WHITEOUTS

Yesterday I gave a talk at the public library in Columbus, Wis., near Madison. All went well until I started home. I encountered numerous snow showers that slowed my progress—at times to a halt. With winds at 30 mph or more and gusts to 50 mph, the snow bursts became virtual whiteouts. It’s eerie when a whiteout suddenly obscures your vision like a thick, white curtain. If I hadn’t written today’s devotional earlier, I surely would have been inspired from yesterday’s drive home. It’s about another curtain, the veil in the temple. May God bless you this week with joy and peace as you celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, which allows us total access to God. Hallelujah, He has removed the veil!

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

The Open Curtain

When the curtain goes up, it means the play is about to begin. We will now be able to see the much-anticipated actors and action. Hopefully, the closed curtain will rise and we will get our money’s worth—a good performance.

In the days of Moses, the Israelites dealt with a closed curtain. God instructed them to construct a curtain, or veil, for their portable tabernacle. The curtain in God’s dwelling place, in the Holy of Holies room, separated Him from the people. Once they settled in Jerusalem, they built a temple, complete with a new curtain made for God’s new dwelling.

Their perpetually-closed curtain was meant to keep the sight of God separated from the people because they could not look upon His awesome glory and holiness and yet live. It also obstructed sinful man’s approach to a perfect God Who would not tolerate sin. There was no direct entry to God in the Holy of Holies behind the veil except by the high priest who, once a year, was allowed to enter the sacred room. And even he could not enter without presenting a blood sacrifice and a cleansing of his body.

It is said that everything in the Old Testament conceals what the New Testament reveals. When Jesus died on the cross—by virtue of His own blood shed for our sins—it brought a glorious end to the need for any separation between God and man. The curtain’s purpose ended on a sudden, dramatically-supernatural note when God’s mighty hand tore it from top to bottom at the very instant that Jesus said, “It is finished.”

No longer would sinful man have to stand afar off from God. Jesus forever removed the obstacle to fellowship with God for anyone who would approach Him through faith and in spiritual worship.

The writer of Hebrews 10:19-22 clearly explains this wonderful truth. “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Lord, we thank You for removing the veil so we can approach You through faith. Thank You for giving us victory over sin and death through Your Son, Jesus, who is our Overcomer. Amen.

Bunnies and Eggs and Lambs, Oh My!

My favorite symbol of this season is the lamb. When my kids were young, we raised a couple lambs. Like puppies, they were adorable. We also found them dumb, helpless, and vulnerable to danger. But they never ceased to cause me to think of God’s great sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus. He submitted Himself to torture and death so we might live in forgiveness of our sins and in close fellowship with Him now and in eternity. Hallelujah! “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)


ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

The Red Thread

Our life is dependent on the blood that flows through our veins and arteries. Its red and white cells, plasma, and platelets have distinct and complex jobs. Simply put, our blood gives us oxygen for energy and food for fuel and heat, and it provides us with a built-in alarm system that tells us when something is not working right. Blood is so powerful that without it, we would die.

Blood is powerful in the spiritual sense, too. Did you know that the Bible carries a “red thread” from the books of Genesis through Revelation? That is to say, the Bible tells the story of Jesus’ blood sacrifice throughout the entire Bible. An agnostic told me she could not believe in a religion that taught about blood sacrifice. Little did she know how important it is to our spiritual wellness.

In the beginning, after Adam and Eve sinned, God clothed them with the skins of animals that could not have been taken without the shedding of blood. We can fast forward to the story of the Israelites when God delivered them from Egypt across the Red Sea. Before they left, they were instructed to smear lamb’s blood on their doorpost as protection from death by God’s angels. The blood became their covering, or atonement.

God made an everlasting covenant with His people that included the sacrifice of animals. He promised redemption from sin and protection from death to eternal life. His blessings included power and healing. His promise holds true today for those who believe in Him. But there is a great difference between then and now. No longer do we need to offer blood sacrifices for our well-being. Christ did it for us, once, and for everyone.

Take time during this Lenten-Easter season to meditate on the great sacrifice our Savior made for us. Remember that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus is our High Priest—the One who took over the job of Israel’s former high priests who sacrificed animals to atone for, or cover, the sins of the people. I repeat: Jesus took it upon Himself, once, for everyone, to cover our sins.

We thank You, Lord, for Your shed blood that gives us these gifts: spiritual energy to live according to Your will; food from Your Word and Spirit for a healthy body and mind; and warnings to heed against our enemies. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHERE'S THE LOVE?

Wouldn’t you think the family of deer pictured here would be nicer to each other? That’s the puzzle about relationships. Sometimes we humans quickly change from the feeling of love and closeness to that of anger, spite, or disgust. The biblical example of the Good Samaritan offers us a good example to follow. Jesus IS our example. May this week offer you opportunity to meditate on the lessons in His parable.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Who is Our Neighbor?

