I was thinking on scripture I read recently, and the following message came to mind.

Are God's purposes to be thwarted?  Will His purposes be fulfilled?  Great to know, of course His purpose He will accomplish, maybe despite our failings, or because of our failings for His glory, for WE are His purpose.  He, as we know determined salvation because we were unable to save ourselves.  Our dear old brother Arthur Burt used to say something like, “If God is to have all the glory He has to do all the work”.  Even as I am writing this I'm thinking, I hope this isn't like blasphemy!  But it makes sense if, in the natural someone does a job we expect that that person will be paid for it and not another.  If an athlete wins an important race, he stands on top of the podium and gets the accolade, and not another.  Others will be congratulated for their efforts but the 'first one' gets the gold medal!

The only way this job is going to be done is if God Himself does it, we couldn't save ourselves in the first place and it is certain that we cannot perfect ourselves.

(Galatians 3:3 KJV) Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
(Philippians 2:13 KJV) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of (his) good pleasure.

We are God's purpose; this message is to encourage us not to lose heart when we get things wrong or trouble comes along.  What we need to do is continue with the Lord, and even for that we need His strength. Don't give up, He will lift us up again.

(Ephesians 1:4 KJV) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

We are His purpose, it has not and will not change, he paid that terrible price to ensure His purpose be fulfilled.  Another Arthurism, “He isn't going to win, He has WON”.  IT is finished.  We strive to enter into His rest in that finished work of Christ.  The only 'strive' I see is to get hold of our hearts and believe.

(Ephesians 1:3-5 KJV) Blessed (be) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly (places) in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
(Note that Don brought out some weeks ago, don't be fooled by the word 'adopted' we are born of the incorruptible seed, the Word of God)  That in itself ensures success, incorruptible seed. I think that we need to emphasise this to ourselves, speak to our own hearts 'BORN OF AN INCORRUPTIBLE SEED'.

So back to the last words of this verse
(Ephesians 1:5 KJV) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
The 'good pleasure of HIS WILL' What a wonderful thought, if we only thought on this scripture alone, HIS WILL, can that fail?

(Ephesians 1:9 KJV) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
He hath PURPOSED in HIMSELF - Wonderful - that we should be fellow heirs, one of His children, not so much that we should inherit, which of course we do, but that we are HIS LOVE

(Ephesians 1:11 KJV) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Works ALL things after the counsel of HIS OWN WILL.

(Ephesians 2:10 KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(Ephesians 2:19 KJV) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

(Romans 8:28 KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to (his) purpose.
HIS PURPOSE
(Romans 8:29 KJV) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate (to be) conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

(Romans 9:11 KJV) (For (the children) being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

(Romans 9:16 KJV) So then (it is) not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
(Ephesians 3:11 KJV) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

(2 Timothy 1:9 KJV) Who hath saved us, and called (us) with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
HIS OWN PURPOSE

These scriptures are amazing, just taking one on its own and meditating on it should lift our hearts and spirits, altogether if we can but grasp what our God has done - speechless - Much praise and thanks, cannot cover it. HE LOVES US - NEVER DOUBT IT.

Our troubles as the apostle Paul said:
(2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding (and) eternal weight of glory;
(2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen (are) temporal; but the things which are not seen (are) eternal.

Hang on in there brothers and sisters if you are going through difficult times, they have a purpose and the Lord WILL bring you through.
When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Much love in the Lord Jesus Christ
Marion