am sure He hears their sighs, and sees their tears. I trust there is mercy in store for us at the bottom; but I expect a shaking time before things get into a right channel--before we are humbled, and are taught to give Him the glory.

The state of the nation, the state of the churches--both are deplorable! Those who should be praying--are disputing and fighting among themselves! Alas! how many professors are more concerned for the mistakes of government--than for their own sins!

 
"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!" Revelation 19:6

HT: Grace Gems

Alas, What a Bauble is Human Greatness

A good reminder from Pastor Mark Dever for those who work in and around politics. Taken from his message on Revelation 4-5 (Beginning at 17:30).

"The Bible tells us that this God is holy. He is completely good, and right, and pure. Now why would God give John such a vision of Himself and His glory? Because John needed to know that neither the Roman Emperor, nor His armies, were truly ultimate. And so Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God gives this revelation to John and John is shown that this One is more glorious than any regional governor who could sentence him to Patmos or even execute fellow Christians, and more glorious than any ruler, even the Roman emperor himself. Brothers and sisters we live in a town (Washington D.C.) which works on being respecters of persons, fearers of men, cultivators of the good opinions of others. It is good for people like us to be reminded that however glorious the office of chancellor of the public school system, or Mayor of D.C., or legislative director, or chief of staff, or senior partner, or owner, or senator, or governor, or President of the United States, it is nothing compared to the glory of this God. It is nothing! We fall into dreams where we imagine other creatures are so glorious. 

As John Wesley was reflecting on being at a state address of a monarch opening parliament and he recalled, ‘I was in the robe chamber adjoining to the House of Lords when the king put on his robes. His brow was much furrowed with age and quite clouded with care. Is this all the world can give, even to a king? All the grandeur it can afford? A blanket of ermine around his shoulders so heavy and cumbersome he can scarcely move under it? A huge heap of borrowed hair, with a few plates of gold and glittering stones upon his head? Alas what a bauble is human greatness. And even this will not endure.'"

Pastor Mark Dever. Capitol Hill Baptist Church. The Lion is Revealed - Revelation 4-5. March 29, 2009.

Governors, Kings, Caesar, and Glory

Great sermon by Matt Chandler (The Village Church, Dallas, Texas) on Paul's passion to share the gospel and his opportunity to share it with government leaders.

Governors, Kings, Caesar, and Glory.

Capitol Bible Study: "When the Innocent is Condemned..."

25 Years in Prison for a Crime He Didn’t Commit.

  

That’s what happened to Michael Morton of Williamson County, Texas. In 1986 his wife Christine was brutally murdered in front of their three year old son. Even though he was at work at the time, authorities still suspected him and he was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. Many years later it was discovered that the prosecutor had suppressed evidence that may have shown his innocence. After the evidence was tested for DNA it proved Morton was not guilty and soon another violent criminal was convicted of his wife’s murder. In 2011, after nearly 25 years in prison, Morton was released from prison.

Whenever we hear an account such as this, we are saddened and angered. However this is just a small illustration that might help us understand the message of the gospel. Jesus Christ, who was completely innocent, was convicted and paid the ultimate sentence for crimes He did not commit. He suffered and died and bore the wrath and punishment for OUR crimes – for our sin against a Holy God. Rather than being saddened or angered that the Innocent One was so brutally punished for crimes He did not commit, we rejoice in grace and mercy that God has shown to us through Christ!

Right after His baptism, Jesus passed a test that proved His innocence and sinlessness. This was His temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Jesus proved His innocence and worthiness to become the perfect sacrifice for our sin. This is the subject of this week’s study at the West Virginia capitol as we consider “When the Innocent is Condemned…”

• Pray that the legislators, elected officials, lobbyists, and staff who attend the study or who read the notes as they are distributed throughout the statehouse might understand the enormity of what Christ did for us.

• Pray that each of might grow in our love and worship for Christ as consider the Innocent who was condemned in our place.