Daily Inspirations by Rev. Dr. Precious Prothro

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Sunday, our pastor used the topic, “Running From the Lord to the Lord.” It was a reminder that we need the Lord and we have to stop trying to do our own thing while at the same time asking the Lord for His help. It reminded me of a song Commissioned sang years ago. Some of the lyrics are, “How can you forgive me when I've often gone astray? How can you think of me when I do things my way? Turning my back from you, the One who loved me first. Having my own desires, renewing worldy thirst…” It goes on to say that the Lord is waiting for us with His nail scarred hands opened wide. 

So, why do we continuously do things our way? Why do we treat the Lord like a “side chick”- like He will be there whenever we decide we need Him? Psalm 139:7, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” We must face the fact that the Lord is with us at all times. Ask Jonah! (Jonah 1 & 2) 

No matter where we go, how much we attempt to run, or what we did or do, He will I’ll not leave us or forsake us. How can we run from the presence of a God who sees all and knows all? We can’t. So, we may as well surrender and live for Him so we can see Him one day. Have a blessed day!

I have a little OCD, and one thing I’m particular about is notifications. I’ll even wake up in the middle of the night just to clear them. Crazy, right? Recently, I started putting my phone on Sleep Focus mode so I wouldn’t get notifications during the night. Still, I catch myself waking up to check it. I don’t know why I do that, but one thing I do know is that notifications can be major distractions.

The same is true for our spiritual journey. Just like distractions keep us from resting, they also keep us from spending meaningful time with God. In 1 Corinthians 7:35, Paul says that we should attend upon the Lord without distraction. That means we have to be intentional about giving God the time and focus He deserves—and more importantly, the time we need with Him.

So, what can we do to eliminate distractions and strengthen our relationship with God? 

1) Set aside quiet time: Create a specific time each day to pray, read the Bible, or simply sit in God’s presence. Think of it as your “spiritual focus mode.” 2) Remove distractions: Just like putting your phone on silent, find ways to minimize anything that pulls your attention away from God. 3) Put your phone on Do Not Disturb, find a quiet space, or turn off the TV during your time with Him. 4) Find an accountability partner: Surround yourself with people who encourage you to stay focused and consistent in your walk with God. 5) Start small but be consistent: Even if it’s just five or ten minutes to begin with, commit to making it a regular part of your day.

When we make a deliberate effort to remove distractions, we create space for God to work in our lives. So let’s commit to this—both individually and as a community—so we can grow deeper in our relationship with the Lord. Have a blessed day!

In Luke 1, we read about the prophecy given to Zacharias. An angel told him that he and his wife would bear a child. But because of their age and his wife’s barrenness, Zacharias doubted the prophecy. As a result of his disbelief, he was made mute until the prophecy was fulfilled.

What if the Lord shut our mouths every time we doubted His word? How many of us would be mute all the time? Like Zacharias, we don’t always believe and trust the Lord because we view things through a human lens and rely on our limited understanding. But if we could see through God’s eyes and trust in His word, doubt would have no place in our hearts. Zacharias’ story challenges us to consider how often we let doubt or fear silence the voice of faith within us.

Let us learn to hear the Lord’s word with our spiritual ears and “mute” ourselves so we will speak in obedience and belief. We must pause, listen with spiritual ears, and speak only from a place of belief and alignment with God’s word. Have a great Sunday!