Selah for Today 10-24-2019- Freedom

Freedom according to Webster's Dictionary is the quality or state of being free such as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action. Liberation from slavery.
  Freedom is wonderful, but freedom without responsibility always leads back to slavery. When we don't take personal responsibility for our freedoms, someone else will do it for us and that leads to tyranny and slavery. True freedom begins with Christ.

Galatians 5:1(NIV) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV) “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive

Selah for Today 10-22-219 - Adventure

 Many people, including believers, live boring and dull lives. They need adventure.

Adventure is defined by Webster's Dictionary as 1) an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks 2) an exciting or remarkable experience. To have days full of adventure, it takes walking by faith. Faith equals adventure. When you walk with God and listen to Him you will have exciting and remarkable experiences every day. So, step out in faith and step into adventure.

  

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Selah for Today 10-16-2019 -Stand

One of the definitions of stand: is to agree to be in accord

 

In Ephesians 6: 10-18, there is stand against the devil's schemes, stand your ground, after doing everything stand and finally stand firm. All of these point to agreeing with and being in accord with God. 

    I choose to Stand with, Agree with and be in accord with God. Where do You Stand?

Selah for Today 09-09-2019 Chaos

Don't miss the sound of heaven in the midst of the chaos- Amy Bales

1 Kings 19:11-1 (NKJV) Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire ^[a]a still small voice.¹³ So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, ....."

What is God saying to you?

Selah for Today 09-04-2019 Step out!

Adventures begin when you step out in faith

Acts 3:5-7 (NKJV)  So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." 

Now that's an Adventure!!!

Selah for Today 09-03-2019- Choice

Good News – You have a CHOICE!
Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV) ..I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
 Romans 12:12 (KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” 

Selah for Today 09-02-2019 Responsibility

Responsibility: mature “response-to-my-ability” – The ability to act independently without supervision – A moral obligation to act appropriately in respect towards others as well as tasks

“Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will—his personal responsibility.” (1) –Albert Schweitzer
“Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.” –Genesis 17:9 (NLT)

Selah for Today 08-29-2019- Think!

It’s not what happens TO YOU, but IN YOU that shapes You. 
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) “ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he... and Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Selah for Today 08-27-2019- Searching

We search and God reveals
Proverbs 25:2(NKJV) It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Selah for Today 08-24-2019-Leadership

True Leadership helps others to climb up the mountain.

^{Judges 5:1-3 (NKJV) Then and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:}

^{When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!}

^{Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princess! I, even I, will sing to the Lord, I will sing praise to the Lord God of Isreal.} 

 

^l.

Who Are You Part 3

 In part 1 of Who Are You, we looked at the servant. In part 2 we looked at the kings and priest. All of these have varying degrees of relationship with God.

 The next level of relationship is that of a friend.  A friend as defined by Webster’s Dictionary is: 1a: one attached to another by affection or esteem b: acquaintance  2 a: one that is not hostile b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group 3: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity) 4: a favored companion

Enoch was one such person in Genesis 5:22-24Amplified Bible (AMP) ²²Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God after the birth of Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters.²³So all the days of Enoch were 365 years.²⁴And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him]. This is an amazing friendship with God. This same type of relationship is mentioned of Noah in Genesis 6:8-9.

   In Genesis 18:3 Abraham refers to himself as a servant, but God calls Abraham his friend in Genesis 18:17. This shown by the discussion that follows a friend is allowed debate a decision and servant is not.

 Jesus speaks of friendship and the difference between friends and servants in John 15:15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]

A friend has a closer relationship than a servant, a priest or king, but a friend can be any of these as well. But there are limits in the relationship of a friend and access to the house. There are parts of a house that is for the family and for the family only. The good news is we are in the family of God.

 We will look at Family of God in the 4^th and final part of this series coming soon.

 ©COPYRIGHT 2012 RICHARD L SPANGLER

Please support this ministry, by purchasing my book,

“Adventures in the Spirit A Series of Prophetic Visions"  

From Amazon.com

Who Are You Part 2

In Part 1, we discussed being the servant and the attitude of a servant that keeps us from becoming who we truly are in Christ. The key to remember is that God’s grace still keeps us and God sees us as we ready are, no matter how we think and see ourselves. Abram saw himself as a servant, God called him a friend.

  This part of the teaching we shall look at ourselves as kings and priests. The scriptures for this are:

1 Peter 2:9-10 (AMP) 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…

    Exodus 19:5-8 (AMP) ⁵Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine.⁶And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation [consecrated, set apart to the worship of God]…

  These two scriptures, among many, make reference to being kings and priests. This goes back to the very beginning when God told Adam; he had dominion over all the earth. This is kingship.

