Thoughts on live with a purpose

It's the week of Thanksgiving here. My supervisor has us do a devotional in staff meeting the week that we're on call and this week is my week. When thinking about what to say, the verse in 1 Thessalonians 3 kept coming to my mind "in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". I read a few verses ahead of that one and found these little nuggets of truth:

"Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. But we request of you, brethern, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethern, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone...Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

In these few verses, I believe we get a "to do" list of sorts for our daily lives.

• Encourage one another
• appreciate those who labor
• esteem your authority in love
• live in peace
• admonish the unruly
• encourage the fainthearted
• help the weak
• be patient 
• rejoice
• pray
• give thanks

Years ago, a man wrote a book about living a life of purpose. Many people have written such books I would imagine. How simple it is though, to look at these 7 verses of scripture to see God's will and purpose for my life!! It's so simply profound, it's scary (not scary scary, but you know, scary). So this week, as we're remembering to be thankful, let's remember to be these other characteristics as well.

Love, Mrs. M.