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Monday 9am - 12pm Tuesday 9am - 12pm Wednesday 9am - 12pm Thursday 9am - 12pm Sunday 8:30am - 11:30am

https://www.pearlrivermethodistchurch.org/

Pearl River Methodist Church, 65480 Highway 41, Pearl River, LA (2026)

06/04/2026

June 4, 2026

COME ANYWAY

Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

One of the greatest misconceptions people have about God is that they need to get their lives together before they can come to Him.

Many people think they need to clean themselves up first. They believe they need to conquer their bad habits, fix their mistakes, or somehow become "good enough" before approaching Jesus. Others carry guilt from things they did years ago and quietly wonder if God could ever truly forgive them. But that is not the message of the Gospel.

Jesus never told people to get their act together and then come to Him. Instead, He invited people to come as they were and allow Him to transform them.

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus welcoming people that others rejected. He sat at tables with tax collectors. He showed compassion to those caught in sin. He spoke with the outcasts, the brokenhearted, and the forgotten. Again and again, He demonstrated that God's love reaches farther than our failures.

Yet many of us still carry around shame like an extra piece of luggage. We replay old mistakes. We dwell on past failures. We tell ourselves that we should have known better or done better. The enemy loves that.

Because as long as we are focused on our failures, we are less likely to focus on God's grace.

Jesus reminds us: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Think about those words for a moment. It is God's pleasure—not His burden, not His obligation, but His pleasure—to welcome His children into His kingdom.

The story of the Prodigal Son paints this picture beautifully. After making a mess of his life, the son finally decided to return home. He expected rejection. Instead, he found a father running toward him with open arms. That is the heart of God.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Not our past. Not our failures. Not our regrets. Not even our current struggles.

And when we come to Christ, He does not simply forgive us—He begins transforming us. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17) Notice that Scripture does not say we become a repaired version of our old selves. It says we become a new creation. Our identity is no longer found in what we have done but in what Christ has done for us.

Will we still stumble? Absolutely. Like Paul, there are times we find ourselves doing the very things we do not want to do (Romans 7:15). But every time we fall, we have the opportunity to turn back to Christ. We can repent, receive His forgiveness, and continue growing. And we do not do that alone.

God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us, strengthen us, convict us, comfort us, and help us become more like Jesus each day. The Holy Spirit reminds us that our failures are not our identity. We belong to Christ.

So if you have been carrying shame, regret, or guilt, hear this truth today:

Come anyway.
Come with your questions.
Come with your struggles.
Come with your failures.
Come with your doubts.

Come to Jesus.

His arms are still open. His grace is still sufficient. His mercy is still new every morning. And His desire is not to push you away but to welcome you home.

Growing in Grace,
Pastor Kathy

Gracious Lord,
Thank You for loving us even when we fall short. Thank You that Your grace is greater than our failures and Your mercy is new every morning. Help us to lay down our shame, our regrets, and our fears at Your feet. Remind us that our identity is found in You and not in our mistakes. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and help us to walk confidently in the new life You have given us. Teach us to trust Your promises and to receive the forgiveness You freely offer. Thank You for welcoming us home again and again. In Your powerful name. Amen.

Reflection Question:
Is there something from your past that you are allowing to define you more than God's grace?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpfuKKH_SCE
O Come To The Altar | Official Lyric Video | Elevation Worship

06/03/2026

JUNE 3, 2026

CHOOSE JOY!

Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Every day we make countless choices. Some are small—what to wear, what to eat, what to watch. But some choices shape the entire course of our day. Will I choose joy or bitterness? Will I choose gratitude or complaining? Will I choose contentment or discontentment?

The Apostle Paul said he had learned the secret of being content in every circumstance. Notice he didn't say contentment came naturally. He learned it. It was a choice he made over and over again. And what were Paul's circumstances? He wasn't writing from a beach vacation or a comfortable retirement. He wrote these words after experiencing imprisonment, beatings, shipwrecks, rejection, hunger, and hardship. Yet somehow he discovered that his joy did not depend on his circumstances—it depended on Christ.

