Family Devotions: With Helpful Hints for Parents

By Neil M. Phelan, Jr.

Devotional material has always been of immeasurable value to Gods people. Spurgeons Morning and Evening has encouraged many a pilgrim as they prepared for their day and sought comfort on their pillow at night. We do not aspire to this caliber of thought or experience, yet we feel a burden for the same work. One reason is because there is always a need for contemporary authors, people who live and breathe in this present world, who may be identified as a living brother, and companion in tribulation. Another reason has given equal force to vent our hearts in written form. There was once a day when families gathered together to discuss religious topics. It was by those discussions, however brief and unstructured they may have been, that children became aware of their parents faith and ultimately, their God. Today, we live in a busy world. With computers, television, VCR''s, CD''s and a world of entertainment at our fingertips, this opportunity of teaching has become all but extinct. Gadgets, noise and electronics stifle familial communication. Granted, children may know that their parents believe in God because they go to church, yet, the dynamics of personal interactions between parent and child is all but lost. Thus, we come to this final reason for this collection of articles. To give the parent some short meditations to enjoy personally and ultimately share with their family and children.

Our homilies are, for the most part, a condensed version of messages delivered to our congregation. Surely, if they were given us by the Chief Shepherd for the feeding of the gathered flock, they will be beneficial to other sheep which are not of our immediate fold. For your benefit, we have included some helpful hints for parents at the conclusion of each devotion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 14, 2005
• ISBN: 9781468526103

Neil M. Phelan, Jr.

The author has pastored churches for over 15 years. This second book is the result of his labors.  He has published his own periodical, The Pastoral Letter, as well as writing for other church papers and editorials during this time.  He writes a religious column for the local newspaper in the town where he lives and continues to pastor and preach.  This second book is similar to the first, The Daily Record, which is full of short devotions taken from his sermon notes.  He graduated from Northeast Louisiana University School of Pharmacy and became a pastor and preacher 15 years later.  He has four children, Kelli, Ryan, Neil and Bryant. He and his wife, Marilyn, have been happily married for 25 years.

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© 2005 Neil M. Phelan, Jr. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 06/06/05

ISBN: 1-4208-5737-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-2610-3 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2005904479

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

DEDICATION

This book is affectionately dedicated to my loving wife, Marilyn. She has been a helpmeet indeed. In every struggle and trial of the ministry she has been my best friend as well as a constant source of encouragement. The pastor’s wife is certainly underestimated. Her husband spends many hours in his study, writing, preparing, meditating and counseling with his flock. She must give him up to the Lord for this service. I appreciate her faithfulness, her cheerfulness and the smile I have enjoyed day in and day out. Well has Solomon written, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord." –Proverbs 18:22. If I were to doubt my Lord’s love and favor, I only have to consider His kind hand in providing me with her.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I appreciate the encouragement and advice of Elder Edward Cagle. He has been a faithful father in Israel to me. I hold him in the highest esteem among the elders of Israel.

I also would like to thank Elder Harold Stumbaugh for his encouragement. He has been a constant friend in all seasons.

Most of all, I appreciate the labor and encouragement of Elder Dickie Halbgewachs. His doctrinal balance and insight were invaluable. I also appreciate his help in the construction of many phrases that might have otherwise been obscure to the casual reader.

Among the many blessings that may be enjoyed in the ministry, the blessing of meeting and knowing men who have dedicated their souls to the service of Jesus Christ is among the greatest. I realize that I do not deserve such friends; I count it another measure of God’s grace. How wisely has Solomon written, A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.- Proverbs 18:16. I thank God for these great men who have helped me, as well as many others that I have had the opportunity to fellowship.

