Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 13800 Aiken Road, Louisville, KY (2026)

09/11/2026

Reflect and Pray
Daily Devotional•3 Minutes
What if God set aside a day just to help you pause? The Feast of Trumpets—today’s Rosh Hashanah—was a call to stop, reflect, and pray.

“On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work” (Numbers 29:1).

The start of the new year is a particularly important time on God’s calendar. He called it one of “my appointed feasts” (Leviticus 23:2).

God cared so deeply about this day, He directed that all normal activity was to stop. Instead, everyone was to spend time in reflection and prayer. They were to look seriously at their lives, thinking about what they had done in the past, their attitudes and behavior, possessions and priorities, and their relationships with other people and with God. They were to think about God’s holiness, humble themselves before Him, and turn away from sin and anything that displeased Him.

Today at sundown begins the celebration of this Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashanah. This day also begins a 10-day period known as the High Holy Days, set apart to ponder, pray, and reflect on our life’s meaning and purpose.

Many Christians have forgotten the importance of Rosh Hashanah, although God Himself declared that the commemoration of this day was to be a “statute forever.”

This is God’s annual reminder for all of His people: We are to consider that we will give an account to Him for everything we say and do. We are to humble ourselves before Him and allow Him to search our hearts, cleanse us from any sin, and give us a fresh start.

This day is important to God. Make it important for you as well!

Reflection Question: Will you keep this appointment God has made with you today?

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “holy convocation” of Numbers 29:1, and how does it relate to Rosh Hashanah?
It is the Feast of Trumpets—a day of trumpet blasts and rest on the first of the seventh month (Tishri). In later Jewish tradition it became Rosh Hashanah, the civil new year and start of the High Holy Days.

Are Christians required to observe Rosh Hashanah?
The New Testament does not command observing the feasts, calling them shadows fulfilled in Christ (Colossians 2:16–17). Many Christians still find value in reflecting on their meaning, but it is a matter of freedom, not obligation.

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Prayer
Father, thank You for all You’ve done in my life. I humble myself before You. Search my heart and cleanse me from sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
Numbers 29

09/11/2026

September 11, 2026
Freedom in Christ
Confession is the door that leads to experiencing God’s grace, healing, and freedom.
Colossians 3:5-10

We all sin, but the heavenly Father is faithful to restore fellowship with His beloved children. He does this by breaking down walls that were built up through our disobedience. The first step toward that restoration is our honest confession—in other words, instead of remaining in denial about the sin that has a hold on us, we name it. Otherwise, denial blocks the healing and freedom God offers.

But sin rarely exists in a vacuum. The reasons behind wrong behavior are often deeply emotional. Feelings like insecurity, inadequacy, or a lack of self-worth can drive us to search for ways to satisfy or escape the pain. What results is often some form of unhealthy behavior that compounds the struggle.

God cares about every dimension of that struggle—spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. Confession opens the door to His healing work, and He meets us through every means of grace available, including His Word, His people, and the wisdom He gives to those who help us heal.

As Paul reminds us, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). That freedom is real, and it will touch every part of our life.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 46-48

09/10/2026

Complacent
Daily Devotional•3 Minutes
Can you know all the right things about God and still drift? Zephaniah warns against complacency—a faith alive in words but stalled in action.

“I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill’” (Zephaniah 1:12).

Some people have an active faith. They don’t just know about God, but they actually have a personal relationship with Him. They don’t just know what His Word says, but they’ve hidden it in their hearts, and it’s part of the fabric of their being. Their lives have been transformed by the Holy Spirit, and they are new creatures in Christ. They have powerful prayer lives and seek first God’s Kingdom.

But others, as Zephaniah describes, are “complacent”—though they have all the ingredients necessary to believe and live in victory and they know what to do, they don’t do it. They’re concerned about their reputation and about what others might say. And instead of putting their faith into action, they’re spiritually motionless—standing still.

These stagnant people are like the seed in Jesus’ parable that was “sown among thorns.” They “hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:18–19). Instead of being governed by God’s Word, they’ve placed their faith in the things of the world.

The reality is that anyone can allow their faith to stagnate. How do we prevent this from happening? By maintaining a living relationship with God. We must know Him personally and intimately, dare to believe His Word, and trust Him completely. Put your faith into action!

Reflection Question: Are you standing still or living an active faith?

Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God would “search Jerusalem with lamps”?
It pictures thorough judgment—God leaving no corner unexamined, exposing those who assumed He would neither act nor notice. Complacency, described as w**e “settled on its dregs,” is treated as a spiritual danger, not neutrality.

How does the parable of the sower relate to spiritual stagnation?
In Mark 4:18–19, the seed among thorns represents those who hear the Word but let worries, wealth, and desires choke it, making it “unfruitful.” It shows how a faith can be alive in knowledge yet barren in practice.

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Prayer
Dear Lord, I believe that Your Word is true. Help me put aside my fears and reservations and act boldly on my faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
Zephaniah 1

09/10/2026

September 10, 2026
Avoiding Enslavement
Though sin may beckon, God has equipped us with the power to resist temptation.
Romans 6:16-19

Like a physical prison that’s built brick by brick, a spiritual prison is erected one sin at a time. Ensnarement happens slowly, beginning with a thought. Over time, contemplation can turn into action.

