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

  Three Types of Prayers (Ephesians 6:18) "Praying always with all types of prayers, supplication in the Spirit, watching, perseverance, and intercession for all saints;" Ephesians 6:18 KSB    Paul closes out Ephesians chapter 6 by encouraging believers to pray. After describing spiritual warfare against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places, he reminds us to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand strong in battle. He concludes this teaching with a powerful reminder,  prayer is essential.  Prayer is a two-way communication between you and God. It can happen anytime, anywhere, with anyone. Sometimes you speak, sometimes you listen. Prayer is not limited to words; it includes singing, thanksgiving, journaling, worship, fellowship, and anything that opens communication with God. There are also many postures of prayer-sitting, standing, kneeling, bowing, lying prostrate, or walking. Simply put, there is no ...

  Dress for Success: Putting on the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:13) "Wherefore take the whole armor of God, so that you can stand even on the worst of days, and having done all, to stand."  Ephesians 6:13 KSB    When people prepare for an interview, they are intentional about how they present themselves. They dress for success choosing what to wear, what colors to use, and how to accessorize because they want to put forth their very best. Spiritually, we are called to do the same. To succeed in our health, relationships, finances, and spiritual walk, we must be dressed for success by putting on the whole armor of God .    Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that we are not battling against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. These battles show up in whether we walk in ego or humility, fear or love, secrecy or transparency, forgiveness or bitterness. To win these battle...

  Putting on the Whole Armor of God  "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."   Ephesians 6:11 (KSB)    In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul urges us to put on the whole armor of God,  not half, but the whole armor. He draws on the image of a soldier’s equipment to illustrate the spiritual protection we need in order to win the battle within. Remember, the warfare we face is not external, it is internal. God equips us with spiritual consciousness to overcome inner struggles and stand strong in Him.  Paul begins by saying that our loins must be girded with truth . The loins protect our most delicate and intimate parts, symbolizing integrity and authenticity. To live in truth means to be honest, genuine, and open before God and others. The psalmist reminds us that God desires truth in the inward parts. Lies and deception cannot coexist with victory. As Jesus declared, “You will know the truth, and ...

  You Can Win the Battle Within (Ephesians 6:12) "For we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places." – Ephesians 6:12 (KSB)    In Ephesians chapter 6, the Apostle Paul reveals the reality of spiritual warfare . For many, warfare is seen only as an outside attack—Satan, demons, the serpent, or the dragon. Yet, Paul reminds us that the greater battle is not simply external. Greater is God who is in you than anything outside of you.  Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He gave us power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. The real question is not about the enemy outside of us but the one within. The battle is not with your brother, your sister, or even your circumstances. The battle is in your heart, your mind, and your spirit. “It’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.”    Paul l...

  I Will Not Tolerate Disrespect: Wise Words for Leaders (Ephesians 6:9) "And, leaders, do the same things to them, without threatening knowing that God who is also your Master is in heaven and has no respect of persons."   Ephesians 6:9 (KSB)    Paul gives wise words for servants, leaders, parents, and children. As a wise master builder, he shows us how to live a better life, how to lead well, and how to treat others with dignity and kindness. In Ephesians 6, Paul reminds leaders that we were not always in positions of authority, we were once followers, servants, employees, or parishioners. To be effective leaders, we must remember what it was like to be in those positions and treat others with the same respect we once desired.    If you are an employer, remember when you were employed. If you are a spiritual leader, remember when you sat in the pew. If you are a parent, remember when you were a child. Every person longs to be respected. Now ...

  Wise Words for Better Family Living "Serve wholeheartedly, remembering that you are serving the Lord, not people."   Ephesians 6:7 (KSB)    In Ephesians 6:1–4, Paul gives us wise words for better family living . He begins by referencing the Old Testament, reminding us of God’s command: "Children, obey your parents... Honor your father and your mother." This is the first commandment with a promise that life may go well with us and our days may be long upon the earth.  Sometimes, we struggle with this commandment because of what our parents did or did not do. But the call to honor is not based on their perfection. It is based on the fact that God used them as vessels to bring us into this world. Whether raised by biological parents, adoptive parents, or relatives, we are called to honor them for giving us life .    Interestingly, Scripture says, “Honor your father and your mother.” Not the other way around. Some interpret this metaphoric...