A king has authority and power to establish laws and to enforce those laws. Adam only had one greater authority above him and that was God, The King of Kings.

   The kings of Israel were supposed to represent the King of Kings, the Lord God to his people. They were to be examples the goodness, the mercy, and protection of God for his people. The king was also to lead the people to God. The king was to seek the counsel of God on how to lead the people. Sadly nearly every king of Israel failed in these responsibilities.

    The priests were not only to make sacrifices to God and worship Him; they were to teach the people about God. They were to teach people that, their sin kept them from God but that God had made a way through the atonement sacrifices for their sins they could have a relationship with God. The priests were also to teach all the people of the earth God’s message of love and mercy through the atonement. God never intended that Israel were the only ones to have a relationship with Him.

  Priests and kings have a relationship with God. They are invited to do more than just make petitions in the Throne of God. They are invited into the banquet hall; share the table of God’s blessings, to eat and drink with Him. They can hear God plans and discuss those plans and with God’s help implement those plans. They are also given their own authority and power under the King of Kings to do the work they have been assigned. 

  We believers in Christ Jesus are the kings and priest of God today. We have been given authority, Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-18 and the power came in Acts 2:1-4.

  As great as all this is we, as with the servant, are more than a king or a priest. In fact, we are much more as we will see in Part 3.

©COPYRIGHT 2012 RICHARD SPANGLER

Please support this ministry, by purchasing my book,

“Adventures in the Spirit A Series of Prophetic Visions"  

From Amazon.com

WHO ARE YOU? Part 1

(This is older teaching republished at this time. It is as important today as then. I pray this 4 Part Series Blesses You)
 
  The question, “Who are you?” plagues many a person, including many Christian. Who you are is at the very core of your existence. Most people go through life thinking what they do is who they are. They themselves as a mailman, doctor, mother, father, minister and the list goes on. Those who think of themselves as only what they do have a crisis every time what they do changes. The man or women who spend a lifetime building their career and identity is wrapped up in that career have a major problem when they have to retire or are no longer have that career path available to them. So where do we go to find out who we are? Where do we go to “find ourselves”?

  The best place to find out who we are is God and the Bible. Who does God said you are? Let’s look and find out.

The first thing we see is the servant according to Webster’s is one that serves others <a public servant>; especially: one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer. Abram uses the first reference of the servant in his relationship to God. This now Abram saw himself in relationship to God. In Genesis 18:3 (AMP) And said, My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant, I beg of you.

   A servant is one who goes and does what the master tells him to do. A servant does things whether they want to or not. They do what they are told. Their relationship with the master is to do or be punished. There may develop a love for their master (if he is a good person), but the relationship is overshadowed by having to please the master or be punished. If the servant wants something from the master, he must beg for it and may have to extras for the master, who may or may not grant their request.

This is true of many Christians, we see ourselves only as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. We go and do as the Holy Spirit tells us. Many believers never get beyond the servant level of relationship with God. We limit ourselves to the servant, as did Abram. We try to please God into granting us His blessings. The servant attitude prevails I have to pray more, fast more, read more, memorize more and do more to get God’s favor so He will bless us with finances, health, healing, deliverance and anything else we might ask.

   This leads us down the road of legalism, of having to do to get. Unfortunately, this attitude and relationship with God have been taught, by many church leaders as “The Relationship with God” and in order to serve God, we must serve them without question, as a good servant.
 
  I am not saying that a servant of the Lord does not love God because he or she does. But, the mentality of the servant position colors everything about our relationship with God. Notice that I said, “Servant position” for it is not who we are in Christ. It is what we do out of our love for God. God stated later in Genesis 18 that He saw Abram as more than a servant, and He sees us as much more than a servant, but more about that later.

                          ©COPYRIGHT 2012 RICHARD SPANGLER

Please support this ministry, by purchasing my book,

“Adventures in the Spirit A Series of Prophetic Visions”

From Amazon.com.

Third Level Blessing Revisited

By Richard L. Spangler
At the urging of the Holy Spirit, I am reposting this article. This teaching connects to the recent Open Hands Article. As you pray this prayer, pray for the double blessing for everyone you are praying over. I hope this Blesses You.

 While attending a Ministering Spiritual Gifts Conference I heard a teaching by

Apostle John Burkholder of Buffalo, NY. Apostle Burkholder taught on Luke 6:38,
“Give and it will be given to you a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it
will be measured to you.”

             He stated, that he prays this over his offerings regularly. One day as he was praying  this verse, God spoke to him that he was praying it wrong. Apostle John
asked how that he was praying it wrong. The Lord stated it was not enough to pray
for his offering to blessed, but he needed to pray for those who the Lord spoke to:
 to give to him to be blessed, so that they could give.

