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RickyZ

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About RickyZ

  • Birthday 06/14/1957

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    SoCal and SW Minnesota

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  1. Truth is only available to those who are willing to question what they think they know. You challenge us to question what we think we know. Good enough. But, and forgive me if I'm wrong, it doesn't sound like you are doing the very thing you invite us to do. The fact is, that while God is not the author of confusion, satan is and he has managed to sew enough doubt and confusion among believers to make it uncertain for all of us. And you didn't offer another alternative for consideration, that is that the events of Revelation occurred in 70 ad and there is no future rapture. Personally, I think that as God's eternal word, prophecy reverberates thru time and has multiple fulfillments. For example, God offered the Messiah to the Jews. They rejected Him, and in return they saw tribulation in the events of 70 ad. Then God offered the Christ to the world. The world is now rejecting Him, and will see tribulation in the near future. Will we see that coming tribulation? I'm a pre wrath guy, believing that we will see judgment in the seals and trumpets, but not the wrath that pours out of the bowls. The biggest danger I see is people believing in pre-trib, if they are wrong, will fall away because they are not prepared for what follows. I think the best bet is pray for pre, but prepare for post.
  2. Even tho a coin will rarely land on it's edge, that's usually where the truth is. That's the problem with so many these days, we have become so polarized that few even recognize middle ground, much less embrace it. I find that more often than not, people are more interested in defending their assumptions than seeking the truth. I think the list of response icons needs other options ... like the coin on it's edge. And the facepalm .
  3. While I believe all the gifts are still in operation, it is churches like the modern pentecostal/charismatic movement that prompted Paul to write 1 Cor 14. Paul believed that time and place are very important considerations, and that while he wished we all would speak in tongues, he'd rather we not do it than do it wrong.
  4. There are some who feel that tongues are exclusively the prophetic utterances that were presented in Acts 2, and in doing so they deny 'prayer language' tongues. To help show that Paul preached and differentiated the two as separate things, here is 1 Corinthians 14 presented to show the differential presentation between prophecy and 'prayer language'. Prophecy is presented in red Prayer language is presented in blue 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by theSpirit. 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, butI will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” 26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If thereis no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. 29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if arevelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. 39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. *
  5. Job 31:24-28 If I have put my confidence in gold, And called fine gold my trust, If I have gloated because my wealth was great, And because my hand had secured so much; If I have looked at the sun when it shone or the moon going in splendor, And my heart became secretly enticed, And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above. Psalm 52:6-7 The righteous will see and fear, And will laugh at him, saying, "Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, But trusted in the abundance of his riches And was strong in his evil desire." Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. Jeremiah 49:4 How boastful you are about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, O backsliding daughter who trusts in her treasures, saying, 'Who will come against me?' Ezekiel 28:5 By your great wisdom, by your trade You have increased your riches And your heart is lifted up because of your riches Psalm 62:10 Do not trust in oppression and do not vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. Proverbs 18:23 The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly. Proverbs 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. Job 20:17-20 He does not look at the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and curds. He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow it; As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy them. For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; He has seized a house which he has not built. Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires. Proverbs 15:6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked. Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God. Deuteronomy 32:15 Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, they became heavy and sleek. They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior. Nehemiah 9:25-26 They captured fortified cities and a fertile land They took possession of houses full of every good thing, Hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, Fruit trees in abundance So they ate, were filled and grew fat, And reveled in Your great goodness. "But they became disobedient and rebelled against You, And cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets who had admonished them So that they might return to You, And they committed great blasphemies. Hosea 13:6 As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, And being satisfied, their heart became proud; Therefore they forgot Me. Proverbs 23:4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. Haggai 1:3-5 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! Leviticus 19:13 You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning. Deuteronomy 24:12-15 If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge. When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God. You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or one of your aliens who is in your land in your towns. Proverbs 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Isaiah 