Contents

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PREFACE

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

THAT GOOD PART

ALL THINGS

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

THE MATHEMATICS OF GRACE

WHEN JESUS RETURNS

A SON IS GIVEN

WISE INQUIRERS

REJOICE EVERMORE

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

"IN EVERY THING

GIVE THANKS"

QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT

DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS

PROVE ALL THINGS

"HOLD FAST THAT

WHICH IS GOOD"

ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL

WHY JESUS CAME

DISCIPLESHIP, A NOBLE PROFESSION

"THE TREASURES

OF THE SNOW"

"MAKING MELODY

IN YOUR HEART"

HOW WE ARE BORN AGAIN

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS

THE OLD HERESY

FIVE PHASES OF SALVATION

"THE LITTLE FOXES,

THAT SPOIL THE VINES"

THE NECESSITY OF PREPARATION

CLAIMING THE PROMISES

IN THE VALLEY

A HAPPY OCCASION

OUR VICTORY IN CHRIST

SETTLED IN HEAVEN

"THE FAITH OF

OUR FATHERS"

BUILDING BY FAITH

OBEYING BY FAITH

SOJOURNING BY FAITH

THE STRENGTH OF FAITH

"COME APART AND

REST A WHILE"

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

BEING PREDESTINATED

PAUL’S AUTOPSY OF MAN

LIMITED ATONEMENT

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

A PLAIN PATH

CONSIDERING

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

SEEKING GOD’S FACE

HOW OUR THINKING AFFECTS US

INNOCENT BLOOD

BROKEN FENCES

THE ATTITUDE OF PRAISE

STORMS

"UNTO THEE, O GOD,

DO WE GIVE THANKS"

THE 3 O’S OF GOD

THE CHRISTIAN’S INNER CONFLICT

THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

REJOICING WITH CHRIST

"THE PRAYER OF

THE AGED BELIEVER"

A FATHER’S ANSWER

A LIVELY HOPE

FATHER: THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE HOME

WHEN I WAS IN DISTRESS

ETERNAL LOVE

I HAVE PRAYED

PERSPECTIVE

"ENCOURAGEMENT

AT DEATH"

HUMILITY

FOCUSED

"PETER’S EXPLANATION

OF ELECTION"

"THE IMPORTANCE

OF THE CHURCH"

GOOD MEDICINE

"STRENGTHENING

THE MIND"

KEEP ME FROM EVIL

SPIRITUAL MATURITY

A MINISTERING CHURCH

TOO SMALL FOR GOD?

LOVEST THOU ME?

A JOYFUL NOISE

"ENCOURAGEMENT

FOR THE BEREAVED"

BENEFITS

KEEP YOUR NETS MENDED

COME THOU WITH US, AND WE WILL DO THEE GOOD

EVIDENCE

REMEMBRANCE

LIGHT AFFLICTION

MOTHER

THE TELLER

GOD’S TEMPLE

CONSIDER THE MIRACLE

"FATHER, HAVE I EVER

SEEN A CHRISTIAN?"

FOUNDATIONS

HOW LONG?

HE IS ABLE

WALKING WITH JESUS

A WAY OF ESCAPE

NO FEAR

REMEMBERING JESUS

ADDICTED

IS DOCTRINE IMPORTANT?

"THOU COMPASSEST

MY PATH"

WHO AM I?

ONLY TRUST HIM

THE SECRET PLACE

WHO HATH SAVED US

ELECT ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD

COMFORTERS

MAKE HASTE, O GOD, TO DELIVER ME

"THE FAITHFULNESS

OF GOD"

THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHICH PASSETH KNOWLEDGE

AS DEAR CHILDREN

WHO KNOWETH?

SHADOWS

THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

PRECIOUS DEATH

A FAITHFUL SAYING

A MATTER OF PRIORITY

THE DEAD SPEAKING

PAUL’S SPECIAL REQUEST

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

BAPTISM, THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE

THREE THAT BEAR RECORD

BAPTISM: A BELIEVER’S CONFESSION

THE NEW BIRTH

MY PRAYERS

THOU HAST ENLARGED ME

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PREFACE

Devotional material has always been of immeasurable value to God’s people. Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening has encouraged many a pilgrim as they prepared for their day and sought comfort on their pillow at night. We do not aspire to this caliber of thought or experience, yet we feel a burden for the same work. One reason is because there is always a need for contemporary authors, people who live and breathe in this present world, who may be identified as a living brother, and companion in tribulation.

