Devotion

Rapturous Joy!
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 will rise from their graves. 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 live with the Lord forever.   ---1 Thessalonians 4:16-17


Won't it be grand? We're going home to live with Jesus! Won't it be grand! Halleluiah!!!  Jesus isn't going to send for us. No, He's coming to get us Himself! Is that first class, or what? What rapturous joy there will be! Our loved ones who have died believing in Jesus will rise from their temporary sleep when He shouts, and along with those of us who believe and are still alive - we'll be caught up together in the clouds where Jesus will be waiting for us. He's going to take us home to His Kingdom where He has prepared a place for us in those many rooms that exist in His Father's -  our Father's - house! CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT? If you and I are living when Jesus comes for us - what do you think you'll do? I imagine all sorts of ways I will express my joy and praise to Him! Right now, I just thank Him for all the years He's given me to practice when we come together as the church on Sunday mornings, and when I go through the week extending love and service to others. I practice my praise every day, because I want to be ready to lift my voice when Jesus comes back for me! How will you join in with the rapturous joy that awaits us?