Stress Center Peer Support

I just finished (like literally, five minutes ago) reading a wonderful old piece on this, and then I saw your question. The essay was Henry Drummond's " <A HREF="http://henrydrummond.wwwhubs.com/greatest.htm" TARGET=_blank>The Greatest Thing in the World</A>," and it's probably the best explanation of what it means to live with Jesus by your side that I've seen. And, I'm a geek and read a lot of theology, so that's saying something.

The gist is that it's not about, in the end, what we believe or what we do, but how we love. We receive the love of God, and we share that love with others. I do personally think it's that simple, even though in practice it's really hard.

In really concrete terms, I think the way to live with Jesus by your side is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisoned. You do for the least of these--the poor and oppressed and forgotten. And I know I fail to do that all the time, but I also feel like it's what I am called to do.

Loriersea, that was the BEST BEST BEST reading EVER!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for submitting that!! Although I personally believe there is more to it than "feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and visiting the imprisoned", I believe that LOVE IS the greatest of them ALL!!! Thanks again!
God Bless you
Robin

Hello Doogiet!
Glad to see your post because I had the same thing happen to me.
To live with Jesus by your side means that everyday we look to Him for our guidance and strength just as if he was actually by our side. It also means that we have acknowledged Him as the Son of God, and that he made a giant sacrifice for us so that we would be washed Clean by His Blood that He shed on the cross.
The voices in your head are self-made. (they were in me).Our subconscious is a strong thing and it seems that it randomly puts things in our conscience and we think it is another voice and we simply do a lot of 'self-suggestion' thinking. These were not actual voices like a person would hear with the ear. Example, I would hear voices(thoughts) that said 'your not worth it' or 'your not as good as others, you have sinned'. I now know all this was self generated, after all, in an anxious mode our thoughts are irrational just as the program teaches. I now know the scriptures that prove that God is ok with me, so I am now good with knowing God is on my side.
If yu want to discuss this further, please leave me a Private Message because I rarely check back on what I have posted.
I Promise I will direct and to the point as much as I can be, and I hope I was with this post.

Take Care,
Rod

hey doog, my name is eva. and as we all have had this same question, i have too. my choice was to except Jesus as my savior,my choice was made a couple of different ways! first was if millions of christian are correct and Jesus does exsist then, i want to live with him, in the beautiful place he has created for me. and if also he does exsist and i chose not to believe then i would end up in hell, and i have to say that if anxeity is any clue of what it will be like in hell that is not a place i want to go. second knowing Jesus has been the best thing that has ever happen to me cuz im never alone, He is always there for me, and always there with me. ppl look at me sometimes like im crazy cuz will be just talking away and to most it looks like im talking to myself but its jesus im talking to, He brings me hope just think what life would be like with no hope.

the voices that u might here in ur head are not always the spirit he sent us to guide us, it can be and often is the devil. God did not create fear, that is of satan.

a man once told me if there is no God, than how so u know right from wrong. what makes it wrong to steel, or commit any kind of crime. the person we sin against is God, not other ppl.

my boss says he doesnt beleive in Christ either and one day we were talking and he started out a statement im a sinner, and i thought to myself if u dont believe in God what makes u a sinner.

well thats my thoughts and i choose to believe He is an awsome God, and maybe one day ul think so too, God bless u!!

hi doogiet,
check this out for my answer to this and other questions that have been raised in our discussions.
by the way, glad you've been doin' work in the workbook!
<A HREF="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/eve/forums? ... 7711029526" TARGET=_blank>"what i (MC) believe"</A>

