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Ridgecrest Baptist Church Outdoor Ministries, Milton Road, Durham, NC (2026)

09/08/2026

Morning Devotion

“Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.”

RUTH 3:4

We should be careful not to misinterpret Ruth’s actions here. There was nothing improper, dirty, or impure. She was placing herself at Boaz’s feet under his protection. In Ruth 3:9 she requested that Boaz take her under his wing. She was saying, “I place myself under your protection; I am fully committed to you!”

Question: Can you have an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ if you’re not fully committed to Him? The answer is no. Is Christ Lord? I must ask myself every one of these questions. Have I placed myself at the feet of my Redeemer? The most sacred place on Earth is not in the pew, not at the altar, not behind the pulpit, not some temple somewhere. The most sacred place on Earth is at the feet of Jesus when you are fully committed to Him.

What does it mean to place yourself at the feet of Jesus?
How do you need to further commit yourself to Him today?

Take time in prayer today to posture yourself at the feet of Jesus. Consider changing your physical posture to display this act of humility by kneeling if you are able.

From Adrian Rogers

09/04/2026

Morning Devotion

“Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.”

RUTH 1:14

When Ruth made the decision to stay with Naomi, not only was her life changed, but my life was changed. Did you know that Ruth, this pagan girl, became an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ? She married into the royal line and, according to the flesh, she became a part of the house of David. Before this decision, she had so much against her. She had a cursed life. The Bible teaches that there was a curse upon her. Deuteronomy 23:3 says, “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever.” The Law said, “Keep her out! She’s not worthy.” She had a cursed life. But what the law could not do, grace did for this woman. And what the law could not do for me, grace has done. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:12, “you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” But thank God, the grace of God has brought us in.

How does it encourage you to remember that you were previously without hope before God, but the work of Christ has changed everything for you?
How does this encourage you about others who also need to know Jesus?

Tell someone today about the hope you have because of Jesus.

From Adrian Rogers

09/03/2026

Morning Devotion

“Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.”

RUTH 1:1-5

Why did Elimelech leave Bethlehem? He was afraid he couldn’t survive. He left the house of bread with the wrong motive, the wrong method, and the wrong master. And what does he do over there? He dies. And what happens to his little boys that he was so concerned about? They die.

There’s an old story about a rich merchant of Baghdad who had a servant. And the servant came to him and said, “Master, I want you to give me one of your best horses. I must flee.” And the merchant said to his servant, “Why do you need to flee?” The servant replied, “I was in the marketplace today, and a sinister figure jostled me, and I turned, and I looked in his face, and I was staring in the face of Death. Master, give me a horse, I must flee to Samara.” The master, loving his servant, said, “Take my best horse and flee if you will.” And then the rich merchant went to the marketplace, and there he saw Death. And he said, “Death, why did you startle my servant when you saw him?” And Death said, “I didn’t mean to startle your servant; it was your servant that startled me. I didn’t expect to see him here. I have an appointment with him tonight in Samara.” Elimelech sought life on his own terms, but all he found was death. We must be careful not to do the same.

What are some ways we might seek our own solutions to the problems we face in life?
What would it look like to give those over to God instead?

Write out the problems you are facing today; seek to give those to God in prayer.

From Adrian Rogers

09/02/2026

Morning Devotion

“So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them’”

ACTS 4:24

What gives the believer boldness? It is the fact that God—who scooped out the oceans, who heaped up the mountains, and who dotted the Universe with stars, billions and billions of stars, out over the velvety blackness of space—is on our side. In today’s passage and the verses that follow (Acts 4:24-30), the believers said, “God, You made it all. Why should we tremble when You are our Father? Why should we be intimidated when a God who can do such things is on our side?”

A college student once asked his pastor, “Pastor, do you believe there’s life on other planets, other places out in space?” Pastor said, “No, son, I really don’t believe there is.” He said, “Now, Pastor, think about it. There are billions and billions of stars, and you don’t believe there’s life out there anywhere?” The pastor said, “I can’t prove there’s not, but I don’t believe there is.” And then the college student said, “Well, Pastor, then why did God go to the trouble to make all that stuff?” The pastor said, “What trouble? He only had to speak. Only God can do that. He spoke, and universes dripped from His fingers.” What a mighty God we serve.