But we can avoid spiritual chains. Our first step is to acknowledge two basic truths: All sin enslaves, and it begins in the mind. We cannot maintain a healthy relationship with the Lord while deliberately indulging in sin. When a wrong thought creeps into our consciousness, we have the choice to either expel or entertain it (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Through the strength of the Holy Spirit, every believer possesses power to change his or her mind.

A long-term view of disobedient behavior is a strong antidote to temptation. Obeying the Lord will always bring more joy, fulfillment, and purpose than choosing our own way (Ps. 119:1-2). A second step, then, is to ask ourselves, Is the pleasure of this sin worth the consequences? Inevitably, the answer is no.

Third, we order our life according to Scripture. That is, we make the choice to surrender to the Father because we find true freedom in Him.

Ask God to speak to you through His Word today, and see what He reveals about your life.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 43-45

09/09/2026

The Days of Old
Daily Devotional•3 Minutes
When the future feels uncertain, where do you look? Moses told Israel to remember the days of old, because recalling God’s faithfulness builds confidence for what’s ahead.

“Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you” (Deuteronomy 32:7).

In one of his last acts as their leader, Moses gathered Israel to hear the words of a song. This song reminded them of their exodus from Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, and all that God had done for them. It described times when they doubted God, but concluded that He had been their “Rock” and His work had been “perfect” (vs. 3–4).

Some Israelites had been “foolish and senseless” (v. 6), but God remained faithful. When in doubt, they just needed to ask their parents or elders who would tell them the truth: They were nothing without God, yet He “cared for” them “as the apple of his eye” (v. 10). They neglected the Lord at times and, as a result, suffered. But when they returned to Him, He brought them victory over all their enemies.

Looking forward, Moses wanted future generations to realize that they could experience this same blessing—if they served and obeyed God. They were to sing this song so future generations could remember. “It is no empty word,” Moses told them, it was their very life, for “by this word you shall live long in the land” (v. 47).

Let the words of Moses remind you to think about your past and all God has done for you. Don’t take His blessings for granted. As you remember the past, you can be confident about the future. God is with you!

Reflection Question: Are you aware of the amazing inheritance God has prepared for you?

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Song of Moses” in Deuteronomy 32?

It is a poem God gave Moses to teach Israel before his death, rehearsing God’s faithfulness and their tendency to forget Him. It was meant to be memorized and sung so later generations would remember (Deuteronomy 31:19–21).

What does “the apple of his eye” mean (Deuteronomy 32:10)?

The Hebrew idiom refers to the pupil—the most sensitive, carefully guarded part of the eye. To be the “apple of God’s eye” is to be treasured and protected, an image echoed in Psalm 17:8 and Zechariah 2:8.

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Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful for all that You’ve done for me. Thank You for Your blessing and guidance, protection and provision. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
Deuteronomy 32

09/09/2026

September 9, 2026
What’s Required for Salvation?
The entire Trinity works in our salvation, giving us the comfort of complete assurance.
Ephesians 2:1-9

Is it possible to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are saved? Yes! God wants us to have unquestionable assurance of our salvation (1 John 5:13). And three words anchor our assurance that our faith is genuine.

Knowledge. It is essential to know that we are sinners and our sins have alienated us from God. Since we are helpless to remedy this situation, He is our only hope for salvation. We must also know that Jesus is God and He came to die in our place, thereby rescuing us.

Conviction. One of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to convict us of sin so we can see our need for a Savior (John 16:8). But that alone is not enough. God’s Spirit also convinces us the message of salvation in Christ is true, and He invites us to respond.

Trust. When we come to see our need and the sufficiency of Christ’s provision for our forgiveness, the next step is trust—believing in and relying on Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

The entire Trinity is involved in our salvation. The Son provided the perfect sacrifice for sin, the Father draws us to Christ, and the Holy Spirit convicts and convinces us to believe in Jesus. We are saved because of God’s amazing grace and limitless love.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 40-42

09/08/2026

September 8, 2026
God Honors Our Devotion to Him
Being faithful to the Lord may put us at odds with the world, but the reward of His delight is always worth it.
Daniel 1:3-21

Daniel and his friends faced a dilemma that echoes in our own life: What do we do when faithfulness to God puts us at odds with the world around us? Our challenge is to live under God’s authority while remaining in submission to the law of the land. But when the two collide, our first instinct should be to seek the Lord’s guidance before moving forward.

Daniel’s example shows us what that looks like in practice. Had he bluntly declared, “I won’t eat this food!” he wouldn’t have lasted long. But the Lord gave him the wisdom to humbly seek permission from the person in authority over him rather than stage a confrontation (Dan. 1:8-13). God honored Daniel’s commitment and provided a way for him to live righteously—not through defiance, but through discernment.

