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

  You Can Live in Peace – The Jesus Kind of Peace (Ephesians 2:14)    The world offers a kind of peace through its systems, governments, and philosophies but this peace is temporary. In contrast, Jesus offers a peace that surpasses all understanding . This is not the fragile calm the world gives, but an inner well-being that remains steady regardless of circumstances. It is the Jesus kind of peace . "For He Himself is our peace..." – Ephesians 2:14    This peace is available to you as God’s beloved child, created in His image and likeness. He has promised to keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on Him. The Jesus kind of peace quiets storms, silences fear, and gives you confidence in God’s love even in the face of trials. "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." – Isaiah 26:3    Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; in Me you will...

  Change the Way You Look at Giving "They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God."   1 Thessalonians 1:9 (KJV)    In order for us to experience harmonious relationships , we must first change the way we look at giving. A healthy relationship is always mutual both giving and receiving. But until we shift our perspective on giving, our relationships may remain filled with chaos, confusion, contention, competition, and comparison.  The Apostle Paul thanked the church at Thessalonica for the way they received him. In the same way, God calls us to create harmony in our relationships by embracing a new way of seeing giving. Let’s look at three truths that will transform the way we give. 1. I cannot give you what I do not have.    If I don’t have a million dollars, I cannot give it to you no matter how much I love you. Many of our frustrations come from expecting people to give us something they simply do not ha...

  The Power of Let (Colossians 3:15) "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, because you are called to be one body; and be thankful."   Colossians 3:15    Little word. Three letters. Tremendous impact: LET . In Genesis 1, God spoke creation into being with this same word—“Let there be light”—and light appeared. That same creative power resides in us because we are made in God’s image and likeness. The Apostle Paul uses this powerful word in Colossians 3, calling the believers in Colossae to embrace what God has already given. Today, we are invited to do the same.     1. Let the Peace of God Rule Paul writes, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” He does not say, “Force peace” or “Create peace.” Instead, he invites us to allow it. Peace already dwells within us because Christ dwells within us. Jesus said, “My peace I give to you”—an unshakable calm and assurance that all is well. When we allow God’s peace to reign, it guards our he...

  Are You in the World, in the Church, or in the Kingdom? (Matthew 16:18–19)    The church is not simply a place you can go to. The building, the edifice, the sanctuary those are physical structures. But the true church is spiritual . Many say, “Let’s go to church,” but a better way to say that is, “Let’s go to worship, service, or fellowship.” Why? Because we are the church. The church is the body of Christ worldwide, with Jesus as the head and us as the body.     Pulling Point One: The church is not just a place you go.     Pulling Point Two: The church is not simply an activity. Some say, “Let’s have church,” as if it were only an event or behavior. But church is deeper, it is a system, a way of life, and a form of God-centered government . It is a lifestyle of being, seeing, thinking, speaking, and behaving that includes God. The church is not just something you do ; the church is something you are .    Scri...

  The Power of Let: Embracing Peace, Word, and Praise (Colossians 3:15) "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."   Colossians 3:15    Such a small word-three letters, yet packed with tremendous power: LET . We first see it in creation: “Let there be light,” and light appeared (Genesis 1). The Creator of the universe formed worlds with that single word. And because we are made in God’s image, we too carry authority in our words. The Apostle Paul uses this same word in Colossians to encourage the church and us today. Let’s look at three powerful ways to embrace the word let . 1. Let the Peace of God Rule    Paul doesn’t say, “Make peace happen.” He says, “ Let it happen.” Peace is already within you because God dwells within you. Jesus promised, “My peace I give to you.” This peace is not based on circumstances but on God’s presence. Isaiah reminds us: “You will ke...

  Everyone Gotta Know Who JESUS Is (Colossians 1:27)    The book of Colossians is filled with correction and clarification. In chapter 1, the Apostle Paul addresses misunderstandings within the church, making sure that everyone clearly knows who Jesus is. Just like the old gospel song reminds us, “Everybody ought to know who Jesus is”  Paul wanted the Colossians to have no confusion, no misconceptions, and no doubts. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created..." – Colossians 1:15-16    In Colossians 1:15–20, Paul gives us four key revelations about Jesus Christ that every believer must understand: 1. Jesus is the Image of the Invisible God    Although God is Spirit, Jesus came in human form to show us the visible image of God. As John 1 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus reveals God’s nature, powe...

