What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Monday, April 3, 2023

Deliverance.... (reposted from March 30, 2010) Updated for 2023

Update for Palm Sunday,   picture is from the living room  of our
former "Camp Of the Woods Home " in Salt Springs, FL.  

UPDATE FOR PALM SUNDAY, 2013. 2014!  2015! 2016!   2017    2018   2019   2020! 2022,  2023! 
 I originally wrote this for Palm Sunday in 2010.  Not a lot has changed in  3 4  5  6  7 8  9  10   12  13 years...But, Jesus is STILL the answer...Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever!  Amen! (2014) And Amen again! (2015) and again! (2016)  and AGAIN! (2017)  And Again in 2018 and again in 2019  And maybe even more so  in 2020!  And especially in 2022!  And most especially in 2023!!
Psalm 34:4  "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

Deliverance...what does that word mean to you?  It has a very welcome sound to the captive...those who are held captive in any kind of prison, whether it be a prison with bars and high walls, or a prison of fear and isolation...the thought of deliverance brings hope and joy and peace.  For many in today's economy, there is a tremendous amount of anxiety over the future...people fear losing their jobs, others fear not being able to find a job. Retired folks are concerned about their savings running out too soon, or having health issues that will rob them of what little security they have left.  Our nation is in turmoil over  (2010) health care reform and the brittle financial and housing market. (2015 AND 2016:  Race Relations, World Terror via ISIS, Religious persecution, upcoming election ) 2017 and 2018 and 2019: ALL OF THE ABOVE AND MORE...WORLD PEACE, IMMIGRATION... AND IN 2020, ESPECIALLY, WITH THE  COVID 19 CRISIS...:and in 2022, with the horrific war in Ukraine, rising inflation and cost of everything from gas to food, shortages of supplies, and the embarrassing incompetence in our current government leadership... and even still now, in 2023, the previous horrors continue in Ukraine, even higher inflation, etc., and add to that back to back tragic tornadoes and storms and earthquakes across our country and the world, leaving so many people homeless and in shock and pain, train derailments leaving toxic waste that may affect whole communities for decades to come, and a very harmful agenda of indoctrination of our little children and young people in our public schools and beyond that strikes right into the face of  our loving God, Who created us in His image and Who knew us and loved us when He wonderfully formed us in the womb. (Psalm 139)  People look to our national leaders and hope that they will make some wise decisions that will bring relief, and yet that so-called relief often comes with a high price tag that will endanger the future security of our children and grandchildren for many years to come. (I can't believe that the last sentence was originally written in 2010, and look how appropriate it is for today in 2022  2023!)

Where can we find this deliverance that we are seeking?  Is there any ONE who can come and set us free from our bondage to fear and doubt?

Psalm 34:15 says, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry." 
Verse 17 says "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles."

The Jews back in the time of Jesus were desperate for a leader who could deliver them from the tyranny of the Roman government. As Jesus entered Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday, the people cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! The King of Israel!" (John 12:13) They hailed Him as their King and Messiah, but they were seeking an earthly king for an earthly kingdom.

A few days later, when Jesus was betrayed by one of His own disciples, He  stood before Pilate, the Roman governor.  Pilate asked Him if He was the King of Jews.  Jesus responded to Pilate, 
"My kingdom is not of this world."...."My kingdom is not from here..."  (John 18:36)  He went on to say in verse 37, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Jesus came to prepare our hearts for the kingdom that is yet to come, that is a Heavenly Kingdom.  In the meantime, His Holy Spirit gives us strength and grace to endure the trials and tribulations that are common to all of mankind. He came to deliver us from all our fears and troubles.  Do we still have financial difficulties? Do we still have health problems or other major concerns? Yes. As long as we are on this earth there will be trouble and sorrow...but hear what Jesus said in John 16:33~
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 

Through Christ, we are overcomers. 

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, 
and delivered me from all my fears."
  
Deliverance....yes, that is what Palm Sunday and Easter are all about....Think about it.  
This is just the beginning of the story...not the end.
Amen!

