"PURPOSE WITH POWER"

Good Evening to All!

(3) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting , because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of your all abounds toward each other . . .

(11) Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, (12) that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Living with a purpose gives our life meaning. Mothers and dads find purpose in raising their children. Other people may find purpose in helping others to utilize their talents to their full potential. Yet others will find their purpose in volunteering and doing their part to make the world a better place.

Loving and being loved is a purpose as well. It helps us to want to make a difference in peoples lives. To bring out the "good" in people. It gives us all a sense of meaning as we build relationships.

Paul was writing this letter to the Thessalonians focusing on their growing faith and love. He then graduated into a deeper sense of love as discovered through God's purpose for each of us. He does not have a "cookie cutter" plan. Each individual has a specific purpose laid out by God Himself for us to do.

We look for our purpose in many areas. Trial and error, finding out what our talents are or are not. We find our purpose by looking at our resources. Some people may be able to use their money, others their time. Some may be wonderful cooks and can volunteer at the missions or soup kitchens. Others may be excellent organizers for fund raisers for different charities.

There is NO SHORTAGE of purpose in this world. One only needs to turn around and look up. there are needs everywhere.

The thing is within EVERY PURPOSE there is a chance to share the WORD of the Lord with someone. I don't mean to shove it down people's throats. Just a phrase here and there, a scripture. A kind word, a smile. All of these things are ways to show the love of the Lord.

A lot of times we will start out doing something just because "it makes us feel good". Then something special happens. Lets say this woman who generously supplied her money and time to feed the hungry. God might decide to get involved then and provide a place for her to open up her own homeless shelter. As it says in the parable of the talents when the servant has invested or made an increase in the talents which his master had given him to hold. Matthew 25:21 says: His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

In other words, God provides ample opportunities for us to use our talents and it is then He shows us our purpose. Any chance you get to help someone or use your talent for the Lord, please do so. You will reap much more than you sow.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!