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

The Nine Stage Life Cycle the Kingdom Key of Life & Death READ | I Peter 2:19-25 “Jesus’ experiences provide us with an example; therefore, we are to follow in his footsteps (I Peter 2:21 ).” Jesus is our Wayshower, our example of what it means to be fully human and fully divine. Jesus can relate to every part of our divine and human experience. He was tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). How we see ourselves and others often depends on where we start the story of our lives. The Church focuses on Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection and calls it the gospel. However, beginning with death is like starting a book in the middle of the story. The Church has this awful habit of beginning in the middle and missing the full perspective. The Kingdom embraces the whole of the life cycle, not just a part of it. The Kingdom teaches that Jesus was an example to us throughout his entire process: his pre-existence wi...

Development Takes Place in the Dark The Kingdom Key of Light & Darkness R EAD | Psalm 137:11-16 “What I tell you in darkness, speak in light: and what I whisper in your ears, preach on the rooftops Matthew 10::27 Darkness in the scriptures is often associated with sin, iniquity, transgressions, trespasses, abominations, wickedness, and unrighteousness (Acts 26:18). Over the past few days, we have learned that darkness also symbolizes the good that is not apparent to us. We now also understand that ignorance can be abated through stillness, meditation, mindfulness, and breathing. In Jesus’ teachings, there is a third illustration of darkness, development. Zygotes, embryos, and fetuses develop their internal and external organs in the darkness of their mothers’ womb. When babies are born their eyes must adjust to the light because they have been growing in darkness for nine months. Some of the most beautiful photographs were developed in dar...

When the Light Bulb Comes on The Kingdom Key of Light & Darkness R EAD | I John 1:1-10 “I AM the light of the world: whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12).” Darkness is associated with ignorance, not knowing. People who desire to be informed often say, “do not keep me in the dark.” When people gain an understanding, it is symbolized by the light bulb coming on over their heads. We do not have to live in darkness, we can be still and know. “Be still and know that I AM God (Psalm 46:10).” Knowledge is information, data, and facts. We have all knowledge inside of us because God is inside of us. Wisdom is the implementation of the information that we have received. We have all wisdom inside of us because God is inside of us. Understanding is the inspiration to share the wisdom that we have received with others. We have all understanding inside of us because God is inside us. We c...

Balancing Light & Darkness The Kingdom Key of Light & Darkness R EAD | Genesis 1:1-31 “He was the true Light, which lights every person who is born into the world ( John  1:9).” Everyday has light and darkness. As highlighted in our reading for today, “the evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:5).” This same process of darkness and light cont inues throughout all the days of creation. Notice in the creation story, the evening comes first and then t he morning. “Weeping may endure for a night , but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).” We are always working with darkness and light, the sun and the moon, and the greater light and the lesser light. No matter how gloomy the darkness, we always have the power to say, “Let there be light.” The day is not complete until there is both evening and morning, darkness and light. Every person has light and darkness. The light is reflected when we...