Christians I have a question- plz help!

[sweetnspunky]

O.k. I have always feared going to hell. And one day I was again worrying about this and for some reason I turned it on the religious channel and the preacher right then said "will not go to heaven". Could that be a sign from God that I am going to hell? I have got saved and everything, but I mean that is weird that would happen don't you think? I am so scared God is trying to tell me I can't go to heaven.

[sixpack]

no it doesn't mean that....  you just turned on the station as he was completing a statement.  This fellow doesn't even know you nor does he have the knowledge of who is going to hell or not.  This is the same as person fearing X disease and happens to turn on the TV to hear a doctor talk about that disease.

Remove that fear from your mind...  Please   

[Im_working_on_it!]

Just a coincidence.  If you hadn't been having that worry you'd not have even noticed what he was saying when you landed on that channel.  God loves you, and knows your troubles.  He would never be telling you that you can't go to heaven, he may be trying to draw you closer.  That's just my thoughts. 

[tigerpaw]

I would reassure yourself daily by reading your bible. Romans 10:17, "So Faith comes by hearing the good news..." Don't let the world or the evil one bring doubt to your heart. John 5:24, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears what I say and believes in the One who sent me has eternal life. That person will not be judged guilty but has already left death and entered eternal life."  I could go on and on about the reassurance of your eternity in heaven because of your Faith and acceptance of Jesus's substitutional sacrifice on the cross.  However, it's better you try and read through the Bible this year, and let the Word of God build up your faith.

Tig   

[Grandma]

Hi sweet -

Do you think God was telling everyone who was watching that show that they were not going to go to heaven?  Whew, I'm glad that I wasn't tuned in!

I'm just teasing you honey - no, I'm sure that God was not sending you a message.  If you have questions about whether or not you are going to heaven, I bet your minister or priest will be glad to discuss this with you.

If St. Peter asks me if he should open the pearly gates for you, I will give him a big thumbs up!

Love, Grandma

[Cuchculan]

Some preachers have a way of getting a message across. I can't always say I agree with their ways. Because of those people who take their every word to heart. It is just that person's way / method of trying to get people to do things as they would do them. But I am sure you know right from wrong. That is really all that matters. Even when we do wrong it is no big sin. We are all but human come the end of the day. I am sure various ministers would have various ways of bringing the exact same message across. Each with their own method. It just depends how you take it in. I will post a link to a site. I love to let my mother ( who loves her religion ) listen to the lady preaching on this site. She finds great comfort in her words.

http://www.kathrynkuhlman.com/

Enjoy

[sweetnspunky]

Thanks guys. It just scared me because the exact moment I turned it there- he said that. Could it be the devil messing with my head?

[thehipsta]

Well you asked for Christian views, but here's my atheist contribution. Its the spiderweb effect. If you look at a streetlight through a tree it appears to be like a spiderweb, because you only see light reflected off certain branches, there is no web there, but you see it. the human brain is programmed to look for patterns. When i was learning to drive I learned in a Nissan Micra, whilst I was learning I saw millions of them, now? Never even notice. My point? You are thinking about something, you will notice it so much more and even the small things will become big. I'm an atheist, as I said, but I will always respect peoples feelings. I hope you are well.

[Carryon]

post hoc ergo propter hoc

[sweetnspunky]

post hoc ergo propter hoc

I don't understand what this means.

[Cuchculan]

After this, therefore because of this. That is exactly what it means. In a nutshell it is a bit like one event followed the other. Since that event followed this one, that event must have been caused by this one. So one of your thoughts has caused the second set of thoughts.

And I would ignore all that devil rubbish. You can go down that road if you wish. But everything you do wrong you will blame on the devil. It is not worth it. You are punishing yourself only. It is not anybody else punishing you for anything you done.

[tigerpaw]

post hoc ergo propter hoc

Sounds to me, like stating the obvious in Latin, in hopes it gives it some deep philosophical meaning.

[Carryon]

Exactly the opposite of obvious. Post hoc ergo propter hoc is human error.  Put another way: coincidence is not causality.

[crazygirl1]

Sweetnspunky--are you a Christian? I am and no-no one is sending you messages that you're going to hell. If you believe the Jesus died to save you then you are not going to hell. Go to biblegateway.com if you dont have a Bible, and read. Then read some more. God loves you adn is not punishing you. Have faith my friend. Have faith.
***Have you ever held a new baby? Who could have made such a miracle but God.***

[tigerpaw]

Exactly the opposite of obvious. Post hoc ergo propter hoc is human error.  Put another way: coincidence is not causality.

Why not skip the, "vir est stultus", and just state it simply in english.

[CrownofThorns]

I'm not Christian, but I'm spiritual and respect everyone's relgion.

You may have heard a preacher say something about going to hell, but that means nothing. Preachers can only preach what the believe, they can preach the Word, but they can't actually speak for God. Only God can make that call and listen to no one but Him. Likewise, only you can make yourself go to hell.

[GenSec]

Once again, i totally agree with crownofthorns sentiments.

I am not Christian either, but if i was this would be my advice to you, sweetnspunky....

God made the universe, the galaxies, oceans and continents, the atom. His power is infinite. If he wishes to speak to your soul, he can do that himself via his own power. He does not need preachers, priests, or any other human being - a flawed imperfect creation - to inform you of his infinite wisdom and love for you. As crownofthorns says, they can only preach what THEY believe, not what God himself believes.

If you wish to know God, listen to your soul.... listen to what your conscience says. Read the Bible like tigerpaw also suggests to clarify your understanding. Because he will never lead you astray, thats not his style!

Best wishes with whatever you chose to do. 

[floridaguy65]

Yes, indeed...I couldn't have written it better (so I shall not try:) TheRedShadow and C.O.T have expressed, in their posts, my beliefs perfectly:) Peace:)

[gabbyrose28]

it seems that when we are obsessing over something, we look for signs of confirmation without even knowing it --  for example, a lot of my anxiety revolves around my relationship and the horrible "what if I don't love him?" type of questions (which I know is just a product of my anxiety but these thoughts are so hurtful that I find myself obsessing over them which only makes it worse).  I get in the car one day, turn on the radio and what song comes on?  "you've lost that lovin feeling"  I, of course, freaked out.  Just don't take "signs" too seriously because based on our thoughts, our minds are programmed to essentially seek them out. 

[Carryon]

We are free to exercise our will but not will our will/perhaps.