Then the Lord took it to another level, not only was to pray for blessings for those who were to give to him but also pray for those who were to bless the givers so that they could bless the givers. This is a third level blessing.

This takes blessing others to a whole different level; it takes it beyond simple
addition into a multiplication of blessings. God is a God of multiplication. We see at
creation in Genesis how God commanded everything living thing to be fruitful and
multiply (not add).

 This is true in blessings as well as praying for others to be blessed. If we pray in the
matter stated above, our blessings will be multiplied as well.  So as you give your
tithes and offerings, pray for those who are to give to you, to be blessed, and also for
hose who are to bless them to receive a blessing.

Here is a personal example. I prayed over my offering that afternoon and on Sunday
at church. Now my wife has had some physical issues that prevented her from
working for more than two years. (God has been faithful in His provision for us).
  We and her doctors agreed that she should apply for disability. So, she set down and
filled out all the paperwork and submitted it. Her claim was promptly rejected. She
appealed. We were to go to an appeals hearing on the next Tuesday. I was told that I
could say nothing during the hearing, so I just sat there and prayed quietly in the
Spirit. The judge stated that it appeared my wife qualified and that we would be
notified in 7 to 10 days of his decision. We were excited and praised God. It gets
better, our attorney called on Friday, stating that the judge’s decision had already
been given and he ruled in our favor! She stated it would at least two months before
we received any back payments (two years’ worth) and then monthly checks. We
again rejoiced. Then on the following Tuesday, the lawyer called, stating she did not
understand it but the checked was already processed and mailed. We were stunned. On Friday we received a check for two years’ worth of back payments. Praise the
Lord.  We tithed on what we received and I again prayed over it and now waiting to
see what God does now.

            Again I want to encourage you, when you give your tithes and offerings praying for God’s blessing. Then go beyond that praying for others to be blessed so they can bless you. Finally, take it to the third level of blessing, praying for those to be blessed that are to bless those who are to bless you. Then, watch and see what God will do.

©COPYRIGHT 2012 RICHARD SPANGLER

Adventures in the Spirit A Series of Prophetic Visions

An Army of Angels

Vision of an Army of Angels

By Richard L. Spangler

On June 25, 2015, I was caught up in a vision. I was standing in a great plain in heaven. This plain seem to stretch for hundreds maybe even thousands of miles in every direction. What was unusual is the fact that it was empty say unusual because in heaven nothing is empty every space has purpose. Prayed and asked the Lord what the meaning of this empty plane is, immediately my eyes were open and I saw him standing before me a great army of angels. There were perhaps millions of them standing in rank-and-file. There were archangels there were all different types of warrior angels, the smallest of which were at least 12 foot tall extremely muscular wearing armor flaming swords at their side ready to do battle with they did not move. I then asked to myself why are they not moving? I heard the voice of the Lord saying to me this army has been hidden until this time and is revealed now for this time. They are not moving because I have not arisen to war says the Lord I am and God of War and I will arise with my armies. But my Warrior Bride has not asked me to arise and to fight for her and she has not asked me for this army of angels to come and do battle. Then suddenly around the plain there appeared a host of people they were all praying but they were not praying for the Army to be released they were praying for the church (the Warrior Bride) on earth to ask the father the Lord God to release the Army and to arise and to fight with them and for them. Then, hundreds of those praying stopped and looked at me and asked me why the church is not asking for God to arise and for the release this angelic army. They continue to ask me over and over, I was dumbfounded and had no answer. Suddenly Jesus appeared at my side and he answered those who questioned me. Jesus said, "the reason the church does not pray and ask for the release is there are many who are disheartened and there are many more who do not realize who they are in me." Then Jesus looked at me and said, "You go and teach them who they are, and the power and authority they have in me. I will heal the disheartened so they can be taught who they are. The time is short, and the battle is now, remember you do not battle against flesh and blood but against evil and wickedness in high places. You must move in me to bring down the evil that has taken control of your nation and its government. Now is the time to call out for me to honor the covenants that have been made by your forefathers. Now is the time, for the church, my warrior bride to arise and take her place as my Regent on the earth. To bring forth a great move of the Holy Spirit that billions will come to know me and the course of nations shall be changed. Now is the time, for my church to arise and to roar with the power and authority of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to stand and to fearlessly proclaim what is right and to go forward doing signs wonders and miracles that have given you to do. Go forth and take back what Satan has stolen from you and from mankind through his deceptions. You can do this I am with you and I have all authority in heaven and earth and when I move nothing can stand against me. This army of angels awaits my command to move with you and with Me.” says the Lord. “Shake yourselves, stir yourselves up from your sleep, put on your armor go forth and make war against the principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. Call on me, I will go with you and I will release this army of angels to fight alongside you." With this I heard a tremendous roar from the army of angels, it was a deafening war cry and I looked towards them and all them all with flaming swords raised to towards the Throne of Heaven, they were ready for war. I as I have prayed over this vision, a number of things have come to mind. We will look at those Holy Spirit inspired thoughts in the coming weeks. We look at the disheartened as well as teach on who we are in Christ (this is an ongoing revelation, as are all things in God). For those who have some understanding of you are and your authority, begin now to ask God to arise to war and to release this angel army. Also, under the leading of the Holy Spirit come out of your homes, and your churches. Come out of the closet (everyone else has) tell people about the love of God for them, tell them about His righteousness and with the Holy Spirit, do signs, wonders and miracles This will change your street, your community, your city, your state, our country and the world. This will bring about the Day of Saints and the 3nd Great Awakening. The army of angels is waiting but more importantly God is waiting on you.

