Living the Journey

Harboring inner rebellion and entertaining a secret relationship with a guy I knew my parents would never approve of, I made plans to move out the day I turned eighteen. Deep inside I knew what I was doing was not right and God would not bless me for this, but I stuffed it down for a false hope that I would be satisfied with my boyfriend rather than the Lord. However, I was hurting my family and myself by refusing God’s best. After the third month of this horrible lifestyle, my parents told me to pack my bags and then they dropped me off at the IBLP Headquarters. I was so upset and determined I would not change, but God had different plans.

After working on staff for three months, I attended my second Journey to the Heart. I seemed fine to everyone around me but inside that battle was raging. I wanted my own way and my own plans, but I couldn’t argue with the genuineness of those around me. Their love for the Lord, their surrendered lifestyle, their true joy that only comes from the Lord, and their satisfaction in Him placed before me a choice: me or God. I couldn’t go any longer! I broke and surrendered. I confessed everything to my parents, which was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life! But it was worth it because the strength of sin is in its secrecy!

Confessing to my parents and turning away from my sin gave me a new humility, which I wouldn’t trade for anything! I have a new freedom and joy I never knew and now I love the Lord more than anything and am willing to serve Him with all that I am. I am truly satisfied, because He is all I need or could ever want!

~ Anna

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It’s so much fun to watch the Lord work in other people’s lives!

I have made a good friend who was raised in a Christian home. However, he had slowly begun to follow after the world. One night in my room he opened up to me and shared some things he had been struggling with like bad relationships with girls, partying, alcohol, and anger he had toward people in his past. He also had a lot of resentment toward his mom, who had been a minister for several years. He thought that she was overbearing and unreasonable in her standards and he was holding that against her.

That night I prayed for him and recommended that he share all those things with his parents. At first he was very closed to the idea of telling his parents about all of his faults. Then I shared my testimony with him about my Journey to the Heart and the amazing release I received after I told my parents the deepest things I was struggling with. He still was not convinced that night but I continued explaining the importance of being under Godly authority and showed him that God honors those who honor their parents.

Finally, he decided to call his mom and ask her forgiveness for his resentment. He also told her all the things he had done in his past with girls and alcohol and anger. Now his relationship with his mom is restored, he is reading his Bible every morning before class, and he is resolving the past issues he had with girls! He has also stopped drinking and partying.

I love knowing that if you obey the Lord he will show you the best things for your life!

~ Drew
June 2008 Guys Journey

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“I don’t think anyone on our team will ever again be lulled into the tendency of thinking that the Christian life is a battle in the flesh - where we ourselves strive against life’s temptations, manage their consequences, and cope with circumstances. The power of the devil seeking ‘to steal, and to kill, and to destroy’ precious lives (John 10:10), and the power of God’s Word (the sword of the Spirit) to set them free, were never more clearly displayed to us than on this Journey. There is a battle going on for each one of us, and there are few sights sweeter than watching girls intercede for one another with tears of anguish and pleading. The desperation in each one for God’s deliverance, direction, and presence was beautiful, and the cries not unheeded! Praise the Lord who DOES let those find Him who seek Him with their ALL (Deuteronomy 4:29). ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.‘” (John 8:31-32) ~ Brittany

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have gone on this past Journey to the Heart. The ten days in the Northwoods of Michigan were nothing short of supernatural. While the beauty of nature and God’s creation spoke to every heart, God’s presence was felt physically and one accord reached. Thanks to many people’s prayers, girls were counseled to salvation and to freedom from painful memories. As we spent hours on our faces before God, true brokenness was experienced in the life of each girl. As Paul Washer says, ‘If you get hit by a logging truck you’re never the same.’ We were hit by an awesome, holy, God and we have all been changed.”   ~ Johanna

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In the same spirit as the popular Inspiration for the Journey and More Inspiration for the Journey posts, we now introduce Inspiration for the Journey III! Enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and remember to keep God’s Word always before the eyes of your heart.

Living the Journey Scripture Desktop Backgrounds

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.”

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!

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“What an awesome experience it is when you bring a group of girls together with one purpose and one goal: to seek God and learn what it means to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. At the beginning of the week my group expressed a longing to hear from God, gain direction for their future, and to develop a deeper relationship with Him. During our day of fasting, we experienced a wonderful time on our faces before Him. Our prayer time went on through the evening and late into the night as we sought the Lord with all our heart. Words can never describe the incredible experience of entertaining the holy presence of God!”  ~ Laurie

“Though there was a spiritual battle all week long, God was present. Lives were changed. God broke down walls in many hearts. This week was a turning point as girls made decisions to restore relationships, pursue their fathers and have quality time with their Savior. Through the literal fight with the enemy, they learned how to look to the Lord to overcome their struggles and temptations.”  ~ Mandy

“Wow! The last Journey for the year! One word that would best describe it is “indescribable”!!!! As we gathered in the beautiful Northwoods, it was so neat to again stand in awe of God’s hand at work in so many lives, changing hearts, saving souls, and taking on the burdens of these precious girls! His presence on this Journey was so rich and so sweet! His patient mercy and steadfast grace was amazing and brought great revival into my own heart. I know that the work that He has begun will bring forth much fruit in my life and the lives of each of the girls and I am so looking forward to watching as He is glorified and His kingdom is advanced on earth as a result of this Journey to the Heart.”  ~ Elizabeth

“This Journey has been the best one yet!” I’ve heard that phrase used multiple times over the course of my time working in the Journey department. So the question comes to mind…’which one really was the best?’ I know the answer will vary between each person you ask, but I know for myself this one that just ended was the most impactful for me. First and foremost was the way in which God worked in my own life. He brought me to a complete surrender to Himself…a death of my own visions and desires and a full yielding to His own sweet will. Not only was He breaking me, but I watched with joy at how the Lord was working in the hearts of the other girls as well. It was not always easy, but as we peeled away the layers that had been built up in our hearts, we were again reminded that Christ’s forgiveness covers all our sin, His love is never ending, His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and His mercy is everlasting. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” ~ Sharon

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