I have new neighbors, a friendly, young couple whom I intend to get to know better. Their political views may be different, their religious affiliation may not match mine, and their lifestyle surely varies because of our age difference. But none of that matters. They’re my neighbors. That means as a follower of Christ, I must offer them my love.

Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan talks about neighbors. Not much is said about the victim in the story, the man stripped and beaten by robbers. Did he, like his attackers, have evil intentions against someone? According to society, did he deserve to be rescued?

The priest and Levite in Jesus’ story walked by the victim without offering to help because they had much at stake. Their law demanded that they not touch a bleeding man. Doing so would have required submitting to a long process of ritual cleansing, taking time away from their duties and leisure.

The Samaritan, however, provided extraordinary care. He didn’t question the victim, but simply acted on a need without counting the cost. He bound the man’s wounds, using his own oil and wine. He set the man on his own donkey, probably choosing to walk, and took him to an inn. He stayed with the man all night, probably losing sleep because of his moaning. If all that wasn’t enough, he even used his own money to pay for the man’s stay and told the owner he’d make up any required difference when he returned.

Would you or I go to such lengths to help someone we didn’t know? Consider the lengths Jesus went to for our sake. He suffered a cruel, undeserved death on the cross to rescue us from sin, dis-ease, and eternal death. How can we not respond to the needs of others after receiving Jesus’ extraordinary rescue of us? To our neighbor who we may not think deserves help? To the person who may differ in political or religious views? Who may speak abrasively? Who may be ungrateful and contrary?

Jesus asked the lawyer, who set out to trick Him with the question, “Who is my neighbor?”, “Which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” When the lawyer answered correctly that it was the merciful Samaritan, Jesus simply said, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)

Lord, may Your love overflow in us so much that we, like the Good Samaritan, will be compelled to go and do likewise, without counting the cost of our time, reputation, and money. In Jesus’ name, amen.

NIBBLES AND FEASTS

What kind of spiritual eating habits do you have? Do you nibble little bites of God’s Word here and there as your time “permits?” Or do you keep nibbling until you’re filled and satisfied? Perhaps you gobble your daily Word in quick bites without savoring the flavor and texture. We probably all should review our spiritual eating habits, making necessary changes in order to feast on God’s rich and nourishing Word—His table banquet.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES By Sally Bair

Hunger Pains

The deer look healthy this winter. Some days they merely nibble at my meager offerings of food, going instead to the nutritious cedar leaves and wild shrub tips to get their sustenance. I don’t imagine there are many starving deer around our area.

Most of us in America have enough to eat, too. But there are those who do go hungry, and their hunger pains are real. If they don’t receive nourishing food, they end up suffering disease or even death. The problem of hunger across the globe is huge. As concerned Christians, we can give money or food items to help supply a starving world.

Hunger pains come in different forms. There’s the gut-wrenching pain from lack of food; there’s also the pain of disease that comes from poor nourishment.

Spiritual hunger can cause pain, too. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:48-51)

When we partake of His Word, our whole being fills with nourishment that gives us strength, power, and life. Our spiritual meals must be eaten daily just as our food meals are eaten. As a Christian sister from my church explained, we wouldn’t want to eat an unhealthful meal at a fast-food restaurant before going to Grandma’s house for a home-cooked feast. Think about it. We’d be too full of junk food to enjoy the good stuff. We’d disappoint Grandma, hurting ourselves and her, for turning down the food she’d spent hours preparing.

When we don’t eat the right foods, our stomachs hurt. When we don’t eat of God’s nourishing Word, our souls hurt.

Lord, give us a gut-wrenching hunger every day for Your Word and Spirit. Help us to remember that Your food is what will keep us spiritually strong and powerful. May Your life-giving food in us draw others to You. And may we never forget to help the truly hungry—not only with food but with the Bread of Life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

SPRING BLESSINGS

In spite of my illness and pain, I'm looking forward to the spring flowers and sunshine. I'm counting my many blessings.




ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Expiration Dates
I checked the few prescription drugs in my medicine cabinet and discovered some as old as Methuselah. Out they went in the trash, because they’re ineffective and possibly dangerous.

My kitchen also holds outdated stuff—cans and boxes of food stamped with “best used by …” some past date. Yikes! It’s hard to throw out food I’ve paid for but haven’t used or eaten—especially the stale potato chips.

I find the same situation when perusing the clothes in my closet. Some I’m hanging onto in hopes of fitting into them in the future. Others are out of style or I’m just plain tired of them. Still others, like last year’s tennis shoes, are so ratty—but comfortable—that I’m ashamed to keep them in sight next to my newer ones. They clearly should be labeled with “Best used by …”

When I think about today’s mindset about old age—the mindset of some to put an invisible expiration date on senior citizens and handicapped people—I’m appalled. Since when should an old man in a wheelchair, who’s unable to speak, be written off as useless and unable to keep contributing something positive to his family or society?

