Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Welcome to PGBC, where Faith, Family,
and Fellowship come together in Christ.

Sunday School | 9:45 AM EST
Sunday Service | 10:55 AM EST
Wednesday Bible Study | 6PM EST Sunday
Sunday School 9:00 am
Worship Service 10:00 am
Adult Classes and Youth Group 11:15 am

Wednesday
Brown Bag Supper 5:00 pm
Prayer and Bible study 6:00 pm

06/18/2026

Faith That Moves Beyond Knowing
Daily Devotional•2 Minutes
As faith moves beyond knowing, John 13 shows that blessing follows obedience, calling us to serve as Jesus served and to live out the truth we profess with humble, visible action.

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).

Many people knew God’s promises—the Law, the Prophets, and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. But Jesus understood that knowing was not enough. In order to receive God’s blessings, faith must be put into action. Rather than just knowing God’s Word, we must do what He says.

Jesus demonstrated this on the night He was betrayed when He washed the feet of every disciple … even the feet of Judas, who was about to betray Him. He asked His disciples a powerful question: “Do you understand what I have done?” (v. 12), then He directed that they “do just as I have done.” They needed to “wash one another’s feet” (vs. 14–15). Blessing would follow … only after they acted.

Earlier, when some questioned His authority and His identity as God’s Son, Jesus told them to look at what He was doing: “If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them … believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (John 10:37–38).

To receive God’s blessings, we must put His Word into practice and do the things He’s shown us to do. Don’t be satisfied with merely knowing God’s promises; put these promises into action in your life. Be bold. Declare God’s Word to be true … and step out in faith.

Reflection Question: Are you acting on what you know?

Prayer
Father, help me put Your Word into action. I want to be ready to receive Your blessings and be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
John 13

06/18/2026

June 18, 2026
Helping Others Learn to Pray
Our prayers open doors for others to encounter God more deeply.
Luke 11:1-4

After hearing the Lord pray, the disciples recognized they had much to learn about communicating with the Father. So they asked Jesus to teach them. With the Lord as our role model, we can try to motivate our loved ones to develop a prayer life that will endure. Since an example can be even more effective than an explanation, it’s beneficial for them to see and hear us as we talk intimately with God.

When we bring our concerns to the Lord, our family and friends will see how He answers prayers. They’ll also recognize that He’s our provider, protector, and guide. Learning how God responds to our requests can encourage people to take their concerns to Him as well (Phil. 4:6-7).

Fellow believers also need to understand that prayer is not just a list of requests. Rather, it’s a conversation that builds a relationship with the Lord. When they hear us praise and exalt Him, they’ll realize praying should be God-focused rather than self-focused. And as they observe us reading the Bible and letting it guide our requests, they’ll learn to pray according to God’s will.

Sometimes prayer can be challenging, but remain committed. Never forget that you can influence others through your example of faithful prayer.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 39-43

06/17/2026

June 17, 2026
Hindrances to Accepting God’s Love
Is something in your life preventing you from accepting God's unconditional love?
1 John 3:1-3

Do you ever struggle to embrace the pure love of God? What might prevent a believer from accepting this wonderful blessing?

Our own relationships. Ironically, the way we love each other can distort how we perceive the heavenly Father’s love. As imperfect people, we exhibit imperfect love.

Guilt. Our remorse over sinful behavior might convince us that we are unworthy of God’s love. However, we have the assurance of Scripture that our Father loves us completely.

Legalism. Many people view the Bible as a rule book. However, God gave us His Word for instruction and inspiration, not as a measuring stick by which He distributes love or punishment.

Misinterpretation of divine discipline. God is a trustworthy and caring Father; His discipline and love are intimately connected (Heb. 12:5-6). He corrects our behavior when necessary for our benefit, not as a form of punishment. Jesus already redeemed us from our sin; God doesn’t continue to hold anything over our head.

Is something in your life preventing you from fully experiencing the joy and exhilaration of God’s unconditional love? If so, lay it down before Him today and receive the amazing grace He so freely offers to His beloved ones.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 35-38

06/17/2026

Dare to Ask for the Nations
Daily Devotional•2 Minutes
As we dare to ask for the nations, Psalm 2 reminds us that even when rulers resist and cultures rage against God, He invites His people to pray boldly for global salvation and the advancement of His Kingdom.

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8).

As the psalmist looked at the world, he wondered, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” He described how “the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together” (vs. 1–2). What brought them together? Their animosity toward God, the things of God, and the people of God. And this wasn’t just casual opposition; they were determined to destroy God’s Kingdom.

