I wanted to add some additional information to last week's posted video of Greg Laurie talking about "The Bible Predicts the Future."

Here is some video by my favorite Bible teacher, Chuck Missler of Koinonia House. Part three expounds on the video last week by Greg Laurie.

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

Would love to get your thoughts on these, especially if you do not yet know Jesus.

May He Increase!

A short, but powerful message from Paul Washer.

This presents, in video form, some of the things we talked about in the last post.

I have to say that I see myself in a lot of things he said.

What do you think?

May He Increase!

Continuing the recent theme of prophecy here at May He Increase, we bring you a great video of Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship.

May He Increase!

HT: Evangelical Lutheran Synod

The Bible makes many points crystal-clear. Two of them I'd like to address are in Acts 4.

Who is the Chief Corner Stone?

Peter was on trial after having been arrested for "teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (Acts 4:2). The chief priests asked him: "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" Peter boldly answered them.

"Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene." --Acts 4:10.

Peter first tells them that it was only in the name of Jesus Christ. There is power in the name of Jesus, this is why it should not be used without reverence.

He continues:

"He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone." --Acts 4:11.

Jesus is the chief corner stone. No where will you find Peter ever saying that he is the chief corner stone. No where will you even find Peter saying that he himself is the rock that Jesus intended to build His church upon. The rock that Jesus built His church on is Himself and no one else.

Who or what is the way to salvation?

"And there is no salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." --Acts 4:12.

Peter is perfectly clear on this answer: there is only one way to get to heaven and that's by Jesus. Don't believe the lie of the devil, that there are many paths to God.

There are loud voices in our day today that will also teach you that Jesus is too narrow. Probably one of the biggest media personalities has done just this! Look at what Oprah Winfrey has to say:

Friend, Jesus is the only way to the Father who is in heaven.

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." --John 14:6.

Jesus did not say that He was "a way." He said He was the way!

But this is not just a New Testament teaching. God the Father said the same thing through Isaiah:

You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and there is no savior besides Me. It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, and there was no strange god among you; so you are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "And I am God. Even from eternity I am He, and there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?" --Isaiah 43:10-13. (Emphasis mine.)

Dear reader: if you have been caught up in the "many paths to God" blasphemy, call upon the name of Jesus and repent! There is no sin too great for Him. He has already paid the price on your behalf before His Father.

May He Increase!

As I write this, I'm amazed at just how much is going on in our world.

• North Korea is threatening to rain down a nuclear "fire shower" on the United States.
• Iran is under such turmoil and it's president is telling us not to interfere with them.
• In less than 24 hours, two famous celebrities have passed away: Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

In this midst of all this is a story that doesn't appear to be getting headline news. Today, Friday, June 26, the Patriarch of the Ethiopia Orthodox Church is going to reveal the Ark of the Covenant!

It's curious to me that the western media hasn't picked up on this story (as of late Thursday, June 25). The news is mostly out of Italian media. If you've been following the blog recently, you will recall the series on the ark and the mercy seat and the connection to Ethiopia.

As I have many times, I cannot stress to you, reader, that you must be in relationship with Jesus, the Meshiach Nagid, our Messiah and coming King. No matter what is going on in our world, one thing is for certain, the Bible is the Word of God and the Bible says what it means, and it means what it says. It says that Israel will become a nation (it did in 1948). It says that Jesus will return (we are eagerly--if you are a Christian--seeking Him). It says that a third Temple will be built in Israel (plans are under way, preparation for new priests and utensils are all being done now).

The time is now! You are not promised tomorrow. You aren't promised 30 seconds from now. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!

May He Increase!

UPDATE 6/26 @ 2:00 PM PDT: Apparently the Patriarch backed off from his intention to display the ark. That's okay. Quite frankly, if the ark's and mercy seat's destiny is determined upon Jesus' Second Coming, then we need to wait a little longer ... who knows how much longer? But based on what is happening all around us, it won't be for much longer!

One of the few sections I still like to read from the Los Angeles Times is the Parade Magazine. I like the Q&A section in the front and I always enjoy Marilyn Vos Savant's section.

This past Sunday featured Shia LaBeouf on the cover. I like the guy especially the recent movies he's done like Holes and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I can't wait to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen when it comes out later this month.