Another reason is more personal. It involves our own perusal of the devotional material of our present day. From our personal study, we have found many of the great old themes and doctrines of the Church to be lacking, even vacant. Surely, these truths were given by the Chief Shepherd for the comfort of His sheep and need to be published.

A final reason has given equal force to vent our hearts in written form. There was once a day when families gathered together to discuss religious topics. It was by those discussions, however brief and unstructured they may have been, that children became aware of their parents’ faith and ultimately, their God. Today, we live in a busy world. With computers, television, VCR’s, CD’s and a world of entertainment at our fingertips, this opportunity of teaching has become all but extinct. Gadgets, noise and electronics stifle familial communication. Granted, children may know that their parents believe in God because they go to church, yet, the dynamics of personal interactions between parent and child is all but lost. Thus, we come to this final reason for this collection of articles. To give the parent some short meditations to enjoy personally and ultimately share with their family and children.

Our homilies are, for the most part, a condensed version of messages delivered to our congregation. Surely, if they were given us by the Chief Shepherd for the feeding of the gathered flock, they will be beneficial to other sheep which are not of our immediate fold. Many lessons may be taught from each short homily which, we hope, will open a door of utterance between parent and child concerning the most important subject that they will ever discuss with their family: God and His wonderful word!

For your benefit, we have included some helpful hints for parents at the conclusion of each devotion. Hopefully, these will serve to exercise the mind and open up avenues of teaching. As a personal note, let us encourage the parent to keep their devotions short, from 10 to 20 minutes. We will never cut off the giant’s head if our sword is too long and many a child has gone to sleep while the sword was being pulled from the scabbard. Of course, if questions arise, and Godly discussion ensues, don’t cut off the water of life. Let it flow freely!

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

There are several methods in which this book may be used. Of course, it can be used for the sole purpose of personal devotions and meditations. Yet, we hope it will be used as subject material for family Bible studies. One may read each homily aloud to their particular gathering and discuss the subjects listed in the HELPFUL HINTS which are given to stimulate conversation and highlight the most prominent points of the devotion. Another method of study would be for the teacher to read the devotion beforehand and plan a lesson of their own.

Hopefully, this book will serve as an encouragement to those who have recognized the need for family devotions but have been intimidated as to the what, how and how much. It is our prayer that this work will lead someone, somewhere, closer to Jesus Christ, the fount of every blessing!

THAT GOOD PART

…..Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her

-Luke 10:42

For just a few moments, let us consider a visit our Lord made to the home of some of His friends. It was the home of Mary and Martha. These were the two sisters of Lazarus, that same Lazarus that Jesus called forth from the tomb. It was Mary that washed His feet with her tears, wiped them with the hairs of her head and anointed His body with ointment. From His short visit, we may learn a lot about Jesus, as well as ourselves, and discover what Mary found to be that good part.

Today, we will find Jesus in many of the same places that we found Him during His earthly ministry. One of those is in the hearts and homes of people that love Him. Though He was and is Lord of heaven and earth, he owned no property. He lived with His friends and so He still does. He did not beg, nor do we find Him burdensome to others. But to those who cherished His companionship He made His abode!!

From this we may learn that our religion should be more than a Sunday morning or Wednesday night event. It is an abiding presence. Fellowship with Jesus may be enjoyed every day. I am not suggesting that we forsake the assembling of ourselves together only to seek Him in our homes. The assembling of the Saints was ordained of God. The light of our public testimony should shine ever so bright and we must be present for it to do so. But we are not to put our religion in a compartment only to be taken out once or twice a week. That good part transcends beyond the public worship. We have all enjoyed many rich and blessed experiences with Jesus in the confines of my home. In prayer, in study, in meditations, we have found His presence. Perhaps you are physically unable to be in God’s house on the Sabbath day; perhaps you are in a jail cell as Paul and Silas were; perhaps the winds of persecution have driven you and your family into a den or a cave. Be encouraged, that good part may be enjoyed any day, any time and at any place.

