Morning by Morning, November 29 - “Courage of Conviction” by the Word and the Spirit Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You here in my heart and every moment of my day -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ... As I watch and wait for Your leading this morning, I hear “Have courage of conviction. My Word and My Spirit are your conviction and your courage.” ... Yes, Lord. This Word from Your Scripture comes to mind immediately to confirm this word from Your Spirit: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And this Word: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14). All around the world and even here in our nation founded upon foundations of freedom of religion and freedom of speech, moral convictions and religious liberty is under attack. Sometimes it’s like being whittled away with a pocket knife and sometimes it’s like being bludgeoned with a lumber axe. Our leaders swear an oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.” And our Constitution declares, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” But the responsibility rests not only upon our leaders, but upon every citizen to engage in civil discourse with honor and respect according to their conscience and convictions. For us who are citizens of the Kingdom of God, no matter where we live and no matter what pressures there are to surrender our rights and silence our voice, we are called to be grounded in Your Word and led by Your Spirit in all things. “Our citizenship is in Heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). It’s not from Washington or Austin; it’s not from the ACLU or the political parties; it’s not from back room negotiations or front yard campaign signs. It’s from Heaven that we’re expecting a Savior. And it’s from Heaven we have a Savior. And His name is Jesus. When Jesus lives in our hearts, we look to the Word of God and the Spirit of God to be our conviction and provide our courage. That’s the kind of conviction and courage that moved in the hearts of the Hebrew children who would not bow down to the king’s idol, boldly declaring: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let Him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). That’s the kind of conviction and courage You expressed in the face of the one who had the power to release You or crucify You, boldly declaring, “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). And that’s the kind of conviction and courage that burned like fire in his belly of one of the founding fathers of our nation named Patrick, who insisted upon our Bill of Rights to codify our freedom of religious liberty and moral conviction, boldly declaring, “Give me liberty or give me death!” Come, Holy Spirit. Let us be no less bold, no less courageous, in our convictions. Let us not be content to sit back and keep silent in our day when so much is at stake. Inspired by Your Word, empowered by Your Spirit, we’re looking to our Savior. And may we be ready to answer the call when our Savior looks to us to be the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27), filled with the “Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9), standing up and speaking out as “ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be courageous in your convictions, grounded in the Word and filled with the Spirit, as an ambassador for Christ wherever the Lord has you positioned for His purposes, in Jesus' name. Happy Thanksgiving! God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org | 
