What is meant by the term, "The New Age Movement?"

A PRAYER THAT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE FOREVER!

Allow me to share with you some very important, final instructions. In the previous pages of this book, you have been exposed to the words of Jesus - the One who is also titled the "Word made flesh." (John 1:14) Because his words are the absolute standard of truth, all that is labeled truth must be in absolute agreement with his words. I pray you will make the choice to embrace these 'heaven-sent’ insights. But again, it may seem difficult or nearly impossible to whole-heartedly accept these concepts, until you have a personal experience with the Author of Truth himself.

The respected Christian theologian, Augustine, once commented:

“In every heart there is a God-shaped vacuum, and until that vacuum is filled with God, every other part remains empty.”

This 'emptiness of heart' is man’s basic problem-and it cannot be remedied even by studying every book on religion available in this world (including this one). As William Cowper pointed out:

“God never meant that man should scale the heavens by strides of human wisdom.” (The Task, Bk. III.1.221)

We need more than what the human intellect can provide, even at its zenith of expression. We need more than just an 'explanation,' no matter how sound or how logical it may be. What we need is an invigorating, spiritual experience, a revelation to the heart. As the Catholic monk, Thomas Merton, emphasized:

“What matters is being spontaneously open to the reality of God.”

I urge you to do this very thing, to be "spontaneously open," praying the following prayer as it is worded. I also encourage you to be creative, expressing yourself in a very personal way to God. The following is not a mantra-like, mechanical formula; it is a suggested approach. The most important thing is to pray from the heart and continue praying until you feel the assurance that God has heard you and responded. You can use these words, or similar statements using your own words, that express the concept of biblical salvation correctly.

The posture of the body is not important. You can be standing, kneeling or prostrate before God. You can be walking briskly or sitting quietly. Your location is not that important either. You can be in a church, in your home or in a flower garden. What is important is that you come to God with sincere love, deep humility and strong faith-and that you spend quality time seeking God without any distractions.

Sometimes there is a very joyous spiritual sensation that accompanies the experience of salvation. Sometimes there is no actual supernatural 'feeling' associated with the praying of this prayer and submission to Jesus’ Lordship. The Bible explains we are saved through faith (Ephesians2:8); so the significant thing is to believe, whether you feel an inward sensation or not. (These divine 'witnesses' to the soul may come later on.)The main issue is that all who approach Jesus for salvation must do so trusting in the promises contained in his Word. One reassuring pledge he gave is this:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

Notice, Jesus did not say with uncertainty, "I could" or "I might"; he declared emphatically, "I will give you rest!" So by faith, come to him now with a request and a confession similar to the following:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I ask you to manifest yourself to me. Please reveal your salvation. I believe you died on the cross for the sins of the human race and I believe you arose from the dead. I ask you to come and live in my heart and wash away all my sin by the blood that you shed.

Thank you for saving my soul and granting me eternal life. Be Lord of my life and Lord of my future. I believe with my heart and I confess with my lips that you are the way to salvation and I accept you by faith as my source of hope, joy and fulfillment.

Fill my heart with your love, your peace and your truth. Fill me with the gift of the Holy Spirit. And by the help of your grace, I will serve you the rest of my days. Amen.”

Now the promise belongs to you that Jesus spoke while he was on the earth:

“I am the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Now that you have received him-follow him. If you do, you will never walk in darkness again. You will have the “Light of life.”

A FINAL COMMITMENT

Ralph Waldo Emerson once commented:

“I hate the giving of the hand unless the whole man accompanies it.”

By receiving and reading this book, you have, in essence, reached out to receive my extended hand. Please be assured that "the whole man accompanies it." I am committed to help, in any way possible, those who need assistance in their search for "True Light." Please do not hesitate to communicate with me if you feel the need to do so. Surely it was by God’s design that led you to this website.

NOTES

1 Paramahansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi (Los Angeles, California: Self-Realization Fellowship, 1998) p. 558.

2 Kenneth L. Woodard, "The Other Jesus,” Newsweek Magazine (March 27, 2000) p. 60.

3 "Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand," Miriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of World Religions (Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1999) p. 366.

4 Robert E Hume, The World’s Living Religions (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, rev. ed., 1959) pp. 273-274,The basic information for this list of statements was drawn from this source, though transferred in slightly different wording.

5 Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays: “Prudence” (First Series, 1841).

6 "Pragmatism: III History," Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99.

7 Geoffrey Parrinder, Avatar and Incarnation, The Divine in Human Form in the World’s Religions (Oxford, England: Oneworld Publications, 1970) pp. 124-125 (Also refer to K.S. Jurty, Revelation and Reason in Advaita Vedanta, p. 219, 2 Gita 10, 13-14.) Bracketed words by author.

8 Rabi R. Maharaj, The Death of a Guru (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1977) p. 207, in the Glossary under "Vedanta".

9 A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, The Journey of Self-Discovery (Botany, Australia: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1997) p. 49.

10 Ibid., Note: "Krsna" is Swami Prabhupada’s preferred spelling of "Krishna".

11 Yogi, Maharishi Mahesh. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, A New Translation and Commentary Chapters 1-6 (London: Arkana, Penguin Books, 1990) back cover.

12 A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, The Science of Self Realization (Los Angeles, California: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1998) p. 181.

13 His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, The Good Heart: A Buddhist Perspective on the Teachings of Jesus (Boston: Wisdom, 1996) pp. 81-82.

In Search of the True Light

In Search of the True Light is a very unique and inspiring book accomplishes three main things — it chronicles Mike Shreve's spiritual journey, it provides an in-depth study of over 20 religions of the world, and it points unmistakably to the "True Light." Click here for more information about In Search of the True Light

By mail: Write to The True Light Project, P.O. Box 4260, Cleveland, TN 37320

By phone: Call 423-478-2843. 

By fax: Fax [phone].

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me.

Please contact us at http://www.thetruelight.net/contactus.html.

You can read the story of my conversion to Christianity My Personal Story by clicking here:

http://www.thetruelight.net/personalstories/shreve.htm.

http://www.thetruelight.net/myspiritualjourney.htm.

If you are willing to perform a "spiritual experiment" of this nature, please do the following three things:

First, read my personal story.

Then approach the Lord Jesus Christ with a simple prayer similar to the following. He has promised to manifest Himself to those who call upon His Name.

"Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Wash me in Your blood. Forgive me of my sins. Give me eternal life. Fill me with Your presence and Your love and let me be “born again.” I acknowledge that You died for the sins of the world and that You arose from the dead. I accept You now as Lord of my life.”

Finally, contact me and let me know of your decision to follow the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He loves you and so do I. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mike Shreve [e-mail].
JULY 2011