Scripture:  1 Thessalonians  4: 15-18 (NLT) 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[g] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died[h] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

Observation:  This is a familiar scripture that references the rapture, when the Lord himself will come down from heaven and we who are still alive and remain on earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet him in the air.  There have been many different views on this scripture and sometimes we can get entrapped in the details.  I think when we do that we tend to lose the element of trust and faith in God. We need to trust God that all will happen in its perfect timing.  I would love to meet the Lord in the air during this event but I want to make sure I have told as many people about this before I go too.

Application:  Last night I was looking at articles online  about where the church as an organization has gone wrong along the way.  Most had  to do with watering down the gospel, not telling the whole truth as written in God's word and overemphasizing things such as prosperity, etc.  In my walk with the Lord I've come to learn that it is God's love that has to be shared first.  Sure there will be different viewpoints, opinions, interpretations, etc but at the end of the day have we shared God's love.  Colossians brings out a great scripture on other areas we need to clothe ourselves with:  12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Prayer:  Lord my prayer this morning is that you keep me on the path of Love, Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness and Patience.  Lord the rapture seem like an epic event that will happen, I pray that we as your children don't get lost in why you are doing this in the first place, because of your Love for us.  Help me in my thoughts and deeds today that it may be pleasing to you....in Jesus name...Amen