Test lwcf_crd_mgz_essentialconnectionsample_pdf | Page 36

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Tuesday > 7/21
You are
not alone.
I
t had been an amazing ride for
the disciples, spending every day
with Jesus. They’d hung out together,
witnessed amazing miracles, and
reveled in the pleasure of asking
Jesus anything they wanted to know.
Then, Jesus told them He was going
back to the Father. This was actually
going to be a good thing, though,
because the Holy Spirit was coming.
The Holy Spirit, whom they couldn’t
see or touch. The disciples had to be
longing to keep Jesus with them, but
it wouldn’t happen. But it would be
for their benefit, or so Jesus said.
Read John 16:5-11. Ponder verse 8.
� Why will the Counselor convict
the world about sin? About
righteousness? Judgment?
�  How have you experienced each of
these convictions in your life?
�  How would Jesus’ absence benefit
the disciples?
�  Why do you think Jesus considers
having the Spirit a benefit?
�  Has God ever allowed a blessing to
be taken from you, only to replace
it with something better? How did
it affect your relationship with
Him?
He will
“When He comes, ab
out
rld
wo
e
th
ict
conv
d
an
,
ss
ne
sin, righteous
:8
16
n
oh
—J
t.”
en
judgm
When the Holy Spirit lives within us,
we get to have a one-on-one running
conversation with God. No one else’s
prayers ever interrupt ours. We have
a personal mentor to explain God’s
Word to us, and when we step out
of His will, He immediately lets us
know. He continues to keep us in
check, not because He’s out to get us,
but because He loves us and wants a
healthy, growing relationship with us.
34  |  jul 2009  ec  magazine
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The Holy Spirit wants to talk to
you. Are you listening?
3
You can hear him now.
f you were invited to a Bible
study where you thought the Holy
Spirit would show up in a powerful
way, would you go? Some people
wouldn’t want to miss it, while others
would stay away at all costs. Perhaps
they’re afraid, or they doubt that the
Holy Spirit’s power is alive and active.
What do you think? What happens
when He shows up?
R
emember playing “GOSSIP” when you were a kid? Usually, the end
result was so different from the original message that it was barely
recognizable because someone paraphrased, couldn’t remember what they’d
been told, or just made up another message to be funny.
The Holy Spirit passes messages from God the Father to us, but He never gets
them wrong or changes them around just to mess with us. When He speaks to
our hearts, we can be sure we’re hearing exactly what the Father intends to say
to us.
Read John 16:12-15 and focus on verse 13.
� What will the Spirit of truth do when He comes?
� How do you think this happens?
� How will the Spirit glorify the Father?
� What truth has the Holy Spirit given you from the Father recently?
The next time you open God’s Word, sit through a sermon at church, or even
listen to your favorite music, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand God’s
truth. He never intended for you to have to figure it out on your own. You have
your own personal tutor available every moment of the day, but you can choose
whether or not to call for His help or pay attention to His voice.
It can be frustrating and confusing trying to recognize the Holy’s Spirit’s
voice, but don’t give up. Ask Him to help you hear Him better. And keep
practicing. The closer you pay attention and the longer you listen, the better
you will become at identifying His voice. He wants you to recognize it. He wants
to talk with you.
Friday > 7/24
Speak up!
I
Wednesday > 7/22
“When the Spirit of truth comes,
He will guide you into
all the truth. For He will not spe
ak on His own, but He
will speak whatever He hears. He
you what is to come.” —John 16:13 will also declare to
Personal Space
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How can you use your gifts for God?
Thursday > 7/23
You have gifts. Use them.
W
hat are you really good at? You’ve probably heard that God gave
you that talent or ability, but if you are a Christian, there’s more. God has
given you at least one special gift for the purpose of benefiting the church. Just
like how only your fingers know exactly where to scratch that itch on your head
or how your nose is vital to breathing in the air your body needs to survive, the
gift(s) given to you help out the church, the body of Christ, in a uniqu