All this month I am highlighting excerpts from Chapter Five (on the Holy Spirit) of my new book, I Am Not Afraid of My Future, the first of The Timothy Collection
for young people of every nation. The Holy Spirit is a Person. Last
week we learned that He is our Teacher. This week we understand that He
is also our Guide.
Some of my best memories as a
young boy were going to church camp during the summer months. In those
formative years, God began to awaken my awareness of the reality of His
Presence in those wonderful experiences. The times we had together at
vespers (devotions) in the quiet evenings beside the lake were
especially meaningful, and made quite an impression on my young heart.
Camp Galilee is located in
the mountains near Terra Alta (which means, "high ground"), West
Virginia. When I was 15, I attended a special week called the Outdoor
Living Group. Living outside in the woods, we slept in tents, cooked
all our meals and washed the dishes over an open campfire, and even dug
our own latrines (bathrooms)!
On some afternoons, we would
take long hikes through the dense (thick) forest. Those mountain trails
were rocky and even dangerous in some places. There was some risk
involved, but we weren't afraid because our leaders were excellent
guides and always knew where we all were going. The Holy Spirit is like
that-He always knows the right path for us to take. He will guard our
steps and protect us from harm.
But when the Friend comes,
the Spirit of the Truth, He will take you by the hand and guide you
into all the truth there is (John 16:13, The Message Bible).
The word for "guide" in this verse means, "to show the way." Let the Holy Spirit lead you and direct your steps (Rom. 8:14).
Did you ever have an
important decision to make, and didn't know what to do or to say? The
Holy Spirit will show you the way. Wise King Solomon gave us all some
great advice (this is one of my favorite verses for young people).
Trust in the LORD with all
your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJ).
In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success (Proverbs 3:5-6, TLB).
Trust God from the bottom
of your heart, don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen
for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go, He's the One
who will keep you on track (Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message Bible).
FURTHER RESOURCE: You can order I Am Not Afraid of My Future online at http://www.kvmonlinestore.org/or by calling 910.324.5026