TOPIC: THE INSPIRATION OF GOD
Inspiration is the breath of God upon man.
Job 32:8 (KJV) “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding”.
Inspiration is the aspect of man he cannot understand. It is operated by the Holy Ghost.
Gen 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Why are you cast down? – Psalm 42:11 (KJV), “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
Psalms 43:5 (KJV), “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
Holy Spirit brings about a quickening – Romans 8:11 (KJV), “But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Spirit cast down , dejected, demoralized, depressed and dismayed – 1 Samuel 17:10-22 (KJV), “And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. 12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. 13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. 15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. 17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; 18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. 19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. 22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
Men virtually do nothing except when inspired.
Before Pentecost, they were ordinary men, but after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they became uncommonly bold. Peter, who had earlier denied Jesus before a common maiden out of fear, stood and preached the gospel, winning three thousand souls at one sitting.
Many in the church have become lethargic, uninspired by the Holy Spirit.
You may wonder why the baptism of the Holy Ghost; the Holy Spirit is the source of inspiration
The hymn writer wrote “Breath on me breathe of God, So shall I never die, But live with thee the perfect life Of thine eternity.”
The Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. In other words, they were to come under inspiration for them to function well
Luke 24:49(NLT)49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
What was the sense of divine enduement if not for inspiration? This inspiration is the secret of success in ministry. When God infuses inspiration unto the Spirit of His minister, greater work is achieved.
The inspiration of the Holy Spirit causes one to perform extraordinary wonders.
Luke 1:34-35(KJV)34 “… How shall this be…? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee…”
Prayer is a means of inspiration.
Praises and worship are also means to draw inspiration.
Acts 16:25-34(NLT)25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
Even after the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you need to be constantly provoked, inspiration is provoked.
2 Kings 3:14-19(NLT)14 Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I wouldn’t even bother with you except for my respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah. 15 Now bring me someone who can play the harp.”While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha, 16 and he said, “This is what the Lord says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water! 17 You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. 18 But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab! 19 You will conquer the best of their towns, even the fortified ones. You will cut down all their good trees, stop up all their springs, and ruin all their good land with stones.”
God gives inspiration so that we can conquer our environment.
Gen 1:28(NLT)28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Jer 5:14(KJV)14 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
There is a limit to what a minister can attain without inspiration. A preacher fails on account of lack of inspiration. Until the Holy Ghost takes over and inspires any in the angle the Lord has called him, he will stumble and ultimately fail.
Matt 19:26(KJV) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Judg 15:14-16(MSG)14 As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came to meet him, shouting in triumph. And then the Spirit of God came on him with great power. The ropes on his arms fell apart like flax on fire; the thongs slipped off his hands. 15 He spotted a fresh donkey jawbone, reached down and grabbed it, and with it killed the whole company.
Inspired, you can never be taken unawares.
You can’t imagine how every part of your being is stimulated to do wonders in inspiration.
Luke 21:15(KJV)15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Brooding the word of God is a quick tonic for inspiration.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (Amplified) “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, (and) for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose and action.)So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thouroughly equipped for every good work.”
When the Spirit of God takes his place, inspiration comes and the man of God is instructed to do as occasion warrants.
Ezek 37:5(KJV)5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
John 20:19-22(NLT)19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Inspiration is possible because, the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.
Prov 20:27(KJV)27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Without inspiration, you remain an ordinary man.
Inspiration will certainly turn you into another man; a person you have never been before.
1 Sam 10:5-8(NLT)5 “When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. 6 At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. 7 After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. 8 Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.”
You must know how to inspire yourself in times of trouble.
No man can accomplish more than the inspiration he has received from the Holy Ghost.
Let all crave for Holy Ghost baptism and draw inspiration from the word of God.