In her zeal to sit at the feet of Jesus, Mary’s sister was a source of discouragement. Instead of saying, My sister is seated where I should be, Martha rebukes her sister for her devotional time with Christ. Zeal will always meet Mr. and Mrs. Discouragement. Satan sends them immediately. Why is this? Because zeal has stirred up the nest of the idle, exposed their complacency and set an example that they should have already followed. Is that not why God sent Zeal to His house? That good part is reserved for those we find in such a posture.

It is not the big things that hinder our fellowship with Jesus. It is the simple, every day whirl of life. Was it not so with Martha? While we should not criticize Martha unjustly for her labors, we must agree with our Lord that Mary had chosen the good part. It is a matter of priority! Martha was busy banging pans and preparing meats while Mary enjoyed that good part. Yes, meals must be served, household affairs must be run, jobs are to be held down and all the necessary burdens of life must be diligently observed. Jesus is not teaching us to be slothful. Yet, in the common rush of life, we must find the time to sit at the feet of Jesus. It seems to me that Satan has designed more gadgets, more hobbies, more books, more methods of entertainment than a person could explore in a lifetime. People are busier keeping up with the latest diet book than the Book of Books. They wake up with the Good Morning America, spend their day with the soap opera and go to bed with the late night host. No wonder their nights are full of fears and their day is full of doubt. That good part is lost in a whirlwind of activity. No wonder there is so much depression. That good part doeth good like a medicine. It produces a merry heart(Prov. 17:22).

Surely, that good part must be Mary’s posture! She is in a posture of submission to Jesus…at His feet, not questioning what He is doing. She has come apart from the world to give Him her complete and undivided attention. She has given Him her ears, her eyes, her feet and her heart. She is anxious to learn any thing that He has to say. And according to Jesus, it shall not be taken away from her. Though riches may take wings and fly away, Dagon may fall, the stock market may crash, the economy and towers collapse, this treasure does not belong to this world. It is out of Satan’s reach! These experiences leave indelible memories in our heart and soul. While we will forget the headlines of last week, these experiences will be carried all the way to glory. May we learn from Mary and look for every opportunity to sit at Jesus feet. I wonder what He said that day?!!!

Helpful Hints:

1. This is a great lesson to encourage daily devotions for young and old alike. What time do you take each day to talk to Jesus in these ways: in prayer, in meditations, in reading God’s word?

2. Show the importance of having Christ as the center of our homes and how He lives in the families of those that love Him.

3. Use this lesson to illustrate how we get so busy with the affairs of work, school and even hobbies that we forget our time with the Lord.

4. Use this lesson to illustrate how others, even those of our own family, can throw cold water upon our fire to serve the Lord.

5. Use this lesson to show that Jesus sees and knows the times we take with Him.

6. Talk about what you think Jesus may have said that day in His conversation with Mary.

ALL THINGS

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we say to theses things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

-Romans 8:28-31

I love the things that work together for our good. The sinner may draw great comfort from them because they are unlike the shifting things of this world, things that are prone to change and decay. The things that Paul here enumerates are security and serenity to the sinner. They strengthen our faith and our hope. They nail down our future. These things are Holy things, unchangeable things, things that God has ordained for our good.

We must not take our things out of context. The phrase all things must be considered in the context in which it is given. Paul tells us precisely what these things are and to whom these blessings belong. His eyes soar much higher than the mundane affairs of this life. Let us soar with the apostle for just a moment!

