Spirituality

0:00March 26th, spirituality. Eastern religion has gained a firm footing in America and even within many Christian circles. Yoga, chakras, astrology, energies, and karma, just a few of the terms we easily throw around today that have come out of this belief system. And it has such an appealing flavor. After all, the idea of pursuing self-fulfillment couldn't be wrong, could it? And compared to a traditional presentation of the gospel, Eastern religion may seem more positive and open-minded. Even though it lacks the whole idea of a judgmental God, sin, and the need for a Savior, the palatable doctrine tugs at us. Well, today, we'll hear from a woman who lived her life steeped in Eastern religion. She's here to share with us her true story. On this unshackled, daily devotional. I'm Marsha Montenegro. As a professional

1:03astrologer, I didn't many charts telling people what to expect in the future. Now I want to tell you how you can know your future. In college, I rejected Christianity for Eastern religion, always hoping the next insight would fill the emptiness inside. After graduation, I married, delving ever deeper into the occult. We divorced after five years. I met my second husband while studying astrology. Our son was born, like me, on Halloween. I became very successful at doing charts, writing for publication and giving seminars. I was very good at telling the future. Yet I didn't see the death of my second marriage coming. I took a job where strangely, I began to have the desire to go to church. I didn't know that a friend of mine at work was praying for me. Finally, in the summer of 1990, I went to a large church in town. As a cross was carried past me to the altar, I began weeping. The more I read the Bible, the more alien astrology became. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man come with unto the Father but by me. I asked God to

2:09forgive my rebellion, and I threw away everything new age. Jesus is more than an enlightened master. He is Lord. Revelation chapter 15 verse 4 says, Who shall not fear the O Lord and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy. For all nation shall come and worship before thee. For thy judgments are made manifest. Friend, maybe you've connected with Eastern religion through a more subtle avenue than what Marsha experienced. But as she came to realize, Eastern religion at its root detracts from Jesus as the worthy one. The Bible unflinchingly teaches that mankind is sinful and in desperate need of saving. And Jesus has accomplished what we could not. He even promises to make us more holy in his holy likeness as we follow him.

3:11So according to the Bible, the narrative of our existence is not about us. It belongs to the one who is infinitely greater, and our purpose in life is more profound than even self-fulfillment. It is complete fulfillment through Christ, where you receive this truth today. Unshackled daily devotionals are built on true life accounts, and help us ponder the application of scripture to our lives. Each devotional tells a dramatic testimony of transformation of a real person, while addressing a relatable issue of the human condition. Listen to a new devotional every day, and don't forget to tell your friends about unshackled, daily devotionals.