Many people today have the same attitude. Comedians and actors ridicule believers. Books and articles are written by skeptics condemning the Gospel. Some even blame the world’s problems on Christians and those who believe the Bible.

Recently, in a routine discussion about a technical issue, a potential vendor lashed out at a ministry. Not only did he refuse to help it, but he also charged that spreading the Gospel was nothing but “distressful propaganda.” To him, “the current ‘Christian’ movement in our society is the single greatest threat to survival and well-being.” He even declared that he felt “forced to do whatever is in my power to stop organizations like this.”

Our hearts break for this kind of defiance against God. But the Lord doesn’t want us to be surprised or intimidated. Instead, He wants us to ask Him for big things for the nations!

Don’t give in to defeat. Stand boldly for God’s Kingdom, and do your part to win the nations for Christ.

Reflection Question: Are you praying boldly for the nations?

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for the nations! I ask for the salvation of millions. I ask that revival would sweep the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
Psalm 2

06/16/2026

The Strength to Outsit the Storm
Daily Devotional•2 Minutes
When we gain the strength to outsit the storm, Ecclesiastes 7 shows that patient endurance and Spirit-shaped self-control accomplish more than pride or hurried decisions ever could.

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

In his years as American Vice President (1953–1961), Richard Nixon had frequent opportunities to interact with Konrad Adenauer. Born in 1876, Adenauer was elected chancellor of West Germany in 1949. He served until 1963 when he was 87 years old.

In particular, Nixon was amazed at Adenauer’s patience. He “seemed tireless,” even into his eighties. He once said that the best politician is the one who “can outsit the rest.” If necessary, he would “let meetings run far into the night.” And, Nixon observed, “He would sit patiently as one sleepy opponent after another came around to his point of view.” His negotiations frequently were successful simply because of his patience—his ability to wait and persevere.

In contrast to Adenauer, many people seem impetuous and impatient, anxious, and in a hurry. By rushing, they often make wrong decisions. The Bible tells us that it is “better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city” (Proverbs 16:32 NLT).

Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), a byproduct of yielding to His control in our lives. It comes to those who truly trust that God is in control and allow Him to take away their fears and worries.

David wrote, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14). Don’t be anxious or give up hope. Wait patiently, and you will succeed.

Reflection Question: How will you wait on the Lord?

Prayer
Father, I commit the situations in my life to You and rest in Your care. Help me to trust You and have patience. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
Ecclesiastes 7

06/16/2026

June 16, 2026
The Unconditional Love of God
God's love isn't something you can earn or lose. It flows from His nature, not your performance.
Romans 5:6-8

New believers may find it difficult to accept that God loves them just as they are. After all, much of the world operates by conditional love, which offers approval and acceptance on the basis of performance. So when we first come to Christ, there is often a natural tendency to assume we must strive to “earn” blessings.

Divine love can never be gained by human effort. There’s nothing we can do to make our Father love us more. Nor can we do anything to make Him stop loving us (Rom. 8:38-39).

No matter what has occurred in your past or what you’re struggling with right now, God’s love is freely given to you. Our heavenly Father pours His love upon us without exception. It’s not as if He postponed loving you until the moment you invited Him into your life. In truth, the Lord never began to love you at all; He always has. From the creation of the world, God knew you and loved you (Ps. 139:13-16; Eph. 1:4-5).

Rejoice in the Father’s love. Experience His peace instead of focusing only on what-ifs, and embrace a life characterized by purpose rather than fear. It’s available as soon as you prayerfully open your arms to His unconditional love.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 29-34

06/15/2026

God’s Eternal Plan
Daily Devotional•2 Minutes
In “God’s Eternal Plan,” we see through Daniel 1 that exile, loss, and shifting kingdoms never cancel His purposes, as He remains faithful to refine His people and advance a Kingdom that will never fall.

“Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar” (Daniel 1:1–2).

Many Jews in Babylon felt hopeless. Jerusalem and the Temple had been destroyed. Their king and many leading citizens had been taken into exile. Much of their treasure had disappeared, and nothing of value or importance remained behind. Now they were captives in a foreign land, many miles from their home.

This exile was the result of their own disobedience, idolatry, defiance, and rejection of God’s laws. But the Bible shows us that God never abandoned His people. The prophet Jeremiah, who lived at this time, realized that the Lord’s mercies were new every morning. His faithfulness is great even when His people are unfaithful (Lamentations 3:22–23).