  ©COPYRIGHT 2015 RICHARD L SPANGLER

 

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2015: a Year of Blessings And Focus

By Richard L. Spangler

 

  The Lord is saying this a year of Blessings and a year of moving forward in Him. So set your focus on what is ahead. Do not look back to what was, good or bad. But look forward to what is coming. Set your focus to look ahead.

 

  The one who is running a race, focused on what is ahead. Focusing on what is behind (what was) will cause you to slow down and even stumble and fall. Looking back will cause you to miss some of the blessings I have for you.

 

  Do not get distracted. Be as a lion that does not get distracted by those things going on around him. The lion stays focused on his prey until he captures it. Then it is his. Do likewise, keep focused on what I have called you do this year and you will capture the blessings that I have you.

 

  Keep your focus on your relationship with me says the Father. Move closer to me and I will move closer to you. I want you to know me better this year. Walk by my side, listen to my voice. Speak what I tell you speak. See what I am doing, move with me, and do what I do.

 

 There will be great blessings in this year, if you set your focus me. The choice is yours, focus on what is behind or focus on me and what is ahead and be blessed. 

 

©COPYRIGHT 2015 RICHARD SPANGLER

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Be Like Jonah

By Richard L Spangler

 We all know the story of Jonah, the prophet who tried to run from giving God’s message to Nineveh. But, there is much more to his story and that is why I titled this article “Be Like Jonah.”

   Never-the-less In Jonah chapter 3, he heads to Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. A city 60 miles wide and a population of 120,000. The Leadership of Nineveh was brutal to their enemies and their own people. The leaders of Nineveh would use terror and brutality in order to maintain control over the empire. Their methods included, mass beheadings and making pyramids out of the heads, impaling people on stakes (an early form of crucifixion) and nailing bodies to the walls of the various cities in empire. The Assyrians did not worship God Jehovah. Jonah knew all of this, No wonder he didn’t want to go there.

   Jonah was walking into a very politically incorrect situation and one that could cost him his life. In Jonah 3:4 He enters the city and declares the Word of the Lord of its impending destruction. A wonderful thing happens, the people of Nineveh believed God. The people proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth. After that the King heard of the move of God in the city and he joined in proclaiming a fast for man and beast. Then the king led everyone from their evil ways and the violence they had done. The people and the king repented. When God saw their works and their repentance and He decided not to destroy them.

   We should be like Jonah, he preached God’s message in a politically incorrect situation. Political correctness says for the church, and individual believer to keep quiet and don’t speak out. If we speak God’s Word we can be branded uneducated, backwards and politically incorrect. But if we, like Jonah, speak the Word that God in power and authority, telling them message of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, to the people around us we too can have the same results. We can change our neighborhoods, our cities, our states and our nation.

   We do not need to look to the political leadership of our nation for change. The leaders of Nineveh did not change until they saw the people change. The same is true of our leaders, they will not change unless we lead the people to change.

   It is up to us to take the message of God’s love to the streets of our cities like Jonah did and expect greater results. The reason I say greater is that we have the Holy Spirit. We have the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The combining of the Fruits and the Gifts of the Spirit creates a far greater anointing than any Old Testament prophet ever had, so we can expect greater results.  

We are God’s messengers to this nation and to the world. It’s time to put action to our prayers for our nation. Do not be afraid of those who call you names and say you are politically incorrect, stand your ground and speak the Word of God, demonstrate His love and power and expect change.  

 ©COPYRIGHT 2014 RICHARD L. SPANGLER