On the Doorstep, But Don't Get to Enter-Part 2

Does God have a plan for our lives?  In the book I've been reading called The Eternal Journey by authors Craig R. Lundahl, Ph.D. and Harold A. Widdison, Ph.D. about Near Death Experiences (NDE), the writers reveal that 

"Gallup found that after an NDE some NDEers felt that God had a plan for their lives.  Morse (another chap they quote) says, "The feeling that there is a purpose to life is one of the results of many childhood NDEs." (page 61-62)

>  God does indeed have a purpose and plan for our individual lives.  A plan not to harm us but to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11).

The first plan He has for us is salvation.  To put our faith, hope and trust in His Son Jesus Christ who has made atonement for our souls as mentioned in Part 1 of this series on Near Death Experiences.  He wants us to become His child, to be part of His family.

The second plan or purpose is to serve Him in some way that He unfolds to you as you commune with Him in prayer and quiet.  He has prepared "good deeds" in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).  One of the basic "good deeds" is to become "holy as He is holy", to be sanctified in our character and conduct (1 Peter 1:16).  We can then shine as lights for Him as we tell others of God's good news of salvation through Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:15; Matthew 5:14; Romans 1:16).

Page 63 of the book reads,

"Perhaps the point to be made here is best summed up with the words of Neddie Pitcher.  She was told by a personage in the other world, who she believed was her Father in Heaven, that she would know her mission in life as time went on.  This statement implies that all people have a purpose or some mission in this earthly life.

Often family is part of a person's mission on earth...many NDEers have returned to their bodies because they felt they had responsibilities to help their families..."

>  We know from God's Word that if we do not provide for our families we "are worse than an infidel"  (1 Timothy 5:8).  Widows in our family must needs be looked after by family and not to be fobbed off on the church's welfare.  Family members even to the extent of the grandchildren, are responsible (1 Timothy 5:3-16).  Father's especially are supposed to be the spiritual leaders of the family imparting knowledge of God and His ways at all times (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:18-21).  So whether spiritually or physically there are responsibilities that are inescapable.

The book gives such an example which can be found on page 65...

"Mary Evans saw her husband awaiting her [he was definitely physically dead and gone], but as she attempted to join him, he told her, "No!  Not yet! go back."  She realized that it was for the sake of their mentally handicapped daughter."

"The family is the basic unit both on earth and in the spirit world..."

 
>  Many examples stated in this book have documented similar experiences...for the sake of a family member still on earth, the NDEer returns to his or her body. 

We have a Biblical example of Paul who in his body or out of it (he wasn't quite sure) had such experience (2 Corinthians 12:2).  This may have been the occasion when he was stoned to death and left for dead but the disciples came along later and found there was still life in him (Acts 14:19-28).  He hadn't completed God's purpose for him just yet and so he pressed on.

                                                                ~ERC  2016~

Bibliography

The Eternal Journey by Craig R. Lundahl, Ph.D. and Harold A. Widdison, Ph.D; copyright 1997; Warner Books, Inc. 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, A Time Warner Company Pages 61-63.