How often do you stop to consider the majesty of God’s creation, even beyond our solar system and galaxy?
What does this tell you about God and His power?

Make time this week to behold God’s majesty in His creation. As you do, submit your cares before Him, recognizing His power and might as displayed in His creation.

From Adrian Rogers

09/01/2026

Morning Devotion

“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’”

MATTHEW 11:2-3

At the beginning of Matthew 11, John was in prison and sent messengers to ask if Jesus was the promised One of God. Jesus knew John’s heart and did not mistake the moment for the man. Jesus knew John had an honest doubt—John asked an honest question, and he got an honest answer. And look at the tribute Jesus paid to John in verse 11: “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” And John the Baptist continued to serve the Lord up to the point of giving his head for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Do you know what real faith is? Real faith is not receiving from God what you want; real faith is accepting from God what He gives. Learn that and you won’t get offended at God. If things don’t work out like you think they should—if you’re serving God but you end up in a dungeon—just remember that God is God. He is good, and He is in control.

How does today’s devotion remind you that you can bring your honest questions before Jesus?
What question do you need to bring before Him today?

Take time today to journal and write out questions you want to ask God.

From Adrian Rogers

08/31/2026

Morning Devotion

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”

JOHN 20:29

Suppose you’ve saved all your life for a vacation. The time for your trip has finally come, and you’re in Hawaii. You’re in the finest hotel. You and your spouse are celebrating without a care in the world. The weather is perfect. The food is sumptuous. You’re having a wonderful time. And let’s suppose that you’ve left your children home in the care of someone else, and one of your children is in an automobile accident while you’re in Hawaii. Would you want to know about it? Would you want somebody to get on the phone and call you and mess up your vacation? Or would you say, “Don’t bother me. We’re having a wonderful time. Yes, I understand that my child has been hurt, but I don’t want to know about it.” Every parent knows the answer, right? “Yes, I want to know. Forget the vacation.”

That’s why Jesus left Heaven. He could have said, “I just don’t want to know. I just don’t care.” But He’s a God of love. And He loved us so much that He stepped out of glory. He loved us so much that He walked the dusty shores and the streets of Nazareth and the sandy beach of Galilee. He loved us so much that He carried the cross to Golgotha and died in agony and blood. And those scars Thomas saw there in His hands say that He’s a saving God. He has paid for our sins with His own blood.

How do the actions and work of Jesus show you how much God loves you?
How does imagining the scenario of loving earthly parents help you see God’s love for you?

Take time to read John 18–20 to see how Jesus’ love for you caused Him to act.

From Adrian Rogers

08/28/2026

Morning Devotion

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?”

2 PETER 3:11

Once in Oklahoma City there was a fire in an apartment. The flames were consuming that apartment, and there was a woman who’d been carried out by a fireman and was fighting to go back into the fire. She said, “My baby is in that apartment!” They had to hold her back because she surely would have perished. One fireman volunteered to go get her baby. He went up the ladder, through the window, into that smoke-filled room, and felt his way through. He found the baby crib, reached in and picked up that little bundle, held it close to him, and came back to the window, choking through the blinding smoke. The people gave a cheer as he handed the woman the bundle. But as she pulled the blanket back, she cried, “That’s not my baby. That’s my baby's doll!”

I wonder if we’re going to come to the end of an age hugging the toys of this world when everything is going up in fire. My friend, the house, the car, and all these things—they’re not that important. What is important? The souls of men! I want to get as many to come with me as I can. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

How can you be sure you are valuing the right things as you wait for the return of Jesus?
How do we show others that they are more important than the “stuff” of the world?

Have a conversation today to let another person know how much God values him or her.