We remember Daniel and his three friends for the remarkable lives they lived. But it’s important to realize that the determining factor was never their own greatness. Rather, it was their devotion to a heavenly Father who does extraordinary things in lives that are fully surrendered to Him. Keep in mind their example of faithfulness, and watch what God does when you make yourself available to Him.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 37-39

Charles Stanley Institute - Get to Know God

09/08/2026

Humility
Daily Devotional•3 Minutes
Where do you turn when life humbles you? Zephaniah calls the lowly to seek the Lord—and shows why God draws near to the humble.

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility” (Zephaniah 2:3).

How we react to difficult circumstances indicates the true condition of our hearts. Faced with problems, we tend to fall back upon our most deeply held beliefs and habits.

In such times, those who are proud tend to rely on themselves. The powerful are focused on their positions. The rich reach for their resources. Those who don’t live for God and aren’t concerned with His Word, decide for themselves what is acceptable and what they should do. Although these people may seem to have all the advantages, in the sight of God they are found wanting.

In contrast, the prophet Zephaniah spoke of those who were humble. From a worldly perspective, they may seem the most hopeless, with the fewest assets and options. But these people are more likely to turn to the Lord, because they realize that they have nowhere else to turn. They find their strength in God, seek Him, and cry out for His wisdom. They trust in Him and try to obey His Word.

God promised to “leave in your midst a people humble and lowly” (3:12). These are people after His own heart—the kind of people Jesus spoke about when He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Dedicate yourself to being God’s servant. Make your life a living sacrifice, humbly living for Him.

Reflection Question: Humble yourself before God and seek Him for all you need.

Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Zephaniah, and when did he prophesy?
Zephaniah ministered in Judah during King Josiah’s reign in the late seventh century BC (Zephaniah 1:1). He warned of the coming “day of the LORD” in judgment while calling the humble remnant to seek God.

Is biblical humility the same as low self-worth?
No. Biblical humility is an accurate view of God and self—dependence on Him rather than self-reliance—not self-hatred. Jesus modeled it (Philippians 2:5–8), and James 4:6 promises that “God gives grace to the humble.”

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Prayer
Heavenly Father, I humble myself before You. I trust in You and You alone. I look to You and seek first Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
Zephaniah 2

09/07/2026

The Finger of God
Daily Devotional•3 Minutes
What does it take to convince a skeptic? Even Egypt’s magicians hit a limit and admitted, ‘This is the finger of God’—and creation still points to Him today.

“Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘This is the finger of God.’ But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said” (Exodus 8:19).

Those believing in the “big bang” theory have had a problem. The theory suggests that equal amounts of matter and antimatter should have been created. Yet, if this were true, existence would be impossible. Clearly, life exists. What a puzzle scientists have faced!

When tests conducted in a “miniature universe” revealed that there was slightly more matter than antimatter, the results caused a furor. Were scientists ready to conclude that God exists? That there is a divine purpose in creation? No. But one theorist concluded that this evidence suggests there is a God, and they were seeing confirmation of His creative power.

The reluctance of many scientists to admit God’s existence reminds us of the reaction of the magicians in Egypt to the miracles performed by Moses. They, too, were skeptical, but after they saw miraculous power at work, they concluded that God was real.

Christians should have no doubts, for the evidence of God’s handiwork is everywhere. Paul pointed out that “his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made” (Romans 1:20).

You can be like the scientists who are skeptical, or you can believe. Have faith for God Almighty to prove His creative power in your life. Let the evidence of His power flow through you, so that others may see and believe.

Reflection Question: Have you chosen to doubt or believe in God’s creation of the world?

Frequently Asked Questions
What did Egypt’s magicians mean by “the finger of God”?
Unable to reproduce the plague of gnats after mimicking earlier signs, they conceded a power beyond Egypt’s magic. “Finger of God” is an idiom for His direct, unmistakable action—later used of the tablets “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18).

How does Romans 1:20 say creation reveals God?
Paul writes that God’s eternal power and divine nature have been “clearly perceived” in what He made, leaving people “without excuse.” The created order stands as universal testimony to the Creator.

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Prayer
Lord, thank You for the wonder of creation. I desire more of Your power in my life to impact others for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's Bible Reading
Exodus 8

09/07/2026

September 7, 2026
Growing in Trust
Following God often takes us through unfamiliar territory, but He is faithful to lead us into His good plans.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Most of us can look back and see moments when God asked us to step beyond what felt comfortable. Maybe it was a call to forgive, to act generously, or to walk into something unfamiliar. These invitations can feel overwhelming—but they’re actually signs that God is drawing us deeper into relationship with Him.

Our natural tendency is to set boundaries around the areas where we feel safe following God. We might not say it out loud, but our hearts sometimes whisper, “I’ll trust You here, Lord, but not there.” It’s an honest impulse, and God isn’t surprised by it. But He loves us too much to let us settle for a small story when He has a larger, grander one in mind (Eph. 3:20).

When God challenges us beyond our self-determined limits, He isn’t testing us—He’s inviting us into a higher level of trust. No matter how far we’ve come, there’s always more of His goodness to discover. Each new step of surrender is an opportunity to experience His faithfulness in ways we haven’t yet imagined.

The Christian life isn’t about arriving. It’s about following. And the One who leads us knows the way, loves the journey, and has already prepared what’s ahead. All we have to do is take the next step.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 34-36

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

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