Don Piper - Daily Devotions Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven: 90 Readings for Hope and Healing

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Table of Contents

Most Berkley Praise Books are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use. Special books, or book excerpts, can also be created to fit specific needs.

For details, write: Special Markets, The Berkley Publishing Group, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Don Piper: When 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life (Fleming Revell) appeared in the fall of 2004, I was reasonably certain that my parents would buy a couple of copies. Some close friends, neighbors, and my church family at First Baptist Church of Pasadena, Texas, could probably be counted on to purchase copies, as well. Frankly, I assumed that the remaining books of the first printing (and presumptively, the only printing) would fill my garage for the rest of my natural life.

A million copies and thirty printings later have only succeeded in confirming what I have always believed: I do not have the gift of prophecy. My garage is still mainly used for the purpose for which it was designed... cars and other stuff I just cant seem to let go of. And my first book is found on bookshelves in virtually every corner of the world. It has been translated in fourteen languages thus far, a large-print edition, and I have recorded an audio version.

But for me, the phenomenal sales success has been eclipsed by the individual responses. Hundreds of thousands of e-mails, phone calls, letters, and face-to-face encounters have been deeply humbling and quite overwhelming. From Stockholm to Honolulu, I have looked into the eyes of many souls longing for hope and healing. Whether in small towns like Salem, Olney, York, and West Plains, or major cities like Portland, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Tampa, the needs and responses are virtually the same.

This book contains many of those dramatic and poignant responses. And youll find scriptures and prayers to complete each daily devotional thought. It is our desire that these ninety daily devotions will bring the same encouragement, illumination, and hope that so many seemed to take from 90 Minutes in Heaven.

Such a book could not be possible without my gifted writing partner and friend, Cecil Murphey. The importance of what Cec brings to the table cannot be exaggerated.

We are both deeply indebted to our literary agent, Deidre Knight, who believed in this project without reservation. I want to acknowledge my deep gratitude to the fine professionals at Berkley for their confidence in this book, especially Denise Silvestro. My family: sons, Chris and Joe; daughter, Nicole; son-in-law, Scott; and wife, Eva, have been a continual source of unwavering support. As have our parents, Ralph and Billie Piper and Eldon and Ethel Pentecost.

And yet, this book could not exist without the precious souls from New Jersey to San Diego who shared their stories with Cec and me, in quiet moments, often with tears in their eyes. Their stories are the heartbeat of this book. To those dear folks, I offer my thanks. May the Lord encourage you, strengthen you, and give you hope. And to all who read Daily Devotions Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven ... may you receive courage and have faith for another day. Amen.

Cec Murphey: I also want to thank our wonderful agent, Deidre Knight, and Denise Silvestro and the team at Berkley. But most of all, thank God for Shirley.

MINISTER OF HOPE

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see.

HEBREWS II:I***

These days, I am often introduced as the Minister of Hope, and I like that title. I dont take that term lightly or boastfully, because I feel God has called me to bring hope to all and to point the way to heaven.

My story is simple. On January 18, 1989, I died in an automobile accidentand it wasnt a near-death experience. Two EMTs pronounced me dead and I spent ninety minutes in heaven before a pastor prayed me back to earth.

Because of my heavenly experience, I know what awaits us after this life on earth is finished. Ive already visited heaven and Ive come back to talk about it. Because I was there, I dont have to guess or imagine what heaven will be like. I only have to tell what I saw, felt, and heard. Thats why I can offer encouragement and help others prepare for the great experience that lies ahead once we leave this life.

Hope is the most important message I have to offer. In this book, when I use the word hope, I mean it in the biblical sense. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word always implied an expectation of goodnever a word of dread or fearful torment. In the New Testament, elpis is the most common Greek word translated as hope. In every one of its fifty-four uses, elpis conveys certainty and assurance. Its not a wish or a desire; its a reasonable expectation.

We dont hope for those things that are already present because we see them now. Hope refers to those things we cant see and yet were positive they exist, and we anticipate seeing them sometime in the future. The words hope and faith are tied closely together. Hope anticipates, and faith believes. We cant hope unless we believe something better lies ahead.

Along with hope, the New Testament urges us to wait patiently. That means to hold on and to endure because we know the end result. Hope, in the Bible, implies that, because we earnestly look forward to a glorious future, we can endure any sufferings along the way as we wait for what we will one day inherit. Its like the painful experience of a marathon runnerthe pace is grueling, but the reward is worth pushing on to the end. Because we have the words of the New Testament to assure us of our eternal hope, we live in joyful anticipation. Then God sends a person like me, who comes along and says, Its real. Ive been there. When I speak publicly, I can see the expectation level rise in the eyes of my listeners.

In this book, I stress hope, because I believe thats the important factor that many people havent grasped. No matter what the trial, the hardship, the pain, or the suffering, for Gods people there is something yet ahead. If were assured of that fulfillmentif we truly hopewe can face our daily trials and hardships, and God gives us the ability to hold on during the worst of times.

Anticipate the best because its yet to come. I can say that because Ive already seen whats to come.

My Heavenly Father, fill me with hopetrue hopethat looks forward to the joyful life ahead when I will live forever in your holy and loving presence. Amen.

ALONE AT THE GATE

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire
you more than anything on earth.

PSALM 73:25*

I was in Florida and a number of people crowded around me after I preached. This often happened and I gladly signed books, answered questions, and tried to offer hope and reassurance to all who reached out to me. But there was one woman who stood at my side for a long time saying nothing. Finally I turned to her and asked, Can I help you?

I need to talk to you.

Her words alone were not unusual, but the intensity of her voice made me realize she wanted to talk about something highly significant to her. Ill be glad to talk to you, I said and I invited her to talk while I autographed more books.

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