I know from experience that life can be difficult and painful. There are days when our hearts ache. There are seasons when we carry burdens that seem too heavy to bear. There are disappointments, losses, health struggles, broken relationships, and unexpected challenges. Bad days happen. Difficult seasons come. But even in those moments, we still have a choice.

We can focus on everything that is wrong, or we can thank God for what is still right. We can dwell on what we have lost, or we can praise Him for what remains. We can become bitter, or we can become better. We can be cranky, or we can be grateful.

That doesn't mean we ignore our pain or pretend everything is fine. It simply means we choose to look for God's blessings even in the middle of the struggle. And if we look carefully, we will find them. A friend who calls at just the right time. A sunrise that reminds us of God's faithfulness. A meal on the table. A roof over our heads. A church family that loves us. The promise that God is walking beside us through every trial. There is almost always a blessing hidden somewhere in the difficulty.

The Psalmist declared:
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Some days are wonderful. Some are hard. Yet every day is still a gift from God.

And Paul reminds us:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Not thankful for every circumstance, but thankful in every circumstance because God is still present, still working, and still worthy of our praise. Today, choose joy. Choose gratitude. Choose contentment. Choose to focus on God's blessings rather than your burdens. You may not be able to control your circumstances, but with Christ's help, you can choose your response. And that choice can change everything.

Choosing Joy!
Pastor Kathy

Gracious Lord, thank You for the gift of this day. Forgive us for the times we focus more on our problems than on Your blessings. Help us to learn the secret of contentment that Paul discovered. Teach us to choose gratitude when we are tempted to complain, joy when we are discouraged, and trust when we are afraid. Open our eyes to see Your blessings all around us and remind us that You are with us in every circumstance. In Your powerful name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:
What circumstance am I allowing to steal my joy today?
What are three blessings I can thank God for right now?
How can I choose gratitude instead of complaining this week?

Seph Schlueter - Counting My Blessings (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZjWYgq9QfM

06/02/2026

June 2, 2026
GOD'S PLAN

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Have you ever looked at your life and wondered what God is doing?

Maybe things did not turn out the way you planned. Perhaps you are walking through a difficult season, facing a closed door, dealing with disappointment, or simply wondering what comes next. Sometimes life feels confusing, and we struggle to see how all the pieces fit together.
The people who first received Jeremiah 29:11 understood those feelings well. They were living in exile, far from home, facing uncertainty and hardship. Many wanted a quick rescue, but God told them to settle in and trust Him. Why? Because even in the middle of their struggle, God was still working. Their circumstances had changed, but God's plans had not.

That is a word many of us need to hear today. God's plans are not dependent upon our circumstances. His plans are not canceled by setbacks, failures, disappointments, or detours. In fact, some of God's greatest work often happens in seasons when we cannot see what He is doing.

Think about Joseph. Sold into slavery by his brothers. Falsely accused. Forgotten in prison. Yet years later he could look back and see God's hand at work through every painful chapter of his story.

Think about Paul. Before becoming the great missionary, he was Saul, a persecutor of Christians. Yet God transformed his life and used him to spread the Gospel throughout the world.

I can relate to that in my own life. For many years, I struggled to answer God's call to ministry. Part of my struggle was believing that God could use a woman in ministry, and part of it was believing He could use someone who had experienced failures and mistakes along the way. Yet God never stopped calling. He never stopped pursuing. He continued to open doors, guide my steps, and gently lead me until I finally surrendered and said, "Yes, Lord." Looking back now, I can see His hand at work even in the seasons when I could not understand what He was doing.

Think about your own life. How many times has God carried you through situations you never thought you would survive? How many times has He brought healing from hurt, hope from disappointment, or blessings from circumstances that once seemed hopeless? Often we only see the struggle in the moment, but later we discover that God was working all along. He was shaping us, strengthening us, and preparing us for what was ahead.

God's plans are often bigger than our fears, greater than our failures, and far beyond what we can imagine. The same God who worked in Paul's life and continues to work in mine is working in yours as well.