The things that we shall consider are reserved for a special people: them that love God. Do you love God? Then you have sufficient evidence that these things belong to you. You have been called according to his purpose, called from death to life, from Adam’s fallen seed to the seed of Christ. His purpose is to bring you home. These people do not love God to get called. They love Him because they are called. And since these special people are the only recipients of these special graces and favors we must know that all things does not include the persons or actions of the wicked. Only those who love God will be able to respond appropriately to the apostle’s interrogation of the heart, What shall we then say to these things?

The first thing on the apostle’s list concerns people: for whom. Whom always refers to people, not places and events. And these particular people are foreknown. God knew them before they were born; before they did any good or evil(Romans 9:11); before Adam’s transgression; before time itself. What do you say to this?

The second thing that Paul tells us that works for our good is that God has predetermined that these people shall be conformed to Christ’s spotless image. What a wonderful image He has: holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heaven-Heb.7:26. His blood has cleansed them. He did not predestinate Adam to sin. Adam needed no help in that matter, nor do we. Let us not blame God for our failures. Nor did He predestinate people to hell. The Bible does not teach double predestination. But out of all of Adam’s race He did rescue the objects of His love. Surely, none that God loves nor any that love God will inhabit that awful place. If you love God, take a look at your future and rejoice in your deliverance. You shall not be alone, He is the firstborn among many brethren.

But this is not the end of Paul’s list of things. We have further security. Those who are predestinated have also been justified(v30) or made innocent. They did not make themselves innocent. Christ made them innocent by His blood. And they have also been glorifiedv30. This means that they have been highly honored. Not because of any thing that was found in them. He found them in Adam. But because they are found in Christ as He represented them upon Calvary’s cross. Could one be predestinated and not called; justified and not glorified; glorified and not predestinated; loved and not justified? Surely, surely, all of these things work together. They work together for our good. Today, we must ask the same question to those who love God that Paul asked the church at Rome. What shall we say to these things?-v31. What would the apostle say today if he were here with us? His response is found in verses 32-39. Is your response the same? Lord, until we arise in thy spotless image we confess that we are sinners. But we rejoice in our security! Amen.

Helpful Hints:

1. Use this lesson to illustrate the security of those who love God.

2. Break this lesson down into many devotionals and use it to teach the great themes of God’s foreknowledge, predestination, calling, depravity, election, specific atonement, irresistible grace and the preservation of the Saints.

3. Use this lesson to teach the sovereignty of God who rules over all things.

4. Use this lesson to show that even suffering and affliction works together for our good and brings us closer to the Lord.

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

-Hebrews 12:1,2

Here we find the apostle seeking to encourage his Hebrew brethren with a nostalgic review of their faithful ancestors. This great cloud of witnesses hovered around their cots as a constant reminder of faith’s triumphs by men and women just like themselves. Paul was saying, If God was with them, surely He will be with us. Today, we may say by faith, If God was with them, surely He will be with us!

Paul compares the life of faith to the footrace of the Olympic games of his day, the race that is set before us. If you are a Christian, the race is on. You must run it. But how shall we run?

First we must lay aside every weight. The word weight describes the runner’s hindrances. Runners will not pick up weights before they run. Nor should the faithful in their endeavors to live by faith. What is your hindrance today? What is it that keeps you from God’s house; from prayer’s paths; from the Bible’s pages; from God’s will in your life? Whatever, or, whoever it is, we must consider it as a heavy hindrance. It may be great, but is it greater than God? Call upon Him and He shall help you to lay it aside by prayer, repentance and faith. We must find the steps that Christian discovered in his first steps of faith when he passed through the slough of Despond!

Secondly, we must lay aside the sin. How long must we be reminded that sin besets the runners pace? Sin is man’s problem. That will never change. It causes the runner to stumble and even fall. But do not let this discourage the runner. I have never known a runner that did not stumble from time to time. Even the best of runners have fallen. David stumbled, Moses stumbled, Abraham stumbled, even Peter had his trip ups. Some falls are private and some are before all. But the faithful runner must get up and finish the race. If he stumbles and falls he is not alone, The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down-Psalm 145:14. Is there a particular sin, past or present, strapped to your back? Let it no longer hinder you. Take it to the cross. There you will find it crucified and your pace will be light once again.

