“God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings a death upon our feelings, wishes, and prospects when He is about to give us the desires of our heart.” ~ John Newton
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“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass….Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37: 4-5,7
Why did God create us? We all know the right answer. We are here for the sole purpose of glorifying God. Unfortunately, “to glorify God” has almost become a meaningless cliche.
How do we glorify God? I was surprised that I didn’t have a simple, practical answer to this question. Until I was given this verse…
“Herein is my Father glorified,
that ye bear much fruit;
so shall ye be my disciples.”
(John 15:8)
That’s it! That’s how I glorify God! By bearing much fruit.
1. Character: Who I am
“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:10-11).
2. Conduct: What I do
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
3. Contributions: What I give
“For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Philippians 4:16-17).
4. Communication: What I say
“Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).
5. Converts: Who I win
![](http://www.livingthejourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2008-04-15_po_-6-480x321.jpg "\\"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit\\"")
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:6).
6. Children: Who I conceive
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3).
The above outline is based on notes from a session with Bill Gothard.God’s Word is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword!” (Hebrews 4:12). It keeps us from sin. (See Psalm 119:11.) It cleanses our hearts and minds. (See John 15:3) It revives our lives (See Psalm 119:50). It illuminates our path. (See Psalm 119:105.) It is the sword whereby we withstand principalities and powers. (See Ephesians 6:17.) It is the source of faith, which is our shield against Satan’s fiery darts. (See Romans 10:17, Ephesians 6:17.) Let’s keep it before our eyes and hide it in our hearts!
Click on a screen size below to open up a desktop background image. Then right-click on the picture and select “Set as Background” or “Set as Desktop Background.” Enjoy!
Brilliant Sunrise — Lamentations 3:22,23
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Fishing Boat — Mark 1:17
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Water Lilly — Psalm 27:4
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Do you have an inspiring picture of God’s magnificent creation from the beautiful Northwoods of Michigan? Send it in, along with a fitting verse of Scripture, and we’ll consider sharing it on this website to encourage others who are also living the journey!
When I surrendered everything to God, including my success, it was like a burden was lifted off of me. I no longer had to drain myself because God, through Christ, would give me strength to be successful in what He wanted me to do. I only have to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” Matthew 6:33
~ Austin Reville, June, 2008
The first evening of my Journey, I sat down with my Bible to read. For the past few months, I had been reading a couple of chapters from Psalms each day and highlighting a verse or passage that stuck out to me.
The Psalm for that day was number 49, and God knew that was exactly the chapter that I needed to read. I had been convicted a few months ago that the thing hindering me from having a “ten” rating in my relationship with God was fear, especially the fear that my brothers might follow in my cousin’s footsteps and make similar mistakes, and thereby sacrifice the wonderful God-given potential that they could otherwise have had in God’s service. Because of that fear, I found myself reacting harshly to my brothers and having a very difficult time loving them as my Lord desired me to. I had surrendered my fears to God and given my brothers to Him in prayer a number of times before, but it was still laying as a heavy burden on my heart.
As I began reading, it was as if I had been reading it for the first time. Portions of the chapter seem to leap off of the page and my eyes filled with tears. “Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil…?,” Psalm 49 said, “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) … But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. Be not thou afraid…”
After this new reminder that He was so lovingly looking over those who are so dear to me, I could again freely surrender all of my fears to Him, and trust Him with the future, because I know that He has a bigger purpose in mind than what I can see, and that He will work all things together for good!!
Since coming home, although at times it is still a struggle, I have had a greater freedom to love my brothers and treat them in a Christ-like manner. I am truly thankful to God for each one of the eight 
younger brothers that He has blessed me with, and, through God’s grace, I am looking forward to continuing to improve my relationship with each one of them!
I am so very thankful to God for allowing me to have the privilege of going on my Journey to the Heart!!
~ Sarah Poss, II Timothy 2:20-21
Girls Journey, June 2008
I wanted to come to the Journey to the Heart so that I could get to know Jesus more intimately. What I didn’t realize is that God wanted to know me and He desired to pursue relationship with me. I had been meditating on this verse in the beginning of the week: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). I asked the Lord to remove anything from my life that would hinder me from being completely free to love Him with my whole heart.
Sure enough, the Spirit of God spoke to me and pointed out to me the things that I needed to make right. I have returned home with a list from God of people I need to ask forgiveness from, things I need to talk to my parents about, and other people I need to talk to. Now I am discovering how to walk in the light, have a clear conscience, and to be a mighty man of God.
More than that, the Lord is revealing Himself to me in ways I could not have imagined. He is opening up my eyes to His word and showing me insights by His Spirit. I am learning how to communicate with Jesus and how to recognize His voice. It wasn’t until I went to a quiet place and honestly opened myself to the Lord that I began to hear from Him. He answered my questions and responded to my requests. And above all, I found a God who wanted me and wanted to fellowship with me.
Now I am learning what it means to live in Christ; exchanging His life for mine. I no longer live for Christ, but Christ is my life. I am asking Him to live in me and through me to accomplish His will and His purposes. Instead of trying so hard to be a Christian, I am trusting Christ to be my all in all. Now God can do through me what I think is impossible because He is free to be all that He is. As I die, Christ lives.
God used “Journey to the Heart” to rekindle my relationship with Him. I am encouraged to daily meditate on His word and seek His face. Thank you, Jesus!
~ Timothy Forman
July 2008 Guys Journey
“A dynamic Journey has begun with over 40 Spanish speaking, students from around the country as well as from Mexico…”
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”©2008 Robert Staddon. Design by Abundant Designs
