Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 6/29/2007

Question
QUESTION: Am 86 years a Cathlolic indocrinated, as I grew older with the fear of hell. Also am unable, with mighty effort pursuade myself there is a God who will send me to enternal fire if I CANnot, not WILLnot,believe the threats.
Am unwell,wife just died a fully devoted catholic and I would like to end my useless life.If there is a heaven she wlll be there. But if my fears are true I will be in hell .
Since I CANnot beleive in god maybe there she went into blessed oblivian-which I have always hoped for in order to avoid the threats of the church. We will never see each other but neither of us will exist even as "ghosts". that's OK. Oblivian seems possible because NOBODY HAS ever
heard a word DIRECTLY from a dead friend (dismiss psychics, evengalists,magicians, etc), just a note of encouragement. So--my question. Will my suicide while in despair send me to helln spite of a lifetime effort to believe as my wife did?
Bill

ANSWER: Bill,

Before I answer your question, I would like to pray for you. I hope this is alright?

"Father, in the Name of Your only begotten Son Jesus, I pray for my friend Bill. Though I do not know Bill personably Lord, I know that You do. And that You know exactly what he is going through. Father I ask that You would speak peace to his trouble mind and spirit. I pray that You would send the Holy Spirit to be the Comforter to him. And right now I take authority over the demonic spirits of death, suicide, self-destruction, depression, and any other satan force that is oppressing Bill. Lord Jesus, I plead the Blood that You shed on the Cross over Bills mind, spirit, and body. Lord that you would, even as Bill is reading this prayer, wrap Your loving arms of mercy and grace around him. Let Bill know that You are with him. I ask all these things in Jesus Name. AMEN!"

Bill my friend, it is not by chance that you sent me this e-mail. God has hope and help for you. Please, I know that it seems to you that ending your life would be the answer, but it is not. For now, forget everything you've ever been taught about the Lord, salvation, and forgiveness. The issue right now is not committing suicide. Frankly Bill, we all will die if the Lord should tarry His return. Death is not the issue for you, but life. Yes, I said life. God still has plans for you. You may not know what they are, I manot know, but He does. And He has brought you into contact with me to help you in your struggles. I know this beyond the shadow af any doubt!

Secondly, let me say how sorry I am for your loss. There are no words that I can say that will ever be enough to express to you my heart felt condolences.

Thirdly, please allow me to share with you how you can know FOR SURE that you are a Christian, and that when you do die (which I believe will be many years from now) that you will spend eternity with God in heaven.

A Christian is not just a religious person or merely a member of a church; a Christian is one who has been forgiven of his or her sin and has an ongoing personal relationship with God. Not only this, a Christian is someone that Jesus Christ lives in, one that has been born again (John 3.3) and lives in the assurance that Jesus paid the price for them to be right with God and go to heaven.

The Good News of Jesus Christ is . . .

1) God loves everyone and wants them all to live forever in His presence. John 3.16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

2) We are separated from God by sin. The Bible defines sin as things we do that are displeasing to God. As humans, not only have we done things that displease God, we cannot stop doing those things on our own. This is why the Bible calls us "sinners." Many sincerely believe that performing good works or religious acts will cause God to cancel out the wrong things that they have done. Spiritual and physical death came into our world because of sin. Physical death is a separation from loved ones on earth; spiritual death is separation from God. Romans 3.23 says, " . . .for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

3) Sin brings death. Romans 6.23 tells us that " . . . the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Physical death is separation from loved ones on earth; spiritual death is separation from God.

4) Through Jesus, God has provided the way for us to come to Him and be forgiven of our sins. Romans 5.8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God sent His Son, Jesus, to die and pay the price in full for all the wrong things we have done. We no longer have to be separated from God!.

5) We must individually admit to God that we are sinners and in an attitude of repentance, personally ask Him for forgiveness, the free gift of eternal life and to come into to our lives. Romans 10:9,10 says "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Its as easy as A.B.C.

A. Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness .
B. Believe that Jesus died for the forgiveness of your sin.
C. Confess Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

Simply talk to God and say something like this: "God, I know that I have sinned and have done things that have hurt You, others and myself. I am a sinner; please forgive my sins. I turn away from my old life and ask you to give me the gift of eternal life. Please come into my life and save me from the punishment that I deserve. I put my full trust in what you did for me on the cross, Jesus and I take you as my Savior. Amen."

Have you ever prayed this prayer Bill? If not, the Holy Spirit is right now dealing with your heart. The Lord is knocking on the door of your heart, asking to come in. Just pray this prayer, mean it with all your heart, and let Him in.

This is where you will find your hope and strength Bill. Not in suicide. Not even in spending eternity with your wife. Your hope, my hope, the whole worlds hope is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Everything else only leaves you empty. So I am asking you friend, do't give up, give in to Jesus.

Bill, you would not have contacting me if the Lord had not brought you, and if you had not deep within your heart been looking for help. Help is here my friend. I am willing to help you in any way I can. And since you marked this private, no one will ever know about this. This is between you, me, and the Lord. Is that ok? So read over this reply two or three times, ask the Lord to come into your life personably, and contact me back as soon as you are able. I will be away from my computer for a few hours, so if you send a rely back to me be patient. I will get back with you.

In the Cross,

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have just printed your answer and tresure it like gold.I will read it many times because your thoughts are precious and I'll have many questions so I'll take my time this precious gift .Thanks a million for consolation!
Bill

Answer
Bill,

Praise God! I give God all the praise after reading your reply. I am sorry not to get back with you until today (Sunday, 7/7, 8:30am). We were out of town yesterday, and I am just now getting to reply to you. I am getting ready for church right now, but I did want to let you know that I did receive your reply. Keep you faith up Bill. Be encouraged. God is for you. I do encourage you to read my last reply. Your answer lies in Christ, and in His finished work on the Cross. While He was on the Cross He said "It is finished!". Everything we would ever need He supplied when on the Cross! Bill, He not on the Cross any more, He is risen! Risen over depression, fear, loneliness, and everything we would face in life!

Bill, if you are able, I encourage you go to a full-Gospel, Spirit filled church in your area that can speak the message of victory and faith into your life. If you need help finding such a church, let me know. Our conversation is private, so you can share with me your general location and I will see what I can do to help. Meanwhile, here is a link that you can go to and watch a service. Just click on the "Click here for Live TV!" portion on the right hand side of the page. It si Central standard time...

http://www.jsm.org/

You can also learn more about me and my family on our site...

http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1

Have a great and blessed day Bill. Let me know about you church.

Your Friend,
Elder Greg