God does not promise that life will be easy. He does promise that He will be with us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He guides us, strengthens us, comforts us, and helps us take the next step even when we cannot see the entire path ahead.

You may not know what tomorrow holds, but you can trust the One who holds tomorrow. Remember God is still working. God is still leading. God is still shaping. And God still has a plan for your life.

Trusting His Plan,
Pastor Kathy

Gracious and Loving Lord, thank You for reminding us that You have a plan and purpose for our lives. When we cannot see the way forward, help us trust Your heart. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, guide us, strengthen us, and give us peace in the waiting. Help us remember that You are always working, even when we cannot see it. Thank You for the hope we have in Christ and for Your faithfulness through every season of life. In Your powerful name, Amen.

Reflection Questions
Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to trust God's plan? How have you seen God bring good out of a difficult situation in the past? What next step might God be asking you to take in faith today?

God Will Make a Way (with lyrics) - Don Moen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o

06/01/2026

June 1, 2026

GOD AT WORK

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

One of the things I love most is watching God work in everyday life. Sometimes we expect God to show up in dramatic ways—a miracle, a vision, or a life-changing moment. Yet often God is quietly at work in the ordinary moments of our days, weaving together circumstances in ways we never could have planned.

When I decided what to preach on for Confirmation Sunday, I had no idea how many adults would also be wrestling with questions about God's plan for their lives. But God knew.

Last week, my daughter and I had lunch together. After lunch, I stopped to return a package, and she asked if we could run into Hobby Lobby. While we were there, I picked up a few items for the Confirmation Retreat. As I was waiting in line, I noticed a package of beautiful note cards with a colorful tree on the front. I thought they would be perfect for writing notes to the confirmands, so I added them to my cart.

A week later, I sat down to write the notes. When I opened the cards, I discovered something I had no idea was there. Printed inside each card was a Scripture verse. Curious, I opened one and immediately smiled. The verse was Jeremiah 29:11—the very Scripture I had chosen as one of the foundation passages for my sermon: "For I know the plans I have for you..."

I was so surprised that I went back and looked at the packaging to see if it mentioned there were Scriptures inside. It didn't. Now, some people might call that a coincidence. I call it one more reminder that God is always at work. Was it earth-shattering? No. Did it change the world? Probably not.

But it reminded me that God is involved in the details of our lives. He knows what we need when we need it. Sometimes He gives us little reminders that He is present, that He is guiding us, and that He is faithfully working behind the scenes.

The truth is, many of us spend so much time looking for God in the big things that we miss Him in the small things. Yet Scripture is filled with examples of God working through ordinary people, ordinary conversations, ordinary circumstances, and ordinary days. A shepherd boy named David. A young woman named Mary. Fishermen mending nets. A persecutor named Saul on an ordinary road to Damascus. God is always working.

Maybe today you are wondering about God's plan for your life. Perhaps you are waiting for answers, direction, or clarity. Take heart. God is already at work, even if you cannot see the whole picture. He is guiding your steps, opening doors, closing others, and weaving together circumstances for His purposes.

Sometimes His reminders come through a conversation, a Scripture, a friend and sometimes through a simple note card purchased at Hobby Lobby. Don't miss the little reminders of God's presence today. They are often evidence that the God who holds the universe also cares deeply about the details of your life.

And don't forget: the God who has a plan for your future is already at work in your present.

Watching Him Work,
Pastor Kathy

Gracious and Loving Lord, thank You for being a God who is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Open our eyes to recognize Your hand in the ordinary moments of life. Help us trust that You are guiding our steps and fulfilling Your plans for us. When we are uncertain, remind us that You are faithful. When we are waiting, help us be patient. And when You give us little reminders of Your presence, help us pause and give thanks. In Your powerful name, Amen.

Reflection Questions
When was the last time you noticed God working in an unexpected or ordinary moment?
Are there areas of your life where you need to trust God's plan more fully?
What "little reminders" of God's presence have you experienced recently?
How might God be working behind the scenes in your life right now?

