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He guides, comforts and sanctifies (makes us holy). Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy
Spirit would teach and remind them of all He had taught them (resulting in their writing the Bible;
John 14:26). The Spirit would also testify within believers as to the truth about Jesus (John 15:26).
When we come to the Word of God, as believers, our minds are illumined as to who Jesus is. We come to
an understanding of truth (John 16:13). We are no longer reading a history book, we are taking in the
Word of God. When we go through hard times, He comforts us as we read the truth and as other believers
remind us of what the truth is (John 14:25-27). We are reminded of God’s presence and His promises.
Through the Word and prayer, the Spirit also sanctifies us. He enables us to live godly lives as He
produces fruit by changing our character (Galatians 5:22-23). He assists us in our prayers (Romans 8:26).
He empowers us for service through gifts to build up the body of Christ (believers) (Romans 12; 1
Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4). Our body is His temple and He is a constant source of inner strength.
We draw upon the Holy Spirit, as we walk with Him each day. As we pray, confess, and read God’s word,
we renew our minds, we are transformed, and we are empowered (filled) with His presence (Ephesians 5:18).
(The process of sanctification [increasing holiness] is beautifully described in Romans 8.) How do we know
all this to be true? Because Jesus promised it (John 14:16-18). Just as we are saved by faith, we walk by
faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith is the key to releasing the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5; Galatians 3:14;
5:5; Hebrews 11:6; Jude 1:20). Every Christian should be able to look back on his or her life and recognize
new desires, new friends, a new hope—a new person emerging (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit is the
active agent in every area of the Christian life.
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Women's Community Bible Study
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3434 Roswell Road
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Atlanta, GA 30305
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(404)842-5800
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