Have a glorious Palm Sunday today!


Here is our Pastor's message from Palm Sunday, 2022. I hope it will give you some hope and encouragement.  

Sing along with our choir as we sing "Who Is He?"

"Who is he who comes in triumph? Who is he who comes to die?
Comes in peace and comes in power, hidden One now lifted high?
Jesus, Jesus, Lord, Messiah, mighty Master of the grave!
See him ride, the King of glory! God himself has come to save!


See him there in humble splendor. Hear them shouting all around.
Joy explodes in wild procession. Praise is now the victor’s crown.
Glory, glory in the highest! Like the angels hear them sing
Dancing ‘round the Long-awaited, once their hope and now their King.


Rise and join the glad procession! Hear them passing by again
All the ransomed, all his children, marching to Jerusalem!
Look ahead the gates of splendor! Hear the everlasting hymn!
Open wide your hearts in worship! Let the King of glory in!"



Monday, April 3, 2023:  I hope you don't mind that I keep adding to this post each year. Many of you have already read it in years past and have commented.  I keep reposting it so we can see the things that are happening in our world each year at this time, and continue to pray for our nation, our world and our own families.  Jesus has entered our Jerusalem and I know He is weeping over it.   


Luke 19:41-44

41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 
42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 
43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 
44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Our Pastor preached about this in his sermon yesterday (April 2, 2023).  

Today Christ is weeping over us once again, because our world has its eyes blinded by Satan, and we still have not recognized the time of His visitation...Christ came to us and offered us the free gift of salvation, but so many have turned their backs on Him and have literally spit in His face, mocked and scorned Him and have totally and utterly rejected Him.  
May God have mercy on us.

I pray that we will open our hearts and lives to Him now before it is too late.
I truly believe the time of His coming again is very very near.

Have a blessed and meaningful Holy Week.
Amen.


29 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post. I have to admit, as a business owner, I am deply troubled over the state of the economy and the actions of our elected officials. I have to remind myself daily who is in control. Deliverance is a hopeful word for me today.

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  2. I appreciate very much this post since I see that most of us either don't know or forget about it! Have a wonderful day!

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  3. Thanks, Rhonda and Laura the Pet Sitter! I think we are all ready for a true "deliverance". We may feel like this is "Good Friday", but EASTER'S COMING!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!

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  4. Hi Pam! I like the way you brought out the fact that there are many things we need deliverance from, not just a wide lens look at 'sin'. I think worry is a huge one for me. For some reason I have a tough time giving my worries to the Lord. And when I do, I've been known to snatch them back again. Sigh...

    I am looking forward to the grace of Easter, and the remembrance of a love that sets me free of all that stuff. I just have to believe!
    Blessings to you my friend.
    Ceil

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    1. Welcome to the human race! Snatching back those worries seems to be common to most of us. Yes, I, Too, am looking forward to the grace of Easter...and the peace and assurance that it gives us for our eternal future! Yes...Jesus has set us free indeed! Blessed Easter to you!

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  5. Pam, Thank you for this timely post. In reflecting on Palm Sunday, it's amazing to realize that the crowd that welcomed Jesus with great joy, changed their tune by later in the week and started calling for His crucifixion. People may have missed Jesus' first coming; His second coming WILL NOT be missed. I'm so thankful for all that Jesus did for all of us--while we were sinners!

    Something to think about: Good Friday wouldn't be good, if Sunday had not happened. (That little gem is from my pastor...although I think he may have said it more eloquently than that!)

    Blessings!

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    1. Yes, we need to remember that's Sunday is coming! Christ IS Risen from the grave, and we have victory over sin and death forever!! Thank you for your thoughts today. You always are a blessing to me.

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  6. Thank you, and welcome to Closed Doors, Open Windows! I believe you are new to my site, and I look forward to getting to know you better in the future. Have a blessed Easter!