All I can tell you is from my own personal experiences. It's learning to have a relationship with him. How? Prayer is a powerful thing!! I was in a cult religion that taught you that works was everything and never was taught that how to have a relationship with Christ. Helpful resource to me was <A HREF="http://www.JoyceMeyer.org" TARGET=_blank>www.JoyceMeyer.org</A> Joyce has a cd "Religion or Relationship with God" Not sure if that is the "exact" title but you could search for it on her website. Be patient with yourself, recognize that those negative thoughts are only from the enemy (satan the devil). Fight back with positive thoughts and pray. I cannot emphasize this enough to pray everytime you get a negative thought or having one of those days. When you pray everytime you have a situation you are "surrendering" it to HIM. Watch how powerful God is when you do this. Talk to him like you would a close friend. I have said things like this to him: "God I don't know how you are going to work this out but I'm tired and I can't do this on my own" The key is you have to do this everytime a situation comes. You can't pray/surrender about a situation once and come back to it 2 weeks later. Pray about it constantly. I've learned the hard way that I have to pray and surrender my battles to him every minute of the day. Then later when you see how God has moved you will gain confidence and strength. It's a still small voice that speaks to you. I can only speak of personal experience how prayer changed my life. God saved my life and ever since I've given mine. Hopefully I have helped in some way.

Well according to scriputre it says...He would never leave you nor forsake you and he would always send an angel to charge over you, and greater is he that is in you then he that is in this world........looks more like Jesus is living with you......when you accepted him in your life you also were given so many blessings. Now you just pray and ask him in prayer for guidance and direction......and if you get lost he'll lead you the right way. Its not complicated......its all love.

Blessings ALways

Amen to both of you!! sooo encouraging to know other believers are with me! some more verses to confess and pray:
Ps 16:5-11 ...I have set the Lord continually before me; b/c He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken!MY FLESH WILL ALSO DWELL SECURELY!
Ps 138:1-3...On the day I called, Thou didst answer me; Thoud didst make me bold with strength in my soul!! ( i learned in sunday school as a child that your soul consists of your mind/will/and emotions. and wow have these verses come alive to me like never before!
Ps 138:7-8...Thy right hand will save me; The lord will accomplish what concerns me!
John 10:26-30 (love this one regarding remembering who we are in Christ) My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me; and I give eternal life to them and they shall never perish. No ONE SHALL SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY HAND! MY FATHER, WHO HAS GIVEN THEM TO ME, IS GREATER THAN ALL, AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO SNATCH THEM OUT OF THE FATHER'S HAND!
Heb 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul!!!
2 chron 20:20 Trust in the Lord your God and you will be established.
1 peter 5:10: He will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you!
Ps 4: ...answer me when I call, o God of my righteousness. Thou hast relieved me in my distress. be gracious to me and hear my prayer...lift up the Light of Thy countenance upon me, o Lord. Thou hast put gladness in my heart...IN PEACE, I WILL BOTH LIE DOWN ADN SLEEP, FOR THOU ALONE, O LORD DOST MAKE ME TO DWELL IN SAFETY. Ps 6:12...Thou dost surround him wiht favor as with a shield.
Ps 27: for in the day of trouble, He will conceal me in His tabernacle, in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me upon a rock...and now my head will be lifted up. Ps 55:16-18 (my favorite) As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and noon, I will complain and murmur and He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me!!
Ps 57: To God who accomplishes all things for me!
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in you your hearts.
col 1 : 17 : And He is before all things and in Him all things hold together!
2 thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 thess 3:5: Lord, direct my heart into the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.
Peace to both of you and would love to keep in touch with you.

Kristin

I guess part of the problem is that if Jesus/God does exist, he's not talking to me.

It's a great question. A tough one to me because I was raised with my Christian faith and have never known what it's like to be without it. I'm 42 and it's been my one true constant throughout my life. But, I don't know that anyone can tell another person how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It's just that, personal. I don't imagine a therapist would be helpful because many in the medical/scientific community have a 'God complex' of their own to deal with. I think it has to come from within. Prayer is the best place to start. But you have to have an open mind. You have to let go of the doubt (I know, easier said than done) and open up your heart, mind and soul to what He has to say. What he says to you will be unique and different from what he says to anyone else who prays to Him. Don't try to put Him in a box. I don't believe God operates that way. We have to 'listen' to what He's saying and how He's directing us. You follow it literally where it leads you. Faith isn't foreign to you since you've come to this forum and maybe even purchased the program. But you'll find that faith isn't a science. There's no multi-step, repeatable process that worked for one person and will work for you. Each believer's journey is unique. I wish you well in your journey, where ever it takes you.