But this interview caused me to feel a great sense of pity for Shia. Among some of the troubling highlights were:

"Sometimes I feel I’m living a meaningless life,” Shia LaBeouf says, “and I get frightened.”

“Why did the love of my life and I break up?” he asks, puzzled. “Man, I have no idea. What was that all about? I have no answers to anything. None. Why am I an alcoholic? I haven’t a damn clue! What is life about? I don’t know.”

“What I do know is, I screw up, and I know that I’m working on myself to be a better person,” he says. “So I have no apologies. The best I can do is learn from my mistakes and move forward. And that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Pretty bleak. The average fan probably had no idea. But then he said something rather provocative and honest, but probably doesn't realize it:

“I don’t handle fame well,” LaBeouf says. “Most actors on most days don’t think they’re worthy. I have no idea where this insecurity comes from, but it’s a God-sized hole. If I knew, I’d fill it, and I’d be on my way.” (Emphasis mine.)

What Shia touched on is the hole every human being has. It's there by God's design and only God can fill it.

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. --Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Shia, what is life about? It's about Jesus.

And He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. --Colossians 1:15-17.

Shia should be encouraged that he is seeing the futility of this earthly life and monetary riches. It's my prayer that Shia somehow finds this post or is lead to someone who can share the truth with him. He doesn't need to live a meaningless life any longer! No one does. You simply need to give your life to the One who Created it! I'll be praying for you, Shia!

May He Increase!

By now you've certainly have heard about Laura Ling and Euna Lee's sentencing in North Korea to 12 years in a forced labor camp.

These women are being given this harsh sentence for simply crossing the border into North Korea from South Korea. As I understand it, they may not have even been aware that they did. In any event, they aren't terrorists and they weren't out to spy on North Korea. This wasn't a military action, for crying out loud. I simply cannot fathom the terror they both must be experiencing right now. My heart goes out to their families. This whole situation is horrible.

In any event, we need to keep these women in prayer!

UPDATE 08/04: Former President Clinton today met with the president of North Korea who finally pardoned Ling and Lee.

My wife was in a lot of pain Thursday--the day I usually compose this post--so my link love list is a little shorter than I would like.

I would covet your prayers for my wife who has been suffering through occasional abdominal pain. Unfortunately, she's not covered by my health insurance so we are completely reliant on God--as we should be anyway--for her daily health. Thursday was a bad day for her and I'm concerned. As of Thursday evening she is feeling better and tomorrow, God-willing, she'll be back to normal.

1. A topic that I've wrestled with over the years has to do with people we are close to who die and we aren't sure we will see them again. Will Hapeman recently wrote about this with regard to his father.
2. A co-worker of mine recently told me about this company, TOMS Shoes, that was started by Blake Mycoskie. This is the kind of story that needs more publicity.
3. I loved John Piper's post on What he means by preaching. This is what I'm striving for here at May He Increase. It is my hope that I'm doing this.
4. You've probably heard about the end of the world in December 2012. I enjoyed reading Dan Edelen's award for those who are buying into it.
5. iMonk's son recently got married. He wrote a beautiful post on marriage proverbs to share with him.
6. Here is a great list of Ten Questions to Always Ask While Reading the Bible.
7. My brother, Jerald, has a terrific post expounding on Luke 6. You are entering" the classroom."
8. Was Time Created? One of my favorite Bible teachers holds to the belief that time is a physical property. I suppose that means that the answer is "yes." I would love to get thoughts on this post! (HT: Caffeinated Thoughts)

May He Increase!

Danny Gans may not be a household name outside of Las Vegas, but he should have been.

He was a husband, father, and an incredible performer. I never had the opportunity to see him live, but I have seen him on TV and promo spots. He was incredible.

Danny was called home to heaven early this morning. He leaves behind his wife and children. Praise God that Danny was a born-again Christian. It should help his family and the rest of us who are in schock over his death that we will see him again in our Father's kingdom!

No one is promised tomorrow!

May He Increase!

UPDATE 06/17/2009: Welcome from the web! I'm honored to be getting the word out about Greg Laurie's Thursday Night Service in the OC. Please feel free to browse May He Increase for other resources on the Bible and Christian living. May God bless you!

My family has always been fond of Greg Laurie and his ministry.

Greg has returned to Orange County with a new Thursday night service that just started last week. Below is the video promo.

Untitled from Harvest Online on Vimeo.

May He Increase!