Pastor and State Rep Candidate Models Holy Courage


Written by David E. Smith

God desires for His people to walk in righteousness and stand for truth, justice and the sanctity of life. His Word instructs us to be bold and courageous, to expose what is wicked, and to uphold what is right, honorable and praiseworthy.

Unfortunately, God’s people often fail to step up to the challenge in our hostile and dark culture. But those who answer God’s call and become bold truth tellers are worth highlighting, because it encourages us to emulate them.

King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 29:

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. Proverbs 29:18

The revelation referred to is God’s Word, His precepts, His commands and His testimonies.

Unfortunately, in our post-Christian world, God’s Word is a foreign thing. Therefore, it’s dependent on Christians to communicate His unchanging Truth to a culture who is busy redefining good and evil, bitter and sweet, male and female, etc.

Pastor Cory Musgrave (pastor of New Beginnings Church in downstate Fairfield, Illinois) answered the call to be a minister. He and his wife have answered the call to adopt needy children. And more recently, he answered the call to be a candidate for state representative in the 109th District.

Earlier this year he was asked to give the opening prayer at the Illinois Capitol, days after our state lawmakers approved legislation to radically expand abortion in our state. But Pastor Musgrave did not shrink back amidst a room filled with those who have chosen to call evil good and good evil. This video reveals his steadfast obedience to the Lord and his unwavering hunger to speak truth and expose darkness.

As you can see, Pastor Musgrave began by thanking God for the blessings He has poured out on our state. Musgrave quickly transitioned to thank God for allowing us the choice to do what is right and quoted Deuteronomy:

I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live… Deuteronomy 30:19

Pastor Musgrave stood firm for the sanctity of human life and seized the opportunity to share God’s revelation before the State House, giving voice to the most innocent and voiceless among us.

And by so doing, Pastor Musgrave modeled Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

God’s Word is powerful and when it goes out, it always accomplishes that for which it was intended. As His ambassadors, it’s us who are expected to share it.

Our state has become even darker in the last few months. But don’t get discouraged because a tiny light from a match can illuminate a room and make the darkness flee.

We’re in a spiritual battle of great proportion. We have two choices: succumb to the darkness and continue to allow it to overtake our culture, affecting our families and neighbors, or let our light shine so that the darkness has to flee.

Our challenge to all of you is to join us and every person of faith in Illinois in boldly proclaiming God’s truth and revelation.

Speak up for the pre-born who have no voice, and the women in crisis pregnancies who often believe they have “no choice.” As Christian citizens, we must call our state to repentance for the tens of thousands of innocent lives destroyed in a cruel and barbaric way each and every year — many with your tax dollars.

If you agree with Pastor Cory Musgrave that abortion is murder, then let nothing prevent you from decrying the wide scale infanticide in our state. We must grieve the loss of life, admonish others to join us in repentance, and never ever be silent.

If you live and work in the 109th District in the Louisville area of southeastern Illinois, you also have a great opportunity to roll up your sleeves to help Pastor Musgrave win his primary election next year (March 17, 2020).  “Like” his Facebook page, follow him on Twitter (@cory_musgrave), call his office at (618) 599-6035 to volunteer and help get the word out to like-minded voters in the 109th. If you are physically unable to help and can afford financial assistance, bless him in that way. IFI is 100% behind him, but he also needs local feet on the ground.

Pastor Musgrave referenced Nehemiah’s Prayer:

Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.” Nehemiah 1:5-7

We must echo those words, humble ourselves, beseech God on behalf of our state, and then actively work toward teaching our family and neighbors about all the things God commands (Matthew 28:16-20), plus work alongside those who God has called to be leaders. In short, we must answer God’s call to be salt and light in our culture, to stand for righteousness and life, and to be bold and courageous!

If we do these things, we have God’s promise that He will heal our land! (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Listen to our podcast with Pastor Cory Musgrave HERE.


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