Daily InsPirational MOments with Rev. Dr. Precious Prothro

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Don’t Forget the Small Blessings

This morning, I took a moment to thank God for the small things we often take for granted: running water, the option of hot or cold water, a shower curtain, a private bathroom, a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, breakfast and dinner choices, and so much more. Things I have readily available are things someone else has to go without. I don’t ever want to get so accustomed to God’s blessings that I forget to be thankful.

Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” But what does it mean to be rich? 

We cannot measure God’s goodness only by what we have. Consider Job. He experienced devastating loss, and later, even his health suffered. He lost everything. Yet, he continued to trust God. When his wife urged him to curse God and die, he refused. His faith reached beyond what God had given him.

Job 1:21 says, “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job grieved, but he still blessed the Lord. 

Can we do the same? Can we thank God for what we have without allowing those things to become the foundation of our joy?

Material gain should never be the measure of our happiness or our wealth. When our souls prosper, when we serve God and others, and when we pursue righteousness (not perfection) we experience a wealth that possessions cannot provide.

Let’s be thankful for the small blessings and remember the One who provides them. Things can change. What we have today may be gone tomorrow. But the joy we find in God reaches beyond what we own. “This joy, peace, happiness…that I have, the world didn’t give it to me…The world didn’t give; the world can’t take it away.”

Father, thank You for the blessing of life and all You have provided. Please help us notice and appreciate the blessings we often overlook. Keep our hearts grateful and our trust rooted in You, whatever our circumstances. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Patience in the Process

We received some wonderful Word yesterday morning and afternoon. The morning sermon reminded us of what it means to have patience, perseverance, and praise on this journey. Our Sr. Associate Pastor said, “Patience is trusting God’s faithfulness while the answer is still developing for us.” What a reminder to sit with and meditate on.

James 1:4 says, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Patience is not something we have simply because we want it or say we have it. Developing patience is a journey and a process.

Being patient while we wait for the outcome and the victory to be revealed can be hard. We want answers. We want relief. We want to see how things will work out. Even in that waiting, though, we can grow in patience.

We have to work at it and not become discouraged when our patience wears thin. A difficult moment does not erase our progress. We just have to continue seeking God for the strength to endure and grow.

With each trial comes more practice in patience. May we trust God’s faithfulness while we wait for the answer to unfold.

Father, help us to trust You while we wait. Strengthen us when our patience wears thin, and help us persevere with praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What Fuels Your Spirit?

Gas prices are just too much! I remember paying $1.15 per gallon when I started driving. On my little fast-food check, I thought that was high. Now, we are paying triple that and sometimes more. I actually have a bad attitude every time I have to stop for gas. It’s really astronomical!

But as much as I dislike paying for gas, my vehicle requires it. Without fuel, I will not make it to my destination. And the quality of that fuel matters. When the fuel is contaminated, the vehicle will not run smoothly.

Our bodies need fuel, too, and so do our spirits.

For me, the Word and church are my fuel. I find that I am happiest when I can sit in the sanctuary. I find joy when I sit with the Word and make a connection to my life. What would I do without the fuel of the Spirit? I would give up. I would not make it on this journey.

John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Jesus reminds us to stay connected to Him. We cannot keep going on our own strength and expect never to run empty.

What fuels your spirit? What helps you draw closer to God and gives you the strength to keep going? Whether it is prayer, worship, time in the Word, or fellowship, make time for it.

When life's weights become heavy, we need to return to the One who sustains us. We need fuel for this journey, and we need to stay connected to the Source.

Father, refill us when we feel empty. Help us stay connected to You and make time for what nourishes our spirits. Give us strength to keep going. In Jesus’ name, amen.