Wk 09*** Inspiration
in·spired (in spī rd′), adj. 1. aroused, animated, or imbued with the spirit to do a certain thing, by or as by supernatural or divine influence: an inspired poet. [1]
"...for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations."
When I go away on a Spiritual Retreat I receive my greatest inspiration. I have traveled out of town for a weekend of prayer, fellowship, and Bible study at least once a year for the past eight years. In the last two years the retreats were taken at the house pictured above. Last year I felt inspired to paint a picture of the retreat house for my pastor, but I did not have my watercolors with me. The inspiration remained in my heart until I returned for this year’s retreat, fully prepared with watercolors, tablet, and a vision of what I hoped to achieve.
Although I was pre-inspired, I was also re-inspired and newly-inspired at the retreat this year. The purpose of every retreat I have attended has been to inspire my Faith. Each weekend retreat has been dedicated to having my Faith renewed, refreshed, strengthened, and deepened. From each retreat I return home with a large concentrated dose of inspiration that stays with me, or within me, throughout the year. I am inspired. I am in the Spirit, or more aptly, the Spirit is in me.
On a smaller scale, or perhaps in a different measure, Sunday worship services supply me with a weekly dose of inspiration; which is not to say I am less inspired in worship, but rather that I am inspired in a different manner. So, too, I am inspired in a different fashion daily, when I begin each day with prayer; and I am inspired throughout the day as opportunities for prayer are presented. Prayer, I believe, is the least common denominator of inspiration; or maybe it is the greatest common denominator. Inspiration, in the Spirit, is a pretty great thing.
In prayer, the Holy Spirit speaks to my purpose, or to my intentions. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Almighty God, with Whom I have been baptized through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells within me, and is manifest in me in the gifts He has given to me. I wrote about three of the gifts last week: prophecy, artistry, and writing. When I use these gifts I am inspired; I am in the Spirit; I am praying in the Spirit, and the Spirit is creating the results. I prophesy, create artwork, and write in accord with how the Spirit moves me, according to the purpose to which I have been called.
I confess, I do not always pray before I begin to write; although, each day begins with prayer. However, as I write, and as I paint my watercolors, I am constantly in prayer for the situation or the occasion of the work. I am praying in the Spirit. I am praying that the Spirit would have His effect and would produce the results that He desires. It is written: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (Ephesians 6:17-18, NKJV).
Although I was pre-inspired, I was also re-inspired and newly-inspired at the retreat this year. The purpose of every retreat I have attended has been to inspire my Faith. Each weekend retreat has been dedicated to having my Faith renewed, refreshed, strengthened, and deepened. From each retreat I return home with a large concentrated dose of inspiration that stays with me, or within me, throughout the year. I am inspired. I am in the Spirit, or more aptly, the Spirit is in me.
On a smaller scale, or perhaps in a different measure, Sunday worship services supply me with a weekly dose of inspiration; which is not to say I am less inspired in worship, but rather that I am inspired in a different manner. So, too, I am inspired in a different fashion daily, when I begin each day with prayer; and I am inspired throughout the day as opportunities for prayer are presented. Prayer, I believe, is the least common denominator of inspiration; or maybe it is the greatest common denominator. Inspiration, in the Spirit, is a pretty great thing.
In prayer, the Holy Spirit speaks to my purpose, or to my intentions. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Almighty God, with Whom I have been baptized through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells within me, and is manifest in me in the gifts He has given to me. I wrote about three of the gifts last week: prophecy, artistry, and writing. When I use these gifts I am inspired; I am in the Spirit; I am praying in the Spirit, and the Spirit is creating the results. I prophesy, create artwork, and write in accord with how the Spirit moves me, according to the purpose to which I have been called.
I confess, I do not always pray before I begin to write; although, each day begins with prayer. However, as I write, and as I paint my watercolors, I am constantly in prayer for the situation or the occasion of the work. I am praying in the Spirit. I am praying that the Spirit would have His effect and would produce the results that He desires. It is written: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (Ephesians 6:17-18, NKJV).
[1] The Random House College Dictionary, Copyright © 1973, 1972, 1969, 1968 by Random House, Inc.
posted by Cyber Church Cafe at 10:33 PM
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