Carrie Underwood - Great Is Thy Faithfulness ft. CeCe Winans (Official Performance Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT0HcAr9aeI

06/01/2026

Confirmation Weekend!

What a joy and blessing it was to welcome these eight wonderful young people into our church family! We are so proud of each one of you and the faith commitment you made this weekend.

May you always remember that you are loved by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and surrounded by a church family that is praying for you and cheering you on. We can't wait to see all that God has planned for your lives!

Congratulations, Confirmands! We love you and are honored to walk alongside you on your faith journey.

05/29/2026

May 29, 2026

WELCOME WELL

Romans 15:7
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”

Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Hebrews 13:2
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

In a world where so many people feel invisible, overlooked, lonely, rejected, or unheard, one of the greatest gifts we can give another person is to simply help them feel welcomed, seen, heard, valued, and loved. Deep down, this is what every human heart longs for. We all want to know we matter. We all want to feel accepted. We all want to know someone genuinely cares.

Jesus understood this deeply. Throughout Scripture, we see Him welcoming people others ignored, noticing people others overlooked, listening to people others dismissed, and loving people others rejected. He made room for the hurting, the broken, the outcast, and the weary. He saw people not as interruptions, but as individuals deeply loved by God. And as followers of Christ, we are called to do the same.

Sometimes we become so busy, distracted, rushed, or focused on ourselves that we forget how powerful small acts of kindness and attention can truly be. A smile. A warm greeting. A listening ear. An encouraging word. A simple invitation. Looking someone in the eyes when they speak. Taking time to truly listen instead of rushing to respond. These small moments may seem insignificant to us, but they can mean everything to someone else.

Many people are quietly carrying burdens we know nothing about. Some walk into church wondering if anyone will notice them. Some go through their entire day feeling unseen or unimportant. Some are desperate for someone to simply acknowledge them with kindness and compassion. That is why how we treat people matters so much.

What we need to remember is we have theHoly Spirit to empower us to reflect Jesus in this world. The Spirit was not given simply so we could attend worship services once a week. The Holy Spirit empowers us to carry the love, kindness, grace, peace, and compassion of Christ into our everyday lives. Sometimes one of the most powerful ways we shine the light of Jesus is simply by making someone feel welcomed and loved.

Church, we live in a world filled with division, criticism, negativity, and loneliness. What if Christians became known as the people who welcomed well? The people who listened well? The people who loved well? The people who noticed others? The people who made room at the table? Because sometimes healing begins simply because someone finally felt seen.

So today, let us be the reason someone feels welcomed, heard, valued, encouraged, and loved. Let us reflect the heart of Jesus everywhere we go.

Welcoming Well,
Pastor Kathy

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, help us welcome others the same way You have welcomed us — with love, grace, compassion, and kindness. Open our eyes to those who feel overlooked or alone. Teach us to slow down, truly listen, encourage others, and reflect Your love in both our words and actions. May we be people who help others feel seen, valued, and deeply loved. In Your powerful name, Amen.

Reflection Questions
When was a time someone made you feel truly welcomed and valued?
Are there people around you who may feel overlooked or unseen?
How can you intentionally help someone feel heard, included, or loved this week?

Hold Us Together (Matt Maher)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sxOdBeo0BE

05/28/2026

May 28, 2026

NEVER ALONE

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Romans 8:14
For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters.

What an incredible promise Jesus gives us in these verses. We have Someone to help us and be with us forever — the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. We are never abandoned, never forgotten, and never left to navigate life alone. The Holy Spirit lives with us and within us, guiding, strengthening, comforting, and leading us closer to Jesus every single day.

The word Jesus uses here for “Advocate” is the Greek word paraklētos (παράκλητος), which means one called alongside to help, encourage, strengthen, comfort, and defend another. It paints the beautiful picture of someone standing beside you in every season of life — someone who does not walk away when life becomes difficult.

That is the Holy Spirit!

