“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast” (Proverbs 12:10 KJV). And, why wouldn’t we care for someone who is so faithful to us? Judy (1936-1950) was a pure-bred liver and white Pointer, born in Shanghai, China and adopted by the British Royal Navy as a ship’s mascot for the HMS Gnat, and later with the HMS Grasshopper. During WW2, many times she provided early warning to the ship’s crew of approaching enemy aircraft with her acute canine hearing. After her ship was finally sunk, and finding refuge on an island, she helped surviving crew members find fresh water, saving them all. Upon their eventual capture by the Japanese, Judy was the only dog ever registered as a prisoner of war. Moving from camp to camp, she survived the sinking of the transport ship Harugiku Maru, and saved many passengers from drowning by bringing them flotsam. In camp, she caught small rodents for the POWs to eat for survival. Judy bonded with fellow POW Frank Williams, who shared his handful of rice, and both cared for one another until her death years after the war. Bonding with furry friends such as Judy reminds us of our Lord’s attachment to us. LORD, may we be inspired to be as faithful to You, as Judy was to Frank and all her crew mates. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Hope
AI is the Future
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the future, and everyone is trying to play catchup in figuring how not to be left behind in product development, incorporating AI into every conceivable aspect of human interaction, and displacing many white collar jobs thought to be immune to machine learning and automation. The title of a YouTube interview with renowned American artificial intelligence researcher, Eliezer Yudkowsy, is “We’re All Gonna Die” (1:49:22). Cheery thought! Like predictions of catastrophe with nuclear weapons proliferation, comet collision, and global warming, Yudkowsky presents his sobering warning that AI will ultimately doom humanity. Jesus prophesied of upcoming days, “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:22 KJV). Humanists without God in their heart or mindset, like Yudkowsky, are without hope, while the elect of God have been thrown a lifeline! LORD, may the elect make their “calling and election sure” (2Peter 1:10) by practicing godliness, rather than claiming exemption from judgment based upon a claim of salvation, while calling You “Lord, Lord, and do not the things which [You] say” (Luke 6:46). Hope and peace upon all those, who walk in faith with You. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
In the Twinkling of an Eye
Heaven is a place, but it is also a change of dimension. Paul attempted to teach this truth to the Corinthians. “Behold, I shew [shō] you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV). The whole study of God and last things brings us to this mystery. In the blink of an eye, we shall change our dimension into Christ’s presence. The last or final blast of the trumpet for both the living and dead saints will produce this instantaneous change. This is the hope of rapture and resurrection for the Body of Christ. LORD, purify Your body of disciples in hope of this transformation. Come quickly. Lord Jesus. Amen.
Health of My Countenance
The wonders of a vibrant auto immune system, medical science understands its underlying importance. Good clean living, others attribute to their longevity. Who or what holds us together? Our God. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 42:11; 43:5 KJV).
An Economist’s Lament
“In the long run we are all dead,” said John Maynard Keynes of ‘buy now pay later’ fame. If death is the end of it all, then humanity’s long term outlook is dismal. But, hope can only spring from an unlimited, everlasting, all caring God. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13 KJV).
Blessings, Desire, and Hope
“Blessings are upon the head of the just. The desire of the righteous shall be granted. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness” (Proverbs 10:6, 24, 28 KJV). If we do the right thing because of God’s Spirit working in us, we are righteous. Blessings or happiness will characterize us. Our righteous desires will be granted, and our righteous hope will make us glad.
Hand of the Diligent
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Proverbs 12:24 KJV). How to rule, while not in charge, be diligent. How to be ruled, though placed in charge, be slothful. God takes care of the diligent, while slothfulness must be ruled. Hope reigns where God rules.
How Long?
A favorite question of the Psalmist to Yahweh was, How long? “We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long” (Psalm 74:9 KJV). Isaiah voiced a similar question. “Then said I, Lord, how long? And He answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof” (Isaiah 6:11-13 KJV). May we be that tenth!
The Hope of Glory
“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). Whatever dream we have for physical healing or flourishing, financial deliverance or success, rescue or freedom from oppression, survival or rising above the elements, a Pre-Tribulational Rapture, or even the salvation of loved ones — Jesus Christ alone “is our hope” (1Timothy 1:1 KJV). If anyone or anything is more valuable than Christ to us, then that is our hope. If Jesus is really worth more than everything to me, do I live that way? Am I waiting for Christ to become more popular? Remember, when everyone realizes this truth, it is too late. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7 KJV).
Poster Children for Hope
Abraham and Sarah are probably the best poster children for hope. The Living God promised Abraham at the age of 75 He would make of him a “great nation” (Genesis 12:2 KJV). Sarah was 65 years old. Twenty-five years later, Sarah bore Isaac. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER! “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform” (Romans 4:18-21 KJV). Glory only to God!
We Need A Miracle 
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