Weep for the Helplessness of the World

This great article by John Piper should certainly help our attitudes toward those who do not know Christ. From his conclusion:

"...Weep for the helplessness of the world the way Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s blindness: “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:42). Rejoice that the providence of God is so massively active in restraining evil and prompting so much external conformity to righteousness. Trust in the triumph of Christ at Calvary. Resist the devil in faith that the one in you is greater than he. Risk your life to spread the liberating news as far as you can."

Read the full article here.

Submission to God and Submission to the State - By John Piper

From John Piper's Series on Romans. As he comes to chapter 13 he deals with the issue of the church's relationship with government.

"This text has implications for war and peace, dictators and totalitarianism, concentration camps and gulags, revolts and revolutions, laws and law enforcement, political activism and civil disobedience, elections and lobbying, voting and paying taxes, speed limits and seat belts, stop signs and baby seats. This is not a small text. It is one of those mountain peaks of the book of Romans that makes a reader dizzy with implications."

Subjection to God and Subjection to the State, Part 1

Subjection to God and Subjection to the State, Part 2

Subjection to God and Subjection to the State, Part 3

Subjection to God and Subjection to the State, Part 4

Raleigh County Leader's Luncheon

Capitol Ministries is partnering with the Christian Resource Center of Beckley to host the Raleigh County Leader’s Luncheon. We have invited every elected official in Raleigh County to join us for lunch on Thursday, September 24 at the Tamarack. At this point we have 18 leaders signed up to attend.

The purpose of our meeting is to honor and thank the elected officials for their service, share a message of challenge and encouragement, and introduce them to the work of Capitol Ministries and the Christian Resource Center. We will share the desire of both ministries to serve them as they serve the people of Raleigh County.

Pastor Larry Halsey of Faith Baptist Church in Prosperity will offer a word of thanks to our leaders for their service. Pastor Don Pfleger of Daniels Bible Church will share a brief message of challenge and encouragement from the Word. We also have a Christian businessman who will pray for the leaders.

It is my desire that this meeting will help open “a wide door of for effective service” (1 Cor. 16:9) to leaders in Beckley and Raleigh County. If this event goes well, we would like to hold similar meetings for leaders around the state.

Please pray for this event on Thursday that God will indeed use it to open up doors for ministry to our leaders.

Finish the Course: A Mandate for Ministry to Leaders

From my message at Appalachian Bible College in recognition of Constitution Day:

If Paul were to stand before Barak Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, or Jay Rockefeller would his message be any different than what he proclaimed before Festus, Felix, Agrippa, or Caesar?

Do not let the message of the Gospel be drowned out by that of Tea Parties or Town Hall Meetings. Do not let our love for the lost be overshadowed by opposition to policies or political parties. Don’t let our mission of taking the good news of the gospel to every creature be sidetracked by a desire to “Take America Back”.

Download the complete message here.

Interim Bible Study: "The Real Authority in the Capitol"

From our interim Study at the Statehouse "The Real Authority in the Capitol":

"We find in the Sermon on the Mount an authority that goes far beyond that found in legislative bodies, courts, and elected offices. As we come to the close of the Sermon on the Mount, we see the crowd’s response to Jesus’ message:

When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:28-29"

Read the complete study.

"Why Moralism Is Not the Gospel -- And Why So Many Christians Think It Is"

From an article by Dr. Al Mohler:

"The deadly danger of moralism has been a constant temptation to the church and an ever-convenient substitute for the Gospel. Clearly, millions of our neighbors believe that moralism is our message. Nothing less than the boldest preaching of the Gospel will suffice to correct this impression and to lead sinners to salvation in Christ."


Read the complete article.

Interim Committee Meetings and 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 August 10-12. They are also likely going to have a special session which may extend their meetings several days. During their interim meetings, Capitol Ministries provides a Bible study for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month entitled "How Firm Is Your Foundation?" will be held on Tuesday, August 11 at 8:00 a.m.

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.

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 them.

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

Read this month's interim Bible study entitled "How Firm Is Your Foundation?"