Deus Misereatur

[The following is what I presented on 22 June 2016 at the Capitol Forum, at the Oklahoma State Capitol] Demon Piety Luke 8.26-39 Did you know that the devil is very pious or religious? And did you know that our best religious efforts are often duplicated by demons? Why should this matter? Because it ought to inspire in you and me to examine ourselves, our religiousness, our Christianity, and yearn to be authentic God-lovers ! Consider the “piety’” of the demoniac: Demons have religious insight: “ Jesus, Son of the Most High God” (v.28). Demons have a form of religiousness: notice they pray to Christ for some form of mercy: “ I beg you, do not torment me” (v.28)! Demons were persistent in their prayers: “ they begged him... ” (v.28, 31, 32). Demons praying in a humble, subservient posture: “he cried out and fell down before him” (v.28). Demons pray with deep feeling: he cried out... and said with a loud voice” (v.28). Demons use humble expressions in their p

From Psalm 127 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. LORD, you are the One who builds the house, and watches over the city. We plant and water, but you are the one who gives the growth! Bless our congregation with fitting and fair growth; that we would grow roots downward and bear fruit upward; that you would add to our number such as are being saved. Father, we pray you would bring us families with children, pre-teens, middle school and upper school kids. We ask for single people, widowed, married and divorced. We solicit your help in drawing in families and folks from the Glen Eagles, Fairhill, Redlands and Brasswood neighborhoods. We also long to have men, women, boys and girls who will come, believe in Jesus, profess their faith, and receive Chris