We are next told how to run: with patience. The life of faith is not a 100 yard dash. It is a long distance run, moment by moment, day by day, week by week, year by year. It must be approached with a prayerful attitude. Therefore, patience must be a Godly virtue. And how does one come by this thing called patience? According to Paul, tribulation worketh patience. The trials and tribulations of life teach us how to run. Let us learn from them. It is never too late to learn. The hoary head has much to teach us in this arena. Consider our great cloud of witnesses.

Finally, the runner’s eyes must be fixed. Looking back is a deadly distraction of Satan. The Grand Canyon may be before you! You can run into a brick wall looking back over your shoulder at past failures. We must be Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Look to the throne of grace and find forgiveness; look to Calvary and find deliverance; look to Jesus who said, Father, forgive them.

The look at our cloud of witnesses was indeed encouraging, but here we find the perfect example. One who never stumbled or fell. He is the author. He wrote the book on the life of faith. If we are to learn, let us learn from the Master! Let us notice how He ran. Have we faced the trials; the mockery; the hatred; the blasphemy; the lies; or even the physical torment the He endured? We must keep on running! He, too, ran with His eyes open. He looked straight ahead at the Joy set before Him. The runner can endure a lot of pain when the trophy is in sight. Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame because He had victory before His eyes: The redemption of His people.

He must have obtained His prize because He is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. This is the winners circle! He rejoices today. Let us rejoice with Him for His work.

While our days may become lonesome and dark, when our feet grow weary in our run, we must keep our eyes upon Him. With this heavenly view we can gain a glimpse of where we will be seated one day. This joy is set before the eyes of every believer. Lord, help us to be a witness for our posterity!

Helpful Hints:

1. Use this lesson to talk about repentance.

2. Use this lesson to show how Satan weights us down with sin and bad habits and how we rise above these by faith.

3. Use this lesson to talk about someone you all know who lived a life of faith in your own family.

4. Use this lesson to show how Jesus suffered for our sakes, yet remained faithful.

5. Use this lesson to remind your children that they will suffer in this world if they live the Christian life, but that the blessings are worth it.

6. Use this lesson to illustrate the power of a witnessing life.

THE MATHEMATICS OF GRACE

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven –

Matthew 18:21-22

These words of Jesus reflect something that seems to be drifting from our vocabulary, a kind of math that is not new, but ancient as the Godhead, treasured up in the person of Christ: it is the mathematics of grace.

Grace reveals God’s way of keeping score which goes against the grain of our natural reasoning. Grace disengages a catch 22 situation that occurs between people who love one another. It is a math that Satan hates because it reconciles irreconcilable differences; accepts the prodigal home; frees the woman taken in adultery; calls a murderer to become an apostle; places Rahab in the royal family; and forgives a repentant fornicator in the Corinthian church. Jesus is saying, Peter, you forgive, I’ll keep the books.

If you will notice, Jesus did not give Peter an out. He didn’t say, Peter, when they ask for your forgiveness you may then extend it. He just said, Forgive. That’s God’s mathematics. To forgive whether we are asked to or not.

Paul had been taught this higher math as well. He offered grace to sinners because it was the best thing he had ever experienced. To the Ephesians he wrote, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you-Eph 4:32. How did Christ forgive us? Did we ask Him to descend from glory? Did we ask Him to take on the form of flesh? Did we ask Him to bleed and die for our sins against Him? Did Christ go to the grave with hard and angry feelings toward those that injured Him? He forgave, He suffered, He bled and died without any one asking Him to do so. That, my dear reader, is agape love. Perhaps our love is not what it should be. Jesus was full of grace and truth as He said, "Father, forgive them for they know