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

  I Believe in People, But My Faith Is in God (Ephesians 4:5) "There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism." Ephesians 4:5 (KSB)    In Ephesians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul encourages the church at Ephesus to live in unity, equality, and peace. He reminds them that there is only one body, one Spirit, and one hope . That one Spirit is the Spirit of God, that one body is the body of Christ, and that one hope is eternal and good. But Paul goes even deeper: “There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.”  When Paul says “one Lord,” he is declaring that there is only one true power and one presence in the universe, God . Every other ruler or authority ultimately draws their power from Him. Scripture reminds us that promotion does not come from the east, west, or south, but from the Lord. God alone lifts up and brings low. All authority flows from Him, and He remains the one source of power in our lives.    Paul continues by saying there is “one ...

  God is in Every Person, Every Place, and Everything "One God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all."   Ephesians 4:6 (KSB)    The Apostle Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 4:6 that there is only one God and Father of all , who is above all, in all, and through all. This powerful truth points us toward unity, equality, peace, and oneness. God is the Father of all meaning there is one heritage, one Creator, and one source of life. From the very beginning, God formed humanity from the dust of the earth and breathed into us the breath of life. That same divine breath flows in every human being. We may look, feel, or express ourselves differently, but we all share the same divine heritage.  Paul reminds us that God is above all . He is above every title, position, and earthly authority. No government, doctor, lawyer, or judge has the final word  Jehovah has the final say . When you realize that God is above all, you can rise above ...

  There’s a Grace on You (Ephesians 4:7) "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."   Ephesians 4:7 KSB    There’s a grace on you. Grace is God’s unmerited favor, something you did not earn or work for. Yet, it has been placed upon you, making you both a gift and a carrier of gifts. Paul reminds the church at Ephesus that each one of us has received grace in the measure Christ desired. That means you are uniquely equipped for a divine purpose.  Because of this, it’s up to you to discern and discover the gifts God has placed within you. Pay attention to your journey, the impact you make on others, and the difference you bring into the world. Once discovered, develop those gifts, study, learn, and grow. Surround yourself with people who sharpen your gifts, for iron sharpens iron. And above all, demonstrate those gifts . Don’t hide your light under a bushel; place it on a lampstand for the world to see.    There ...

  Make a Move: Descend, Transcend, and Ascend with Christ (Ephesians 4:7–10) "The one who descended is the very same one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe." Ephesians 4:10    God is calling you to make a move. But in order to move, you must first understand what true spiritual movement looks like. One of the most stressful things we can do in life is physically move, we don’t realize how much we carry until it’s time to pack and go. When moving, we must decide what to take and what to leave, who is coming with us and who is staying behind. The same is true spiritually. There is a shift happening in your life, and it’s vital to understand what God is doing in this move.  God Himself does not move, for He is the everywhere-present Spirit of absolute good. Instead, it is you who are moving, your awareness, your consciousness, your faith. That spiritual movement is reflected in your physical life.    Ma...

  The Greatest Gift You Can Give: Yourself – Living the Five-Fold Calling "And he gave some to be apostles; some to be prophets; some to be evangelists; some to be pastors and some to be teachers;"   Ephesians 4:11 KSB    The greatest gift that you can give is yourself. It’s not your time, it’s you. It’s not your money, it’s you. When you are open, honest, and willing to share your life, that is the most powerful gift you can offer. You can give things without ever giving yourself. You can be physically present, giving your time, but still be mentally and emotionally absent. True giving requires vulnerability, transparency, and a willingness to let people in.  Jesus modeled this perfectly. He didn’t just give Himself when He died on the cross, He gave Himself every day of His ministry. He poured into His apostles, discipled His followers, and touched the lives of the multitudes. When He broke the bread and said, “Take, eat; this is My body,” it was...

  Let’s Grow Together: Aligning Beliefs, Behaviors, and Love in Christ "But speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ."   Ephesians 4:15 (KSB)    The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4 that there is both an individual and a collective consciousness in the Body of Christ. Jesus gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for ministry and to build up His body. This body is not a single person, it is all of us, joined together in unity, growing as one.  For us to grow together , certain principles must be in place. First, our behaviors and beliefs must be in alignment. If they are not, we will experience inner turmoil, which will spill over into the communities we are part of. Paul warns us not to be like children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, but to stand firm in what we believe and live accordingly.   If your beliefs and behaviors do not match, y...