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

Expected Increase The Kingdom Key of Few & Many R EAD | Matthew 25:14-31 “Your gift will make room for you and bring you before great people (Proverbs 18:16).” In the text, there is an expectation of increase. The lord did not give them any instructions as to what to do with the talents. He did not model for them how to handle their talents. He did not tell them what to do with the talents. He expected them to figure that out and do as they felt was best as long as they brought back an increase. The lord expected each of his servants to bring him an increase. He wanted them to have more money than they started with. Although the lord did not state that he wanted them to bring him an increase to the money that he had given them, there is an implied expectation of increase. Although the lord did not state how much of an increase he desired for them to obtain, there was an expectation of increase. Talents in the scripture...

Time - The Kingdom Key of Few & Many R EAD | Matthew 25:14-31 “We must work the work of God who crea ted and sent us while it is day because when night comes no one can work (John 9:4).” After the lord gave his servants their talents, he left them and went on a journey. He did not tell them when he was coming back. He did not stand and watch over them to see what they were going to do with his talents. He gave them time to do what they thought best with the talent(s). In addition to the gift of talents, we are all given the gift of time. We must make use, not only of our talents, but also of our allotted time. God gives each of us talents and then gives each of us time to discover, develop, and demonstrate our talents. It is imperative that we are good stewards to our time, individuality, and money all from the energy of love. The scriptures do not tell us how long the lord was away. It just states that “after a long t...

Talent Distribution The Kingdom Key of Few & Many R EAD | Matthew 25:14-31 “To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48).” In today’s reading , there were three men who represented three different states of consciousness. The lord gave each one of them a different number of talents. One person was given five talents. Another person was given two talents. Yet another was given one talent. Each person was given talents according to his ability and his divine purpose. Talent distribution was not based on everyone having an equal number of talents, but it was based on each person’s ability to handle the talents that he was given. God has created each one of us and knows how much we can bear. God knows how much we can handle. Each of us has the capacity to carry something but how much we can carry is different. Therefore, there is no benefit in comparing ourselves to others, comparing what we do to what others do or comparing how ...

Your Agreement, Your Assignment  The Kingdom Key of First & Last R EAD | Matthew 20:1-17 “Study to be quiet, to do your own business and to work with your own  hands (I Thessalonians 4:11).” In today’s work world, we are familiar with people working different shifts. For example, in most hospitals and other 24-hour businesses, people work either 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (first shift),  3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (second shift) or 11:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. (third shift). Sometimes those who work overnight may get additional pay for night differential. Unless they are salaried employees, people  are paid according to the number of hours that they work. In this parable, Jesus illustrates that the Kingdom operates according to a unique management style with policies and procedures that are different from this world’s system. This manager had a lot of work that needed to be done. He hi...

  N.O. or D.O.? The Kingdom Key of First & Last R EAD | Matthew 19:27-30 “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first (Matthew 19:30).” There is a natural order (N.O.) and there is a divine order (D.O.). The natural order of things is not always the divine order of things. For example, the natural order of things is for the oldest child to be in leadership positions and for the younger siblings to submit. Nevertheless, in scripture, the elders often serve the younger as it was with Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his brothers; as well as with David and his brothers. Many times, it is challenging for us to align our minds with the divine order because we are so focused on the natural order. In our humanity, we often look for things to be fair and even. In Kingdom, it is not about our perception of equality but God ’s everlasting purpose. With God there is always a bigger purpose and a higher plan that transcends seniority, age,...