The value of a person does not—or should not—come from age, ability, or intelligence. There’s a lot to be said about the joy and emotional well-being that a handicapped person brings. We all have something to contribute. There’s a lot to be said, also, about the wisdom and experience that comes from age. It behooves us to respectfully listen to our elders.

The Bible tells us we are all of value. Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered …. you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31-32)

Psalm 139 speaks of God’s incredible care for us. “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made … My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” (verses 13-16)
Unlike the food we eat or the medications we take, our bodies are not stamped with an expiration date. Only God knows the day we will expire. And even then, those of us who know Him personally and serve Him will live on in eternity with Him.

Lord, show us how to value every living thing, even as You value us and all of creation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WOLVES, CATERPILLARS, AND STORIES

What do hungry wolves, caterpillars, and stories have in common? They’re all works in progress, they’re all waiting for something satisfying. A small pack of wolves has been patrolling the perimeter of my back yard waiting for a meal of unsuspecting or injured venison. The wooly bear I saw recently is awaiting freedom to fly with butterfly wings. My latest story, “Trouble at Fish Camp,” is awaiting final edit so it can fly into the hands of readers everywhere. Hope abounds for writers and critters alike. Hope abounds for all of us who believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. May hope in Christ abound in you.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Praise in the Process

Praise and thanks go hand in hand. It’s in our nature to thank someone for a gift after we receive it, not before. But it’s in the nature of God to cause us to praise and thank Him for things yet to come.

Take the story of the exiled Israelites who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon to restore their broken temple. Imagine the work ahead. They had to clear all the rubble before laying a new foundation. Not until then could the real work begin, that of rebuilding. They decided, however, to hold a praise and worship service after they laid the foundation—before beginning to rebuild.

“They sang praises and gave thanks to the Lord: ‘for He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.’ Then all the people shouted a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.” (Ezra 3:11)
Sounds backwards, doesn’t it? But this was an act of faith on their part. In essence, what they said was: “We praise You in the process of building. What You start, Lord, You finish.” Oh, to have the faith to praise and thank Him for hearing our prayers even before He answers them! The Bible says that faith is the evidence of things not seen.

In contrast to this story is that of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. They celebrated once they reached the safety of the other shore. What faith did that show? Some, perhaps, but how much more if they had celebrated before they crossed over?
We are meant to praise and thank God during good times and bad. While enduring sickness, grief, abandonment, or whatever, our praises to God will give us strength to carry us through the misery. Praise brings joy, and “The joy of the Lord is our strength,” according to Nehemiah 8:10. When we lose our joy, we lose our strength. When we lose our strength, we lose our power to defeat whatever enemy we face.

Thousands of Christians have testified that praising God has not only brought them deep, abiding joy, it has changed their outlook on life and the environment around them. They then could better finish any task, face any challenge, or solve any problem.

Lord, we praise and thank You in good times and bad. May our faith in You be strengthened through Your Word and Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A TIME FOR SEEKING

I’m off to a Christian writer’s retreat in Green Lake. There’s much preparation involved for my six-day stay: prepare food, pack clothing, laptop, lamp, lots of writing and reading material, and see to dozens of details to tie up loose ends. If I don’t prepare carefully, I may be sorry. I may lose precious time.

The highlight of the retreat will be to seek God’s will in my writing endeavors. If I don’t prepare, I may miss out on what He wants me to write. Tomorrow may be too late. But thanks be to God, it’s never too late NOW to seek the Lord.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Tomorrow May Be Too Late
Death is not a popular subject in our culture. It comes suddenly for many—a heart attack, a road accident, an enemy’s bullet. It’s our human nature to see future days, not the end of days. We reach forward for an education, a mate, children, and business success with all of its earthly benefits. And when we retire, we’re encouraged to live healthy, full lives in our few remaining years. The only plans we make for our demise are in making a will, leaving a financial legacy, and buying a cemetery plot.

It is said that there are no atheists in foxholes. It’s when we face possible death that we’re most likely to call out to God and think about the hereafter.

David, a devout follower of God, had such thoughts when he believed he was facing a mortal illness because of his past sins. “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled …. Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?” (Psalm 6:2-5)

David’s words are a sobering reminder that once we die, it is too late to call upon God for mercy. That’s why David called on Him while he yet lived. This is a lesson for all of us. God wants us to call upon Him today, not only for help and strength, but for our eternal salvation, because once we die, it will be too late.

God’s Word rings with reminders to be prepared for our last day on earth. “We then, as workers together with Him, also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

Lord, like David, we want to be ready for the day of our death. We believe in and accept Your Son, Jesus, as our only Savior from sin. While we yet live, may we never forget the merciful sacrifice of His life on the cross for our sins. We thank You for Your loving salvation, in Jesus’ name, amen.