  Stop Trying to Do Everything by Yourself (Colossians 1:1)  "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, with Timothy, our brother."   Colossians 1:1 KSB    Give honor where honor is due. When Paul wrote to the church at Colossae, he had never even been there. He didn’t physically start the church, one of his spiritual sons did. Like the woman at the well who went back to evangelize her city, Paul’s disciple went back and helped birth a church. And when Paul wrote to them, he didn’t take all the credit. He included Timothy’s name as co-author of the letter. In fact, Paul co-authored multiple letters, often naming Timothy, Silas, and others who labored with him. Paul understood the power of partnership and gave recognition to those who helped him.    That’s the invitation for us today: be a team player. Collaborate, partner, network. Work together, and when you do, acknowledge those who supported you. Don’t hog the limelight or p...

  What Is It? (Philippians 4:19) "But my God will supply all your needs according to God’s riches in glory through Christ Jesus."   Philippians 4:19 KSB    Philippians chapter 4 contains some of the most well-known promises in Scripture, and one of the most quoted is: “But my God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This powerful verse reminds us that God is faithful to meet our needs, but it also invites us to discern between wants, needs, and desires . 1. Wants    The lowest level of consciousness is want . Wants come from the ego, the flesh, the lesser version of ourselves. They are fueled by comparison, jealousy, envy, and strife. Wanting is always focused on pulling something external into our lives so we can feel complete, yet wants never satisfy. As soon as one want is met, another quickly takes its place. This is why Psalm 23 declares: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”  Go...

  What Are You Willing to Lose to Gain Something Better? (Philippians 3:7) "But what were gains for me, are now considered losses for Christ."   Philippians 3:7 KSB    In business, people often speak of losses and gains. They prepare budgets, measure profits, and reconcile accounts to see where they stand. Paul, in Philippians chapter 3, uses this same language but applies it to his spiritual journey. He says, everything I once thought was a gain, I now count as loss for the sake of Christ.    Paul had knowledge, wealth, status, and influence, yet he called it all “dung” compared to knowing Christ. What he lost was nothing compared to what he gained in Jesus. His message is clear: sometimes the very things we cling to are what keep us from experiencing the fullness of God. Losses and Gains (Philippians 3:7) 1. Race – Paul was proud of being an Israelite, a Hebrew of Hebrews. Yet he realized that his race was not his ultimate identity. You...

  The Way to Exaltation (Philippians 2:8-9) "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name."  Philippians 2:8-9 KSB    In Philippians chapter 2, Paul points us to Jesus as our ultimate example of exaltation. The lesson is simple yet profound: humble yourself, and God will exalt you. In God’s Kingdom, the way up is truly the way down.    Jesus, though found in human form, chose humility and obedience even unto death on the cross. If we desire true exaltation, we must recognize that this physical body is only a form, a vessel. The real power lies in who we are as spiritual beings. Our bodies are temporary houses, but our spirit is eternal and limitless, flowing with the life of God.    God formed humanity from the dust, but He breathed His own Spirit into us, making us living sou...

  I Know Why This Happened to Me (Philippians 1:12) "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."   Philippians 1:6    In Philippians 1:12, Paul gives us insight into the purpose behind his experiences. He declares, "Brothers, let me tell you why everything that has happened to me has taken place, it is for the furtherance of the Gospel." This powerful statement speaks directly to the question we often ask ourselves: "Why is this happening to me?"  Paul teaches us that everything in his life, his trials, his struggles, his victories was ultimately for spreading the Good News. The Gospel means good news, glad tidings. The Gospel of Jesus Christ covers His pre-existence, birth, life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, intercession, and second coming. Jesus Christ is our example, the pattern Son, showing us how to live as both fully human and fully divine.  ...