Devotion

Pastor Jim Rugg

The Psalmist David wrote in Psalms 40 ~  “I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry.”  Waiting is when our faith is tested so many times.  I know that I often fall short in the category of waiting.  How about you?   Yet I hear the HOLY SPIRIT admonishing me to put my trust in the LORD and His WORD.  I am challenged, just like you are, to be patient.   Thank goodness it is the LORD who hears our cry.  He knows the depths of our hearts; He knows us better than we know ourselves.  Patient prayer gets our Fathers attention.   In the challenges of life that we all face, we must remember to cry out to the LORD and wait for Him; to rest in His love and in His truth.  Spend some reflective time in Psalm 40 today and be encouraged.   God loves you very much.

Stay in the Word, Stay in Prayer, Stay Connected

Pastor Jim

Pastor Dorothy Rugg

I went to bed last night with a heavy heart, I laid there praying and thinking of Scriptures – my heart was so overwhelmed with worrying – fear – sadness.  I was thinking of all the loss, the sadness that goes with loss, thinking of family and friends who are going through some terrible times, praying for those who are dealing with all kinds of sickness, heartache, loneliness, trouble in families and my heart was very heavy.  Eventually I did fall asleep but it was a restless sleep.   This morning I woke up to a symphony of birds just singing their hearts out and a flood of Scripture came into my soul!

 Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I flee to You to hide me. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness. Save my life, O Lord, for Your name’s sake; in Your righteousness, bring my life out of trouble and free me from distress.   Psalm 143:8-11 (Amplified version)

 My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
 I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your goodness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds.  Be exalted above the heavens, God; May Your glory be above all the earth.   Psalm 57:8-11 NAS

But as for me, I will sing of Your strength; Yes, I will joyfully sing of Your faithfulness in the morning, For You have been my refuge And a place of refuge on the day of my distress.  Psalm 59:16 NAS

My heart is steadfast, God; I will sing, I will sing praises also with my [soul. Awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn!  Psalm 108:1,2  NAS

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.  Psalm 119:147  NAS

Some of the songs that flooded my soul were:

Awake my soul and sing for Him who died for thee and hail Him as thy Matchless King throughout eternity!

Shout to the LORD all the earth and sing power and majesty Praise to our King…..

This is my Father’s world……

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee…..

Needless to say, I was once again reminded that GOD IS GOD and I am not.   My hope is built on nothing less than JESUS blood and righteousness.    I cannot fix all the problems in this world; I cannot change situations but I can trust in the ONE who holds all things in HIS hands.  This is the truth GOD loves us and GOD will be with us and GOD will never ever leave us!!