  Relationships Don’t Function on Autopilot: They Require Maintenance (Ephesians 5:26-27) "This is a profound mystery but I am talking about Christ and the church."   Ephesians 5:32 (KSB)    In Ephesians 5, Paul gives us wise words for better living. Toward the end of the chapter, he begins speaking about relationships and what is required for them to be healthy and successful. He explains that we must realize we are members of one body. The mystery of Christ and the church reminds us that Christ is the head, and we are His body. Just as in marriage, where husband and wife are joined together, so we too must embrace our oneness in Christ.    You cannot build a lasting, harmonious relationship if you see yourself as separate from others. Instead, recognize that the love of God is the glue that binds us together. Every man is my brother. Every woman is my sister. Every child is my child. Every person is my sibling. Just as families share DNA, we...

  Love Can Last: Lessons from Ephesians 5:29 "For no one ever hates their own bodies; instead, they nourish and cherish them just as the Lord does the church."   Ephesians 5:29 (KSB)    In Ephesians 5, Paul offers us wise words for better living especially in our closest relationships. These principles apply to intimate partnerships, marriages, and even friendships. While some dismiss Paul’s words because he was never married, I believe that God’s wisdom can flow through anyone, regardless of marital status. Even those who are single, divorced, or widowed have valuable lessons to share. God uses all voices to teach us how to build lasting love and healthy relationships.  Paul’s teaching is clear: it must be love . Lust is not enough. Lust fades, and attraction can shift. Sometimes the person you love excites you; sometimes they frustrate you. If a relationship is built only on lust or temporary attraction, it will not last. True love, however, endures. It...

  I Love Myself. I Love My Whole Self (Ephesians 5:29)  "For no one ever hates their own bodies; instead they nourish and cherish them just as the Lord does the church."   Ephesians 5:29 (KSB)    Paul, in Ephesians chapter 5, gives us words of wisdom for living. He follows the Old Testament model of Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, who shared practical truths in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. He also follows the example of Jesus, our way-shower, who taught through parables and life-giving principles. These words in Ephesians are meant to help us live our best lives. And truly, who doesn’t desire to live a better life? Who doesn’t want to become their best self and step into God’s best?    Affirm with me today: I desire to live my best life. My life is getting better and better every day and in every way.  Paul challenges the church at Ephesus to maximize opportunities. This means that God is always opening doors before us, do...

  What Time Is It? Wake Up to God’s Call (Ephesians 5:14) "This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’"   Ephesians 5:14    What time is it? We all live in different time zones, but the question here isn’t about chronos,  the ticking of the clock. Instead, it’s about Kairos,  God’s appointed time in your life. The Apostle Paul, speaking to the church at Ephesus, declares: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” This is not just a call to open our eyes physically, but spiritually.  Sometimes life sends us an alarm clock. That trial, tribulation, or heartache you are facing may feel irritating and frustrating, but it is designed to wake you up not destroy you. Just as a loud alarm pulls you out of deep sleep, life’s challenges are spiritual alarms calling you back to the truth of who you are in Christ: God’s beloved child, created in His image and likeness.  ...

  I AM Working on It: Stages of Kingdom Life (Ephesians 5:5) "You can be sure of this: no immoral, impure or greedy person who commits idolatry can have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God."   Ephesians 5:5 (KSB)    There are steps to this; there are stages to this. Just as we experience stages of development in the natural from zygote, embryo, and fetus to newborn, child, and eventually adulthood we also go through spiritual stages. Life unfolds in steps and stages both naturally and supernaturally.  When we first encounter God’s Word and it pierces our hearts, something is conceived in the spirit. Just as a baby must grow in the womb before birth, we grow within the womb of the church, learning who God is, who Jesus is, who the Holy Spirit is, and who we are in Him. We also begin practicing spiritual disciplines. Eventually, the water breaks, and we are birthed into the Kingdom of God.    When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we ...