Jesus knew His disciples would face fear, uncertainty, struggles, persecution, and moments of doubt. He knew they would need strength greater than their own. So He promised they would not face life alone. The Holy Spirit would come and dwell within them, giving them the fullness of God’s presence and power.

And that same promise still belongs to believers today. The Holy Spirit gives us strength when we are weary, wisdom when we are confused, peace when life feels chaotic, courage when we feel afraid, and hope when situations seem hopeless. The Spirit of Truth helps us navigate a world filled with confusion, false teaching, conflicting voices, and uncertainty. In a world where truth often feels distorted, we can be deeply grateful for the Holy Spirit who reveals truth, exposes lies, removes confusion, and continually points us back to Jesus Christ.

This past Sunday, we celebrated the powerful reminder that God did not leave believers powerless. The Holy Spirit came upon ordinary people and empowered them to boldly live for Christ and carry His love and truth into a hurting world. The same Spirit who empowered the disciples still empowers us today. Sometimes we may feel weak, overwhelmed, uncertain, or exhausted by life. But we must remember this: we are not relying only on our own strength. The Holy Spirit is with us always. He walks beside us, speaks to our hearts, convicts us, comforts us, and reminds us that we belong to God.
What a comfort to know we have the constant presence of God walking with us through every joy, every struggle, every heartbreak, and every uncertainty. Because of the Holy Spirit, we can live with confidence, courage, peace, and hope no matter what life brings.

Never Alone,
Pastor Kathy

Prayer

Dear Gracious and Loving Lord, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who walks beside us, strengthens us, comforts us, and leads us in truth. Thank You that we never have to face life alone. Fill us with Your peace, courage, wisdom, and hope. Help us listen to Your Spirit daily and trust Your guidance in every season of life. In Your powerful name, Amen.

Reflection Questions
When do you most need the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit?
How have you experienced God’s presence during difficult seasons?
What voices or distractions make it difficult to hear the Spirit’s guidance clearly?

Another In The Fire - Hillsong UNITED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScK3v5gcBK0

05/27/2026

May 27, 2026
WEARY SOULS

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Lately, I am hearing something heartbreaking from many people: “I’m exhausted.” “I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m just over life.”

And honestly, sometimes we truly feel that way. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the struggles, disappointments, heartbreaks, stress, grief, and pressures life brings. Sometimes it feels like we are carrying far more than we can handle. I understand that because I have certainly had my share of difficult seasons and still continue to walk through struggles just like everyone else. But here is the good news: we do not walk through life powerless or alone.

We have an amazing power source. We have the unlimited power and presence of the Holy Spirit living within us. The same Holy Spirit we celebrate during Pentecost is still strengthening, comforting, guiding, counseling, and interceding for believers today. Jesus did not leave His followers helpless. He promised the Holy Spirit would come and empower ordinary people to live extraordinary lives of faith, hope, endurance, and love. This is a beautiful gift we as believers possess.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to live the life we are incapable of living on our own. When we feel weak, the Spirit strengthens us. When we feel lost, the Spirit guides us. When we feel overwhelmed, the Spirit comforts us. And when we cannot even find the words to pray because life feels too heavy, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. What a blessing that is.

Because of the Holy Spirit, we can still be joyful in hope even during hard seasons. We do not have to live as people without hope. We have hope that joy comes in the morning. We have hope even in death because of the resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ. We have hope because God is still working even when we cannot yet see what He is doing beneath the surface.

One thing I often tell myself and others during stressful moments is this: breathe in the Holy Spirit and breathe out the stress. Pause. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Remember God is near. It may sound simple, but it truly helps calm the tension and quiet the chaos within us. Sometimes we become so overwhelmed that we forget we are not carrying life alone. Every breath can become a reminder that the Spirit of God is with us.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be patient during struggles and trials because God is walking beside us and working in ways we cannot always see. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God is able to bring something good even out of painful situations. Even when we cannot see God at work, He is still moving, still shaping, still strengthening, still carrying us through.

