The Bishop’s Mind: Christian Wisdom, Daily Devotionals & Empowering Messages for Kingdom Living

  Where Is the Love?    One of my favorite duets is by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack: "Where Is the Love?" It asks, "Where is the love that you said you would give to me?" It's a timeless question and one that’s just as spiritually relevant today.    In Galatians 5 , Paul writes to the churches in Galatia about the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. He helps believers understand how to discern what’s truly of God. And here's the spiritual compass: love is God's signature . "And envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."   Galatians 5:21 (KSB)    Whatever you do whether it’s cooking a meal or making a major decision ask yourself: "Where is the love?" Is love your motive? Is love present in your tone, your actions, your intentions?  Paul’s letter urges us to determine whether we are operati...

  Let Me Be Spiritual (Galatians 6:1) "Beloved, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritually mature are to restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."   Galatians 6:1 (KSB)    Galatians 6:1 offers a profound reflection on the true essence of spirituality. Paul draws a direct line between our response to sin and our spiritual maturity. He challenges us to consider how we react when we or others fall short. According to Paul, our spirituality is not only revealed by our righteous acts but also by how we handle failure, faults, and the sin that entangles us or those around us.  When we sin, do we own it, or do we excuse it? Do we confess it and return to God in humility, or do we hide in shame, blame others, or run from His presence? Your response reveals your depth. Do you live in condemnation, or do you receive God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness? True spirituality is seen not in perfection but in repentance a...

  The Kingdom Mandate "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away, sold everything he had, and bought it."  - Matthew 13:45–46 (KSB)    We don’t always get it right the first time. Sometimes we need to try again. Whether it’s a loan, a class, or a job application, setbacks happen. But just as we’re called to be patient with ourselves and others, God is patient with us. Jesus understood this. Remember the blind man He healed twice, first with partial sight, then full clarity. Healing didn't happen the first time; it happened the second time. So must our persistence reflect that divine patience.  In Matthew 13, Jesus shares multiple parables to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven because He knew people wouldn’t always understand on the first go. He repeats, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like…” to emphasize the need to grasp the message through repetition. Like the man who sold e...

  Living the Spirit-Led Life: Following the Holy Spirit Beyond Comfort Zones "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."   Galatians 5:18 (KSB)    Who’s leading your life? Is it your emotions? Your intellect? Perhaps someone else is driving the bus of your life. But Scripture invites us into something deeper, to be led by the Spirit.   It is a powerful and beautiful thing to live a life led by the Holy Spirit. When we surrender to His guidance, He will often lead us into unfamiliar places, ask us to do unexpected things, and introduce us to people we’ve never imagined meeting. Still, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit .    He will never steer you wrong. The Spirit leads us into all truth (John 16:13), and His paths even when they challenge our comfort or logic are filled with purpose. You may not understand it fully. You may not agree with it at first. But trust this: obedience to the Spirit always produces fr...

  How to Win the War Within: Overcoming the Flesh with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17)                    There’s a part of you that doesn’t want to heal, grow, forgive, or evolve. It resists the transformation God desires for your life. That part of you, the flesh is not outside; it’s within. Just as the human body retains some fat regardless of how healthy we are, our spiritual walk also includes a part of us that resists the Spirit.   "So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."   Galatians 5:16       You are not battling against people, situations, or even your past. The greatest war is within. It’s the part of you that craves instant gratification and rebels against the slow, faithful process of transformation. It’s the part that wants everything, now, even if you’re not ready for it spiritually.  Like wanting microwave results for a crockpot purpose,...

  Refocus Your Faith: How to Overcome Distraction, Disappointment, and Discouragement "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."   Galatians 5:6 (KSB)    With everything going on around us, it's easy to feel lost. Distractions come quickly, disappointments pile up, and discouragement sneaks in. We all face these moments. But even when we get off track, there is a way back and that path is through our faith, principles, and core values.  When you live your life anchored in principles, it gives you a compass for when the road gets unclear. Knowing your vision, your mission, and your core values makes it easier to realign when life feels out of control. But if you don’t know who you are, how can you get back to being your best self? If you don’t know what you stand on, what can you stand up on after a fall?    Clarity of purpose keeps you ...