Inspiration

[Beryl]

God has promised to send His Holy Spirit to each person who accepts Him as personal Saviour. That means, that the Holy Spirit will give to me thoughts. As I study the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is available to guide my mind, to help me in my reading. And when I suddenly see a deeper message in that verse -- something that gives me a fresh look at what my Saviour has done for me, and a longing to be able to share that thought with someone -- isn't that being inspired?

"Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal,the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession -- to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13,14)

NO, I am NOT saying that we all become prophets, I am speaking only of "inspiration" (which I understand to be the topic of this forum,) and according to that, when I accepted Jesus as an 8 year old I received the Holy Spirit (it really was the Holy Spirit who led me to kneel down and tell Jesus that I wanted to always be His).

During my time in an evangelism team, there were many times when studying with a person that a particular text would suddenly come to mind -- just the answer needed for that person. Was that me just being clever? Definitely not. I believe that at those moments the Holy Spirit inspired me with the answer that was needed.

Ever read an article in the Review that just seemed to speak to your heart in a special way? I believe that God can and DOES inspire people in the same way as He has done through the ages.

Was Luther inspired when he suddenly saw the truth about salvation through faith? Yes. The Holy Spirit lead him to that conclusion.

Was Miller inspired when he studied the prophecy of Daniel, and then preached on it? Yes, he was.

Were the little Swedish children inspired when they preached when adults were forbidden? There is no other explanation.

Down through the ages God has inspired people to do and say things for Him. He has also used some people in a very special way -- "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

And I believe that God is still inspiring people in a very special way -- even giving to them the special "gifts of the spirit" so that they can do the work that He has chosen them to do.

God bless,

Beryl

[Gerr]

God has promised to send His Holy Spirit to each person who accepts Him as personal Saviour. That means, that the Holy Spirit will give to me thoughts. As I study the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is available to guide my mind, to help me in my reading. And when I suddenly see a deeper message in that verse -- something that gives me a fresh look at what my Saviour has done for me, and a longing to be able to share that thought with someone -- isn't that being inspired?

"Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal,the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession -- to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13,14)

NO, I am NOT saying that we all become prophets, I am speaking only of "inspiration" (which I understand to be the topic of this forum,) and according to that, when I accepted Jesus as an 8 year old I received the Holy Spirit (it really was the Holy Spirit who led me to kneel down and tell Jesus that I wanted to always be His).

So then, how is your inspiration different from that of a prophet? (BTW, I do believe what you are saying, that while studying His word, the Spirit enlightens us & imbue us with thoughts from above.)

Gerry

[Tom Wetmore]

tu OK, now we're talkin'!! Thanks Beryl! And CoAspen and Morning Glory...

It's the atmosphere we breath. Just as we are mostly unaware of every breath we take, we can easily take holy breath for granted. And like physical breath, we cannot live long without holy breath. The beauty of the metaphor is like so many of Jesus' object lessons - they are common pervasive, things we need, encounter or do all the time. He said just before leaving gthe earthly dimension, "Look, I will never leave you or forsake you. I will be with you to the very end of time. I will make sure of that by sending the Holy breath." The essentials of life water, food and air - Jesus likened Himself to these common things and said, "As often as you partake of these things, remember me." With every sip of water, every bite of bread, every breath we take - remember.

Tom

[David Koot]

I just happened to see this thread. The topic certainly is interesting, and perhaps one of the more significant ones, especially for people in these times, when the 'spirits of devils working miracles' are busy deceiving. 'Inspiration'? 'Holy breath'? Concepts which potentially can be dangerous and misleading. Breathing the 'holy breath' always? Yet, we live in a sin-polluted world, in which the air we breathe is tainted. The idea seems similar in some ways to the 'holy flesh' notion which EGW warned about. Holy breath, holy flesh? I don't think so. Personally, I don't trust my impressions. I am a sinner. What I can trust in, I believe, is God. I can, and do ask God to protect me from my own shortcomings, and intervene in spite of me. My safety is the Word of God, as it reads. I cannot rely upon myself, nor deceive myself into believing that I am reliably guided by 'holy breath.'

Dave