Daily InsPirational MOments with Rev. Dr. Precious Prothro

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Donnie Mcclurkin sings, “We fall down, but we get up...for a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up."

Those of us who follow Christ are not better than anyone else. We fall. We miss the mark. We struggle. No, not because we don’t love God or we’re faking our walk, and not because we aren’t striving. It is because we are sinners saved by grace.

Ephesians 2:8 & 9 remind us that salvation is a gift. Not earned. Not deserved. Not something we can boast about. It's through faith in God and by the grace of God.

Folks can be hard on us, expecting us not to fall in certain ways because we are "saved." That's unrealistic. We are still flesh, and growth is a process.

Now let’s be clear — grace is not permission. We don’t excuse unrighteous behavior, BUT we also do not live under condemnation. (Romans 8:1) 

So, when we mess up:
• We take responsibility.
• We make it right.
• We go before God.
• And we get up.

Let’s try hard to not be a stumbling block for someone. More importantly, we don’t want to do anything to be displeasing to God.

Hear this clearly: If you fall, don’t stay there. Grace is already reaching for you.

Lord, thank You for grace that meets us in our weakness. When we fall, give us humility to repent, strength to rise, and courage to keep walking in Your Spirit. Help us live in a way that honors You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Selective Obedience Isn’t Obedience

Last week at my dermatology appointment, the PA gave me instructions and prescriptions…then said, “No perfume.”

I said, “Nope. That’s not happening.” We laughed, but I was not playing. I immediately decided I would not obey that part.

That’s my choice. But if ignoring that instruction affects me negatively, I can’t blame the doctor, the medicine, or the skincare routine. That one’s on me.

So how does that work with God?

How do we decide which parts of His Word we’ll follow and which parts we’ll ignore — and still expect the full benefit of His promises?

In Luke 6:46–49, Jesus asks, “Why call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” He explains that hearing without doing leads to collapse.

We talk about free will — and yes, God allows us choices. But let’s be honest: His plan will stand.

We may choose to obey now or learn through consequences later. We may resist, delay, or detour — but ultimately, God’s will is what prevails.

So what will we do today? Call Him Lord — and follow? Or call Him Lord — and choose ourselves over His word and plan? 

We may delay obedience. We may resist obedience. But we cannot overturn the will of God.

Lord, forgive us for the times we pick and choose what we will obey. Help us to trust You enough to follow all of Your instructions, not only the comfortable ones. Build our lives on obedience so we won’t collapse when the storms come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scars, Not Pain

I have a scar on my thumb from an injury about a month ago. Every time I see it, I remember what happened — but the intensity of the pain has lessened.

I have other scars like that too. The memory is still there, but the pain is gone.

Then there’s my ankle. I had surgery almost two years ago. It’s still tender, and I don’t have all the feeling back. However, it is so much better than it was right after surgery.

Healing looks different depending on the wound.

Some things fade quickly. Some take time. Some improve slowly and remind us daily that we’re still in recovery. But they do improve.

I Corinthians 4:8–9 reminds us that we may be troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down — but we are not forsaken or destroyed.

The wounds of the past may still be visible, but they don’t always carry the same pain.

Psalm 147:3 assures us: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

Whatever you’re healing from — keep going. The pain you feel today won’t always feel this sharp.

Healing is happening — even when you don’t see it.

Lord, thank You for being the Healer of our hearts and our bodies. Thank You that pain does not last forever and that You stay with us in every stage of recovery. Help us to trust Your timing and give us patience while we heal. In Jesus’ name, amen.