To The Praise of His Glory

I havent written here in a very long while. There might prob not be anyone reading my site anymore. But I am writing here for myself and because I feel led to.
I was trying to get to sleep cos i have an early morning tomorrow. But as i laid down, I felt so awake and refreshed. I had just finished reading the Bible and my spirit was asking for more. I didnt know how much was just my logic and told God that if He wanted me to read more, He would keep me awake, and if not He would bless me with slumber. Several minutes later, and a visit to the toilet, I'm here writing my first blog after a long long while.

I had finished reading Jonah. It is an amazing short story about a man that God wants to use but runs away initially. As the story goes, when God wants to use someone, and has anointed him for his purpose, there really is nowhere for him to run! Interestingly, I was in a discussion tonight with Josiah Kelvin if he ever feared when the thought of possibly being used in a leadership position in church crossed his mind. Long story short, he told me it was natural, the things I felt, and that if God has blessed me for where He has called me, no one can take it away. And if not, then my efforts can never prosper me. My desires if they are in God’s work are true and will be from Him.

That was b4 I tried to sleep. After getting back up, I went on to read Galatians 5 where I had discussed with Kelvin tonight. And went on the Gal 6, and finally to Ephesians 1.

The Lord reassured me through the following verses:

Galatians 6
3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

It hit right on the nail because I was testing myself in some things that I did. Testing my thoughts and intentions. And doubting myself as well. Yet verse 6 assured me once again that it was God. And verse 7 fortified me that I had sown a seed and it was pleasing to God.

Ephesians 1 was amazing.

11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY.

God has a purpose and a will in which He predestined before the creation of the World. And He has a will for you and me. And it is FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY.

Do you know why our salvation is acceptable and sure! It is irrevocable. Incorruptible. It is permanent and Irrefutable.
Because

13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

When we heard the Word of truth, [the Word of Truth is the Gospel of our Salvation! – Gospel being good news. Salvation being Jesus One Act on the Cross. Salvation is Hebrew also means Yeshua which means Jesus. Jesus is our Salvation. Although the new Testament is in Greek.] we believed. It just says we believed. I believe in my heart that God is gracious and His heart is for us to be saved. So even for those who doubt later, but for that one moment when they received the Word, they believed. And therefore they are saved. How saved?
We were marked in him with a Seal. The Holy Spirit. He cannot be broken. This seal CANNOT be broken! And He guarantees our inheritance! (later further expounded in verse 18) Until when? Until the redemption of those in God’s possession. Who are these? Those who believed! Jesus will return and redeem us. Now the song My Redeemer Lives takes new meaning in my heart!

And once more why God do all this? TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. It is not about you and I. It is about God.

Ephesians 1: 15+
For this reason…
16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

I want to know Him better. And the Spirit inside me leapt out when I read verse 16 and said out aloud "Amen". And the Spirit inside me spoke – that I have claimed Paul’s prayer for myself. Because God transcends time! Hallelujah!
I want to know Him better! The prayer continues by the way.

18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

He has called us to hope! And to the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. And it gets better!

19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength, 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.


That we might also know His great power for us who believe! What is this power? The SAME POWER THAT RAISED CHRIST AND SEATED HIM AT THE RIGHT HAND…
This SAME POWER is FOR us!

22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.