Daily InsPirational MOments with Rev. Dr. Precious Prothro

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You Are The Father’s Choice 

“I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who You say I am.” (lyrics by many artists)

From the time my children were old enough to understand, I have told them that they were chosen. I shared with them the story of how God allowed me to become their heart mom and how He chose them specifically for our family. The smiles on their faces when they hear that story and the joy they express as they grasp the magnitude of being chosen warms my heart every time.

As I prayed this morning, I found myself thanking God for choosing me. He did not have to draw me to Himself. He did not have to allow His Holy Spirit to convict and guide me. He did not have to provide His Word to light my path. He could have left me to navigate life on my own, but He didn’t.

Because I have been chosen, I desire to reflect Him through a life of righteousness. Not perfection, but purity; not flawlessness, but faithfulness.

Ephesians 1:4-7 reminds us that God chose us before the foundation of the world, predestined us according to the good pleasure of His will, and redeemed us through the blood of Jesus Christ. What an incredible blessing!

Maybe life feels difficult right now. Perhaps you have stumbled, drifted away, or feel distant from the Father. If so, come home. The Father has not forgotten you. His arms are still open, His grace is still available, and His love remains unchanged.

When you are chosen, you are never forsaken. The Father is always near, waiting with love, mercy, and restoration.

II Corinthians 4:8 & 9, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”

Remember this: Being chosen by God is not a reward for perfection; it is an invitation to walk in His grace. 

Father, thank You for choosing us before we ever knew You. Help us to walk worthy of Your calling, reflect Your righteousness, and remember that Your love never fails. When we drift, draw us back to You. Thank You for the gift of redemption through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Mind Your Ears

We have inspirational moments during our Sunday services. During that time, our leaders, ministers, mothers, deacons, or pastors share a brief word to encourage the church.

For the past few weeks, our Senior Associate Pastor has been speaking about sabotage. Sabotaging others and ourselves is dangerous.

Yesterday, she encouraged us to be careful about what we hear and how we hear it. It is easy to quickly take a side when listening to a loved one’s account of a situation. Too often, we listen with our emotions before we listen with wisdom and discernment.

Proverbs 18:13 says, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”

Simply put, we can be misled by a story shared through the news, social media, or even someone we love if we do not hear the whole matter first. Think about a time when you told a story while emotional. Perhaps you added details, emphasized certain points, or presented the situation from your perspective. Most of us have done it. If we are capable of doing that, then others are too.

It is easy for evil to use partial information, assumptions, and emotions to create division and confusion. That is why it is godly to listen with wisdom, patience, and righteousness. Our flesh may crave the juiciest, dirtiest, or most entertaining parts of a story, but our spirit should desire truth.

We must protect our spirits by protecting our ears. We cannot allow someone else’s words to dictate our thoughts, feelings, or actions without first seeking wisdom and understanding. Discernment requires more than hearing; it requires careful consideration and prayer.

Remember, “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). That includes what we choose to hear, believe, repeat, and act upon.

Not everything you hear deserves a place in your heart, and not every story deserves your judgment.

Lord, give us ears to hear with wisdom and hearts that seek truth over emotion. Help us to guard our spirits, walk in discernment, and respond in ways that honor You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What God Calls Us To Do, He Also Empowers Us To Accomplish.

Yesterday my children and I watched The GOAT. It is a cute movie about acceptance, grit, teamwork, humility, family, and so much more.

The main character is called a “small.” He is one of the smallest animals on the court, but he can ball. He is exceptionally talented, yet he is treated badly because of his size. He is overlooked and shunned because others assume he cannot be effective.

Has anyone ever discounted you for one reason or another? Has anyone tried to make you feel less than because of their assumptions or perceptions of you?

It has happened to me. For a brief moment, I began to believe what was being said. Then I pushed past the doubt and remembered whose I am. The end of the story was success. I was able to accomplish what someone else thought I could not.

Not because of my own strength, wisdom, or ability, but because of who lives in me.

Too often, people judge us by what they see on the outside. They measure our potential by our appearance, our background, our resources, our age, our past mistakes, or their own limited understanding. But God has never been restricted by human opinions.

Remember the truth found in Zechariah 4:6 and Philippians 4:13: It is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

So don’t let someone else’s opinion become your identity. Don’t allow their limitations to define your possibilities. Remember who you are, whose you are, and what God can do through a willing vessel.

Lord, help us to see ourselves through Your eyes and not through the opinions of others. Strengthen us to walk confidently in the purpose You have for our lives. Remind us that our ability comes from You and that with You all things are possible. In Jesus’ name, Amen.