Through the Spirit, we can experience peace in troubling situations and hope when things seem hopeless. We can walk by faith and not by sight. We can experience joy even when life feels unfair or painful because we are rooted and established in Christ. We can love and forgive when it seems impossible because the Holy Spirit is transforming us from the inside out. Not by our own power, but by the supernatural power of God working within us.

So today, if you are weary, overwhelmed, anxious, discouraged, or simply exhausted by life, remember this: you do not have to rely only on your own strength. The Holy Spirit is with you. Strengthening you. Guiding you. Comforting you. Interceding for you. Carrying you. God is still at work in your life and in your situation even now.

Connected,
Pastor Kathy

Prayer

Gracious and loving God, strengthen us with power through Your Holy Spirit when we are weary and overwhelmed. Remind us that we never walk through life alone. Fill us with hope, peace, courage, and endurance for every season we face. Calm our anxious hearts, guide us through difficult moments, and help us trust that You are still working even when we cannot yet see it. Thank You for the gift of Your presence and the power of Your Holy Spirit within us. In Your powerful name, Amen.

Reflection Questions
What burdens or struggles are exhausting you most right now?
How have you experienced the comfort or strength of the Holy Spirit during difficult seasons?
What would change if you truly believed you did not have to carry everything alone?

Hope Darst - Peace Be Still (Official Lyric Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIpGiz3SfQ

05/26/2026

May 26, 2026

SHINE BRIGHT

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Sometimes it feels almost impossible to scroll through social media or watch the news without seeing anger, cruelty, arrogance, division, manipulation, complaining, selfishness, or people tearing one another apart. Honestly, it can become exhausting. And what is especially heartbreaking is that sometimes those behaviors even come from people who claim to follow Jesus. But then I am reminded of something important: darkness has never overcome light.

That is exactly why Jesus called us to be light in this world.

Last week during Pentecost we celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit — the moment ordinary believers were filled with extraordinary power to go into a dark and hurting world carrying the hope of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit did not come so believers could simply sit comfortably inside church walls once a week. The Spirit came to empower us to shine brightly in a world desperately needing hope, truth, peace, kindness, and grace.

And maybe now more than ever, the world needs Christians who truly reflect Jesus. Not Christians who constantly argue online. Not Christians who spread negativity. Not Christians who tear others down. But Christians whose lives shine with the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

When we encounter darkness, we have a choice. We can respond with more darkness… or we can shine the light of Christ.

When someone is cruel, we can choose kindness.
When someone spreads negativity, we can speak encouragement.
When someone is filled with anger, we can respond with peace.
When someone feels hopeless, we can point them toward Jesus.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8 to focus on whatever is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. Why? Because what fills our hearts eventually flows into our words, attitudes, and actions.

As believers, our identity is not rooted in social media approval, popularity, pride, or winning arguments. Our identity is rooted in knowing we are loved by God and filled with His Spirit. Because of that, we do not have to manipulate, pretend, attack, or tear others down to feel valuable.

Church, we are called to shine. The same Holy Spirit that empowered the disciples at Pentecost still empowers believers today. Every act of kindness, every encouraging word, every moment of grace, every prayer, every time we choose love over bitterness — the light of Christ shines into the darkness. And sometimes the brightest witness is simply reflecting Jesus in a world that has forgotten what compassion looks like.

So today, when you encounter behaviors that grieve your spirit or attitudes that pull others down, do not let the darkness overcome you. Shine brighter. Let others see Jesus in you.

Shining Bright,
Pastor Kathy

Lord Jesus, fill us afresh with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help us shine Your light into a world filled with darkness, division, negativity, and hurt. Teach us to respond with love, kindness, truth, and grace. May our words, attitudes, and actions point others toward You. Let Your light shine brightly through us every day. In Your powerful name, Amen.

Reflection Questions
What kind of “light” do your words and actions reflect to others?
How can you intentionally shine the love of Jesus this week?
Are there areas where negativity or bitterness may be dimming your witness?

This Little Light of Mine | 2025 Church Music Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebZEIYSZ7_U

Pearl River Methodist Church

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