  Jesus Christ: God’s Love Gift to Humanity  "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and has given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."   (Ephesians 5:2) KSB    Jesus Christ is God’s love gift to us, to humanity, to you personally, and to me individually. Scripture tells us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This powerful truth reminds us that God’s love is demonstrated in His giving . He gave us His Son, and Jesus gave His very life for us.  Jesus is not only our Savior but also our way-shower . He is the pattern Son, the example of what it means to be both fully human and fully divine. His life gives us a model for how to live, think, speak, and love. Whenever we face choices, we can ask: “What would Jesus do? What would Jesus say? What would Jesus think?” This guidance is a priceless gift we ...

  I AM God’s Dearly Beloved: Living in His Love  "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly beloved offspring."  (Ephesians 5:1) KSB    When we hear the phrase “dearly beloved” , it’s usually in a wedding, funeral, baptism, or other sacred moment. Some may even recall it from a Prince song. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a special occasion to hear those words. Every single day, you can look in the mirror and boldly affirm, “I AM God’s dearly beloved. I AM deeply loved.”    God’s love is not occasional. It is everlasting , unconditional, and unshakable. The Lord declares, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of good and not of evil, to bless you, to prosper you, and to bring you to an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11).  When God thinks of you, He rejoices over you. He calls you His own.  Being called God’s dearly beloved speaks of intimacy. It’s more than simply being His creation; it is about relationship...

  I AM Working on It (Ephesians 5:5) "You can be sure of this: no immoral, impure or greedy person who commits idolatry can have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God."   Ephesians 5:5 (KSB)    There are steps to this; there are stages to this. In the natural, we go through stages of development, in the womb, zygote, embryo, fetus, and then we come out of the womb as a newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, young adult, and into late adulthood. Life happens in steps and stages naturally, and it’s the same way supernaturally . It is the same way spiritually. Things happen in steps and stages.  When we are in the world, and then the Word hits our heart, we become conceived in the Spirit in the womb of the church. Spiritually, we are those zygotes, embryos, and fetuses learning who God is, who Jesus is, who the Holy Spirit is, and who we are in Him. We begin learning spiritual disciplines in the womb of the church.    But there comes a ...

  What Time Is It? Waking Up to God’s Light (Ephesians 5:14) "This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" – Ephesians 5:14 (KSB)    What time is it? Around the world, we live in different time zones that determine the physical hour. But the question here is not about chronos time, the ticking of the clock. It’s about Kairos time, the divine moment. What time is it in your life?  In Ephesians 5:14, Paul writes to the church of Ephesus: “Wake up, sleeper.” This call is more than a physical awakening; it’s a spiritual one. Some in his day even believed that sleep resembled death and waking resembled resurrection. Paul reminds us that when we wake up, Christ’s light shines in us and through us.  So, what time is it for you? Maybe it’s time for an alarm clock moment . Trials, frustrations, and challenges in life can feel like loud, irritating alarms, but they are not meant to destroy you. They are designe...

  Words of Wisdom for Better Living (Ephesians 5:15–18) "Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise,"  Ephesians 5:15 (KSB)    The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5, gives us timeless words of wisdom for better living . Following the model of Solomon, one of the wisest men in Scripture, and Jesus, our divine Teacher, Paul offers principles that help us live with wisdom, purpose, and balance. His message is as relevant today as it was to the church in Ephesus.  Who doesn’t desire to live a better life? Who doesn’t long to become their best self? Let us affirm together: I desire to live my best life. My life is getting better and better every day and in every way. 1. Maximize Opportunities (Ephesians 5:16)    Paul reminds us to make the most of every opportunity. God is always opening doors and creating new pathways for growth and blessing. Your gift will make room for you and bring you before great people. When you see every...

  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...