From Adrian Rogers

08/27/2026

Morning Devotion

Every time somebody dies that I know it reminds me that I too will die one day . Our day to meet Jesus could be today . People die on their way to work everyday. They die at work . Some die on their way home from work . Everyday this happen all over the world . A thousand times a day . Are you ready to meet him . We don’t have to wait till He comes back to meet him . It could be today . God is a God of Mercy . He has allowed you to live this long so you could have more time to reach out to him and accept the Salvation He offers through his Son Jesus . I hope you have done that . One day the door will close and no one else will be able to come in . Today is the Day. Thank you Jesus - Rod

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

2 PETER 3:8

People who scoff at the Second Coming of Jesus are ignorant of what God has done and of what God is like. God is above and beyond time, and God doesn’t wake up by an alarm clock. Second Peter 3:8 says, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

As far as God is concerned, it’s only been a few days since Jesus left this Earth. God hasn’t forgotten. The reason Jesus is not yet come is that God has kept the door of mercy open. I believe God, in mercy, is waiting on our generation to come to Jesus, but one of these days, the Day of the Lord will come, and even now the raging waters of God’s wrath are furiously pounding against the dam of His mercy. Jesus is going to come suddenly, like a thief in the night.

How does it reframe your perspective to know the delay of Jesus’ return is a sign of mercy and not neglect?
How should this encourage us to share Jesus with others?

Take time to thank God for His mercy. Pray and ask Him to point you to the people He wants you to share with today.

From Adrian Rogers

08/26/2026

Morning Devotion

We may face sickness and death in this world . Christians and unbelievers are not exempt from suffering in this life . This world is sick and is passing away. It’s a very sinful place . This world is only temporary. You will soon die and you will spend eternity some where . Jesus suffered and died in our place so we wouldn’t have to suffer forever in the Fires of Hell. We may suffer a little while here but if we believe in what Jesus has done we will have Everlasting Life and Peace with Him in Heaven. Thank you Jesus - Rod

“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’”

JOHN 20:27

I’ve spoken to some Jewish people who say, “I don’t believe in God anymore.” I say, “Why don’t you believe in God?” They say, “Because of the Holocaust. I cannot believe in a God who would allow such suffering.” I’ve seen people, when a loved one is eaten away with some malady, whether it be cancer or some other disease, say, “I just don’t want to have anything to do with God. I don’t believe in God. I can’t understand this matter of suffering.”

Here’s the way the human mind begins to think: “If God is a God of love, and He loves me so much, but He doesn’t do anything to relieve this suffering, then He must not have any power.” Or “If He has the power, but He doesn’t do it, maybe He has no love.” Or maybe they ask another question: “Maybe He doesn’t have any love. Maybe He doesn’t have any power. Maybe there is no God. If there is, why do people suffer?” Well, there’s a bigger question than that. Not why does God allow humans to suffer, but why does God allow Himself to suffer?

Have you ever thought about God as a God who suffers? Have you ever thought about God as One who has pain? How did those scars come into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ? Those nail prints? That scar into His side? Because He willingly suffered in our place. The question is not “Why is there suffering,” but “Why did God take our suffering”?

What is most difficult for you about the reality of suffering?
How are you comforted to remember that God has suffered in your place and on your behalf?

Take time today to worship God for paying the price for your sin and suffering in your place.

From Adrian Rogers

08/25/2026

Morning Devotion

“And saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’”

2 PETER 3:4

How do I know Jesus is coming again? Because I believe the Bible. The Bible has shown itself to be the Word of God, and repeatedly the Bible mentions the Second Coming of Jesus. Now the new birth is important, but a new birth is mentioned only nine times in the Bible. Baptism is important, but it’s only mentioned 20 times in the Bible. Repentance is wonderfully important—it is only mentioned 70 times in the New Testament. But the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is mentioned 380 times in the New Testament alone. In our passage, Peter said that some will ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” It’s all over the Bible. He has promised, and He cannot lie. If you take the whole Bible, one out of every twenty-five verses speak of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus has said He will return, and He won’t break that promise.

How often would you say you think about the return of Jesus compared with the amount of space the Bible gives to this truth?
What could you do to remember this truth more frequently?

Look up some of the passages that refer to Jesus’ return. Work to memorize one or two of these as a way of regularly reminding yourself.

From Adrian Rogers

Ridgecrest Baptist Church Outdoor Ministries

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