Even while they were in exile, many continued to seek God. Men like Daniel rose up to be His witnesses. In many ways, this time of exile served to purify God’s people. It helped them to put their lives into perspective, allowed them to comprehend what they had done, and forced them to realize that although earthly kingdoms could rise and fall, God’s Kingdom would endure forever.

Our world still is filled with troubles—wars and rumors of war, financial uncertainty, cultural conflicts over what values should govern society. Make sure you’re trusting in God and seeking first His Kingdom. He has a plan for the nations, and His plans are unfolding every day.

Take heart; He still keeps His eye on you, working to accomplish His purposes!

Reflection Question: Do you trust God even when circumstances crumble?

Prayer
Dear Father, I trust You to fulfill Your plans in my life. Help me to be faithful with my time, talents, and treasures. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
Daniel 1

06/15/2026

June 15, 2026
Understanding the Christian Life
Do you understand what it means to be saved?
Galatians 1:11-17

A change in both lifestyle and understanding should result from salvation (Rom. 12:2). Shortly after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul pulled away to Arabia for a time. Before he could start his ministry, he needed to learn from the Lord. Similarly, new believers coming into faith need to understand what salvation really means. Let’s look at some terms that help explain what is meant by “being saved”:

Born again (John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17). Rebirth is a starting over. We become new creations in Christ, with new spiritual life and identity.

Converted (1 Thess. 1:9). Converting something means changing it, like money that’s exchanged from one currency to another. The Christian life involves many different changes.

Receiving Christ (John 1:12). We often think of salvation as something God gives us, but it is more than that. When someone trusts in Christ, that person welcomes the Lord to live within his or her being.

Think about how you thought and lived before you knew the Savior, as compared with now. In what ways do you see genuine change? Ask God to reveal areas in your life where Christ could become more evident.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 23-28

06/14/2026

Trusting God to Connect the Pieces
Daily Devotional•2 Minutes
As we pursue true understanding, 2 Timothy 2 reminds us that growth comes when we think deeply about God’s Word, pray over it, and trust the Lord to connect the pieces into lasting wisdom.

“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Timothy 2:7).

If Timothy wanted “understanding in everything,” it wouldn’t be enough just to read Paul’s letter or listen to his words. It wasn’t even enough just to read the Law or the Prophets. Timothy needed to go a step further: He needed to “think over” these words.

In this challenge, Paul used a Greek word that means to exercise the mind. Timothy needed to think, seek, and dig deeper. If he wanted understanding, he had to put in extra effort. This involved mulling over the words he had heard and read, pondering what they meant, studying, praying, seeking God, and being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If he did those things, Paul promised that he would gain “understanding.” The Greek word here indicates that while Timothy might have grasped bits and pieces of information, this did not mean he truly had understanding. God would help him put the pieces together, almost like a puzzle; only then would he really have understanding, not just in some things, but “in everything.”

This same challenge applies to you. Remember the power and importance of reading God’s Word and listening to sermons or reading books by anointed authors. But if you want all the pieces to fit together, you must exercise your mind. God is ready to reward your desire to learn and grow. Trust Him to put more of the pieces together for you.

Reflection Question: Are you reflecting deeply on God’s Word?

Prayer
Lord, I seek a deeper understanding of the things You are showing me. I open my mind and heart to learn from You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
2 Timothy 2

06/14/2026

June 14, 2026
Complete Obedience
God desires complete obedience for our good, not to burden us.
1 Samuel 15:1-35

One of the most common ways we step out of God’s will is through partial obedience—doing most of what He asks but holding back in other areas.

King Saul fell into this trap. After God ordered the Israelites to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions, they spared the best livestock and the leader, Agag. When Samuel arrived, Saul announced he’d done as commanded. But on further questioning, he shifted blame to the people (v. 15)—though he was king, and no big decision was made without his approval.

Then Saul offered what seemed like a reasonable explanation: The animals had been saved to be sacrificed to the Lord. It must have sounded righteous. But Samuel wasn’t fooled. He identified Saul’s action for what it was—rebellion (v. 23).

We can do the same thing. Our reasons for partial obedience may sound perfectly logical to us. We might even convince ourselves we’re honoring God. But the Lord doesn’t evaluate our obedience by our intentions or justifications.

Have you been rationalizing a decision that doesn’t quite align with what God wants? Partial obedience may feel like a reasonable compromise, but it keeps us from experiencing the fullness of walking in His will.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 19-22

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13800 Aiken Road
Louisville, KY
40245

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(502)2454250

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