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  7. Pam, thank you for sharing this post again. This world clearly needs deliverance--deliverance in and through Jesus. I want to ever remain thankful for all Jesus did for me and continues to do for me.

    Blessings!

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  8. "But, Jesus is STILL the answer."

    Amen to that, Pamela!

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  9. Jesus is STILL the answer...Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever! Amen! No truer words were ever spoken...typed! <3 HOPE you have a blessed Palm SONday, sweet Lady. Thank you for your prayers!

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  10. Jesus will ALWAYS be the answer. Thanks be to God!
    Blessings, Pamela!

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  11. Pam, Thank you for sharing this again--deliverance--only Jesus can truly deliver us from the enemy. Jesus truly is the answer to all that ails us.

    Blessings!

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  12. Regarding the celebration of Palm Sunday, in Colorado, the children's workers at our church had to order palm leaves from [somewhere] so the little ones could march into church waving them about.

    Our church in Jacksonville this week asked members to bring in their own palm leaves (thorns removed), which presumably come from their own yards. This fascinates me.

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  13. Thank you for sharing this again, Pam. The deliverance we have in the Lord is the best deliverance of all. No matter how "hard" things become in our lives, in our world, it's comforting to know that God has us in His grasp.

    It may be Friday but Sunday is coming!! (Both in the sense of Good Friday-Easter and in the time between comings [even with a different viewpoint than that of a pre-trib rapture].)

    Blessings!

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  14. Hello Pamela!
    I come to you from Sandi! You have a very interesting blog.
    I dream to go to church for Holy Mass, go for a walk, wash the car in a car wash, go to work. Niestey, we have bans. We must stay at home.

    God's blessing for you, my friend!
    I send greetings from distant Poland.
    Lucja

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    1. Welcome, Lucja-Maria. So happy to have you visit all the way from Poland. What a blessing to be able to connect this way. Yes, we are all staying at home for the most part, except for getting groceries or other essential things. No church for us at this time either. We are blessed to be able to watch church services on the TV or computer. We pray it won't be long until we will all be able to gather again to worship and praise the Lord for His mercy and goodness to us. Please take care and may God bless you and keep you always.

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  15. Interesting post from years ago and still true, with your little updates noted. Jesus is the deliverer and he is still the Answer and always is the answer. I am attending my church via a live streaming service which is a blessing for me as we are not allowed to gather this month.

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    1. Thank you for visiting Terra. I am glad to know you are able to "attend church" via live stream. We also have a you tube video service from our church. We aren't quite techy enough to do the live stream, but this works for us. Praying we will all get through this time and soon be able to gather again to praise God for His goodness and blessings. Take care and stay healthy.

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  16. Amen. I so love the scripture to "be of good cheer".

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  17. It is interesting in that The Word never changes over the years. God bless you and your family on this Palm Sunday- xo Diana

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  18. If we don't cling to Jesus when the end comes for this world, we will certainly be left behind. He is the only hope in the world. No government, no celebrity, no one but Jesus died for all of our sins. I am always grateful for the way I was raised and for the parents who raised me. It has helped me get through difficulties. Thank you for oyur words always and your faith you shared so beautifully.

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  19. Thank you for this encouragement and reminder. I'm hanging onto Jesus' too. HE never changes. Praise God for that. I pray He returns soon otherwise we're not gonna make it.
    Hosanna! (Lord, save us!) xx

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  20. I loved this post so much! Praise Him that He never changes! He loves us deeply. Jesus is surely my greatest deliver! Love that verse: Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Happy Holy Week to you. Hugs and blessings ,Cindy

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  21. Hi Pamela. Lovely post with a wonderfully important message for us all. Happy Holy Week and Happy Easter to you!

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  22. Christ triumphed over sin and death. He is just waiting for us to catch up.
    Pam your link on Tuesday 4 leads to the wrong place. You might like to put it up again and link to your Tuesday 4 post. Thanks :)

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    1. Thank you, Annie. I reposted the correct link, but I don't know how to remove the incorrect one. Sorry about that.

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