1:23 Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow's plea come before them. Jeremiah 22:13 Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness And his upper rooms without justice, Who uses his neighbor's services without pay And does not give him his wages, Micah 6:12 For the rich men of the city are full of violence, Her residents speak lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. Malachi 3:5 Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me," says the LORD of hosts. Job 31:24, 25, 28 If I have put my confidence in gold, And called fine gold my trust, If I have gloated because my wealth was great, And because my hand had secured so much; ... That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above. Psalm 52:7 Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, But trusted in the abundance of his riches And was strong in his evil desire." Proverbs 18:11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination. * Matthew 4:9-10 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only’”. Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Matthew 19:21-22Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. Mark 4:19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 10:21-22 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. Luke 6:20 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. Luke 8:14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Luke 12:13-21 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth Luke 16:19-21 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores … 25 But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony Luke 18:22-23 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 1 Timothy 3:3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 1 Timothy 6:8-9 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. James 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? James 5:1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
  6. Contrary to popular belief, there are other candidates who are neither republican or democrat. Not voting for a republican or democrat does not in any way imply not voting at all. Oh sure some feel doing so is a wasted vote. To me, the wasted vote is one cast for more of the same stuff we've already decided we need a change from.
  7. God gave us ganja. So I guess it's ok to use that as well?
  8. We are not worse off because of Trump. But we're no better either. We're still on the same road we've been dragged down for the last several decades. Politicians tell us lies, we buy in, then find out we were lied to. Perfect example is trumps promise that 'on day 1 we'd get healthcare that's cheaper and covers everyone'. Yet to this day they still don't have a plan for that. The plan they offered was NOTHING like the plan they promised and threatened to do just the opposite of what they promised. Trump offered to drain the swamp. But then he filled it with the worst alligators possible. He promised tax reform that would, like healthcare, benefit everyone. Yet all he has offered so far is a plan that benefits the rich. Keep in mind we'd be no better off under Hillary. She sold us on different lies, but they're lies none the less. Congress had a 6 % approval rating before the election - yet most of them were re-elected. The problem isn't really with the politicians, it with the people who keep buying into their lies. Has trump done some good things? Sure, everyone gets lucky every now and then. But overall, we're still on the same road that we've been on for decades. And it's not a road we really want to go down.
  9. See, the thing is, you assume I'm a liberal. That is a big problem these days, people defending assumptions rather than looking for truth. The truth is, both the right and the left have been lying to us and leading us down the path of destruction for decades. Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil. I haven't voted for a republican OR democrat since Ross Perot made his run. Face it people. voting for more of the same is only going to get you more of the same! I can understand the appeal of Trump, he offered change to people who are so desperate for change they'll even take a change for the worse. But it's still lies. Don't buy into the lies of either side. Like 99% of everything else, the truth is to be found in the middle. Of which Trump and Clinton were definitely not!
  10. We reap what we sow. We have been sowing the seeds of the Trumps of the world, chasing after the riches of the world with no thought to the consequences for others. Trumpsters love coal and oil and take money for it, knowing they're immune to it's hurricanes and floods and fires. But they're not immune to one Fire, one that consumes more than a million Irmas can. They will find their humility, or have it forced upon them.
  11. My favorite Bible quote is, "ephphatha, that is, be opened!" (Mark 7:34)
  12. I like them. Mine is, "Truth is only available to those who are willing to question what they think they know"
  13. I too think people don't know what they believe, and that what they think they believe comes from soundbites and not truth. I believe what I believe based on personal experience. And that truth is only available to those who are willing to question what they believe.
  14. I accepted Christ at 5 years old. Spent my childhood bouncing in and out of various churches. I've had hot and cold cycles throughout my life. I've seen the power of God and have no doubts about them. Been graciously used to bring miracles to many people. Yet day after day after day I'm (my wife as well, we're a good match in this) left to wallow in the cesspool. Even tho I know God is real and true, when people say they don't see Him I totally understand. Frankly, thanks in part to the other website, I've never had more doubt in my faith than now. I know this world is under the control of powers and principalities that are opposed to Him. But whether I am currently close to Him or far, the result is always the same ... people get into transmission range and just go ape-bat insane. That's the only way I can describe it. Honestly, I just don't know where the energy to take the next breath comes from any more.
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